FinTech

YouTrip adopts hyper-localized strategies to differentiate from other multi-currency providers [ORIGIN Innovation Awards Q&A]

In a TechNode Global Q&A, Chu shared the story behind why she started YouTrip and the challenges she and her team met when they grow the company. She also shared her views on how to encourage more women to become entrepreneurs and some advice for them, based on her personal experience as a female founder.

29 Applicants to bid for 5 digital banking licenses in Malaysia, with national cooperatives group joining in

A diverse range of parties have submitted applications for the digital bank licence, ranging from banks, industry conglomerates, technology firms, e-commerce operators, FinTech players, cooperatives and state governments.

AirAsia’s BigPay teams up with state-linked MIDF, PE firm Ikhlas Capital for digital banking license in Malaysia

BigPay's consortium will be joining a crowded field for digital bank licences on offer. Malaysia central bank said it would issue up to five licenses by early 2022.

Fintech, smartphone digital banking

Consortiums and companies submit Malaysia digital banking license bids as deadline looms close, including Grab-Singtel venture

The Race for the five digital banking licenses heats up further as more consortiums and companies announced their application, including ride-hailing giant Grab-Singtel consortium, which bagged a digital full-bank license in Singapore last year. These consortiums also include overseas investors and technology partners from Singapore, Japan, and China.

Blockchain FinTech AID:Tech raises $3.5M Series A funding led by Affinidi, will focus on growth and scale in Southeast Asia

The funding will go towards scaling their team in Singapore, relocating their new headquarters, focus on growth in Southeast Asia and increased support for cross chain interoperable Digital ID applications.

‘Robinhood of Vietnam’ Infina raises $2M in oversubscribed Seed round

The startup seeks to tap into a growing opportunity in the retail investing space in Vietnam. The country of 97 million population has more than 75 percent internet users transacting money digitally, but only roughly 3.14 million--or 3.2 percent of the population-- investing in securities.

Fintech, smartphone digital banking

ADB Ventures invest in FinTech firm Fairbanc for Indonesia expansion

Fairbanc's proprietary data science and machine learning platform leverages supply-chain data of FMCG distributor partners which allows financial institutions to assess credit risk and extend working capital to MSMEs with limited credit history and collaterals, according to the disclosure.

The freedom to speak out novel ideas through avatars

To convey their innovation and distinctiveness, the companies behind DeFi projects need to pay attention to engagement. Investors and customers typically do not go out of their way to get to know certain DeFi projects more, especially since not many of them have a solid grasp of what crypto and DeFi actually are.