LianLian global is a cross-border payments and fintech platform with a strong presence in Europe and North America, now expanding into emerging markets across the globe. At Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025, LianLian Global chief executive officer, Tim Shen, discussed the firm’s expansion plans, the role of AI in payments innovation and its strategy to support Chinese enterprises going abroad.

Shen said the firm's expansion abroad reflects a structural rise in Chinese businesses seeking international opportunities, driven by post-pandemic digitalisation and expanding cross-border commerce. “We have seen a surge in Chinese companies looking to expand overseas, and we’re helping them navigate complex international payment systems,” he explained.

“While many companies initially targeted developed markets, the recent wave of digital transformation has made it possible for Chinese enterprises to explore markets in regions like Latin America and the Middle East," he added. LianLian Global seeks to offer these companies the infrastructure they need to "thrive in new environments."

Bridging regulatory and payment-system gaps

For many Chinese firms, the biggest hurdles navigating foreign markets relate to unfamiliar regulatory frameworks, clearing systems and local payment preferences. Shen noted that knowledge gaps remain significant.

“The most common challenge faced by Chinese businesses expanding internationally is their lack of understanding of local payment systems and clearing networks,” he said. “In countries where credit card use is low, we help them by providing access to these systems and simplifying the entire payment process.”

LianLian Global’s strategy is to provide embedded access to local payment ecosystems, enabling merchants to integrate quickly without building in-country operations or hiring specialist compliance teams.

Harnessing AI for enhanced efficiency and risk management

LianLian Global is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and strengthen risk controls. Shen described AI as central to internal efficiency, particularly in compliance, know-your-customer (KYC) and document verification.

"We rely on vast amounts of data, and we are using AI to automate various processes that were previously done manually,” he said. "AI is helping us reduce the need for human intervention and, at the same time, increase the speed and accuracy of these processes.”

LianLian Global has deployed an AI-driven risk management system that allows the company to conduct real-time compliance checks and automates data analysis, significantly improving operational efficiency. One example is the company’s use of optical character recognition (OCR) technology to capture and process documents required for cross-border payments. By combining OCR with AI, LianLian can assess compliance relevance and flag discrepancies without human review.

“This is a huge leap forward. Previously, human employees had to manually review documents, but now the AI does this job. The system can automatically read and interpret the data, identify potential compliance issues and flag any discrepancies,” Shen explained.

Supporting cross-border payments for Chinese enterprises

Cross-border payments remain LianLian Global’s core offering, and demand has grown as Chinese exporters and digital merchants expand globally. Shen stressed that these clients are not only executing cross-border transactions in multiple currencies but also managing full supplier and customer networks.

“Cross-border payments are not just about facilitating transactions; they are about ensuring that Chinese businesses can smoothly navigate the complexities of international financial systems,” he said. "Our clients are not just paying bills; they are managing entire ecosystems of suppliers and customers. We help them do this by providing a seamless, secure payment solution that supports global operations."

The company’s growth in Belt and Road markets, spanning Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, is aimed at providing Chinese businesses direct access to local acquiring systems, local-currency acceptance and domestic clearing networks.

“We have built a comprehensive system that allows Chinese businesses to easily tap into local payment systems,” Shen said. “Whether it is getting the necessary licenses or connecting with local clearing networks, we have taken care of all the heavy lifting, so businesses can focus on growing their operations,” he added.

AI in cash management and currency risk

Beyond cross-border payments, LianLian Global is partnering with licensed institutions to broaden its offering into cash-management and FX risk solutions. Shen highlighted the firm’s new AI Wealth Management product, which uses data analytics and forecasting models to help businesses manage their foreign exchange exposure and predict future cash flow.

“Many businesses struggle with currency fluctuations, especially when dealing with multiple currencies across different regions,” he said. “With our AI Wealth Management product, we can provide businesses with a tool that can predict potential currency movements, helping them mitigate risk.”

By giving SMEs access to tools traditionally reserved for large corporates, LianLian Global positions itself as a financial-operations partner rather than just a payments provider, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.

The future of cross-border trade and payments

Looking ahead, Shen expects geopolitical dynamics, regulatory fragmentation and rapid technological adoption to shape the next phase of global trade. Yet, he remains confident that international expansion will persist.

“Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions and the trend toward deglobalisation, global trade will continue to grow,” he said. “The key for small and medium-sized enterprises will be adaptability.” Shen sees AI and digital payments as core to this transition. “Enterprises will need to embrace change and leverage technology to maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly complex global marketplace,” he said. “Whether it is providing efficient payment solutions or using AI to optimise financial operations, we believe the future of global commerce is bright."

As LianLian Global expands its capabilities and geographic footprint, its role in supporting Chinese enterprises entering new markets, and enabling broader financial inclusion solutions for SMEs, continues to deepen.