Blockchain and AI Empowering SMEs to Compete Equally in International Trade

Eric Jing, Chairman of Ant Group, has presented his perspective on the evolution of financial services, stressing the significance of blockchain-powered smart contracts and artificial intelligence in tackling issues like fair income distribution and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. During his address at the Singapore FinTech Festival on November 14, 2025, Jing pointed out how

could utilize transparent and automated mechanisms to distribute rewards justly according to each party’s input.

Jing suggested that smart contracts built on blockchain technology could act as a core mechanism to guarantee openness and impartiality in such systems. When several intelligent agents work together, a major challenge is how to fairly allocate the resulting profits. By adopting blockchain infrastructure, revenue from services like payments or digital commerce could be instantly and fairly divided among contributors. Jing also mentioned that

this approach, making it possible to conduct smooth, trustless transactions without the need for third parties.

In addition to blockchain, Jing highlighted Ant Group’s dedication to making AI accessible for SMEs, viewing the technology as a vital driver for international competitiveness. At the Singapore gathering, he described AI-based solutions as acting like virtual CFOs and COOs for smaller companies, helping them manage operations in the complex world of global trade. Antom, Ant Group’s merchant services division,

such as Antom Copilot, which cuts payment integration times by more than 90% and boosts the efficiency of resolving chargebacks. The company also introduced EPOS360, an all-in-one platform that merges point-of-sale, payment, and lending services to assist micro and small businesses in expanding their operations.

Another key topic was the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors, especially with regulators like the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Jing commended MAS’s regulatory sandboxes for encouraging innovation while keeping risks in check, referencing projects like Project Guardian and PathFin.ai as leading examples. Project Guardian, which investigates the use of tokenized money and international settlements, illustrates how blockchain can enable immediate and transparent transactions for SMEs involved in global commerce. At the same time,

, including Ant International’s Falcon Time-Series Transformer, which enhances cash flow predictions and lowers hedging expenses in unpredictable markets.

Jing’s statements reflect larger movements in China’s AI sector, where companies like Alibaba and Huawei are rapidly advancing their own AI projects. For example, Alibaba’s Qwen application has already exceeded 10 million downloads since its relaunch, signaling a rising interest in agent-based AI solutions among both consumers and businesses. Nevertheless, Jing stressed that clear regulations and ongoing collaboration are crucial to scaling these technologies responsibly and addressing risks such as algorithmic bias or potential market abuse.