Asia

September 16, 2025 @ 2:27 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving ecosystem of cryptocurrency and financial planning, OKX is making strides to bridge traditional finance with digital assets. The crypto exchange has unveiled two groundbreaking updates: a SMSF-compatible platform tailored for Australian retirement savers and the integration of Tether’s USDT0 on its X… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 1:26 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s financial technology landscape continues to evolve at a steady pace, as highlighted in the latest Saudi Fintech Annual Report. Released amid the nation’s Vision 2030 initiatives, this comprehensive document underscores the sector’s pivotal role in diversifying the economy and enhancing… Read More

September 16, 2025 @ 12:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UnionPay International (UPI) has initiated a pilot program for cross-border QR code payments between China and Indonesia. This project aims to streamline digital transactions, fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations by enabling seamless payments for travelers and merchants. The pilot, currently in a… Read More

September 14, 2025 @ 7:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Asia Pacific markets are demonstrating cautious optimism despite global economic headwinds, with the region emerging as a key driver of cross-border capital flows, according to Colliers’ Global Capital Flows September 2025 report. Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong secured positions among the world’s top 10 sources… Read More

September 13, 2025 @ 2:12 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Central banks are grappling with transformative challenges, from liquidity management to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implications of global trade shifts. Updates from the Riksbank, Sweden’s central bank, and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) highlight critical developments that underscore the need… Read More

September 11, 2025 @ 9:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korean fintech Toss, operated by Viva Republica, is gearing up for its first international venture by launching its “all-in-one” finance app in Australia before the end of 2025. This move marks a significant step in the company’s plans to become a global fintech platform,… Read More

September 11, 2025 @ 12:33 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The rise of stablecoins has transformed the financial landscape, offering faster, programmable payments while introducing complex regulatory and compliance challenges. As banks and financial institutions increasingly engage with stablecoin issuers, managing associated risks—regulatory, cybersecurity, operational, liquidity, and counterparty—has become paramount. Recent updates from the Wolfsberg… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 4:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it plans to issue new licenses for platforms that trade fractional investment securities, establishing a legal framework for services that until now operated under a regulatory sandbox. Fractional investment services allow multiple investors to buy shares in ownership… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 2:20 am By Michael Wong  |  

LineWise, a US-based startup developing an AI-powered “virtual engineer” for manufacturers, said it has raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding from A2D Ventures, Y Combinator and a group of global investors. The round, which also included Exitfund, REMUS Capital, SBXi Fund and Team Ignite Ventures,… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 2:17 am By Michael Wong  |  

A major Chinese financial technology company is in talks to acquire blockchain solutions from Venom Foundation, an Abu Dhabi-based platform, as part of efforts to modernise digital financial services, Chinese media outlet Toutiao reported. The potential deal aligns with Beijing’s recently issued guidelines on financial… Read More

September 10, 2025 @ 1:05 am By Michael Wong  |  

Nuveen Private Capital has entered into a strategic partnership with Hunter Point Capital (HPC) and Singapore state investor Temasek, a deal that underscores the rapid expansion of private credit as institutional investors seek alternative sources of yield. HPC and Temasek will take minority stakes in… Read More

September 9, 2025 @ 5:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Companies worldwide are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies as core treasury assets, blending traditional balance sheets with digital tech advancements. This trend, accelerating in 2025 under the Trump Administration, underscores a maturing digital assets ecosystem where institutions are not just exploring or considering this sector but… Read More

September 9, 2025 @ 1:17 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently dismantled an international hacking ring responsible for stealing millions in cryptocurrency, leveraging advanced blockchain analytics from Chainalysis. This operation marks a critical step in combating the escalating wave of crypto-related crimes, which have surged globally in 2025, driven by… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 11:53 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Adams Street Partners, LLC, a Chicago-based firm specializing private markets investment management, has officially unveiled its first office in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. With (a reported0 over $62 billion in assets under management (AUM), Adams Street’s entry into Abu Dhabi underscores the firm’s… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 10:50 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has taken significant steps to bolster Hong Kong’s position as a global hub for sustainable finance, with two key initiatives announced in September 2025. The launch of a public consultation on the Phase 2A prototype of the Hong Kong… Read More

September 8, 2025 @ 9:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Singapore continues to solidify its position as a global hub for financial innovation and regional collaboration through recent developments: the Green Investments Partnership (GIP) achieving its first close with US$510 million in committed capital and the reaffirmation of bilateral cooperation between the Brunei Darussalam Central… Read More

September 7, 2025 @ 11:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) said online lending volumes climbed 22.01% year-on-year in July, even as it tightened enforcement across the financing sector with fresh sanctions on dozens of institutions. Total peer-to-peer (P2P) loan disbursements reached Rp84.5 trillion ($5.3 billion) in July, up from Rp83.5… Read More

September 7, 2025 @ 8:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has finalized its acquisition of Bengaluru-based digital lending startup Axio, formerly known as Capital Float. As reported by local sources, the deal, completed eight months after the signing of a definitive agreement in December 2024, marks one of Amazon’s largest buyouts in India,… Read More

September 7, 2025 @ 3:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Sora Ventures, a Taiwan-based venture capital firm specializing in digital assets, has launched Asia’s first $1 billion Bitcoin (BTC) treasury fund. Announced at Taipei Blockchain Week, the initiative is backed by an initial $200 million from institutional investors across the region, with plans to acquire… Read More

September 5, 2025 @ 9:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Stripe, the programmable financial services company, today launched Stripe Terminal in Japan, helping Japanese businesses unify commerce experiences across online and offline channels. The announcement was made at Stripe Tour Tokyo, the company’s annual gathering of business leaders in Japan “where Stripe showcased a series… Read More