Tencent and Visa sign an MoU to streamline cross-border payments and remittances while exploring AI-powered shopping, enabling digital agents to find products and make purchases with greater security and consumer control.
Chinese technology company Tencent Holdings and global payments company Visa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand their collaboration in cross-border payments, international remittances and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered commerce. During Tencent’s Global Digital Ecosystem Summit in Shenzhen, the agreement aims to simplify international transactions and explore new ways for consumers to shop and pay through AI-enabled services.
Under the proposed collaboration, the companies will explore solutions that enable travellers to pay for goods and services at participating merchants through Tencent’s cross-border payment platform, TenPay Global, and Visa Pay. The initiative also aims to improve connectivity between Tencent’s Weixin Pay mobile wallet and Visa’s payment network, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
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The partnership will focus on making payments more convenient for people travelling between China and international markets. By connecting digital payment platforms with Visa’s global network, the companies aim to improve access to payment services across participating merchants and provide travellers with more seamless transaction experiences.
International money transfers form another key area of cooperation. Tencent and Visa plan to expand their collaboration through Visa Direct, Visa’s money movement service. The initiative could enable more international users to transfer funds into the Weixin Pay ecosystem, extending the reach of digital remittance services and strengthening payment connectivity between markets.
The agreement also explores the use of AI agents in online shopping. These systems could help consumers discover products, compare available options and complete purchases through digital platforms. The companies will examine how Visa Intelligent Commerce could support AI-driven transactions, including payment capabilities for AI agents and emerging commerce models.
Security and consumer control remain central to the proposed initiatives. As AI systems take on more shopping-related tasks, the companies intend to explore ways to ensure transactions remain secure and that users retain control over their spending. Any new services will be developed subject to relevant regulatory, data-governance and security requirements.
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The expanded agreement builds on Tencent and Visa’s existing relationship, which began in 2019 through their work in the gaming industry. Their collaboration has included payment processing, international transactions, joint marketing and risk management through Tencent’s international payments platform, Midas. The companies now intend to extend their cooperation to Tencent’s overseas AI businesses and explore opportunities in AI-enabled payments.
Tencent Senior Executive Vice-President and Cloud and Smart Industries Group CEO Dowson Tong said the expanded partnership could create more convenient commerce experiences for consumers and new opportunities for businesses in China and overseas. Visa Greater China General Manager Elaine Chang also highlighted the potential to connect AI-powered shopping experiences with Visa’s global payment network while maintaining security and consumer control.