August 11, 2024 @ 4:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

EQT AB has unveiled plans to acquire a majority stake in Acronis, a cybersecurity and data protection platform, as part of its strategic initiative to bolster the company’s growth and enhance its market footprint. The transaction, facilitated through the EQT X fund, will see EQT… Read More

August 11, 2024 @ 2:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sav, a UAE-based Fintech, has secured in-principle approval for a Category 4 license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), positioning the company for significant expansion. The licence will enable Sav to offer regulated financial services, aligning with its objective to simplify money management for… Read More

August 11, 2024 @ 2:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Kuwait has officially launched securities-based crowdfunding platforms, marking a significant milestone in the country’s financial technology landscape nearly two years after the initial draft for Fintech regulation was introduced. The announcement, made by Minister of Commerce and Industry Omar Al-Omar, represents a strategic move aimed… Read More

August 10, 2024 @ 3:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Bitcoin scaling solutions provider Nexio has raised $2.2 million in pre-seed funding from a diverse group of industry investors, according to an announcement. The pre-seed funding round was led by Lattice and included investments from HTX Ventures, Artichoke Capital, Morningstar Ventures, Sharding Capital, SNZ Holding,… Read More

August 10, 2024 @ 2:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sendsprint, a rapidly growing remittance startup founded in 2022 by former Flutterwave executive Damisi Busari, has completed the acquisition of Nobel Financial Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Sendsprint’s expansion, enabling the company to extend its services to users… Read More

August 10, 2024 @ 12:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, has announced the lifting of its moratorium on the issuance of new digital banking licenses, effective January 1, 2025. The decision, approved by the Monetary Board, will allow up to ten digital banks… Read More

August 4, 2024 @ 3:56 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines has revised guidelines to bolster the settlement of digital payments, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the country’s payment system. This move aims to adapt to evolving payment landscapes and enhance the operational… Read More

August 4, 2024 @ 2:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Gartner forecasts that at least 30% of generative AI (GenAI) projects will be abandoned after proof of concept by the end of 2025. The primary reasons cited for this high dropout rate include poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs, and unclear business value…. Read More

August 4, 2024 @ 2:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in India is set to strike off as many as 400 Chinese companies involved in online loans and online job businesses across 17 states over the next three months, according to a report by Moneycontrol, citing an anonymous government… Read More

August 3, 2024 @ 5:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

National Pulse, a Dubai-based tech-driven enterprise, has strategically invested in Singaporean Fintech firm Aleta Planet to enhance cross-border payment services in the Middle East. This move aligns with the UAE’s recent push towards open finance and the adoption of digital services, according to the announcement…. Read More

August 3, 2024 @ 4:57 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), the operator of the Philippines’ leading finance super app GCash, has elevated its market position with fresh investments from Ayala Corporation and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), boosting its valuation to an impressive $5 billion. This new valuation marks a… Read More

August 3, 2024 @ 4:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Payments technology company Flutterwave announced that it has obtained an Enhanced Category Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana. This development is pivotal in expanding Flutterwave’s footprint across Africa, particularly within Ghana, where it can now offer a full spectrum of direct payment… Read More

August 3, 2024 @ 8:05 am By Michael Wong  |  

Grab-led GX Bank Berhad (GXBank) announced its plan to invest MYR 1.5 billion ($333 million) into Malaysia over the next five years, including the launch of the GX Untuk Semua initiative. In a statement, GXBank emphasized that the initiative aligns with its enduring commitment to… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 11:29 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have issued a joint statement highlighting potential risks associated with banks’ partnerships with third parties, particularly Fintech firms. The regulators aim to underscore the importance of effective risk… Read More

July 29, 2024 @ 5:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, is poised to significantly advance the digital payments landscape in the country with the upcoming introduction of its Request to Pay (RTP) and Direct Debit facilities. Announced by BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan… Read More

July 28, 2024 @ 5:33 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald has announced plans to launch a Bitcoin financing business designed to provide leverage to investors holding Bitcoin. The new initiative will commence with $2 billion in initial financing and is set to expand significantly over time. The firm, known… Read More

July 28, 2024 @ 4:55 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Eddie Yue, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), has been reappointed to his role for another five-year term starting in October. In a statement following the Financial Secretary’s announcement, Yue expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue his leadership, underscoring the… Read More

July 28, 2024 @ 4:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Finance leaders from the Group of 20 major economies issued their first-ever joint declaration on Friday, Reuters reported. They committed to cooperating on effectively taxing the world’s wealthiest individuals. However, this unity masks deeper disagreements about the appropriate forum to advance this agenda. In their… Read More

July 28, 2024 @ 4:32 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Thesis, one of the most established venture studios focused on Bitcoin, announced raising $7.5 million in funding for Mezo, its permissionless Bitcoin Economic Layer. The round was led by Ledger Cathay Fund, a joint venture between Ledger and Cathay Innovation. Other notable investors in this… Read More

July 27, 2024 @ 1:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The central bank of the Philippines will resume accepting applications for digital banking licenses after a three-year moratorium, signaling a significant expansion in the burgeoning sector. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the number of available slots for new entrants will… Read More