Alibaba is preparing to transform international business payments with a tokenised money system that could speed up B2B trade around the world.
Partnering with JPMorgan, as reported by CNBC, the company will roll out a blockchain-based settlement network by December, aiming to eliminate payment delays and high transaction costs.
The system will use stablecoin-like tokens backed by real bank deposits in US dollars and euros, making digital payments faster and more reliable for buyers and suppliers globally.
Stablecoin settlement built for real trade
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The new payment network is designed to address some of the most pressing problems in global e-commerce.
At the moment, cross-border payments can take between 48 and 72 hours to settle.
This slows down supply chains and increases risk for small businesses and large exporters alike.
Alibaba plans to use tokenised versions of the US dollar and euro that are backed by actual bank deposits.
These tokens will behave like stablecoins but without the volatility of cryptocurrencies.
The aim is to create a seamless transaction layer that works across different currencies and jurisdictions without friction.
JPMorgan’s Kinexys blockchain platform will power the network.
The bank’s infrastructure already supports $2 billion in tokenised daily transactions, offering a tested foundation for Alibaba’s next phase in digital trade.
Agentic Pay automates contract workflows
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Alongside the payment system, Alibaba is launching Agentic Pay, a smart payment rail that uses artificial intelligence to speed up B2B negotiations.
This tool can automatically convert chat conversations between buyers and suppliers into enforceable contracts.
The use of AI in this context helps simplify processes that normally require legal review and paperwork.
It reduces the time and manual effort involved in closing a deal, letting businesses focus on operations rather than administration.
Agentic Pay is expected to make Alibaba’s platform more efficient by connecting communication directly with transaction execution.
This links naturally with the new tokenised settlement system, creating a complete end-to-end experience for users.
December launch targets billions in volume
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The system is set for a global rollout in December. Alibaba expects that once active, the network will handle billions in annual settlement volume.
The company sees this as a necessary step for scaling digital trade and removing long-standing barriers in global finance.
Alibaba.com president Kuo Zhang shared details of the initiative with CNBC, explaining that the current state of B2B trade needs to be reimagined using modern tools.
The urgency, according to the company, is driven by inefficiencies that have existed in the traditional financial rails supporting international trade.
JPMorgan’s timing aligns closely with this project.
Just two days before the announcement, the bank had launched its deposit token on Base, another sign of growing confidence in tokenisation from traditional finance.
A new model for cross-border payments
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This collaboration between a leading global marketplace and a major financial institution signals a shift in how digital payments are handled at scale.
It is not an experimental project but a commercial solution built on proven banking infrastructure and digital asset technology.
By replacing delays and currency complexities with near-instant, tokenised transactions, Alibaba is taking a bold step into the future of trade.
The model avoids speculative tokens, opting instead for real-world money represented digitally, making it easier for businesses to trust and adopt.
With billions in expected volume and technology from two industry leaders, the project could mark a turning point in global B2B commerce.
