The Big Picture: Hong Kong’s Digital Transformation
Hong Kong has long been one of Asia’s earliest adopters of e-commerce. In 2023, the city had 3.5 million online shoppers - nearly half its population. By 2029, that number is projected to surge to 5.4 million users and a 73% penetration rate, driven by a new generation of digital-first consumers.
E-wallets now play a central role in this transformation. Beyond credit cards, they account for 36.6% of all e-commerce transactions, offering users a fast, secure, and flexible way to pay, whether online, in-store, or on the go.
In other words, Hong Kong’s cashless economy isn’t just growing. It's redefining how people live, move, and spend.
AlipayHK: Leading the Way in Everyday Payments
Among the leading digital wallets in Hong Kong, AlipayHK stands out as both a pioneer and a market leader.
- 5 million active users - reaching around 60% of Hong Kong’s population
- 170,000+ merchants across retail, dining, and lifestyle
- Over 1 million transactions processed daily
Since its launch in 2017, AlipayHK has played a key role in shaping the city’s digital payment landscape. It was the first local provider to introduce QR code transit payments, allowing passengers to scan and pay directly on Hong Kong’s subways, buses, and minibuses.
Beyond transport, AlipayHK supports a wide range of everyday transactions, from shopping and dining to utility payments, government coupons, and peer transfers. Online, users can pay with AlipayHK on platforms like Taobao, Uniqlo, App Store, and Google Play; offline, they can use it at 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, and Watsons.
Powering Commerce and Connection
As e-wallets become mainstream, AlipayHK continues to enhance its user experience through faster processing times, improved security, and greater accessibility for both consumers and merchants.
Crucially, it also supports cross-border payment interoperability, allowing overseas e-wallet users to make QR code payments at AlipayHK-accepting merchants in Hong Kong. This feature has become a key enabler for international visitors and SMEs, strengthening the city’s position as a global commerce hub.
Antom’s Role: Enabling Growth Beyond Borders
For global merchants looking to reach Hong Kong’s digital-first consumers, Antom provides the infrastructure to make it happen efficiently and at scale.
Through Antom’s single API integration, businesses can connect to AlipayHK and hundreds of other leading local payment methods worldwide. That means:
- Faster onboarding with local compliance handled seamlessly
- Flexible integration options for every platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, API, Hosted Checkout, and more)
- Real-time payment results and transparent refund capabilities
By bridging global payment networks with local ecosystems like AlipayHK, Antom helps businesses expand reach, improve checkout success rates, and deliver the payment experience customers expect.
Why It Matters for Businesses
E-wallets are no longer an “alternative payment method.” In Hong Kong, they are the default way to pay and that trend is accelerating across Asia.
For businesses, offering local payment options like AlipayHK isn’t just about convenience. It’s about:
- Building trust and familiarity with local consumers
- Reducing checkout friction and boosting conversions
- Supporting omnichannel experiences from online to in-store
- Tapping into cross-border visitor spend through interoperable QR codes
As the region continues to digitalise, merchants that adapt their payment strategies will be better positioned to capture growth and loyalty in the years ahead.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Seamless Commerce
Hong Kong’s journey toward a fully digital economy offers a glimpse into the future of payments - one where local relevance and global accessibility coexist.
At Antom, we believe that payment innovation should empower businesses to grow beyond borders. That’s why we continue to connect merchants with trusted local payment methods like AlipayHK, enabling them to scale smarter, faster, and more confidently in a connected world.
Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong’s e-wallet adoption rate exceeds 66%, with a strong growth forecast through 2029.
- AlipayHK serves over 4.5 million users and 170,000 merchants, leading the city’s digital payments.
- Antom’s single API enables merchants to access AlipayHK and hundreds of other payment methods globally.
- Businesses that localise their payment strategies stand to gain higher trust, conversion, and cross-border reach.
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