Asia

May 5, 2026 @ 11:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

SBI Holdings, a Japanese financial services conglomerate, has launched formal discussions to acquire a significant stake in Bitbank, one of the country’s major cryptocurrency exchanges. The move, announced earlier this week, reflects the group’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the digital asset space… Read More

May 4, 2026 @ 8:49 am By Omar Faridi  |  

North Korea has launched a forceful denial of international accusations linking it to large-scale cryptocurrency thefts, directing its ire at what it describes as “reptile media” alongside U.S. officials and allied groups. In an official statement released through state channels, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 11:28 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has moved forward with proposed changes to the Securities and Futures Act 2001 that would make it easier for companies to pursue dual listings on the Singapore Exchange and overseas markets. The proposed framework is designed to support the… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 6:39 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

MoonPay Korea will support the global distribution, cross-border settlement, wallet access, and currency conversion infrastructure for Korea’s emerging won-backed stablecoin market. As part of this effort, MoonPay Korea has signed its first banking MOU with Woori Bank, South Korea’s oldest commercial bank and one of… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 6:16 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Fintech firm Ripple, a key player in blockchain-enabled solutions for finance, has announced a major step forward in its regional strategy with the launch of a new headquarters for the MEA in Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC). This development underscores the company’s dedication to supporting… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 6:08 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thunes and WireBarley have unveiled a partnership designed to streamline international money transfers. Announced recently, during Money20/20 Asia, the collaboration aims to deliver instant, efficient cross-border payment options for both businesses and consumers, particularly targeting key routes involving South Korea, the United States, Australia, and… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 5:48 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Digital payments major Ant International announced that its global network now connects more than 150 million merchants with over 2 billion user accounts. The growth comes as the fintech firm expands its payments, cross-border commerce, and AI-driven financial services infrastructure, according to an announcement. The… Read More

May 3, 2026 @ 11:35 am By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore-listed OxPay Financial has secured a financial services license for its Bhutan subsidiary, Oxygen7, allowing the company to move ahead with a crypto-enabled payments platform in Gelephu Mindfulness City. The license, granted by the Gelephu Financial Services Office on April 29, authorizes Oxygen7 to provide… Read More

April 29, 2026 @ 12:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

TRM Labs has noted that on April 24, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took decisive action against a major cross-border criminal enterprise. Cambodian Senator Kok An and 28 associated individuals and entities were designated for their roles… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 10:21 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

OS and AI technology company Banma Intelligence and Alipay this week launched a new AI cockpit solution integrating Alipay AI Pay, enabling drivers to complete purchases by voice command directly from their vehicle. “In the past two years, smart cockpits have achieved rapid advances in… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 5:51 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia is emerging as Asia’s most concentrated Fintech market, underscoring both the region’s maturity and the significant growth potential in less-developed ecosystems across the continent, according to a new study. The analysis by Singapore-based UnaFinancial found that Southeast Asia hosts an average of 14… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 5:40 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Robinhood (NASDAQ:HOOD)  has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to offer brokerage services in the city-state, marking a key step in the U.S.-based fintech firm’s expansion into Asia’s fast-growing retail investment market. The approval allows Robinhood to move closer to launching a… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 10:01 am By Michael Wong  |  

Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital and Microsoft have launched Microsoft Elevate, a national artificial intelligence (AI) capacity-building initiative to strengthen the country’s AI talent pipeline as it seeks to become a regional AI hub. The program, aligned with Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 ambitions, expands the country’s… Read More

April 26, 2026 @ 12:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Elliptic noted that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued its inaugural pair of stablecoin issuer licenses. The approvals, announced on April 10, 2026, came just eight months after the territory’s Stablecoins Ordinance officially launched on August 1, 2025. The two recipients—global banking leaders… Read More

April 25, 2026 @ 4:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Southeast Asia’s private equity market remained under pressure in 2025 as deal value declined and exit activity weakened, highlighting ongoing liquidity challenges for private capital investors, according to a new report by Bain & Company. Total deal value in the region fell about 10% year-on-year… Read More

April 25, 2026 @ 4:34 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore SMEs do not appear to lack interest in artificial intelligence. What many lack is a clear starting point, and the financing, partners, and safeguards to move from experimentation to deployment. DBS, Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority are seeking to address that… Read More

April 25, 2026 @ 10:25 am By Michael Wong  |  

For South Korean travelers in Vietnam, paying for coffee, taxis, or hotel bills may soon feel much more like paying at home. BIDV, Vietnam National Payment Corporation (NAPAS), South Korea’s KEB Hana Bank, and GLN International have launched a cross-border QR code payment service linking… Read More

April 24, 2026 @ 3:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Recent analysis from Citi Research, part of Citi (NYSE: C), underscores a pivotal shift in artificial intelligence usage, particularly in high-engagement markets like China. A survey of 1,800 consumers who had interacted with AI tools in the prior month found that about 70% engage with… Read More

April 21, 2026 @ 9:52 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Vodafone Fiji has partnered with Entrust in order to roll out digital debit card issuance through its popular M-PAiSA mobile wallet, marking a significant step toward instant, contactless payments in the Pacific island nation. The collaboration introduces seamless digital-first experiences for customers, allowing them to… Read More

April 20, 2026 @ 7:59 am By Michael Wong  |  

Financial institutions are moving further into blockchain-based settlement infrastructure, with Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) launching a stablecoin minting and redemption service aimed at corporate and high-net-worth clients. The Bahrain-based lender said the new offering enables clients to convert fiat currencies into digital tokens, and vice… Read More