The global financial market is ushering in a new change, and the RMB cross-border payment system is showing strong development momentum.
In March 2026, CIPS system data set a new record, with the average daily transaction volume exceeding 920 billion yuan, the peak in the past year. The number of transactions in a single day stably exceeded 35,000, and the popularity of cross-border RMB business continued to rise.
Financial infrastructure provides solid support for the stable operation of cross-border payments.
CIPS carries the mission of global RMB clearing and settlement. It complies with internationally accepted rules and the number of participating entities continues to expand.
At present, the number of direct participants has reached 194, the number of indirect participants has exceeded 1,500, and the global service territory continues to expand.
This has enabled the RMB to continue to expand its influence in the field of cross-border payments, providing a more convenient and efficient payment channel for global trade and investment.
Traditional cross-border payment channels have many shortcomings, are inefficient and costly, and can easily be affected by fluctuations in the external environment.
CIPS has established a safe and efficient settlement channel, effectively reducing the transaction costs of market entities and providing a reliable new option for global cross-border transactions.
It allows companies and individuals to complete the flow of funds more smoothly during cross-border payments and reduces transaction risks.
In the context of complex and volatile international geopolitical situations and sharp fluctuations in global asset prices, the dominance of a single currency has been widely questioned, and the world is in urgent need of diverse and stable payment carriers.
The safe-haven value of the RMB has been widely recognized, and China’s economic strength has laid a solid foundation for payment growth.
The stable development and strong resilience of China’s economy have provided strong support for the RMB’s position in the international market.
The international layout of the RMB continues to make breakthroughs.
A key leap was achieved in June last year. Core financial institutions in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Singapore were connected to the system, and the cooperation network coverage reached a new level.
Countries along the “Belt and Road” and neighboring countries actively adopt RMB settlement, and the free trade zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have released new growth momentum.
These measures have further promoted the use and circulation of RMB in the international market.
As the currency landscape moves toward multipolarization, the international status of the RMB has steadily improved.
The demand for cross-border trade and investment continues to be released, and the proportion of RMB international payments will steadily increase.
China’s economic and trade exchanges with the world are becoming increasingly close, and the journey of RMB internationalization has broad prospects.
In the future, the RMB is expected to play a more important role on the global financial stage and make greater contributions to the stability and development of the global economy.
