January 21, 2025 @ 8:17 am By Michael Wong  |  

Amazon has signed an agreement to acquire Axio, a Bengaluru-based digital lending firm that provides credit access to underserved individuals and households across India. The acquisition, which awaits regulatory approval, is expected to bolster Amazon’s footprint in the rapidly growing digital lending market and strengthen… Read More

January 21, 2025 @ 8:13 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based Bitcoin mining firm BitFuFu Inc. has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in a 51-megawatt (MW) Bitcoin mining facility in Oklahoma. The company has signed a letter of intent for the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025,… Read More

January 19, 2025 @ 7:09 am By Michael Wong  |  

Revelstoke Capital Partners has made a strategic investment in Omega Systems, marking the eighth investment under its Revelstoke Capital Partners Fund III, the private equity firm announced. Omega, recognized as one of the 25 fastest-growing IT service providers in North America in 2024 by CRN,… Read More

January 19, 2025 @ 6:07 am By Michael Wong  |  

Chevron Corporation announced a total contribution of $1 million to three organizations supporting wildfire relief efforts in California. The donation is allocated among the California Fire Foundation, the American National Red Cross, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund. According… Read More

January 14, 2025 @ 9:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

GCash, the leading fintech platform in the Philippines, has engaged major international banks for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), potentially set for later this year, according to a Bloomberg report. The selected financial institutions include JPMorgan Chase & Co, Morgan Stanley, and UBS Group… Read More

January 12, 2025 @ 8:14 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Central Bank of Ireland has launched its first “innovation sandbox programme,” introducing seven private-sector ventures focused on tackling financial crime. The initiative provides a controlled environment for testing new technologies, enhancing collaboration between the central bank and the fintech sector, and advancing solutions to… Read More

January 12, 2025 @ 7:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The digital lending market in the Philippines, which includes registered non-bank digital lenders and digital banks, is projected to surpass $1 billion by the second half of 2025, according to a new analysis by Digido. The growth reflects strong consumer demand for online financial services… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 5:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Following its 2024 Article IV Consultation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized Hong Kong’s strong standing as an international financial center and endorsed its pathway towards fiscal consolidation. This affirmation came via a concluding statement released… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 3:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

XTransfer, a China-based business-to-business (B2B) cross-border trade payment platform, has been granted a major payment institution (MPI) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The license, effective from January 1, 2025, enables XTransfer to offer diverse payment services in Singapore, enhancing its position in… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 11:07 am By Michael Wong  |  

The US Senate Banking Committee is reported set to establish its inaugural subcommittee focused on digital assets, marking a significant move just days after Republicans assumed control of the Senate following recent elections. According to reports, this initiative aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s vision of… Read More

January 8, 2025 @ 7:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia-based private equity firm Creador has acquired a controlling stake in Indonesia-based B2B hospitality marketplace MG Group from Indonesia Northstar and other shareholders, marking its entry into the global travel industry. The acquisition highlights Creador’s focus on Southeast Asia’s rapidly recovering travel sector, driven by… Read More

January 7, 2025 @ 5:06 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Mashreq Pakistan, a subsidiary of the UAE’s Mashreq Bank, has secured a restricted license from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to commence pilot operations as a digital retail bank in the country. The approval marks a significant milestone in Mashreq’s expansion and highlights its… Read More

January 6, 2025 @ 8:57 pm By Michael Wong  |  

United International Holding Co. has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fintech firm NowPay Corp. to establish a specialized wage processing company in Saudi Arabia, according to a company announcement. The non-binding agreement, effective for two months with an option to extend, outlines… Read More

January 5, 2025 @ 7:05 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s communications regulator has granted operating licenses to two prominent technology firms, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to tighten oversight of internet messaging and social media platforms. According to a statement issued by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), WeChat, owned… Read More

January 4, 2025 @ 9:28 am By Michael Wong  |  

Infinant, a Charlotte-based provider of bank platforms, has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by FINTOP Capital and its partner JAM FINTOP BankTech. The round also included participation from Raido Capital Partners, Woodforest Financial Group, and Bankers Helping Bankers, according to… Read More

December 29, 2024 @ 9:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced that it has invested in the Malaysia-based private equity Cambrian Fund and U.S.-based artificial intelligence firm Syntiant Corp, in a move aimed at boosting Malaysia’s position in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technologies. In a statement, Khazanah said… Read More

December 29, 2024 @ 6:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech firm Alif has announced securing a $20 million debt investment from Accial Capital, a U.S.-based impact private credit fund manager, to strengthen its Nasiya installment service and expand financial inclusion in Uzbekistan. The transaction was facilitated with advisory support from Nairang Capital and TMT… Read More

December 29, 2024 @ 5:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) has finalized its $2 billion investment in KeyCorp, acquiring approximately 14.9% of the U.S.-based bank’s common stock. The transaction, announced in August 2024, received Federal Reserve approval on December 12, 2024, and marks the completion of Scotiabank’s strategic minority… Read More

December 29, 2024 @ 1:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Bybit Technology Limited, formerly Bybit Fintech Limited, and its Chief Executive Officer Ben Zhou (Yuchen Zhou), have been reprimanded by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) for running a digital asset exchange (DAX) without registration. The SC said in a statement that both Bybit and Zhou… Read More

December 28, 2024 @ 11:31 am By Michael Wong  |  

Vancouver-based bookkeeping service Bench Accounting has announced its sudden closure, potentially putting hundreds of staff out of work. The company, once billed as North America’s largest small-business bookkeeping service, posted a “notice of closure” on Friday stating the platform is “no longer accessible.” Bench acknowledges… Read More