Asia

October 1, 2021 @ 1:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BIFROST, a blockchain middleware that enables multichain connectivity, has introduced the “first” native Bitcoin (BTC) Lending on decentralized finance (DeFi), “connecting both Bitcoin and Ethereum networks.” BiFi, the DeFi initiative that’s powered by BIFROST, is now the first DeFi lending platform that “works across native… Read More

October 1, 2021 @ 1:06 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Add STASIS CEO Gregory Klumov to the list of cryptocurrency figures who believe China’s recent decision to ban digital assets will not stop the market from growing. A sister company of EXANTE, STASIS is a stablecoin and tokenization platform based in Malta. In late September the… Read More

October 1, 2021 @ 10:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Global Processing Services (GPS), the Paytech Pioneer behind major Fintech challengers, reveals that it has established its MENA region office and hired payments professional, Arnav Rath, as Head of Region. Based in Dubai, the team will focus on leveraging its international reach and payments expertise… Read More

September 30, 2021 @ 8:03 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Switcheo Labs, a think tank supporting decentralized ecosystems in DeFi, has successfully deployed the mainnet for ZilBridge, a cross-chain interoperability bridge built on Zilliqa, a high-performance blockchain platform. Users of ZilBridge will be able to bridge WBTC, ETH, and USDT assets between the Zilliqa and… Read More

September 30, 2021 @ 4:07 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

While China’s ban on cryptocurrency transactions has had a measurable effect on the markets, it’s not a death knell by any means, one industry watcher said. Earlier this month the People’s Bank of China said all virtual currency-related business activities were illegal, claiming it would… Read More

September 30, 2021 @ 10:39 am By JD Alois  |  

China’s policy approach to cryptocurrency is pretty clear. It’s not allowed. While there have been ways to skirt the rules the vice has been tightening for quite some time now. A recent statement by the People’s Bank of China clarified things: “Bitcoin and other virtual… Read More

September 30, 2021 @ 10:18 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Matrixport, which claims to be Asia’s fastest-growing crypto-assets financial services platform, and MetaOpus, Non-Fungible Token (NFT) asset issuance and trading platform powered by BlockCreateArt (BCA) Network, have formed a partnership to provide NFT investors “best in class” custody solutions. As mentioned in an update shared… Read More

September 29, 2021 @ 10:59 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Veriff, an international ID verification provider, is teaming up with SimpliFi, a Cards as a Service (CaaS) platform for the MENA region and Pakistan, in order to protect SimpliFi clients from identity fraud within their “instant” card issuance programs. Through their partnership, Veriff will be… Read More

September 29, 2021 @ 4:00 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Bitcoin Latinum (LTNM) will list on cryptocurrency exchange DigiFinex in the third week of October. Monsoon Blockchain, Bitcoin Latinum’s lead developer, also plans for the token to list on a number of other global exchanges in the upcoming months. Headquartered in Singapore, DigiFinex says it… Read More

September 29, 2021 @ 1:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Citi (NYSE:C) has introduced a dedicated technology hub in Bahrain in order to develop its digital-first platforms. Citi’s management confirmed on September 27, 2021 (Monday) that they are establishing an international tech hub at their Bahrain offices. According to a report from Reuters, the tech… Read More

September 29, 2021 @ 12:50 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, and the payment systems sector are preparing to introduce various initiatives that are set to promote payments digitalization and financial inclusion in the Southeast Asian nation. Benjamin E. Diokni, BSP Governor, stated (during… Read More

September 28, 2021 @ 11:43 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Multi-chain, community-oriented launchpad Starter this week announced it will host the launch of the IDO for NASDEX, an independently owned and operated decentralized exchange that allows users to trade tokenized stocks on the blockchain through a minting and trading mechanism.  NASDEX, which is designed to… Read More

September 28, 2021 @ 10:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tradeteq has teamed up with Singapore-headquartered eXchange inFinite (XinFin) to provide tokenized trade finance products to institutional investors and has carried out its very first transaction. This is reportedly the first complete end-to-end transaction “following a unique set of regulatory guidelines and trade finance standards,”… Read More

September 28, 2021 @ 4:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital securities exchange ADDX reveals that it has tokenized an allocation from a private equity fund that is being managed by Partners Group, an international private markets investment company. As mentioned in a release shared with CI, the allocation from the Partners Group Global Value… Read More

September 28, 2021 @ 9:36 am By JD Alois  |  

The BIS (Bank for International Settlements) has published a report pertaining to central bank digital currency (CBDC) and payments. Crafted in partnership with the HKMA (Hong Kong Monetary Authority), Bank of Thailand, People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of the UAE, the document… Read More

September 28, 2021 @ 7:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ascend Money has reached a $1.5 billion valuation after finalizing a $150 million round, making it the very first Fintech Unicorn in Thailand. The proceeds will be channeled towards growing the firm’s client base (which includes its digital wallet app, TrueMoney Wallet) and to further… Read More

September 27, 2021 @ 11:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The cryptocurrency markets have been trading down after news of another crackdown on the industry from China. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has issued a statement that has reiterated that all cryptocurrency trading activities in the country are illegal, and regulatory authorities will be… Read More

September 27, 2021 @ 10:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Y-Combinator-backed Aspire reveals that it has secured $158 million in capital via its Series B round. As noted by its management: “Aspire is the all-in-one finance operating system for growing businesses. We help companies pay, manage, and earn smarter – by doing more than a… Read More

September 26, 2021 @ 10:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Turkey-headquartered Colendi, a micro lending and credit scoring Fintech firm, has acquired $30 million in capital via a Series A round. Colendi’s investment round has been led by Re-Pie Asset Management Company, a Turkey-based alternative asset management company. The funding has been provided via Re-Pie’s… Read More

September 26, 2021 @ 9:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

As widely reported, China has expanded its ongoing cryptocurrency crackdown. This reportedly includes increasing enforcement against illegal digital currency mining, as well as preventing financial transactions involving crypto-assets. The Chinese central bank also confirmed that any trading, order matching, token issuance and derivatives on cryptocurrencies… Read More