Emq
Founded 2014 · 74 employees on LinkedIn · 6 known investors
EMQ operates a global payments network with last-mile endpoints that banks can integrate to enable cross-border money transfers and automate payment processes. It targets banks and financial institutions seeking to add digital money transfer services to their networks and mobile apps.
Also known as EMQ
Founders & leadership
Emq was founded in 2014 by Max Liu.
Investors · 6
Also in the syndicate · 4
Company profile
researched Aug 2026EMQ is a fintech company operating a global payments and financial settlement network that enables businesses to move money internationally. Its infrastructure is designed to settle cross-border transactions in local currencies while meeting regulatory and compliance requirements in each market, eliminating intermediaries by integrating directly to last-mile endpoints.
The company's API-powered platform allows customers to settle cross-border transactions through a single integration and to embed financial services into their own product offerings. Its network supports use cases including e-commerce, merchant settlement, procurement, remittance, payroll, business-to-business payments, consumer payments, gig-economy payouts and collections.
EMQ positions its solutions for three partner categories — banks, payment service providers and money service businesses — offering them access to new geographies and digital payment capabilities without building direct market connections themselves.
Business model
EMQ provides payments infrastructure to business customers rather than consumers, selling access to its settlement network and APIs so that partners can originate and settle cross-border transactions and embed financial services in their own products.
Traction
At the time of its 2020 Series B, EMQ reported network access to more than 80 global markets and millions of digital endpoints, licences in Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia, registration as a Money Service Business in Canada, and acceptance into Taiwan's Regulatory Sandbox by the Financial Supervisory Commission. By August 2022 the company reported international payments capabilities across more than 170 markets.
Latest developments
Company announcements from 2022 include expanded multi-currency B2B payments to China, real-time payments across South Asia and to Pakistan, a cross-border payments partnership with Cambodia's Vattanac Bank, selection as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, and an August 2022 global USD offering extending international payment capabilities to over 170 markets.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
EMQ describes itself as a leading financial settlement network in Asia, focused on cross-border business payments, and cites the cross-border B2B payments market as being valued in excess of US$218 trillion by 2022.
Technology
EMQ operates an API-powered, scalable network infrastructure that connects directly to payment endpoints in destination markets, supporting near real-time settlement, automated processing and compliance controls across multiple jurisdictions.
Go-to-market
The company sells through direct enterprise and partnership channels, targeting banks, payment service providers and money service businesses, and publicizes named partnerships with institutions such as Kotak Mahindra Bank, G-Xchange, QFPay, FOMO Pay, Vattanac Bank and AMK.
Banks, payment service providers, money service businesses, and companies with cross-border B2B, consumer payment, gig-economy payout and collections needs.
Geography
EMQ's network spans Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe and North America. As of the July 2020 Series B announcement it had access to over 80 key global markets and millions of digital endpoints; an August 2022 company announcement described coverage of over 170 markets following the launch of a global USD offering. The company lists offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan (New Taipei City), Singapore, Indonesia (Jakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Dubai and Japan (Tokyo).
History
EMQ raised a $20 million Series B round in July 2020 led by WI Harper Group, following the May 2020 launch of technology enabling same-day cross-border settlement in local currencies across eight countries. Subsequent milestones publicized by the company include multi-currency B2B payment offerings to China and real-time payments across South Asia and Pakistan (February–March 2022), a partnership with Cambodia's Vattanac Bank (March 2022), recognition as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer (May 2022) and the launch of a global USD offering extending coverage to over 170 markets (August 2022).
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 10
launches, deals, and filingsEMQ announced the issuance of $20 million in Series B Preferred Shares, to be used for international growth, product development and licensing activities across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
$20M source ↗
EMQ launched payments technology enabling same-day cross-border payment settlement in local currencies in eight nations.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Emqemq.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Emq do?
- EMQ operates an API-based global settlement network for real-time cross-border payments for businesses and financial institutions.
- Who founded Emq?
- Emq was founded by Max Liu in 2014.
- Who are Emq's investors?
- Emq's investors include 500 Global, AppWorks Ventures.