Summary of Cross-Border Payment Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The cross-border payment market consists of B2C and B2B segments, with B2C primarily serving Chinese merchants on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopee, and B2B targeting small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises [1][2] - Major players in the B2C segment include LianLian Digital, PingPong Payments, and others, with a combined transaction volume nearing $150 billion [1][2] - XTransfer leads the B2B segment with an annual transaction volume of $30-40 billion, while other companies also report significant volumes [1][2] Market Growth and Opportunities - The cross-border payment market in China is projected to exceed 7.5 trillion RMB in transaction volume (TPV) by 2024, with an expected annual growth rate of over 25% from 2022 to 2027 [2] - The global B2B e-commerce trade is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15%, while B2C is projected to grow at over 10% from 2022 to 2026 [4] - China's export volume is anticipated to approach 47 trillion RMB by 2027, with a growth rate exceeding 10% [4] Business Models and Fee Structures - B2C companies link payment services directly to e-commerce platforms, while B2B companies open virtual accounts for SMEs in foreign banks, earning revenue from exchange rate spreads [3] - The average fee rate in the industry is around 0.3%, which has stabilized after a decline from approximately 0.4% two to three years ago [3] Unique Value Proposition of Cross-Border Payment Providers - Cross-border payment service providers offer efficient, secure, and low-cost solutions for SMEs, addressing their challenges in obtaining bank support [5] - Traditional banks impose high costs and lengthy processes, making cross-border payment providers a more viable option for small enterprises [5] Current Trends and Future Directions - The market is rapidly evolving, with increasing demand from SMEs and cross-border e-commerce [6] - Cross-border payment providers are expected to expand their market size and opportunities as more SMEs enter international markets [6] Development of RMB Cross-Border Payment Systems - China is actively developing RMB-centric cross-border payment systems like CIPS to reduce reliance on the SWIFT system, enhancing efficiency and lowering costs [7] - Initiatives like the "Cross-Border Wealth Management Connect" in Hong Kong facilitate real-time cross-border remittances, indicating a significant opportunity for RMB internationalization [7] Impact of Stablecoins on Cross-Border Payments - Stablecoins are set to revolutionize traditional cross-border payment models by enabling real-time settlements and significantly reducing costs [8] - Payment service providers must adapt to this new environment while continuing to offer essential services [8] Adjustments Needed by Payment Service Providers - Providers need to upgrade their technology to support new RMB settlement methods and stablecoin transactions, ensuring compliance and security [9] - They must continue to offer efficient, low-cost services to meet diverse client needs [9] Merchant Preferences in Payment Solutions - Merchants prioritize the convenience and integration of payment solutions over the specifics of the settlement process [10] - The potential reduction in fees due to stablecoin adoption could provide significant cost savings for merchants [10] Leading Companies in Cross-Border Payment - Notable companies in the cross-border payment sector include LianLian Digital, Newland, and Lakala, each with distinct business strategies and market positions [12][14][17] - LianLian Digital has obtained 65 global payment licenses, with a transaction volume of 3.3 trillion RMB, while Lakala's Skyee brand serves over 120,000 clients with a transaction volume of 49.2 billion RMB [14][17] Conclusion - The cross-border payment industry is poised for significant growth driven by e-commerce expansion, technological advancements, and evolving consumer preferences, presenting ample opportunities for established and emerging players alike [1][4][6]

Core Viewpoint - The A-share market experienced fluctuations with the Shanghai Composite Index reaching a new high of 3512.67 points on July 9, 2023, primarily supported by large-cap stocks such as CATL, Hengrui Medicine, and China Oil Capital, despite most stocks declining [1][2]. Group 1: Market Performance - On July 9, the A-share market had a trading volume of 1.53 trillion yuan, an increase of 528 billion yuan from the previous trading day, with the Shanghai Stock Exchange contributing 595.96 billion yuan and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange 909.22 billion yuan [2]. - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3493.05 points, while the ChiNext Index closed at 2184.67 points, with 1856 stocks rising and 3327 stocks falling [1][2]. Group 2: Sector Performance - The banking and technology sectors saw significant contributions to the index, with major banks like Agricultural Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China reaching historical highs [2][4]. - The media sector led the gains, with stocks like Zhongwen Online rising over 10%, while the human-robot sector experienced volatility, with some stocks hitting the daily limit [3][4]. Group 3: Historical Highs - A total of 33 stocks reached historical highs on July 9, with 5 from the banking sector and 10 from the technology sector, indicating a structural trend in the A-share market [4]. - Notable performers included Beijing Bank and Agricultural Bank of China, with Beijing Bank showing a cumulative increase of over 20% this year [4]. Group 4: Analyst Insights - Analysts suggest that the current market environment is characterized by a strong liquidity support, but caution that volatility may increase in the future due to various influencing factors [1][7]. - Recommendations include focusing on high-growth technology sectors and undervalued companies with high dividends, as the market is at a critical juncture [7].

Group 1 - The dominance of the US dollar is beginning to weaken, with an increase in the internationalization of the Chinese yuan, particularly in energy and commodity transactions [5][6][7] - The rise of the CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) serves as a substantial alternative to SWIFT, allowing for faster and cheaper transactions while bypassing US financial monitoring [5][6] Group 2 - The US's technological blockade against China has inadvertently stimulated domestic innovation, leading to breakthroughs in various sectors such as 5G, operating systems, and aerospace [8][10][12] - The pressure from the US has acted as an accelerator for China's self-reliance in technology, transforming challenges into opportunities for advancement [9][12][13] Group 3 - The military advantage of the US is no longer a unilateral dominance, as China's advancements in missile technology and naval capabilities challenge US military presence globally [14][15] - The inability of the US to maintain its global military commitments is evident, with allies questioning US security assurances [14][15] Group 4 - The narrative control that the US has historically maintained is eroding, as global perceptions shift towards recognizing China's economic growth and infrastructure development [16][17][18] - The rise of alternative voices in regions like Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia indicates a diversification of perspectives away from US-centric narratives [17][18] Group 5 - The decline of US hegemony is attributed to its own internal decay rather than direct confrontation, with China leveraging its strengths to navigate this asymmetrical competition [20][21][22] - China's approach focuses on self-improvement and resilience, positioning itself as a counterbalance to the outdated global order without seeking to dominate [23][24]

Core Insights - The share of Renminbi (RMB) in global payment markets has significantly dropped to 2.89%, falling below the 3% mark and ranking sixth globally, overtaken by the Canadian dollar [1][2] - The decline in RMB's payment share is attributed to various factors, including market fluctuations and the diversification of RMB settlement channels, rather than solely the impact of trade tensions [2][7] Payment Share Overview - As of May 2024, the US dollar remains dominant with a 48.46% share, followed by the euro at 23.5%, which has increased by 1.4 percentage points [1] - The British pound holds a 7.1% share, while the Japanese yen and Canadian dollar account for 3.7% and 3.11% respectively, showing little change from previous months [1] RMB Payment Trends - RMB payment share fluctuated throughout 2024, peaking at 4.74% in July before declining to 2.9% in October, indicating normal monthly volatility rather than a definitive setback in internationalization [2][7] - The RMB's previous rise to the fourth largest payment currency was short-lived, with its share dropping significantly in recent months [2] CIPS and Internationalization Efforts - The China International Payment System (CIPS) is increasingly facilitating RMB settlements, with 180 direct participants and over 1,500 indirect participants across more than 180 countries [5] - CIPS processed 175 trillion RMB in cross-border payments in 2024, marking a 43% year-on-year increase, and has expanded its reach by adding new overseas financial institutions [5] Future Outlook - Despite the challenges faced by RMB internationalization, including significant gaps compared to the US dollar and euro, the potential for growth remains strong [7] - The rise of CIPS and the expansion of RMB swap agreements are seen as key drivers for the future of RMB internationalization [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of Trump's tariff policy on global markets and China's response, highlighting the stabilization of the A-share market through various measures taken by the government and market participants [1][2][4]. Group 1: Impact of Tariff Policy - Trump's announcement of a minimum 10% tariff on global imports and specific rates on countries like China (34%) and the EU (20%) has led to significant declines in global asset prices, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropping by 9.9% and 11.4% respectively [2][3]. - The A-share market experienced a sharp decline, with the Shanghai Composite Index falling by 7.3% on April 7, but showed signs of recovery with a 1.6% increase on April 8 due to intervention from various funds [2][3]. Group 2: Government and Institutional Response - The "national team" entered the market to stabilize it, with the Central Huijin announcing increased purchases of ETF funds, which saw a significant rise in trading volume, indicating strong demand [3][4]. - Regulatory bodies provided support by adjusting insurance fund investment ratios, allowing for greater equity asset allocation, which enhances market stability [3][4]. Group 3: Market Participants' Actions - Over 30 listed companies initiated stock buybacks, totaling over 15 billion yuan, reflecting confidence in their financial health and future prospects [4]. - The combination of government intervention, regulatory adjustments, and proactive measures from market participants demonstrates a collaborative effort to stabilize the market [4]. Group 4: Long-term Outlook - The article expresses a long-term positive outlook for the Chinese capital market, emphasizing that the current macroeconomic environment is more favorable compared to 2018, with a focus on internal demand and technological advancements [10][12]. - The diversification of export structures and the reduced reliance on the U.S. market (from 19.2% in 2018 to 14.7% in 2024) suggests that external shocks will have a limited impact on the overall economy [13]. Group 5: Investment Opportunities - Future investment opportunities may include sectors such as semiconductors and TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications), which are expected to rebound due to domestic policy support and a focus on self-sufficiency [14]. - The food and beverage sector is likely to perform well due to low external dependency and increased domestic consumption support [15]. - Defensive sectors like banking and utilities are recommended for their high dividend yields and resilience during market downturns, with current yields around 6% compared to a 10-year government bond yield of 1.6% [15].