Asia

July 22, 2023 @ 4:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Backbase, a provider of Engagement Banking, has announced that Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB) has chosen Backbase to power its omnichannel banking modernization in a signing ceremony on 20 July 2023. OCB’s goal is to create a personalized digital banking system “for each customer… Read More

July 20, 2023 @ 10:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sumsub announces its plans to make Singapore its APAC headquarters and wider business development goals in the region. This strategic move comes in response “to the escalating threat of identity fraud in the region with the rise in digital startups.” In recent years, Singapore has… Read More

July 20, 2023 @ 5:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Shinhan Bank, SCB TechX, and an unnamed financial institution in Taiwan have announced the successful completion of a stablecoin remittance proof-of-concept (PoC) pilot, according to a release. The PoC was reportedly built on the Hedera network, a high-performance blockchain. The pilot was said to have… Read More

July 18, 2023 @ 10:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Investlink, a registered investment Fintech in Kazakhstan, allows individuals to invest in stocks and ETFs, irrespective of their limited capital or investing background. The platform provides a wealth of educational resources and a diverse range of features, such as demo accounts and a “CopyTrading” functionality…. Read More

July 17, 2023 @ 11:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Razorpay says they have always believed that simplifying payments is a universal problem. Businesses across the world grapple “with the same question: how can my payments experience be simpler, faster, and more efficient?” At Razorpay, they took this challenge head-on in India, “solving for tens… Read More

July 17, 2023 @ 10:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order “to collaborate on a Financial Transparency Corridor (FTC) initiative.” The initiative aims “to establish supporting digital infrastructures to facilitate trade and cross-border related… Read More

July 17, 2023 @ 4:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global Brain Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), and SMBC Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd. will jointly establish JPY 30 billion “SMBC-GB Growth Fund” in order “to enhance its capabilities to invest in promising startups that will underpin future economic growth in Japan.” While many… Read More

July 16, 2023 @ 7:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of Vision 2030, and Saudi Arabia is committed to achieving its net-zero target by 2060; however, “the adoption of sustainability considerations remains its initial stages in Saudi Arabia.” As the concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) gains momentum in… Read More

July 15, 2023 @ 6:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) and Nirvana Travel and Tourism – which claims to be one of the UAE’s leading travel and tourism management companies – have joined forces in a collaboration aimed at providing a payment solution “to customers who book travel services in the UAE,… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 11:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

VARA is issuing a market alert regarding ongoing supervisory controls, and enforcement actions initiated against BitOasis. VARA in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) confirmed that it is issuing this market alert regarding ongoing supervisory controls, and enforcement actions initiated against digital currency trading platform BitOasis. Investors… Read More

July 13, 2023 @ 9:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENA region and Turkey, has launched an enhanced and upgraded version of its WhatsApp banking service, “providing customers with a convenient, secure and reliable digital banking experience like never before.” Emirates NBD WhatsApp banking “allows customers to seamlessly… Read More

July 12, 2023 @ 5:31 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tarabut Gateway, MENA’s open banking platform, announces the appointment of Tariq Sanad as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Tariq, a Bahraini national, is “one of MENA’s renowned start-up veterans, boasting over 20 years of experience in the finance field.” During this time, he has… Read More

July 11, 2023 @ 9:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

AXA Hong Kong and Macau (AXA) announced its collaboration with CoverGo, the global no-code insurance SaaS core platform for health, life, and P&C, “to improve AXA’s general insurance ecosystem in Hong Kong.” With the advanced technology supported by CoverGo, AXA will “use the insurtech’s platform… Read More

July 11, 2023 @ 10:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD, a banking group in the MENA region and Turkey, has announced a transformation focused on harnessing the power of generative AI to change Emirates NBD’s operations and enhance productivity across various business functions supported by Microsoft. This collaboration aims “to unlock new opportunities… Read More

July 11, 2023 @ 8:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

FOO, a B2B fintech solutions provider headquartered in the UAE, has partnered with the Bahrain-based payment services provider and card processor, Infinios Financial Services B.S.C (C). By combining their technology and expertise, the two companies “will deliver an out-of-the-box Digital First Card Issuance Platform.” The… Read More

July 10, 2023 @ 10:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reportedly working on a new regulatory framework that should be more “developmental” and conducive for financial technology or Fintech firms. This, according to a deputy governor of the reserve bank (as first reported by Reuters this past Friday)…. Read More

July 10, 2023 @ 7:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

PhonePe announced the launch of its Point-of-sale (POS) device that enables merchants to accept payments via Debit Cards, Credit Cards and UPI, providing them with a simple and seamless settlement experience. The device comes preloaded “with the PhonePe POS App and supports transactions through tap/swipe/dip and… Read More

July 10, 2023 @ 6:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Maybank entered into a strategic partnership with Cambridge International Financial Advisory (IFA) in order “to establish the collaboration and to explore new opportunities in the field of Islamic Finance.” The ceremony took place at Menara Maybank, Kuala Lumpur “with over 150 attendees consisting of industry… Read More

July 9, 2023 @ 1:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announces the issuance of the Implementing Regulations for the Law of Payments and Payment Services “to support the objective of enhancing soundness and efficiency of the payment systems infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.” The relevant regulatory and supervisory frameworks enable SAMA… Read More

July 8, 2023 @ 7:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

China’s regulatory authorities revealed on Friday (July 7, 2023) a 7.12 billion yuan (approximately $984 million) fine for Ant Group, a decision that effectively ends a lengthy regulatory revamp of the Fintech firm while marking an important step to concluding a massive crackdown on the… Read More