“KBank, Orbix Tech & StraitsX launch on-chain travel payments project”
KASIKORNBANK (KBank), together with Orbix Technology & Innovation Co., Ltd. (Orbix Technology) and StraitsX, has announced collaboration for project “Seamless Travel Payments on Chian” under BLOOM (Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency), an international collaboration led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The initiative aims to connect regulated digital payment systems across jurisdictions using blockchain technology, which will enable real-time QR code payments between Thailand and Singapore by 2026.
The project was officially unveiled at Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, held from 12- 14 November 2025, where leading global and regional banks, payment service providers, technology companies, investors and regulators gathered. KBankexecutive also joined global stage to share their vision and insights on the transformation of the financial industry in the digital era. This collaboration presents potential development of a real-world use case for cross-border payments between travelers from Thailand and Singapore, which will enable real-time QR code payments at local merchants using regulated e-money and interoperable blockchain technology. The implementation will mark a major milestone in enhancing cross-border payment experiences by making them faster, safer, more convenient, and fully compliant with regulatory standards.
Ms. Kattiya Indaravijaya, Chief Executive Officer of KBank, joined the panel discussion titled “How will digital banks compete over the next decade? New propositions and customer segments.” She noted that over the next decade, the competitive landscape will shift from product-driven offering to experience-driven financial ecosystems that integrate seamlessly into customers’ daily lives. Technology will turn every device into a smart financial touchpoint, enabling a broader range of financial services embedded in everyday activities. With the power of data and AI, banks will be able to understand customer needs more precisely in designing products and services that truly meet expectations. She emphasized the importance of transparency and the development of workforce capabilities to stay ahead a world shaped by AI and data, ensuring that customers are served with confidence and long-term sustainability.
Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich, Executive Vice President of KBank, said, “KBank is proud to be a part of BLOOM, a real-world application of blockchain technology for digital payments. In Phase 1 (targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2026), Thai travelers visiting Singapore will be able to use the Q Wallet by KBank application to pay merchants directly using Q-money (an e-money on blockchain). The system will be powered by Quarix, the blockchain developed by Orbix Technology, which will serve as the core infrastructure connecting with StraitsX’s platform to ensure secure and instant transactions. This collaboration marks an important step towards building an interoperable digital financial network that can scale across the region.”
Mr. Tianwei Liu, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of StraitsX, added, “This partnership sets a new benchmark for cross-border payments. In Phase 2, the project will expand to allow Singaporean travelers visiting Thailand to pay local merchants directly in Singapore Dollars using XSGD, our Singapore dollar-backed stablecoin, which will be automatically converted into Thai Baht upon settlement. This will increase convenience, efficiency, and trust in global value exchange.”
Phase 1 of the project is currently being conducted under the Bank of Thailand’s Regulatory Sandbox, and is expected to go live in Q2 2026. In Phases 1 and 2, travelers will be able to scan local QR codes in Thailand and Singapore using their respective e-wallets to complete payments conveniently and instantly. Behind the scenes, Quarix by Orbix Technology integrates with Avalanche, which acts as the technology enabler for the StraitsX system. This integration will enable real-time settlement between Q-money and XSGD, ensuring merchants can receive payments instantly while minimizing foreign exchange friction and enhancing transparency and security. For Phases 2 and 3, to be explored in the first half of 2026 subject to approval from the relevant regulatory authorities to ensure full compliance with legal and supervisory frameworks.
KBank, Orbix Technology, and StraitsX share a commitment to advancing the future of travel payments using regulated digital money and interoperable blockchain technology, strengthening Southeast Asia’s financial infrastructure to be seamless, resilient, and globally trusted, capable of supporting future expansion.
Dr. Karin further shared that Phase 3 of the project will introduce cross-border KYC verification, ensuring secure identity validation in compliance with regulatory requirements in both countries. “Our shared goal is to build a payment system that is trusted and compliant, allowing travelers to make payments abroad as conveniently as they do at home.” This initiative will serve as a key foundation for creating a modern, transparent, and secure digital financial system, ready to support regional and international expansion.
The participation in Singapore FinTech Festival 2025 and the announcement of this international collaboration for project “Seamless Travel Payments on Chain” reflect KBank’s vision as a driving force in financial innovation and as a leader in the transition towards the new era of digital money, where technology serves as a core infrastructure connecting people, businesses, and nations beyond borders.
KBank ร่วมกับ Orbix Technology และ StraitsX เปิดตัว Seamless Travel Payments on Chain
