Southeast Asia's first AI-native bank, backed by Ant Digital, tops 1.2 million users

Ant Financial's AI-driven global business continues to expand. Ryt Bank, Southeast Asia's first AI-native bank supported by Ant Financial, recently announced it has surpassed 1.2 million users and processed over 25 million transactions. Monthly transaction volume has grown more than 35 times since launch, reflecting strong momentum. On May 14, The Asian Banker recognized the project with the 2026 Malaysia Best AI Customer Experience Award.
Co-founded by YTL Group and Sea Limited, the bank holds a digital banking license in Malaysia. From the start, it has built its operations, customer experience, and risk controls around AI as the core engine. With its built-in smart assistant, Ryt AI, users can make payments, transfer funds, manage daily expenses, and handle bills through chat. Nearly half of Ryt Bank's users have tried Ryt AI, and those who use it show twice the retention rate compared to non-users.
Wilson Soon, CEO of Ryt Bank, stated that AI capabilities are the primary driver of growth, and Ant Financial's technical support has been crucial. Ant Financial provides AI support for Ryt Bank across customer service, risk control, and user experience modules. Notably, Ant Financial's ZOLOZ eKYC solution has cut account opening time from several days to as fast as two minutes, enhancing user experience while ensuring account and fund security.
Li Shiwei, President of Ant Financial's International Business, commented: "We're proud to share this award with Ryt Bank. We've demonstrated that AI and finance can integrate seamlessly, offering customers faster, safer, and more personalized banking experiences that deliver real value."
Ryt Bank's success is a prime example of Ant Financial's global AI strategy, built on full-stack AI product capabilities and an open ecosystem. Ant Financial now offers a complete AI stack covering industry-specific large models, intelligent agent R&D, AI security, and scenario applications—all modular, open, and customizable. By combining partners' deep local regulatory, ecosystem, and user insights, both sides turn AI technology into scalable business momentum.
Ant Financial's deep innovation and industrial experience in AI form the foundation of its global strategy. Through long-term investment in enterprise-level AGI, Ant Financial has built substantial technical expertise. It has already helped over 10 domestic financial institutions—including Ningbo Bank and Shanghai Bank—build their own "AI brains" and implement AI in core business scenarios. These capabilities not only serve the domestic market but also drive the competitiveness of Ant Financial's global AI solution offerings.
Related article
Meta Removes AI Photo Editing Feature Following User Backlash
Meta, the social media giant, is once again embroiled in a public debate regarding the delicate balance between artificial intelligence and user privacy. According to TechCrunch, Meta’s Superintelligence Labs introduced a new AI image generator, Muse
DeepMind CEO Hassabis: I sleep six hours a day, usually feel energetic around 1 a.m.
Fortune recently featured an interview with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealing his unconventional approach to rest and productivity. Hassabis disclosed that he sleeps very little, structuring his waking hours into two distinct work blo
OpenAI, Anthropic Vie for Market Share Despite Revenue Shortfalls
Despite recent reports suggesting OpenAI missed revenue targets, creating pressure on tech stocks this Tuesday, private AI lab investors remain resilient. Seasoned backers have confirmed they will not reduce investment despite negative media coverage
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Comments (0)
0/500

Ant Financial's AI-driven global business continues to expand. Ryt Bank, Southeast Asia's first AI-native bank supported by Ant Financial, recently announced it has surpassed 1.2 million users and processed over 25 million transactions. Monthly transaction volume has grown more than 35 times since launch, reflecting strong momentum. On May 14, The Asian Banker recognized the project with the 2026 Malaysia Best AI Customer Experience Award.
Co-founded by YTL Group and Sea Limited, the bank holds a digital banking license in Malaysia. From the start, it has built its operations, customer experience, and risk controls around AI as the core engine. With its built-in smart assistant, Ryt AI, users can make payments, transfer funds, manage daily expenses, and handle bills through chat. Nearly half of Ryt Bank's users have tried Ryt AI, and those who use it show twice the retention rate compared to non-users.
Wilson Soon, CEO of Ryt Bank, stated that AI capabilities are the primary driver of growth, and Ant Financial's technical support has been crucial. Ant Financial provides AI support for Ryt Bank across customer service, risk control, and user experience modules. Notably, Ant Financial's ZOLOZ eKYC solution has cut account opening time from several days to as fast as two minutes, enhancing user experience while ensuring account and fund security.
Li Shiwei, President of Ant Financial's International Business, commented: "We're proud to share this award with Ryt Bank. We've demonstrated that AI and finance can integrate seamlessly, offering customers faster, safer, and more personalized banking experiences that deliver real value."
Ryt Bank's success is a prime example of Ant Financial's global AI strategy, built on full-stack AI product capabilities and an open ecosystem. Ant Financial now offers a complete AI stack covering industry-specific large models, intelligent agent R&D, AI security, and scenario applications—all modular, open, and customizable. By combining partners' deep local regulatory, ecosystem, and user insights, both sides turn AI technology into scalable business momentum.
Ant Financial's deep innovation and industrial experience in AI form the foundation of its global strategy. Through long-term investment in enterprise-level AGI, Ant Financial has built substantial technical expertise. It has already helped over 10 domestic financial institutions—including Ningbo Bank and Shanghai Bank—build their own "AI brains" and implement AI in core business scenarios. These capabilities not only serve the domestic market but also drive the competitiveness of Ant Financial's global AI solution offerings.
Meta Removes AI Photo Editing Feature Following User Backlash
Meta, the social media giant, is once again embroiled in a public debate regarding the delicate balance between artificial intelligence and user privacy. According to TechCrunch, Meta’s Superintelligence Labs introduced a new AI image generator, Muse
DeepMind CEO Hassabis: I sleep six hours a day, usually feel energetic around 1 a.m.
Fortune recently featured an interview with Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, revealing his unconventional approach to rest and productivity. Hassabis disclosed that he sleeps very little, structuring his waking hours into two distinct work blo
OpenAI, Anthropic Vie for Market Share Despite Revenue Shortfalls
Despite recent reports suggesting OpenAI missed revenue targets, creating pressure on tech stocks this Tuesday, private AI lab investors remain resilient. Seasoned backers have confirmed they will not reduce investment despite negative media coverage





Home






