Asia

November 18, 2023 @ 5:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) have jointly introduced a real-time payment systems linkage connecting Singapore’s PayNow and Malaysia’s DuitNow. This initiative builds upon the earlier QR payment linkage announced on March 31, 2023, facilitating cross-border QR payments to merchants…. Read More

November 18, 2023 @ 5:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

BC Technology Group, the digital asset and fintech-focused parent of digital asset platform OSL, has announced raising approximately HK$710 million from crypto group BGX. The deal, which still requires the approval of BC Group’s shareholders, will give BGX a 30% stake in the company. OSL… Read More

November 18, 2023 @ 12:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech lending is expected to surpass traditional banking by 2030, according to a recent report by the Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL). The forecast by CAFRAL, an independent body established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2011, underscores the profound… Read More

November 17, 2023 @ 5:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Elliptic – the firm enabling blockchain analytics and data intelligence – and CODE – a South Korean Travel Rule solution provider – have launched a partnership which represents Elliptic’s entrance into the Korean market. The new alliance will help companies in the country ramp up… Read More

November 17, 2023 @ 4:58 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) unveiled three initiatives to ensure the safe and innovative use of digital money in Singapore, namely: a blueprint outlining the infrastructure required for a digital Singapore dollar; expanding digital money trials; and a plan to issue a “live” central… Read More

November 17, 2023 @ 8:42 am By Omar Faridi  |  

OurCrowd, a global digital investment platform, and RISE, the corporate innovation powerhouse based out of Southeast Asia, announced the launch of the ROCX (Rise OurCrowd Exponential) Fund. The $50 million fund is Thailand’s “first” Israel-focused VC fund and “will invest in early-stage deep technologies in… Read More

November 16, 2023 @ 8:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Paxos, the regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, secured in principle approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its new Singapore entity, Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. to offer digital payment token services. Paxos Digital Singapore will issue “a new US dollar… Read More

November 14, 2023 @ 8:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced that its Dubai entity, CRO DAX Middle East FZE, has been granted a Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) License “for specified virtual asset service activities by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).” Crypto.com’s VASP License is “subject to the Company fully satisfying select… Read More

November 13, 2023 @ 10:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

EduFi has launched the digital student loan platform in Pakistan, on a mission “to empower more students to achieve their academic pursuits.” Education is a lever of economic growth and social development “in any country but poor quality state school provision often drives many families… Read More

November 13, 2023 @ 10:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

dtcpay is pleased to announce their partnership with PlatON, a firm focused on privacy-preserving digital public infrastructure, and Tonghua International’s Allinpay International, a global Fintech payments solution. dtcpay, PlatON, and Allinpay International announce collaboration will “launch an innovative digital currency payment system based on smart… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 7:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Arab Financial Services (AFS), a digital payment solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, recently hosted a high-level economic delegation from Brussels and discussed potential partnerships within the fintech and financial services sector, highlighting a significant move towards international collaboration in this rapidly evolving… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 5:28 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A landmark agreement has been reached between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), and the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM), promising to revolutionize fintech cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The “Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 12:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

MNT-Halan has reportedly closed a $130 million securitization. As Egypt’s “first” unicorn and “fastest-growing” fintech, they’ve now “raised over US$ 400m in 2023, and target US$ 550 by the year’s end.” MNT-Halan has closed five tranches of securitized bond issuances “through its microfinance and consumer… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 9:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKKT) announced today its planned expansion of crypto capabilities into numerous international markets “with both existing and newly-signed clients by year end.” Latin America: Bakkt and long-standing client Hapi, a stock trading platform, recently furthered their Latin American crypto trading capabilities,… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 6:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Maybank announced the expansion of its cross-border QR Pay service to China, one of the first in the market for a Malaysian bank, amplifying Maybank’s existing cross-border payment capabilities and enhancing the ease and efficiency of financial transactions. This initiative aims to benefit over 8… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 5:40 pm By Michael Wong  |  

BonEvalue Pte Ltd (BondbloX), a Singapore-based fintech startup that provides easy access to bonds for investors, has secured $6 million in a Series B round. The funding round was backed by Beacon Venture Capital, the corporate venture arm of Thailand’s Kasikornbank. Existing shareholders MassMutual Ventures… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 11:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Cryptocurrency lender Hodlnaut has started its liquidation in Singapore. As widely reported, Hodlnaut is to be liquidated in Singapore following a failed attempt to restructure the firm’s business operations. The company reportedly lost funds during the Terra/Luna collapse and the demise of FTX in late… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 8:49 am By Michael Wong  |  

SEBA Bank, a digital assets bank regulated in Switzerland, has announced that its subsidiary has been granted a license by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. The development marks the first regulated foray of the SEBA Group into the Asia Pacific market,… Read More

November 10, 2023 @ 5:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Copper, an institutional digital asset infrastructure provider, has acquired Securrency Capital Limited, a full-service, regulated blockchain-enabled brokerage firm offering digital securities trading based in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Securrency Capital’s platform, “powered by Securrency’s digital asset infrastructure and compliance aware solutions, provides investors… Read More

November 10, 2023 @ 3:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance, which is being sued by US regulatory authorities for a wide range of issues while also facing major operational challenges globally, says that it is pleased to be promoting the safety of the virtual-asset ecosystem. Following a law enforcement training workshop in collaboration with… Read More