Tagged: fintech

November 23, 2023 @ 8:35 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Lendela, a Singapore-based digital loan matchmaker, has announced raising $5 million in funding anchored by Chocolate Ventures, a venture investment firm started by Singlife founder and former group CEO Walter de Oude. The Series A funding round was also backed by Lendela’s seed investor Cocoon… Read More

November 23, 2023 @ 9:24 am By Michael Wong  |  

UK-based PaymentSense is planning to apply for an e-money license from the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish Independent reported. PaymentSense, known for providing merchants with card terminals for contactless payments, is already established in Ireland. However, the approval of its e-money license application would… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 5:18 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Green fintech has become a promising new growth area in Southeast Asia, with green fintech firms bringing innovative solutions to help businesses and governments address challenges and opportunities of going green. This insight was part of the report – Fintech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 3:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Australia and the Philippines have agreed to cooperate in promoting trade and investment within the financial technology (fintech) sector, marking a major step towards enhancing the technological collaboration between the two nations. The memorandum of understanding that formalises the partnership was signed by FinTech Alliance.ph… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 2:43 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Jordan Ahli Bank, a Jordanian financial institution with over six decades of banking experience, has announced its full compliance with the country’s Open Banking and Open Finance regulations. The bank said it has partnered with Open Banking and financial innovation firm Fintech Galaxy to boost… Read More

November 19, 2023 @ 2:09 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Ant International, Grab, and StraitsX have announced a collaborative effort to explore the potential application of Purpose Bound Money (PBM) in cross-border payments. PBM is a protocol that specifies the conditions upon which an underlying digital currency can be used and first introduced by MAS… Read More

November 18, 2023 @ 5:52 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) have jointly introduced a real-time payment systems linkage connecting Singapore’s PayNow and Malaysia’s DuitNow. This initiative builds upon the earlier QR payment linkage announced on March 31, 2023, facilitating cross-border QR payments to merchants…. Read More

November 18, 2023 @ 5:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

BC Technology Group, the digital asset and fintech-focused parent of digital asset platform OSL, has announced raising approximately HK$710 million from crypto group BGX. The deal, which still requires the approval of BC Group’s shareholders, will give BGX a 30% stake in the company. OSL… Read More

November 18, 2023 @ 12:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Silverflow, a could-based payments processing startup, announced raising €15 million ($16.4 million) in a funding round anchored by industry veterans and payments experts at Global Paytech Ventures. The round was also backed by Picus Capital, Coatue, Crane Venture Partners, Inkef, and several angel investors, with… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 7:42 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Arab Financial Services (AFS), a digital payment solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, recently hosted a high-level economic delegation from Brussels and discussed potential partnerships within the fintech and financial services sector, highlighting a significant move towards international collaboration in this rapidly evolving… Read More

November 12, 2023 @ 5:28 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A landmark agreement has been reached between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), and the Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM), promising to revolutionize fintech cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The “Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening… Read More

November 11, 2023 @ 5:40 pm By Michael Wong  |  

BonEvalue Pte Ltd (BondbloX), a Singapore-based fintech startup that provides easy access to bonds for investors, has secured $6 million in a Series B round. The funding round was backed by Beacon Venture Capital, the corporate venture arm of Thailand’s Kasikornbank. Existing shareholders MassMutual Ventures… Read More

November 5, 2023 @ 8:22 pm By Michael Wong  |  

A recent study conducted by the United Overseas Bank (OUB) suggests that Vietnamese consumers are increasingly turning to digital banking and modern payment methods, with convenience and speed as among the major factors cited for the preference. The report, “ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Study”, indicates a significant… Read More

November 4, 2023 @ 2:46 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong and Thailand aims to revolutionize the way travelers handle currency exchange with the launch of interoperable digital payment systems. From December 4, residents from both regions will be able to make transactions using their local digital payment platforms, thanks to a landmark agreement… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 9:50 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zone (DIEZ) has announced the official launch of Oraseya Capital, a venture capital fund that will invest in financial technology (fintech) startups in the gulf nation. This strategic initiative, announced during the Dubai Business Forum, aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 1:47 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Venture capital (VC) investment in Fintech companies dropped 36% to $6 billion in the third quarter of 2023, with deal volume down 39% to 484, according to data released by S&P Global Market Intelligence. However, despite the overall decline, late-stage startups saw a 30% increase… Read More

November 3, 2023 @ 11:27 am By Michael Wong  |  

Treehouse, a Web3 data and analytics company, has acquired advanced NFT analytics firm Origins Analytics to boost its non-fungible token (NFT) capabilities. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Following the acquisition, Origins’ founding team will join Treehouse to integrate Origins’ technology into its… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 11:11 pm By Michael Wong  |  

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) of Hong Kong has announced a set of groundbreaking initiatives during the Hong Kong FinTech Week 2023, aimed at integrating fintech developments with the real economy. The comprehensive plan includes the launch of an Integrated Fund Platform… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 9:56 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Funding Societies (Modalku), a unified small and medium enterprises (SME) digital finance platform in Southeast Asia, has announced raising $7.5 million in debt from Norfund, Development Financial Institution (DFI) operated by the Norwegian government. DFIs have played a significant role in impact investments in Southeast… Read More

November 2, 2023 @ 9:53 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is working with HSBC Bank Middle East (HSBC) to develop digital fixed-income securities, paving the way for the introduction of a broader array of capital market use cases in the Middle East. The partnership leverages the investment product knowledge of… Read More