Alibaba is accelerating its transformation of global B2B commerce by combining AI-driven subscription services with tokenized international payments, aiming to streamline global trade and eliminate traditional banking bottlenecks. The company is introducing AI Mode, a powerful new feature designed to enhance supplier discovery, while simultaneously collaborating with JPMorgan Chase to test blockchain-based tokenized transactions that promise faster, cheaper cross-border payments.
Alibaba.com President Kuo Zhang confirmed that the most significant shift for the platform is the move toward tokenized versions of the US dollar and euro, enabling near-instant transfers between major hubs including Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China. These payments would bypass numerous intermediaries, dramatically cutting costs and settlement time. In his words, with tokenization, a payment from the U.S. or EU no longer needs to “travel through multiple banks worldwide,” because the blockchain layer ensures direct, immediate value transfer.
To achieve this, Alibaba will rely on JPMorgan’s enterprise token JPMD, launched earlier this year to modernize B2B payments. Zhang also noted that the company may evaluate the use of stablecoins in the future, depending on the results of the initial tokenization trials.
Meanwhile, Alibaba.com continues to expand its global supplier base. The number of active suppliers increased by 50% between March and October year-over-year, reinforcing the company’s ambition to strengthen global supply chains. Zhang says high-quality global products are essential for the next phase of international commerce, and Alibaba is investing heavily to support manufacturers across regions.
The newly unveiled AI Mode seeks to reshape how buyers assess suppliers by using advanced algorithms to compare pricing, logistics efficiency, and production capabilities. The goal is to enhance decision-making and boost platform productivity. Alibaba is considering a subscription model priced at around $20 per month or $99 annually, though final pricing is still under evaluation. The B2B segment already generated over $3 billion in revenue last year, and AI-driven subscriptions could become a major growth channel.
Alibaba’s broader AI strategy also continues to scale. In 2025, the company introduced cutting-edge models Qwen2.5-Max and Qwen3, which it claims outperform offerings from OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek. This commitment positions AI as one of the group’s most important long-term priorities.
In December, Alibaba.com will roll out an AI-powered agent payment service capable of generating smart contracts automatically based on buyer–supplier conversations—further automating the trade workflow.
Across the Alibaba ecosystem, blockchain and tokenization are gaining momentum. Ant Group, Alibaba’s affiliate, is pursuing stablecoin issuance licenses in Hong Kong and Singapore, while major U.S. corporations including Walmart and Amazon are exploring similar initiatives ahead of the GENIUS Act’s regulatory clarity.
Conclusion:
Alibaba’s strategic push into AI subscriptions, tokenized payments, and autonomous trade tools marks a pivotal step in redefining the future of global B2B commerce. By merging blockchain efficiency with AI intelligence, the company aims to deliver a faster, more reliable, and highly automated trade infrastructure for businesses worldwide.
