Asia

February 3, 2020 @ 10:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

Federal Bank, a private bank with a branch network of 1,251 branches and about 2000 ATMs, has issued a release that it has opened its first “digital branch” called “Fed-e-Studio .” This digital branch was announced at an event last week at Rajarhat Bhatenda. Dr…. Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 6:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Indian government recently revealed its Union budget for the FY 2021. Following the announcement, it appears that the nation’s Fintech industry has been given special attention, as Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed on February 1 to introduce a policy for creating data center… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 11:32 am By JD Alois  |  

iSTOX, a blockchain-based platform, is now the first digital securities issuance, custody, and trading platform, licensed in Singapore. iSTOX recently “graduated” from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Fintech Sandbox program and has received regulatory approval to operate and provide digital asset issuance and trading. This… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 9:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

US residents now have another zero-fee option to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) using the US dollar. On January 30, 2020, Tokyo-headquartered digital asset exchange bitFlyer introduced its commission-free service for the BTC/USD trading pair to its US-based clients. bitFlyer’s zero-fee feature is currently only being offered… Read More

February 3, 2020 @ 8:21 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Jumio, an established provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced end-to-end identity verification and authentication services, has teamed up with CIMB Bank Philippines’ all-digital bank to offer a convenient and user-friendly digital onboarding solution to Filipinos. Having completed its first full year of business operations, CIMB Bank… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 6:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank of Japan (BoJ), the nation’s central bank, has been working on a virtual currency project for several years. The BoJ must be prepared to issue digital currencies if technical innovations in international settlement systems will increase consumer demand, the bank’s deputy governor noted… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 4:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital payments and online lending are becoming increasingly popular in Asian countries. According to a new survey, a large number of Asia-based users are conducting internet-based transactions, instead of visiting physical bank locations. The recent survey of Fintech customers by Robocash Group revealed that nearly… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 4:40 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

LVC Corporation, a subsidiary of LINE Corporation and manager of LINE’s digital currency and blockchain-focused ventures, recently confirmed its plans to begin trading its virtual currency in Japan by April 2020. LINE is the company behind Japanese social media network Line, which notably has more… Read More

February 2, 2020 @ 2:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Doha Bank, one of Qatar’s largest commercial banks (incorporated in 1978 and began offering its services in Doha, Qatar in March 1979), has confirmed the official launch of its domestic and cross-border funds transfer digital service for corporate customers. The domestic and international funds transfer… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 4:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Japan-headquartered SBI Holdings, a major financial services company, has reportedly invested $20 million in OpenLegacy Technologies, a US-based software development company that streamlines the API integration process of core banking systems. Citi, FIS and BNP Paribas-Cardif are notably among the major clients for OpenLegacy’s platform,… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 4:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based Fintech industry participant U GRO Capital is notably among the few digital lending players that has taken a serious approach towards business development. The listed firm offers credit to small businesses and has managed to achieve profitability in just the first year of its… Read More

February 1, 2020 @ 9:14 am By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based ZestMoney, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered consumer lending platform, confirmed recently that last year, it managed to record more than 125% in equated monthly installment (EMI) financing. The Bengaluru-headquartered firm noted that online EMIs comprise a large portion of the Indian economy, experiencing a record-breaking… Read More

January 31, 2020 @ 4:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and the World Logistics Council Limited (WLC) have reportedly committed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in order to launch the Multi-Dimensional Digital Economy Application System (MDDEAS) in Malaysia. The system will be introduced with the help of local tech… Read More

January 31, 2020 @ 7:56 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong-based digital asset exchange Bitfinex has introduced margin trading for Tether gold (XAU₮). Beginning on January 30, 2020, the exchange has confirmed it will support margin trading for XAU₮ with trading pairs for major fiat currencies including the US dollar and Bitcoin (BTC). Bitfinex’s… Read More

January 30, 2020 @ 4:25 am By Omar Faridi  |  

  India-based non-for-profit organization, the National Institute for Smart Government (NISG), has reportedly proposed issuing a digital Indian rupee in its draft National Strategy on Blockchain. A central bank digital rupee, or CBDR, would be issued and managed on a permissioned (private) blockchain network, where… Read More

January 29, 2020 @ 9:09 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Dubai-headquartered Sarwa confirmed on January 27 that it had finalized an $8.4 million Series A investment round, which was led by Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO). The firm’s hybrid automated investment platform aims to simplify the process of investing while making it more affordable. Sarwa’s platform… Read More

January 29, 2020 @ 6:56 am By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based Infibeam Avenues Limited, an established online payment solutions and enterprise software solutions developer, recently recorded the highest ever digital payment processing volume of approximately INR 159 billion (appr. $2.23 billion) during a period of significant slowdown in the nation’s economy and also amidst tough… Read More

January 29, 2020 @ 4:32 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Nashik Merchant’s Co-op Bank (NAMCO), a Maharashtra-headquartered co-operative bank has decided to go digital. The Indian co-op bank has reportedly teamed up with India Transact Services Limited (ITSL), in order to introduce point of sale (PoS) terminals for all of its merchant accounts. This… Read More

January 29, 2020 @ 2:40 am By Omar Faridi  |  

India-based consumer lending firm MoneyTap has secured around $7.14 million through a  Series B equity and debt financing round from investors, including Aquiline Technology Growth (ATG), RTP Global and Sequoia India. Additionally, several Korea and Japan-based investors took part in the round. Existing investors Prime… Read More

January 28, 2020 @ 12:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Westpac-backed VC fund Reinventure aims to increase its presence in Asia’s Fintech economy. Reinventure has reportedly joined a $90 million investment round for Kredivo’s owner, Indonesia’s fast-growing “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) platform. Asia Growth Fund and Square Peg led Reinventure’s latest round for FinAccel,… Read More