December 2, 2023 @ 3:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Paytabs, a payment solutions provider in the MENA region, announced the launch of PayTabs Issuance — secure prepaid card issuing solutions aimed at scaling business operations regionally. Abdulaziz Al Jouf, CEO and founder of PayTabs Group, emphasized the potential of the issuing market in the… Read More

December 2, 2023 @ 8:58 am By Michael Wong  |  

Buenos Aires-based fintech firm Uala has launched a no-fee credit card in Argentina, targeting the massive population of unbanked Argentines, according to a Bloomberg report. The company, which is backed by investors George Soros, Steve Cohen, and Tencent Holdings, is offering its no-fee credit card… Read More

November 26, 2023 @ 9:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lymo Finance, the world’s first real estate crowdfunding platform, is now owned by Walliance, another real estate crowdfunding platform based in Italy, according to an announcement. Walliance said the acquisition is part of its expansion plans in the European market. Lymo, which has an investment… Read More

November 26, 2023 @ 9:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Korea’s cryptocurrency industry is poised for significant growth as the global crypto landscape undergoes major shifts, with Chinese crypto exchanges faltering and the world’s largest exchange, Binance, facing legal challenges in the US, the Korea Times reported. In a recent development, Binance was ordered by… Read More

November 26, 2023 @ 9:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The future of Philippine fintechs, which have basic characteristics centered around innovation and sustainability, will be driven in major part by investments that value environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, analysis from consumer finance company Digido revealed. The global sustainability technology (SusTech) industry, characterized to… Read More

November 26, 2023 @ 5:57 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Dubai’s ambitious journey towards becoming a global leader in innovation and sustainability is gaining momentum, as highlighted by the emirate’s forward-thinking initiatives and investments in futuristic technologies. At the heart of this journey is the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aimed at making Dubai the… Read More

November 25, 2023 @ 6:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Scapia, an India-based fintech company focused on making travel more accessible, has successfully raised $23 million in its Series-A funding round. The round was led by Elevation Capital and 3STATE Ventures, with participation from existing investors Matrix Partners India and Tanglin Venture Partners. Scapia said… Read More

November 25, 2023 @ 6:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indonesia’s central bank, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), has partnered with the country’s fintech associations to issue what it describes as ethical guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI) use in the context of the fintech industry. The guidelines were formulated in collaboration with four leading fintech… Read More

November 25, 2023 @ 6:47 pm By Michael Wong  |  

India-based micro-lender Arohan Financial Services is reportedly planning to expand its digital lending operations as part of its overall goal of revolutionizing microfinance with digital push. Arohan said it will leverage its ‘Apna Arohan’ app for more efficient loan disbursements and improved repayment compliance. Launched… Read More

November 25, 2023 @ 12:39 am By Michael Wong  |  

RegTech startup Aptus.AI has announced raising €3 million ($3.3 million) in a pre-Series A funding round anchored by Programma 103 under VC P101 Sgr. The investment marks Programma 103’s first foray into the Regtech sector. The round was also backed by additional support from several… Read More

November 24, 2023 @ 10:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has released its final set of regulations to enhance the oversight of Digital Payment Token (DPT) services, following up on its initial legislative amendments in July 2023. MAS said in a statement that the consulted proposals detail business conduct… Read More

November 24, 2023 @ 8:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that while the G20 has embraced the “G20 roadmap on Crypto Sssets“, there is currently no set timeline for its implementation yet. Sitharaman made the pronouncement as she discussed the progress on the ‘G20 roadmap on Crypto Assets’. This… Read More

November 24, 2023 @ 7:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indian fintech startup Kiwi has announced raising $13 million in a Series A funding round anchored by Omidyar Network India. The round, which followed the startup’s $6 million funding, was also backed by existing investors Nexus Venture Partners and Stellaris Venture Partners. Founded in November… Read More

November 24, 2023 @ 5:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), together with the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) and the banking sector, support the launch of the Anti-Deception Alliance (ADA) by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). ADA is expected to strengthen the capability of the anti-money laundering… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 10:27 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) have announced a significant development in fintech collaboration through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement focuses on enhancing cross-border trade-related data… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 8:35 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lendela, a Singapore-based digital loan matchmaker, has announced raising $5 million in funding anchored by Chocolate Ventures, a venture investment firm started by Singlife founder and former group CEO Walter de Oude. The Series A funding round was also backed by Lendela’s seed investor Cocoon… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 7:40 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lending platform Dnaneer Financing Co, has reportedly received authorization from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to operate a crowdfunding platform in Saudi Arabia. The authorization gives the company the go signal to offer debt-based crowdfunding solutions in the Kingdom, making it the eight fintech firm… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 10:02 am By Michael Wong  |  

GC Exchange FZE (GCEX), a subsidiary of the GCEX Group, has been granted an Operational VASP Licence by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) for VA Broker-Dealer services. This developmens comes after GCEX opened its Dubai office in July 2022 and received a Minimal Viable… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 9:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

UK-based PaymentSense is planning to apply for an e-money license from the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish Independent reported. PaymentSense, known for providing merchants with card terminals for contactless payments, is already established in Ireland. However, the approval of its e-money license application would… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 5:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Green fintech has become a promising new growth area in Southeast Asia, with green fintech firms bringing innovative solutions to help businesses and governments address challenges and opportunities of going green. This insight was part of the report – Fintech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the… Read More