Asia

December 23, 2024 @ 9:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia retained its position as Southeast Asia’s top data center hub in 2024, attracting $23 billion in investments and solidifying its status as a leading digital hub, Knight Frank said Monday. The global property consultant, in its Data Centre Research Report 2024, noted Malaysia ranked… Read More

December 22, 2024 @ 5:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global alternative investment firm Arcapita and financial infrastructure technology provider Dgpays have acquired a majority stake in NEOPAY, a UAE-based financial institution, in a deal valued at $385 million, according to an announcement. Mashreq Bank, NEOPAY’s founding entity, retains a substantial minority stake, signaling its… Read More

December 22, 2024 @ 12:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

XTransfer, the B2B cross-border trade payments platform, and OCBC, the financial services group in SE Asia, have announced their latest partnership. OCBC China will now aim to leverage the OCBC Group’s regional network and resources in its major markets of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia as… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 9:41 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) held their second bilateral meeting, reinforcing cooperation and connectivity between the financial services sectors of the two jurisdictions. Building on the initial bilateral meeting held in Abu Dhabi in… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 7:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Indian government is set to introduce a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at curbing the rise of illegal lending applications, the New Indian Express reported. The Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance has drafted a bill that imposes severe penalties on individuals… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 6:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based insurtech firm bolttech has successfully raised over $100 million in its latest Series C funding round, according to a company statement released on Friday. The funding round was anchored by Dragon Fund, with significant participation from Liquidity and MUFG. Additional investors in the round… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 1:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based digital banking firm Tyme Group has successfully raised $250 million in a Series D funding round, elevating the company to unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion. The funding round was led by Brazilian digital banking powerhouse Nubank, which contributed $150 million, while… Read More

December 19, 2024 @ 7:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Singapore headquarters of Sygnum – a global digital asset banking group – Sygnum Pte. Ltd. announced its partnership with Moomoo Singapore to distribute its multi-manager fund to accredited investors on moomoo, a digital investment and wealth management platform with “over 1 million users” in… Read More

December 18, 2024 @ 3:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

Multiple reports indicate that Deutsche Bank is launching a Layer 2 blockchain to fuel digital assets and compliance at the bank. A Layer 2 blockchain is a separate blockchain added to the top of a Layer 1 blockchain like Ethereum. A Layer 2 aims to… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 9:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ADGM, the international financial centre, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Beijing Financial Street Service Bureau. As explained in the update, this latest agreement reinforces the commitment to fostering connections, particularly in the areas of international “development and industry promotion, further advancing the growth… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 9:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has joined forces with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) as a partner to enhance the bank’s proposition across consumer debit and credit, affluent portfolio and loyalty offerings. The collab seeks to transform the banking institution’s digital ecosystem and its customers’ digital experience…. Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 9:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thoughtworks, a tech consultancy that integrates strategy, design and engineering, announced it has signed a collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help enterprises across Asia Pacific develop generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) solutions that “drive operational efficiencies.” This will help Thoughtworks’ clients in industries… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 12:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against two individuals and a single entity regarding money laundering to the benefit of North Korea. OFAC says that Lu Huaying and Zhang Jian, working out of the UAE and… Read More

December 17, 2024 @ 8:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitpanda recently revealed that it will soon be able to offer their full range of products and services to users residing in the UAE, supported by their commitment to regulation in Europe and, as they expand, into the MENA region and other jurisdictions. The expansion… Read More

December 16, 2024 @ 10:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move towards climate accountability, The HBAR Foundation has issued a grant to WinCL to elevate carbon transparency and greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting standards for SMEs and large enterprises across South Korea. Built on Hedera’s Guardian platform, WinCL’s solution promises streamlined emissions tracking, reporting,… Read More

December 15, 2024 @ 3:45 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

40Seas, a platform addressing trade finance and global accounts receivable management for SMEs, recently announced a new strategic partnership initiative geared towards alleviating the complexities of importing goods from China. The company has partnered with some sourcing agencies and e-commerce fulfillment platforms, including JingSourcing, Portless, NextSmartShip,… Read More

December 13, 2024 @ 4:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Pune-headquartered FPL Technologies, which operates credit card issuance and virtual payments platform One Card, has reportedly acquired about $25.5 million in new funding via an investment round that was led by QED Investors. Peak XV Partners, Z47 (formerly known as Matrix Partners India) and Better… Read More

December 13, 2024 @ 8:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Fireblocks has strengthened its presence in the Asia-Pacific region by establishing a regional office in Tokyo, Japan. According to the update from Fireblocks, Japan is said to be emerging as a key player in institutional blockchain adoption, driving Fireblocks to grow its presence by providing… Read More

December 12, 2024 @ 1:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

BitGo reports that it has submitted an application to establish its Taiwan-based entity, BitGo Taiwan. This furthers their commitment to supporting demand for digital assets within APAC by providing clients with secure solutions. Establishing this entity paves the way for an application to the FSC… Read More

December 12, 2024 @ 9:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset platform Taurus SA is expanding into Turkey, according to a note distributed by the firm. Taurus shares that the new office is due to the new regulatory framework for digital assets. The expansion is also expected build upon a presence in Dubai and… Read More