Sumsub, an international verification platform, has entered into a partnership with dtcpay, a prominent payment service provider based in Singapore. This collaboration aims to enhance the security and reliability of digital currency transactions, specifically in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, UK, and Europe. A significant element… Read More
Author: Michael Wong
HSBC Pledges $1bn Financing for Global Climate Tech Start-ups
In a significant move towards bolstering the global fight against climate change, HSBC announced today its commitment to allocate $1bn in financing to early-stage climate tech startups worldwide. This ambitious initiative aims to accelerate the development of innovative solutions in various domains, including electric vehicle… Read More
Malaysia: MYEG and Beitou IT Innovation Launch Digital Identity Verification on Zetrix Blockchain
Malaysia’s e-government service provider, MY E.G. Services Berhad (MYEG), is joining forces with China’s state-owned Guangxi Beitou IT Innovation Technology Investment Group Co., Ltd. (Beitou IT Innovation) to pioneer an international digital identity credentials service using the Zetrix blockchain. Unveiled at the recent China-ASEAN Expo… Read More
Singapore Banks Ramp Up Anti-Malware Measures in Face of Rising Threats
The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) has revealed that significant retail banks in the city-state have bolstered their security protocols against malware scams, introducing enhancements and new countermeasures to adapt to the ever-evolving threat landscape. In a bid to safeguard their varied customer base… Read More
Institutional Investors Recognize Importance of Digital Assets in Diversified Portfolios, Study Reveals
Institutional investors are increasingly valuing the significance of digital assets in their diversified investment portfolios, according to new research from London-based regulated digital assets hedge fund Nickel Digital Asset Management. The research highlights a growing consensus on the incorporation of digital assets to ensure diversification…. Read More
Credit Cards in Circulation in Hong Kong Reach 19.71 Million
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the city’s central bank, has released its Q2/2023 payment card statistics, revealing that the total number of credit cards in circulation in Hong Kong reached 19.71 million by the end of the second quarter. This indicates a marginal growth… Read More
Nanofiber Quantum Technologies Secures $8.5m in Funding for Quantum Computing Advancement
Nanofiber Quantum Technologies Inc. (NanoQT) announced a successful $8.5 million fundraising round, anchored by global venture capital firms. The round was backed by US’s Phoenix Venture Partners (PvP) and Japan’s JAFCO Group Co Ltd, SPARX Group Co Ltd, Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc. (KII), and Waseda… Read More
Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association Signs MoU with HKTDC to Boost Trade with Hong Kong
In a landmark move to fortify commercial ties between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The MoU was inked during the eighth Belt and Road Summit…. Read More
Hong Kong’s Central Bank Warns Crypto Firms Misrepresenting Themselves as Banks
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has issued a public advisory warning against crypto businesses that are presenting themselves as “banks” or labeling their products as “deposits”. The regulatory body emphasizes that such misrepresentations may violate the Banking Ordinance. There have been instances of crypto… Read More
Learn.xyz Launches Generative AI-Powered Learning App Following $3m Seed Funding
Learn.xyz, a startup focusing on generative AI in education, has unveiled its innovative, AI-driven social learning app for iOS and Android platforms. This launch coincides with the company’s successful $3 million Seed funding. The new app, catering to a worldwide audience, offers the unique ability… Read More
IFC Grants $10m Loan to Uzbekistan’s Ipak Yuli Bank for SME Development, Women’s Economic Empowerment
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is allocating a $10 million loan to Uzbekistan’s Ipak Yuli Bank in a bid to bolster the bank’s lending initiatives directed at small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those owned by women. The… Read More
Circle Partners with Grab to Introduce Web3 Customer Experiences in Singapore
Global payments company Circle Internet Financial (Circle) and Southeast Asia’s super app Grab announced a groundbreaking partnership that aims to usher in Web3 customer experiences in Singapore. This innovative collaboration will see the integration of Circle’s new Web3 Services platform directly into the Grab app…. Read More
Digital Payment Startup Hyperjar Secures $24m in Series A Funding
London-based fintech firm Hyperjar, celebrated for its digital payment solutions and personalized rewards system, has announced raising $24 million in a Series A funding round backed by Susquehanna Private Equity Investments and the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. Having its roots in 2016 and officially… Read More
ASEAN QR Code Innovation Seen to Boost Cross-border Payments, Expand MSME Market Reach
The recently introduced ASEAN QR Code innovation promises to open up a broader market for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by facilitating seamless cross-border payments, Pandu Sjahrir, the legacy lead of ASEAN QR Code, told Indonesia’s news agency ANTARA. This integration offers a platform… Read More
Insurtech Bowtie Raises $34.9m for Expansion in HK Insurance Market
Hong Kong-based virtual insurer Bowtie has successfully wrapped up a $34.9 million Series B2 funding round, the company has confirmed. The latest financial injection was led by Sun Life Hong Kong Limited, and saw significant contributions from Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Bowtie’s announcement highlighted that… Read More
Germany: Defense AI Firm Helsing Scores €209m in Series B Funding
Defense AI firm Helsing has announced a successful €209 million in its Series B funding round anchored by General Catalyst and backed by strategic investment from the renowned Swedish group, Saab. Established in 2021, Helsing’s identity is carved as a contemporary defense firm, primarily focusing… Read More
Data and AI firm Databricks raises $500m at $43bn valuation
Databricks, a data and artificial intelligence company has successfully raised over $500 million in its Series I funding round, bringing the company’s valuation to $43 billion. With this move, each share of the company is now valued at $73.50, according to an announcement. The financing… Read More
Abu Dhabi Strengthens Position as a Fintech, Financial Hub with Stellar Growth in 2023
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), the International Financial Centre in the UAE’s capital, has showcased impressive growth during the first half of 2023, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a ‘falcon economy’ and a predominant financial powerhouse in the GCC region. The number of investment firms… Read More
ADDX to Extend Its Blockchain-Enabled Investment Platform to GCC, MENA Regions
ADDX, the Singapore-based private market exchange, revealed plans to venture into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East/North Africa (MENA) regions. This strategic move aims to enhance the efficient allocation of growth capital and bridge the existing gap between private entities in need of… Read More
Insurtech: Aviva Selling Singlife JV Stake to Sumitomo Life for Nearly $1bn
In a strategic move aimed at streamlining its operations and capitalizing on growth opportunities, British insurer Aviva plc has unveiled plans to sell its 25.9% stake in Singapore Life Holdings Pte Ltd, commonly known as Singlife, along with two debt instruments, to Sumitomo Life Insurance… Read More
KASIKORNBANK Launches KXVC, a $100m Fund for AI, Web3, and Deep Tech Startups
Thailand’s digital bank, KASIKORNBANK (KBank), has launched a $100 million flagship fund, KXVC, aimed at fintech startups specializing in AI, Web3, and Deep Tech globally. The move is set to capitalize on the booming digital economy in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, projected to hit $1… Read More
Indonesia Pushes for Expansion of ASEAN’s Local Currency Transaction Network
Under its chairmanship of ASEAN this year, Indonesia is placing a strong emphasis on the expansion and enhancement of the region’s local currency transaction (LCT) network. The move is aimed at fortifying trade and investment, streamlining cross-border payments, and advancing financial asset substitutability. Iss Savitri… Read More
Earnix, provider of SaaS solutions for global insurers and banks, names new CTO
Earnix, a provider of intelligent SaaS solutions for insurers and banks worldwide, announced the appointment of seasoned technology expert Erez Barak as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective from September 10. With a rich career spanning over 22 years, including significant leadership roles at tech… Read More
Hong Kong: Tykhe Capital Launches HK’s First Real Estate STO with PRINCE Token
Tykhe Capital Group Limited (Tykhe) unveiled the PRINCE Token today, marking Hong Kong’s premier real estate fund security token offering (STO) accessible to professional investors. This initiative is the inaugural STO sanctioned under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) regulations. Enabled by Tykhe’s virtual asset… Read More
VPBank Secures $300m Loan from US International Development Finance Corporation
Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) signed a commitment letter for a bilateral loan valued at $300 million. The loan, with a tenure of seven years, is primarily targeted at enhancing financial accessibility for small- and… Read More
Australia: UnionPay Partners with NBC Badminton to Launch Exclusive Prepaid Card for Fans
UnionPay International (UPI), the world’s premier provider of secure cross-border payment services, has joined hands with NBC Badminton, Australia’s leading badminton club, to roll out a specially crafted prepaid card for NBC badminton aficionados. The ‘NBC x UnionPay’ prepaid card seeks to offer unparalleled convenience… Read More
IFC Achieves Record Investment in Central Asia Amid Geopolitical Challenges
In a notable demonstration of faith in Central Asia’s growth potential, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has invested and mobilized a staggering $1.6 billion in the region during fiscal year 2023 (FY23). This investment, the highest ever for… Read More
Exiger to Sell Financial Crime Compliance Division to Capgemini
Exiger, a SaaS company that has transformed the manner in which corporations, government agencies, and banks handle supply chains, declared its intention to sell its renowned Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) division to Capgemini, a predominant business and tech transformation service firm. The conclusion of this… Read More
Global Trade Finance Gap Hits Record $2.5tr Amid Economic, Geopolitical Volatility
The global trade finance gap soared to an unprecedented $2.5 trillion in 2022, escalating from $1.7 trillion two years prior, reveals the 2023 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey presented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today. This gap represents the discrepancy between requests… Read More
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Opens New Office in London
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), a top-tier exchange group globally, marked the inauguration of its latest office in London this week, further amplifying its international influence. A celebratory reception was held in The City of London. Nicolas Aguzin, HKEX Chief Executive Officer, alongside… Read More