July 6, 2025 @ 1:40 am By Michael Wong  |  

Sweden has ordered six government agencies, including the national police, tax authority (Skatteverket), and enforcement agency (Kronofogden), to ramp up efforts to seize illicit assets such as cryptocurrency, luxury items, and real estate held in corporate structures, as part of a broad crackdown on unexplained… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 10:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank has imposed S$27.45 million ($20.3 million) in fines on nine financial institutions after concluding a sweeping investigation into anti-money laundering (AML) lapses tied to a major money laundering case uncovered in August 2023. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it had… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 8:35 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s central bank launched its flagship Karnival Celik Kewangan (Financial Literacy Carnival) in Tawau on Saturday, as part of a broader push to strengthen financial resilience among underbanked communities. The event was officiated with opening remarks by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Adnan Zaylani… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 12:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Impossible Cloud Network (ICN), a decentralized cloud infrastructure provider, has launched its native token $ICNT on major centralized exchanges including Binance, Bybit, Kraken, Gate.io, and Bitget, following a $34 million funding round that valued the company at $470 million. The Switzerland-based firm said the token… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 11:30 am By Michael Wong  |  

The U.S. House of Representatives will designate the week of July 14 as “Crypto Week” to advance a trio of landmark digital asset bills aimed at cementing the country’s position as a global leader in cryptocurrency innovation, Republican leaders announced. The House is set to… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 2:05 am By Michael Wong  |  

Qatar is positioning itself as a regional hub for open banking and Islamic Fintech, supported by robust regulatory frameworks, advanced API infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, according to the latest Islamic Finance Report by the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). The report outlines how Doha is building… Read More

July 4, 2025 @ 7:14 am By Michael Wong  |  

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a proposed law that would have created a state-managed reserve fund for digital assets seized through criminal forfeiture, citing concerns it could undermine cooperation with local law enforcement. House Bill 2324, which narrowly passed the state legislature with a… Read More

July 4, 2025 @ 12:51 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank will strengthen liquidity risk management rules and overhaul its data collection regime for fund managers, as it seeks to bolster resilience in the country’s asset management sector amid heightened global economic uncertainty. In a keynote speech at the Investment Management Association of… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 10:32 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Asia-Pacific crowdfunding market is projected to surge nearly fourfold to $1.93 billion by 2033 from $496.77 million in 2024, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 16.33%, according to a new industry report published by ResearchAndMarkets. The report incorporates adjacent sectors rewards (e-commerce)… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 10:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

DeFi Technologies Inc., a Nasdaq-listed digital asset management firm, has expanded into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MENA region through the registration of DEFI DMCC in Dubai, according to an announcement. The company opened a new office at Jumeirah Lake Towers and launched a… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 9:29 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Oman Investment Authority (OIA) ended 2024 with $53 billion in assets under management and a net profit of $4.12 billion, enabling a $2.1 billion transfer to the state budget and reinforcing its fiscal importance, according to an announcement. Ranked among the top ten global sovereign… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 8:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Vietnam-based artificial intelligence startup AI Hay has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Southeast Asia-focused venture capital firm Argor Capital, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The latest round, which also drew participation from existing investors Square Peg,… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 1:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has proposed new measures to improve investor disclosures and simplify regulatory requirements for complex financial products, in a move aimed at balancing self-directed investing with protections for vulnerable consumers. The consultation paper, published on July 1, outlines enhancements to… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 8:21 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global investment major KKR has launched Ascend Asia Financial Services Group, a new financial advisory platform based in Singapore, according to an announcement. It also simultaneously announced the acquisition of Singapore advisory firm finexis and its affiliates. The acquisition, made through funds managed by KKR,… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 7:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) has committed JPY3.5 billion ($22.5 million) to Genesia Venture Fund IV, a vehicle managed by Genesia Ventures, Inc., as part of its broader push to strengthen Japan’s startup ecosystem, according to a company announcement. The move also seeks to foster international… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 2:04 pm By Michael Wong  |  

DigitalBridge Group Inc and Canada’s La Caisse have finalized the acquisition of Yondr Group, a global hyperscale data center developer and operator, from Cathexis Holdings, the companies announced. The move bolsters both investors’ presence in digital infrastructure and strengthens their ability to address the growing… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 3:18 am By Michael Wong  |  

Blockchain and Web3 technologies are emerging as transformative forces in global real estate, driving innovation, efficiency, and new investment models across markets, according to experts at the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) Global Business Forum held in Marseille. Speaking at the Real Estate Investment in… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 10:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has partnered with Thai brokerage Finansia Syrus Securities PCL to boost access to regulated digital asset trading in Thailand, a move that underscores the growing convergence between traditional finance and crypto markets in Southeast Asia. The partnership, involving KuCoin Thailand (operated by… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 10:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Only 28% of Filipinos are familiar with Web3 technologies despite 96% awareness of cryptocurrencies, according to the Philippine Blockchain Industry Report 2025, the country’s first benchmarking study of its blockchain ecosystem. Released by the Blockchain Council of the Philippines in partnership with Gorriceta Africa Cauton… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 3:50 am By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia’s technology ecosystem raised $2 billion in total funding in the first half of 2025, reflecting both a short-term slowdown and signs of long-term recovery, according to data from Tracxn. The figure marks a 24% decline from the $2.6 billion raised in the second… Read More