Asia

May 23, 2024 @ 10:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the People’s Bank of China (PBC) discussed initiatives to advance cooperation in green and transition finance between China and Singapore at the 2nd China-Singapore Green Finance Taskforce (GFTF) meeting held on 20 May 2024. The initiatives discussed covered… Read More

May 21, 2024 @ 10:22 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

C2FO announced the launch of C2treds, the global fintech’s first national platform that expands working capital access “to all micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India.” C2FO is the latest and only US-based fintech “to join the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), distinguishing itself… Read More

May 21, 2024 @ 9:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has officially licensed Hala Financing to provide debt-based crowdfunding solutions in Saudi Arabia, a significant step in broadening the financial services available within the kingdom. This recent authorization increases the total number of companies licensed to offer these services to… Read More

May 21, 2024 @ 9:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has launched the digital yuan, also known as e-CNY,marking a significant step in the integration of digital currencies in the region’s financial system. According to reports from Sing Tao Daily, the launch event was hosted by Howard Lee Tat-chi,… Read More

May 21, 2024 @ 8:40 am By Michael Wong  |  

Osome, a Singapore-based financial administration platform catering to founders and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has raised over $17 million in its Series B funding round which was a combination of equity and debt financing. The round saw participation from both new and existing investors…. Read More

May 21, 2024 @ 3:12 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Anchorage Digital Singapore is pleased to be the “first” crypto custodian to announce compliance with Singapore digital asset custody regulation by receiving an exemption in respect to its digital payment token (DPT) custody service from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The exemption as set… Read More

May 20, 2024 @ 10:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GRAB) announced unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Anthony Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab said: “Our focus on product-led growth is bearing fruit, with On-Demand GMV scaling to new highs in spite… Read More

May 19, 2024 @ 6:33 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Digital lender Maya Bank and WeFund Lending Corp., through Lightning Financing Co., have signed a P2.75-billion ($48 million) loan channeling agreement aimed at enhancing credit accessibility for unbanked and underserved communities in the Philippines. “We are proud to work with WeFund, and this initiative is… Read More

May 19, 2024 @ 3:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

United Fintech is increasing its global presence with the opening of a new location in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This strategic expansion into the UAE, “spearheaded by Athena, one of United Fintech’s partner companies, is a response to robust market demand and underscores… Read More

May 19, 2024 @ 12:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Backbase, the global enabler of Engagement Banking, Orient Commercial Joint Stock Bank (OCB), a private bank in Vietnam, together with SmartOSC, the digital enabler, announce the go-live of the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform to launch OCB’s OMNI 4.0 app. The OCB OMNI 4.0 version reportedly… Read More

May 19, 2024 @ 10:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Private market exchange ADDX Pte. Ltd., regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has launched the blockchain-based ADDX Fixed Income Marketplace and pioneered a Multi-Issuer Debt Issuance Program for companies to conveniently issue digitized commercial paper and bonds. The Digitized Bonds are expected to “be… Read More

May 19, 2024 @ 9:29 am By Michael Wong  |  

Woori Bank, a major South Korean commercial lender, has officially entered the competition to secure a license for the country’s fourth internet-only bank. The bank confirmed that it had submitted a letter of intent to join the Korea Credit Data (KCD) led consortium. This move… Read More

May 18, 2024 @ 1:24 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Foodics, the provider of restaurant management and financial tech solutions in the MENA region, has officially inaugurated its new office in New Cairo in Egypt. This strategic expansion marks “a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing growth within the Egyptian market and emphasizes its dedication… Read More

May 17, 2024 @ 8:54 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

PhonePe announced that it has enabled UPI payment acceptance in collaboration with LankaPay across LankaQR merchant points at a session held in Colombo. The session saw participation from Shri Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, who highlighted… Read More

May 17, 2024 @ 6:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Emirates NBD, which is one of the banking groups in the MENA and Turkey region, has partnered with Pine Labs, a merchant commerce omnichannel platform, to ensure that companies across the region have access to the latest, and best, payment solutions. As part of its… Read More

May 17, 2024 @ 10:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

We spoke to co-founder of PayFuture Technologies Dubai, Zaki Farooq on why businesses should overcome their reluctance to enter emerging markets to tap into a world of opportunity. Emerging markets are one of the fastest developing sectors of the global economy and many new businesses are establishing… Read More

May 16, 2024 @ 6:00 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

dLocal, a cross-border payment platform specializing in high-growth markets, today expanded its partnership with Deel, a global HR and payroll platform that helps businesses scale their remote workforce capabilities. The expansion includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam in Asia, and Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Saudi… Read More

May 15, 2024 @ 4:57 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Hashgraph Association (THA) has revealed a partnership with the Qatar Financial Centre to launch a Digital Assets Venture Studio. The goal is to support regulatory compliant DeFi solutions and digital assets leveraging Hashgraph. The Venture Studio will commit $50 million to startups over the… Read More

May 15, 2024 @ 1:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Blockdaemon officially announces expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a new office and corporate entity established in Abu Dhabi under the Registration Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). With this expansion, Blockdaemon will now “offer institutional-grade node and validator infrastructure solutions, and… Read More

May 14, 2024 @ 10:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Alraedah Digital Solutions, a technology company and the innovation arm of Alraedah Digital Group, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with ABHI, a MENAP-based Fintech specializing in Earned Wage Access and Invoice Factoring. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in Alraedah’s commitment “to fostering… Read More