Asia

September 17, 2025 @ 1:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank), which claims to be one of the nation’s largest banks, has made significant strides across physical expansion, financial performance, and technological partnerships. These developments underscore Maybank’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, sustaining growth, and embracing digital transformation amid evolving market demands. These… Read More

September 17, 2025 @ 12:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) announces that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC) in Hong Kong, China on co-operation of Infrastructure Financing and Securitisation (IFS). Both parties will enhance co-operation across multiple areas, such… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 8:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

HashKey Exchange, Hong Kong’s licensed virtual asset exchange,  announced an enhanced collab with Elliptic, a global enabler of  blockchain analytics and compliance solutions. Building on its compliance and risk management framework, HashKey Exchange is said to be “strengthening its capabilities in anti-money laundering (AML), Know-Your-Transaction… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 8:00 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Standard Chartered‘s innovation arm, SC Ventures, is gearing up to launch a substantial $250 million investment vehicle dedicated to digital assets within financial services. According to reports from Bloomberg, the initiative aims to attract commitments from investors, particularly those in the Middle East, with the… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 3:28 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, where digital assets promise innovation but also harbor risks like fraud and money laundering, tools like those from Chainalysis can be useful. Blockchain analytics firms Chainalysis claims that it has been at the forefront of providing more clarity… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 2:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving ecosystem of cryptocurrency and financial planning, OKX is making strides to bridge traditional finance with digital assets. The crypto exchange has unveiled two groundbreaking updates: a SMSF-compatible platform tailored for Australian retirement savers and the integration of Tether’s USDT0 on its X… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 1:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s financial technology landscape continues to evolve at a steady pace, as highlighted in the latest Saudi Fintech Annual Report. Released amid the nation’s Vision 2030 initiatives, this comprehensive document underscores the sector’s pivotal role in diversifying the economy and enhancing… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 12:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UnionPay International (UPI) has initiated a pilot program for cross-border QR code payments between China and Indonesia. This project aims to streamline digital transactions, fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations by enabling seamless payments for travelers and merchants. The pilot, currently in a… Read More

September 14, 2025 @ 7:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Asia Pacific markets are demonstrating cautious optimism despite global economic headwinds, with the region emerging as a key driver of cross-border capital flows, according to Colliers’ Global Capital Flows September 2025 report. Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong secured positions among the world’s top 10 sources… Read More

September 13, 2025 @ 2:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central banks are grappling with transformative challenges, from liquidity management to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications of global trade shifts. Updates from the Riksbank, Sweden’s central bank, and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) highlight critical developments that underscore the need… Read More

September 11, 2025 @ 9:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korean fintech Toss, operated by Viva Republica, is gearing up for its first international venture by launching its “all-in-one” finance app in Australia before the end of 2025. This move marks a significant step in the company’s plans to become a global fintech platform,… Read More

September 11, 2025 @ 12:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The rise of stablecoins has transformed the financial landscape, offering faster, programmable payments while introducing complex regulatory and compliance challenges. As banks and financial institutions increasingly engage with stablecoin issuers, managing associated risks—regulatory, cybersecurity, operational, liquidity, and counterparty—has become paramount. Recent updates from the Wolfsberg… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 4:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it plans to issue new licenses for platforms that trade fractional investment securities, establishing a legal framework for services that until now operated under a regulatory sandbox. Fractional investment services allow multiple investors to buy shares in ownership… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 2:20 am By Michael Wong  |  

LineWise, a US-based startup developing an AI-powered “virtual engineer” for manufacturers, said it has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding from A2D Ventures, Y Combinator and a group of global investors. The round, which also included Exitfund, REMUS Capital, SBXi Fund and Team Ignite Ventures,… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 2:17 am By Michael Wong  |  

A major Chinese financial technology company is in talks to acquire blockchain solutions from Venom Foundation, an Abu Dhabi-based platform, as part of efforts to modernise digital financial services, Chinese media outlet Toutiao reported. The potential deal aligns with Beijing’s recently issued guidelines on financial… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 1:05 am By Michael Wong  |  

Nuveen Private Capital has entered into a strategic partnership with Hunter Point Capital (HPC) and Singapore state investor Temasek, a deal that underscores the rapid expansion of private credit as institutional investors seek alternative sources of yield. HPC and Temasek will take minority stakes in… Read More

September 9, 2025 @ 5:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Companies worldwide are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as core treasury assets, blending traditional balance sheets with digital tech advancements. This trend, accelerating in 2025 under the Trump Administration, underscores a maturing digital assets ecosystem where institutions are not just exploring or considering this sector but… Read More

September 9, 2025 @ 1:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently dismantled an international hacking ring responsible for stealing millions in cryptocurrency, leveraging advanced blockchain analytics from Chainalysis. This operation marks a critical step in combating the escalating wave of crypto-related crimes, which have surged globally in 2025, driven by… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 11:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adams Street Partners, LLC, a Chicago-based firm specializing private markets investment management, has officially unveiled its first office in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With (a reported0 over $62 billion in assets under management (AUM), Adams Street’s entry into Abu Dhabi underscores the firm’s… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 10:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has taken significant steps to bolster Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for sustainable finance, with two key initiatives announced in September 2025. The launch of a public consultation on the Phase 2A prototype of the Hong Kong… Read More