Singapore’s DBS Bank and US payments firm Stripe have announced a partnership aimed at cross-border payments and AI-driven commerce across Asia, the two companies said in a statement Thursday.
The deal combines DBS’s banking infrastructure and regional reach with Stripe’s payments platform, with the two also planning to jointly develop AI tools that let DBS customers transact more efficiently. That comes as AI agents take on a growing role in helping consumers and businesses complete purchases — a shift projected to drive up to $5 trillion in global consumer commerce by 2030.
Under the partnership, Stripe will tap DBS’s money-movement and cash-management systems to help its merchants collect payments and manage liquidity across their corporate entities. DBS, in turn, will explore using Stripe’s platform and embedded finance tools to extend its own cross-border network to more customers globally.
The push addresses a straightforward need: Asian businesses want fewer, more reliable partners for moving money across multiple currencies and payment corridors. The region’s outbound cross-border payments are projected to reach $24 trillion by 2033 — 36% of global outbound flows, and nearly double 2025’s $13.5 trillion.
“Asia’s digital economy is entering a new phase of innovation and growth. AI agents are gaining traction and businesses of all sizes are broadening their reach into new markets around the world,” said Tan Su Shan, DBS’s chief executive officer. “This partnership enables us to continue delivering differentiated solutions for customers and reflects our shared commitment towards helping businesses in Asia build, scale and compete globally.”
Fran Ryan, Stripe’s chief business officer, noted that the company launched in Singapore a decade ago to serve the region’s early internet businesses. “Today, more than half of our users in the region are crossing the border,” she said. “By combining Stripe’s global financial infrastructure and product innovation with DBS’ trusted banking expertise and extensive regional network, we look forward to helping even more businesses in Asia transform into global champions.”