Tazapay Gets In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institute (MPI) Licence from MAS
Aditya Wibowo
February 17, 2023
5
minutes of read
SINGAPORE, Feb. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Tazapay, a Singapore headquartered fintech company which provides cross border payments, was granted an in-principle approval for a major payment institution (MPI) licence by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This approval covers 5 payment services - Account issuance, Merchant acquisition, Cross border money transfer, Domestic money transfer and E-money issuance.
Singapore is a trade hub for the rest of Asia and the world, the MPI licence in Singapore will allow Tazapay to effectively service exporters, importers and cross border ecommerce platforms in the region.
Tazapay provides a full-stack API for cards and local payment methods globally with buyer and seller protection. In just two years, the firm has built a global card coverage and 85 markets for local payments collection coverage all this with embedded protection for buyer and sellers.
"We are delighted to receive the in-principle approval for becoming a Major Payment Institution in Singapore from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Tazapay will be able to offer its full suite of services to its Singapore and regional customers and also directly partner with Banks and card schemes to offer innovative and mission critical cross border payment solutions. As a Singapore born and headquartered company, this is a very special milestone for the company" said Tazapay.
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Brazil to India Exports: How Virtual Accounts Simplify Collections for Exporters
Introduction
Expanding across borders should be exciting for exporters — not overwhelming. Yet for many Brazilian businesses selling to buyers in India, one of the biggest barriers isn’t logistics or marketing. It’s getting paid efficiently.
Cross-border payment systems remain complex, slow, and costly. Funds often pass through multiple intermediaries, currencies are converted prematurely, and reconciliation becomes a painful manual process.
This is where virtual accounts — a cornerstone of modern global money movement — are transforming how exporters collect payments internationally.
The Challenge: Slow, Costly, and Complex Cross-Border Collections
Brazil and India are two of the fastest-growing emerging markets, together representing a bilateral trade value of over USD 11 billion in 2024 (Trading Economics). But while goods move smoothly, payments lag behind.
Brazilian exporters selling to Indian buyers often face:
Limited local payment options — Indian buyers prefer to pay via domestic rails rather than international wires.
Forced FX conversions — Payments often settle in USD, leading to exchange losses and limited control over when conversion happens.
Slow settlements — Traditional cross-border transfers can take several days due to intermediary banks and time zones.
Complicated reconciliation — Payments from multiple buyers arrive in mixed currencies, often with incomplete details.
These friction points aren’t unique to Brazil and India — they exist across many emerging trade corridors where domestic payment rails dominate but aren’t easily accessible to foreign exporters.
The Shift: From Traditional Banking to Virtual Accounts
Traditional trade banking systems were never built for real-time commerce. They work for large institutional transactions but are inefficient for exporters handling frequent or high-value payments across multiple buyers and markets.
Virtual accounts change that by giving businesses local-like access to global collections — without the need to establish or maintain local registered entities in each country.
With a single Tazapay account, exporters can:
Receive named collection accounts in multiple currencies
Collect locally from buyers through domestic transfers
Hold and convert funds in supported currencies for settlement
Manage global receivables through one unified dashboard
This means a Brazilian exporter can now receive funds from an Indian buyer in INR via a local transfer — just like a domestic business would — while managing everything seamlessly through Tazapay.
Example: A Brazilian Exporter Selling to India
A sustainable packaging manufacturer in São Paulo has multiple Indian buyers. Previously, these buyers paid via international wire, with funds arriving several days later, minus significant bank and FX fees.
Now, using Tazapay’s Global Collection Account, the exporter can:
Generate a named virtual account in INR.
Share it with Indian buyers, who can pay through familiar local bank transfers.
Receive funds in hours instead of days.
Monitor settlements and convert INR proceeds into USD when needed for global operations.
Reconcile payments automatically by buyer or invoice.
The result: faster settlement cycles, reduced FX exposure, simpler reconciliation — and more liquidity for reinvestment.
Why This Matters for Exporters
1. Predictable cash flow
Faster collections mean exporters can plan shipments, inventory, and restocking with greater confidence.
2. No need for a local entity
Virtual accounts let exporters receive local payments without opening a local entity or subsidiary in every market.
3. Transparent FX conversion
Funds can be received in INR and converted when the exporter chooses — not when intermediaries decide.
4. Better buyer experience
Buyers prefer local payment options because they’re faster, cheaper, and require no international setup. That convenience builds trust and repeat business.
5. Easier scaling across markets
Once it works for one corridor, exporters can replicate it in others — such as Singapore, Indonesia, or the UAE — using the same unified account structure.
The Broader Context: Virtual Accounts and Global Money Movement
The rise of virtual accounts represents more than just a collection upgrade — it’s part of a larger shift toward global money movement.
Modern trade is moving away from fragmented, bank-dependent systems toward integrated fintech-led infrastructures that connect local payment methods, multi-currency accounts, and global payouts.
This ecosystem lets businesses collect, hold, and pay in the currencies they need — creating true interoperability between local and international finance.
Platforms like Tazapay are at the center of this evolution:
Providing access to 173+ countries and 80+ local payment options
Supporting 35+ currencies through Global Collection Accounts
Enabling same-day settlements in many markets through local clearing systems
Helping businesses manage both collections and payouts through one compliant platform
This isn’t only about speed — it’s about enabling financial inclusion in global trade, allowing exporters of any size to operate with the same efficiency as multinational companies.
Traditional vs. Virtual Accounts
Feature
Traditional Cross-Border Transfers
Virtual Accounts (via Tazapay)
Settlement Speed
Reliable but typically 3–5 business days
Same-day or T+1 depending on market
FX Conversion
Converted at receipt based on bank rates
Exporter controls timing and rate
Buyer Experience
Requires international payment setup
Simple local bank transfer
Reconciliation
Manual tracking and reference matching
Automated and buyer-linked
Setup Requirement
May require a local entity
No local entity needed
Cost Efficiency
Higher due to intermediary fees
Optimized for lower overall cost
SWIFT and wire transfers remain reliable and widely trusted for global settlements, especially for large-value transactions or corridors where local rails are limited.However, virtual accounts provide a faster and more flexible alternative — especially when exporters need visibility, speed, and control. You can read more about it here.
The Emerging Markets Advantage
Emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Vietnam amongst others are driving global trade growth but still operate within asymmetrical payment systems. While domestic innovations like PIX in Brazil and UPI in India have improved local efficiency, cross-border settlements continue to rely heavily on legacy systems.
By combining local collection rails with virtual accounts, exporters can now receive payments globally — without the friction of opening multiple bank accounts or creating local entities in every market.
These capabilities are particularly powerful for B2B exporters, digital marketplaces, and SMEs handling both small and large international payments.
How Exporters Can Get Started
Sign up with a licensed cross-border payments platform like Tazapay (regulated by MAS Singapore and FINTRAC Canada).
Open a Named Virtual Account to receive payments from vendors and buyers via local transfers in 35+currencies.
Share account details directly with buyers — they can pay through familiar domestic banking channels.
Monitor, hold, or convert funds through a single dashboard.
Scale globally, adding new supported currencies and corridors as your business expands.
Within days, exporters can move from fragmented systems to a fully integrated global collection framework — the foundation of modern money movement.
Conclusion
For Brazilian exporters — and any business expanding across emerging markets — the difference between slow, manual banking processes and instant, transparent collections is the difference between growth and limitation.
Virtual accounts remove unnecessary friction, empower exporters to collect locally, and bring cross-border trade into real time.
They’re more than a product feature; they’re the future of how businesses collect, hold, and move money globally. And for exporters ready to simplify their next chapter of growth, that future is already here.
Payments Resources
Cross-Border Payouts: How to Reduce Costs and Improve Seller Experience at Scale
Introduction
Expanding globally isn’t only about finding new customers. It’s also about how easily you can pay the people who keep your business running — sellers, vendors, suppliers, and partners around the world. For B2B companies, payouts are one of the most important parts of building trust and keeping relationships strong.
The challenge is that many businesses still face high fees, banking delays, and a lack of visibility when sending money across borders. The good news is that smarter payout methods are now making it possible to cut costs while giving sellers and vendors a smoother, more reliable experience.
The Cost Problem in Cross-Border Payouts
International payouts have long been weighed down by inefficiencies. SWIFT and wire transfers often move through several banks before reaching the final recipient, and each step adds fees. Foreign exchange spreads can also reduce the final amount received. When you’re sending payouts at scale, these costs add up quickly.
The Seller and Vendor Experience Problem
For sellers, vendors, and suppliers, payouts are more than just transactions — they’re a sign of trust in the company they work with. When payments are late or unclear, confidence in that relationship weakens. Common frustrations include:
Having to wait several days before funds arrive.
Unexpected intermediary fees that reduce the final amount.
Not knowing exactly when the payout will clear.
Experiencing different timelines depending on the country.
Companies that solve these problems don’t just save costs; they build stronger, more reliable relationships with their global network of sellers and vendors.
How to Reduce Costs at Scale
The most common ways businesses send cross-border payouts today are through local bank transfers and SWIFT or wire transfers. Alongside these, newer options like stablecoin-to-fiat payouts are helping businesses remove banking delays and avoid extra costs.
Local bank transfers
By working with licensed partners in each country, payouts can move directly through local banking networks. This usually means lower transaction fees, faster settlement times, and fewer surprises for the recipient subject to the local bank’s cut-off time.
SWIFT and wire transfers
SWIFT and wires remain the backbone of many international payouts. They’re secure and widely accepted, especially for corridors where no local alternative exists with the option of sending out large payments. While they can take longer and involve more fees than local transfers, costs can be reduced by using payout providers that optimize routes and minimize intermediary bank charges.
Stablecoin to fiat payouts
Smarter payout methods are also emerging. Stablecoins allow value to move almost instantly, without the usual banking delays or intermediary deductions. With the right infrastructure, they can be converted directly into any supported local currency, so sellers and vendors always receive fiat in their accounts. Tazapay supports this flow, giving businesses more flexibility while reducing unnecessary costs and delays.*
How to Improve Seller and Vendor Experience
Reducing costs is important, but speed and reliability matter even more to sellers and vendors. A strong payout experience usually comes down to:
Speed. Local bank transfers and stablecoin-to-fiat payouts can settle in hours or within a day, compared to several days for some wires.
Clarity. Dashboards that show payout status, FX rates, and reconciliation help recipients plan ahead.
Consistency. Sellers and vendors expect the same dependable payout experience whether they’re in India, Brazil, or Europe.
Flexibility. Offering multiple payout options gives businesses the ability to meet different needs and build stronger trust.
Scaling Payouts with Confidence
Managing payouts across multiple countries and currencies isn’t simple. It requires more than just moving money — it calls for compliance, automation, and a partner that can handle scale.
Tazapay brings all of this together. We support local bank transfers, SWIFT/wire transfers, and stablecoin-to-fiat payouts, all managed through a single dashboard. Businesses gain efficiency and compliance, while sellers, vendors, and suppliers receive a reliable experience they can count on.
Conclusion
Cross-border payouts are no longer just an operational detail. They directly shape how sellers, vendors, and suppliers see your company and whether they continue working with you. By combining local bank transfers, SWIFT, and smarter options like stablecoin-to-fiat, businesses can reduce costs, avoid unnecessary delays, and deliver a payout experience that grows with them.
👉 Learn more about Payouts with Tazapay and how we help businesses streamline global payouts at scale.
*Stablecoin services are offered through Tazapay Canada Corp.
Payment Methods
PromptPay for Business: Unlocking Higher Checkout Success in Thailand
Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies. With a population that is increasingly mobile-first, digital payments are now part of everyday life. For international businesses selling to Thai customers, however, the biggest challenge remains checkout success.
Credit and debit cards remain important, but they often fall short. Many transactions are declined, card coverage is limited outside urban centers, and foreign exchange costs can discourage buyers. This results in abandoned checkouts and lost revenue opportunities.
PromptPay, Thailand’s national QR-based payment method overseen by the Bank of Thailand and National ITMX, has become the mainstream alternative. With more than 81 million registrations and billions of transactions every month, it is trusted by consumers across all sectors.
For global B2B and e-commerce businesses, enabling PromptPay alongside cards means fewer failed payments, higher authorization rates, and greater customer trust.
With Tazapay, you can offer PromptPay through a unified checkout that also supports cards and 80+ other local payment methods, going live within days.
Why PromptPay Matters for Cross-Border Businesses
PromptPay adoption has grown dramatically, making it an indispensable part of Thailand’s payment ecosystem:
This progression shows PromptPay’s journey from a domestic initiative to a critical tool for international businesses. Offering PromptPay at checkout has become an expectation, not a differentiator, for global merchants operating in Thailand.
Industry Use Cases Where PromptPay Boosts Checkout Success
E-commerce and Marketplaces
E-commerce platforms and online marketplaces often see high cart abandonment in Thailand due to card failures or customer hesitation.
By offering PromptPay alongside cards:
Customers can pay instantly by scanning a QR code.
Merchants capture more successful transactions.
Conversions rise, and abandoned carts fall.
PromptPay has become a default option for Thai shoppers, so businesses that include it maximize completed orders and revenue.
Travel Businesses
Thailand’s travel industry is huge, and online booking platforms often face failed transactions at checkout. This is particularly challenging for mid-range purchases like hotel reservations or tour bookings.
PromptPay helps by:
Allowing travelers to pay instantly in Thai Baht with a familiar method.
Providing immediate confirmation, which increases booking confidence.
Complementing cards, so businesses capture both cardholders and QR-preferred customers.
For online travel agencies and hotel platforms, PromptPay improves booking completion and reduces drop-offs.
Digital Products and Gaming
Thailand has one of Asia’s most engaged digital populations, with significant spending on gaming and online products. But micro-transactions and one-off purchases often fail on card-only checkouts.
PromptPay ensures:
Small and mid-ticket digital purchases go through quickly.
Younger demographics without international cards can still pay.
Players and customers enjoy a seamless, familiar checkout.
This makes PromptPay especially valuable for digital platforms, app stores, and gaming companies serving Thai customers.
Education and EdTech Platforms
As online education grows in Thailand, payment access remains a barrier. Many students and professionals lack international-ready cards, making it difficult to enroll in global courses.
PromptPay solves this by:
Providing a widely trusted payment option in Thai Baht.
Reducing drop-offs caused by failed card transactions.
Expanding reach for global edtech providers targeting Thai learners.
The Business Impact of Offering Both Cards and PromptPay
Businesses that provide multiple payment options serve more customers and reduce payment risk. In Thailand:
Authorization rates improve, since PromptPay succeeds where cards fail.
Cart abandonment decreases, as customers complete payments with their preferred method.
Trust increases, thanks to the presence of a familiar local option.
Cash flow is better, as PromptPay settlements are typically instant or same-day.
PromptPay complements cards rather than replacing them. Together, they capture the widest possible customer base and maximize checkout success.
Challenges Without Local Payment Methods Like PromptPay
Merchants relying only on cards or international transfers face:
Lost revenue from customers unwilling or unable to use cards.
High failure and decline rates.
Checkout abandonment caused by friction.
Delays and costs of cross-border transfers unsuitable for small and mid-value transactions.
Adding PromptPay addresses these risks and future-proofs your checkout strategy.
How Tazapay Enables PromptPay for Global Merchants
Tazapay simplifies the complexity of enabling PromptPay for cross-border businesses:
Hosted checkout for fast integration and go-live within days.
White-label checkout for larger enterprises that want a fully branded customer experience.
Unified payments that combine PromptPay, cards, 80+ local payment methods, and local bank transfers.
No Thai entity required, enabling global businesses to collect payments directly.
Whether you prioritize speed or brand control, Tazapay gives you the flexibility to add PromptPay and optimize checkout for higher authorization rates and faster settlement.
Conclusion
Thailand’s digital economy offers huge opportunities for global businesses, but only if they solve checkout friction. Cards remain necessary, but PromptPay has become an equally important option.
With more than 81 million registrations and over 2 billion monthly transactions in 2025, PromptPay is one of Thailand’s most trusted and widely used payment methods. Businesses that offer it alongside cards increase conversions, reduce abandonment, and build stronger customer trust.
With Tazapay, you can integrate PromptPay quickly and compliantly, enabling a better checkout experience for your Thai customers.
Tazapay Pte. Ltd. (UEN: 202010604W) is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Major Payment Institution (Licence No. PS20200638), authorizing a broad range of payment services including cross-border transactions. Licence details.
Tazapay Canada Corp. (Incorporation number: BC1313641) is regulated by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) as a Money Services Business (MSB registration number M21439799), ensuring compliance with Canadian financial regulations.
Trezza UAB (Legal entity code: 307042040), Vilnius, Laisvės pr. 60, LT-05120, is licensed as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Lithuania. It complies with applicable AML, CTF, and KYC regulations under Lithuanian financial authorities.
Tazapay US Corp is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), U.S. Department of the Treasury (MSB registration number 31000309957750). Registration with FinCEN does not imply approval or endorsement by any government authority.
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