May 10, 2026 @ 12:41 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore retained its position among the world’s stronger jurisdictions for combating illicit finance after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said the city-state has a “robust and effective” framework to counter money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing. The development comes as regulators push for… Read More

May 10, 2026 @ 11:38 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it plans to mobilize $30 billion by 2030 to help Southeast Asian nations strengthen economic resilience, deepen capital markets, and accelerate regional energy connectivity as the bloc faces mounting geopolitical and economic uncertainty. ADB President Masato Kanda announced the commitment during the 48th… Read More

May 10, 2026 @ 9:42 am By Michael Wong  |  

As regulators tighten scrutiny of artificial intelligence in finance, blockchain infrastructure firms are racing to build systems that can prove how autonomous AI agents make decisions. Inveniam Capital Partners, a data infrastructure company for private markets, launched NVNM Chain, a Layer 2 blockchain designed to… Read More

May 10, 2026 @ 6:41 am By Michael Wong  |  

BioMatrix has launched a new platform it says will help AI projects secure verified human participation as companies grapple with the rapid spread of synthetic content online. The company launched BioMatrix 3.0, which it describes as a “human participation network” for the AI economy, at… Read More

May 7, 2026 @ 6:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Jito Foundation has teamed up with Nasdaq-listed Solana Company to expand institutional-grade Solana validator and staking infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. The move comes as blockchain networks compete to attract regulated financial institutions and professional investors, analysts said. Per the announcement, the partnership will see… Read More

May 7, 2026 @ 3:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Crypto exchange Kraken is partnering with MoneyGram to allow customers convert digital assets into cash through the money transfer firm’s global retail network. The move addresses one of crypto’s long-running practical challenges: moving funds from digital weallets into local currency. The companies said Kraken users… Read More

May 7, 2026 @ 2:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Stablecoin infrastructure startups are heading into corporate treasuries as businesses seek faster, cheaper ways to manage cross-border money. Among them is Mesta, which is expanding its platform beyond payments into accounts, wallets, yield, and card products, according to an announcement. The Miami-based company said it… Read More

May 7, 2026 @ 2:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Miami-based crypto startup Wire Wallet said it will launch its crypto wallet app on May 27, introducing what it describes as an “active wallet” designed to execute financial actions. The wallet will act on behalf of users within rules and guardrails they define, per the… Read More

May 7, 2026 @ 1:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Taiwan-based blockchain technology firm OwlTing Group said it has launched a self-custody digital wallet designed for AI agents, betting on the rise of “agentic commerce” where AI systems can make payments and conduct transactions on behalf of users. The Nasdaq-listed company said its new OwlPay… Read More

May 6, 2026 @ 2:30 am By Michael Wong  |  

Featherless.ai, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence infrastructure firm, has secured $20 million in Series A funding to expand its platform for deploying open-source AI models. The round was co-led by AMD Ventures and Airbus Ventures, with participation from BMW i Ventures, Kickstart Ventures, Panache Ventures, and… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 11:28 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has moved forward with proposed changes to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 that would make it easier for companies to pursue dual listings on the Singapore Exchange and overseas markets. The proposed framework is designed to support the… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 5:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Digital payments major Ant International announced that its global network now connects more than 150 million merchants with over 2 billion user accounts. The growth comes as the fintech firm expands its payments, cross-border commerce, and AI-driven financial services infrastructure, according to an announcement. The… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 11:49 am By Michael Wong  |  

UAE-based Fintech VaultsPay has entered into a strategic collaboration with Mastercard, in a move that could strengthen its card issuance and merchant acquiring capabilities as competition intensifies in the country’s digital payments market. Under the agreement, VaultsPay will use Mastercard’s global network and payments technology… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 11:35 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-listed OxPay Financial has secured a financial services license for its Bhutan subsidiary, Oxygen7, allowing the company to move ahead with a crypto-enabled payments platform in Gelephu Mindfulness City. The license, granted by the Gelephu Financial Services Office on April 29, authorizes Oxygen7 to provide… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 10:30 am By Michael Wong  |  

Carlyle Group has announced providing preferred equity financing to support CC Capital Partners in its acquisition of Insignia Financial Ltd, a major player in Australia’s retirement and wealth management sector. The financing is made throug its Global Credit platform. Insignia Financial, listed on the Australian… Read More

May 2, 2026 @ 8:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has warned the public about tokens falsely claiming to be linked to licensed stablecoin issuers, as the city begins rolling out its regulated stablecoin framework. The HKMA said tokens using the tickers “HKDAP” and “HSBC” have appeared in the market,… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 5:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia is emerging as Asia’s most concentrated Fintech market, underscoring both the region’s maturity and the significant growth potential in less-developed ecosystems across the continent, according to a new study. The analysis by Singapore-based UnaFinancial found that Southeast Asia hosts an average of 14… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 5:40 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD)  has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to offer brokerage services in the city-state, marking a key step in the U.S.-based fintech firm’s expansion into Asia’s fast-growing retail investment market. The approval allows Robinhood to move closer to launching a… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 10:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital and Microsoft have launched Microsoft Elevate, a national artificial intelligence (AI) capacity-building initiative to strengthen the country’s AI talent pipeline as it seeks to become a regional AI hub. The program, aligned with Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 ambitions, expands the country’s… Read More

April 25, 2026 @ 4:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia’s private equity market remained under pressure in 2025 as deal value declined and exit activity weakened, highlighting ongoing liquidity challenges for private capital investors, according to a new report by Bain & Company. Total deal value in the region fell about 10% year-on-year… Read More