Asia

August 10, 2015 @ 4:12 pm By JD Alois  |  

The China Supreme Court released a judicial interpretation regarding liability for loans gone bad originated on peer to peer lending platforms. The court has stated that while borrowers receive funds via the platforms these intermediaries are not required to guarantee the loans and should not be held… Read More

August 9, 2015 @ 11:11 pm By JD Alois  |  

Not so bad for a 5 year old. Renrendai, a leading peer to peer lender in China, may hit 15 billion yuan (about $2.4 billion) in loans by the end of the year. The direct lending platform had transactions worth $1.4 billion (9 billion yuan) in… Read More

August 9, 2015 @ 2:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

In the fast changing world of equity crowdfunding Equitise, with offices in both New Zealand and Australia, is charting new territory with a “ground breaking” offer to partially crowdfund an initial public offering (IPO) on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).  This is another sign of the… Read More

August 7, 2015 @ 12:49 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

    Would a “Safe Room,” a storage facility filled with 80 tonnes of silver and a tonne of gold, worth about S$120 million total, increase your confidence about participating in a peer-to-peer loan platform? Silver Bullion, a Singapore-based bullion retailer, is counting on it. The company just launched… Read More

August 4, 2015 @ 1:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Renren, a Chinese social media platform and significant investor in disruptive finance, is going through a period of turmoil.  On July 31st acting Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ashley Law Kwok Wai, resigned from his position at the company to “pursue another career opportunity”. Around the same time… Read More

August 4, 2015 @ 12:29 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

“China’s central bank has moved to defend draft rules that would force online payment processors to channel large payments through traditional bank accounts, a requirement that industry observers say will stifle innovation while protecting the interests of incumbent banks,” reported FT’s Gabriel Wildau. “The People’s Bank of China… Read More

August 4, 2015 @ 12:18 pm By JD Alois  |  

Scott Picken is based in South Africa but he clearly thinks big when considering the addressable market for his real estate crowdfunding platform Wealth Migrate. It is his opinion that banking, insurance, real estate – basically all aspects of finance –  will be revolutionized by… Read More

August 4, 2015 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

Alibaba continues to expand its strategic push into financial services with the significant hire of Michael Evans as President of Alibaba Group. According to the company, Evans will direct international growth strategy for the fast growing internet conglomerate.  Evans was already a member of the… Read More

August 2, 2015 @ 7:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

Woomentum.Fund, a Singapore based crowdfunding platform, launched this weekend seeking to empower, and help fund, Asian based women led startups. Founded by Mouna Aouri Langendorf, Woomentum.Fund seeks to provide personalized support, and social boost, along with capital for female entrepreneurs. “Women entrepreneurs often find it hard… Read More

July 30, 2015 @ 12:24 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has backed the UK FinTech 2020 manifesto created by FinTech trade body Innovate Finance, according to a release. The manifesto, which was released as Cameron leads a trade delegation of British FinTech leaders to South East Asia this week, aims… Read More

July 30, 2015 @ 11:28 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Startupbootcamp FinTech, a global accelerator focusing on financial innovation, hosted its first Demo Day in Singapore on 29 July for the top 11 FinTech teams selected out of 300 applications earlier this year. “Startupbootcamp FinTech is the first FinTech accelerator in Singapore and the only… Read More

July 30, 2015 @ 3:15 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

  While the crew behind a great movie may think outside the box to create the flick, the single-occupant Solo Theater, from Japanese design house Lucy Alter Design, means you can now watch a film in a box, using your smartphone or tablet–all by yourself. Now overfunding on Japanese platform Makuake,… Read More

July 28, 2015 @ 11:55 am By Erin Hobey  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced the formation of a new Fintech & Innovation Group (FTIG) to be headed up by former Citibank executive, Sopnendu Mohanty. Effective August 1, FTIG will be responsible for creating development strategies and regulatory policies around technology innovation… Read More

July 28, 2015 @ 1:08 am By Midori Yoshimura  |  

  Moody’s Investor Service on Monday said that tighter regulations in China, which is Aa3 stable, have been successful in slowing the growth of core “shadow banking” activity. However, other alternative banking activities have been expanding more rapidly–a situation akin to pushing down on an inflating air mattress and watching the surrounding space rise… Read More

July 27, 2015 @ 1:27 pm By JD Alois  |  

Jason Best, Principle at Crowdfund Capital Advisors and early proponent of crowdfunding, hit the studios of CNBC to chat up investment crowdfunding and its largest market – China.  Best notes that crowdfunding, both debt and equity, is an important part of China policy and their… Read More

July 27, 2015 @ 9:19 am By Samantha Hurst  |  

China Rapid Finance, China’s online consumer lending marketplace serving online users and China’s emerging middle class, today announced an initial closing of $35 million in its Series C round of financing at a pre-money valuation of US $1 billion. The round was led by Broadline… Read More

July 24, 2015 @ 2:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

New peer to peer lending platform Funding Societies has inked a partnership with Orangefield Trust to hold funds from lenders.  The collaboration is said to “provide lenders with greater confidence in engaging P2P lending platforms”. “We have taken steps to ensure there is no mishandling of… Read More

July 23, 2015 @ 10:34 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Orios Venture Partners, an India-based early-stage VC firm floated by serial investor Rehan Yar Khan, announced a new US$150 million fund according to e27. The new fund (Fund II) will primarily focus on startups working in the fintech, B2B commerce, used merchandise and affordable products spaces, as well… Read More

July 23, 2015 @ 10:12 am By Erin Hobey  |  

Capify, formerly AUSvance, will serve as an international conglomerate provider of unsecured alternative finance solutions to SMEs. Capify,  powered by a proprietary technology and analytics platform, today announced its global rebrand aiming to become the most diverse, worldwide alternative SME financing platform. Headquartered in the… Read More

July 21, 2015 @ 2:15 pm By Erin Hobey  |  

Mara produces an award-winning range of shake-on seaweed seasonings – healthy salts – marketed as “Flavours of Scotland.” Best Producer Finalist in 2015 BBC Food & Farming Awards, Mara launched in London’s iconic upscale retailer Harrods in 2014 and is now on sale in M&S… Read More