August 16, 2025 @ 9:26 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Thailand will launch a program on Monday allowing foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht for payments, as the government seeks to revive tourism following a decline in Chinese visitors. The “TouristDigiPay” initiative will be announced at a press conference led by Deputy Prime… Read More

August 16, 2025 @ 8:29 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global payment platform SUNRATE acquired a payment business license in China following its purchase of a complete stake in Transfar Pay, a subsidiary of Shenzhen-listed Transfar Group. The RMB 315 million ($43.8 million) acquisition received approval from Chinese regulatory authorities. Transfar Group disclosed the transaction… Read More

August 16, 2025 @ 7:36 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysian telecommunications company Axiata Group Berhad signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to enhance cybersecurity capabilities and develop digital talent in the Southeast Asian nation. The agreement establishes cooperation between Axiata and the ministry across cyber threat intelligence, incident… Read More

August 16, 2025 @ 7:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s central bank and securities regulator issued a joint warning against speculative trading driven by stablecoin licensing announcements and social media posts. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Securities and Futures Commission said they observed market movements linked to corporate announcements, news reports, and… Read More

August 16, 2025 @ 10:18 am By Michael Wong  |  

Gemini Space Station, Inc., a cryptocurrency trading platform, filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of Class A common stock. The company has not determined the number of shares or price range for the… Read More

August 11, 2025 @ 5:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has approved comprehensive Investment Banking Law legislation establishing specialized financial institutions for high-net-worth and institutional clients. The measure passed with 55 votes during the assembly’s 68th plenary session. The law creates a regulatory framework for investment banks offering asset management, financial… Read More

August 11, 2025 @ 2:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Web3 gaming and blockchain company Animoca Brands announced that it has completed a strategic investment in Cool Cats Group, securing majority control of one of the most recognizable NFT collections alongside partner Coin Operated Group. The investment gives Animoca Brands access to Cool Cats, a… Read More

August 11, 2025 @ 3:59 am By Michael Wong  |  

More than 25% of corporate finance teams now use machine learning in quarterly planning processes, with adoption of generative AI accelerating rapidly as companies seek to replace rigid traditional budgeting with autonomous financial systems, according to a new study by consultancy Bain & Company. The… Read More

August 11, 2025 @ 12:54 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based multi-family office Kamet Capital has completed an $8.4 million Series A investment in artificial intelligence avatar platform TopView.ai, valuing the startup at approximately $30.7 million. The investment represents Kamet’s exclusive backing of the AI-powered content creation platform, which develops technology enabling brands to produce… Read More

August 10, 2025 @ 9:57 pm By Michael Wong  |  

UAE-based business-to-business Fintech startup Alaan has secured $48 million in Series A funding led by Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia Capital India, to expand its AI-powered spend management platform across the Middle East and North Africa. The funding round included participation from Pioneer Fund, 885… Read More

August 10, 2025 @ 6:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Ant International’s WorldFirst has obtained a Class A Money Services Business license from Bank Negara Malaysia, enabling the company to provide international payment and foreign currency receipt services in the country. The license permits WorldFirst to serve small and medium-sized enterprises conducting cross-border trade operations…. Read More

August 10, 2025 @ 5:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong’s largest licensed virtual asset trading platform, has formed a strategic partnership with publicly listed IVD Medical Holdings Limited to advance enterprise-level digital asset adoption and explore blockchain integration with industrial capital. IVD Medical Holdings, which trades on the Hong Kong Stock… Read More

August 5, 2025 @ 10:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, has joined a $150 million Series C funding round in Anaconda Inc., a US-based provider of open-source infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. The round was led by New York-based growth… Read More

August 3, 2025 @ 10:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Taiwan-based artificial intelligence (AI) data center infrastructure firm Zettabyte has raised new strategic funding from Lam Capital, the corporate venture arm of U.S.-based semiconductor equipment supplier Lam Research Corp. The funding round also included participation from major Taiwanese electronics manufacturers Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, the… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 6:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), a wholly owned entity of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a real estate finance portfolio purchase agreement with Bank Albilad as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s residential mortgage market and enhance liquidity… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 4:33 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Payments processing and cross-border transaction provider Euronet Worldwide said it has agreed to acquire CoreCard Corporation in a stock-for-stock merger valued at approximately $248 million. The move is a part of Euronet’s efforts to strengthen its credit card issuing capabilities and expand its digital financial… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 4:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a dedicated task force to accelerate the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across the agency, aiming to enhance innovation, operational efficiency, and regulatory capabilities. Valerie Szczepanik has been appointed as the SEC’s first Chief AI Officer and… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 3:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expanding its outreach to the cryptocurrency industry through a new national tour by its Crypto Task Force, aimed at gathering feedback from early-stage crypto startups and underrepresented stakeholders. The initiative follows a series of five roundtables held… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 3:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global Fintech firm Adyen has partnered with Singapore-based restaurant technology provider Atlas to improve payment processes and operational efficiency for food and beverage (F&B) businesses, according to an announcement. Through the partnership, Atlas integrates Adyen’s payments infrastructure into its AtlasPay solution. This offers simplified reporting,… Read More

August 2, 2025 @ 9:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

The SIDC-CASI SRI Conference 2025 concluded in Kuala Lumpur after three days of discussions focused on accelerating sustainable finance across Southeast Asia. Co-hosted by the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) and the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), the event gathered more than 300 delegates… Read More