Verified provider profile

WorldFirst

WorldFirst is a UK (outside the EU/EEA) fintech-infrastructure provider (Cross-border payments / FX). Verified at source - licence, regulator and registry reference. Active (Ant Group)

UKEEA data: PartialLicence: EMIVerified at source 2026-07-13
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Who it's for

WorldFirst is built for businesses moving money across currencies and borders - collections, FX and payouts. It holds its own e-money licence, so programmes can run under its umbrella with safeguarded client funds.

Sovereignty profile

  • Data residency (EEA): Partial - partly in the EEA - check the rail
  • Company origin: UK (UK)
  • Ownership / control: owned by Ant Group (CN)

What WorldFirst does

Cross-border payments / FX

Verified licence profile

WorldFirst (London, UK; founded 2004) - cross-border payments and FX for marketplace sellers and SMEs trading internationally: collection accounts, currency conversion and payouts across 220+ countries and regions, 1.5m+ business customers. Acquired by Ant Group (2019), now part of Ant International - ownership flag (CN). EEA rail: World First Netherlands B.V. (EMI).

Verified 2026-07-13. How we verify → · Official website: worldfirst.com · Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

Official register entries

  • E-money institution (EMI) - The Netherlands Bank · Ref R161090 · Active (EBA PSD2 register, as of 2026-09-18)

Register-sourced. See the full European Fintech Index. Registers have no legal significance - always confirm current status with the home regulator.

European alternatives to WorldFirst

  • ECOMMBX EU core EMI Cyprus · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX
  • Genome EU core EMI Lithuania · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX
  • Nexpay EU core EMI Lithuania · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX
  • Paysera EU core EMI Lithuania · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX
  • TransferMate EU core EMI Ireland · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX
  • Verifo EU core EMI Lithuania · EEA: YesShared: Cross-border payments / FX

FAQ

Is WorldFirst European / EEA-based?

Partly. WorldFirst is UK origin (UK); part of its rail or data sits outside the EEA - check the licence profile.

What does WorldFirst do?

WorldFirst covers: Cross-border payments / FX. Verified at source by Fintechnologica.

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