Filipino businesses can now accept payments from international consumers through Alipay+ using their existing QR Ph codes.
The Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) collaborated with Alipay+, a unified wallet gateway from Ant International. Through this connection, consumers from other countries can use their own e-wallets and banking apps to pay Filipino merchants directly.
This new integration supports the goal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of expanding digital payments throughout the country. It also gives the 2.5 million merchants and small and medium-sized businesses already using QR Ph more opportunities to accept cross-border payments.
QR Ph Opens Cross-Border Payments
The process is simple. Merchants do not need to install new infrastructure or make changes to their current setup and continue using their existing QR Ph codes.
With this integration, consumers can now use Alipay+ partner apps to scan QR Ph codes and make payments directly.
The innovation will help Filipino businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), accept payments from international travelers and other digital consumers without requiring a separate payment system.
The integration comes as the use of digital payments continues to grow in the Philippines.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 2025 Report on E-Payments Measurement, digital payments made up 64.69% of retail transaction volume in the country. QR Ph transactions also increased by more than 13 times in 2025.
The latest development also follows other changes in the QR Ph payment system. In July 2026, the BSP and PPMI rebranded QR Ph and InstaPay QR. They also launched Direct Debit PH and InstaPay for Businesses.
Connecting Filipino Businesses to Global Consumers
PPMI General Manager Carmelita “Melit” Araneta stated that QR Ph has helped create a more connected and interoperable digital payment system in the country.
The partnership with Alipay+ allows this connectivity to expand outside the country and helps Filipino merchants, especially SMEs, serve international customers more easily.
This partnership also shows how local digital payment networks can connect with international payment systems. QR Ph is already part of the digital payment ecosystem used by Filipino consumers and businesses, while Alipay+ connects it with consumers using payment apps from other markets.
General Manager of Alipay+ Global Growth Center at Ant International, Danny Chung, said the goal is to make it easier for consumers to pay using the mobile apps they already use. At the same time, this allows merchants to reach a larger market and serve consumers from different countries.
The Philippines is now part of more than 10 national QR payment schemes connected to Alipay+ across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Alipay+ said its network now connects more than 2 billion consumer accounts and more than 50 mobile payment providers across more than 220 markets worldwide. The expansion of Alipay+ also comes as cross-border payment activity continues to grow in the Asia-Pacific region.
The growth is supported by the increasing use of digital wallets and the growing number of people traveling across different countries.
By joining Alipay+, both merchants and consumers can access a wider network of merchants through one integration method instead of having separate connections with different networks in every country.
The partnership is also part of Alipay+’s wider strategy of connecting national payment systems in different markets. Through connection with local payment networks such as QR Ph, Alipay+ can bring cross-border payment capabilities into existing digital payment systems.
To Filipino businesses, the connection allows their existing QR Ph codes to be used for payments from Alipay+ partner users. This means merchants do not need to install a separate payment system to accept these international payments.
PPMI’s Role in the Digital Economy
PPMI was established in 2017 under Republic Act No. 11127, also known as the National Payment Systems Act (NPSA).
PPMI works with BSP-supervised financial institutions to support accessibility and competitiveness in the Philippine payments system. It also supports the shift from cash-heavy transactions to cash-lite payments by promoting faster, safer, and more convenient digital financial services.
PPMI is led by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from different types of banks, non-bank electronic money issuers, and independent executives.
Its members participate in at least one of two Automated Clearing Houses (ACHs): PESONet, which handles batch electronic transfers, and InstaPay, which provides instant electronic transfers.
On the other hand, Alipay+ is a unified wallet gateway from Ant International that provides cross-border payment and digitalization services. It connects merchants with consumers around the world and allows consumers to use their preferred payment apps and e-wallets when making payments while traveling.
Alipay+ also provides digital tools that help small and medium-sized businesses improve their efficiency and support their growth across different sales channels.
The connection allows Filipino merchants using QR Ph to accept payments from consumers in other markets while continuing to use their existing QR Ph codes.
Expanding Digital Financial Access for Filipinos
The expansion of QR Ph also shows how digital payment services are becoming more accessible in the Philippines.
While the QR Ph and Alipay+ partnership focuses on connecting Filipino merchants with international consumers, other digital financial platforms are also working to make financial services easier to access through digital channels.
One example is DOPAY, a licensed and regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) and a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).
The platform provides digital financial services, including digital payments and remittance services. Through its digital platform, DOPAY gives users way to access financial services without relying only on traditional channels.
Recently, DOPAY Academy, a learning platform designed to help users understand cryptocurrency trading and other digital financial tools, was launched. Through the academy, users can learn at their own pace and gain more knowledge about digital financial services.
With the connection between QR Ph and Alipay+, Filipino merchants can accept payments from more international consumers without needing to change their existing setup. This shows how local payment systems can become more connected to the global digital payment system.
The development of these digital platforms shows that financial inclusion is no longer only about giving people access to bank accounts. It also involves making payments, transfers, and other financial services more convenient and accessible through digital platforms.
Download the DOPAY App now!
