Asia

February 15, 2026 @ 11:58 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving ecosystem of artificial intelligence, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region stands out for its strategic approach to venture investments. According to PitchBook‘s Q1 2026 Analyst Note indicated that AI funding is no longer driven by widespread enthusiasm but by calculated decisions emphasizing practicality and… Read More

February 15, 2026 @ 8:15 am By Michael Wong  |  

The central banks of the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong agreed to deepen cooperation on cross-border debt market links, digital assets and stablecoin regulation. The move comes as the UAE central bank formally joined Hong Kong’s Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU). The two sides said… Read More

February 15, 2026 @ 5:48 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Singapore Gulf Bank, a fully licensed bank backed by Whampoa Group and Mumtalakat, has announced what it claims is a GCC and Asian industry first bank-operated network delivering full interoperability between fiat and stablecoins. This represents an evolution of SGB Net, its proprietary real-time clearing… Read More

February 15, 2026 @ 1:11 am By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s securities regulator has appointed LC Wakaful Digital Sdn Bhd (LCWD) as the first operator of a new “Social Exchange Platform”, a move aimed at bringing capital-markets-style governance and transparency to donation-based funding for social projects. The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said the appointment is… Read More

February 14, 2026 @ 11:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain security firm CertiK has recently shared critical analyses on the shifting landscapes of cryptocurrency regulation, highlighting both hurdles in the United States and progressive advancements in Dubai. These updates underscore the firm’s expertise in navigating security and compliance amid global crypto developments, offering key… Read More

February 13, 2026 @ 4:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has revealed plans to enhance its Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP). On February 12, 2026, the authority disclosed an increase in the program’s funding from S$5 billion to S$6.5 billion. This decision aligns with the recent Budget 2026 announcement… Read More

February 13, 2026 @ 4:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a recent development in the ongoing battle against international financial fraud, a U.S. federal judge has handed down a 20-year prison term to Daren Li, a 42-year-old man holding dual citizenship in China and St. Kitts and Nevis. The sentence, delivered in absentia in… Read More

February 13, 2026 @ 2:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ecosystem of digital finance, cryptocurrencies are increasingly entangled with serious crimes. According to a recent report from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, transactions tied to these illicit activities spiked dramatically in 2025, rising by 85% compared to the previous year and amounting to hundreds… Read More

February 12, 2026 @ 10:32 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The global fintech landscape in 2025 as well as early 2026 reveals a state of contrasting developments across regions. In the United Kingdom, once a powerhouse of financial innovation, investment experienced a notable downturn. Funding for UK fintech companies dropped 21% in 2025, reaching approximately… Read More

February 11, 2026 @ 9:45 am By JD Alois  |  

China is home to the second-largest economy in the world. It is also home to many very large Fintechs. Recently, it was reported that authorities reiterated their ban on crypto and on private firms enabling digital assets. But one observer says China is not anti-tokenization;… Read More

February 10, 2026 @ 6:32 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

Turnstile, developer of a quote-to-cash platform for sales-led startups, this week announced $29 million in funding from First Round, OMERS Ventures, Illuminate Financial, and some angel investors. When SaaS first emerged, it was built around a simple per-seat model: swipe a card, add users, and… Read More

February 10, 2026 @ 6:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled plans for a $1 billion investment in artificial intelligence over the next four years, culminating by 2030. This initiative was revealed during the opening of Indus AI Week 2026, a week-long event in Islamabad running from February 9… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 5:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic has highlighted significant vulnerabilities in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, particularly involving stablecoins and organized scam operations. With stablecoins surpassing a $300 billion market cap, they offer efficient cross-border payments but also serve as tools for illicit finance. Elliptic’s recent analyses reveal how… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 12:57 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Omnispay, a UAE-based fintech focused on payments and cash-flow tools for small and medium-sized enterprises, has raised $2 million in a Pre-Series A round led by Infinity Value Capital Group, the company said. The fresh capital will fund product development and expansion as omnispay shifts… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 12:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In early February 2026, Chinese regulators (again) escalated their long-standing opposition to cryptocurrencies by issuing a joint statement from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and seven other agencies. The directive reportedly bans unauthorized offshore issuance of yuan-linked stablecoins and imposes strict vetting on tokens… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 10:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the unpredictable ecosystem of cryptocurrency-facilitated crime, significant updates highlight both the adaptability of underground markets and the intensifying efforts by authorities to dismantle them. Despite global enforcement pushes, TRM Labs noted that some platforms continue to thrive, while others face severe repercussions for their… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 9:17 am By Michael Wong  |  

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb’s chief executive apologised to users after a recent Bitcoin overpayment incident, as the platform moved to compensate customers and strengthen internal controls. CEO Lee Jae-won said the company “sincerely apologizes for the concern and inconvenience caused,” adding that Bithumb would… Read More

February 9, 2026 @ 7:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Over the years, Regtech SlowMist has emerged as a key player in safeguarding digital assets. Founded in 2018, by a group of network security professionals, the company says it has spent the past eight years navigating the tumultuous landscape of the industry. From boom-and-bust cycles… Read More

February 8, 2026 @ 4:01 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has proposed a 0.1% tax on turnover for each crypto-asset transfer conducted through platforms operated by licensed service providers, under a draft circular released for public consultation, The Hanoi Times reported. Under the draft framework, crypto-asset transfers and trading would be… Read More

February 8, 2026 @ 11:59 am By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea and Indonesia plan to launch a cross-border QR-code payment service in April, allowing visitors to pay at merchants in either country using their domestic QR payment apps, Indonesia’s central bank said. The planned linkage underscores how central banks are increasingly treating retail payments… Read More