Alipay Banned in the U.S. Under New 'No Alipay Act of 2025': What It Means for Your Wallet

The "No Alipay Act of 2025" flat-out prohibits any transactions using Alipay within the United States. This means if you're in the U.S., or even a U.S. citizen abroad in some cases, you can't use Alipay for any financial transactions, period. The bill's main goal is to cut off all financial ties between Alipay (the Chinese internet tech company) and anyone under U.S. jurisdiction.

So What's the Deal with Alipay?

This bill, SEC. 2, is pretty straightforward: no more Alipay. It bans all financial transactions between Alipay (China) Internet Technology Company Limited and any "United States person." And that definition, found in SEC. 3, is wider than you might think. It includes:

• U.S. citizens (wherever they are)
• Permanent residents (green card holders)
• Businesses organized in the U.S.
• Anyone physically in the United States

So, if you're a tourist visiting Disneyland and you usually use Alipay, that's a no-go. If you're a U.S. company importing goods from China and paying suppliers via Alipay, you'll need a new payment method. Even if you're just sending money to family back home using the app, that's now illegal under this law.

Real-World Check: How This Hits Your Pocket

Imagine you're a small business owner who sources materials from Alibaba, and you've been using Alipay for its low fees. Now, you'll have to switch to a different payment system, which might mean higher transaction costs and potentially delays in getting your supplies. Or, picture a student studying abroad who relies on Alipay to receive money from their parents in the U.S. – they'll need to find an alternative, and fast.

The Fine Print – and Potential Headaches

"Financial transaction," as defined in SEC. 3, is broad. It covers pretty much anything involving moving money, using financial institutions, or even just affecting interstate or foreign commerce. This could create some real enforcement challenges. How do you track every single small transaction? And what about people who don't even realize they're breaking the law?

While the intention might be to target large-scale financial flows, the wording could unintentionally snag everyday folks who use Alipay for convenience or lower fees. It also raises questions about how this will impact overall U.S.-China relations, particularly in trade.

This bill will likely force people and businesses to quickly adapt to alternative payment systems, which could be a hassle and potentially more expensive. It's a big change, and one that's going to be felt immediately by anyone who relies on Alipay.