Asia

June 6, 2023 @ 8:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Redseer Strategy Consultants released a report titled ‘Future of Online Payments’ in collaboration with Plural by Pine Labs. The report “highlights growth projections for the forecast period FY23-26 and shares insights on segments like UPI, Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), Embedded Finance, and e-commerce.” As… Read More

June 5, 2023 @ 9:44 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ant Group released its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress made in implementing its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy throughout 2022. In the technological innovation field, Ant Group has “invested RMB 20.46 billion (approx. USD 2.89 billion) in research and development (R&D) in 2022, effectively… Read More

June 5, 2023 @ 9:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA region’s shopping and financial services app, has successfully closed a new financing round “resulting in upsizing its debt facility to $350 million, over a 2X increase since its last debt raising announcement.” The investment round reportedly “involved the participation of key global… Read More

June 5, 2023 @ 9:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blackhawk Network (BHN) has partnered with Google Play in order “to launch a new way for consumers to enjoy their favourite digital apps and games by transacting in physical retail locations to convert real-world cash into digital currency.” The partnership is “powered by BHN’s systems… Read More

June 5, 2023 @ 8:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced that it has received its Major Payment Institution (MPI) license for Digital Payment Token (DPT) services from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This announcement follows Crypto.com “receiving its in-principle approval from MAS in June 2022.” With this license, Crypto.com can “continue to… Read More

June 4, 2023 @ 6:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The team at Tencent is pleased to announce that Tencent Cloud, which is described as one of the world’s leading cloud companies, has entered into a partnership with Chainlink Labs, a developer of the Chainlink Network. This partnership will “help support the development of the… Read More

June 3, 2023 @ 10:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

IOST is pleased to announce a collaboration with Professor Emil Chan, a Fintech visionary and digital transformation professional. Together, they will create NextEduDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) dedicated to improving higher education “through innovation.” Their mission is “to establish a leading global education DAO… Read More

June 3, 2023 @ 9:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

TS Imagine, the global, cross-asset provider of trading, portfolio, and risk management solutions for financial institutions, is pleased to announce the appointments of Stephanie Cheung and An Hoong to its team in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Both bring relevant experience “from previous roles at… Read More

June 1, 2023 @ 10:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

NomuPay, a modern end-to-end payment platform purpose built for expansion into regions of high cross-border and ecommerce growth, has raised $53.6m. The investment round was “led by Finch Capital, and includes participation from Outpost Ventures, a Neuberger Berman fund, with participation from individuals.” Peter Burridge,… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 10:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tarabut Gateway, MENA’s open banking platform, announces a strategic partnership with Qarar, the region’s credit analytics technology provider and technology arm of SIMAH, the first and largest credit bureau in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership is set to enhance the financial landscape… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 10:41 pm By JD Alois  |  

On June 1, 2023, new rules regarding digital assets go into effect, which may make Hong Kong a crypto hub. Earlier this month (May 2023), the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) concluded the Proposed Regulatory Requirements for Virtual Asset Trading Platform Operators. According… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 9:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Rakkar Digital, a Singapore-based company providing digital asset custodian services to institutional and enterprise clients across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, is pleased to announce the launch of Rakkar Digital Asset Custodian, powered by Fireblocks’ MPC-CMP direct custody technology. The announcement follows “a USD 10… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 12:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Next Capital has partnered with Mambu to launch a new suite of lending products in just four months. Leading Thai technology-driven auto leasing company Next Capital Public Company (Next Capital) has partnered with Mambu, “launching a new suite of lending products on Mambu’s SaaS cloud-native… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 12:24 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have announced a move to strengthen policy collaboration on financial services, including digital assets. The announcement was revealed during a bilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. According to… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 10:59 am By Omar Faridi  |  

ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s virtual bank, unveiled its plan to introduce virtual asset trading services for retail investors. With this move, ZA Bank is set “to support the Hong Kong SAR government’s vision to develop a vibrant sector and ecosystem for virtual assets.” ZA Bank’s… Read More

May 31, 2023 @ 10:22 am By JD Alois  |  

Singapore securities regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has announced a partnership with Google [Alphabet] (NASDAQ:GOOG). According to a statement by MAS, the regulatory will work with Google Cloud to collaborate on generative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to advance the development and use of responsible… Read More

May 30, 2023 @ 11:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GRAB) recently announced that Tan Hooi Ling has informed its board of directors of her intention to step down from her operating roles at Grab, including her directorship, “by the end of 2023.” Tan will be transitioning into “an advisory role… Read More

May 29, 2023 @ 5:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

UOB Malaysia announced the launch of its refreshed mobile banking app, UOB TMRW. The all-in-one app, “powered by leading technologies including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models, underscores the Bank’s commitment to provide customers with a simpler, smarter and more personalized banking… Read More

May 29, 2023 @ 4:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Gulf Binance Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Binance and Gulf Innova Co., Ltd., has now secured digital asset operator licenses from the country’s Ministry of Finance. Digital asset operators are “regulated by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).” Gulf Binance will be able “to… Read More

May 29, 2023 @ 3:26 pm By JD Alois  |  

Manappuram Finance Limited has launched a digital lending app Ma-Money. Manappuram is a gold loan platform in India.  The company went public in August 1995, and its shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi. The new digital lending platform is… Read More