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WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 Will Bring Together Leaders of the E-Commerce and AI World

WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026, one of the most important gatherings of the global e-commerce ecosystem, is preparing to bring together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and technology companies from around the world.

WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 will be held between June 11–13, 2026, at the Yenikapı Event Area. The event will offer a platform that guides the transformation of the sector by addressing trends shaping the future of e-commerce, AI-powered commerce solutions, and next-generation digital commerce strategies.

At the event, which continues to grow every year, more than 30,000 visitors, over 500 brands, and more than 200 speakers will take part. Professionals from more than 80 countries will come together under the same roof. With this wide participation, WORLDEF will become not just an event but a strategic meeting point for the global e-commerce ecosystem.

What Does WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 Promise?

WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 offers participating brands the opportunity to expand into international markets, establish new business partnerships, meet investors, and closely follow global e-commerce trends. At the same time, participants will have the opportunity to discover the most innovative practices in areas such as AI-based commerce technologies, data-driven marketing strategies, and omnichannel solutions.

WORLDEF ISTANBUL creates important opportunities not only for major brands but also for entrepreneurs interested in e-commerce, technology companies, retailers, logistics firms, and investors. Participants will have the opportunity to develop growth strategies in international markets, establish direct contact with global e-commerce players, and gain insights into new business models.

Omar Nart: WORLDEF Is a Strategic Platform That Brings Together the Global E-Commerce Ecosystem

WORLDEF CEO Omar Nart made the following statement about the event: “We position WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 as a strategic platform that brings together the global e-commerce ecosystem. Our goal is to facilitate brands’ expansion into international markets, share how artificial intelligence and new technologies are transforming commerce, and create strong collaborations among industry leaders. WORLDEF offers a unique meeting point for everyone who wants to build the future of digital commerce together.”

Click for more detailed information about WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026, positioned at the intersection of e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and digital commerce.

WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit Brings Together Global Leaders of E-Commerce in Antalya

Leading figures of the global e-commerce sector are preparing to come together at the WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit to be held in Antalya.

The WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit will take place on October 19–21, 2026 at the Kremlin Palace in Antalya. The event will bring together decision-makers, investors, and technology leaders of the global e-commerce ecosystem on the same platform.

Within the scope of the organization, industry representatives from 82 different countries are expected to gather in Antalya. The event will offer an important platform for the development of international collaborations and the evaluation of new trade opportunities.

What Does the WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit Promise?

The WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit aims to be a strategic meeting point especially for companies that want to grow on a global scale. Participants will have the opportunity to establish business connections that can help them expand into new markets throughout the event.

High-level business meetings to be organized within the program will lay the groundwork for the establishment of new partnerships between companies. Representatives of companies operating in e-commerce, logistics, payment systems, technology, and digital trade will be able to establish direct contact during the event.

Networking and Business Opportunities Together

The organization, which will last for three days and two nights, aims to go beyond being an event consisting only of panels and meetings. The program designed for participants will offer an environment that allows real business opportunities to be evaluated.

One of the most remarkable parts of the event will be the special gala night to be held under the stars. In this networking-focused event, participants will have the opportunity to communicate more closely with industry professionals from different countries. A live concert will also be organized as part of the program.

The Future of the E-Commerce World Will Be Discussed

The WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit is expected to contribute to the formation of new collaborations and strategic partnerships regarding the future of the global e-commerce sector. The summit, where industry leaders will come together, will be an important meeting point for expanding international trade networks and strengthening the digital trade ecosystem.

Stripe AI Commerce Strategy Targets Southeast Asia’s Fast-Growing $100B Digital Economy

Stripe AI commerce initiatives are expanding across Southeast Asia as the global payments platform explores artificial intelligence-driven commerce and stablecoin payments.

In an interview with TNGlobal, Sarita Singh, Regional Head and Managing Director for Southeast Asia and Greater China, reflected on Stripe’s performance in 2025 and outlined the company’s priorities for 2026.

The fintech infrastructure provider processed $1.9 trillion in total payment volume in 2025, representing a 34 percent year-on-year increase, according to Singh. The figure is equivalent to roughly 1.6 percent of global GDP, highlighting the scale of transactions flowing through the platform.

Stripe, headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin, provides programmable financial infrastructure used by millions of businesses worldwide to process payments, manage revenue streams, and scale digital operations.

Stripe AI Commerce Strategy in Southeast Asia

Stripe also reported record growth in new companies joining its platform during 2025.

More than 57% of newly onboarded businesses were based outside the United States, reflecting the increasing globalization of online entrepreneurship and the growing importance of emerging digital markets.

Across Asia, many startups are now launching with international expansion built into their strategy from day one.

Stripe supports a range of fast-growing “global-by-default” companies, including Aspire, Halara, Manus AI and Shoplazza. Meanwhile, cross-border payments processed through the platform grew by more than 30 % in key regional hubs such as Singapore, underscoring Southeast Asia’s role as a major center of digital trade.

AI-Powered “Agentic Commerce” Emerging as Next Digital Payments Frontier

A major development for Stripe in 2025 was the rise of agentic commerce, a model where artificial intelligence agents can autonomously complete transactions on behalf of users.

Stripe said it has been working with partners including OpenAI and Microsoft to build frameworks enabling AI systems to transact securely while merchants maintain control over pricing, brand identity, and risk management.

The company believes AI-native commerce models will reshape how businesses interact with customers online, enabling faster transactions and more automated purchasing experiences.

Stripe is currently developing infrastructure such as the Agentic Commerce Protocol, designed to support secure AI-driven transactions across ecommerce platforms and payment networks.

Stripe Aims to Simplify Southeast Asia’s Fragmented Payments Landscape

Looking ahead to 2026, Stripe says one of its main goals in Asia is helping businesses navigate the region’s complex and fragmented payments ecosystem.

Rather than replacing local payment systems, the company aims to unify them through a single programmable payments infrastructure layer, allowing merchants to operate across multiple markets without managing the complexities of different payment methods, compliance frameworks and regulations.

Singh noted that many businesses still operate with underperforming payment infrastructure, a situation Stripe founders describe as “low revenue mode.”

In such cases, weak payment conversion rates, lower authorization performance and inefficient fraud management can significantly reduce revenue potential.

Optimizing payment infrastructure, Singh said, remains one of the most effective ways businesses can unlock additional growth.

Stablecoins Expected to Transform Global Money Movement

Another major focus for Stripe is the increasing adoption of stablecoins in cross-border payments and digital commerce.

According to the company, global stablecoin payment volumes doubled to around $400 billion last year, with approximately 60 percent linked to business transactions.

Stripe’s research indicates that nearly half of Asian businesses plan to begin using stablecoins within the next four years, largely due to their ability to enable faster and cheaper cross-border money transfers.

The company says it is positioning its infrastructure to support the growing integration of stablecoins into global commerce.

Southeast Asia’s Tech Ecosystem Set for Next Decade of Growth

Singh remains optimistic about the long-term outlook for Southeast Asia’s technology sector.

The year 2026 marks ten years since Stripe launched operations in Singapore, a period that coincided with the rapid expansion of the region’s internet economy.

According to Singh, the past decade of digital growth across Asia was largely driven by improvements in payments infrastructure, logistics networks and digital marketplaces.

The next phase, she said, will be shaped by programmability – the ability for businesses to build and scale global digital commerce through unified financial infrastructure.

Analysts say Stripe AI commerce strategy could accelerate digital payments and AI-driven retail innovation across Southeast Asia.
The continued expansion of Stripe AI commerce infrastructure is expected to support faster cross-border payments and more automated digital transactions across the region.

Source

Coupang Revenue 2025 Hits Record $36.8B as Q4 Profit Plunges After Data Breach

Coupang revenue 2025 record earnings report

Coupang revenue 2025 reached a record $36.8 billion as the South Korean e-commerce giant reported strong annual growth despite a sharp fourth-quarter profit decline following a personal data breach disclosed in December.

Coupang Revenue Growth in 2025

According to a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Coupang generated 49.1 trillion won ($36.8 billion) in revenue in 2025, marking a 14% increase from 41.3 trillion won ($30.9 billion) a year earlier. On a constant-currency basis, revenue rose 18% year-on-year.

The strong Coupang revenue 2025 performance reflects the company’s continued expansion in South Korea’s fast-growing e-commerce market.

The company also extended its profitability streak, reporting 679 billion won ($509 million) in annual operating profit, up 8% from 602.3 billion won ($451 million) in 2024. Net income for the year reached 303 billion won ($227 million) , more than triple the previous year, while earnings per share stood at $0.11.

The results mark Coupang’s third consecutive year of operating profitability, reflecting continued growth in its core e-commerce operations and expanding digital services.

Fourth-Quarter Profit Plunges After Data Breach

Despite the strong annual performance, Coupang’s profitability weakened significantly in the final quarter of the year.

Revenue for the October–December period reached 12.81 trillion won ($9.61 billion), up 11% compared with the same period in 2024, though down 5% sequentially from the previous quarter.

Operating profit fell sharply to 11.5 billion won ($8.6 million) from 435.3 billion won ($326 million) a year earlier, while the operating margin narrowed to just 0.09%.

The company also recorded a quarterly net loss of 37.7 billion won ($28.3 million).

Coupang said the December data breach involving customer information had a direct impact on revenue growth, active customer numbers, membership activity in its Wow loyalty program, and overall profitability.

However, the company noted that the situation has since stabilized and that recovery began in the first quarter of 2026.

Chairman Apologizes to Customers

During the company’s earnings call, Chairman Kim Beom-seok issued an apology to customers affected by the incident.

“I once again apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused to our customers due to the personal information incident,” he said.

“Our customers are the sole reason for our existence. There is nothing more serious than failing to meet customer expectations at Coupang.”

Core Commerce Continues to Drive Growth

Coupang’s product commerce segment – which includes services such as Rocket Delivery, Rocket Fresh, and the company’s online marketplace , generated 10.74 trillion won ($8.06 billion) in fourth-quarter revenue, representing 8% year-on-year growth.

Meanwhile, the company’s growth initiatives, including the luxury fashion platform Farfetch, its Taiwan operations, Coupang Eats, and Coupang Play, posted revenue of 2.07 trillion won ($1.55 billion) – a 32% increase from the previous year.

However, these newer businesses also recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of 434.9 billion won ($326 million), more than double the loss reported a year earlier.

Customer Metrics and Cash Flow

Active customers in Coupang’s product commerce segment totaled 24.6 million in the fourth quarter, representing an 8% increase year-on-year, though slightly down by 100,000 customers compared with the previous quarter.

Revenue per active customer increased 3% on a constant-currency basis, reaching $301 (436,400 won).
The Coupang revenue 2025 results also highlight the platform’s ability to maintain steady customer growth despite operational challenges during the year.

Cash flow performance, however, softened during the year.

Operating cash flow declined to $1.8 billion, compared with $1.91 billion the previous year. Free cash flow dropped more sharply to $527 million, down from $1.02 billion, reflecting working-capital effects related to the data breach as well as increased capital expenditures.

The company also repurchased 5.9 million shares of Class A common stock during 2025 for a total of $162 million.

Analysts say Coupang revenue 2025 highlights the company’s growing influence in Asia’s rapidly expanding e-commerce market despite short-term profitability pressures.

Source

More updates on global e-commerce and fintech developments are available in WORLDEF News.

Severe Middle East Shipping Disruptions Delay Amazon, Temu and Shein Deliveries in 2026

Middle East shipping disruptions affecting global e-commerce deliveries

Middle East shipping disruptions are affecting global e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Temu and Shein as geopolitical tensions disrupt key trade routes and logistics networks.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has begun to impact global logistics networks, slowing both air cargo operations and maritime shipping into the region.

The disruptions are already affecting cross-border e-commerce deliveries, raising concerns among merchants and logistics providers that delays, rising freight costs and inventory shortages could intensify in the coming months.

Middle East Shipping Disruptions Expand Delivery Windows Across Major Platforms

Data from logistics tracking platform 17Track indicates that delivery estimates across several international e-commerce platforms have lengthened since the conflict escalated.

Temu currently lists delivery timelines of 6 to 20 days, compared with its previous 7 to 15 day estimate. Fashion retailer Shein has also extended its delivery window to 8 to 10 days, up from the earlier 5 to 8 days range.

On Amazon, some products now display estimated delivery times of 35 to 45 days, while shipments previously arrived in less than 35 days. In many cases, delivery windows have increased by approximately 10 days compared with pre-conflict estimates.

Merchants Pause Shipments Amid Rising Uncertainty

The growing instability has prompted some sellers to reconsider their logistics strategies in the region.

According to Bloomberg, several Chinese merchants selling through Amazon, Shein and Temu have temporarily paused plans to ship new inventory from China to the Middle East until transportation conditions stabilize.

Huang Lun, a Chinese apparel merchant who expanded his operations to the Middle East last year, said geopolitical developments have significantly increased the risks associated with cross-border trade.

“The Middle East market is a write-off this year,” Huang said, citing rising uncertainty driven by shifting tariffs, tightening regulations in Western markets and escalating conflict in the region.

Global Shipping Routes Under Pressure

The situation is also affecting some of the world’s most critical trade corridors. Maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz – a key artery for global shipping – has slowed as security concerns mount.

Several major shipping companies have already adjusted their operations.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has halted cargo bookings to and from the Middle East, while A.P. Moller-Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended crossings through the strait.

Freight forwarders warn that if disruptions persist, shipping costs and delivery times could potentially double, placing additional pressure on cross-border sellers and logistics providers.

Ramadan Shopping Season Faces Supply Pressure

The disruptions are unfolding during Ramadan, one of the busiest retail periods across the Middle East, when consumer spending and online shopping activity typically increase significantly.

The Gulf region has emerged as a key growth market for global e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Temu and Shein, driven by a young, digitally connected population that relies heavily on imported goods.

However, ongoing disruptions to international shipping routes and logistics networks could result in longer delivery times, higher shipping costs and potential product shortages, placing additional pressure on retailers and consumers during one of the region’s peak shopping seasons.

Logistics experts say Middle East shipping disruptions could continue affecting global supply chains if geopolitical tensions persist. Longer transit times, rising freight costs and limited cargo capacity may place additional pressure on cross-border e-commerce platforms operating in the region.

Industry analysts also note that ongoing Middle East shipping disruptions could accelerate changes in global logistics strategies. Many e-commerce platforms may increasingly rely on alternative shipping routes, regional warehouses and diversified supply chains to reduce the risks associated with geopolitical instability in key maritime corridors.
The situation continues to create uncertainty for global e-commerce supply chains.

Source: Bloomberg

More global e-commerce developments are covered in the WORLDEF News.