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Ant International is extending the boundaries of biometric payments with the launch of smart glass payments using iris authentication technology for its Alipay+ GlassPay solution.
Ant unveils smart glass payments
The move builds on Ant’s existing voiceprint authentication and marks a major step toward secure, hands-free, and frictionless transactions in augmented reality (AR) environments.
Developed in partnership with leading smart-glasses makers Xiaomi and Meizu, the enhanced GlassPay platform combines multiple layers of AI-powered security.
Using over 260 biometric feature points, the iris verification system offers a high level of spoofing resistance, outperforming both facial and fingerprint recognition in accuracy and reliability.
Advanced liveness detection prevents fraud attempts using photos, videos, or 3D masks, while new imaging algorithms ensure consistent performance under varying light conditions.
Seamless Payments Meet Immersive Commerce
Ant’s latest innovation aligns with a wider industry shift toward immersive commerce, where smart glasses serve as the next frontier in digital interaction.
Consumers can instantly try on products, interact with AR overlays, and complete purchases simply by glancing or speaking — turning physical spaces into shoppable environments.
Industry projections suggest smart-glasses adoption will surge nearly sevenfold by 2029, reaching almost 19 million units globally.
The multi-modal authentication system, powered by Ant’s gPass technology framework, provides a trusted connection layer that supports secure data handling and compliance across global markets.
This framework enables device manufacturers and developers to integrate encrypted wallets, authentication protocols, and AI-driven services without compromising user privacy.
Expanding Avenues for Merchants and Platforms
Beyond security, the GlassPay platform is designed to help merchants deepen engagement and reduce operational friction.
For example, AR-powered glasses could allow a shopper to view a virtual product, make an instant purchase, or even hail transport services without switching devices.
This creates new opportunities for omnichannel retail, lowers warehousing and logistics costs, and streamlines checkout processes.
Ant International plans to roll out the upgraded GlassPay to manufacturers and developers across Asia-Pacific, as part of its broader Alipay+ ecosystem, which already connects 1.8 billion user accounts and 100 million merchants in more than 100 markets.
Speaking at the 2025 Singapore Fintech Festival, Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, said: “Seamless, real-time, around-the-clock secure global payments will be the main engine for resilience and growth in a time of great change.”
As Ant International continues to combine AI, AR, and biometrics, its latest step redefines not just how people pay — but how they interact with the digital and physical worlds around them.
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