September 29, 2025 @ 12:27 am By Michael Wong  |  

Kuwait’s stock exchange extended its trading hours by 30 minutes starting Sunday as the Gulf state seeks to enhance liquidity and align with global markets to attract more international investors. Boursa Kuwait now operates continuous trading from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., compared to the… Read More

September 28, 2025 @ 3:10 am By Michael Wong  |  

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Chad are looking to deepen cooperation in the financial sector following a high-level bilateral meeting in Dubai aimed at enhancing institutional partnerships and expanding economic collaboration. UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Mohamed bin Hadi Al… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 10:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s fintech sector attracted nearly $1.04 billion in the first half of 2025, rebounding strongly after a muted 2024, with investors pouring money into payments, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-driven platforms, according to a KPMG report. The funding, spread across 90 deals, marked the highest level… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 6:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore will evaluate fund managers appointed under its S$5 billion ($3.65 billion) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) over at least three years, with key performance indicators (KPIs) including investment returns, mobilising third-party capital and contributions to the city-state’s market ecosystem, a senior minister said on… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 10:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) set out a detailed roadmap to strengthen the city’s fixed income and currency (FIC) markets, part of a broader push to reinforce its role as a global financial centre and deepen its… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 9:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, said it will stop accepting new applications for digital bank licenses from Dec. 1, as the regulator moves to tighten oversight of the fast-growing sector and safeguard financial stability. The suspension follows the… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 9:09 am By Michael Wong  |  

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw warned against rushing to roll back disclosure requirements for asset-backed securities (ABS), saying weak issuance levels may reflect lack of investor demand rather than regulatory barriers. The SEC issued a concept release this week asking whether… Read More

September 23, 2025 @ 8:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fiji’s National Anti-Money Laundering Council (NAMLC) has reaffirmed its prohibition on virtual asset service providers (VASPs), warning that cryptocurrencies pose serious risks to financial integrity and national security. The Council, in a statement posted on its website, said the decision reflects concerns that virtual assets… Read More

September 23, 2025 @ 4:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s tax authority has confiscated more than 140 billion won ($106 million) in virtual assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, from tax delinquents over the past four years, highlighting the government’s widening use of digital assets to enforce compliance. The National Tax Service (NTS) began… Read More

September 22, 2025 @ 12:02 am By Michael Wong  |  

Japan’s Credit Saison has launched a new venture capital vehicle dedicated to blockchain, joining a growing number of financial institutions targeting the sector despite market volatility. The fund, branded Onigiri Capital, was set up through the company’s Singapore-based corporate venture capital subsidiary and announced last… Read More

September 21, 2025 @ 10:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank pledged to safeguard price stability and financial sector resilience while deepening innovation and climate transition efforts, as global uncertainties weigh on growth prospects. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who also oversees the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said in an addendum… Read More

September 21, 2025 @ 10:03 pm By Michael Wong  |  

China-based Huize Holding Ltd, through its international brand Poni Insurtech, has obtained a financial adviser and exempt insurance broker license in Singapore, reinforcing its strategy to build dual regional hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong. Poni Financial Advisory Pte. Ltd. was licensed by the Monetary… Read More

September 17, 2025 @ 1:53 am By Michael Wong  |  

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced $1 billion in new investments and partnerships for Iraq during an IFC Partnerships Day in Baghdad, marking two decades of the World Bank Group member’s operations in the country. The investments will target energy, infrastructure, agribusiness and finance sectors… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 7:22 am By Michael Wong  |  

San Francisco-based fintech startup Mazlo has secured $4.5 million in seed funding to scale its compliance-driven banking and finance platform for nonprofits and fiscal sponsors. The round drew backing from Westbound Equity Partners, venture studio super{set}, Social Good Fund, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and a group… Read More

September 15, 2025 @ 11:13 am By Michael Wong  |  

Demand AI Group Inc, an artificial intelligence-driven business-to-business marketing company, said it has closed a $2.5 million funding round backed by international institutional investors and strategic local partners. The investment will fuel global expansion for the Denver-based startup, which has established operations in nine countries… Read More

September 15, 2025 @ 2:15 am By Michael Wong  |  

Global payments infrastructure provider Thunes has rolled out a real-time payments service into Morocco, allowing payouts in Moroccan dirhams to be sent directly into local bank accounts. The expansion gives members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network wider access to Morocco’s increasingly digitised economy and seeks… Read More

September 14, 2025 @ 7:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Asia Pacific markets are demonstrating cautious optimism despite global economic headwinds, with the region emerging as a key driver of cross-border capital flows, according to Colliers’ Global Capital Flows September 2025 report. Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong secured positions among the world’s top 10 sources… Read More

September 14, 2025 @ 5:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Veritas Capital said it closed its ninth flagship private equity fund at $14.4 billion, exceeding its $13 billion target and hard cap as investor demand remained strong despite a tougher fundraising climate. The close of Veritas Capital Fund IX marks a 35% increase from the… Read More

September 14, 2025 @ 10:31 am By Michael Wong  |  

The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against two men accused of orchestrating a securities fraud scheme that netted over $100 million by targeting American retail investors through manipulation of Ostin Technology Group Co. Ltd. (OST) stock. An indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 4:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it plans to issue new licenses for platforms that trade fractional investment securities, establishing a legal framework for services that until now operated under a regulatory sandbox. Fractional investment services allow multiple investors to buy shares in ownership… Read More