Tagged: underbanked

September 14, 2020 @ 8:57 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Onfido, a global ID verification provider, will be offering its user authentication services to Malaysia’s MyCash Money. Onfido has also been providing similar services to other Fintech firms in the region, including BigPay and MoneyMatch. MyCash Money is a digital marketplace that’s focused on serving… Read More

September 7, 2020 @ 11:24 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The Fintech industry in the Middle East and wider MENA region has experienced significant growth during the past several years. The State of Fintech report reveals that the number of financial technology companies in the Middle East was expected to increase from around 105 in… Read More

September 1, 2020 @ 11:29 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech firm Niyogin, which is listed on the BSE (previously called Bombay Stock Exchange and located at Datal Street, Mumbai), has acquired a majority 51% stake in iServeU for INR 592 million (appr. $8 million) in a cash and stock deal. Niyogin aims to develop… Read More

August 31, 2020 @ 6:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

It’s now possible to open a new bank account or apply for a credit card or loan with just a few taps on our smartphones. Many people now have access to modern financial services, such as instantly transferring funds, from the comfort of their home… Read More

August 5, 2020 @ 12:30 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Critical gaps in the global banking system, especially in emerging markets, have restricted business growth and development. Consumer demand cannot be effectively addressed if banking platforms are not updated to meet the requirements of individuals and small business owners. Billions of people across the globe… Read More

June 16, 2020 @ 11:40 am By JD Alois  |  

Planet42, a company based in Estonia but operating in Africa, has reported raising $2.4 million in a seed round led by Change Ventures with support from private investors including Martin Villig (Bolt), Ragnar Sass (Pipedrive), Marko Virkebau (MeetFrank), Kristjan Vilosius (Katana MRP), and others. Planet42… Read More

June 10, 2020 @ 9:48 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

  The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), an organization that connects the MENA and Southeast Asia region’s markets with the economies of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, has made strategic investments in four Fintech companies. According to a press release, the DIFC has invested in… Read More

June 9, 2020 @ 10:32 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Philippines based Ayannah, an online financial services provider, and India’s payments firm Equity Capital Advisors (ECAPS) have merged their operations in order to provide cost-effective and more accessible financial services to South Asia and Southeast Asia’s growing middle-class population. The merged entity will aim to… Read More

June 2, 2020 @ 12:31 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Businesses throughout the world are looking for ways to cope with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Governments across the globe have enforced lockdowns and recommended that people observe safe distancing measures to avoid the further spread of the Coronavirus. There are now over… Read More

June 1, 2020 @ 11:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Indonesia’s Fintech sector has been growing steadily, however, the majority or over 70% of the country’s adult population is unbanked or underbanked, according to the latest e-Conomy SEA Report. This suggests that Fintech businesses in Indonesia have a good opportunity to provide modern financial services… Read More

May 31, 2020 @ 11:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

  Barcelona’s Fintech firm Belvo has secured $10 million in capital, in order to recruit between 40-50 new project developers. Belvo is also planning to establish business offices in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Y Combinator-backed Belvo maintains its second major hub and primary market in Mexico… Read More

May 23, 2020 @ 1:39 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Via Varejo, the largest retail company in Brazil, has confirmed that it will be acquiring AirFox, a US-based Fintech firm. The amount involved in the transaction has not been disclosed. AirFox will maintain its Boston head offices and will also operate as a Fintech “innovation… Read More

May 18, 2020 @ 9:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ant Financial, the Fintech division of Chinese multinational e-commerce giant Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA), has teamed up with Digital Money Myanmar (Wave Money), in order to promote financial inclusion and help the country’s unbanked and underbanked population. Ant Financial will offer its expertise in mobile and… Read More

May 7, 2020 @ 7:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Estonia-headquartered AskRobin, a Fintech firm that manages a financial services marketplace for underbanked Latin American clients, has secured $1.7 million in capital. AskRobin’s seed round received contributions from several venture capital funds, including BENE Asia Capital, Change Ventures, Lemonade Stand, and Vereeni Early Stage Fund…. Read More

May 4, 2020 @ 8:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech firm GoBear, which offers a financial products comparison website, confirmed on May 4, 2020, that it has acquired AsiaKredit, a Singapore-based digital lender. The amount paid for the acquisition has not been shared publicly. GoBear’s acquisition has come after the Fintech company secured $80… Read More

March 9, 2020 @ 10:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

U Microfinance Bank Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) – Etisalat Company, has reportedly signed a grant agreement with Karandaaz Pakistan, a company that aims to promote improved access to finance for small business owners via an investment platform, and financial… Read More

February 21, 2020 @ 4:34 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

JPMorgan, the largest bank in the US, and UK Aid confirmed last month that they would invest $15 million into the business operations of Catalyst Fund, a Boston-headquartered project accelerator which funds Fintech firms in order to support financial inclusion efforts in India,  Mexico, and… Read More

February 8, 2020 @ 9:54 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Bitcoin Depot, one of the world’s fastest-growing multi-cryptocurrency ATM networks, announced on February 6, 2020, that it’s expanding its services to more than 500 ATMs, globally. This move will notably make Bitcoin Depot the largest blockchain ATM network in the world. The firm recently surpassed… Read More

January 12, 2020 @ 6:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thailand-based Lightnet, a Stellar blockchain-enabled platform, has reportedly secured $31.2 million in funding in order to further develop its international payments service in the Southeast Asia region. The Bangkok-based company has finalized a Series A investment round that was led by established Asian financial conglomerates,… Read More

December 7, 2019 @ 11:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

IGNIA Partners, LW Investment Management, and several angel investors are backing a Mexican challenger bank, called Fondeadora, via a recent $2.5 million investment. This is Fondeadora’s second investment round in 2019. Earlier this year, the banking challenger secured $1.5 million and has now raised a… Read More