Q&A with Joseph Chan at AsiaPay

As digital transformation and commerce become vital, solution providers are contributing to the evolution of Asia’s payment infrastructure. Digital payments in Asia are on a steep growth trajectory, fuelled by the widespread adoption of mobile wallets, real-time transfers, crypto and alternative payment methods. As regulatory pressures mount and customer expectations propel, providers like AsiaPay are rising to the challenges with highly integrated, localised, scalable multi-channel and multi-country payment solutions. 

With over two decades of experience navigating the fast-moving fintech landscape, the company has emerged as a trusted partner for banks and e-businesses across the Asia-Pacific region. Payments Consulting Network Marketing Director, Mariel Laxamana, caught up with its Founder and CEO, Joseph Chan, to explore how AsiaPay is shaping the future of payments — from cross-border commerce to crypto checkout and AI-powered fraud prevention. 

Read the full interview below. 

Mariel Laxamana: Could you please give us a quick overview of AsiaPay? 

Joseph Chan: AsiaPay is a digital payment solution and technology provider headquartered in Hong Kong, serving as a one-stop platform for secure, scalable, and locally optimised payment solutions across the APAC region. Since our founding in 2000, we have worked with banks, fintech, ecommerce brands, and enterprises to simplify and standardise complex payment processing and management enables payment solutions to accelerate digital transformation. From secure online gateway services to support for over 150 choices of banks, alternative payment methods in Asia, our mission is to help merchants unlock growth by making payments faster, safer, and more convenient — locally and across borders. 

We currently operate across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and markets such as Australia. Our infrastructure is built for flexibility, offering everything from out-of-the-box integrations to bespoke white-label solutions. 

ML: What payment services do you offer? 

JC: AsiaPay’s core services span a wide spectrum of payment needs. Our 4-layer multi-channel payment gateway and processing solutions enable secure online and in-app payments, supporting all major global card networks such as Visa, MasterCard, Amex, UnionPay, and JCB. We also lead the way in alternative payment methods (APMs), integrate with net banking, preferred regional e-wallets like Alipay, WeChat Pay, GrabPay, LinePay, Dana, Momo, and KakaoPay, as well as real-time bank transfers, QR codes, and BNPL options in each market. 

Our cross-border and multi-currency tools simplify settlement in over 144 currencies and leverage AI and machine learning within our merchant support and risk management stack to enable real-time screening and transaction scoring. We also support cryptocurrency payments — including Bitcoin and stablecoins like USDC — and start addressing Web3 and blockchain use cases. 

To complement our core stack, we offer tokenisation, recurring billing, instalment, promotion discount, real-time analytics, and array of popular checkout plug-in tools. These features are used widely across sectors like ecommerce, travel, hospitality, banking, F&B, medical, gaming, and education. 

 

ML: Are there any industry sectors or client types that you focus on? 

JC: AsiaPay has built deep expertise across a range of industry verticals, with a core focus on sectors that demand secure, scalable, and flexible digital payment solutions. In the ecommerce and online retail focus— including marketplaces, SaaS providers, digital goods, and subscription-based services — the company supports merchants with multi-currency settlements and cross-border capabilities tailored for fast-growing regional and international sellers. The platform’s strength in the food and beverage sector lies in its ability to offer tools that streamline in-store and online payments for restaurants and chains, particularly in competitive, mobile-first markets. 

Other priority industries include travel and hospitality, where AsiaPay serves online travel agencies (OTAs), airlines, ticketing platforms, and hotel or rental booking sites with seamless, omni-channel payment experiences even with local support in Bali, Cebu, and Phuket. Beyond commercial sectors, AsiaPay also works with education providers, professional services, and non-profit organisations to facilitate digital payments in traditionally underserved or compliance-heavy environments. 

In terms of client types, AsiaPay caters to a broad range of stakeholders. Merchants — from more mid-sized merchants to large enterprises — benefit from access to localised alternative payment methods (APMs) such as Alipay, GrabPay, and Dana, along with value-added services like fraud protection, tokenisation, DCC, and recurring billing. Banks and financial institutions rely on AsiaPay’s white-label gateway infrastructure to offer customised payment solutions without the burden of building from scratch. Payment service providers (PSPs) expanding into Asia turn to AsiaPay for its regional know-how, apm integration and payment orchestration capabilities while government agencies and NGOs leverage the platform for donations and campaign events. 

  

ML: Where do you see AsiaPay’s key strengths? 

JC: Our key strength lies in regional footprint and alliance with deep localisation. We have spent more than two decades perfecting our products to meet the diversity requirements of each Asian markets, establishing local alliances of banks, payment players, checkout platforms, etc; becoming experts in regional compliance;  and including more than 150 different payment options. That level of APM coverage is critical for merchants operating in diverse and mobile-first economies. 

Beyond that, we prioritise regulatory alignment, maintaining PCI DSS Level 1 certification since 2006, ISO27001, and with our certified 3D Secure 2.0 technologies to reduce fraud and meet evolving compliance standards. Our platform also offers scalable white-label services for banks and enterprises looking to launch customised payment solutions without starting from scratch. With 24/7 merchant support and local risk teams in each market, we provide operational resilience and trust at every level. 

  

ML: What differentiates you from others? 

JC: What sets us apart is our approach on blending cross-border commerce expertise with deep localisation, strong compliance, and agile technology. Our cross-border DNA means we are equipped to handle currency conversions and cross-country APMs 

Our platform is designed for flexibility, offering both modular APIs, SDKs, and full-service customised environments. We also provide an integrated, omni-channel experience that supports online, mobile, QR, retail, social media, and crypto payments — all within a single platform. It is this end-to-end capability, combined with our market-specific knowledge, that makes us a preferred partner across Asia. 

  

ML: What were your key achievements over the last 12 months? 

JC: Over the past 12 months, we have made significant strides across several fronts. We expanded into Cambodia and Canada, building out our regional footprint to support merchants in emerging and developed markets alike. We launched a suite of new products — including SoftPOS, all-in-one tokenisation, Tap-to-Pay, crypto modules, and AI-driven SaaS integration tools — all designed to meet evolving merchant needs. 

We also bolster our infrastructure to support higher volumes, enhance security, and improve uptime. Recognition followed, with 19 industry awards acknowledging our innovation and leadership in Asia’s competitive payments space. 

  

ML: What is on the roadmap in the year ahead? 

JC: Looking ahead, we plan to deepen our footprint in high-growth markets by expanding local APM support and introducing new merchant tools tied to sustainability and social responsibility. We will continue to leverage on AI technologies to enhance payment n purchase experience and values. Besides, we are launching a special campaign to mark our 25th anniversary — “25 Milestones, 25 Stories” — spotlighting key clients, partnerships, and breakthroughs over the years. 

On the tech side, we will continue to tap stablecoin development, invest in regulatory upgrades to stay ahead of compliance requirements across APAC. We are also building new integrations and developer tools to make it even easier for partners to deploy our solutions in their own ecosystems. 

  

ML: What changes in the industry do you see shaping the next few years? 

JC: The next 2–3 years will bring substantial changes, particularly in regulation, AI, identity verification, and the dominance of localised and crypto payments. Real-time payments and mobile wallets will continue to grow their popularity against traditional cards, especially in Southeast Asia. 

  

ML: What key criteria or features should a business consider when evaluating payment service providers? 

JC: Choosing the right PSP is about more than just cost. Businesses should start by evaluating the breadth of digital channels and payment methods offered, especially if they are expanding across borders or targeting mobile-first consumers. Security and compliance are equally critical — from PCI certification to uptime reliability and fraud prevention. 

Scalability, settlement and operation standardisation and ease of integration and upgrade also matter. A flexible platform with robust developer and plug-in tools will adapt more easily to future business needs. Just as importantly, look for strong local customer support and a proven track record of local success. Ultimately, the right partner should enable growth, mitigate risk, and provide the confidence to operate at scale and enhance productivity and control. 

  

ML: AsiaPay were a sponsor and exhibitor at Money 20/20 Asia in Bangkok. Why do you elect to sponsor Money 20/20 and what benefits does the business derive from participating? 

JC: Money20/20 Asia is one of the region’s most influential fintech gatherings, which makes an ideal platform for us to connect with partners, merchants, and thought leaders. Sponsoring and exhibiting at the event gave us a platform to showcase our latest innovations and demonstrate our commitment to shaping the future of digital payments in Asia. 

It also gave us the opportunity to listen — to understand emerging trends, competitive strategies, and regional merchant needs. This kind of real-time market intelligence is essential for staying agile and relevant in such a fast-moving industry. 

 

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Author: Mariel Laxamana, Marketing Director, Manila, Payments Consulting Network 

Mariel brings over 14 years of professional experience spanning news production, events, client servicing, and digital marketing. She began her career managing newscasts for a leading television network in the Philippines and now leads the digital marketing team at Payments Consulting Network, overseeing the global digital presence for both PCN and Merchant Advisory. Her responsibilities include managing and growing content and conference partnerships, planning and executing the content calendar across blogs, social media, and email campaigns, as well as designing, editing, and publishing newsletters. She also leads website management and design, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and user experience best practices. 

 

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Payments Consulting Network was a media partner of the recently held Money20/20 Asia conference in Bangkok, Thailand. They have locked in the dates for next year (21 to 23 April 2026). For more information, visit their official website here. 

Also, catch Money20/20 conference in USA on 26-29 October 2025. 

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