December 21, 2024 @ 6:56 am By Michael Wong  |  

Cybercriminal activity on the dark web surged in 2024, with significant growth in discussions around crypto-drainer malware and advertisements for corporate database breaches, according to Kaspersky’s latest Security Bulletin. The report highlights an evolving cyber threat landscape, with increased interest in malware targeting cryptocurrency wallets… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 9:41 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) held their second bilateral meeting, reinforcing cooperation and connectivity between the financial services sectors of the two jurisdictions. Building on the initial bilateral meeting held in Abu Dhabi in… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 7:45 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Indian government is set to introduce a comprehensive legislative framework aimed at curbing the rise of illegal lending applications, the New Indian Express reported. The Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance has drafted a bill that imposes severe penalties on individuals… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 6:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based insurtech firm bolttech has successfully raised over $100 million in its latest Series C funding round, according to a company statement released on Friday. The funding round was anchored by Dragon Fund, with significant participation from Liquidity and MUFG. Additional investors in the round… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 1:38 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-based digital banking firm Tyme Group has successfully raised $250 million in a Series D funding round, elevating the company to unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion. The funding round was led by Brazilian digital banking powerhouse Nubank, which contributed $150 million, while… Read More

December 20, 2024 @ 7:18 am By Michael Wong  |  

TBC Bank Uzbekistan (TBC UZ), the country’s largest digital bank, announced a $37 million equity investment from its majority shareholder, London-listed TBC Bank Group PLC (TBC Group). This capital injection brings TBC UZ’s total equity funding for 2024 to $75 million, establishing a new annual… Read More

December 15, 2024 @ 5:55 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Technology platform and bank Jiko announced closing a $29 million Series C funding round led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Airbus Ventures, Red River West, Radicle Impact, and other undisclosed investors. The new capital strengthens Jiko’s position in the institutional and enterprise markets as… Read More

December 15, 2024 @ 9:30 am By Michael Wong  |  

Decentralized Bitcoin mining protocol Prosper has acquired over 7,000 ASIC miners from BITMAIN and completed a strategic funding round backed by Metalpha, Waterdrip Capital, BIT Mining, and Animoca Brands, according to an announcement. The acquisitions and funding aim to expand Prosper’s institutional-grade Bitcoin hashrate capacity… Read More

December 14, 2024 @ 11:36 am By Michael Wong  |  

Around 16% of Belgium’s population, or 1.9 million people, do not use online banking, according to a report published on Friday by the non-profit organisation Financité. The report highlights concerns about the impact of bank closures on those who are not digitally connected, particularly the… Read More

December 14, 2024 @ 11:34 am By Michael Wong  |  

TSX-listed Axis Auto Finance Inc. announced the completion of its previously disclosed sale of auto loan assets and related business operations for $78 million. The transaction, initially detailed in October, included adjustments for changes in loan composition and fair market value of inventory since December… Read More

December 10, 2024 @ 7:17 pm By Michael Wong  |  

CIMB Bank Philippines will not seek a digital banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), opting instead to enhance its digital banking capabilities using its existing commercial banking license. The bank believes this approach provides sufficient flexibility to introduce a broader range of… Read More

December 9, 2024 @ 9:14 am By Michael Wong  |  

French crowdfunding platform Ulule has acquired its KissKissBankBank from La Banque Postale for an undisclosed amount, according to reports.  La Banque Postale acquired KissKissBankBank in 2017. At the time of the purchase the CEO of La Banque Postale explained the move as responding to new consumption… Read More

December 8, 2024 @ 4:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Indonesia-based real estate marketplace Lamudi, a subsidiary of Australia’s Digital Classifieds Group, announced the acquisition of Ideal, a Fintech aggregator specializing in mortgage products in Indonesia. This strategic move aims to integrate mortgage facilitation into Lamudi’s platform, offering a more comprehensive solution for property buyers… Read More

December 8, 2024 @ 4:03 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Czech Republic has approved extensive financial market reforms aimed at fostering growth in the crypto and blockchain sectors, in a strategic move to position itself as a premier cryptocurrency hub. According to reports, the newly passed legislation addresses key barriers faced by cryptocurrency companies… Read More

December 8, 2024 @ 6:54 am By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) announced the introduction of two new electronic payment solutions set to launch in mid-2025. These initiatives aim to facilitate the transition from traditional cheques to digital payments for both corporate and… Read More

December 6, 2024 @ 10:08 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Seven crowdfunding and donation platforms in the Netherlands have agreed to provide clearer information about the fees they charge, following action by the Dutch consumer authority ACM. The platforms—Doneeractie, Doneerveilig, Geef.nl, Getfunded, GoFundMe, Steunactie, and Whydonate—will improve transparency around deductions, including value-added tax (VAT), to… Read More

December 6, 2024 @ 9:10 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Ant International has joined Swift’s Network Interoperability Reference Implementation program, becoming part of a select group of global payment service providers (PSPs) working to enhance interoperability across cross-border payment systems. The initiative, announced on Friday, is structured as a pre-pilot designed to improve payment transparency… Read More

December 3, 2024 @ 8:18 am By Michael Wong  |  

US e-commerce giant Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)announced that it has invested more than S$2 billion ($1.49 billion) across its retail and cloud businesses in Singapore in 2023, bolstering its presence in the Southeast Asian market and supporting over 10,000 indirect jobs. The investment encompasses capital expenditure on… Read More

December 1, 2024 @ 6:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed on Sunday to postpone the implementation of a controversial cryptocurrency tax by two years, responding to mounting investor backlash and political pressure. The decision mirrors the party’s move a month earlier to scrap a planned… Read More

December 1, 2024 @ 2:00 pm By Michael Wong  |  

US-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has withdrawn its pre-application to operate in Turkey, according to a report by Turkiye Today. The Capital Markets Board of Türkiye updated its list of companies requesting liquidation on November 29. The update revealed that Coinbase, which had initially filed its… Read More