XTransfer, the world's leading B2B cross-border trade payment platform, returned to the World Economic Forum's 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (Summer Davos) in Dalian, marking a significant milestone by becoming an Institutional Member of the World Economic Forum. It is the only institutional member from China's B2B cross-border payments sector, moving from participant to co-builder alongside global political and business leaders to discuss transformation in international trade and digital finance.
At the forum, Bill Deng, XTransfer Founder and CEO, delivered a keynote in the session "China Platforms Go Global," describing how Chinese e-commerce platforms have evolved from domestic "digital disruptors" to global "rule reshapers." He outlined key obstacles in cross-border payments, including compliance demands, geopolitics, and varying regulatory regimes. Deng noted that while deglobalization and geopolitical risks weigh heavily on large enterprises, SMEs tend to be more resilient due to light-asset models and their ability to enter or exit markets quickly. In a fragmented global economy, SMEs can adapt faster, form new connections, and act as a "buffer" that supports stability and deeper global integration.
Deng was also invited to attend a closed-door meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and business representatives, as well as multiple closed-door strategic discussions in the financial sector, where views were exchanged on payment risk management, international cooperation, and trends in Chinese companies expanding overseas. He shared that "China's expansion is moving from 'trade going global' toward 'ecosystem going global' spanning manufacturing, brands, culture, and financial services, with SMEs playing a central role." He added that emerging markets are becoming new growth hotspots and urged businesses to leverage supply-chain strengths and move early into markets with strong demand and relatively limited competition.
XTransfer has grown rapidly, with over 890,000 registered customers, partnerships with more than 170 financial institutions, and services across 200+ countries and regions. In 2025, the platform processed over US$60 billion TPV, becoming the world's largest B2B cross-border trade payment platform. Deng emphasized that risk control and compliance are the toughest challenges for cross-border payments. XTransfer's self-developed LLM, TradePilot, has helped keep the fraud rate at 0.003%, among the industry's lowest, enabling SMEs to transact safely, efficiently, and compliantly in global expansion.
This news matters because it underscores the critical role of SMEs in stabilizing global trade amid deglobalization pressures. XTransfer's platform, which facilitates secure cross-border payments for SMEs, is a key enabler of their resilience. The implications for the industry include a shift toward ecosystem-based globalization, where financial services, manufacturing, and culture integrate, with SMEs as central players. For readers, it highlights the importance of digital payment platforms in reducing transaction risks and compliance burdens, potentially lowering barriers for small businesses to participate in international trade. For more information, visit XTransfer's website or their LinkedIn page.
