Asia

November 5, 2023 @ 8:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A recent study conducted by the United Overseas Bank (OUB) suggests that Vietnamese consumers are increasingly turning to digital banking and modern payment methods, with convenience and speed as among the major factors cited for the preference. The report, “ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Study”, indicates a significant… Read More

November 5, 2023 @ 5:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the MENA region’s shopping and financial services app, has raised $200 million in equity financing led by Wellington Management, which claims to be one of the world’s major independent investment management firms. The equity financing drew additional participation “from growth equity investor Bluepool Capital,… Read More

November 5, 2023 @ 7:20 am By Michael Wong  |  

Digital asset XRP has been granted approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for utilization within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking a significant endorsement for cryptocurrency usage in financial services in Dubai, according to Ripple. As the first virtual asset sanctioned by… Read More

November 4, 2023 @ 2:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong and Thailand aims to revolutionize the way travelers handle currency exchange with the launch of interoperable digital payment systems. From December 4, residents from both regions will be able to make transactions using their local digital payment platforms, thanks to a landmark agreement… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 9:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zone (DIEZ) has announced the official launch of Oraseya Capital, a venture capital fund that will invest in financial technology (fintech) startups in the gulf nation. This strategic initiative, announced during the Dubai Business Forum, aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 11:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) of Hong Kong has announced a set of groundbreaking initiatives during the Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023, aimed at integrating fintech developments with the real economy. The comprehensive plan includes the launch of an Integrated Fund Platform… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 10:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po, has asserted that stringent regulation of virtual assets is crucial for market development, defending the region’s new licensing regime in the wake of JPEX‘s collapse earlier this year. The unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange is currently under investigation, but Chan… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 9:56 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Funding Societies (Modalku), a unified small and medium enterprises (SME) digital finance platform in Southeast Asia, has announced raising $7.5 million in debt from Norfund, Development Financial Institution (DFI) operated by the Norwegian government. DFIs have played a significant role in impact investments in Southeast… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 4:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, today announced expanded support for JCB, a card network in Japan and one of the top payment networks in the world. JCB is now available on Stripe “in 39 countries and territories, making it easy for businesses in… Read More

November 1, 2023 @ 7:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

Hong Kong is showing its support for digital assets today as ZA Bank, one of a handful of regulated digital banks in the jurisdiction, has announced support for crypto exchange OKX Hong Kong. ZA Bank has issued a statement indicating they will provide an operating… Read More

October 31, 2023 @ 11:56 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fave, a consumer fintech platform in Southeast Asia and India, has announced its participation in the SGQR+ POC led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The SGQR+ POC will be limited “to Districts 16 and 17 of Singapore and showcased during the Singapore FinTech… Read More

October 30, 2023 @ 9:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

One more business partner, LoanPlus from Sri Lanka, joins the PeerBerry platform. LoanPlus will reportedly offer PeerBerry investors investments “in short-term loans with an 11.5% annual return.” Loans provided by LoanPlus to PeerBerry investors “include a buyback and a group guarantee.” LoanPlus (legal name AISIT… Read More

October 30, 2023 @ 11:15 am By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Financial Services Agency of Japan (FSA), the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will partner on digital asset innovation, including pilots in fixed income, foreign exchange and asset management products…. Read More

October 30, 2023 @ 6:11 am By Michael Wong  |  

YouTrip, a multi-currency digital payments platform in Southeast Asia, has successfully secured $50 million in its latest Series B fundraising round, according to an announcement. This round was led by Lightspeed, a global venture capital firm and a new investor in YouTrip, propelling the company’s… Read More

October 29, 2023 @ 11:14 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Cambodia has recently taken a significant step forward in the financial technology sector with the unveiling of the Fintech Policy directive for 2023-2028. This strategic move is poised to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), propelling the nation into the forefront of the rapidly evolving fintech… Read More

October 28, 2023 @ 4:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has initiated a public consultation process as it seeks to revamp the regulatory framework governing fund managers. The proposal aims to disband the existing Registered Fund Management Companies (RFMCs) regime, providing an opportunity for current RFMCs to transition to… Read More

October 27, 2023 @ 6:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thunes, the global B2B payment infrastructure platform, and China Construction Bank (CCB), a commercial bank in China, have announced partnership to collaborate on cross-border payments. With the new relationship, Thunes will support the bank “to enable international payment acceptance for Chinese small to medium-sized businesses… Read More

October 27, 2023 @ 12:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

We recently spoke with Markus Prommik, CEO and Co-founder of Finfra, a Fintech platform that develops white-labeled lending products for non-Fintech companies seeking to integrate financial services into their platforms. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Finfra not only provides practical embedded lending solutions to their clients… Read More

October 27, 2023 @ 10:34 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Binance, which is being sued by US regulators for a wide range of issues while also facing major operational challenges globally, announces that Kyrylo Khomiakov, Binance’s Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) General Manager, has been appointed the Regional Head for both the CEE and Central… Read More

October 22, 2023 @ 10:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tonik, the digital bank in the Philippines, is pleased to announce its newest strategic partnership with life insurance company Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc.. This transformative collaboration aims “to enhance the financial well-being of the companies’ valued customers.” The focal point of this groundbreaking partnership… Read More