Asia

July 14, 2025 @ 11:16 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued a public warning after receiving multiple enquiries about fraudulent documents falsely claiming to be issued by the city’s banking regulator. The incident underscores growing concerns over financial scams targeting investors by impersonating official agencies. In a statement,… Read More

July 14, 2025 @ 9:02 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The cryptocurrency industry continues to evolve, with this year bringing significant regulatory advancements, compliance challenges, and persistent threats from scams, according to an update from blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic. Recent developments highlight Hong Kong’s drive to become a global hub for digital assets, the complexities… Read More

July 14, 2025 @ 5:31 am By Michael Wong  |  

BDx Data Centers, a China-based carrier-neutral operator, has partnered with Singapore’s Anyon Technologies to install Southeast Asia’s first hybrid quantum artificial-intelligence testbed at BDx’s SIN1 facility in Paya Lebar, Singapore, according to an announcement. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the collaboration,… Read More

July 13, 2025 @ 10:16 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong is targeting new banking rules aimed at aligning its regulatory framework with international standards on cryptoasset exposures, as part of efforts to manage financial risks while supporting innovation in the banking sector. The Banking (Capital) (Amendment) Rules 2025, the Banking (Disclosure) (Amendment) Rules 2025… Read More

July 13, 2025 @ 1:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the People’s Bank of China (PBC) have agreed to deepen cooperation in green and transition finance following the third Singapore-China Green Finance Taskforce (GFTF) meeting, held in Singapore. The meeting, convened for the first time in the city… Read More

July 12, 2025 @ 5:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s four financial regulators have teamed up with technology and telecommunications firms to launch the Anti-Scam Consumer Protection Charter 3.0, expanding a year-old initiative that targets a surge in digital fraud against the city’s seven million residents. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Securities and… Read More

July 12, 2025 @ 2:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech firm Revolut is establishing a technology hub in the Philippine capital, Manila, as part of a plan to expand global capabilities and accelerate product innovation, the company said on Wednesday. The Manila site will operate as a Global Capability Center that supports engineering, financial-crime prevention… Read More

July 11, 2025 @ 9:58 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Danantara Indonesia said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to develop and finance projects that support Indonesia’s shift toward a green and digitally connected economy. Under the agreement, Danantara Indonesia and JBIC will jointly identify and… Read More

July 11, 2025 @ 8:59 pm By Michael Wong  |  

DDC Enterprise Limited has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Animoca Brands to jointly develop and implement strategies aimed at maximizing yield from Animoca’s Bitcoin holdings while managing associated risks, according to an announcement. Under the partnership, Animoca Brands, the Hong Kong-headquartered gaming… Read More

July 10, 2025 @ 6:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sumsub joined hands with DKM ECO, a data services provider in the Asia-Pacific region, to stage an APAC Roadshow “Comply to fortify 2.0” in Hong Kong to share with businesses on how innovative solutions can address their most pressing compliance challenges. This initiative forms part… Read More

July 10, 2025 @ 3:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Pay10, a global Alternative Payment Method (APM) platform, has been granted Ancillary Service Provider – Payment Service Provider License by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). This regulatory approval represents a strategic milestone in Pay10’s global expansion and “reinforces its commitment to delivering real-time, secure,… Read More

July 9, 2025 @ 6:09 am By JD Alois  |  

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) has published a report on Open Banking in APAC countries. The research covers 16 different jurisdictions and the status of Open Banking development across the region. Open Banking, also known as Open Finance, refers to the ability to share data… Read More

July 9, 2025 @ 2:19 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bazaar Technologies Pvt., which is Pakistan’s most well-funded startup, is on the cusp of achieving profitability in the coming quarters. This, according to a report from Bloomberg. This milestone follows a pivotal fintech acquisition that has bolstered the five-year-old company’s ambitions to dominate Pakistan’s e-commerce… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 9:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s efforts to position itself as a regional hub for Fintech face a critical stumbling block, as most Fintech firms say they cannot obtain the bank data needed to build services for small businesses, a new industry report has shown. Fintech Nation, a public-benefit corporation… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 8:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Pakistan’s cabinet has cleared the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), setting the stage for a formal licensing and supervisory regime for digital-asset businesses in a country that already ranks among the world’s busiest crypto markets. A cabinet communiqué said PVARA will… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 5:04 am By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia’s financial technology (Fintech) sector raised $776 million in the first half of 2025, up 31% from the $593 million recorded in the second half of 2024, according to Tracxn’s SEA FinTech Semi Annual Funding Report. While overall funding fell 22% compared to $1… Read More

July 8, 2025 @ 1:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Blackstone (NYSE:BX) announces a key senior leadership appointment in Japan, as the firm continues to expand its footprint in the market and strengthen its commitment to Japan. Muneya Taniguchi will join as Vice Chairman of Japan and Executive Advisor to lead the firm’s expansion, focusing… Read More

July 7, 2025 @ 10:05 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is drafting a new circular aimed at mitigating risks from online gambling for users of digital financial platforms, as part of its broader financial consumer protection and wellness agenda. The proposed circular would apply to BSP-supervised institutions (BSIs), including… Read More

July 7, 2025 @ 5:05 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with global cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com to develop a digital investment environment for virtual real estate assets, according to an announcement. The deal is part of the emirate’s ongoing strategy to accelerate digital transformation and… Read More

July 5, 2025 @ 10:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank has imposed S$27.45 million ($20.3 million) in fines on nine financial institutions after concluding a sweeping investigation into anti-money laundering (AML) lapses tied to a major money laundering case uncovered in August 2023. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it had… Read More