Asia

July 20, 2026 @ 4:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Alibaba Cloud has unveiled its Agent Native Cloud architecture, designed specifically to support the deployment, orchestration, and scaling of sophisticated AI agents in enterprise environments. This new infrastructure marks a shift from traditional cloud computing focused on managing raw compute resources to a system optimized… Read More

July 19, 2026 @ 7:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-founded crypto payments infrastructure provider Paymonade has received a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Liechtenstein’s Financial Market Authority. The license allows it to offer regulated crypto-asset services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) member states under a single passportable license. The approval comes… Read More

July 19, 2026 @ 6:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A consortium led by Swedish private equity firm EQT has raised its tender offer for Japanese online platform operator Kakaku.com to 3,450 yen ($21.25) per share, overtaking a competing proposal from a consortium led by SoftBank-owned LY Corp and Bain Capital as the battle for… Read More

July 19, 2026 @ 2:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Multicoin Capital has provided $1.75 million in seed funding as the sole institutional backer for Trasia Labs, the developer of a specialized perpetual futures trading platform built natively on Hyperliquid. This transaction represents Multicoin’s entry into the Hyperliquid ecosystem and supports a project explicitly designed… Read More

July 19, 2026 @ 1:04 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Deep Finance Capital has launched in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), positioning itself as the emirate’s first AI-native asset manager. The DFSA-regulated firm will serve institutional and professional investors across real estate, private equity, commodities and special situations. Deep Finance Capital emerged from Rasameel… Read More

July 18, 2026 @ 6:18 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital bank Revolut has obtained in-principle approval to deliver virtual asset services across the UAE. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai granted the preliminary license, positioning the company to introduce broker-dealer activities, asset management and investment services, as well as exchange functionalities in… Read More

July 17, 2026 @ 3:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SBI Holdings has wrapped up its acquisition of Coinhako, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange and services provider. The deal, which secures a controlling interest for SBI, marks the latest step in the company’s ambitious push to build a comprehensive global network for tokenized assets, stablecoins, and… Read More

July 17, 2026 @ 1:47 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Remitly Global, Inc. has obtained a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license paired with an Exchange Business Category IV authorization from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE). This approval positions the company among the early international remittance specialists to gain such credentials in… Read More

July 16, 2026 @ 9:21 am By JD Alois  |  

Ondo Finance, a firm focused on tokenizing RWAs, has formed a partnership with SBI Group to tokenize assets in Japan. SBI Group is one of Japan’s largest financial services conglomerates, operating in banking, investing, asset management, and, more recently, digital assets. In a post on… Read More

July 15, 2026 @ 8:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

As part of a significant escalation of financial pressure on Tehran, the United States has taken action to immobilize substantial digital currency holdings allegedly linked to Iran’s government. This move underscores Washington’s ongoing strategy to curb the flow of funds that could support activities deemed… Read More

July 15, 2026 @ 5:24 am By JD Alois  |  

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has approved its first tokenized fund. The Baillie Gifford Enhanced Yield Fund (BAGEY) is an actively managed fund that holds short-duration government and corporate bonds. Baillie Gifford is an independent investment manager owned and operated by 54… Read More

July 15, 2026 @ 1:28 am By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korea is taking significant steps to modernize its approach to public asset oversight by incorporating emerging digital assets. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is preparing draft legislation to create a unified basic law for managing state-owned properties, explicitly extending its coverage to innovative… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 8:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tabby, the fintech platform operating across the Middle East region, has introduced Tabby Cash—a spending account that combines a rewarding cashback card with cost-free money transfers. This marks a significant expansion as the company evolves from its roots in flexible payments into a comprehensive everyday… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 6:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has released its 2025 Annual Report, underscoring the authority’s success in balancing dynamic growth with rigorous regulatory standards. As the international financial hub of the UAE capital, ADGM continues to attract global… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 12:48 am By Omar Faridi  |  

One of Japan’s convenience store operators is preparing to accept payments in a yen-pegged stablecoin. This initiative highlights the growing integration of blockchain-based assets into traditional shopping experiences, potentially paving the way for faster, lower-cost transactions in a cash-heavy society. Lawson, recognized as Japan’s third-largest… Read More

July 14, 2026 @ 12:23 am By Omar Faridi  |  

A new report highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming retail experiences in Hong Kong, with consumers increasingly turning to AI tools for discovery while merchants grapple with building lasting confidence during the final stages of a purchase. The latest findings from the Adyen (AMS: ADYEN)… Read More

July 13, 2026 @ 3:56 am By Omar Faridi  |  

A prominent Islamic scholar in Pakistan has issued a religious decree classifying cryptocurrency trading and investment as impermissible under Shariah law, igniting widespread discussions about the compatibility of digital currencies with Islamic principles. The ruling, released through a major seminary, highlights ongoing tensions between emerging… Read More

July 12, 2026 @ 10:55 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has urged Filipinos to borrow only from registered lenders, warning that illegal operators may charge exorbitant interest rates and resort to unfair collection practices. The corporate regulator said consumers should use safe, transparent and regulated loan products, including… Read More

July 12, 2026 @ 6:57 am By Michael Wong  |  

“Innovation needs capital, and Hong Kong is where capital and ideas meet,” the city’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said as Hong Kong sought to reinforce its position as a regional technology and fundraising hub during the inaugural LEAP East conference. The three-day LEAP East… Read More

July 11, 2026 @ 3:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indian microfinance lender Arohan Financial Services Ltd has secured an investment commitment of up to $30 million to support the expansion of its loan portfolio and icnrease access to creadit for low-income borrowers, according to project document seen by Crowdfund Insider. The commitment comes from… Read More