February 3, 2025 @ 8:56 am By Michael Wong  |  

Crowdfunding is emerging as a viable capital-raising tool for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, generating over P2 billion (about $34 million) in fresh funds for small businesses, industry sources said. The growth comes as 361 companies have tapped licensed crowdfunding intermediaries… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:44 pm By Michael Wong  |  

InfiniVAN Inc., a telecommunications arm of IPS, Inc., has joined forces with Maybank Philippines Inc. in a bid to upgrade the bank’s financial services and enhance its security framework through advanced internet solutions. The collaboration follows the successful completion of the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable… Read More

February 2, 2025 @ 5:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Egypt-based fintech Halan Microfinance Bank has expanded its footprint into Pakistan following its acquisition of Advance Microfinance Bank. The deal provides Halan with an existing license and a rapid route into one of South Asia’s fastest-growing microfinance sectors, according to an announcement. The company announced… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 10:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Jordan’s Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, approved plans to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual or digital assets within one year, according to reports. The move is aimed at aligning with global standards, bolstering the country’s digital economy, and safeguarding investors in… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 8:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Furaha, a purpose-driven lending platform aimed at boosting financial access across sub-Saharan Africa, has raised $10 million through a joint investment by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s innovation and fintech investment arm, and Yabx Technologies (Netherlands) B.V. SC Ventures contributed $7 million, while Yabx, part of… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 8:04 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia-listed digital services firm MY E.G. Services Berhad (MYEG) announced a strategic collaboration with MyDigital ID Solutions Sdn Bhd (MYIDSSB) to develop a blockchain-powered national digital identity platform, the MyDigital ID Superapp, aimed at combating online fraud and enhancing digital integration. The partnership, formalized through… Read More

January 26, 2025 @ 6:54 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Pluto, the United Arab Emirates’ corporate card and expense management platform, announced that it has secured $4.1 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The development comes shortly after Pluto’s co-founder Mohammed Ridwan revealed that the platform surpassed AED1 billion in cumulative spend under management,… Read More

January 25, 2025 @ 5:26 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Workera, an AI-powered skills intelligence platform, has received a strategic investment from professional services company Accenture as part of a broader alliance aimed at accelerating the adoption of skills-first strategies. The collaboration encompasses multiple areas: a financial commitment from Accenture, a reseller agreement to distribute… Read More

January 22, 2025 @ 7:13 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Global investment firm KKR has enlisted Goldman Sachs to facilitate the sale of its significant minority stake in Philippine fintech company Maya, according to a Reuters report that cited two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. KKR, which owns more than 20% of Maya,… Read More

January 21, 2025 @ 9:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Skor Technologies, the Indonesian parent company of credit-education platform Skorlife and the Skorcard digital-first credit card, has raised $6.2 million in a pre Series-A funding round led by Southeast Asia-focused Argor Capital. The round also saw participation from existing backers QED Investors and Saison Capital,… Read More

January 21, 2025 @ 8:17 am By Michael Wong  |  

Amazon has signed an agreement to acquire Axio, a Bengaluru-based digital lending firm that provides credit access to underserved individuals and households across India. The acquisition, which awaits regulatory approval, is expected to bolster Amazon’s footprint in the rapidly growing digital lending market and strengthen… Read More

January 21, 2025 @ 8:13 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based Bitcoin mining firm BitFuFu Inc. has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in a 51-megawatt (MW) Bitcoin mining facility in Oklahoma. The company has signed a letter of intent for the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025,… Read More

January 19, 2025 @ 7:09 am By Michael Wong  |  

Revelstoke Capital Partners has made a strategic investment in Omega Systems, marking the eighth investment under its Revelstoke Capital Partners Fund III, the private equity firm announced. Omega, recognized as one of the 25 fastest-growing IT service providers in North America in 2024 by CRN,… Read More

January 19, 2025 @ 6:07 am By Michael Wong  |  

Chevron Corporation announced a total contribution of $1 million to three organizations supporting wildfire relief efforts in California. The donation is allocated among the California Fire Foundation, the American National Red Cross, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund. According… Read More

January 14, 2025 @ 9:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

GCash, the leading fintech platform in the Philippines, has engaged major international banks for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), potentially set for later this year, according to a Bloomberg report. The selected financial institutions include JPMorgan Chase & Co, Morgan Stanley, and UBS Group… Read More

January 12, 2025 @ 8:14 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Central Bank of Ireland has launched its first “innovation sandbox programme,” introducing seven private-sector ventures focused on tackling financial crime. The initiative provides a controlled environment for testing new technologies, enhancing collaboration between the central bank and the fintech sector, and advancing solutions to… Read More

January 12, 2025 @ 7:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The digital lending market in the Philippines, which includes registered non-bank digital lenders and digital banks, is projected to surpass $1 billion by the second half of 2025, according to a new analysis by Digido. The growth reflects strong consumer demand for online financial services… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 5:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Following its 2024 Article IV Consultation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized Hong Kong’s strong standing as an international financial center and endorsed its pathway towards fiscal consolidation. This affirmation came via a concluding statement released… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 3:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

XTransfer, a China-based business-to-business (B2B) cross-border trade payment platform, has been granted a major payment institution (MPI) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The license, effective from January 1, 2025, enables XTransfer to offer diverse payment services in Singapore, enhancing its position in… Read More

January 11, 2025 @ 11:07 am By Michael Wong  |  

The US Senate Banking Committee is reported set to establish its inaugural subcommittee focused on digital assets, marking a significant move just days after Republicans assumed control of the Senate following recent elections. According to reports, this initiative aligns with President-elect Donald Trump’s vision of… Read More