Wise, a global online money transfer service, has integrated with Singapore’s PayNow network to allow tourists to make QR payments to local merchants directly via its app.
This move is particularly beneficial for local businesses such as hawkers, which traditionally do not accept card payments.
This integration signifies Singapore as the inaugural country where Wise has connected with two local payment systems, building on its previous integration with the FAST system in 2022.
In a broader regional expansion, Wise Platform has initiated collaborations with Hong Kong’s Mox to offer simplified international payment solutions. Additionally, Tiger Brokers has expanded its partnership with Wise, introducing debit cards for their Singaporean customers.
Amidst these advancements, Wise has also announced the expansion of its Singapore office and several leadership appointments. The expansion has doubled the employee count to 450 at its APAC hub located in Paya Lebar Quarter, now covering 23,000 square feet.
The leadership team in Singapore now includes Shrawan (SK) Saraogi as the APAC Head of Expansion & Singapore Country Manager, Mike Truong will serve as the APAC Product Director, Erin Smith takes on the role of Product Director for Global Spend, Ser-Jin Lee has been named the APAC Compliance Director, and Samarth Bansal is the new APAC General Manager for the Wise Platform.
Wise has seen a 26% year-on-year growth in its customer base in Singapore, prompting the expansion of its local product and engineering team by over a third since 2022. The firm has issued over four million personal and business cards across 42 countries.
Isabel Naidoo, Chief People Officer, Wise said,
“Wise has grown significantly in Singapore from when we first entered eight years ago, to now becoming our ever-growing hub for the Asia Pacific region. Singapore’s status as a global hub for fintech innovation and access to a diverse talent pool makes the city a perfect location for our growth.
I’m thrilled to welcome SK, Mike, Erin, Ser-Jin and Samarth onboard Wise as we deepen our commitment and footprint in Singapore and continue expanding across APAC. All of them bring rich experiences that will help us deliver on our mission of building the best way to move and manage the world’s money.”
Featured image: (Top left to right) Smrithi Ravi, Erin Smith, Heather Ong, Mike Truong, Ser-Jin Lee, Elyza Telog. (Bottom left to right) Isabel Audrey Lim, Surendra Chaplot, Samarth Bansal, Shrawan (SK) Saraogi, Amelia Bones