TikTok, the popular social media platform, is stepping into the e-commerce arena with a strategic move to strengthen its online retail presence in Malaysia. The platform’s e-commerce division has joined forces with Advance Intelligence Group, a fintech startup backed by Warburg Pincus, to introduce the Atome “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) service on TikTok Shop in Malaysia. This partnership aims to capitalize on the region’s booming e-commerce market and marks a significant step in TikTok’s plans to invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over the next few years.
Advance Intelligence, founded in 2016, has witnessed impressive growth in its payments business, attracting tens of millions of users across Southeast Asia. Its collaboration with TikTok will allow consumers in Malaysia to benefit from the flexible payment options offered by the Atome service. With Atome, shoppers can conveniently defer their payments for purchases made on TikTok Shop over a span of three to six months, easing the burden of immediate expenses.
The partnership comes as a boost for Advance Intelligence, which has successfully raised over US$700 million in funding, including a recent round in 2021 that valued the startup at an impressive $2 billion. This financial backing further strengthens its position in the competitive fintech landscape and positions it as a key player in shaping the future of payments in the region.
TikTok’s strategic investment in Southeast Asia reflects the company’s ambitious vision to expand its e-commerce foothold and challenge established online retail giants such as Sea Ltd’s Shopee and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s Lazada. By injecting substantial funds into the region over the next three to five years, TikTok aims to capitalize on the region’s immense growth potential and tap into the dynamic consumer base.
In Malaysia, the e-commerce market is set to witness remarkable growth, with projected gross merchandise value (GMV) expected to reach $18 billion by 2025, a notable increase from $14 billion in 2022, according to Statista figures cited by Atome. As TikTok gears up to provide users with a seamless shopping experience on its platform, the inclusion of BNPL options strengthens its appeal to a wider audience, empowering them to make purchases with greater flexibility and confidence.
This strategic move not only bolsters TikTok’s presence in the e-commerce space but also underscores the growing importance of fintech solutions in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. By combining the creative energy of TikTok’s platform with Advance Intelligence’s innovative payment offerings, consumers in Malaysia can look forward to an enhanced shopping journey.
As the partnership sets its sights on capturing the attention of the Malaysian market, it will be fascinating to witness the impact of TikTok’s e-commerce expansion in Southeast Asia. By aligning with a trusted fintech player like Advance Intelligence, TikTok is poised to revolutionize the shopping experience for millions, driving the growth of e-commerce in the region and shaping the future of retail in Malaysia and beyond.