Michael Wong

Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah Explores AI-Driven Cybersecurity with LogRhythm

Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah Club has signed a memorandum of understanding with cybersecurity provider LogRhythm | Exabeam to explore the use of cloud-based security and AI  tools to protect the sports club’s growing digital operations. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of technology conference LEAP… Read More

Ant International Secures Brazil Payment Institution Licence

Singapore-based Ant International has received a payment institution licence from Brazil’s central bank, expanding its regulated presence as the financial technology company strengthens its local and cross-border payment capabilities in Latin America’s largest economy. The licence from Banco Central do Brasil builds on services Ant… Read More

Philippine SEC Approves GCash Operator Mynt’s Up To $1.6b IPO

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved an initial public offering (IPO) by Mynt Inc., operator of the GCash mobile wallet, that could raise up to 92.32 billion pesos ($1.6 billion), potentially making it one of the country’s largest-ever listings. The regulator approved… Read More

EQT To Acquire Majority Stake in McGill and Partners for $2 billion

Swedish private equity firm EQT has agreed to acquire a majority stake in specialty insurance and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners from Warburg Pincus for $2 billion, the companies said. The transaction will see Warburg Pincus sell its equity stake in full, while McGill and… Read More

HKMA Warns Public Over Phishing Scams Targeting Mobile Payment Card Binding

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has warned the public to stay alert to phishing scams involving the unauthorised binding of payment cards, including ATM cards, to contactless mobile payment services. The HKMA said it recently received reports from banks of scams in which fraudsters… Read More

Crédit du Maroc Set to Get $13.5m Risk-Sharing Facility for SME Lending

Morocco’s Crédit du Maroc is set to receive a proposed risk-sharing facility of up to 125 million Moroccan dirhams ($13.5 million) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises in the country’s agricultural sector and rural areas. The proposed… Read More

DEG Proposes $10 Million Top-Up for January Capital’s Southeast Asia Venture Debt Fund

German development finance institution DEG is proposing an additional $10 million loan to JC Growth Credit Fund 1 LP, a venture debt vehicle managed by Singapore-based investment firm January Capital, according to a disclosure seen by CrowdFund Insider. The proposed financing would top up an… Read More

Capital Industrial Financial Eyes Stake in China Robotics Leasing Firm

Hong Kong-listed Capital Industrial Financial Services Group is considering acquiring a 24.84% stake in a Chinese robotics-focused financial leasing company as it seeks to expand into robotics and intelligent manufacturing, according to a disclosure filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). The company has… Read More

Singapore Commits $170 Million to Fintech Innovation, AI Adoption

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has committed S$220 million ($173 million) over three years to support financial technology development, artificial intelligence adoption, and industry infrastructure under the fourth edition of its Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Scheme. The renewed programme, known as FSTI 4.0,… Read More

Alipay+ Connects with Philippines’ QR Ph for Cross-Border Payments

Ant International’s Alipay+ has connected with the Philippines’ national QR payment system, allowing international visitors to pay merchants through supported overseas e-wallets and banking apps. The integration with QR Ph means participating merchants can accept payments from Alipay+ partner users through their existing QR codes… Read More

Malaysia’s Forest City Offers 5% Tax Rate to Eligible Fintech Companies

Malaysia’s Forest City Special Financial Zone is offering a 5% corporate tax rate to eligible fintech companies and payment-system operators, as the development seeks to attract technology-enabled financial services businesses near Singapore. The preferential rate is available for 10 consecutive assessment years and may be… Read More

SG’s HitPay Embeds Payment Infrastructure Into Superbench AI Platform

Singapore-based payments platform HitPay has integrated its payment infrastructure with Superbench, allowing business-to-consumer service providers to manage customer inquiries, bookings, and payments through a single system. The partnership adds embedded payments to Superbench’s AI-powered customer engagement platform, covering transactions from online deposits to in-person point-of-sale… Read More

Hong Kong Deposits Rise as Renminbi Holdings, Cross-Border Settlements Grow

Deposits held with Hong Kong banks increased in July, while renminbi deposits and cross-border trade settlements recorded stronger growth, according to data released by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Total deposits with authorized institutions rose 0.9% in July 2026, with Hong Kong dollar and… Read More

IFC Weighs $4m Investment in Nigerian Vehicle-Financing Startup Gigmile

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an equity investment of up to $4 million in Gigmile Technologies Ltd, a Nigerian financial technology company providing lease-to-own financing for commercial vehicles. The proposed investment would form part of Gigmile’s Series A funding round and support its… Read More

FMO Provides €30m Green Facility to Turkey’s Garanti Leasing

Dutch development bank FMO is providing a €30 million ($35 million) senior unsecured facility to Turkey-based Garanti Leasing to support financing for green projects, small and medium-sized enterprises, and equipment, according to a project document seen by CrowdFund Insider. The facility will be fully allocated… Read More

Virtual Mind, Gauss Technology to Form Hong Kong AI Joint Venture

Hong Kong-listed Virtual Mind Holding Company Limited has entered into an investment cooperation agreement with Gauss Technology (HK) Limited to establish a joint venture focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and continuous learning. Under the agreement signed on Aug. 28, Virtual Mind and Gauss Technology intend… Read More

China AI Firm AInnovation Acquires 51% Stake in Qingdao ALP

Chinese AI company AInnovation Technology Group acquired a 51% equity interest in industrial software company Qingdao AInnovation ALP Intelligent Industrial Technology Co., Ltd. for a total consideration of RMB122.4 million ($17.1 million), according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing seen by CrowdFund Insider. AInnovation… Read More

UAE Grants Starlink 10-Year License for Satellite Internet Services

The United Arab Emirates’ Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year General Space Services License, allowing the company to establish and operate a public satellite communications network in the country. The license authorizes Starlink to operate and… Read More

IFC Proposes $500m Risk-Sharing Facility with Mizuho Bank

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed investing up to $500 million in a risk-sharing facility with Japan’s Mizuho Bank to expand supply chain financing in emerging markets. The proposed facility will have a total size of $1 billion and cover a portfolio of supply… Read More

HKMA, Regional Partners Hold Financial Leadership Training Program in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and The South East Asian Central Banks Research and Training Centre (SEACEN Centre) held their fourth Financial Leadership Training Program in Hong Kong from Aug. 25 to… Read More

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