OpenWay, a leading provider of digital payment solutions, and UnionPay International (UPI) have expanded their partnership to offer comprehensive support for UPI products on the Way4 platform.

The updated agreement allows banks, processors, and fintechs using Way4 to issue, acquire, and tokenize UnionPay cards, ensuring a more widespread and uniform deployment of UnionPay-powered payment services in global markets.

Way4 is OpenWay’s digital payment platform that financial institutions around the world use for real-time card issuance, acquiring, switching, and digital wallet services.

Global Integration and Regional Milestones

As part of this enhanced collaboration, OpenWay has facilitated the initial integration of Big Pay functionality for UnionPay cards on Way4 in six Central Asian banks, marking a global first. Future integrations are planned to broaden mobile and digital wallet options available to UnionPay cardholders.

Historically, the partnership between OpenWay and UnionPay International has had a significant regional presence, beginning with the issuance of the first UnionPay card in Kazakhstan on Way4 in 2004. Since then, they have supported the rollout of UnionPay chip cards and acquiring infrastructure across Central Asia, serving as a proving ground for several internationally notable payment innovations.

This expanded cooperation highlights the increasing demand among financial institutions in emerging and high-growth markets for flexible, scheme-agnostic infrastructure that can support international card networks alongside local payment systems and digital wallets through a unified platform.