Asia

July 3, 2025 @ 6:53 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Web3 ecosystem, built on the promise of decentralized technologies, continues to face significant security challenges as it grows into a cornerstone of global finance, according to CertiK, a blockchain security firm, which has released its Hack3d report. The Web3 Security Quarterly Report for Q2… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 1:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As the UAE gears up for another season of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), new data from Checkout.com reveals a sharp increase in digital spending during last year’s campaign, with signals pointing to even greater momentum this summer. The number of daily digital transactions in the… Read More

July 3, 2025 @ 1:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has proposed new measures to improve investor disclosures and simplify regulatory requirements for complex financial products, in a move aimed at balancing self-directed investing with protections for vulnerable consumers. The consultation paper, published on July 1, outlines enhancements to… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 8:21 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global investment major KKR has launched Ascend Asia Financial Services Group, a new financial advisory platform based in Singapore, according to an announcement. It also simultaneously announced the acquisition of Singapore advisory firm finexis and its affiliates. The acquisition, made through funds managed by KKR,… Read More

July 2, 2025 @ 7:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Japan Investment Corporation (JIC) has committed JPY3.5 billion ($22.5 million) to Genesia Venture Fund IV, a vehicle managed by Genesia Ventures, Inc., as part of its broader push to strengthen Japan’s startup ecosystem, according to a company announcement. The move also seeks to foster international… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 10:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has partnered with Thai brokerage Finansia Syrus Securities PCL to boost access to regulated digital asset trading in Thailand, a move that underscores the growing convergence between traditional finance and crypto markets in Southeast Asia. The partnership, involving KuCoin Thailand (operated by… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 10:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Only 28% of Filipinos are familiar with Web3 technologies despite 96% awareness of cryptocurrencies, according to the Philippine Blockchain Industry Report 2025, the country’s first benchmarking study of its blockchain ecosystem. Released by the Blockchain Council of the Philippines in partnership with Gorriceta Africa Cauton… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 3:50 am By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia’s technology ecosystem raised $2 billion in total funding in the first half of 2025, reflecting both a short-term slowdown and signs of long-term recovery, according to data from Tracxn. The figure marks a 24% decline from the $2.6 billion raised in the second… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 2:46 am By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s Securities Commission (SC) has proposed a set of regulatory enhancements aimed at strengthening the country’s digital asset exchange (DAX) framework, seeking to accelerate token listings and bolster investor protection measures. According to a consultation paper published on Monday, the proposed changes include allowing certain… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 1:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Southeast Asia’s Maybank has recently shared significant updates focused on advancing sustainability and social impact through innovative financial solutions and strategic partnerships. Recently, Maybank announced initiatives that underscore its commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive future across the ASEAN region. These efforts include providing… Read More

July 1, 2025 @ 12:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The APAC private capital outlook, released by PitchBook, offers a comprehensive analysis of the private capital landscape across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, updating forecasts made earlier in the year. Spanning venture capital (VC), private equity (PE), and other asset classes, the report highlights a region… Read More

June 30, 2025 @ 8:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Wealthtech is reshaping Singapore’s wealth management sector as both startups and incumbent financial institutions ramp up digital transformation to meet rising investor demand for accessible, affordable, and personalized investment services, according to a new report by Quinlan and Associates and Allfunds Asia. The report shows… Read More

June 30, 2025 @ 6:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Roughly one in four South Koreans aged 20 to 50 currently owns virtual assets, with male white-collar workers in their 30s and 40s dominating the investor base, according to a new report released Sunday by the Hana Institute of Finance. The study, titled 2050 Generation’s… Read More

June 30, 2025 @ 6:44 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Hong Kong’s GF Securities has become the first securities firm in Hong Kong to issue tokenized securities by fully integrating with HashKey Chain as its core on-chain issuance network. GF Securities has launched the first daily-interest-accruing, daily-redeemable tokenized securities, named “GF Token“, a building block… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 10:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Philippine government has intensified its crackdown on abusive online lending platforms after receiving more than 13,000 complaints from borrowers who reported harassment, threats, and privacy violations. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is leading the nationwide campaign in coordination with the Securities and Exchange… Read More

June 29, 2025 @ 1:54 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) have jointly announced the incorporation of the Singapore Payments Network (SPaN), a new not-for-profit entity that will oversee and govern the country’s national payment schemes. SPaN aims to consolidate the administration… Read More

June 26, 2025 @ 11:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

PhonePe and HDFC Bank announced the launch of the ‘PhonePe HDFC Bank Co-branded Credit Card’, marking PhonePe’s foray into the co-branded card segment. In partnership with HDFC Bank, this new line of “co-branded RuPay credit cards is designed to meet the evolving financial needs of… Read More

June 23, 2025 @ 5:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The global economic landscape is undergoing significant shifts, with Asia’s export markets and the transformation of cross-border payments taking center stage. Recent insights from Citigroup highlight two critical developments: the potential for an export payback in Asia and the ongoing migration to the ISO 20022… Read More

June 23, 2025 @ 8:19 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As stablecoins become increasingly central to digital finance and global payments, regulatory frameworks are rapidly evolving across key markets. Recent developments in jurisdictions such as the United States, Hong Kong, the European Union, and Japan reflect “a shared urgency to formalize the role of fiat-backed… Read More

June 23, 2025 @ 5:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

On June 18, 2025, Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of approximately $90 million in digital assets, with some estimates suggesting losses as high as $100 million. The breach, which targeted the exchange’s hot wallets,… Read More