September 28, 2023 @ 8:32 am By Michael Wong  |  

Startups in Southeast Asia continue to struggle with funding as ecosystem funding falls to a five-year low for the third quarter of this year, according to a report released by SaaS-based market intelligence platform Tracxn. The report said the tech startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia… Read More

September 27, 2023 @ 10:58 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A survey jointly conducted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) showed money market funds were the top-selling collective investment schemes (CIS) as reported by the city’s licensed corporations (LCs) in 2022. It accounted for 61% of the… Read More

September 27, 2023 @ 11:16 am By Michael Wong  |  

Visa Inc announced that it will introduce Account-to-Account (A2A) payments in the UAE through a partnership agreement with fintech firms ABHI and YellowPepper. In a statement, Visa said the collaboration aims to revolutionize the financial landscape by driving innovation, promoting financial inclusion, and accelerating the… Read More

September 27, 2023 @ 8:45 am By Michael Wong  |  

Global crypto exchange Bybit and the Dubai Multi Commodity Centre (DMCC) have announced the launch of “Web3 Unleashed: Crypto Innovation Challenge” hackathon in Dubai. The event promises $100,000 prize pool and comes on the heels of a partnership that has already seen Bybit contribute AED500,000… Read More

September 26, 2023 @ 9:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Funding Societies, also known as Modalku, Southeast Asia’s largest unified SME digital finance platform, has successfully secured $27 million in debt funding, led by private credit financier AlteriQ Global. Multi-family office Aument Capital Partners (ACP) and sustainability-focused fund Orange Bloom also contributed to this funding… Read More

September 26, 2023 @ 8:47 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Asia Pacific region continues to hold on to its position as the top source of global capital in H1 2023, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan seizing spots among the top five global deployers of capital. Colliers’ recently published Global Capital Markets: Insights &… Read More

September 26, 2023 @ 8:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

iStudio, an Apple Premium Reseller in Singapore, has recently partnered with Triple-A, a crypto payment gateway sanctioned by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to allow customers to make purchases using cryptocurrencies at selected iStudio stores. The iStudio stores include those in Jurong Point, Tampines… Read More

September 26, 2023 @ 8:26 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore multinational banking and financial services firm OCBC has announced that the OCBC Pay Anyone app will be retired in October, with the exact date to be confirmed soon. This is part of OCBC’s commitment to offer an enhanced app experience by integrating the features… Read More

September 25, 2023 @ 11:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong-based crypto firm Mixin announced that hackers have managed to steal around $200 million from its database. In a post on social media platform X, the company, which describes itself as a network for transferring digital assets, said the database of Mixin Network’s cloud… Read More

September 25, 2023 @ 10:59 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million loan to bolster Indonesia’s progressive endeavors in streamlining investment climates, fortifying trade, and advancing enterprises. The approval is an extension of the Competitiveness, Industrial Modernization, and Trade Acceleration Program (CITA), following the success of its… Read More

September 25, 2023 @ 10:37 am By Michael Wong  |  

Financial wellbeing startup Mintago has announced raising $4.75 million in its latest funding round to augment its platform and expedite its expansion across the UK. Established in 2019 by former Perkbox co-founder, Chieu Cao, Mintago stands as a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated company, rendering financial… Read More

September 24, 2023 @ 4:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, raised concerns regarding the influence of social commerce platforms like TikTok Shop on the operations and sales of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and traditional market merchants. He opined that platforms like TikTok should stick to… Read More

September 24, 2023 @ 3:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

In what is being touted as Singapore‘s most significant money laundering operation, authorities reported a staggering increase in the total value of assets confiscated, now amounting to S$2.4 billion ($1.76 billion), according to a police announcement. The huge inventory of seized assets now encompasses over… Read More

September 24, 2023 @ 3:47 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Nagad, a Mobile Financial Service (MFS) provider in Bangladesh, is on the verge of launching a digital bank. The company expects to receive its license from the Bangladesh Bank, the country’s central bank, in the coming months. Sadaf Roksana, co-founder and executive director of Nagad… Read More

September 24, 2023 @ 2:58 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Deepcoin Labs, a venture capital firm with a specialization in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets, has been granted the “Proprietary Trading in Crypto-commodities” registration by the Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC). This recognition coincides with the unveiling of a $10 million fund, explicitly earmarked to… Read More

September 23, 2023 @ 6:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Recent preliminary data reveals that in July, outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), excluding reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), witnessed a 7.7% year-on-year growth, a slight decrease from the 7.8% reported in June. When assessed on a… Read More

September 23, 2023 @ 11:06 am By Michael Wong  |  

Mesh, the financial operating system dedicated to seamless digital asset transfers and account aggregation, has announced raising $22 million in a Series A funding round, anchored by Money Forward Inc. The round was participated by a diverse group of new investors like Galaxy and Samsung… Read More

September 23, 2023 @ 10:36 am By Michael Wong  |  

InRento, the Lithuanian crowdfunding startup recognized for its innovative investment technology, has garnered a commendable €15 million in investments in its initial years. The platform, which specializes in real estate rental projects, boasts a flawless track record with no late or defaulted projects and an… Read More

September 23, 2023 @ 10:31 am By Michael Wong  |  

Global payments fintech player Nium has inaugurated its European headquarters in London, signifying its robust commitment to enhancing its European presence and recognizing the UK as a paramount fintech nexus. Originally founded in Singapore in 2014, Nium has revolutionized the manner in which businesses facilitate… Read More

September 22, 2023 @ 12:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cisco has confirmed its plans to acquire Nasdaq-listed cybersecurity and observability major Splunk for $157 per share in cash, totaling a whopping $28 billion equity value. Gary Steele, Splunk’s current President and CEO, will soon be integrated into Cisco’s Executive Leadership Team, directly under Chair… Read More