Asia

February 6, 2020 @ 11:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched the ADB Ventures platform in order to channel investments and extend support to Asian firms that are creating platforms for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ADB’s investment fund is taking contributions from several different partners… Read More

February 6, 2020 @ 10:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

Dot, a digital transformation platform for offline to online commerce, has received $8 million in funding led by PayU and Fosun RZ Capital with participation from Info Edge Ventures and more. Dot was founded by PayU India’s ex co-founder Shailaz Nag. Dot says it currently… Read More

February 5, 2020 @ 11:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Nearly 16 months after winding down its business operations in India, digital asset exchange Zebpay is reportedly set to resume offering services in the country. Zebpay was one of the most popular crypto exchanges in India. However, it had to shut down because of a… Read More

February 5, 2020 @ 10:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The United Arab Emirates’s (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has teamed up with the nation’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City and several other local government agencies in order to launch a blockchain-enabled health data storage platform. The Emirates News Agency reported… Read More

February 5, 2020 @ 9:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Myanmar’s online commerce platform Get is set to acquire Fintech Daung Capital, which focuses on offering a digital platform for education finance, cash advance distribution, and a rent-to-own option for personal and commercial automobiles. The transaction reportedly includes all of Daung’s assets, which comprise all… Read More

February 5, 2020 @ 9:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), a small public sector Indian bank and lender, reportedly topped the list of all the country’s banking institutions for digital transactions performed in December of last year. This, according to India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity). Meity data shows… Read More

February 5, 2020 @ 9:11 am By JD Alois  |  

Twino and Via SMS, two Latvia based online lending platforms, are joining forces to enter the Asia-Pacific market, according to a release. The two companies are launching a consumer lending platform names Vamo in Vietnam as their first step in the new venture. The two… Read More

February 4, 2020 @ 7:39 am By JD Alois  |  

Asset management firm Mindful Wealth has re-domiciled in Singapore to benefit from the new “Variable Capital Companies” (VCC) framework. Mindful Wealth currently claims over $600 million in assets under management (AUM). The company originally started in Switzerland providing wealth management and other corporate services. Mindful… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 10:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

Federal Bank, a private bank with a branch network of 1,251 branches and about 2000 ATMs, has issued a release that it has opened its first “digital branch” called “Fed-e-Studio .” This digital branch was announced at an event last week at Rajarhat Bhatenda. Dr…. Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 6:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Indian government recently revealed its Union budget for the FY 2021. Following the announcement, it appears that the nation’s Fintech industry has been given special attention, as Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed on February 1 to introduce a policy for creating data center… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 11:32 am By JD Alois  |  

iSTOX, a blockchain-based platform, is now the first digital securities issuance, custody, and trading platform, licensed in Singapore. iSTOX recently “graduated” from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Fintech Sandbox program and has received regulatory approval to operate and provide digital asset issuance and trading. This… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 9:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

US residents now have another zero-fee option to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) using the US dollar. On January 30, 2020, Tokyo-headquartered digital asset exchange bitFlyer introduced its commission-free service for the BTC/USD trading pair to its US-based clients. bitFlyer’s zero-fee feature is currently only being offered… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Jumio, an established provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced end-to-end identity verification and authentication services, has teamed up with CIMB Bank Philippines’ all-digital bank to offer a convenient and user-friendly digital onboarding solution to Filipinos. Having completed its first full year of business operations, CIMB Bank… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 6:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of Japan (BoJ), the nation’s central bank, has been working on a virtual currency project for several years. The BoJ must be prepared to issue digital currencies if technical innovations in international settlement systems will increase consumer demand, the bank’s deputy governor noted… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 4:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital payments and online lending are becoming increasingly popular in Asian countries. According to a new survey, a large number of Asia-based users are conducting internet-based transactions, instead of visiting physical bank locations. The recent survey of Fintech customers by Robocash Group revealed that nearly… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 4:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

LVC Corporation, a subsidiary of LINE Corporation and manager of LINE’s digital currency and blockchain-focused ventures, recently confirmed its plans to begin trading its virtual currency in Japan by April 2020. LINE is the company behind Japanese social media network Line, which notably has more… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 2:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Doha Bank, one of Qatar’s largest commercial banks (incorporated in 1978 and began offering its services in Doha, Qatar in March 1979), has confirmed the official launch of its domestic and cross-border funds transfer digital service for corporate customers. The domestic and international funds transfer… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 4:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Japan-headquartered SBI Holdings, a major financial services company, has reportedly invested $20 million in OpenLegacy Technologies, a US-based software development company that streamlines the API integration process of core banking systems. Citi, FIS and BNP Paribas-Cardif are notably among the major clients for OpenLegacy’s platform,… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 4:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based Fintech industry participant U GRO Capital is notably among the few digital lending players that has taken a serious approach towards business development. The listed firm offers credit to small businesses and has managed to achieve profitability in just the first year of its… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 9:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based ZestMoney, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered consumer lending platform, confirmed recently that last year, it managed to record more than 125% in equated monthly installment (EMI) financing. The Bengaluru-headquartered firm noted that online EMIs comprise a large portion of the Indian economy, experiencing a record-breaking… Read More