ZenTech Acquires Majority Stake in Alpha Fintech, Expanding Presence in Payment Gateway Services Market
Zen Tech International Bhd (ZenTech) acquires a 70% stake in Alpha Fintech Sdn Bhd for RM10 million, marking its entry into the payment gateway services market. The acquisition, accompanied by a profit guarantee from Alpha Fintech’s founder, is expected to enhance ZenTech’s revenue and profitability, solidifying its presence in the technology network industry. 3 April 2024 – Zen Tech International Bhd (ZenTech) has...
Visa Introduces Subscription Manager to Simplify Payment Management Amidst Surging Global Subscription Market
Visa launches Subscription Manager to streamline payment management for cardholders amidst the booming global subscription market, offering a convenient solution to track and control recurring payments. This initiative aligns with Visa’s commitment to enhancing transparency and digital experiences in the subscription economy. 3 April 2024 – The global subscription market is witnessing a significant surge, projected to...
Brunei Darussalam and Lao P.D.R. Join Regional Payment Connectivity Initiative, Boosting ASEAN Financial Cooperation
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and Bank of the Lao P.D.R. (BOL) have joined the RPC initiative, aimed at fostering faster, cheaper, and more inclusive cross-border payments within the ASEAN region, bringing the total number of participating central banks to eight. 3 April 2024 – Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and Bank of the Lao P.D.R. (BOL) have recently joined the Regional Payment Connectivity (RPC) initiative,...
AsiaPay Partners with Airswift to Elevate Digital Payment Services for Airline Travelers
AsiaPay collaborates with Airswift to enhance digital payment services for airline passengers, offering streamlined payment options and facilitating market expansion for the airline. 2 April 2024 – AsiaPay, a leading digital payment service provider in Asia, has joined forces with Airswift, a boutique airline operating in the Philippines, to improve digital payment options for travelers. This collaboration integrates Airswift...
Malaysians Projected to Spend RM387 Billion via Cards in 2024, Nudging Towards Cashless Future
Malaysians are expected to spend RM387 billion via credit and debit cards in 2024, signifying a shift towards a cashless society. This projection reflects a growing trend in electronic payments, driven by factors such as expanding banking population, evolving POS infrastructure, and government initiatives promoting cashless transactions. 2 April 2024 – As Malaysia edges closer to a cashless society, data and analytics firm...
Visa Bolsters Global Security Measures with AI-Powered Fraud Prevention Solutions
Visa strengthens global security measures with AI-driven fraud prevention solutions, targeting various transaction types including immediate account-to-account and card-not-present payments. 28 March 2024 – In an effort to fortify its position as a leader in digital payments security, Visa (NYSE:V) has announced the expansion of its suite of value-added services with the introduction of three new AI-driven risk and fraud...
Mastercard and Worldpay Collaborate to Streamline Transaction Disputes and Reduce Chargebacks
Mastercard and Worldpay’s partnership introduces Ethoca Alerts to streamline transaction dispute resolution, reducing chargebacks and enhancing fraud prevention efforts for merchants worldwide. This collaboration underscores a commitment to delivering seamless transaction experiences and safeguarding the integrity of the global digital economy. 27 March 2024 – Mastercard and Worldpay have joined forces to streamline the...
Visa and Mastercard Reach Settlement with U.S. Merchants, Potentially Saving Billions for American Shoppers
Visa and Mastercard’s settlement with U.S. merchants over swipe fees could potentially save American shoppers billions of dollars. The agreement, which caps credit interchange fees and addresses long-standing grievances, particularly benefits small businesses and highlights efforts towards fairer transaction practices. 26 March 2024 – Visa and Mastercard have reached a significant settlement with U.S. merchants concerning...
9Pay Introduces Cutting-Edge Payment Solutions for Expanding International Money Transfer Market in Vietnam
9Pay introduces optimized payment solutions tailored for merchants aiming to expand in Vietnam’s remittance-rich market, leveraging its deep understanding of customer needs and regulatory landscape. As Vietnam experiences significant growth in remittances, 9Pay emerges as the leading choice for international money transfer companies seeking efficient and secure payment services in the region. 26 March 2024 – With Vietnam...
Akulaku Secures US$100 Million Debt Financing from HSBC Singapore to Drive Profitability and Expansion in Southeast Asia’s Fintech Landscape
Southeast Asian fintech Akulaku, backed by Alibaba, secures US$100 million debt financing from HSBC Singapore to address existing debts and enhance profitability, emphasizing its improved financial health and commitment to sustainable growth. Despite regulatory challenges, Akulaku remains optimistic about its expansion plans in Indonesia, its primary market, aiming for increased revenue amidst fierce competition in the online lending...
Bank Negara Malaysia’s Annual Reports: Insights into Economic Resilience and Growth Strategies
Bank Negara Malaysia’s annual reports for 2023 underscore the nation’s economic resilience, with strategies to promote stability, support MSMEs, manage inflation, and enhance financial sector resilience. 20 March 2024 – Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has unveiled its highly anticipated Annual Report 2023 (AR 2023), Economic and Monetary Review 2023 (EMR 2023), and Financial Stability Review for Second Half 2023 (FSR 2H...
Mastercard Partners with Alipay to Enhance Global Cross-Border Payment Solutions
Mastercard partners with Alipay to enhance cross-border payment capabilities, catering to the increasing demand for fast, secure, and transparent money transfers globally. 19 March 2024 – Mastercard, a global leader in cross-border payment solutions, announces a strategic partnership with Alipay, China’s premier digital platform under Ant Group, to meet the increasing demand for transparent, secure, and efficient money movement....
Tourism Malaysia and Mastercard Forge Alliance to Redefine Travel Experience for Visit Malaysia 2026
Tourism Malaysia and Mastercard join forces in a strategic partnership to revolutionize the traveler experience ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, focusing on data insights, digital solutions, marketing campaigns, and exclusive experiences. This collaboration aims to elevate Malaysia’s appeal as a premier travel destination while enhancing the shopping segment’s contribution to the tourism sector’s growth. 16 March 2024...
Bank Negara Malaysia Takes Stand Against Misleading Exchange Rate Data on Social Media
Bank Negara Malaysia rebuffs misleading exchange rate data circulated on social media, sparked by erroneous information from Google on 15 March 2024, emphasizing the importance of relying on official sources to mitigate financial risks. 16 March 2024 – Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has taken a decisive stance against the dissemination of inaccurate ringgit exchange rate information circulating on social media platforms. This action...
Bitcoin Surpasses US$71,000 Mark as Regulatory Approval Boosts Market Confidence
Bitcoin surged past $71,000, buoyed by regulatory approval allowing recognized investment exchanges to introduce crypto-backed exchange-traded notes. The Financial Conduct Authority’s decision has injected fresh momentum into the cryptocurrency market, fueling optimism among investors. 11 March 2024 – Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $71,000 on Monday, continuing its upward trajectory without signs of slowing down....
Wise Unveils Scan-to-Pay Feature in Singapore, Pioneering Seamless QR Code Payments for Users
Wise announces the launch of its “Scan-to-Pay” feature in Singapore, allowing users to make QR code payments directly through the app. This move reflects Wise’s commitment to enhancing the payment experience for users and facilitating seamless transactions, with plans to expand the feature globally in the future. 7 March 2024 – Singapore is set to become the inaugural destination for Wise’s latest payment...
Xsolla Collaborates with PayPay to Introduce Seamless Payment Solutions for Gaming Enthusiasts in Japan
Xsolla introduces “Pay with PayPay” for its global partners and gaming community in Japan, aiming to enhance payment flexibility and broaden audience reach. This partnership leverages PayPay’s extensive user base and Xsolla’s innovative payment technology to streamline transactions and cater to evolving player preferences in the Japanese gaming market. 7 March 2024 – Xsolla, a leading global video game...
Smartpay and Chubb Forge Partnership to Pioneer Digital Insurance Solutions for Japanese Consumers
Smartpay and Chubb have joined forces to revolutionize the Japanese insurance sector by developing digital insurance products tailored to post-COVID consumer needs. The partnership aims to introduce embedded insurance, seamlessly integrated into everyday transactions, catering to evolving consumer demands for personalized and secure insurance experiences. 7 March 2024 – In a move to revolutionize the Japanese insurance...
Singapore FinTech Association Launches Project Tapir to Facilitate Expansion of FinTechs into Malaysia, Fostering Cross-Border Collaboration and Economic Growth
The Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) launches Project Tapir in collaboration with Artem Ventures and OSK Ventures International Berhad, aiming to facilitate the expansion of Singaporean FinTech companies into Malaysia. With support from venture capital firm 1337 Ventures, the initiative provides selected FinTechs with a comprehensive ecosystem to ensure successful market entry into Malaysia, fostering bilateral ties and promoting...
Yuno Secures $25 Million Series A Funding to Revolutionize Global Payments
Yuno, a leading payments orchestration platform, secures $25 million in Series A funding from prominent investors to expand its operations globally and enhance its innovative solutions for diverse industries. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Juan Pablo Ortega and Julián Núñez, Yuno aims to revolutionize the global payments landscape by integrating diverse payment methods and providing tailored solutions for clients across different...