Asia

October 11, 2023 @ 6:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Razorpay introduces what it claims is India’s “first” AI-powered payments Infinity Router – Razorpay Optimizer. Razorpay designed this solution “to help you make the smartest routing decisions when working with multiple payment gateways.” Using the Razorpay solution, businesses can “set up their own rules to… Read More

October 11, 2023 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UnaFinancial, a Singapore-headquartered Fintech group (previously known as Robocash), has teamed up with Velexa, a UK-based wealthtech firm, in order to introduce a digital investing platform in the UAE. UnaFinancial and Velexa revealed that the collaboration aims to leverage Velexa’s expertise in investment tech and… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 11:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong’s authorities have claimed that 11 of the city’s Binance clients had been targeted in a series of phishing scams that were reportedly carried out via text messages. Hong Kong law-enforcement agencies have cautioned users of the scam as part of an October 9,… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 9:49 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indonesia- and Southeast Asia-focused venture capital investor East Ventures has partnered with Seoul-based SV Investment to launch the “East Ventures South Korea fund in partnership with SV Investment” with a target corpus of $100 million. The initiative’s primary goal is to bridge the investment avenues… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 9:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Koan Advisory Group, a New Delhi-based public policy consulting firm released a report titled “Transit Payments in India – A Case for Choice and Interoperability.” The study highlights that India’s public transit systems should “allow integrated fare payments across different modes of transit, to provide… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 8:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

During the 2019 Fintech Week, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HKSFC) reportedly demonstrated a stern regulatory stance towards cryptocurrency through its publications “Position Paper: Regulation of Virtual Asset Trading Platforms” and “Warning on Virtual Asset Futures Contracts,” emphasizing strict licensure and professional investor… Read More

October 10, 2023 @ 9:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tarabut, MENA’s leading open banking platform, has announced a new partnership with FLOOSS, a Bahrain-based digital lending platform. FLOOSS is reportedly the “first” and fastest digital loan app in Bahrain “offering consumer loans of up to BHD 750 with a repayment period of up to… Read More

October 9, 2023 @ 12:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

OurCrowd, one of the largest global securities crowdfunding platforms in operation, has issued a statement on the ongoing war in Israel. OurCrowd’s headquarters are based in Jerusalem, and many of its investments are in the tech firms within the hot Israeli startup scene. In the… Read More

October 8, 2023 @ 6:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong sees a larger share of transaction volume “coming in large institutional transactions of $10 million or more compared to other countries in the region — notably mainland China,” according to an update from Chainalysis. On the other end of the spectrum is South… Read More

October 8, 2023 @ 1:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million policy-based loan to support the Philippines government in creating a stronger institutional and policy environment to help expand Filipinos’ access to financial services, particularly the vulnerable segment of the population, and to promote economic growth…. Read More

October 5, 2023 @ 10:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong’s push towards blockchain enabled Web3 innovation received strong tailwind through a new fund that CMCC Global launched this week. CMCC Global, one of Asia’s earliest venture capital investors “to entirely focus on blockchain technology and Web3 innovation, announced the launch of a venture… Read More

October 4, 2023 @ 2:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Six months into 2023, private real estate was still “weathering ongoing macroeconomic headwinds,” according to an update shared by Pitchbook. In the US, the federal funds rate “has steadily increased since March 2022, hovering within a range of 5.0% and 5.25% as of the end… Read More

October 4, 2023 @ 7:42 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Earlier this year, Ripple received in-principle approval of its Major Payments Institution (MPI) license application from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Four months on, Ripple is pleased to “announce that its Singapore subsidiary, Ripple Markets APAC Pte Ltd, has secured its full MPI license… Read More

October 4, 2023 @ 7:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Japan’s largest bank Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), has increased its LP capital commitment to the non-dilutive funds operated by Mars Growth Capital from $750 million  to $1 billion. This signals MUFG’s strong belief in the future potential of MARS Growth Capital, a joint venture… Read More

October 3, 2023 @ 9:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ABHI, an embedded finance company announced a partnership with Pakistan Cables Limited, the cable manufacturer in Pakistan. This collaboration aims to provide AbhiSalary – Earned Wage Access “to the employees of Pakistan Cables Limited, thereby promoting financial wellness.” Through AbhiSalary – Earned Wage Access, employees… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 7:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SATYA MicroCapital Limited has reportedly secured INR 500Cr (appr. $60 million) debt funding from Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC Bank). RBI registered NBFC-MFI, SATYA MicroCapital Limited has successfully “raised INR 500Cr (USD 60Mn) from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation which is a Japanese multinational banking… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 7:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial center in the MENA and Southeast Asia region, has proposed to enact a Digital Assets Law, a Law of Security and related amendments to select existing legislation “to cater to the requirements of the DIFC’s proposed digital… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 11:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The DFINITY Foundation, a “not-for-profit” research and development organization and major contributor to the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) blockchain, announced the launch of the ICP Asia Alliance and a $20 million grant fund “to support the growth and development of Asia-based initiatives in the field… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 8:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Coinbase Singapore has obtained a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This development, coming after Coinbase’s (NASDAQ:COIN) initial In Principle Approval, amplifies their commitment to the Singapore market, enabling them “to expand their provision of Digital Payment Token services to… Read More

October 2, 2023 @ 6:22 am By Michael Wong  |  

Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc (Mynt), the parent company of the most popular e-wallet in the Philippines GCash, is acquiring Electronic Commerce Payments Inc (ECPay) for about $40 million, according to a disclosure Monday. In a statement, Globe Telecom, the parent company of Mynt, said it… Read More