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...
Currencycloud Secures Singapore MPI License Approval, Expanding Payment Services in APAC Region
Currencycloud receives approval for Singapore MPI license, enabling the provision of comprehensive payment services in the APAC region, enhancing financial accessibility and efficiency for businesses across multiple countries and territories. 6 March 2024 – Currencycloud, a leading provider of solutions for navigating multi-currency transactions, has been granted an In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a Major Payment Institution...
MoneyX: Your AI-Powered Financial Assistant Arrives in Malaysia
MoneyX, a new AI-powered super app launched in Malaysia, aims to simplify personal finance management by offering data organization, financial insights, and access to various financial products within a single platform. 5 March 2024 – Hextar Vision Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Hextar Technologies Solutions Bhd (HexTech), today announced the official launch of MoneyX, a super app designed to simplify personal finance management for...
Visa and Western Union Partner for Easier Global Money Transfers and Humanitarian Support
Visa and Western Union strengthen their partnership, enabling money transfers to 40 countries through Visa cards and introducing prepaid cards for wider accessibility, while also collaborating on facilitating disaster relief efforts. 5 March 2024 – Financial giants Visa and Western Union have announced a significant expansion of their existing partnership, aiming to simplify cross-border money transfers. This 7-year agreement...
Bitcoin Surges to Two-Year High, Approaches Record Levels Amidst Inflow Surge
Bitcoin reaches a two-year high, nearing record levels as inflows into U.S.-listed bitcoin funds surge. Ethereum also sees gains amidst speculation of exchange-traded funds, reflecting a broader market rally reminiscent of 2021’s bullish sentiment. 4 March 2024 – Bitcoin soared to a two-year high on Monday, surpassing $65,000 and nearing its record level, driven by a surge in inflows into U.S.-listed bitcoin funds. The...
Soft Space’s FasstapTM Becomes World’s First MPoC-Certified SoftPOS Solution
Soft Space’s FasstapTM achieves historic MPoC Solution Provider certification, positioning the company as a global leader in the SoftPOS market and setting a new industry standard for secure and reliable payment solutions. 29 February 2024 – Soft Space Sdn. Bhd. (Soft Space), a global leader in fintech-as-a-service (FaaS), proudly announces that its innovative SoftPOS solution, FasstapTM, has achieved a groundbreaking...
Bitcoin Surges Past $60,000 as Market Optimism Soars: Insights and Implications
Bitcoin surpasses $60,000 fueled by institutional interest and market optimism, with Ethereum also hitting new highs, prompting anticipation of ETF approvals by U.S. regulators. 29 February 2024 – On Wednesday, Bitcoin soared above the $60,000 threshold for the first time in over two years, propelled by a surge of investment into new U.S. spot bitcoin exchange traded products. The cryptocurrency witnessed a remarkable 42% price...
Malaysia and Cambodia Strengthen Financial Cooperation with Cross-Border Payments Agreement
Malaysia and Cambodia strengthen financial ties with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), aiming to enhance cross-border payments and financial innovation, benefitting businesses and individuals in both countries. 28 February 2024 – Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) have formalized their commitment to enhance financial...
Visa and GSMA Foundation Unveil DFA Initiative to Advance Digital Financial Inclusion Worldwide
Visa and the GSMA Foundation have launched the DFA Initiative, targeting enhanced digital financial inclusion for 20 million individuals in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on women, small holder farmers, small enterprises, and refugees. 27 February 2024 – Visa and the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation have joined forces to launch the Digital Finance for All (DFA) Initiative, aiming to enhance digital financial...
Green Packet Partners with Malaysian Firm to Develop Tourism Digital Platform in Sri Lanka
Green Packet teams up with a Malaysian firm to develop a tourism digital platform for Sri Lanka, investing RM13 million initially. The initiative, led by its subsidiary Kiplepay Sdn Bhd, aims to introduce a multi-currency e-wallet system, marking the company’s entry into the international market and strategic expansion beyond Malaysia. 24 February 2024 – Green Packet Bhd, a prominent IT company, has forged a strategic...
