Asia

February 29, 2024 @ 4:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

HashKey Technology Services Pte. Ltd., the over-the-counter trading arm of HashKey Group, has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore for its Major Payment Institution licence application to provide digital payment token services. The in-principle approval from the MAS, which is described as… Read More

February 29, 2024 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) has partnered with Qoo10, an online marketplace operated by eBay Japan. Adyen  said itwill aim to “support Qoo10 with fast and stable payment processing, particularly during peak periods.” Qoo10, a Japanese domestic marketplace, holds a large-scale sales event called “Mega Wari” every… Read More

February 28, 2024 @ 7:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Coincheck, Inc. (Headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Satoshi Hasuo, Representative Director & President) and Circle Internet Financial, LLC, a global financial technology firm and the issuer of USDC1, announced plans for a partnership to expand USDC access in the Japanese market. USDC is a fully reserved… Read More

February 27, 2024 @ 9:13 am By JD Alois  |  

ZA Bank, one of the first regulated digital banks in Hong Kong, is now offering US stock trading as part of its platform. The company highlighted the benefits of this new service, including a USD $ 3.88 commission – during a promotional period, real-time quotes… Read More

February 27, 2024 @ 3:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

OKX is announcing the official launch of our crypto exchange in Türkiye, OKX TR. OKX says they are pleased to provide Turkish users “with a trusted, compliant and transparent gateway to crypto trading and decentralized finance.” Currently, the OKX Web3 Wallet is “available in Türkiye… Read More

February 26, 2024 @ 9:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced recently that it approved a $23 million loan to enhance access “to quality fintech education, research, and innovation at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in India.” As stated in a blog post, GIFT is a state-owned enterprise… Read More

February 25, 2024 @ 5:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Insurtech industry player The Digital Insurer (TDI) has partnered with the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI) to introduce the GenAI Explorer Program, an innovative venture designed to usher in a new era for the insurance sector through the application of generative AI technology. This exclusive… Read More

February 25, 2024 @ 5:37 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Fintech player Helicap Pte Ltd has partnered with PT Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk (Danamon) to establish the duo as a pivotal source of non-dilutive growth capital for fintech companies, alternative lending firms, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various sectors, including supply chain,… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 2:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Qatar Central Bank will reportedly introduce the FAWRAN instant payment service. Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has called on the domestic banking institution to adjust their status as part of its plans to introduce the instant payment service (called Fawran) in March of 2024. The… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 2:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Data from Ant Group reportedly shows a robust rebound of consumer spending during the first back-to-normal Chinese New Year (CNY) travel season after the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in cross-border tourism. Through the Alipay+ cross-border mobile payment technology solutions, Chinese travelers may pay “for goods, food… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 2:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lending Fintech companies accounted for 30% of all Fintech acquisitions in India in 2023, highlighting a shift in market dynamics amid growing regulatory pressures, a report from GrowthPal revealed. This surge in acquisitions within the lending sector marks a departure from previous years, where the… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 10:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In line with its effort to enhance financial security for Malaysian families, PolicyStreet partners with neobanking service provider Vircle to introduce Vircle Club Protect—an exclusive embedded coverage “for children available to all Vircle VISA prepaid card subscribers.” Vircle, known for its parent-friendly e-money solutions, “empowers… Read More

February 24, 2024 @ 10:29 am By Michael Wong  |  

China’s venture capital (VC) market experienced a noticeable decline in January, with a total of 251 VC funding deals amounting to $2.6 billion, according to the latest analysis by GlobalData, a premier data and analytics firm. This represents an 8.4% decrease in deal volume and… Read More

February 22, 2024 @ 6:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has announced the launch of a new payment hub that allows customers to conduct their transfers in a quick and efficient manner. ADIB has worked with the real-time payment solutions company, ProgressSoft, to facilitate the integration of Cross-Border Services and accelerate… Read More

February 22, 2024 @ 6:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

PhonePe announced the consumer launch of its Indus Appstore, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Indus Appstore is PhonePe’s attempt at creating “a more competitive and localized mobile app store economy for India, which is already the largest mobile apps download market globally.” The session… Read More

February 22, 2024 @ 2:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

A new report found that over half of finance-savvy Singaporeans own crypto, with staking emerging as the top use case, presenting an opportunity for regulated platforms to enable compliant participation in this growing trend through features emphasizing security, consumer protections and compliance. Crypto creates economic… Read More

February 21, 2024 @ 10:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the “bustling” landscape of Pakistan, Elphinstone claims that it stands as a beacon of financial empowerment, offering “a gateway for the country’s burgeoning middle class to unlock their financial potential.” Co-founded by Farooq Tirmizi and Uzair Mahmud in 2020, Elphinstone addresses a critical pain… Read More

February 20, 2024 @ 9:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, announced that it has been selected by Tokyu to power the multinational conglomerate’s new flat-rate subscription accommodation service. Tokyu oversees more than 200 businesses “across Japan spanning transportation, real estate, and hospitality.” By partnering with Stripe, it will… Read More

February 20, 2024 @ 9:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tonik Digital Bank, the Philippines’ first digital-only neobank, revamped the Big Loan, a multipurpose loan catering to a wider range of Filipinos’ financial needs. First launched in 2023, the Big Loan reportedly “offers borrowers up to P5 million with flexible, tailored repayment options, competitive interest… Read More

February 20, 2024 @ 9:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Maybank introduced the myimpact SME Hub, a one-stop integrated and holistic ecosystem for Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), “offering value-based solutions established on sustainable and ethical principles.” It also serves as a knowledge hub and support system “to facilitate and partner SMEs in their… Read More