Asian digital payment giant Alipay+ launches in Argentina

Tourists from South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand can now pay for goods and services in Argentina using the same QR code payment apps they use at home. Alipay+, the international payment platform from Ant International, has officially launched in Argentina, enabling seamless transactions for travelers.

This new system allows visitors to scan a QR code at participating merchants, such as cafes or the Teatro Colón, using their familiar mobile payment applications. The transaction is processed instantly, and merchants receive payment in Argentine pesos. This integration eliminates the need for tourists to download new apps or exchange currency, simplifying their payment experience.

Alipay+ connects a vast network of 150 million merchants and 2 billion user accounts worldwide. In Argentina, the platform has partnered with fintech PVS to integrate with the national payment system. Popular payment apps from South Korea, like Kakao Pay and Toss Pay, and the Philippine app GCash are among those expected to be progressively enabled for use in Argentina.

Argentina boasts a highly developed mobile payment ecosystem, with QR codes being a common payment method across various businesses. The national "Transferencias 3.0" infrastructure, developed by the Central Bank, underpins this system. It ensures interoperability, allowing payments from any affiliated digital wallet or banking app via a single QR code, regardless of the issuing institution. Ant International also recently became the official sponsor of the Argentine national football team in Asia.