Asia

February 13, 2021 @ 2:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Big Four auditing company KPMG recently published its annual selection of China’s top Fintech firms. This year, the China Fintech 50 report was updated to include 100 companies to showcase the financial technology industry’s rapid growth and fast-evolving landscape. The 2020 China Fintech 50 list,… Read More

February 12, 2021 @ 8:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

During a recently-held online press conference, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor, Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus stated that more than 40 parties have formally expressed their interest with the reserve bank to acquire a digital banking license (by submitting an online application). Malaysia’s virtual banking framework… Read More

February 11, 2021 @ 10:47 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The 2021 Lunar New Year is approaching and authorities in Southeast Asia are now encouraging locals to turn to virtual red packets and online transactions, instead of using paper currency notes (in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19). Asian residents are also being… Read More

February 11, 2021 @ 9:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Arshad Mehmood Bhatti, Director, Exchange Policy Department at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the nation’s central bank, has noted that the SBP has updated its Foreign Exchange Manual in order to facilitate local startups and Fintech firms in the country. The manual was also… Read More

February 10, 2021 @ 11:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SCB 10X, a subsidiary of Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank or SCB (BKK: SCB), has launched a $50 million VC fund that will make strategic investments in early and growth stage startups globally. SCB is looking for initiatives that are focused on blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi),… Read More

February 10, 2021 @ 11:13 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A new United Nations inquiry into the reported theft of $281 million in crypto-assets from  KuCoin, a major digital currency exchange, in September 2020 “strongly suggests” links to North Korea. Industry participants claim that Seychelles-headquartered KuCoin could be the victim of one of the largest… Read More

February 10, 2021 @ 8:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

China’s Nervos, a major public blockchain network, has introduced a $5 million fund that will provide cash grants to blockchain and Fintech entrepreneurs developing new solutions for “the future” of decentralized finance (DeFi). As mentioned in a release shared with CI, the pledge “comes amid… Read More

February 9, 2021 @ 11:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

US-based SAS, a multinational developer of analytics software, has revealed that the Bank of Singapore, which is a member of the OCBC Group, will be using its AI-enhanced communications surveillance analytics software in their training and monitoring of customer representatives’ performance. SAS’ Trade and Communications… Read More

February 9, 2021 @ 10:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

A new study by Fenergo, provider of digital transformation, customer journey and client lifecycle management (CLM) software, has revealed that Malaysia ranked the highest for data privacy fines in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Fines from Malaysian authorities totaled nearly $4 billion this past year. Neighboring… Read More

February 9, 2021 @ 9:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Leong Bank Berhad (MYX:5819), a major public listed banking group in Malaysia, has revealed that it’s launching a digital commerce platform that will offer an official store on Shopee Mall. This should allow HLB’s clients to sign up for various banking products and services… Read More

February 9, 2021 @ 8:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Azimo, a digital money transfer service, has announced the launch of a money transfer service to Pakistan in partnership with HBL, Pakistan’s largest commercial bank. The new service will allow Pakistanis living in the UK, Europe and Australia to send money in minutes, according to… Read More

February 8, 2021 @ 11:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Last week, the “next-generation” securities exchange MERJ had revealed that they would be collaborating with the team at RedBlock Capital, which aims to focus on promoting the adoption of digital securities in major jurisdictions. Both companies are pioneers in the digital securities sector, and both… Read More

February 8, 2021 @ 10:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Singapore based Funding Societies has announced the expansion of operations into Thailand. The online capital formation platform will operate under a crowdfunding license authorized by the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission. According to a note from Funding Societies, the company worked for more than a… Read More

February 8, 2021 @ 8:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Crypto billionaire Jihan Wu recently announced his departure from Bitmain, one of the world’s leading Bitcoin mining firms. Bitmain co-founder Micree Zhan has also managed to regain control of the leading Bitcoin mining conglomerate after fellow co-founder Wu tweeted a “coded” message explaining the “end… Read More

February 7, 2021 @ 8:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Deepika, who writes blog posts for LocalBitcoins, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange, has asked whether there are any small business owners in India that accept BTC as a form of payment for goods and services. Deepika notes that it can be inconvenient when a small business… Read More

February 7, 2021 @ 7:36 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Saudi Arabia’s venture capital funds are increasingly looking to tap into Fintech, digital commerce, and healthcare segments this year. VC activity has increased considerably in the MENA region including Saudi Arabia during the past few years, with local startups recording a 55% year-over-year growth in… Read More

February 7, 2021 @ 7:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The team at Islamabad-based Fintech firm SadaPay has been introducing innovative and appealing financial products and services that are focusing on younger consumers in Pakistan. SadaPay is offering black, sleek premium spending cards which may be comparable to some of the cards offered by European… Read More

February 7, 2021 @ 11:36 am By Xu Gao  |  

SWIFT and the People’s Bank of China Digital Currency Research Institute Establish a Joint Venture Public records show that SWIFT has recently established a Financial Gateway Information Service Co., Ltd. in China with the People’s Bank of China Clearing Center and the People’s Bank of… Read More

February 6, 2021 @ 6:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SATYA MicroCapital, a fast-growing micro-lending firm based in India, has reportedly secured INR 153 Crore (appr. $21 million) in funding from Japan’s Gojo & Company. The microfinance lender confirmed that the recent investment acquired is one of the largest capital infusions it has received (and… Read More

February 6, 2021 @ 5:23 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore-headquartered Insurtech firm CXA Group has reportedly decided to restructure its operations by selling off its brokerage division so that it can focus on the development and global expansion of its enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. CXA stated that it will be selling its brokerage business… Read More