Asia

June 20, 2024 @ 9:55 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Tether, which claims to be one the largest companies in the cryptocurrency industry, announced that it is teaming up with the National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT), also known as Taipei Tech “to enhance blockchain and digital asset education in the region.” This initiative aims… Read More

June 19, 2024 @ 9:35 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) announced the start of the Financial Transparency Corridor (FTC) initiative between Singapore and Cambodia. The FTC commemoration event was “held at Istana, Singapore, and was presided over by Lawrence WONG, Prime Minister… Read More

June 18, 2024 @ 5:26 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ZA Bank announced the launch of StockBack, a stock rebate program that allows users to get a free draw of various US stocks after each successful stock purchase transaction. The move sets a precedent in the local banking industry “where users can get ‘stockback’ from… Read More

June 17, 2024 @ 10:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

barq, a digital wallet for consumers and businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Thunes, a global money movement innovator, announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand international money transfer opportunities for barq’s users. In the partnership, Thunes will provide… Read More

June 17, 2024 @ 8:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Saudi Central Bank SAMA released the Annual Performance Report of the Saudi Finance and Real Estate Refinance Companies Sector for the year 2023. The report highlighted the sector’s developments and financials “during 2023, where the paid-up share capital for finance companies sector increased by… Read More

June 16, 2024 @ 3:59 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Mbanq has announced a strategic partnership with IG Tech Cambodia, a Fintech developer in Southeast Asia, to create IG Finlink Cambodia, with Mbanq holding a majority ownership stake. The alliance signifies Mbanq’s ambitious expansion into the ASEAN banking technology and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) markets. Initially focusing… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 10:19 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has released the first edition of the ‘Practical Guide on Venture Capital and Private Equity in Malaysia’ early this week, aiming to clarify the Malaysian policy landscape for fund managers, service providers, and investors in these sectors. The guide provides… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 9:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Qiro Finance, a Singapore-headquartered decentralized finance (DeFi) startup founded by Akshay Poshatwar and Nishikant Bahalkar, announced a successful $1.2 million funding round to develop a decentralized credit protocol aimed at bridging the significant credit gap in emerging markets. The startup said it is innovating at… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 7:15 pm By Michael Wong  |  

BayaniPay, a US and Philippines-based global payments automation process provider announced that it has raised an additional $3 million in funding to expand its international payment capabilities. This capital injection, led by Wavemaker Partners, PTGB, and Talino Venture Studios, will be used to finance the… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 7:11 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has added 2 new companies to e-payment services providers, e-Money services providers and e-payment systems operators register. Continuing its efforts to encourage innovation in financial services, enhance electronic payment services and regulate these activities, ensure providing high-quality, efficient and… Read More

June 15, 2024 @ 10:08 am By Michael Wong  |  

Ant Group, the Fintech arm of Chinese tech major Alibaba, ramped up its research and development expenditures to a record 21.2 billion yuan ($3.05 billion) last year, according to its latest sustainability report. This move highlights the company’s increasing focus on technology innovations, including artificial… Read More

June 14, 2024 @ 11:01 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to announce that it has signed a cooperation agreement with a unit of Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), to support the development of HKEX’s Integrated Fund Platform (IFP). This cooperation will see Shenzhen Securities Communication Co. Ltd… Read More

June 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have developed a blueprint for a platform that integrates regulatory and climate data to help financial authorities identify, monitor and manage climate risks in the financial system. Integrating climate risk analysis into… Read More

June 14, 2024 @ 9:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Fenergo, the provider of digital solutions for Know Your Customer (KYC), Transaction Monitoring (TM) and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM), and NS Solutions (NSSOL), a technology solutions provider, today announce a strategic partnership to support financial institutions in Japan in meeting rising regulatory obligations. The partnership… Read More

June 14, 2024 @ 7:33 am By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports that Terraform Labs PTE, Ltd. and founder Do Kwon will pay a $4.5 billion penalty as they have been found guilty of a “years-long fraud.”  It was previously reported that the SEC was seeking a $5.3 billion settlement…. Read More

June 12, 2024 @ 10:51 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Airwallex, a global payments and financial platform for modern businesses, saw robust customer growth in Hong Kong, with its transacting customer base increasing by 79% YoY in the first quarter of 2024. Reflecting the strong customer growth, Airwallex Hong Kong also “recorded a 108% YoY… Read More

June 12, 2024 @ 10:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM and the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) have recently announced the signing of a joint Digital Assets Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU creates a framework “enabling the collaboration between the BMA and the FSRA to support the… Read More

June 12, 2024 @ 10:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Currencycloud, which focuses on simplifying business in a multi-currency world, and Pyvio, the fintech building ‘Glocal’ financial services infrastructure, have announced a partnership offering efficient and cost-effective cross-border payment solutions for Chinese e-commerce businesses operating in emerging markets. The partnership will allow Pyvio to leverage… Read More

June 12, 2024 @ 9:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Stake, the digital platform for real estate investment, announced that they have raised $14 million in a Series A round reportedly led by MEVP (Middle East Venture Partners), along with Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, which is said to be one of Saudi Arabia’s largest VC’s, Mubadala… Read More

June 12, 2024 @ 7:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In 2023—as economies fully reopened and travel resumed—Grab (NASDAQ: GRAB) says that its mobility business rebounded and their deliveries business showed remarkable resilience amidst rising inflation. Grab claims that they grew their user base. As of December 2023, 35.5 million people leverage their platform “to… Read More