FinTech

2C2P and Pine Labs to expand BNPL acceptance in Southeast Asia

Singapore-based payments platform 2C2P and merchant commerce omnichannel platform Pine Labs have partnered to expand Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) across Asia in six key markets, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Tencent Financial Technology launches new global brand for cross-border payment business

Tencent Financial Technology, Tencent’s fintech arm, has on Wednesday introduced Tenpay Global, a new international brand for its cross-border payment business. The firm is also unveiling new inbound remittance capabilities to Weixin to facilitate easy money transfers to China.

Funding Societies crosses $27.8M in loan disbursements to SMEs in Thailand

Funding Societies | Modalku, the Singapore-based small and medium enterprise (SME) digital financing platform, has on Wednesday announced that its Thai business (Funding Societies Thailand) has reached THB1 billion ($27.8 million) in loan disbursements to small businesses in the country for year-to-date 2022.

UK FinTech giant Wise sees cross-border payments in Malaysia still lag behind, aims to close gap [Q&A]

In the interview, Lim also shared why Wise's services would be appealing to Malaysians, the payment firm's strategy to expand further in the country and the challenges it faces.

Experian appointed to operate Singapore’s BNPL bureau

Experian, a leading global information services company, has announced its official appointment by the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) and the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Working Group as the bureau operator for Singapore’s BNPL Working Group. The appointment involves Experian’s leading global expertise to operate the BNPL bureau in Singapore with all…

ZA Bank integrates Wise to become first HK bank to launch low-cost international transfers in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s virtual bank ZA Bank and United Kingdom-based financial technology firm Wise has jointly announced a partnership on Wednesday to offer low-cost and quick international money transfers to Hongkongers. This partnership marks two firsts: ZA Bank becoming the first bank in Hong Kong to provide international money transfers with no exchange rate…

Singapore’s Kristal.AI secures $10M for its pre-series B funding round

Kristal.AI, a digital private wealth management platform based in Singapore, has raised over $10 million for its pre-series B funding round. The latest funding round has seen continued participation from the founders, existing investors such as Chiratae Ventures, Sanadhya family, Desai Family Office and brings in new investors such as Stride Ventures and…

Grab’s 3Q revenue up 143 percent year on year to $382M

Singapore-based super app Grab announced Thursday that its revenue surged 143 percent year on year to $382 million in the third quarter ended September 30, driven by strong growth in mobility and deliveries revenue. The firm has achieved segment adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) breakeven for overall…

Visa launches Google wallet for Visa cardholders in Malaysia

Visa has on Wednesday announced the launch of Google Wallet for Visa cardholders on both Android and WearOS devices in Malaysia. Visa cardholders from Hong Leong Bank (credit) and Public Bank (credit and debit cards) can now make fast and secure purchases in stores, online, and in apps, and store their Visa cards within Google Wallet. Cardholders of HSBC…

Thai startup Beam raises $2.5M seed funding led by Surge, Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia’s accelerator program

Beam, a Thailand-based payment firm, has on Wednesday raised $2.5 million in seed funding led by Surge, Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia’s rapid scale-up program, with participation from Partech Partners.