November 3, 2023 @ 10:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

TAS, an Italian banking and financial services software provider, has announced the appointment of Fabio Benasso, a long-standing Accenture executive, as its new group president. The decision came following a recent meeting of the Board of Directors, marking a new chapter in the company’s pursuit… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 9:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zone (DIEZ) has announced the official launch of Oraseya Capital, a venture capital fund that will invest in financial technology (fintech) startups in the gulf nation. This strategic initiative, announced during the Dubai Business Forum, aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 1:47 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Venture capital (VC) investment in Fintech companies dropped 36% to $6 billion in the third quarter of 2023, with deal volume down 39% to 484, according to data released by S&P Global Market Intelligence. However, despite the overall decline, late-stage startups saw a 30% increase… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 11:27 am By Michael Wong  |  

Treehouse, a Web3 data and analytics company, has acquired advanced NFT analytics firm Origins Analytics to boost its non-fungible token (NFT) capabilities. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Following the acquisition, Origins’ founding team will join Treehouse to integrate Origins’ technology into its… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 8:28 am By Michael Wong  |  

SEBA Bank, a licensed digital assets bank regulated in Switzerland, has teamed up with St.Galler Kantonalbank (SGKB), the country’s fifth-largest cantonal bank, to launch bitcoin and ether custody and brokerage for clients. The partnership, announced earlier this year, is now fully operational and signifies a… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 11:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) of Hong Kong has announced a set of groundbreaking initiatives during the Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023, aimed at integrating fintech developments with the real economy. The comprehensive plan includes the launch of an Integrated Fund Platform… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 10:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, has asserted that stringent regulation of virtual assets is crucial for market development, defending the region’s new licensing regime in the wake of JPEX‘s collapse earlier this year. The unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange is currently under investigation, but Chan… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 9:56 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Funding Societies (Modalku), a unified small and medium enterprises (SME) digital finance platform in Southeast Asia, has announced raising $7.5 million in debt from Norfund, Development Financial Institution (DFI) operated by the Norwegian government. DFIs have played a significant role in impact investments in Southeast… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 9:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is working with HSBC Bank Middle East (HSBC) to develop digital fixed-income securities, paving the way for the introduction of a broader array of capital market use cases in the Middle East. The partnership leverages the investment product knowledge of… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 8:07 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has recently partnered with Safaghat, a crowdfunding investment platform licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, to offer alternative financing options to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs) in the country. This strategic collaboration aims to empower Bahraini enterprises, particularly those… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 11:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Swiss National Bank said on Thursday it will start a pilot project next month using central bank digital currency (CBDC) for financial institutions. The project, named Helvetia Phase III, will involve the use of wholesale CBDC on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) platform, a… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 10:37 am By Michael Wong  |  

Italian financial services firm Generali has officially launched Generali Ventures, a venture capital initiative aimed at driving innovation, breaking into new markets, and bolstering operational efficiency throughout the group. With a substantial €250 million commitment, Generali Ventures sets its sights on unearthing the most promising… Read More

October 30, 2023 @ 6:11 am By Michael Wong  |  

YouTrip, a multi-currency digital payments platform in Southeast Asia, has successfully secured $50 million in its latest Series B fundraising round, according to an announcement. This round was led by Lightspeed, a global venture capital firm and a new investor in YouTrip, propelling the company’s… Read More

October 29, 2023 @ 11:14 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cambodia has recently taken a significant step forward in the financial technology sector with the unveiling of the Fintech Policy directive for 2023-2028. This strategic move is poised to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), propelling the nation into the forefront of the rapidly evolving fintech… Read More

October 29, 2023 @ 11:02 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sumsub, a full-cycle verification platform, unveiled its “State of Verification and Monitoring in the Crypto Industry 2023” report, shedding light on the pressing issue of new fraud patterns and schemes in the cryptocurrency sector. With a staggering 77% of crypto companies reporting an encounter with… Read More

October 28, 2023 @ 4:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has initiated a public consultation process as it seeks to revamp the regulatory framework governing fund managers. The proposal aims to disband the existing Registered Fund Management Companies (RFMCs) regime, providing an opportunity for current RFMCs to transition to… Read More

October 21, 2023 @ 9:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

In a bid to augment the funding pool for burgeoning growth sectors, Japan’s financial watchdog, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), intends to amplify the amount retail investors can allocate to unlisted startups, as reported by Nikkei Asia. The current regulation allows retail investors to contribute… Read More

October 21, 2023 @ 1:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

RockItCoin, a US-based crypto blockchain company, has acquired regional Bitcoin ATM operator FirstCoin ATM and Phoenix Crypto for an undisclosed sum, according to an announcement. The company said this strategic expansion solidifies its position in the market, expanding its presence across the United States. FirstCoin… Read More

October 21, 2023 @ 1:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

PayPal Holdings, Inc. announced its investment in the Southeast Asia Women’s Economic Empowerment Fund (SWEEF) by Sweef Capital and Quona Opportunity Fund. This collaboration aims to propel women’s participation in global economics and finance. This strategic move is a part of PayPal’s pledge to support… Read More

October 15, 2023 @ 11:59 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has issued the Loan-Based Crowdfunding Regulation for the purpose of licensing and regulating loan-based crowdfunding activities and services in Qatar. The move forms part of QCB’s permanent endeavor to regulate and develop the financial sector in the country and is line… Read More