April 7, 2024 @ 8:16 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Shinhan Bank, a prominent player in South Korea’s banking sector, is set to enter the digital arena, vying for a license to become the country’s fourth internet-only bank, according to a Korea Herald report. The move positions Shinhan to compete with established digital banks such… Read More

April 7, 2024 @ 7:32 pm By Michael Wong  |  

China’s central bank announced on Sunday plans to establish a substantial 500 billion yuan ($70 billion) re-lending initiative aimed at bolstering the nation’s science and technology sectors, according to  a Reuters report. This move underscores the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting its burgeoning… Read More

April 7, 2024 @ 9:14 am By Michael Wong  |  

Financial inclusion data provider Smile API has successfully closed a funding round with DEG‘s Up-Scaling program, a venture supported by the German Development Finance Institution. This initiative, co-financed by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, channels investments into innovative Fintech and greentech ventures… Read More

April 6, 2024 @ 12:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Following a nine-day trial, a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has found Terraform Labs PTE Ltd. and its former CEO, Do Kwon, guilty of defrauding investors in crypto asset securities. The verdict comes after the Court’s… Read More

April 5, 2024 @ 8:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) have officially joined the Regional Payment Connectivity (RPC), marking a significant milestone in ASEAN’s financial integration efforts, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced. The BDCB’s accession to the RPC… Read More

April 5, 2024 @ 7:06 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced significant amendments to the Payment Services Act (PS Act) and its subsidiary legislation, marking a pivotal step in expanding the regulatory framework for payment services within the city-state. These amendments, which aim to incorporate a broader spectrum of… Read More

April 5, 2024 @ 12:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Zeepay, a finteh startup based in Accra, Ghana, has announced raising an undisclosed amount in its latest round of equity funding. The funding round was spearheaded by prominent investors including Africa50, Oikocredit, Injaro Ghana Venture Capital Fund (IGVCF), and Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, with additional… Read More

April 5, 2024 @ 11:51 am By Michael Wong  |  

zypl.ai, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) fintech lending startup, announced it secured significant investment from Dubai-based corporate and retail bank Commercial Bank International (CBI) along with other global investors in a post-seed bridge round. This strategic investment precedes zypl.ai’s anticipated Series A funding round set… Read More

April 5, 2024 @ 9:45 am By Michael Wong  |  

Ellipsis Labs, a player in the development of on-chain exchange technologies, has announced raising a total of $20 million in its Series A funding round. The round was led by Paradigm, with significant contributions from Electric Capital, highlighting strong investor confidence in Ellipsis Labs’ potential… Read More

March 31, 2024 @ 2:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Reserve Bank of India is contemplating the establishment of the Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) in a move to combat the escalating cyber fraud. This initiative aims to clamp down on the proliferation of illicit lending applications by instituting a verification system for digital… Read More

March 31, 2024 @ 1:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Credit card major Visa Inc. is poised to enhance its fraud-prevention capabilities by incorporating three new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools into its product suite for business clients, according to a Bloomberg report. This move underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to bolster security… Read More

March 31, 2024 @ 2:34 am By Michael Wong  |  

Qatar has launched its “first national e-card with registered Qatari brand,” named Himyan, as announced by the Qatar Central Bank. This initiative aligns with the country’s Third Financial Sector Strategy, emphasizing the development of Qatar’s digital payments infrastructure. Himyan represents a significant advancement in the… Read More

March 30, 2024 @ 10:32 pm By Michael Wong  |  

QNB Group, the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has announced the launch of “FAWRAN,” a revolutionary payment method designed to enhance the payment experience for its customers in Qatar. This innovative service allows for quick and secure transactions using just the… Read More

March 30, 2024 @ 8:07 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based AI cybersecurity firm StealthMole has announced raising $7 million in Series A funding, a round spearheaded by Korea Investment Partners (KIP). This investment round also saw contributions from Hibiscus Fund, a multinational venture between RHL Ventures, Penjana Kapital, and KB Investment, alongside Smilegate Investment…. Read More

March 30, 2024 @ 7:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

MOVE Digital, the digital arm of Malaysia-listed aviation group Capital A, announced a strategic collaboration with Singapore’s fintech powerhouse, Ant International. This partnership aims to diversify payment methods, enhance digital marketing efforts, and foster sustainable finance practices for the micro, small & medium enterprise (MSME)… Read More

March 29, 2024 @ 4:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

MyShell, a Tokyo-based innovator in the field of artificial intelligence, announced that it has successfully raised $11 million in a Pre-Series A funding round. This recent injection of capital, led by Dragonfly Capital and supported by a consortium of investors including Delphi Ventures, Bankless Ventures,… Read More

March 29, 2024 @ 12:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Pacific Island nations are poised to harness the digital money revolution to enhance their financial systems, improve financial inclusion, and counteract the decline in correspondent banking relationships, according to research conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The geographic isolation, small size, and distinct challenges… Read More

March 29, 2024 @ 10:36 am By Michael Wong  |  

Blockhouse Digital, an asset management firm focused on collateralized lending and yield-generating strategies within the cryptocurrency markets, has announced the successful closure of its $2 million seed GP funding round. This financial milestone was achieved with contributions from strategic partners, notably including its institutional OTC… Read More

March 29, 2024 @ 7:34 am By Michael Wong  |  

Bavest, a Frankfurt/Munich-based business-to-business fintech firm, has announced raising €1.1 million (about $1.2 million) in a pre-seed funding round, signaling strong market confidence in its innovative financial infrastructure solutions. The investment round draws support from a notable group of backers, including Bitpanda co-founder Christian Trummer,… Read More

March 25, 2024 @ 11:07 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Thailand energy conglomerate Gulf Energy Development Plc is teaming up with telecommunications powerhouse Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) and the esteemed Krungthai Bank Plc (KTB) to enter the burgeoning field of virtual banking in the country. According to a report by The Nation, this collaboration… Read More