Ant International’s WorldFirst Launches World Card to Simplify Payment for Global Commerce

LONDON & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 16, 2025--

Ant International’s WorldFirst —an all-in-one digital cross-border payment and treasury account service for global businesses—has launched World Card, a Mastercard-enabled virtual card solution designed to help SMEs grow by simplifying global transactions and lowering operational costs.

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Small businesses stand to benefit from the e-commerce boom, where market size is projected to reach US$12.9 trillion in 2032 with a 13.65% CAGR 1. However, they also face a set of challenges to capitalise on the broad industry potential, including high entry barriers, rising operational costs, and fierce competition, a Deloitte-WorldFirst report has found 2.

Having empowered over one million SMEs to scale their businesses internationally, WorldFirst has partnered with Mastercard to develop for World Card the following customised features to enhance global operational efficiency for customers:

The World Card complements the comprehensive offerings on the World Account, the flagship product of WorldFirst offering global payment, collection, foreign exchange conversion, and treasury management from a single account.

2025 will see a full-scale rollout of the World Card to markets across Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa. World Card will also begin to support Apple Pay and Google Pay in the coming months.

A physical World Card is coming in 2025, enabling in-person transactions while serving as a backup when digital payments aren't possible. The physical card retains the digital version's benefits, including multi-currency support, cashback and security through unified platform management - while ensuring compatibility with chip-card POS terminals.

“With the launch of the World Card, WorldFirst and Mastercard are giving ambitious businesses a smarter way to manage spending. Today’s small businesses often have global ambitions, but outdated payment processes can hold them back. The new solution offers the ease, security, and international reach they need to scale without borders. Together, we’re helping them simplify operations, stay on top of spending, and expand into new markets,” says Jane Prokop, executive vice president and global head of small and medium enterprises at Mastercard.

“WorldFirst enables business growth by delivering solutions featuring global coverage, secure transactions and operational efficiency—essential foundations for SMEs’ success in today's digital economy. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Mastercard and industry leaders to pioneer innovative solutions like World Card, empowering SMEs and drive inclusive growth,” says Clara Shi, CEO of WorldFirst and vice president of Ant International.

WorldFirst is part of Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider offering a unified techfin platform to unlock next-gen commerce for all.

About WorldFirst

WorldFirst offers cross-border payments and treasury services through its global business account, empowering growth for SMEs in e-commerce, trade, and the broad platform economy. WorldFirst simplifies key financial operations, including international payments, collections, currency conversions, and treasury management, all in a one-stop account. Leveraging the technological strengths of its parent company Ant International, WorldFirst delivers industry-leading transaction security and reliability. WorldFirst has supported over one million customers, enabling payments in 100+ currencies across more than 200 countries and regions. Learn more about WorldFirst at https://www.worldfirst.com.

1Source: " E-Commerce Payment Market Forecast Report by Type, Application, Countries and Company Analysis 2024-2032" Research and Markets.
2Source: "Going-Global Seizing Next Great Opportunity in Digital Trade" Deloitte-WorldFirst.
*Terms and conditions apply, and may vary from region to region.

Users can pay with World Card for purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted, in 150+ currencies across 210+ countries and regions

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday because of a strained right oblique, three days after getting hurt during a swing in a game at the Baltimore Orioles.

Chisholm grabbed at his side after fouling off a first pitch from Kyle Gibson during the first inning, took a ball and then stepped out of the batter's box to stretch the side, prompting manager Aaron Boone and and athletic trainer to come out and speak with him.

Chisholm remained in the game, doubled into the right-field corner on the next pitch and when the ball was bobbled headed to third and slid in headfirst. He appeared in discomfort and immediately left the game for a pinch runner.

“I’m really not as concerned as everybody else,” he said after the game. “I tore my oblique before. I know it’s not torn or anything.”

Chisholm didn't play Wednesday and was to have tests Thursday after the team returned to New York. The IL roster move was retroactive to Wednesday, and the Yankees recalled infielder Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Acquired from Miami last July 27, Chisholm is hitting .181 with seven homers and 17 RBIs in 30 games. He was sidelined between Aug. 12 and 23 last year because of a sprained left elbow sustained on a headfirst slide.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. strikes out swinging during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, April 28, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)