March 3, 2024 @ 11:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The United Kingdom has taken a decisive step by introducing new legislation aimed at curbing the use of cryptocurrencies in criminal activities. Set to take effect on April 26, 2024, the updated Statutory Instrument under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 grants law… Read More

March 3, 2024 @ 8:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Green Week – Finance Stream concluded Friday, marking the end of a series of sustainability-themed events that drew more than 1,600 participants from almost 30 jurisdictions worldwide. The week-long initiative brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including financial institutions, corporates, central… Read More

March 3, 2024 @ 8:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Despite the tightening of monetary policy by the US Federal Reserve, the banking sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries experienced sustained growth in lending during the second quarter of 2023, according to a recent report by Kamco Invest. This growth was largely driven… Read More

March 2, 2024 @ 1:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

MercadoLibre Inc., the powerhouse of e-commerce and payments in Latin America, has appointed Andre Chaves as the head of its fintech division, Mercado Pago, in the country, according to a Bloomberg report. Chaves, 41, steps into his new role with a rich background in corporate… Read More

March 2, 2024 @ 8:58 am By Michael Wong  |  

Nium, a real-time cross-border payments firm based in the United States and Singapore, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-Japanese company to be granted a Type 1 Funds Transfer Service Provider (FTSP) license by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA). The license… Read More

March 2, 2024 @ 8:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

Baubap, a pioneering consumer microlending platform based in Mexico, has announced a significant boost to its operations with $120 million in debt financing obtained in a pre-Series A round. The round was led by SixPoint Capital Management, a U.S.-based fintech capital partner, marking a major… Read More

February 25, 2024 @ 11:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

FinTech Wales, an independent membership association of the fintech and financial services industry in Wales, has announced the appointment of Sarah Kocianski as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kocianski, a seasoned strategist in the Fintech and Insurtech sectors, brings over a decade of experience working… Read More

February 25, 2024 @ 5:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Insurtech industry player The Digital Insurer (TDI) has partnered with the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI) to introduce the GenAI Explorer Program, an innovative venture designed to usher in a new era for the insurance sector through the application of generative AI technology. This exclusive… Read More

February 25, 2024 @ 5:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech player Helicap Pte Ltd has partnered with PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk (Danamon) to establish the duo as a pivotal source of non-dilutive growth capital for fintech companies, alternative lending firms, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various sectors, including supply chain,… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 2:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lending Fintech companies accounted for 30% of all Fintech acquisitions in India in 2023, highlighting a shift in market dynamics amid growing regulatory pressures, a report from GrowthPal revealed. This surge in acquisitions within the lending sector marks a departure from previous years, where the… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 10:29 am By Michael Wong  |  

China’s venture capital (VC) market experienced a noticeable decline in January, with a total of 251 VC funding deals amounting to $2.6 billion, according to the latest analysis by GlobalData, a premier data and analytics firm. This represents an 8.4% decrease in deal volume and… Read More

February 18, 2024 @ 7:20 pm By Michael Wong  |  

In the latest credit card lending survey released by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), figures for the fourth quarter of 2023 showed a significant uptick in credit card usage among Hong Kong residents. Total card receivables soared by 8.5% to HK$160.1 billion at the… Read More

February 18, 2024 @ 6:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Overseas Filipinos (OFs) sent home a record $3.6 billion in personal remittances in December 2023, marking a 3.9 percent increase from the $3.5 billion reported in the same month in 2022, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank of… Read More

February 18, 2024 @ 11:40 am By Michael Wong  |  

Turkish financial technology giant Papara has announced its acquisition of Pakistan’s emerging Fintech star, SadaPay, in a strategic all-stock deal valued between $30 to $50 million. The agreement also includes an additional $10 million investment from Papara to support SadaPay’s technological development and expansion strategies,… Read More

February 17, 2024 @ 3:58 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Honduras has issued a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrency trading within its financial system, according to a resolution from the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBS). The regulation, which took immediate effect upon its announcement on Friday, prohibits financial institutions in the country from engaging in… Read More

February 17, 2024 @ 4:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore has announced a major investment in artificial intelligence (AI), with more than $1 billion earmarked over the next five years to propel the city-state to new heights in AI development. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who also serves as the Minister for Finance, unveiled… Read More

February 11, 2024 @ 9:04 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced the successful issuance of approximately HK$6 billion in digital green bonds, marking a significant advancement in the integration of fintech and green finance. This initiative, part of the HKSAR Government’s Green Bond Programme, is… Read More

February 10, 2024 @ 6:14 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cryptocurrency media major CoinDesk has announced the appointment of Sara Stratoberdha as its new CEO as part of a major restrucuting following its acquisition by crypto exchange Bullish. Stratoberdha, previously in charge of business development at Bullish, takes over from Kevin Worth, who stepped down… Read More

February 10, 2024 @ 4:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Animoca Brands Japan, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Web3 entity Animoca Brands, has announced a new partnership with HashPalette to facilitate the global expansion of Japan’s Web3 gaming sector. This strategic collaboration is set to provide marketing support for HashPalette’s game, THE LAND ELF… Read More

February 5, 2024 @ 8:44 am By Michael Wong  |  

Senior members of the House Financial Services Committee have formally questioned the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over its approach towards Fintech and innovation. Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), along with Subcommittee Chairmen Andy Barr (KY-06) and French Hill (AR-02), addressed their concerns in a… Read More