# PayBy

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/payby
> research date 2026-05-29 · extracted at 2026-10-07
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [PayBy — official](https://payby.com/)

## Overview

**PayBy** is **UAE's Astra Tech-operated digital wallet + merchant-acceptance network**, with **Ant Group strategic partnership for Alipay+ cross-border digital payments** <sup>[1][1], [2][2], [United Arab Emirates report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/AE)</sup>. PayBy's **September 2023 Astra Tech + Ant Group partnership** enables **1.4+ billion wallet users globally** to transact via PayBy's UAE merchant network — covering the **entire Abu Dhabi fleet of nearly 7,000 taxis + 3,000+ merchants nationwide**. PayBy's merchant network accepts **6 Alipay+ partner e-wallets** catering to tourists from China, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy + more via native e-wallets (**Alipay, MPay, KakaoPay, GCash, TrueMoney, Tinaba**).

## History

**2020 — PayBy launches in UAE** by **Astra Tech**.

**2021-2022 — Mass UAE merchant adoption** <sup>[2][2]</sup>.

**September 2023 — Astra Tech + Ant Group partnership** <sup>[1][1], [3][3]</sup>: Alipay+ cross-border digital payments integration; 1.4B+ wallet users reachable via PayBy UAE network.

## Ownership & operator

**Operating entity**: **PayBy** — UAE fintech arm of **Astra Tech**.

**Parent**: **Astra Tech** (UAE technology group; G42-affiliated; G42 is UAE AI conglomerate backed by Mubadala + Silver Lake).

**Strategic partner**: **Ant Group** (Alipay parent) for Alipay+ cross-border integration.

**Regulator**: **Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE)** — Stored Value Facility license.

## Technical integration

| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| **Channels** | PayBy mobile app (iOS + Android) + PayBy merchant QR network |
| **Identifiers** | Phone + QR code |
| **Cross-border** | **Alipay+** integration via Ant Group partnership (Sep 2023+) |
| **Supported inbound wallets** | **Alipay, MPay, KakaoPay, GCash, TrueMoney, Tinaba** (6 Alipay+ partners) |
| **UAE merchant network** | Entire Abu Dhabi fleet of nearly 7,000 taxis + 3,000+ merchants nationwide |

## Users & growth

**September 2023 baseline** <sup>[1][1]</sup>:
- **PayBy UAE merchant network**: 7,000+ Abu Dhabi taxis + 3,000+ nationwide merchants
- **Reachable wallet users (via Alipay+ partnership)**: 1.4+ billion globally

**UAE mobile-wallet market context** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: 2024 UAE mobile-wallet market $4.18B; projected $8.28B by 2030.

## Use cases

UAE merchant payments via PayBy app; inbound tourist payments via Alipay+ partner wallets (Alipay China, KakaoPay Korea, GCash Philippines, TrueMoney Thailand, MPay Macao, Tinaba Italy); taxi payments (Abu Dhabi 7K+); domestic P2P; bill payment.

## Implementations & partners

**Operator**: **Astra Tech** (G42-affiliated UAE technology group).

**Strategic partner**: **Ant Group** (Alipay+ cross-border integration).

**Major Alipay+ inbound-wallet partners**: **Alipay (China), MPay (Macao), KakaoPay (Korea), GCash (Philippines), TrueMoney (Thailand), Tinaba (Italy)** + more.

**Major UAE competitors**: **[Liv (by Emirates NBD)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/liv)** (Emirates NBD digital bank), Mashreq Neo, **[Careem Pay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/careem-pay)** (super-app), **[Tabby](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/tabby)/[Tamara](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/tamara)** (BNPL), traditional bank wallets.

**Regulator**: **CBUAE**.

## Fun facts

- **2020 launch by Astra Tech** as UAE fintech for merchant + consumer payments.
- **September 2023 Astra Tech + Ant Group partnership** — Alipay+ cross-border integration first-of-its-kind in UAE.
- **1.4B+ globally-reachable Alipay+ wallet users** can transact via PayBy UAE network.
- **Entire Abu Dhabi fleet of 7,000+ taxis + 3,000+ nationwide merchants** in PayBy network.
- **G42 (Astra Tech parent)** is UAE's leading AI conglomerate — backed by Mubadala + Silver Lake; substantial Chinese-fintech-meets-UAE-AI strategic angle.
- **6 Alipay+ partner e-wallets supported**: Alipay, MPay, KakaoPay, GCash, TrueMoney, Tinaba.

## Comparison

| Feature | PayBy | [Liv (by Emirates NBD)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/liv) (UAE Emirates NBD) | Mashreq Neo (UAE) | [Careem Pay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/careem-pay) | [Unified Cross-Border QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/unified-cross-border-qr) (China comparable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | **Astra Tech (G42-affiliated) + Ant Group** | Emirates NBD subsidiary | Mashreq Bank | Careem Networks (Uber subsidiary) | China UnionPay + PCAC |
| Type | **UAE wallet + Alipay+ cross-border** | UAE digital bank | UAE digital bank | MENA super-app | China cross-border QR gateway |
| Country | UAE | UAE | UAE | 13 MENA + adjacent | China + cross-border |
| Distinctive | **Alipay+ ecosystem integration; 1.4B+ inbound wallet users reachable** | First MENAT digital joint accounts + Liv X crypto | Mashreq digital | Uber subsidiary + remittance | China cross-border QR + central clearing |

## Status

**Active, UAE wallet with Alipay+ cross-border integration** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>:
- **Astra Tech operator + Ant Group strategic partner** since Sep 2023.
- **7,000+ Abu Dhabi taxis + 3,000+ UAE merchants in PayBy network**.
- **1.4B+ globally-reachable Alipay+ wallet users** via integration.
- **6 Alipay+ partner e-wallets**: Alipay, MPay, KakaoPay, GCash, TrueMoney, Tinaba.

## Sources

[1]: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/astra-tech-and-ant-group-to-launch-first-of-its-kind-alipay-cross-border-digital-payments-solution-in-the-uae-rexr3oav "Astra Tech + Ant Group UAE — Zawya"
[2]: https://applifylab.com/blog/uae-mobile-payments-digital-wallets-guide-2025 "UAE mobile payments + digital wallets guide 2025 — ApplifyLab"
[3]: https://gulfbusiness.com/astra-tech-ant-group-partner-on-digital-payments/ "Astra Tech + Ant Group partnership — Gulf Business"
[4]: https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2023/09/05/tourists-can-now-use-their-home-e-wallets-when-they-visit-the-uae/ "Tourists e-wallets UAE — The National"
[ae-cro]: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/AE

- [1] [Astra Tech + Ant Group UAE — Zawya][1]
- [2] [UAE mobile payments + digital wallets — ApplifyLab][2]
- [3] [Astra Tech + Ant Group partnership — Gulf Business][3]
- [4] [Tourists e-wallets UAE — The National][4]
- <sup>[United Arab Emirates report](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/AE)</sup> In-corpus: `reports/countries/AE-uae.md`

## Source

Biography extracted from [payby.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/source/wallets/payby). See `matrix.md` for standards-support matrix if present.