Alipay

{{short description|Third-party mobile and online payment platform}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox company | name = Alipay | logo = Alipay logo (2024).svg | logo_upright = 0.45 | logo_class = skin-invert-image | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | trading_name = | native_name = 支付宝 | native_name_lang = zh | romanized_name = Zhīfùbǎo | former_name = | type = | traded_as = | ISIN = | industry = [[Financial services]][[Payment processor]] | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{Start date and age|2004|2|df=yes}} in [[Hangzhou]], [[Zhejiang]], China | founder = [[Jack Ma]] | hq_location = [[Pudong]] | hq_location_city = [[Shanghai]] | hq_location_country = China | num_locations = | num_locations_year = | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = | products = [[E-commerce payment system|Electronic payment processing]][[Bank]]ing[[Mobile payment]] | brands = | production = | production_year = | services = | revenue = | revenue_year = | operating_income = | income_year = | net_income = | net_income_year = | aum = | assets = | assets_year = | equity = | equity_year = | owner = | members = | members_year = | num_employees = | num_employees_year = | parent = [[Ant Financial]] | divisions = | subsid = | module = | ratio = | rating = | website = {{URL|https://www.alipay.com/}} | footnotes = }} {{Infobox Chinese | s = 支付宝 | t = 支付寶 | p = Zhīfùbǎo }}

'''Alipay''' ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=支付宝|t=支付寶|p=zhīfùbǎo}}) is a third-party [[Mobile payments in China|mobile]] and [[Payment service provider|online payment platform]], established in [[Hangzhou]], China in February 2004 by [[Alibaba Group]] and its founder [[Jack Ma]]. In 2015, Alipay moved its headquarters to [[Pudong]], [[Shanghai]], although its parent company [[Ant Financial]] remains Hangzhou-based.{{cite news |url=http://news.163.com/15/0423/03/ANRVH1D500014AED.html |title=支付宝总部迁址上海陆家嘴 |date=23 April 2015 |work=Netease |access-date=22 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150254/http://news.163.com/15/0423/03/ANRVH1D500014AED.html |archive-date=28 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}

Alipay overtook [[PayPal]] as the world's largest mobile (digital) payment platform in 2013.{{Cite book |last=Shi |first=Song |title=China and the Internet: Using New Media for Development and Social Change |date=2023 |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |isbn=9781978834736 |location=New Brunswick, NJ |pages=150}} As of June 2020, Alipay serves over 1.3 billion users and 80 million merchants.{{Cite web|title=Ant Group|url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2020/102484/documents/sehk20082500535.pdf|website=Hong Kong Exchange News|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020200428/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2020/102484/documents/sehk20082500535.pdf|url-status=live}} According to the statistics of the fourth quarter of 2018, Alipay has a 55.32% share of the third-party payment market in mainland China, and it continues to grow.{{cite news|url=https://news.mydrivers.com/1/575/575709.htm|title=8.7亿!支付宝首次公布用户量: 全球第一|language=zh-cn|work=快科技|date=2018-05-04|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004181601/https://news.mydrivers.com/1/575/575709.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://finance.caijing.com.cn/20180504/4447746.shtml|title=8.7亿!支付宝首次公布全球活跃用户数量|work=新浪财经|date=2018-05-04|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004190010/http://finance.caijing.com.cn/20180504/4447746.shtml|archive-date=2018-10-04|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cw.com.hk/digital-transformation/alipay-world-s-second-largest-mobile-wallet|title=Alipay is world's second largest mobile wallet|work=Computer World HK|date=2018-04-09|access-date=2018-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006194900/https://www.cw.com.hk/digital-transformation/alipay-world-s-second-largest-mobile-wallet|archive-date=2018-10-06|url-status=dead}}

Along with [[WeChat]], Alipay has been described to be China's [[super-app]] with a wide range of functionalities including [[Ridesharing company|ridesharing]], travel booking and medical appointments.{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Ananya |title=WeChat is the world's biggest superapp, but it's not the only one |url=https://qz.com/wechat-worlds-biggest-superapp-1850414689 |access-date=8 June 2023 |date=9 May 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608152621/https://qz.com/wechat-worlds-biggest-superapp-1850414689 |url-status=live }}Fischer, Matthias. ''Fintech Business Models: Applied Canvas Method and Analysis of Venture Capital Rounds'', Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, 2021, pp. 24-25. {{doi|10.1515/9783110704907-020}}

== History == The service was first launched in 2003, by [[Taobao]].{{Cite web|title=History of Alibaba: Timeline and Facts|url=https://www.thestreet.com/world/history-of-alibaba-15145103|last=O'Connell|first=Brian|website=TheStreet|date=2 January 2020|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-13|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122405/https://www.thestreet.com/world/history-of-alibaba-15145103|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/52670084-6c2c-11e1-b00f-00144feab49a|title=How Taobao bested Ebay in China|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-03-11|url-access=subscription|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725051353/https://www.ft.com/content/52670084-6c2c-11e1-b00f-00144feab49a|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Banks Aren't Innovative in 2020|url=https://www.bbntimes.com/financial/banks-aren-t-innovative-in-2020|last=King|first=Brett|website=www.bbntimes.com|date=20 April 2020 |language=en-gb|access-date=2020-05-13|archive-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520173926/https://www.bbntimes.com/financial/banks-aren-t-innovative-in-2020|url-status=live}} The [[People's Bank of China]], China's central bank, issued licensing regulations in June 2010 for third-party payment providers. It also issued separate guidelines for foreign-funded payment institutions.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Because of this, Alipay, which accounted for half of China's non-bank online payment market{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}, was restructured as a domestic company controlled by Alibaba [[CEO]] [[Jack Ma]] in order to facilitate the regulatory approval for the license.{{cite web|url=http://english.caixin.com/2011-05-27/100263583.html|title=Alipay Awarded Third-Party Payment License|last=Wang|first=Shanshan|date=27 May 2011|work=Caixin Online|access-date=24 September 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006130354/http://english.caixin.com/2011-05-27/100263583.html|url-status=live}} The 2010 transfer of Alipay's ownership was controversial, with media reports in 2011 that [[Yahoo!]] and [[Softbank]] ([[Alibaba Group]]'s controlling shareholders) were not informed of the sale for nominal value. Chinese business publication ''[[Caixin Media|Century Weekly]]'' criticised Ma, who stated that Alibaba Group's board of directors was aware of the transaction.{{cite web|url=http://english.caing.com/2011-06-14/100269321.html|title=How Jack Ma's Mistake Damaged China's Market|date=14 June 2011|work=Caixin Online|access-date=24 September 2014|archive-date=8 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908164033/http://english.caing.com/2011-06-14/100269321.html|url-status=live}} The incident was criticised in foreign and Chinese media as harming foreign trust in making Chinese investments.{{cite news|url=http://digicha.com/index.php/2011/07/jack-ma-talks-to-china-entrepreneur-magazine-about-the-alipay-case/|title=Jack Ma Talks To China Entrepreneur Magazine About The Alipay Case (UPDATED)|date=6 July 2011|access-date=10 October 2013|publisher=DigiCha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013020334/http://digicha.com/index.php/2011/07/jack-ma-talks-to-china-entrepreneur-magazine-about-the-alipay-case/|archive-date=13 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The ownership dispute was resolved by [[Alibaba Group]], [[Yahoo!|Yahoo]]!, and [[SoftBank Group|Softbank]] in July 2011.{{cite web|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/yahoo-and-alibaba-resolve-alipay-dispute/|title=Yahoo and Alibaba Resolve Dispute Over Alipay|last=Rusli|first=Evelyn M.|date=29 July 2011|work=[[DealBook]]|access-date=4 May 2017|archive-date=29 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729170320/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/yahoo-and-alibaba-resolve-alipay-dispute/|url-status=live}}

In 2013, Alipay launched a financial product platform called {{ill|Yu'e Bao|zh|余额宝}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/news/financial-innovation-china-alibaba%E2%80%99s-leftover-treasure-%E4%BD%99%E9%A2%9D%E5%AE%9D-234236|title=Financial Innovation in China: Alibaba's Leftover Treasure - 余额宝|last=Chohan|first=Usman W.|publisher=McGill University|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=24 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124033714/https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/news/financial-innovation-china-alibaba%E2%80%99s-leftover-treasure-%E4%BD%99%E9%A2%9D%E5%AE%9D-234236|url-status=live}} Alipay partnered with [[Tianhong Asset Management]] to launch the it. Yu'e Bao offers an online money market account in which Alipay customers can deposit money and receive a higher interest rate than that available from banks.{{Rp|page=33}} It soon became China's largest online money market fund and prompted competitors like Baidu and Tencent to introduce alternatives.{{Rp|page=33}} Alibaba (the parent company of Alipay) reported having 152 million Yu'e Bao users in mid-2016, with 810 billion RMB (US$117 billion) in funds under management.{{Cite journal |last1=McDonald |first1=Tom |last2=Guo |first2=Yanan |date=April 2021 |title='What would happen if you can't see your money?': Visibility and the emergent infrastructures of digital money storage in China |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444820954198 |journal=New Media & Society |language=en |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=715–731 |doi=10.1177/1461444820954198 |s2cid=222337469 |issn=1461-4448 |access-date=21 April 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421124842/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444820954198 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}

In 2015, Alipay's parent company was re-branded as [[Ant Financial Services Group]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-alibaba-idUSKCN0I50KJ20141016|title=Alibaba affiliate Alipay rebranded Ant in new financial services push|last=Shih|first=Gerry|date=2014-10-16|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=2015-12-22|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619113402/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-alibaba-idUSKCN0I50KJ20141016|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Alipay unveiled their [[Facial recognition system|facial recognition]] payment service.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/03/alibaba-debuts-smile-to-pay/|title=Alibaba debuts 'smile to pay' facial recognition payments at KFC in China {{!}} TechCrunch|last1=Russell|first1=Jon|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122405/https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/03/alibaba-debuts-smile-to-pay/|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Alipay upgraded from a payment financial instrument to an open platform for digital life.{{cite news |last1=Hua |first1=Xin |title=Alipay aids China's service industry in going digital |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202003/12/WS5e698f6ca31012821727e651.html |access-date=13 November 2020 |date=13 March 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122405/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202003/12/WS5e698f6ca31012821727e651.html |url-status=live }}

In 2021, the mandate by the [[Ministry of Industry and Information Technology]] (MIIT) to open up the "[[Closed platform|walled garden]]" ecosystems of the major tech companies has led to the introduction of interoperability of payment QR codes of Alipay and competing [[WeChat Pay]] and [[UnionPay]]'s [[Cloud QuickPass]] platforms.{{cite news |last1=Zhang |first1=Jane |title=Ant Group, Tencent further open up their mobile payment ecosystems to state-owned UnionPay |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3151120/ant-group-tencent-further-open-their-mobile-payment-ecosystems-state |access-date=7 October 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006110516/https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3151120/ant-group-tencent-further-open-their-mobile-payment-ecosystems-state |url-status=live }}

== Services == [[File:Alipay payment 20160121.jpg|thumb|263x263px|Food ordering with Alipay in mainland China]]

Alipay states that it operates with more than 65 financial institutions including [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] and [[MasterCard]]{{cite web|url=http://market.alipay.com/ospay/aboutAlipay/wideCooperationInFinancingChannels.html|title=About Alipay|publisher=Alipay|access-date=10 October 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130802073932/http://market.alipay.com/ospay/aboutAlipay/wideCooperationInFinancingChannels.html|archive-date=2013-08-02|url-status=dead}} to provide payment services for [[Taobao]] and [[Tmall]] as well as more than 460,000 online and local Chinese businesses.

Alipay is used in smartphones with their Alipay Wallet app. [[QR code]] payment codes are used for local in-store payments.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/08/china-is-living-the-future-of-mobile-pay-right-now.html|title=Cash is already pretty much dead in China as the country lives the future with mobile pay|last=Cheng|first=Evelyn|date=2017-10-08|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-01-21|archive-date=28 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728134425/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/08/china-is-living-the-future-of-mobile-pay-right-now.html|url-status=live}} The Alipay app also provides features such as [[credit card]] bill payments, [[bank account]] managements, [[peer-to-peer banking|P2P transfer]], [[prepay mobile phone]] top-up, bus and train ticket purchases, food orders, [[vehicle for hire|vehicles for hire]], insurance selections and a digital identification document storage.{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2076792/alipay-adds-digital-storage-feature-identification-documents|title=Alipay adds digital storage feature for identification documents|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201936/http://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2076792/alipay-adds-digital-storage-feature-identification-documents|url-status=live}} Alipay also allows online check-out on most Chinese-based websites such as [[Taobao]] and [[Tmall]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/chinese-internet-users/online-payment-services-china-how-does-alipay-differ-paypal|title=Online payment services in China: How does Alipay differ from PayPal?|date=2013-12-19|work=Nanjing Marketing Group|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201603/https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/chinese-internet-users/online-payment-services-china-how-does-alipay-differ-paypal|url-status=live}}

The Alipay app allows users to add their own services provided from different companies to create a more personalised experience.{{Cite web |title=支付宝开放平台 |url=https://open.alipay.com/portal/forum/post/139601142 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=open.alipay.com}}

Since late 2008, Alipay has promoted public service payment services and has covered more than 300 cities nationwide, supporting more than 1,200 partner organizations.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/tech/2017-07/21/content_30203475.htm |title='Credit cities' taking shape in China |website=Chinadaily |last=戴甜 |access-date=2018-03-11 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122408/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/tech/2017-07/21/content_30203475.htm |url-status=live }} In addition to utility bills such as water and electricity, Alipay also extends their services to areas such as paying transportation fines, property fees, and cable television fees.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@charliecliu/everything-you-need-to-know-about-alipay-and-wechat-pay-2e5e6686d6dc|title=Everything You Need to Know about Alipay and WeChat Pay|last=Liu|first=Charlie|date=2017-03-01|website=Medium|access-date=2018-03-11|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083240/https://medium.com/@charliecliu/everything-you-need-to-know-about-alipay-and-wechat-pay-2e5e6686d6dc|url-status=live}} Common online payment services also include [[hydropower]] coal payment, tuition payment and traffic fine.{{Cite web |title=支付宝网站首页 品牌介绍及官网 |url=https://www.ew35.com/article_27684.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.ew35.com |language=zh-CN}}

On 15 January 2009, Alipay launched a [[credit card]] repayment service, supporting 39 domestic bank-issued credit cards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahsu/2017/07/25/this-chinese-credit-card-company-plans-on-outsmarting-tencent-and-alipay-with-a-more-secure-product/#33a7ecf633a0|title=This Chinese Credit Card Company Plans On Outsmarting Tencent And Alipay With A More Secure Product|last=Hsu|first=Sara|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122357/https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahsu/2017/07/25/this-chinese-credit-card-company-plans-on-outsmarting-tencent-and-alipay-with-a-more-secure-product/#33a7ecf633a0|url-status=live}} It is currently the most popular third-party repayment platform. The main advantages are free credit card bills checking, repayments with no administrative fee, as well as automatic repayment, repayment reminders and other value-added services.{{Cite news|url=http://www.smartshanghai.com/articles/smsh/yes-foreigners-can-use-alipay-this-is-how|title=Yes, Foreigners Can Use AliPay -- This Is How|access-date=2018-03-11|language=en|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042128/http://www.smartshanghai.com/articles/smsh/yes-foreigners-can-use-alipay-this-is-how|url-status=live}} In the first quarter of 2014, 76% of credit cards were also paid by Alipay Wallet.

From December 2013, several chain convenience store companies, including Meiyijia, Hongqi Chain, and Qishiduo C-STORE and [[7-Eleven]], have successively supported Alipay payment; in December, Beijing taxi drivers began to accept Alipay to pay the fare. Subsequently, [[Wanda Cinemas|Wanda Cinema]], Joy City, [[Wangfujing]] and other large-scale retail companies as well as movie theaters, KTV, and catering companies have access to Alipay. From 26 March 2019, the service fee will be charged for the payment of credit card through Alipay. Customers only pay the portion of the payment that exceeds 2,000 yuan at 0.1%.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ant-financials-alipay-to-impose-fees-on-some-users-as-costs-mount-11550740513|title=Ant Financial's Alipay to Impose Fees on Some Users as Costs Mount|last=Xie|first=Stella Yifan|website=Wall Street Journal|date=21 February 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-22|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622223630/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ant-financials-alipay-to-impose-fees-on-some-users-as-costs-mount-11550740513|url-status=live}} In addition to this, in 2019, Walgreens accepted Alipay as payment in 3,000 US stores. Walgreen's products are available to Chinese customers through Alibaba's Tmall online marketplace.{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Rita |date=2019-02-14 |title=China's Alipay digital wallet is entering 7,000 Walgreens stores |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/13/alibaba-walgreens/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824090536/https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/13/alibaba-walgreens/ |archive-date=August 24, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} The payment application can also be used on Alibaba.com's site and Taobao as a means of payment. A Nielsen report suggests that over 90% of Chinese tourists would be willing to use mobile payment overseas if given the option.{{Cite web |title=90% of Chinese tourists would use mobile payment overseas if given the option – Nielsen |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/90-chinese-tourists-would-use-mobile-payment-overseas-if-given-the-option-nielsen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210175540/https://www.thedrum.com/news/90-chinese-tourists-would-use-mobile-payment-overseas-if-given-the-option-nielsen |archive-date=February 10, 2026 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=The Drum |language=en-US}} Many Chinese tourists do not have international credit cards, and so Alipay is a payment option. Digital payments have become the norm in China as the government pushes a cashless system even in rural and village areas.{{Cite news |last=Ovide |first=Shira |date=2020-10-27 |title=Don’t Even Try Paying Cash in China |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/27/technology/alipay-china.html |access-date=2026-02-10 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In November 2019, Alipay introduced Tourpass,{{Cite web |title=外国人如何在上海生存指南 - 支付宝tourpass! |url=https://www.dealmoon.com/post/1952605 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.dealmoon.com |language=zh-us}} a service component that allows non-Chinese users to use its mobile payment feature by pre-loading Chinese Yuan equivalent foreign currency into the app.{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1742329/alipay-is-now-available-to-tourists-in-mainland-china/|title=Travelers to China can finally experience its cashless economy like a local|last=Li|first=John Detrixhe, Jane|website=Quartz|date=5 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-11-17|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122405/https://qz.com/1742329/alipay-is-now-available-to-tourists-in-mainland-china|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Alipay used a QR code system to help in containing the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 outbreak]]. The health code system tags users one of three colors according to their location, basic health information and travel history.{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/24/asia-pacific/china-green-light-alipay-app/|title=People in China need a green light from Alipay app to move around|date=2020-03-24|work=The Japan Times|access-date=2020-03-25|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763|archive-date=1 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101122357/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/24/asia-pacific/china-green-light-alipay-app/|url-status=live}}

"Beauty filters" were included to Alipay's face-scan payment system in a new upgrade that was released in July 2019. The market has responded well to the "beauty filters," which make users seem better when they use the program to make payments.{{Cite journal |last=Peng |first=Altman Yuzhu |date=2020-05-18 |title=Alipay adds "beauty filters" to face-scan payments: a form of patriarchal control over women's bodies |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2020.1750779 |journal=Feminist Media Studies |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=582–585 |doi=10.1080/14680777.2020.1750779 |s2cid=221064450 |issn=1468-0777|url-access=subscription }}

== Foreign expansion == Outside of China, more than 300 worldwide merchants use Alipay to sell directly to consumers in China.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-29 |title=支付宝国际版赋能跨境电商, 助力亚太市场开拓再提速 |url=https://www.shopify.com/zh/blog/global-alipay |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Shopify |language=zh-CN}} It currently{{as of?|date= August 2025}} supports transactions in 18 foreign currencies.

Since the launch of Alipay in the [[Mainland China]], Ant Financial introduced a series of expansion of the services to other countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Chinas-Alipay-Moving-Aggressively-Foreign-Markets/1016394|title=China's Alipay Is Moving Aggressively Into Foreign Markets - eMarketer|website=www.emarketer.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419161112/https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Chinas-Alipay-Moving-Aggressively-Foreign-Markets/1016394|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/international/2017/alipay-ecommerce-platform/|title=Alipay Continues Its Global Expansion Efforts {{!}} PYMNTS.com|website=www.pymnts.com|date=4 September 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905085140/http://www.pymnts.com/news/international/2017/alipay-ecommerce-platform/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/9/15595338/alipay-us-expansion-china-apple-pay-android-paypal|title=Alipay takes on Apple and PayPal with US expansion|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021729/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/9/15595338/alipay-us-expansion-china-apple-pay-android-paypal|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://qz.com/979013/chinas-alipay-will-soon-be-about-as-widely-accepted-as-apple-pay-in-the-us/|title=China's Alipay will soon be about as widely accepted as Apple Pay in the US|last=Huang|first=Echo|work=Quartz|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201605/https://qz.com/979013/chinas-alipay-will-soon-be-about-as-widely-accepted-as-apple-pay-in-the-us/|url-status=live}} Other than expanding into individual countries, the system would also be integrated with online payment platform providers. [[Ant Group]] had acquired a majority stake into 2C2P, a Singapore-based provider used by merchants worldwide in April 2022, and would eventually integrate Alipay with 2C2P.{{Cite news |last= |date=2022-04-18 |title=China's Ant Group to take up majority ownership of payments platform 2C2P |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-ant-group-take-up-majority-ownership-payments-platform-2c2p-2022-04-18/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428004302/https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-ant-group-take-up-majority-ownership-payments-platform-2c2p-2022-04-18/ |url-status=live }}

=== Asia === ==== Bangladesh ==== In 2018, Alipay bought 20% shares in Bangladeshi mobile financial service provider [[bKash|bKash Limited]].{{Cite news|url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/147492|title=Alipay parent firm steps into Bangladesh|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-04-27|archive-date=28 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428110557/http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/147492|url-status=live}}

==== Hong Kong ==== In 2017, Ant Financial expanded to Hong Kong. In a joint venture with [[CK Hutchison Holdings|CK Hutchison]], as Alipay Payment Services (HK), it launched the "AlipayHK" brand.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hong-kong-ant-financial/chinas-ant-brings-in-ck-hutchison-as-hong-kong-payments-partner-idUSKCN1C11EQ|title=China's Ant brings in CK Hutchison as Hong Kong payments partner|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-04-01|language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704123648/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hong-kong-ant-financial/chinas-ant-brings-in-ck-hutchison-as-hong-kong-payments-partner-idUSKCN1C11EQ|url-status=live}} A standalone app provides features such as mobile payments and P2P transfers. All transactions are made and settled in local [[Hong Kong dollar]]s.{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2095546/ant-financial-enters-hong-kong-market-alipayhk-mobile-wallet|title=Ant Financial enters Hong Kong market with AlipayHK app|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2017-12-27|language=en|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704122954/http://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2095546/ant-financial-enters-hong-kong-market-alipayhk-mobile-wallet|url-status=live}} The service then became available in major chain stores including [[McDonald's]], [[7-Eleven]] and [[Circle K]].{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/innovation/article/2116622/hong-kongs-hawkers-and-fishmongers-spearhead-citys-cashless-push|title=Hong Kong fishmongers poised to lead city's cashless revolution|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103192613/http://www.scmp.com/tech/innovation/article/2116622/hong-kongs-hawkers-and-fishmongers-spearhead-citys-cashless-push|url-status=live}} [[Wet market]]s and other merchants were also supported.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20171024-alipay-turns-gaze-to-wet-markets-in-hk-e-payments-push/|title=Alipay turns gaze to wet markets in HK e-payments push|date=2017-10-24|work=EJ Insight|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212202039/http://www.ejinsight.com/20171024-alipay-turns-gaze-to-wet-markets-in-hk-e-payments-push/|url-status=live}} From 2020 and 2021, with AlipayHK passing two million users, the service became accepted on [[MTR]], [[Kowloon Motor Bus|buses]] and [[Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry|ferries]].{{cite news|last=Yiu|first=Enoch|title=Ant Bank launch marks another milestone for Ant Group's expansion in Hong Kong ahead of mega listing|url=https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3103286/ant-bank-launch-marks-another-milestone-ant-groups|work=South China Morning Post|date=28 September 2020|access-date=23 March 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202748/https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3103286/ant-bank-launch-marks-another-milestone-ant-groups|url-status=live}}

==== Japan ==== Alipay entered Japan in 2015, with network up to 38,000 vendors. Ant Financial hopes that their network in Japan could help Chinese tourists that are heading to Japan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-20/alipay-pursues-chinese-tourists-in-hard-to-crack-japanese-market|title=Alipay Chases Chinese Tourists to Japan|date=2017-12-20|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310084708/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-20/alipay-pursues-chinese-tourists-in-hard-to-crack-japanese-market|url-status=live}}

====Philippines==== Alipay was introduced to the Philippines in 2018 by [[Asia United Bank]] (AUB).{{cite news |last1=Dumlao-Abadilla |first1=Doris |title=AUB, Alipay team up on online payment |url=https://business.inquirer.net/249003/aub-alipay-team-online-payment |access-date=19 June 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=11 April 2018 |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201231/https://business.inquirer.net/249003/aub-alipay-team-online-payment |url-status=live }} AUB also introduced [[WeChat Pay]], and intends to use both payment systems to cater to Chinese tourists visiting the country.{{cite news |last1=Ong |first1=Michelle |title=Chinese tourists driving WeChat Pay, Alipay growth in Philippines |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/02/19/18/chinese-tourists-driving-wechat-pay-alipay-growth-in-philippines |access-date=19 June 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=26 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624215043/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/19/18/chinese-tourists-driving-wechat-pay-alipay-growth-in-philippines |url-status=live }}

Ant Financial also has invested on Mynt, the operator of the mobile service [[GCash]] which caters to the Philippine market. It helped convert GCash into a cashless mobile payment service similar to Alipay.{{cite news |title=GCash to adopt Alipay cashless payment model in China and rest of Asia |url=https://business.inquirer.net/241370/gcash-adopt-alipay-cashless-payment-model-china-rest-asia |access-date=19 June 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=24 November 2017 |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202305/https://business.inquirer.net/241370/gcash-adopt-alipay-cashless-payment-model-china-rest-asia |url-status=live }}

==== Singapore ==== In 2017, Ant Financial partnered with CC Financial, a start-up company in Singapore. Alipay plans to expand its 20,000 acceptance points in Singapore, and open up their platform to Singapore banking users.{{Cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/alipay-inks-deal-to-expand-cashless-payment-acceptance-points-in-singapore|title=Alipay to expand cashless payments to Singapore banking users, inks deal to expand here|last=Tham|first=Irene|date=2017-08-22|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704123803/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/alipay-inks-deal-to-expand-cashless-payment-acceptance-points-in-singapore|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.todayonline.com/business/impact/alipay-launch-local-wallet-singapore-soon|title=AliPay to launch local wallet for Singapore|work=TODAYonline|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121085105/http://www.todayonline.com/business/impact/alipay-launch-local-wallet-singapore-soon|url-status=live}}

==== South Korea ==== Alipay was introduced in South Korea in 2015, and is now available at various merchants around the country. Users can even receive an instant tax refund at four major airports in the country. In 2019, taxis in [[Seoul]] and Starbucks will accept Alipay via Kakaopay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thatsmags.com/china/post/25565/taxis-in-seoul-to-accept-alipay-payments-starting-2019|title=Taxis in Seoul to Accept Alipay Starting in 2019|date=2018-10-31|work=Thatsmags.com|access-date=2019-12-25|language=en|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225144945/https://www.thatsmags.com/china/post/25565/taxis-in-seoul-to-accept-alipay-payments-starting-2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.retailnews.asia/alipay-will-be-available-in-seoul-taxis-via-kakao-pay-beginning-january-2019/|title=Alipay will be available in Seoul taxis via kakao pay beginning January 2019|date=2018-10-24|work=Retailnews.asia|access-date=2019-12-25|language=en|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225144943/https://www.retailnews.asia/alipay-will-be-available-in-seoul-taxis-via-kakao-pay-beginning-january-2019/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/mobile-payments/2018/south-korea-starbucks-alipay/|title=South Korean Starbucks Accepts Alipay For Tourists|date=2018-02-12|work=Pymnts.com|access-date=2019-12-25|language=en|archive-date=25 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225203658/https://www.pymnts.com/news/mobile-payments/2018/south-korea-starbucks-alipay/|url-status=live}}

==== Vietnam ==== Alipay entered Vietnam in 2010, Ant Financial indicated that their network in Vietnam could assist Chinese tourists visiting the country.{{Cite web |title=支付宝与越南国家结算公司签署战略合作协议正式登陆越南-新华丝路 |url=https://www.imsilkroad.com/news/p/69667.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.imsilkroad.com}} Currently in Vietnam, [https://davitrans.com/ Davitrans], a proxy shipping service, is the only website in the country that accepts Alipay as one of its payment methods.

=== Oceania === ==== Australia ==== In February 2019, Alipay and Tourism Australia announced a service to promote Australian destinations to Chinese tourists using the city of [[Sydney]] as a 12-month pilot project. The new Sydney City Card will introduce an interactive city map in the Alipay app to alert tourists to participating locations and retailers that welcome Alipay payments. A similar initiative will be trialed concurrently in [[Queenstown, New Zealand]].{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Paige |title=Tourism Australia to test pilot 12 month program for Chinese tourists - foodservice |url=http://www.foodservicenews.com.au/latest/tourism-australia-to-test-pilot-12-month-program-for-chinese-tourists |website=www.foodservicenews.com.au |access-date=4 February 2019 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015226/http://www.foodservicenews.com.au/latest/tourism-australia-to-test-pilot-12-month-program-for-chinese-tourists |url-status=live }}

=== North America === ==== United States ==== Ant Financial has partnered with [[First Data]] in 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstdata.com/en_us/about-first-data/media/press-releases/05_08_17_2.html|title=First Data to Power Alipay in North America|work=First Data|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320012310/https://www.firstdata.com/en_us/about-first-data/media/press-releases/05_08_17_2.html|url-status=live}} It allows Alipay service to be used at point-of-sale with more than four million retail partners in United States.{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/09/alipay-first-data-us-point-of-sale-expansion/|title=Alipay, China's top mobile payment service, expands to the U.S.|last=Russell|first=Jon|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en|archive-date=17 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517235957/https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/09/alipay-first-data-us-point-of-sale-expansion/|url-status=live}}

==== Canada ==== In 2017, Alipay partnered with SnapPay{{Cite web |title=关于我们 {{!}} 专业移动跨境支付服务公司 |url=https://www.snappay.ca/zh-hans/overview/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=SnapPay |language=zh-hans |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202091032/https://www.snappay.ca/zh-hans/overview/ }} to allow Canadian retailers to accept Chinese currency from Chinese shoppers. As of 2019, there are 800 merchants in Canada that supports Alipay, including most [[Cadillac Fairview]] mall locations in partnership with OTT Pay,{{Cite press release|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ott-pay-inc-partners-with-cadillac-fairview-to-launch-chinese-mobile-payments-at-select-cf-shopping-centres-673560883.html|title=OTT Pay Inc. Partners with Cadillac Fairview to Launch Chinese Mobile Payments at Select CF Shopping Centres|publisher=OTT Pay Inc. |via=Canada Newswire (Cision)|language=en|access-date=2019-09-09}} such as the flagship [[Eaton Centre]] of Toronto and [[CF Chinook Centre]] in Calgary.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/alibaba-bringing-online-payment-platform-alipay-to-canada/article36377246/|title=Alipay partners with Canadian tech firm to expand presence in Canada|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=24 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124174748/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/alibaba-bringing-online-payment-platform-alipay-to-canada/article36377246/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2017/09/25/alipay-alibaba-canada/|title=China's Alipay is becoming more widely available in Canada this week|date=2017-09-25|work=MobileSyrup|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201918/https://mobilesyrup.com/2017/09/25/alipay-alibaba-canada/|url-status=live}} Air Canada began allowing transactions in Alipay to book flights from Canada and the United States beginning in August 2018, after initially rolling out the feature for booking of flights originating from China.{{cite news |title=Air Canada Expands Acceptance of Alipay and WeChat Pay to North American and Hong Kong Websites |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/air-canada-expands-acceptance-of-alipay-and-wechat-pay-to-north-american-and-hong-kong-websites-2018-08-21 |work=MarketWatch |date=August 25, 2018 |access-date=1 October 2018 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001070234/https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/air-canada-expands-acceptance-of-alipay-and-wechat-pay-to-north-american-and-hong-kong-websites-2018-08-21 |url-status=dead }}

=== South America === ==== Brazil ==== In July 2021, Alipay was introduced in Brazil as a digital wallet for transactions on AliExpress. With this feature, customers could store balance in their account, collect bonuses and use it as a form of payment for purchases made on the marketplace,{{Cite web |last=canaltech |title=O que é Alipay? {{!}} Guia prático |url=https://www.terra.com.br/byte/o-que-e-alipay-guia-pratico,544859be5325768b4d29333389eeadcbrlqw1blo.html#:~:text=Em%20julho%20de%202021,%20o,as%20compras%20feitas%20no%20marketplace. |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Terra |language=pt-BR}} but the Alipay Brazil Digital Consumer Account was discontinued on September 30, 2022.

=== Europe === ==== France ==== Alipay partners with Silkpay{{Cite web |title=Silkpay.eu |url=https://www.silkpay.eu/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Silkpay.eu |language=en-GB}} to enable merchants in France and other European countries to accept Alipay payments online and in-store.{{Cite web |url=https://www.silkpay.fr/alipay-en-france |title=Pourquoi choisir Alipay pour les entreprises Françaises ? |date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928132619/https://www.silkpay.fr/alipay-en-france |url-status=live }}

==== Iceland ==== Alipay has partnered with Splitit and Epassi in Iceland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vb.is/frettir/opna-dyr-ad-kina/155353/|title=Opna dyr að Kína|access-date=2019-09-04|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904005831/https://www.vb.is/frettir/opna-dyr-ad-kina/155353/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vb.is/frettir/haegt-ad-borga-med-alipay-keflavikurflugvelli/150103/|title=Hægt að borga með Alipay á Keflavíkurflugvelli|access-date=2019-09-04|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904005829/https://www.vb.is/frettir/haegt-ad-borga-med-alipay-keflavikurflugvelli/150103/|url-status=live}}

==== Italy ==== Alipay partnered with [[UniCredit]], [[SIA S.p.A.|SIA]] and [[Banca Sella Group]] to enable app payments in physical and online stores in Italy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2017/alipay-unicredit-team-to-enable-chinese-tourists-to-pay-for-goods-in-italy-via-alipay-china-tourism/|title=AliPay, UniCredit Team To Enable Chinese Tourists To Pay For Goods In Italy Via AliPay|date=7 April 2017|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109223150/https://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2017/alipay-unicredit-team-to-enable-chinese-tourists-to-pay-for-goods-in-italy-via-alipay-china-tourism/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/73505/alipay-makes-italian-move-through-sella-tie-up|title=Alipay makes Italian move through Sella tie-up|date=17 April 2018|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107103728/https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/73505/alipay-makes-italian-move-through-sella-tie-up|url-status=live}}

==== Norway ==== Alipay has started cooperating with Vipps in Norway. 30 shops in Bergen are ready to receive Alipay-customers, and in January 2019 some shops in Oslo will be ready.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hegnar.no/Nyheter/Boers-finans/2018/12/Vipps-inngaar-samarbeid-med-nettgigant|title=Vipps inngår samarbeid med nettgigant|last=Holøien|first=Martine|website=www.hegnar.no|date=11 December 2018|language=no-NO|access-date=2018-12-11|archive-date=11 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211183136/https://www.hegnar.no/Nyheter/Boers-finans/2018/12/Vipps-inngaar-samarbeid-med-nettgigant|url-status=live}}

==== Russia ==== Alipay proposed a partnership with [[Sberbank]] to provide immediate money transfers by cellphone number between Russia and China by 2022: the proposal pre-dates the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, which resulted in [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] and [[Mastercard]] suspending operations in Russia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/business/811675|title=Сбербанк запустит переводы по номеру телефона в Китай в партнёрстве с Alipay|language=ru|date=2021-12-21|publisher=[[Интерфакс]]|access-date=23 December 2021|archive-date=23 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223142935/https://www.interfax.ru/business/811675|url-status=live}}

==== United Kingdom ==== Alipay partnered with Barclaycard in United Kingdom, bringing Alipay to UK retailers.{{Cite web|url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/barclaycard-partners-with-alipay/2019031942224|title=Barclaycard partners with Alipay|date=19 March 2019|access-date=2019-03-27|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327135349/https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/barclaycard-partners-with-alipay/2019031942224|url-status=live}}

== Comparison with other payment systems == Alipay is conceptually similar to [[Apple Pay]], [[WeChat Pay]] and [[PayPal]] because it overlays traditional card payment methods. Although users receive immediate notification of the transaction, the main difference among Alipay and an [[instant payment]] system, like [[Venmo]] or [[Zelle (payment service)|Zelle]] is that the funds transfer between counterparties is not immediate.{{cite web|language=en-US|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/paym/retpaym/instant/html/index.en.html|title=Definition of instant payment system|author=European Central Bank|date=24 February 2018|access-date=11 September 2018|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909033729/https://www.ecb.europa.eu/paym/retpaym/instant/html/index.en.html|url-status=live}} The settlement time depends on the payment method chosen by the customer, while for instant payment systems, the funds are transferred within seconds or minutes.

At the time it was implemented and integrated into Taobao, the mandatory escrow feature of Alipay was a major institutional innovation for e-commerce platforms.{{Cite book |last=Liu |first=Lizhi |title=From Click to Boom: The Political Economy of E-Commerce in China |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780691254104}}{{Rp|page=53}} This was a major reason Taobao was able to outcompete eBay/EachNet in the Chinese market.{{Rp|pages=53–54}}

== Regulatory history == Prior to Alipay, third-party payment was a legal grey area in China.{{Cite book |last=Zhang |first=Angela Huyue |title=High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780197682258}}{{Rp|page=32}} In an effort to build trust with regulators, Alibaba informed regulators about the development of Alipay from the outset and provided regulators with monthly updates on its development.{{Rp|page=55}} As Alipay's popularity increased, it became accepted by Chinese regulators.{{Rp|pages=32–33}} In 2010, the [[People's Bank of China]] (PBoC) issued administrative measures regarding non-financial payment services.{{Rp|page=33}} These measures retroactively recognized the legal status of online third-party payment platforms like Alipay.{{Rp|page=33}} In 2011, Alipay obtained a license to become one of the first licensed non-financial institutions to conduct payment operations.{{Rp|page=33}}

The PBoC supported the growth of Yu'e Bao and similar funds with a permissive regulatory environment initially but began increasing regulation of such funds in 2017.{{Rp|page=33}}

In September 2021, the [[Chinese government]] stated its intent to dismantle the Alipay super app into separate businesses due to concerns over "systemic financial risks" as Chinese e-commerce and fintech firms had begun to amass huge troves of user data for their operations. The move essentially split [[Ant Group|Ant Group's]] consumer lending businesses, credit card-like Huabei and micro-loan provider Jiebei, from Alipay's financial offerings.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Chinese regulators break up Alipay, split off loan business|url=https://kr-asia.com/chinese-regulators-break-up-alipay-split-off-loan-business|access-date=2022-01-17|website=KrASIA|language=en|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117020347/https://kr-asia.com/chinese-regulators-break-up-alipay-split-off-loan-business|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=China plans to break up Ant's Alipay and force creation of separate loans app - FT|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-break-up-ants-alipay-force-creation-separate-loans-app-ft-2021-09-12/|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Reuters|language=en|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913171825/https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-break-up-ants-alipay-force-creation-separate-loans-app-ft-2021-09-12/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Alibaba shares plunge as Beijing 'seeks to break up Ant's Alipay'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/13/alibaba-shares-beijing-ant-alipay-china|access-date=2021-09-13|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913172523/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/13/alibaba-shares-beijing-ant-alipay-china|url-status=live}}

In November 2021, Alipay introduced a new privacy protection feature amid growing concerns over data privacy and after China's Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) came into effect on 1 November 2021. The PIPL prohibits the unnecessary collection of personal information, abuse of personal privacy, and data exchanges with overseas entities. Alipay's new feature allows users to track how the app collects data about them and is an interactive equivalent to a [[privacy policy]], which explains how an app collects, stores, and shares user data.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=Alipay adds privacy feature as Chinese users become increasingly concerned with data protection|url=https://kr-asia.com/alipay-adds-privacy-feature-as-chinese-users-become-increasingly-concerned-with-data-protection|access-date=2022-01-17|website=KrASIA|language=en|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118184539/https://kr-asia.com/alipay-adds-privacy-feature-as-chinese-users-become-increasingly-concerned-with-data-protection|url-status=live}}

Alipay was banned in India (along with other Chinese apps) on 2 September 2020 by the government amid the [[2020 China-India skirmish]].{{cite news| date=2 September 2020| title=Government Bans 118 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.| work=Press Information Bureau, Government of India| url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650669| access-date=2 September 2020| archive-date=2 September 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902202409/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650669| url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Yasir |first1=Sameer |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |date=2020-09-02 |title=India Bans 118 Chinese Apps as Indian Soldier Is Killed on Disputed Border |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/world/asia/india-bans-china-apps.html |access-date=2022-04-27 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913113652/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/world/asia/india-bans-china-apps.html |url-status=live }}

== See also ==

• [[Alipay Health Code]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links==

• {{official website}} {{in lang|zh}}
• {{Official website|https://intl.alipay.com}} (International version)

{{Alibaba Group}} {{Digital payment providers}}

[[Category:Alibaba Group]] [[Category:Jack Ma]] [[Category:Chinese companies established in 2004]] [[Category:Companies based in Shanghai]] [[Category:Online payments]] [[Category:Payment service providers]] [[Category:Financial services companies established in 2004]] [[Category:Chinese brands]] [[Category:Mobile applications]] [[Category:Mobile payments in China]] [[Category:Super-apps]] [[Category:2004 establishments in China]] [[Category:Internet censorship in India]]