News

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub, the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the South African Reserve Bank announced Tuesday the completion of prototypes for a common platform enabling international settlements using multiple central bank digital currencies (mCBDCs). Led by the…

Handprint has raised $2.2 million in seed funding led by leading payments network Thunes, with participation from other angel investors. The funding will be used to further build Handprint’s technology and expand its network of impact partners, helping to advance Handprint’s mission to transform the extractive economy into a regenerative economy - making it…

Validus has entered into an agreement with Citi to acquire its CitiBusiness loan portfolio in Singapore, in a move that will bolster Validus’ top line revenue, customer base, and expand its growing loan book. This is the first time a FinTech in Southeast Asia is acquiring an established bank’s loan portfolio and customer base, and it underscores Validus’…

Blockchain Association Singapore (BAS) and SGTech have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership to collaborate on blockchain-related issues in Singapore. Under the MOU, both parties will establish a deep partnership to bolster the local blockchain ecosystem through leveraging on each other’s networks on issues such as…

Touch ‘n Go eWallet announced Monday that it is collaborating with Singapore's Dotlines to provide digital solutions for migrants in Malaysia. A cashless society is now closer than before, and with this collaboration, the migrant community can fully embrace and be part of the cashless society.

Sayurbox announced Monday its oversubscribed Series C round of $120+ million led by Northstar and Alpha JWC Ventures, with participation from new investor International Finance Corporation (IFC). Existing investors Astra, Syngenta Group Ventures, and Global Brain as well as other prominent angel investors also participated in this fundraising round. The new…

Vickers Venture Partners' Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Vickers Vantage Corp I is merging with Scilex Holding Company (Scilex), a majority-owned subsidiary of US pharma firm Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc and a commercial biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing non-opioid therapies for patients with acute…

Malaysian lender Public Bank said Friday the bank and Carsome has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for greater business collaborations. With this MoU, the bank will be able to provide stock-financing and end-financing arrangement for the vehicles to its member Car Dealers and individual purchasers who have won the bids through Carsome…

Grab financial arm Grab Financial Group (GFG) Malaysia and Sedania Innovator Bhd’s fintech subsidiary Sedania As Salam Capital Sdn Bhd (SASC) announced Friday they are partnering to officially offer Grab Cash Financing-i, a Shariah compliant* financing product, to eligible Grab driver- and delivery-partners in Malaysia. Grab Cash Financing-i aims to provide…

Singapore payment firm Digital Treasures Center (DTC) said Wednesday the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has awarded the company In-Principle Approval (IPA) to provide digital payment token service together with other payment services. Digital payment tokens are commonly known as cryptocurrency. DTC is among the first few applicants to receive the…