# APAC Payment Systems Connect Domestically to Reach New Markets

> Five Southeast Asian countries and India explore cross-border payment links without building separate connections for each market.
- Title: APAC Payment Systems Connect Domestically to Reach New Markets
- Summary: Five Southeast Asian countries and India explore cross-border payment links without building separate connections for each market. Real-time payment networks…
- Keywords: apac, real-time-payments, upi, alipay, nexus, seaport, the-clearing-house, bank-for-international-settlements, malaysia, singapore, thailand, indonesia
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/real-time-payments/2026/apac-links-domestic-payment-systems-to-reach-new-markets
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-22T08:00:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apac, real-time-payments, upi, alipay, nexus, seaport, the-clearing-house, bank-for-international-settlements, malaysia, singapore, thailand, indonesia
## Five Countries Build Common Framework
Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines are connecting national real-time payment systems through Project Nexus.
## India Tests UPI-Alipay+ Connection
India’s Unified Payments Interface could link with Alipay+ to reach over 100 markets and 150 million merchants.
## Project Nexus Reduces Costs
A shared framework lets payment systems connect once instead of multiple bilateral links, cutting delays and expenses.
## Alipay+ Offers Global Reach
Alipay+ spans over 100 markets with 1.8 billion user accounts and 150 million merchants across Asia-Pacific.
## Cross-Border Payment Models
Domestic payment systems can expand internationally through shared frameworks or existing global platforms without new connections at each border.
## Key takeaway

Real-time payment networks can expand internationally through shared frameworks or existing global platforms, reducing costs and delays.