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

July 1, 2025 @ 2:46 am By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has proposed a set of regulatory enhancements aimed at strengthening the country’s digital asset exchange (DAX) framework, seeking to accelerate token listings and bolster investor protection measures. According to a consultation paper published on Monday, the proposed changes include allowing certain… Read More

June 30, 2025 @ 8:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Wealthtech is reshaping Singapore’s wealth management sector as both startups and incumbent financial institutions ramp up digital transformation to meet rising investor demand for accessible, affordable, and personalized investment services, according to a new report by Quinlan and Associates and Allfunds Asia. The report shows… Read More

June 30, 2025 @ 6:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Roughly one in four South Koreans aged 20 to 50 currently owns virtual assets, with male white-collar workers in their 30s and 40s dominating the investor base, according to a new report released Sunday by the Hana Institute of Finance. The study, titled 2050 Generation’s… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 10:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Philippine government has intensified its crackdown on abusive online lending platforms after receiving more than 13,000 complaints from borrowers who reported harassment, threats, and privacy violations. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is leading the nationwide campaign in coordination with the Securities and Exchange… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 2:25 am By Michael Wong  |  

London-listed TBC Bank Group PLC has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in BILLZ, a retail management software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform in Uzbekistan, according to an announcement. The acquisition is a landmark transaction that strengthens its position in Central Asia’s digital financial… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 1:54 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) have jointly announced the incorporation of the Singapore Payments Network (SPaN), a new not-for-profit entity that will oversee and govern the country’s national payment schemes. SPaN aims to consolidate the administration… Read More

June 24, 2025 @ 5:00 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Investors Exchange LLC (IEX) has amended its Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) compliance rule to reflect a five-year extension granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to timestamp granularity requirements. The rule change, filed with the SEC on June 17, updates IEX… Read More

June 23, 2025 @ 8:35 am By Michael Wong  |  

Byreal, a new decentralized finance platform focused on bringing real-world assets on-chain, officially launched its brand, backed by partnerships with crypto exchange Bybit and the Solana Foundation. The platform aims to become the primary liquidity infrastructure for tokenized real assets, positioning itself as a full-cycle… Read More

June 22, 2025 @ 5:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A new report from Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) reveals a surge in blockchain adoption among Fortune 500 companies and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as firms increasingly view the technology as a practical solution for operational efficiency rather than a speculative asset class. According to Coinbase’s “State… Read More

June 21, 2025 @ 8:27 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) announced the official launch of Payment Connect, a new cross-boundary payment system linking Hong Kong’s Faster Payment System (FPS) and Mainland China’s Internet Banking Payment System (IBPS). The service will go live… Read More

June 21, 2025 @ 7:25 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The University of Dubai, in partnership with the Artificial Intelligence Journalism for Research and Forecasting (AIJRF), has launched the Arab AI Researchers (AAIR) initiative, the first of its kind in the region aimed at embedding artificial intelligence into academic research and teaching across Arab universities…. Read More

June 21, 2025 @ 4:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Thailand has approved three applicants to establish virtual banks, in a move aimed at promoting financial innovation, expanding access to underserved markets, and enhancing competition in the country’s banking sector. The Ministry of Finance, acting on the advice of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), said… Read More

June 21, 2025 @ 2:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cryptocurrency adoption has surged globally in 2025, underpinned by a dual wave of institutional engagement in developed markets and real-world utility in lower- and middle-income countries, according to the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index. While advanced economies are focused on regulatory clarity and structured investment… Read More

June 16, 2025 @ 11:41 am By Michael Wong  |  

A bipartisan bill designed to modernize crowdfunding regulations and expand access to capital for small businesses advanced out of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, potentially paving the way for significant changes to Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) requirements. The legislation is one of many proposed by… Read More

June 15, 2025 @ 7:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Vietnam has passed a sweeping law to regulate digital assets and boost the country’s technology sector, formally legalizing crypto assets and laying the groundwork for strategic investments in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The Law on Digital Technology Industry, approved by the National Assembly on Saturday,… Read More

June 15, 2025 @ 4:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global investment firm Carlyle and banking giant Citi have entered into a strategic collaboration to explore asset-backed financing and co-investment opportunities in the fast-growing fintech specialty lending sector. The partnership formalizes a framework for both firms to exchange market intelligence and jointly pursue deals that… Read More