London-based fintech infrastructure provider Merge has entered a strategic partnership with global B2B marketplace DHgate, integrating its advanced API to revolutionize cross-border payments on the DHgate platform.
The integration enables merchants and suppliers to leverage instant local payment rails, significantly improving transaction speed, conversion, and compliance. Merge’s solution enables real-time bank-to-bank settlements across multiple currencies, eliminating delays tied to traditional correspondent banking systems and reducing settlement risks .
According to Merge CEO Kebbie Sebastian, the collaboration addresses one of the biggest frictions in global trade: payment inefficiency. “By removing the payment friction that often slows international trade, we’re helping platforms like DHgate unlock new markets and better serve their global customers,” he said .
DHgate’s Payment Director, Jin Xinyu, added that enabling real-time, local-rail payments is vital in supporting SMB sellers as they pursue cross-border expansion. This setup also offers compliance advantages, as Merge’s fully regulated infrastructure—licensed as an EMI and VASP—eases KYC and AML burdens for platform operators .
The partnership is part of a broader trend: as cross-border B2B payments are projected to exceed $150 billion annually by 2027, fintechs are becoming essential, embedded components in global trade channels . For DHgate, integrating Merge’s APIs means simplifying vendor payouts, reducing chargeback risk, and improving margin retention—critical for marketplace competitiveness.
Beyond payments, the collaboration unlocks additional features: multi-currency support, API-powered reconciliation tools, integrated compliance screening, and streamlined onboarding. This holistic suite should accelerate decision-making and cash flow for SMB clients, especially those working with tight inventory and production cycles.
📌 Why It Matters:
- Starts delivering real-time, local-rail payments at a major marketplace
- Enhances merchant cash flow and minimizes payment errors or delays
- Signals increasing demand for embedded fintech solutions in global commerce
