Business
Stellantis Reports 7% Growth in Q3 2023 Net Revenues, Driven by Continued Strength in Shipments Year-Over-Year
Published
3 years agoon
In an industry still affected by unprecedented disruptions and transformations, Stellantis and its dealer network in Europe have strengthened their partnership to improve customer experience and streamline the overall customer journey
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, November 1, 2023/APO Group/ —
Net revenues of €45.1 billion, up 7% compared to Q3 2022, mainly reflecting improved volume and consistent pricing, partially offset by foreign exchange impacts; Consolidated shipments(1) of 1,427 thousand units, up 11% versus Q3 2022, with Enlarged Europe, Middle East & Africa, North America and South America reporting year-over-year improvements; Total new vehicle inventory of 1,387 thousand units at September 30, 2023. Company inventory of 388 thousand units, up 158 thousand units from December 31, 2022 reflecting a return to more normal levels after a multi-year period of materially-constrained supplies; Tentative agreement reached with both UAW and Unifor. Work stoppages negatively impacted Net revenues by approximately €3 billion, compared to planned production, through October; Global BEV sales up 37% versus Q3 2022 mainly driven by the Jeep® Avenger and growing commercial BEV vehicles sales led by the Citroën ë-Berlingo; The Company repurchased €0.5 billion in shares during Q3 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, €1.2 billion in shares were repurchased. The Company expects to complete the announced €1.5 billion 2023 Share Buyback Program during Q4 2023. “In the first half of this year, Stellantis (www.Stellantis.com) emerged as the industry leader for AOI, AOI margin, and Industrial Free Cash Flows among its comparable peers. Today, we are focused on maintaining our momentum by delivering industry-leading profitability and cash flows, addressing critical near-term industry challenges, and continuing our electrification and technology transformation. This growth is propelling the execution of our Dare Forward 2030 strategy”: Natalie Knight, CFO.
Stellantis N.V. continued to build momentum in Q3 2023, delivering a 7% year-over-year increase of Net revenues driven by continued strength in shipments. The Company’s “Third Engine”(5) achieved 25% revenue growth year-over-year. Global BEV sales were up 37% versus third quarter 2022, led by the following vehicles: Jeep® Avenger, Citroën Ami, Peugeot E-208, Fiat New 500e, and Citroën ë-Berlingo. Key activities executed to achieve the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan include:
Care: In an industry still affected by unprecedented disruptions and transformations, Stellantis and its dealer network in Europe have strengthened their partnership to improve customer experience and streamline the overall customer journey. With the signing of over 8,000 sales and 25,000 aftersales contracts across 10 strategic European countries, it is clear that Stellantis and its business partners share the same goals when it comes to simplification, multi-brand approach, customer centricity, and quality assurance. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands have already adopted the new contracts, with the rest of Europe to begin adopting the new model starting in 2024.
Tech: Peugeot revealed the first application of STLA Medium – the first of Stellantis’ four global BEV-by-design platforms – with the new E-3008, offering a best-in-class range of up to 700 km, charging time, performance, efficiency, and driving pleasure. Fiat returned to the B-segment, leading the way for sustainable urban mobility, with the new 600e, which boasts state-of-the-art safety features and an electric range of more than 400km (WLTP(6) combined cycle) and more than 600 km (WLTP(6) urban cycle) in the city. Fiat also unveiled the new Topolino micro-mobility offer with a 75km range and a safe top speed of 45 km/h. The Company also announced the start of all-electric van production at Ellesmere Port – the UK’s first EV-only volume manufacturing plant – and the first Stellantis plant globally dedicated to electric vehicles.
Coming to the market soon is the all-electric Citroën ë-C3. The first affordable European electric car, the ë-C3 delivers best-in-class comfort, and easy electric life thanks to a 44kWh battery pack providing up to 320km (199 miles) WLTP(6) driving range, at fair and net prices in many European markets, starting at €23,300.
Stellantis celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art Battery Technology Center at the Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy. The center enhances the Company’s capabilities to design, develop and test battery packs, modules, high-voltage cells, and software to power upcoming Stellantis brand vehicles.
The Company continued to strengthen its global electrification ecosystem and support its carbon neutrality ambitions: (i) concluding testing with Aramco on the compatibility of 24 engine families to use advanced drop-in eFuels, which will lower CO2 emissions of a potential 28 million Stellantis vehicles currently on the road; (ii) unveiling with Saft the Intelligent Battery Integrated System, which the project team intends to make commercially available on Stellantis vehicles before the end of this decade; (iii) announcing plans for a sixth gigafactory globally to support its bold electrification plan of securing approximately 400 GWh of battery capacity; it will be the second facility to be built in the U.S. with Samsung SDI; (iv) investing in Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc.’s Hell’s Kitchen project to produce up to 300,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent each year; and (v) completing its 33.3% purchase of Symbio, a leader in zero-emission hydrogen mobility to help secure Stellantis’ leadership position in hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Value: To accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America, Stellantis and six major global automakers will create an unprecedented charging network installing at least 30,000 high-powered charge points.
Stellantis is also implementing a multifaceted strategy designed to manage and secure the long-term supply of vital microchips, delivering the objectives laid out in Dare Forward 2030. Stellantis’ strategy combines agreements with chip makers for critical semiconductors, purchase of mission-critical parts, and full visibility of future chip needs.
The Company repurchased €0.5 billion in shares during Q3 2023. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, €1.2 billion in shares were repurchased. The Company expects to complete the announced €1.5 billion 2023 Share Buyback Program during Q4 2023.
In October 2023, the Company announced its plans to acquire approximately 20% of Leapmotor for approximately €1.5 billion and to form Leapmotor International, a 51/49 Stellantis-led joint venture with exclusive rights for the export and sale, as well as manufacturing, of Leapmotor products outside Greater China.
In October 2023, the Company introduced Pro One as the enhanced strategic offensive of its commercial vehicles business to achieve global leadership, encompassing the professional offerings of six iconic brands of Stellantis – Citroën, FIAT Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall, and to support achievement of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan targets.
On October 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. CET / 9:00 a.m. EDT, a live audio webcast and conference call will be held to present Stellantis’ Third Quarter 2023 Shipments and Revenues. The audio webcast and recorded replay will be accessible under the Investors section of the Stellantis corporate website at www.Stellantis.com. The presentation material is expected to be posted under the Investors section of the Stellantis corporate website at approximately 8:00 a.m. CET / 3:00 a.m. EDT on October 31, 2023.
Upcoming events:
- Full Year 2023 Results – February 15, 2024
- Investor Day 2024, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA – June 13, 2024
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | FY 2023 GUIDANCE – CONFIRMEDAdjusted Operating Income Margin(2) Double-DigitIndustrial Free Cash Flows(3) Positive€1.5 billion Share Buyback Program On-Track2023 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK(4)*North America +8% (from 5%)Enlarged Europe +10% (from 7%)Middle East & Africa +10% (from 7%)South America Stable (from 3%)India & Asia Pacific +5% (unchanged)China +2% (unchanged)*2023 Industry Outlook changed for NA, EE, MEA and SA compared to outlook provided on Jul 26 ’23 | ||||||
| Combined shipments (000 units) | 1,478 | 1,334 | +11% | ||||||
| Consolidated shipments (000 units) | 1,427 | 1,281 | +11% | ||||||
| Net revenues (€ billion) | 45.1 | 42.1 | +7% | ||||||
| YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | Change | |||||||
| Combined shipments (000 units) | 4,805 | 4,367 | +10% | ||||||
| Consolidated shipments (000 units) | 4,629 | 4,215 | +10% | ||||||
| Net revenues (€ billion) | 143.5 | 130.1 | +10% | ||||||
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
All reported data is unaudited. Reference should be made to the section “Safe Harbor Statement” included elsewhere within this document.
Segment Performance
| NORTH AMERICA | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Shipments up 7%, led by Chrysler (in particular Pacifica PHEV) which more than doubled y-o-y; Dodge and Ram also improved; Jeep shipments down due to the discontinued current generation Cherokee and scheduled downtime of the Compass, partially offset by Grand Cherokee which nearly doubledNet revenues up 2%, primarily due to higher volumes, positive net pricing and positive mix, mostly offset by unfavorable FX translation effects | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Shipments (000s) | 470 | 441 | +29 | 1,493 | 1,400 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 21,523 | 21,071 | +452 | 67,439 | 63,514 | |||||||
| ENLARGED EUROPE | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Shipments up 11%, driven by increased shipments of Opel/Vauxhall (in particular Astra), Fiat Professional (led by Ducato) and Peugeot (led by 208), as well as increased demand for BEVs, led by Jeep AvengerNet revenues up 5%, mainly due to increased volumes and stable net pricing | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Shipments (000s) | 599 | 538 | +61 | 2,077 | 1,900 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 14,124 | 13,486 | +638 | 48,985 | 44,805 | |||||||
| MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Consolidated shipments up 102%, led by robust growth in Fiat shipments; Opel, Peugeot and Citroën models also grew significantly, partially offset by a decrease in Jeep brand shipmentsNet revenues up 128%, primarily due to increased volumes and positive net pricing, partially offset by negative FX translation effects, mainly from Turkish lira | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Combined shipments (000s)(1) | 139 | 87 | +52 | 440 | 286 | |||||||
| Consolidated shipments (000s)(1) | 105 | 52 | +53 | 313 | 190 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 3,021 | 1,324 | +1,697 | 7,719 | 4,363 | |||||||
| SOUTH AMERICA | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Shipments up 7%, due to higher Fiat volumes (led by Fastback), Fiat Professional, Peugeot and Ram shipmentsNet revenues up 8%, mainly due to increased volumes and favorable net pricing, partially offset by negative FX translation effects, mostly Argentinian peso | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Shipments (000s) | 227 | 213 | +14 | 647 | 616 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 4,285 | 3,965 | +320 | 11,848 | 11,198 | |||||||
| CHINA AND INDIA & ASIA PACIFIC | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Consolidated shipments down 33%, due to decreased shipments of Jeep and Peugeot; mitigated by increased Alfa Romeo (due to all-new Tonale)Net revenues down 38%, mainly due to decreased volumes and negative FX translation effects | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Combined shipments (000s)(1) | 37 | 48 | (11) | 127 | 148 | |||||||
| Consolidated shipments (000s)(1) | 20 | 30 | (10) | 78 | 92 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 705 | 1,138 | (433) | 2,691 | 3,290 | |||||||
| MASERATI | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2023 | Q3 2022 | Change | Shipments down 20%, due to lower volumes in China; Levante and Ghibli shipments down, partially offset by higher Grecale volumesNet revenues down 21%, primarily due to decreased volumes and unfavorable FX translation effects | YTD 2023 | YTD 2022 | |||||||
| Shipments (000s) | 5.3 | 6.6 | (1.3) | 20.6 | 16.8 | |||||||
| Net revenues (€ million) | 496 | 630 | (134) | 1,805 | 1,571 | |||||||
Reconciliations
Net revenues from external customers to Net revenues
| Q3 2023 | (€ million) | NORTH AMERICA | ENLARGED EUROPE | MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | SOUTH AMERICA | CHINA AND INDIA & ASIA PACIFIC | MASERATI | OTHER(*) | STELLANTIS | ||||||||
| Net revenues from external customers | 21,522 | 14,077 | 3,022 | 4,320 | 705 | 495 | 995 | 45,136 | |||||||||
| Net revenues from transactions with other segments | 1 | 47 | (1) | (35) | — | 1 | (13) | — | |||||||||
| Net revenues | 21,523 | 14,124 | 3,021 | 4,285 | 705 | 496 | 982 | 45,136 | |||||||||
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations
| Q3 2022 | (€ million) | NORTH AMERICA | ENLARGED EUROPE | MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | SOUTH AMERICA | CHINA AND INDIA & ASIA PACIFIC | MASERATI | OTHER(*) | STELLANTIS | ||||||||
| Net revenues from external customers | 21,070 | 13,467 | 1,324 | 3,978 | 1,136 | 631 | 495 | 42,101 | |||||||||
| Net revenues from transactions with other segments | 1 | 19 | — | (13) | 2 | (1) | (8) | — | |||||||||
| Net revenues | 21,071 | 13,486 | 1,324 | 3,965 | 1,138 | 630 | 487 | 42,101 | |||||||||
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations
| YTD 2023 | (€ million) | NORTH AMERICA | ENLARGED EUROPE | MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | SOUTH AMERICA | CHINA AND INDIA & ASIA PACIFIC | MASERATI | OTHER(*) | STELLANTIS | ||||||||
| Net revenues from external customers | 67,438 | 48,888 | 7,720 | 11,929 | 2,690 | 1,805 | 3,034 | 143,504 | |||||||||
| Net revenues from transactions with other segments | 1 | 97 | (1) | (81) | 1 | — | (17) | — | |||||||||
| Net revenues | 67,439 | 48,985 | 7,719 | 11,848 | 2,691 | 1,805 | 3,017 | 143,504 | |||||||||
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations
| YTD 2022 | (€ million) | NORTH AMERICA | ENLARGED EUROPE | MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA | SOUTH AMERICA | CHINA AND INDIA & ASIA PACIFIC | MASERATI | OTHER(*) | STELLANTIS | ||||||||
| Net revenues from external customers | 63,512 | 44,742 | 4,363 | 11,211 | 3,286 | 1,574 | 1,412 | 130,100 | |||||||||
| Net revenues from transactions with other segments | 2 | 63 | — | (13) | 4 | (3) | (53) | — | |||||||||
| Net revenues | 63,514 | 44,805 | 4,363 | 11,198 | 3,290 | 1,571 | 1,359 | 130,100 | |||||||||
______________________________________________________________________________________
(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations
Rankings, market share and other industry information are derived from third-party industry sources (e.g. Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS), Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (ANFAVEA), Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility (MIMS), Ward’s Automotive) and internal information unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this document, and unless otherwise stated industry and market share information are for passenger cars (PC) plus light commercial vehicles (LCV), except as noted below:
- Middle East & Africa exclude Iran, Sudan and Syria;
- South America excludes Cuba;
- India & Asia Pacific reflects aggregate for major markets where Stellantis competes (Japan (PC), India (PC), South Korea (PC + Pickups), Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia);
- China represents PC only; and
- Maserati reflects aggregate for 17 major markets where Maserati competes and is derived from S&P Global data, Maserati competitive segment and internal information.
Prior period figures have been updated to reflect current information provided by third-party industry sources.
Commercial Vehicles include vans, light and heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles registered or converted for commercial use.
EU30 = EU 27 (excluding Malta), Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and UK.
Low emission vehicles (LEV) = battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fuel cell electric (FCEV) vehicles.
All Stellantis reported BEV and LEV sales include Citroën Ami and Opel Rocks-e; in countries where these vehicles are classified as quadricycles, they are excluded from Stellantis reported combined sales, industry sales and market share figures.
Safe Harbor Statement
This document, in particular references to “FY 2023 Guidance”, contains forward looking statements. In particular, statements regarding future financial performance and the Company’s expectations as to the achievement of certain targeted metrics, including revenues, industrial free cash flows, vehicle shipments, capital investments, research and development costs and other expenses at any future date or for any future period are forward-looking statements. These statements may include terms such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “could”, “should”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “remain”, “on track”, “design”, “target”, “objective”, “goal”, “forecast”, “projection”, “outlook”, “prospects”, “plan”, or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on the Company’s current state of knowledge, future expectations and projections about future events and are by their nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: the Company’s ability to launch new products successfully and to maintain vehicle shipment volumes; changes in the global financial markets, general economic environment and changes in demand for automotive products, which is subject to cyclicality; the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger; the Company’s ability to offer innovative, attractive products and to develop, manufacture and sell vehicles with advanced features including enhanced electrification, connectivity and autonomous-driving characteristics; the continued impact of unfilled semiconductor orders; the Company’s ability to successfully manage the industry-wide transition from internal combustion engines to full electrification; the Company’s ability to produce or procure electric batteries with competitive performance, cost and at required volumes; a significant malfunction, disruption or security breach compromising information technology systems or the electronic control systems contained in the Company’s vehicles; exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate changes, credit risk and other market risks; increases in costs, disruptions of supply or shortages of raw materials, parts, components and systems used in the Company’s vehicles; changes in local economic and political conditions; changes in trade policy, the imposition of global and regional tariffs or tariffs targeted to the automotive industry, the enactment of tax reforms or other changes in tax laws and regulations; the level of government economic incentives available to support the adoption of battery electric vehicles; various types of claims, lawsuits, governmental investigations and other contingencies, including product liability and warranty claims and environmental claims, investigations and lawsuits; material operating expenditures in relation to compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations; the level of competition in the automotive industry, which may increase due to consolidation and new entrants; the Company’s ability to attract and retain experienced management and employees; exposure to shortfalls in the funding of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans; the Company’s ability to provide or arrange for access to adequate financing for dealers and retail customers and associated risks related to the establishment and operations of financial services companies; the Company’s ability to access funding to execute its business plan; the Company’s ability to realize anticipated benefits from joint venture arrangements; disruptions arising from political, social and economic instability; risks associated with the Company’s relationships with employees, dealers and suppliers; the Company’s ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; developments in labor and industrial relations and developments in applicable labor laws; earthquakes or other disasters; and other risks and uncertainties.
Any forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements. Further information concerning the Company and its businesses, including factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and AFM.
_________________________________________
Notes:
(1) Combined shipments include shipments by Company’s consolidated subsidiaries and unconsolidated joint ventures, whereas Consolidated shipments only include shipments by Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. Figures by segments may not add up due to rounding.
(2) Adjusted operating income/(loss) excludes from Net profit/(loss) adjustments comprising restructuring, impairments, asset write-offs, disposals of investments and unusual operating income/(expense) that are considered rare or discrete events and are infrequent in nature, as inclusion of such items is not considered to be indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance, and also excludes Net financial expenses/(income) and Tax expense/(benefit). Effective from January 1, 2023, our Adjusted operating income/(loss) includes Share of the profit/(loss) of equity method investees. The comparatives for the respective periods for 2022 have been adjusted accordingly.
This change was implemented as management believes these results are becoming increasingly relevant due to the number of partnerships Stellantis has recently engaged in, and will continue to engage in in the future, around electrification and other areas critical to the future of mobility.
Unusual operating income/(expense) are impacts from strategic decisions, as well as events considered rare or discrete and infrequent in nature, as inclusion of such items is not considered to be indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance. Unusual operating income/(expense) includes, but may not be limited to: impacts from strategic decisions to rationalize Stellantis’ core operations; facility-related costs stemming from Stellantis’ plans to match production capacity and cost structure to market demand, and convergence and integration costs directly related to significant acquisitions or mergers.
(3) Industrial free cash flows is calculated as Cash flows from operating activities less: cash flows from operating activities from discontinued operations; cash flows from operating activities related to financial services, net of eliminations; investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for industrial activities; contributions of equity to joint ventures and minor acquisitions of consolidated subsidiaries and equity method and other investments; and adjusted for: net intercompany payments between continuing operations and discontinued operations; proceeds from disposal of assets and contributions to defined benefit pension plans, net of tax. The timing of Industrial free cash flows may be affected by the timing of monetization of receivables, factoring and the payment of accounts payables, as well as changes in other components of working capital, which can vary from period to period due to, among other things, cash management initiatives and other factors, some of which may be outside of the Company’s control.
(4) Source: IHS Global Insight, Wards, China Passenger Car Association and Company estimates
(5) Refers to the aggregation of the South America, Middle East & Africa and China and India & Asia Pacific segments for presentation purposes only
(6) Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.
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Business
PhotonPay Raises $40M Series C to Scale Its Stablecoin-Centric Financial OS
Published
7 hours agoon
October 30, 2026
Led by Blockchain Capital, the funding will accelerate the expansion of PhotonPay’s stablecoin-centric Financial OS, connecting stablecoin liquidity with global fiat networks to unlock digital assets for everyday corporate operations and cross-border settlement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 October 2026 – PhotonPay today announced the closing of a $40 million Series C funding round led by Blockchain Capital, with participation from new investor SBI Group and follow-on investments from existing investors IDG Capital, GL Ventures, and Lightspeed Faction. Blacksheep Technology acted as exclusive financial advisor to PhotonPay on the transaction.
The new capital will support the expansion of PhotonPay’s stablecoin-centric Financial Operating System (Financial OS), with investment focused on enhancing multi-asset wallet capabilities, expanding global card issuing, strengthening local clearing infrastructure in key markets, and developing an agent-ready financial execution layer.
As of August 2026, PhotonPay’s annualized transaction volume reached US$65 billion. The company has secured 34 payment and financial licenses and regulatory authorizations across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and serves over 200,000 business customers across more than 200 countries and territories.
As stablecoins move beyond crypto-native use cases into corporate treasury, settlement and commercial spending, PhotonPay sees the next phase of global finance not as a choice between stablecoins and fiat currencies, but as the convergence of both. Its Financial OS connects on-chain liquidity with the banking, clearing and card networks businesses rely on for everyday operations.
“Moving money across borders in seconds means little if it still takes days to put that capital to work,” said Lewison Chen, Founder and CEO of PhotonPay. “Stablecoins are accelerating global money movement, while local clearing and global card issuing connect that liquidity to local settlement and everyday business spending. Our Financial OS brings these capabilities together, making the underlying infrastructure far less visible to businesses, even as it becomes more essential than ever.”
“At the same time, business software is becoming increasingly autonomous,” Chen added. “AI is shifting financial workflows from people manually operating fragmented tools toward systems that understand business intent and coordinate execution across assets, accounts and financial rails. That creates the foundation for agentic commerce. Stablecoins change how money moves. AI changes how it gets put to work. But commerce is still what money is for.”
Moving Money Across Assets and Markets
PhotonPay’s Financial OS brings together multi-asset wallets, global money movement, foreign exchange, local clearing, and global card issuing through an integrated API-first architecture. This unified system gives businesses access to the financial capabilities they need to manage and deploy funds across markets.
Stablecoins sit at the core of this architecture. PhotonPay’s multi-asset wallet connects stablecoin liquidity with fiat balances, integrating asset conversion, foreign exchange, and local clearing into a single connected workflow. This enables businesses to move funds across supported on-chain and traditional financial networks, turning digital asset liquidity into purchasing power for local payments and everyday corporate spending.
Supporting this dual-rail infrastructure is PhotonPay’s established global financial network. Businesses can open local collection accounts in 17 key markets and receive funds in more than 60 currencies. On the payout side, the network supports over 100 payment routes across local clearing systems, bank transfers, and digital wallets, including payouts to 74 major local e-wallets. Approximately 97% of payout transactions reach recipients within hours or on the same day, with 68% arriving in real time.
Global card issuing extends these capabilities into programmable business spending. Through PhotonPay’s APIs, businesses and platforms can issue virtual and physical cards, configure granular spending controls, and embed card payments directly into their software and automated workflows. Over the past 12 months, PhotonPay issued 4.4 million cards, up 275% YoY.
Beyond its first-party payment solutions, PhotonPay makes its infrastructure available through embedded finance, enabling technology platforms to natively integrate global accounts, payments, and card issuing into their own products. The company now serves more than 100 enterprise and platform partners, extending the reach of its Financial OS into industry-specific workflows.
From Financial Intent to Agentic Commerce
As AI agents assume active operational roles, financial infrastructure must evolve beyond API access to enable programmable, policy-governed execution. It requires systems capable of translating high-level instructions into coordinated financial actions, with deterministic controls governing how those actions are executed.
In May 2026, PhotonPay and Mastercard completed a live agentic payment demonstration using a tokenized PhotonPay card, validating AI-initiated transactions across existing global card networks.
Building on this milestone, PhotonPay is developing standardized financial interfaces designed for developers and AI agents. With planned support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP), PhotonPay aims to make account information, balances, card functions, and payments accessible as composable financial primitives, allowing AI agents to securely retrieve context and initiate financial workflows within defined authorization boundaries.
To govern this agent-ready layer, PhotonPay is developing a policy-based execution framework designed to enforce programmable authorization rules, spending limits, and transaction-level controls. The framework is intended to enable AI agents to coordinate financial tasks across supported accounts and assets, while ensuring that execution remains subject to explicit, enforceable policies set by businesses.
PhotonPay is also advancing its AI-assisted risk review capabilities, designed to identify complex cases for human assessment. Together, these initiatives reflect a foundational principle of autonomous finance: AI may interpret intent and coordinate tasks, but financial execution must remain governed by verifiable authorization, deterministic controls, and auditable records.
“Connecting financial networks is only the beginning. The real breakthrough is abstracting that complexity behind a unified, programmable financial layer, so businesses and AI agents can move from intent to execution within clearly defined boundaries,” said Chen.
Simple on the Surface, Deep by Design
The promise of a Financial OS is simplicity: enabling businesses to manage assets, route money, and execute payments through a unified financial operating layer. Yet delivering that simplicity requires deep financial infrastructure beneath the surface.
While stablecoins accelerate borderless value transfer, turning that liquidity into local settlement, supplier payments, and corporate spending still depends on established banking relationships, domestic clearing rails, foreign exchange infrastructure, and global card networks. Each market brings its own regulatory and operational requirements.
For PhotonPay, building a Financial OS means abstracting these fragmented global networks into a programmable, interconnected financial system. The objective is not to eliminate financial complexity, but to manage it within the underlying infrastructure, so businesses can operate without having to navigate these systems themselves.
“AI can simplify how businesses interact with financial services, but it cannot replace the infrastructure required to deliver them,” said JP Pi, Chief Compliance Officer at PhotonPay. “Establishing local financial capabilities takes years of investment, institutional partnerships, and regulatory engagement. Software or AI models alone cannot replicate that depth. The simplicity businesses experience is the result of that heavy lifting, not a substitute for it.”
PhotonPay has engineered a financial foundation spanning both stablecoin and fiat rails, connecting multi-asset conversion with local clearing networks. Institutional partnerships with J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered, and DBS, alongside connections to domestic payment systems such as Brazil’s Pix and Mexico’s SPEI, form the backbone of this network.
The new capital will enable PhotonPay to strengthen its local clearing and compliance infrastructure in existing markets while expanding into new jurisdictions, scaling the reach of its Financial OS across corporate spending, embedded finance, and agentic commerce.
“Businesses want one provider that can handle their payments across currencies and markets, whether they’re using bank transfers, stablecoins or cards. Lewison and his team have spent a decade building the banking relationships, licenses and local payment infrastructure to deliver that. We believe PhotonPay’s ability to bring these capabilities together gives it a strong advantage as businesses adopt stablecoins for everyday payments.” – BCAP,Yuanhan Li,Partner
“As stablecoins become increasingly integrated into global payment systems, bridging digital assets with traditional financial infrastructure will be essential to unlocking their real-world potential. PhotonPay’s established global payment network and its vision for a stablecoin-centric Financial OS align closely with SBI Group’s strategy to advance digital financial infrastructure and expand the practical adoption of digital assets. We look forward to supporting PhotonPay’s continued growth and exploring opportunities for strategic collaboration across the SBI Group ecosystem.” – Eiichiro So, CEO & Managing Director of SBI Ven Capital
Business
Hainan economic, trade delegation visits Hong Kong for investment promotion, 2 cooperation memoranda signed
Published
7 hours agoon
October 30, 2026
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 October 2026 – From October 19 to 20, an economic and trade delegation from Hainan Province paid a visit to Hong Kong. The delegation signed memoranda of cooperation respectively withThe Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA)and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) to advance pragmatic cross-border collaboration between Hainan and Hong Kong in trade and investment, manufacturing industrial chains and professional services.
During its stay in Hong Kong, the delegation visited the CCPIT Representative Office in Hong Kong. It held discussions with CMA and co-hosted the Hainan Free Trade Port (Hong Kong) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Meeting with FHKI. The event showcased the policies, key industrial layout and investment opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), and arranged one-on-one business matchmaking between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises.
Wang Yuyuan, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Sub-council (CCPIT Hainan) and China Chamber of International Commerce Hainan Chamber of Commerce, noted that since the official launch of island-wide special customs operations at the Hainan FTP on December 18, 2025, 174,000 new enterprises have been registered, representing a year-on-year surge of 95.9 percent. Newly established foreign-invested enterprises rose by 35.8 percent year on year. In the first half of this year, inbound and outbound tourist arrivals exceeded 70 million, up 28 percent year on year, with the number of visa-free entry countries expanding to 88. From January to August, the province’s total goods import and export volume hit 250 billion yuan, growing by 61.5 percent year on year. Hainan is rapidly emerging as a critical gateway connecting China with the rest of the world and a prime channel for two-way investment.
According to CCPIT Hainan, Hong Kong ranks as a major source of foreign investment for Hainan. In the first half of this year, Hainan registered 1,303 new foreign-invested enterprises, an increase of 38.62 percent year on year, with Hong Kong-funded enterprises accounting for the lion’s share. Hainan has issued offshore RMB local government bonds in Hong Kong for four consecutive years, with a cumulative issuance volume reaching 18 billion yuan.
CMA is one of Hong Kong’s most representative non-profit industrial and commercial bodies, with around 3,000 member enterprises. It has long provided members with business services including exhibitions, brand promotion, testing and certification. FHKI, one of Hong Kong’s four major chambers of commerce, has approximately 2,000 corporate members. It focuses on boosting the sustained development of Hong Kong industry and manufacturing through policy advocacy, business matchmaking, certification services and youth talent cultivation.
The two memoranda explicitly stipulate that the two sides will establish a regular liaison mechanism, build a long-term cooperation platform covering information sharing, business matchmaking, exhibition collaboration and professional services, and provide solid support for pragmatic business cooperation between Hainan and Hong Kong enterprises.
Source: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Hainan Provincial Committee (CCPIT Hainan)
Business
Africa gains governance momentum in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index, but sustaining progress is the real test
Published
1 day agoon
October 29, 2026
Across Africa, average scores improved in six of the seven CGGI pillars over the past year, with the strongest gains in Helping People Rise and Financial Stewardship
This signals that stronger government capabilities are beginning to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives
These findings were highlighted by the Chandler Governance Group (CGG) at a joint session with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) to launch the 13th edition of the Rwanda Governance Scorecard at the Kigali Serena Hotel on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
“This year, Africa’s strongest gains came in Financial Stewardship, followed by Helping People Rise, the CGGI’s outcomes pillar. This signals that stronger government capabilities are beginning to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, from access to quality education and healthcare to the public finances that fund them. The task now is to sustain that progress over the coming years,” says Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at CGG.
Now in its sixth edition, the CGGI assesses government capabilities and effectiveness across 133 countries representing 94% of the world’s population, up from 120 countries in 2025. It measures 35 equally weighted indicators across seven pillars, providing governments with a framework to benchmark performance, identify gaps and learn from the experience of other countries.
Globally, the findings point to improving governance performance. Of the 120 countries assessed in both 2025 and 2026, 61% recorded higher scores, representing the highest annual share of countries improving since the Index launched in 2021. However, longer-term progress has been less consistent, with only 43% of the 104 countries tracked since 2021 recording an overall improvement.
Africa’s leading governments
Mauritius remains Africa’s highest-ranked country, placing 55th globally, followed by Rwanda (62nd), Botswana (70th), Morocco (79th) and Tanzania (80th). South Africa ranks sixth on the continent, in 85th place globally.
Rwanda features prominently in the discussion, ranking 11th globally for Leadership & Foresight and emerging as the highest-ranked low-income country in the Index. It ranks 61 places above where its income alone would predict. Across the Index, government capabilities track citizen outcomes more closely than national wealth does, suggesting that strengthening government capabilities matter in delivering better outcomes for citizens.
The joint session brings together the CGGI’s international benchmarks and the Rwanda Governance Scorecard’s assessment of governance in the Rwandan context, creating an opportunity to consider both global perspectives and country-specific priorities.
Progress across key governance pillars
Across Africa, average scores improved in six of the seven CGGI pillars over the past year, with the strongest gains in Helping People Rise and Financial Stewardship. These improvements point to progress in areas associated with public services, including healthcare and education, as well as the management of public finances.
Longer-term trends also highlight areas of progress. Between 2021 and 2026, nearly every African country assessed across the period improved its Data Capability score, with Morocco recording the largest gains. Ghana’s overall score improved in 2026, supported by stronger Financial Stewardship, while South Africa continues to show relative strength in Robust Laws & Policies, ranking 44th globally, and Attractive Marketplace, ranking 48th.
Despite these gains, the scale of the challenge remains clear. Africa’s regional average is still below its 2021 level, 23 of the 35 African countries in the 2026 Index rank outside the global top 100, and none is in the top 50. Seven African countries joined the Index this year: Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and Togo.
“Rankings provide a useful starting point, but the broader value of the CGGI lies in helping governments understand where they are making progress and where further work is needed. Sustained improvements depend on the ability to strengthen institutions, manage resources responsibly and turn policy into meaningful outcomes for citizens,” says Naidu.
A tool for learning and improvement
The CGGI is designed as a practical diagnostic tool, helping governments identify gaps, track progress over time, and learn from peers facing similar constraints. The collaboration with the RGB brings international benchmarking together with locally grounded assessment.
“Every country faces its own governance challenges and is driven by varying priorities. Governments that are willing to take stock of the evidence and learn from peers to strengthen their institutions are well placed to achieve real improvements,” concludes Naidu.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Chandler Governance Group.
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