Michael Wong

Turkish Digital Bank Colendi Bags $65m in Series B Funding

Colendi, a digital banking startup based in Turkey, has successfully raised $65 million in a Series B funding round, marking a significant milestone for the country’s fintech sector as it enters 2024 with strong momentum. This funding round has propelled Colendi’s valuation to an impressive… Read More

Aeon Bank Officially Launches Malaysia’s First Islamic Digital Bank

Aeon Bank (M) Bhd officially launched its digital bank on Sunday, marking a historic milestone as Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank. The launch aims to provide comprehensive, shariah-compliant digital banking solutions to all Malaysians. At the press conference held during the public launch ceremony, Chief… Read More

60% of US Crypto Investors Lack Understanding of Blockchain Technology – Survey

Approximately 60% of U.S. cryptocurrency investors admit they do not understand blockchain technology, according to a recent survey conducted by language-learning company Preply. The survey, which included responses from 1,001 people living in the U.S., examined participants’ knowledge, interest, and experience with cryptocurrency. The findings… Read More

Philippines’ First Crowdfunding Platform Investree PH to Cease Operations by 2025

Filinvest Development Corp. (FDC) announced that its subsidiary, f(dev) Digital Innovations and Ventures Inc., along with partner Investree Singapore Pte. Ltd., have agreed to wind down the operations of Investree PH Inc., the Philippines’ first crowdfunding platform. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, FDC… Read More

US-based Fintech CBiGroup Secures $15m Funding to Improve Offerings

CBiGroup, a US-based fintech company, has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Alpol Capital Family Office, renowned for its investments in new technologies. The newly acquired funds will be used to enhance research and development efforts, particularly in new technologies… Read More

Saudi Central Bank Licenses Hala Financing for Debt-Based Crowdfunding

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has officially licensed Hala Financing to provide debt-based crowdfunding solutions in Saudi Arabia, a significant step in broadening the financial services available within the kingdom. This recent authorization increases the total number of companies licensed to offer these services to… Read More

Hong Kong Introduces Digital Yuan Wallets Through Mainland Banks

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched the digital yuan, also known as e-CNY,marking a significant step in the integration of digital currencies in the region’s financial system. According to reports from Sing Tao Daily, the launch event was hosted by Howard Lee Tat-chi,… Read More

Singapore Fintech Firm Osome Raises $17m in Series B Funding

Osome, a Singapore-based financial administration platform catering to founders and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has raised over $17 million in its Series B funding round which was a combination of equity and debt financing. The round saw participation from both new and existing investors…. Read More

US Fintech Yendo Bags $165m in Latest Funding Round

Yendo, the creator of the first vehicle-secured credit card, announced that it has closed a significant financing round, totaling $165 million. This includes $150 million in debt financing led by i80 Group, with an additional $15 million in equity from undisclosed strategic investors. The funds… Read More

Philippines: Digital Lender Maya Bank and WeFund Ink $48m Loan Deal

Digital lender Maya Bank and WeFund Lending Corp., through Lightning Financing Co., have signed a P2.75-billion ($48 million) loan channeling agreement aimed at enhancing credit accessibility for unbanked and underserved communities in the Philippines. “We are proud to work with WeFund, and this initiative is… Read More

Woori Bank Joins Race for South Korea’s Fourth Internet-Only Bank License

Woori Bank, a major South Korean commercial lender, has officially entered the competition to secure a license for the country’s fourth internet-only bank. The bank confirmed that it had submitted a letter of intent to join the Korea Credit Data (KCD) led consortium. This move… Read More

Fintech Firm CIFDAQ Launches Blockchain Operations in India

CIFDAQ, a Fintech company specializing in a comprehensive array of blockchain-based services, announced the inauguration of its operations across India, with a strategic aim to harness the potential of the nation’s burgeoning digital finance sector. Founded with the vision to streamline blockchain applications for mainstream… Read More

Saudi Fintech Firm Rasan Seeks Up to $224 Million in IPO

Rasan Information Technology Co., along with its shareholders, aims to raise up to 841 million riyals ($224 million) in an initial public offering in Riyadh, marking one of the first IPOs by a fintech firm in Saudi Arabia, Bloomberg reported. The firm has set the… Read More

South African Fintech Firm Lesaka Acquires Adumo for $85.9m

South African fintech company Lesaka Technologies, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Adumo RF (Pty) Ltd for approximately ZAR 1.59 billion ($85.9 million). The deal, which hinges on shareholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024. Under… Read More

Janone To Acquire Blockchain Fintech Provider ALT 5 Sigma

JanOne Inc., a Nasdaq-listed pioneer in innovative solutions aimed at ending the opioid crisis, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ALT 5 Sigma Inc., a Delaware-based player in blockchain financial technology, along with its subsidiaries. The transaction is set to close the week of… Read More

Mongolia’s M bank Secures $30m for Digital Lending to Women, SMEs

Mongolia’s first digitally focused bank M bank has secured $30 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provide digital lending to women and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In a collaborative effort to bolster the Mongolian financial sector, IFC and M bank are… Read More

Fintech Firm Airwallex Engages Middle Eastern Wealth Funds for Expansion

Global Fintech platform Airwallex is in discussions with several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds as it seeks to raise capital for regional expansion, according to CEO Jack Zhang. The Melbourne-based startup has engaged with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co, and Saudi Arabia’s Public… Read More

India Approves Binance and Kucoin for Cryptocurrency Trading

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Indian government has granted Binance and Kucoin, offshore cryptocurrency exchanges, the approval to register and operate as virtual asset service providers in India. This pivotal decision allows them to engage in a broad array of digital asset services,… Read More

Corpay Announces Acquisition of Paymerang to Boost Payment Solutions

Corpay, a corporate payments company based in Atlanta, California, has announced its intention to acquire Paymerang, a player in accounts payable automation solutions located in Richmond, Virginia. Although the financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, the transaction is anticipated to close in the… Read More

Philippines’ Central Bank Tightens Regulations on Financial Crime Reporting

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, has issued new regulations mandating that banks and other financial institutions report significant incidents related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing within 24 hours. The directive, outlined in a circular signed… Read More

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