Asia

February 4, 2026 @ 7:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

IG Group Holdings plc has reportedly wrapped up its acquisition of Independent Reserve, a prominent crypto exchange platform. This development, which received the green light from Singapore’s Monetary Authority, marks a strategic step forward for both entities as they aim to capitalize on the surging… Read More

February 2, 2026 @ 7:41 pm By Michael Wong  |  

In a year when capital is moving faster than diplomacy, two of the world’s most discreet financial hubs chose a quieter venue to compare notes: a closed-door meeting room in Switzerland’s capital. Hong Kong and Switzerland held the eighth Hong Kong–Switzerland Financial Dialogue in Bern… Read More

February 2, 2026 @ 7:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move to enhance digital financial services in South Asia, Singapore-based fintech Pine Labs has announced its latest expansion in Sri Lanka. The company revealed a strategic collaboration with Pan Asia Banking Corporation (PABC), one of the island nation’s prominent listed banks. This partnership… Read More

February 2, 2026 @ 4:02 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Asia-based stablecoin trading and payment platform OSL Group said it has raised $200 million (HK$1.56 billion) in equity financing, as the company looks to expand globally and consolidate its position in regulated digital payments and stablecoin infrastructure. OSL said the net proceeds will be used… Read More

February 2, 2026 @ 12:39 am By Michael Wong  |  

For six days ahead of Bangladesh’s national election, the country’s most common political “campaign tool” may not be a rally or a poster, but a throttled digital wallet. Bangladesh Bank is preparing to cap mobile financial service (MFS) transfers at 10,000 taka (about $82) per… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 5:02 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sovereign wealth funds typically spread capital across global markets. The Philippines’ newest one says it is narrowing its focus instead. The Maharlika Investment Corporation, the Philippines’ sovereign wealth fund, said it will deploy capital in fiscal year 2026 across four strategic pillars — energy, logistics,… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 3:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a new development expected to enhance how Asian SMEs handle transactions, global fintech Adyen (AMS: ADYEN) has formed a strategic alliance with Raptor, a point-of-sale (POS) system provider. This collaboration focuses on easing operational hurdles for the city’s service industry, particularly in food and… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 12:34 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Researchers from Durham University found that successful crowdfunding campaigns tend to be based on clear financials; realistic targets; concise, readable messaging; authentic storytelling and clean, professional visuals. Zhibin Lin, Xue Chena, Jinjuan Yanga, Yan Zengb and Jiayuan Xinc used machine learning to compare 144 successful… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 10:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

Card payments in Singapore are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% between 2025 and 2029 to reach S$209.2 billion ($158.3 billion) by the end of the period, supported by near-universal access to banking services, wide merchant acceptance and rising use… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 10:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In its latest pivot amid rather turbulent market conditions, Nomura Holdings Inc., one of Japan’s most active investment banking institutions, has announced a reduction in its cryptocurrency positions and a tightening of risk controls within its digital asset operations. This move comes in response to… Read More

January 30, 2026 @ 9:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Australia’s ongoing economic ties with China have undergone a significant transformation, driven by changes in the global economy. Economists at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) highlight how internal challenges in China and evolving international supply networks are compelling Australian businesses to broaden their horizons…. Read More

January 30, 2026 @ 5:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the landscape of Asia-Pacific financial services, regulatory compliance teams are grappling with outdated methods even as artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a potential game-changer. Recent research from Fenergo highlights a striking disconnect: while enthusiasm for AI is on the rise, the majority of operations… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 11:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Wio Bank, a digital banking platform based in the UAE, has entered into a strategic alliance with Pine Labs, an international fintech company specializing in payment solutions. This collaboration aims to overhaul merchant acquiring systems by introducing cloud-based technology that eliminates outdated dependencies. Announced recently… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 8:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainalysis pointed out that in recent years, networks operating primarily in Chinese-language channels have emerged as a major player in the shadowy world of cryptocurrency-based money laundering. Chainalysis also explained that these groups, often referred to as Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs), now account for… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 4:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Go Digit General Insurance (BSE:GODIGIT) has announced impressive financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. The company, a key player in India’s digital insurance landscape, achieved a significant uptick in profitability, underscoring its solid operational strategies and market positioning. This performance highlights the… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 1:43 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Alchemy Pay, a provider of fiat-to-crypto payment solutions, has teamed up with Japan Open Chain (JOC). This collaboration introduces a streamlined way for users worldwide to acquire JOC Coin using everyday fiat currencies, marking a step forward in making cryptocurrency more accessible and user-friendly. The… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 5:20 am By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s central bank published the next phase of its sustainable finance taxonomy, as the city steps up efforts to channel capital towards green and transition activities and support its shift to a low-carbon economy. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said it has released… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 4:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Etherfuse, a specialist in blockchain solutions for tokenized government debt, has announced a strategic alliance with Shinhan Securities, one of Asia’s premier financial institutions. This collaboration is set to broaden the availability and distribution of tokenized sovereign bonds, starting in South Korea and extending throughout… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 2:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Japan is set to take a significant step in integrating digital assets into its mainstream financial system, with plans to approve its inaugural cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) potentially as early as 2028. This development, first reported by Nikkei Asia, marks a notable evolution in the… Read More

January 26, 2026 @ 9:06 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Blockchain is a promising solution for secure data sharing in the Internet of Things (IoT) networks, but existing systems often suffer from high latency that limits time-sensitive applications. Now, researchers from Japan have investigated how the structure of peer-to-peer blockchain networks affects IoT-blockchain performance. They… Read More