Asia

June 29, 2021 @ 10:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Siam Commercial Bank (BKK: SCB), which is Thailand’s first and oldest banking institution, and Thunes, an established international payments firm, revealed on Tuesday (June 29, 2021) that they have teamed up to allow individual customers and businesses overseas to send money to Thailand. The cross-border… Read More

June 29, 2021 @ 9:28 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Southeast Asia-based Fave, a fast-growing Fintech firm, has introduced its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) service for Singapore and Malaysian markets, offering more than 6 million Fave users with instant access to interest-free credit options. These flexible payment options are available at more than 40,000… Read More

June 29, 2021 @ 7:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Philippines-based digital and financial services company Voyager Innovations has secured $167 million in capital for its expansion program, which includes a venture into virtual banking, its listed and largest shareholder confirmed on Monday (June 28, 2021). Shareholders PLDT Inc, private equity firm KKR & Co… Read More

June 29, 2021 @ 7:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) reveals that it has introduced an international challenge for retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) solutions. The Global CBDC Challenge from the MAS will aim to find innovative retail CBDC solutions to improve existing payment processes while promoting greater… Read More

June 27, 2021 @ 10:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong-based digital banking platform Mox Bank and Mastercard recently revealed a smart new feature, referred to as “Flip.” Flip will be available on the “all-in-one” numberless Mox Cards which allow clients to flip freely between spending via their debit and credit card accounts. Mox… Read More

June 27, 2021 @ 8:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) revealed, earlier this week, that the Global Fast Track 2021 program is currently taking applications from Fintech startups and also accepting them from more established companies looking to scale their business from Hong Kong to the GBA area, Asia and other… Read More

June 27, 2021 @ 11:35 am By Xu Gao  |  

FinTell Completes B+ Round of Financing led by Youshan Capital On June 15th, Fintech startup FinTell announced the completion of USD tens of millions B+ round of financing. The investment was led by Youshan Capital with participation from Telstra. FinTell is “a one-stop high-end Fintech… Read More

June 26, 2021 @ 11:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Philippines-based neobank Netbank reveals that it has decided to join the Mastercard Fintech Express program which should allow it to access a wide range of all-digital products. Netbank will also be able to issue debit and credit cards under its partners’ brands. Through the partnership… Read More

June 26, 2021 @ 9:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has introduced a digital transformation initiative with assistance from the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP). The new project will be supporting the SynerFi Open Finance Network. This development has come shortly after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas… Read More

June 26, 2021 @ 7:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Axiata Digital’s online wallet Boost has reportedly launched three new micro-insurance and takaful plans under the name “Boost Protect” in order to provide consumers in Malaysia with affordable and premium coverage. The addition of MozzieProtect, FamilyProtect, and Critical Illness Care brings the total coverage plans… Read More

June 25, 2021 @ 9:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

eRemit Singapore, a digital remittance service platform that’s supported by Merchantrade Asia and QALA Tech, has teamed up with Hong Leong Assurance Singapore (HLAS) in order to provide a new insurance scheme for migrant workers based in Singapore. The eRemit Singapore’s Salary Protector Scheme has… Read More

June 25, 2021 @ 8:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Prove, which offers an innovative way of proving identity by requiring only a phone number, reveals that it has integrated TransUnion’s TruValidate identity verification solution into its product offering so that it can offer a new, instant, digital identity service in Hong Kong. The launch… Read More

June 25, 2021 @ 10:31 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Senior management professionals from Fintech giants such as Grab, PayPal, and Stripe have all come together to establish an angel investment network that will aim to channel funds towards early-stage ventures based in Southeast Asia. Established with assistance from Saison Capital and Finantier, the Fintech… Read More

June 24, 2021 @ 11:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi cabinet has reportedly granted a digital banking permit to STC Pay, a virtual payments solution provider that’s a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Telecom. STC Pay will now be converted into a domestic virtual bank, with a capital of SAR 2.5 billion (appr…. Read More

June 24, 2021 @ 11:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hg Exchange (HGX), a private securities exchange established by a group of capital market intermediaries, reveals that it has graduated from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Fintech Regulatory Sandbox with a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) license. With its RMO permit, HGX may now serve… Read More

June 24, 2021 @ 1:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore-based Hugo, a digital wealth and savings app, recently revealed that they’ve acquired $2 million in capital via a seed round from 1982 Ventures, established family offices and angel investors. With the proceeds from its investment round, Hugo stated that it will be introducing additional… Read More

June 24, 2021 @ 1:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Saudi Arabia-based Tweeq, a provider of spending accounts for individuals and small businesses operating across the country, revealed that it has finalized an undisclosed seven-figure funding round, which has been co-led by STV and Raed Ventures. As noted by the company’s management: “Our mission is… Read More

June 24, 2021 @ 12:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mobiquity, a full-service digital transformation service provider, revealed that it has expanded its operations into the Asia-Pacific. The company’s APAC expansion will be supported by the appointment of ex- Microsoft and IBM Director, Gustavo Quiroga, who will be serving as Vice President of Business Development… Read More

June 23, 2021 @ 10:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bank CTBC Indonesia, which operates as a special unit of CTBC Bank, an established private bank in Taiwan, recently revealed that it has introduced a digital lending platform for a personal loan product, known as KTA Dana Cinta. The KTA Dana Cinta product lets you… Read More

June 23, 2021 @ 10:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A Mubadala-backed Fintech firm in Dubai has acquired a substantial amount of debt financing. This new round of funding for tabby reveals that Buy Now, Pay Later or BNPL companies are attracting a lot of business as the Fintech sector evolves rapidly with a rise… Read More