Asia

January 26, 2026 @ 12:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korea’s Coinone, which is reportedly one of the nation’s largest digital currency exchanges by trading volume, is now said to be considering options to divest portions of its major shareholder’s holdings. According to recent industry reports, the platform’s founder and chairman, Cha Myung-hoon, who… Read More

January 26, 2026 @ 12:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The US government has taken control of more than 127,000 Bitcoin, currently valued at over $11.4 billion, following what authorities describe as one of the largest cryptocurrency forfeitures ever. This haul stems from a sophisticated operation involving international fraud, sanctions evasion, and alleged ties to… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 10:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital payments platform Payoneer (NASDAQ: PAYO) has obtained initial regulatory nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as a cross-border payment aggregator. This milestone, announced recently, positions the company to enhance its services for international transactions within one of the world’s fastest-growing… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 9:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tinaba, the digital banking platform developed in collaboration with Banca Profilo, has taken a significant step to enhance its international reach by enabling digital payments in mainland China. This development comes through an expanded partnership with Alipay+, the global digital wallet connectivity solution provided by… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 1:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sweden’s EQT said it will launch a 57.0 billion yen ($371 million) tender offer to take private MAMEZO, a Tokyo-based IT services and consulting firm, in the private equity group’s first Japan investment focused on IT services. BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Partnership will offer 3,551… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 7:19 am By Michael Wong  |  

Kuwait Investment Authority-backed Raqami Islamic Digital Bank (RIDB) plans to begin operations in Pakistan next month with a $100 million investment, Bloomberg reported, marking another Gulf-backed entry into the country’s financial sector. The lender will become Pakistan’s first fully digital Shariah-compliant bank, offering online financing,… Read More

January 24, 2026 @ 3:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore launched a new governance framework aimed at guiding the safe and responsible deployment of agentic artificial intelligence, as governments and businesses grapple with the growing autonomy of AI systems. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo announced the Model AI Governance Framework (MGF)… Read More

January 24, 2026 @ 2:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The MENA venture capital ecosystem has experienced considerable activity as of late, as highlighted in a recent analysis by CB Insights. This in-depth study ranks the top 50 investors in the region, shedding light on their strategies, performance, and impact on emerging startups. By examining… Read More

January 23, 2026 @ 2:35 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Thunes has teamed up with UnionPay International to introduce a streamlined system for sending money directly to mainland China. This collaboration enhances the efficiency of international transfers, making them quicker, more dependable, and clearer for users worldwide. By establishing a direct link between Thunes’ extensive… Read More

January 22, 2026 @ 11:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PT Valbury Asia Futures, an Indonesian brokerage, has rolled out trading in U.S. stocks through a strategic alliance with Alpaca, a provider of brokerage technology. This development, announced earlier this week, aims to bridge the gap for local investors seeking exposure to one of the… Read More

January 21, 2026 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital assets focused banking provider Sygnum has unveiled its latest Sygnal Report, offering a forward-looking analysis of the forces poised to transform the global digital asset ecosystem this year. Released recently this month, the research report from Sygnum Bank highlights a shift from exploratory phases… Read More

January 20, 2026 @ 2:29 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com is expanding its footprint in the digital asset ecosystem through key partnerships that enhance trading capabilities, high-frequency solutions, and emerging markets like predictions. These developments underscore the platform’s commitment to regulatory compliance, user security, and technological advancement. One notable collaboration involves EmCoin, the digital… Read More

January 19, 2026 @ 8:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The mBridge platform—a collaborative initiative spearheaded by China for cross-border payments using central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)—has exceeded $55 billion in total transaction value. This milestone, highlighted in a recent analysis, underscores the evolution of digital payment systems amid efforts to streamline international trade and… Read More

January 19, 2026 @ 12:51 am By Michael Wong  |  

Veera, a Singapore-based crypto financial services platform focused on self-custody wallets and decentralised finance tools, has raised $10 million across its pre-seed and seed funding rounds as it expands its on-chain financial services and prepares to roll out a crypto-linked payment card. The company said… Read More

January 18, 2026 @ 6:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainalysis revealed in a report that in the midst of escalating geopolitical strife and internal upheaval, Iran’s cryptocurrency landscape has expanded dramatically, reaching a valuation exceeding $7.78 billion throughout 2025. Chainalysis also mentioned that this growth outstripped the previous year’s pace for much of the… Read More

January 17, 2026 @ 1:55 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Singapore Gulf Bank has further strengthened its relationship with J.P. Morgan by opening a correspondent banking account, granting it direct access to one of the world’s most established USD clearing networks. The collaboration fortifies Singapore Gulf Bank’s existing network of correspondent banks and payment systems,… Read More

January 16, 2026 @ 7:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong-based WeLab has reportedly closed a $220 million Series D funding round, marking the biggest capital raise for a digital banking group in the region this year. This milestone underscores growing investor enthusiasm for financial technologies amid evolving economic landscapes. Founded in 2013, WeLab… Read More

January 16, 2026 @ 7:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Animoca Brands has finalized the purchase of SOMO, a company focused on crypto-based collectibles and interactive entertainment. This development, announced recently this month, underscores Animoca Brands’ commitment to advancing blockchain-driven experiences that enable users with true digital ownership. Animoca Brands, a key player in the… Read More

January 15, 2026 @ 4:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

dLocal Ltd, a payments platform specializing in emerging markets, is set to significantly strengthen its footprint in Asia during 2026. The Uruguay-based fintech company, which enables global merchants to seamlessly connect with consumers in high-growth regions across Latin America and Asia, views the continent as… Read More

January 14, 2026 @ 2:13 am By Michael Wong  |  

Pakistan’s fintech sector has expanded digital access over the past decade, but the harder task is getting people to use digital payments in everyday life as cash retains a strong grip on daily commerce, Pakistan’s The Tribune reported, citing an Asian Development Bank (ADB) assessment… Read More