Asia

February 1, 2026 @ 10:26 am By Michael Wong  |  

Card payments in Singapore are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% between 2025 and 2029 to reach S$209.2 billion ($158.3 billion) by the end of the period, supported by near-universal access to banking services, wide merchant acceptance and rising use… Read More

February 1, 2026 @ 10:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In its latest pivot amid rather turbulent market conditions, Nomura Holdings Inc., one of Japan’s most active investment banking institutions, has announced a reduction in its cryptocurrency positions and a tightening of risk controls within its digital asset operations. This move comes in response to… Read More

January 30, 2026 @ 9:18 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Australia’s ongoing economic ties with China have undergone a significant transformation, driven by changes in the global economy. Economists at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) highlight how internal challenges in China and evolving international supply networks are compelling Australian businesses to broaden their horizons…. Read More

January 30, 2026 @ 5:21 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the landscape of Asia-Pacific financial services, regulatory compliance teams are grappling with outdated methods even as artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a potential game-changer. Recent research from Fenergo highlights a striking disconnect: while enthusiasm for AI is on the rise, the majority of operations… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 11:31 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Wio Bank, a digital banking platform based in the UAE, has entered into a strategic alliance with Pine Labs, an international fintech company specializing in payment solutions. This collaboration aims to overhaul merchant acquiring systems by introducing cloud-based technology that eliminates outdated dependencies. Announced recently… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 8:03 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Chainalysis pointed out that in recent years, networks operating primarily in Chinese-language channels have emerged as a major player in the shadowy world of cryptocurrency-based money laundering. Chainalysis also explained that these groups, often referred to as Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs), now account for… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 4:39 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Go Digit General Insurance (BSE:GODIGIT) has announced impressive financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. The company, a key player in India’s digital insurance landscape, achieved a significant uptick in profitability, underscoring its solid operational strategies and market positioning. This performance highlights the… Read More

January 28, 2026 @ 1:43 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Alchemy Pay, a provider of fiat-to-crypto payment solutions, has teamed up with Japan Open Chain (JOC). This collaboration introduces a streamlined way for users worldwide to acquire JOC Coin using everyday fiat currencies, marking a step forward in making cryptocurrency more accessible and user-friendly. The… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 5:20 am By Michael Wong  |  

Hong Kong’s central bank published the next phase of its sustainable finance taxonomy, as the city steps up efforts to channel capital towards green and transition activities and support its shift to a low-carbon economy. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said it has released… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 4:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Etherfuse, a specialist in blockchain solutions for tokenized government debt, has announced a strategic alliance with Shinhan Securities, one of Asia’s premier financial institutions. This collaboration is set to broaden the availability and distribution of tokenized sovereign bonds, starting in South Korea and extending throughout… Read More

January 27, 2026 @ 2:20 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Japan is set to take a significant step in integrating digital assets into its mainstream financial system, with plans to approve its inaugural cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) potentially as early as 2028. This development, first reported by Nikkei Asia, marks a notable evolution in the… Read More

January 26, 2026 @ 9:06 pm By Tony Zerucha  |  

Blockchain is a promising solution for secure data sharing in the Internet of Things (IoT) networks, but existing systems often suffer from high latency that limits time-sensitive applications. Now, researchers from Japan have investigated how the structure of peer-to-peer blockchain networks affects IoT-blockchain performance. They… Read More

January 26, 2026 @ 12:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

South Korea’s Coinone, which is reportedly one of the nation’s largest digital currency exchanges by trading volume, is now said to be considering options to divest portions of its major shareholder’s holdings. According to recent industry reports, the platform’s founder and chairman, Cha Myung-hoon, who… Read More

January 26, 2026 @ 12:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The US government has taken control of more than 127,000 Bitcoin, currently valued at over $11.4 billion, following what authorities describe as one of the largest cryptocurrency forfeitures ever. This haul stems from a sophisticated operation involving international fraud, sanctions evasion, and alleged ties to… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 10:45 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Digital payments platform Payoneer (NASDAQ: PAYO) has obtained initial regulatory nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as a cross-border payment aggregator. This milestone, announced recently, positions the company to enhance its services for international transactions within one of the world’s fastest-growing… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 9:46 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Tinaba, the digital banking platform developed in collaboration with Banca Profilo, has taken a significant step to enhance its international reach by enabling digital payments in mainland China. This development comes through an expanded partnership with Alipay+, the global digital wallet connectivity solution provided by… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 1:39 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Sweden’s EQT said it will launch a 57.0 billion yen ($371 million) tender offer to take private MAMEZO, a Tokyo-based IT services and consulting firm, in the private equity group’s first Japan investment focused on IT services. BPEA EQT Mid-Market Growth Partnership will offer 3,551… Read More

January 25, 2026 @ 7:19 am By Michael Wong  |  

Kuwait Investment Authority-backed Raqami Islamic Digital Bank (RIDB) plans to begin operations in Pakistan next month with a $100 million investment, Bloomberg reported, marking another Gulf-backed entry into the country’s financial sector. The lender will become Pakistan’s first fully digital Shariah-compliant bank, offering online financing,… Read More

January 24, 2026 @ 3:12 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Singapore launched a new governance framework aimed at guiding the safe and responsible deployment of agentic artificial intelligence, as governments and businesses grapple with the growing autonomy of AI systems. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo announced the Model AI Governance Framework (MGF)… Read More

January 24, 2026 @ 2:37 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The MENA venture capital ecosystem has experienced considerable activity as of late, as highlighted in a recent analysis by CB Insights. This in-depth study ranks the top 50 investors in the region, shedding light on their strategies, performance, and impact on emerging startups. By examining… Read More