Asia

March 23, 2025 @ 10:30 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech firm PayU, backed by global consumer internet group Prosus, has acquired a 43.5% strategic stake in India-based real-time payment technology provider Mindgate Solutions, bolstering its position in the country’s digital payments ecosystem. The transaction values Mindgate between $180 million and $250 million, depending on… Read More

March 23, 2025 @ 3:27 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Nayla Finance, a Saudi Arabia-based Fintech focused on improving access to capital for micro-businesses, has raised $4 million in seed funding to scale its operations and expand its digital lending platform, the company said. The round was led by Sanabil Venture Studio by Stryber and… Read More

March 22, 2025 @ 11:36 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based digital asset infrastructure provider BetterX has secured S$2.3 million (approximately $1.7 million) in a pre-Series A funding round to support its expansion across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. The funding round brought in new investors including Grand Prix Capital, Aument Capital,… Read More

March 22, 2025 @ 6:31 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia-based wealth management platform Versa has completed its Series A funding round led by AHAM Asset Management Berhad (AHAM Capital), the company said, as it looks to accelerate user growth and expand its product offerings over the next five years. Other investors in the round… Read More

March 22, 2025 @ 5:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Pakistan’s recent decision to “legalize” cryptocurrency transactions and investments marks a pivot from its historically cautious stance on digital assets. However, it is unclear just how the country will implement a proper regulatory framework for Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital currencies. Over the years, Pakistan… Read More

March 20, 2025 @ 10:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has joined forces with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) to train the bank’s employees in the fields of data and AI. As the first bank in the UAE to launch an enterprise-wide data literacy program, CBD says that it is setting… Read More

March 19, 2025 @ 8:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

HashKey Capital has obtained a Type 1 license from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), further expanding its regulated capabilities under the SFC. HashKey Capital currently holds a Type 9 license, enabling the firm to “offer asset management products to both retail and… Read More

March 19, 2025 @ 1:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

NymCard, the embedded finance platform operating across 10+ countries in MENA, has secured $33 million in its Series B funding round, led by QED Investors. This marks QED Investors’ most “significant” investment in the region – and the first time leading a deal in the… Read More

March 18, 2025 @ 12:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

CertiK Chief Security Officer Kang Li has commented on the changing regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies and how it potentially brings new opportunities. During discussions held as part of the 2024 Korean Blockchain Week (KBW), Professor Kang Li, Chief Security Officer of CertiK explained how recent… Read More

March 18, 2025 @ 8:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Checkout.com, a digital payments solutions provider, partnered with Tabby, the financial services and shopping app, in order to provide flexible and “high-performing” payment solutions to merchants in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This partnership integrates Tabby’s BNPL solutions into Checkout.com’s platform, allowing merchants to “offer… Read More

March 18, 2025 @ 12:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PhonePe announced that it has crossed 600 million (60 crore) registered users on its platform. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which will mark its 10-year anniversary this year, and has grown to “serve hundreds of millions of customers with its financial services and… Read More

March 17, 2025 @ 10:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Insurtech bolttech has kicked off 2025 with a series of announcements that underscore its commitment to innovation, ensuring customer protection, and encouraging community engagement. bolttech has recently announced a collaboration with C Spire, a diversified telecommunications and technology services provider, to launch C Spire Tech… Read More

March 17, 2025 @ 10:06 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

World, the human-centered financial and identity network, is now available in Thailand. Thais can get their World ID verified at a number of World Spaces throughout Bangkok, with more locations “slated to open throughout 2025.” With the second-highest GDP in Southeast Asia, Thailand is “one… Read More

March 17, 2025 @ 8:46 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Pakistan has taken a significant step toward modernizing its digital payment landscape with the recent introduction of Google Wallet, a move announced in March 2025. This development, coupled with emerging crypto-related initiatives, signals the country’s intent to align with global technological trends. However, despite these… Read More

March 16, 2025 @ 10:05 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Baidu Inc launched its latest artificial intelligence models, ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, making them freely accessible to individual users ahead of schedule as part of its broader push to expand AI adoption. ERNIE 4.5, Baidu’s latest foundation model, features multimodal capabilities with improved language… Read More

March 16, 2025 @ 5:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong is reportedly solidifying its position as a fintech hub in Asia, with its ecosystem experiencing remarkable growth and innovation. According to the Hong Kong Fintech Ecosystem Report released by InvestHK, the city anticipates a robust future driven by blockchain, digital assets, distributed ledger… Read More

March 15, 2025 @ 3:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto.com announced it has been issued a limited license by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to offer derivatives in the UAE. This issuance now reportedly extends the provisions of Crypto.com’s existing VASP license to operate in the region. With this limited license, Crypto.com’s regional… Read More

March 14, 2025 @ 10:38 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Thredd’s Damien Gough said that in today’s economically challenged environment, many Fintechs seeking growth must expand to new countries. However, with every country having unique characteristics, companies cannot simply cut and paste their playbook from one into another. Thredd helps such firms quickly and successfully… Read More

March 13, 2025 @ 8:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ripple, the enabler of enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, has received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to provide regulated crypto payments and services in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). Ripple will reportedly be the “first” blockchain-enabled payments provider licensed by the… Read More

March 11, 2025 @ 10:07 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore has long cemented its role as a global financial hub, known for its stability, innovation, and strategic positioning in Asia. This, according to an update from KPMG. However, challenges such as relatively low market liquidity and intensifying regional competition have prompted a proactive response… Read More