Antom Partners With Affirm to Bring Flexible Pay-Over-Time Options to US Merchants

Antom, the global merchant payment and digitisation platform operated by Ant International, has announced a strategic partnership with Affirm, listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol AFRM, to introduce transparent pay-over-time solutions to its expansive merchant network in the United States. This collaboration aims to provide businesses with a seamless way to offer consumers a flexible financial alternative that emphasizes upfront clarity, predictability, and trust at the digital checkout counter.

Rolling out this month, merchants utilizing Antom’s robust payment infrastructure will be able to seamlessly integrate Affirm directly into their payment flows. By incorporating this option, businesses can present shoppers with alternative payment structures designed to accommodate diverse personal budgets without the anxiety of unexpected expenses. Eligible customers gain the ability to choose customized biweekly or monthly payment schedules, accompanied by the signature Affirm guarantee that the full cost of the purchase is visible upfront, completely free of any late or hidden fees.

This commitment to clarity and consumer-friendly terms has long been a cornerstone of Affirm’s market appeal. Industry metrics consistently demonstrate that shoppers respond positively to financial transparency, evidenced by the fact that an overwhelming 96 percent of Affirm transactions originate from repeat users. For merchants, providing a trusted mechanism that resonates deeply with modern consumer preferences serves as an effective tool to foster long-term loyalty and repeat business.

Gary Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Antom and Senior Vice President of Ant International, emphasized the strategic alignment between the two organizations and the tangible value the integration brings to enterprise clients operating within the competitive American retail landscape. According to Liu, merchants are increasingly seeking out payment methodologies that actively support their commercial expansion while remaining straightforward to implement and immediately recognizable to their customer bases.

“Our merchants are looking for payment options that can support their growth while remaining simple to integrate and familiar to their customers,” said Gary Liu, CEO of Antom, Senior Vice President of Ant International. “Affirm is a name their customers recognize and trust, so offering it is an easy call. Bringing Affirm onto our platform can help merchants turn browsers into buyers.”

The mechanics of the integration are designed to minimize administrative friction for both businesses and consumers. Merchants will be able to enable Affirm directly through the Antom portal by completing a streamlined setup process in just a few easy steps. When an end consumer reaches the digital checkout and selects Affirm as their preferred payment method, they undergo a rapid eligibility check facilitated by Affirm’s advanced technology.

Affirm’s real-time underwriting engine dynamically evaluates each transaction, tailoring a personalized and approved offer specifically suited to the basket size and financial profile of the buyer. The available financing terms span a broad spectrum, accommodating purchase amounts ranging from $35 all the way up to $30,000, with repayment schedules extending from 30 days to 36 months. Furthermore, through the framework of this newly minted partnership, Antom merchants gain the capability to present consumers with highly attractive flexible payment plans, including special six-month interest-free options backed by Affirm.

The partnership underscores a broader industry trend in which modern financial technology platforms increasingly recognize the commercial benefits of embedding flexible, transparent credit options directly into checkout ecosystems. As digital commerce continues to evolve, payment gateways and orchestration platforms are under mounting pressure to deliver comprehensive toolkits that help merchants maximize conversion rates while maintaining high standards of consumer protection and financial wellness.

Steve McPhee, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Affirm, highlighted the mutual advantages of the collaboration and the strong market demand driving payment platforms to integrate honest financial alternatives. McPhee noted that as consumer expectations shift toward greater visibility and control over personal spending, partnerships with established global infrastructure providers like Antom represent an essential avenue for scaling responsible credit solutions.

“Payment platforms increasingly choose Affirm because their merchants do better when customers can pay over time on honest terms,” said Steve McPhee, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Affirm. “Antom brings Affirm to its growing merchant base in the US today, and its global footprint gives us real room to grow together.”

While the initial rollout focuses primarily on empowering merchants and consumers within the United States market, the scope of the partnership extends well beyond North America. Executives from both companies have confirmed that the collaborative service is scheduled to become available for customers located in the United Kingdom later within the year. Beyond the UK deployment, both Antom and Affirm share a forward-looking roadmap that includes deliberate plans to expand the availability of these integrated pay-over-time solutions to additional international markets in the future, supporting cross-border commerce and providing a consistent, trusted checkout experience for global shoppers.