Neema, a cross-border payments platform focused on financial institutions, said it has partnered with Alipay to enable payouts to Alipay users in China.

The company said the arrangement is designed to help banks and other financial institutions make cross-border payments into China more efficiently. China has long been a difficult market for international payments because transfers are often slowed by foreign exchange controls and regulatory requirements affecting both individuals and businesses.

Key Takeaways:

• Neema has partnered with Alipay to support payouts to Alipay users in China.
• The service is aimed at financial institutions using Neema’s cross-border payments platform.
• The deal strengthens Neema’s position in China and adds to its existing Asian network, which already includes UnionPay.
• Cross-border payments involving China remain difficult because of foreign exchange controls and regulatory complexity.
• Alipay’s wallet serves more than 1 billion consumers and over 80 million merchants in China.

By connecting to Alipay, Neema is expanding its payment coverage in China and across Asia. The company said the partnership builds on its existing regional presence, which already includes a partnership with UnionPay.

The announcement also gives Neema access to one of China’s largest digital payment ecosystems. According to the company, Alipay’s digital wallet serves more than 1 billion consumers and over 80 million merchants across China.

Neema said the partnership will allow those users to receive payments through its platform with greater reliability and through what it described as a more stable connection between China and international markets.

Moshe Kimhi, chief executive and co-founder of Neema, said the addition of Alipay to the company’s network reflects growing industry confidence in its infrastructure. “This is much more than just a new connection. It translates to wider coverage, smoother delivery, and improved reliability, which are necessary for seamless payments between China and the rest of the world,” he said.

The announcement comes as payment companies continue to compete on speed, reach and reliability in the cross-border market, especially in Asia, where demand for digital wallet support is growing.

Why It Matters

For financial institutions, access to Alipay through Neema could improve payout options for customers sending money into China. For businesses and consumers receiving funds, it may mean a more direct and dependable route for cross-border payments.