Asia

September 27, 2025 @ 6:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

APAC firms are doubling down on compliance investments amid rising enforcement pressures. A new report from Regtech firm SteelEye underscores this trend, while ongoing debates around GDPR and MiFID II highlight the intricate balance between data retention and privacy. These developments seemingly signal a pivotal… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 6:23 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore will evaluate fund managers appointed under its S$5 billion ($3.65 billion) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) over at least three years, with key performance indicators (KPIs) including investment returns, mobilising third-party capital and contributions to the city-state’s market ecosystem, a senior minister said on… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 10:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) set out a detailed roadmap to strengthen the city’s fixed income and currency (FIC) markets, part of a broader push to reinforce its role as a global financial centre and deepen its… Read More

September 27, 2025 @ 9:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines, said it will stop accepting new applications for digital bank licenses from Dec. 1, as the regulator moves to tighten oversight of the fast-growing sector and safeguard financial stability. The suspension follows the… Read More

September 26, 2025 @ 9:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) is focused on enhancing digital payments and financial services in Asia and across Europe. From forging a credit partnership to supporting growth in emerging markets and backing European fintechs, recent updates underscore PayPal’s commitment to enabling more inclusive digital financial… Read More

September 26, 2025 @ 1:36 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is emerging as a hub of innovation and adoption, with on-chain activity surging threefold from $81 billion in July 2022 to peaks of $244 billion by December 2024. As we move into late 2025, insights from Chainalysis reveal that this acceleration… Read More

September 25, 2025 @ 3:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Nansen, a blockchain analytics firm, has announced an Artificial Intelligence service called Nansen AI. According to a company statement, Nansen AI is the first purpose-built trading and investigative AI agent for onchain activity. Nansen says the service will enable investigations in minutes, not hours, and… Read More

September 23, 2025 @ 9:41 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tokyo-based Metaplanet Inc. has executed what stands as the most substantial single Bitcoin purchase by an Asian public company to date. The firm shelled out approximately $632.53 million to secure 5,419 BTC, catapulting its total reserves to an impressive 25,555 coins. Valued at around $2.91… Read More

September 23, 2025 @ 4:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s tax authority has confiscated more than 140 billion won ($106 million) in virtual assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, from tax delinquents over the past four years, highlighting the government’s widening use of digital assets to enforce compliance. The National Tax Service (NTS) began… Read More

September 22, 2025 @ 6:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move to reshape digital payments across Asia, LINE NEXT—the Web3 innovation arm of the messaging platform LINE—and the Kaia blockchain ecosystem have jointly revealed Project Unify. This initiative aims to deliver a versatile superapp centered on stablecoins, specifically engineered to streamline cross-border transactions…. Read More

September 22, 2025 @ 6:30 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Meta has (NASDAQ:META) integrated a QR code-based payment system into the WhatsApp Business App. The announcement was made during Meta’s recent business summit in Mumbai, India, highlighting the company’s focus on enhancing digital tools for… Read More

September 22, 2025 @ 9:38 am By JD Alois  |  

ZA Bank, one of the first digital-only banks in Hong Kong, has announced that it has topped one million users. As most observers anticipate that bank branches will soon be a thing of the past, alongside gas lamps and buggy rides, ZA Bank is proving… Read More

September 22, 2025 @ 12:02 am By Michael Wong  |  

Japan’s Credit Saison has launched a new venture capital vehicle dedicated to blockchain, joining a growing number of financial institutions targeting the sector despite market volatility. The fund, branded Onigiri Capital, was set up through the company’s Singapore-based corporate venture capital subsidiary and announced last… Read More

September 21, 2025 @ 10:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore’s central bank pledged to safeguard price stability and financial sector resilience while deepening innovation and climate transition efforts, as global uncertainties weigh on growth prospects. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who also oversees the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said in an addendum… Read More

September 20, 2025 @ 2:19 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SoftBank Vision Fund, the fintech venture capital powerhouse, announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 20% as part of a broader initiative to channel resources into artificial intelligence -focused ventures. The decision, which has sent ripples through the investment community, underscores the fund’s push… Read More

September 18, 2025 @ 10:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has made announcements that underscore a commitment to robust data protection and innovative financing for regional challenges. On one front, ADGM has introduced new rules aim to enhance privacy safeguards under its Data Protection Regulations 2021. On another, a strategic… Read More

September 18, 2025 @ 2:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a boost to Saudi Arabia’s digital payments ecosystem, global payments intelligence company Thunes has announced key developments: a live partnership with mobile wallet provider barq and an expansion of its real-time cross-border payment capabilities directly into the Kingdom. These moves, aligning seamlessly with Saudi… Read More

September 18, 2025 @ 12:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) continues to support strategic initiatives that aim to bolster financial stability and value creation. Recent developments, including enhanced regional cooperation with entities like the HKMA, calls for transformational leadership in corporate governance, and a push for risk resilience, underscore… Read More

September 17, 2025 @ 10:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Pakistan’s  Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has issued a call to global cryptocurrency firms to apply for local licenses. The initiative, announced by the finance ministry, aims to integrate Pakistan’s expanding crypto market—estimated to serve 40 million users—into the global digital economy. This development signals… Read More

September 17, 2025 @ 5:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In an escalation of efforts to curb Iran’s illicit financial activities, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on September 16, 2025, targeting a sophisticated shadow banking network. This operation, valued at over $600 million in cryptocurrency inflows,… Read More