Airwallex has named Carolyn Renzin as Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer as it expands across major global markets. Carolyn Renzin Based in New York, Renzin will lead the company’s global regulatory and compliance programme. Renzin joins from FanDuel, where she served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer during a period of rapid growth in the online betting and gaming sector. Prior to that, she spent more than six years at JPMorgan Chase, where she worked on regulatory engagement and compliance remediation following the global financial crisis. Her appointment comes as Airwallex broadens its regulated product suite in the U.S., including the recent launch of Airwallex Yield through its registered broker-dealer, Airwallex Capital US LLC. Airwallex holds more than 85 licences and permits across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. In 2026, it expects to increase compliance spending by 70 percent year on year and grow its dedicated regulatory and compliance team by about 50 percent. Airwallex is also using AI agents to support KYC, KYB, anti-money laundering checks and transaction monitoring. Jack Zhang “Our customers are operating across more markets, moving faster, and adopting AI-driven financial workflows that didn’t exist two years ago. As we expand the range of financial products and services we offer globally, that velocity and complexity raises the bar for how we manage risk and compliance. Our customers expect us to set that bar, not just meet it. Carolyn’s experience building compliance programs at scale, across both traditional banking and high-growth technology, is exactly what this moment requires.” said Jack Zhang, Co-founder and CEO, Airwallex. Jeanette Chan will remain Chief Legal Officer and continue to lead Airwallex’s global legal strategy, product and commercial counsel, and licensing initiatives.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Borin via Freepik The post Airwallex Taps Carolyn Renzin to Lead Global Regulatory and Compliance Efforts appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

CARSOME, CarTimes and Japan Consumer Credit Service (JACCS), a member of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), have formalised a strategic auto financing partnership in Singapore. The collaboration aims to strengthen financing capabilities in one of Southeast Asia’s most established automotive markets. The agreement follows JACCS’s acquisition of a 49% stake in CarTimes Capital in February. CarTimes, a majority-owned subsidiary of CARSOME, anchors the partnership in Singapore, building on CARSOME and JACCS’s 2025 collaboration in Malaysia through CARSOME Capital. CarTimes and CarTimes Capital have established a significant presence in Singapore, providing vehicle ownership solutions supported by an understanding of local customer and dealer dynamics. The partnership will focus on offering structured financing solutions for both consumers and dealers, while adhering to prudent credit standards aligned with Singapore’s regulatory environment. Eddie Loo, Founder and Managing Director of CarTimes, said: Eddie Loo “In Singapore, the opportunity lies in how demand is supported. In a market defined by structure and transparency, how financing is aligned plays an important role in enabling vehicle purchases. This partnership allows us to strengthen that alignment and support a more consistent flow of transactions across the market.” Ryo Murakami, President and Representative Director of JACCS, added: Ryo Murakami “Going forward, we will further deepen the trust placed in us by everyone in the CarTimes, devote our full efforts to expanding the business of CarTimes Capital, and contribute to the development of the Singapore economy and to the prosperous lives of the people who live here.”     Featured image credit: CARSOME press release The post CARSOME, CarTimes and JACCS Seal Auto Financing Deal in Singapore appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The disruption to DBS digital banking services on March 19 was caused by an “erroneous step” when performing a system change, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Wednesday (April 8). In a written parliamentary reply, Gan, who is also the Minister for Trade and Industry and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), stated that the authority will “follow-up with DBS to strengthen their change management process.” The disruption lasted for approximately one hour, from 12:03 pm to 1:19 pm, and prevented customers from viewing their deposit balances. Some customers also could not make payments through digital channels. However, ATMs, credit cards, and NETS debit cards remained accessible throughout the period, and DBS was able to recover its systems and restore all services after one hour. Alex Yeo, Potong Pasir SMC member of Parliament, questioned Gan on whether DBS had identified the root cause of the disruption, if it resembled previous incidents, and how the bank was addressing it. Yeo also enquired how MAS would take further steps to ensure that banks strengthen the resilience and reliability of their digital banking services. Addressing the regulatory standards for banks, Gan said MAS has set a clear expectation for institutions to limit unscheduled downtime for critical systems to four hours for any rolling period of 12 months. Gan Kim Yong “This expectation holds banks to high standards of system resiliency while recognising that operational disruptions can sometimes happen due to the complexity of systems,” he said. He added that banks must “swiftly and safely” restore services whenever a system outage occurs.       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by eakkachaihalang via Freepik The post DPM: DBS Digital Banking Disruption on March 19 Caused by System Change Error appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore-based fintech Aspire has entered a strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan Payments to improve foreign exchange (FX) efficiency and wallet-based fund conversion for clients operating internationally. For businesses working across borders, inefficient currency conversion can lead to delayed payments, unpredictable costs, and missed opportunities. Under the collaboration, J.P. Morgan Payments will act as a primary FX provider to Aspire, enhancing pricing, corridor access, and infrastructure resilience across markets. The first phase focuses on FX-to-wallet conversion in multiple currencies, including SGD, USD, GBP, EUR, and HKD. Aspire customers can now convert and manage funds within their wallets with institutional-grade infrastructure supporting each transaction. Andrea Baronchelli “As Aspire scales, our focus remains clear: delivering powerful banking infrastructure and simplified finances for globally ambitious companies,” said Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and Co-Founder of Aspire. “This collaboration with J.P. Morgan Payments further strengthens our FX strategy, combining institutional scale with fintech flexibility to deliver the competitive pricing and resilient infrastructure our customers need as they grow.” Christine Tan “At J.P. Morgan Payments, we continue to focus on supporting innovative fintechs that are building for global commerce,” said Christine Tan, APAC Head of FIG Sales at J.P. Morgan Payments. “Collaborating with Aspire reflects a shared commitment to delivering reliable, secure and scalable financial infrastructure for businesses operating across borders.” J.P. Morgan Payments processes over US$10 trillion in payments daily, across more than 160 countries and 120 currencies. Aspire has also expanded its regulatory presence, securing eight licenses and registrations across Australia, Europe, and the US to support multicurrency accounts, payments, cards, and spend management. Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mkmult via Freepik The post Aspire Partners with J.P. Morgan Payments to Expand Cross-Border FX and Wallets appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is working with the Association of Banks in Singapore and member banks to strengthen safeguards for GIRO transactions. Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Board Member of MAS, announced the review in response to Parliamentary Questions regarding the security of automated payments. The review will evaluate several new measures, including options for customers to set monthly limits on both the total value and the frequency of deductions. Additionally, the industry is exploring more robust transaction monitoring and stricter due diligence requirements for billing organisations. MAS is also considering various suggestions submitted by Members of Parliament and the public. Consumers should review their current GIRO arrangements and set appropriate transaction limits through their banks. For those seeking alternative methods, MAS noted that non-GIRO options such as standing instructions remain available, allowing customers to set fixed recurring payment amounts.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by iuriimotov via Freepik The post MAS and Singapore Banks Review GIRO Payment Limits and Monitoring Over Security Concerns appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Bengaluru-based digital lending startup Kreditbee has raised US$280 million, bringing its post-money valuation to US$1.5 billion. The round comprises US$220 million in primary capital for the company and US$60 million in secondary capital for existing investors selling shares. The funding was led by Hornbill Capital, Japanese bank MUFG-backed Dragon Funds, and Indian private equity firm Motilal Oswal Alternates, with participation from WhiteOak Capital, A.P. Moller Holding, and existing investors including Premji Invest and Advent International, The Economic Times reported. Madhusudan Ekambaram “This is our last private round before our planned public listing. We are hopeful that in the next two to three months the merger of our technology and NBFC entity will be completed,” said Co-Founder Madhusudan Ekambaram. The company is awaiting approval from the National Company Law Tribunal before formally starting its IPO. Competitors such as Fibe, Moneyview, and Kissht are also preparing to go public. Founded in 2016 by Ekambaram, Karthikeyan Krishnaswamy and Vivek Veda, Kreditbee began with unsecured consumer loans and has since expanded into secured products like loans against property and small enterprise lending. The firm operates around 50 sales offices and recently launched its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application. “Our focus will be on cross-selling products to existing customers and building GenAI capabilities across multiple business functions,” Ekambaram added. Kreditbee previously raised about US$200 million in January 2023 at a US$680 million valuation and has raised roughly US$256 million in total since inception. The company reported operating revenue of Rs 805 crore and net profit of Rs 137 crore for the quarter ending December 2025. Total disbursals for 2025-26 reached Rs 30,000 crore, with assets under management of Rs 15,000 crore, including Rs 500 crore in loans against property and Rs 1,000 crore in small and medium enterprise lending.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by dlzerox via Freepik The post Digital Lender Kreditbee Raises US$280M, Hits US$1.5B Valuation Ahead of IPO appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Grab introduced a range of AI-driven features at its GrabX product showcase, highlighting fintech offerings that expand financial access and streamline payments for consumers and merchants across Southeast Asia. Cash Loan Cash Loan is designed to provide consumer credit to users who do not have access to traditional banking services. While Grab previously extended financing to driver- and merchant-partners using on-platform earnings data, Cash Loan takes a different approach for consumers. It uses multiple behavioural signals, including ride frequency, GrabFood spend, and length of platform usage, to build an eligibility score. Grab offers loans only to pre-approved users, who complete applications in-app through identity verification and linked repayment methods. Source: Grab Grab currently offers Cash Loan in the Philippines and plans to expand to Thailand and Malaysia by mid-2026. Users can borrow up to ₱50,000 for purposes such as vacations, home improvements, or major purchases. Interest rates start at 2.99% per month, depending on eligibility. A one-time processing fee of up to 2% will apply. Grab provides up to three months to repay, with automatic deductions via linked bank accounts or e-wallets. Applicants receive instant approval and disbursal, with a real-time view of their repayment schedule. GrabPay for Travel GrabPay for Travel allows users to make cross-border payments seamlessly at merchants that accept QR codes but not cards. Users scan local QR codes and pay directly with debit or credit cards already linked to the Grab app, without topping up e-wallets. Grab notifies users upon arrival in a supported country and guides them through a one-time verification. The feature shows all fees upfront before confirmation. Grab will roll out GrabPay for Travel in the Philippines and Malaysia by the third quarter of the year, and in Singapore and Thailand by the end of the year. Tap to Pay Tap to Pay turns GrabMerchant smartphones into full contactless payment terminals for cards and QR schemes. The GrabMerchant app consolidates in-store and online transactions into one reporting system, giving merchants a clear view of business performance. Source: Grab Tap to Pay also supports next-day settlement and loyalty programmes. Grab currently offers Tap to Pay in the Philippines and Singapore, with expansion to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand by year-end, and Vietnam in 2027. AI-Powered Tools Grab also continues to develop AI-powered tools such as Grab AI Assistant for consumers and Driver AI Assistant for driver-partners, providing personalised support and guidance across the Grab ecosystem. Featured image credit: Grab press release The post Here Are All the Fintech Products Launched at GrabX appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

TOTM Labs, an AI-native venture builder backed by Singaporean publicly listed group TOTM Technologies, today announced its official launch. The company works with founders, enterprises, and institutions to unlock the value of emerging technologies, advancing the on-chain economy through trust, security, and stable value exchange. The on-chain economy is forming now. What it needs is the right infrastructure, the right frameworks, and the right partners with the credibility to make adoption sustainable. At TOTM Labs, that credibility is built on decades of delivering exactly that. Chan Wei Jie “We have spent decades building the infrastructure that governments and institutions depend on. That experience taught us that trust is what makes technology adoption sustainable. TOTM Labs exists to bring that same rigour to the on-chain economy, working alongside founders and institutions to build what comes next.” said Chan Wei Jie, Head of TOTM Labs Background and Market Context The global blockchain market is projected to reach $300–400 billion by 2030. More than 60% of institutional investors plan to expand their digital asset exposure in the near term. On the AI side, 67% of organisations worldwide have adopted large language models. Of those, 88% report measurable improvements in the quality of their work. Enterprise AI adoption is also becoming more measured. Organisations are placing governance, data readiness, and risk management at the centre of how they deploy it. The momentum is there. Market opportunity is accelerating, but the expertise, trust frameworks, and proven infrastructure to enable safe, sustainable adoption are not keeping pace. Institutions are cautious for good reason: the infrastructure is new, the standards are evolving, and the wrong partner is a costly mistake. That is the gap TOTM Labs was built to close. What TOTM Labs Offers TOTM Labs works across four areas to unlock the value of emerging technologies. AI enablement runs through all of them, supporting ventures across five dimensions: commercial growth, capital access, technology development, legal and compliance readiness, and operational execution. Building Next Generation Products: Co-developing governance frameworks, product roadmaps, commercial strategy, and capital plans designed for sustainable growth and institutional readiness. AI-Enabled TOTM Venture Engine: A proprietary AI-powered model moving ventures through four stages: invest, build, scale, and exit. AI is embedded at each stage, from opportunity sourcing through to acquirer intelligence at exit. Responsible AI adoption and governance frameworks are built into how the engine operates. Blockchain and Tokenisation Commercial Model: Design and deployment of decentralised identity frameworks, real-world asset tokenisation, and secure cross-border payment infrastructure. Several products are in development and will be announced in the months ahead. Ecosystem Hubs: Three interconnected hubs that orchestrate and direct ecosystem resources, connections, and expertise toward the ventures that need them most. Innovation drives enterprise capability development and R&D. Talent develops and mobilises AI and blockchain professionals across the ecosystem. Funding coordinates capital access, co-investment opportunities, and deal discovery in one place. Institutional Foundation Behind TOTM Labs is TOTM Technologies, a group with years of experience operating trust-critical digital infrastructure for governments and institutions across seven continents. The group has managed over 700 million national digital identities. It has enrolled more than 220 million individuals through national ID programmes, including Indonesia’s e-KTP initiative, spanning 38 provinces and over 7,000 sub-districts. That track record sets TOTM Labs apart. Governance, security, and regulatory readiness are embedded into how every venture is supported. The foundation here is designed to operate in regulated markets, serve institutional partners, and scale across jurisdictions where credibility is nonnegotiable. Target Partners and Clients TOTM Labs enables founders building ventures for real markets and institutional partners. It supports enterprises navigating the transition from Web2 to Web3. It partners with institutions that need a technically credible, regulatory-experienced partner to adopt emerging technologies with the right frameworks and infrastructure in place. And it connects investors to co-investment opportunities within a structured, high-growth ecosystem. The on-chain economy is here. Realising its potential requires the right capabilities, trusted infrastructure, and a partner with the track record to back it up. TOTM Labs is where that work begins.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by TOTM Labs The post TOTM Labs Launches to Power the On-Chain Economy appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Why do so many AI pilots fail in banking even when the technology itself works? In this episode, Vincent Fong, Fintech News Network, speaks with Cynthia Siantar, Head of Investor Relations and General Manager for Singapore at DynaAI, about why banks often struggle to move from AI experimentation to real execution. The conversation explores: why AI pilots get stuck inside large organisations the build vs buy dilemma facing banks what separates banks that get measurable ROI from those that do not how one collections use case created a clear business case for AI where agentic AI and internal copilots may deliver the most value next One of the clearest takeaways from this discussion is simple: start small, solve a real pain point, and move fast once the first use case works. If you work in banking, fintech, AI strategy, digital transformation, operations, or customer experience, this is a useful look at what it really takes to make AI work inside a financial institution. Featuring: Vincent Fong, Fintech News Network Cynthia Siantar, Head of Investor Relations and General Manager, Singapore, DynaA The post Why 95% of AI Pilots Fail in Banking and How Banks Can Get ROI appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Trust Bank Singapore has appointed Alexander Pariyskiy as Chief Strategy Officer & Chief of Staff. The bank has also promoted Naveen Sethia to Chief Customer Officer. These changes come as founding team member Nick Woodruff leaves the bank after five years. Pariyskiy joins from McKinsey & Company Singapore, where he spent over seven years advising banks, fintechs, and payments firms across Southeast Asia on strategy and digital transformation. In a LinkedIn post, he said: Alexander Pariyskiy “Many of the digital banks around the globe we talk about today either didn’t exist yet or were just getting started. Fast forward to today, and Trust has become the leading digital bank in Singapore, #4 bank overall by number of customers, with expanding product suite and continuing innovation.” “I’m delighted to be joining Dwaipayan Sadhu and the team exactly at this stage, and looking forward to shaping the next phase of Trust’s journey together.” Sethia, formerly Head of Design and Customer Experience at Trust and a former DBS executive, will now oversee customer strategy in his new role. Woodruff, who held multiple roles across strategy, product, marketing, and Gen AI, reflected on his time at Trust. Nick Woodruff “After five years founding, launching and scaling Trust Bank Singapore, it’s time for me to move on to my next adventure. It has been a privilege to be part of the team, building the bank to over one million customers and navigating its growth from the early days,” he wrote. Watch our Fintech Fireside Asia discussion “Asia Pacific’s Great Digital Banking Experiment” which featured Nick Woodruff.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by ilygraphic via Freepik   The post Trust Bank Names Two New Senior Leaders Following Nick Woodruff’s Exit appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Finastra has partnered with Marketnode to automate credit agreement onboarding for corporate lenders through its Loan IQ platform. The partnership integrates Marketnode’s document automation technology with Finastra’s Loan IQ Nexus Build module. This gives financial institutions a more efficient way to extract data from credit documents and map it into Loan IQ. The move targets a process that has long depended on manual data entry and fragmented workflows, which can slow deal setup and increase operational risk. Marketnode’s technology uses large language models, optical character recognition and machine learning to read structured and unstructured data in credit documentation. The extracted data can then be transferred into Loan IQ through APIs to speed up onboarding and deal setup. The setup can reportedly reduce processing time from around two hours to 10 minutes. Rehan Ahmed Rehan Ahmed, CEO at Marketnode, said, “Integrating Marketnode’s AI-powered automation within Loan IQ’s trusted global infrastructure enables nimble, intelligent and resilient operations at scale, in a truly digital format. This reshapes how institutions manage the end-to-end lifecycle from origination to distribution, providing them with the tools to help navigate an increasingly complex credit landscape.” Andrew Bateman Andrew Bateman, EVP of Lending at Finastra, said, “Through this collaboration, we are extending Loan IQ’s capabilities to help financial institutions reduce manual processes, improve data accuracy, and accelerate the onboarding of credit agreements. The result is a faster path to revenue recognition and greater scalability for lenders worldwide.” The solution supports both on-premise and private cloud deployment. Its current configuration is hosted on Microsoft Azure, which enables real-time workflow integration, scalable AI and machine learning processing, and encrypted data exchange between Marketnode and Loan IQ.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by wwwmizanurmia via Freepik The post Finastra and Marketnode Automate Credit Agreement Onboarding for Lenders appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Circle has expanded access to third-party stablecoin payouts for partners using Circle Mint Singapore. The rollout gives Singapore-based partners access to Circle’s Payouts API, extending the service beyond its U.S.-based entity. Payment service providers, fintech firms, financial institutions and enterprises can now manage third-party payouts through their local Circle Mint setup. The API supports end-to-end payout workflows, helping firms automate manual processes, reduce errors and improve visibility over payout flows. The launch also gives Singapore-based firms a local route to scale payout use cases in line with Travel Rule requirements and other regulatory expectations, offering a more compliant option for cross-border stablecoin payments. Existing Circle Mint Singapore partners using other payout solutions can now move those workflows onto Circle Mint. Asia-based partners contracted through Circle’s U.S. entity may also move to Singapore if they choose to operate through the local platform. This marks Circle’s first Payouts API expansion outside the U.S. and forms part of its broader push to expand stablecoin payment infrastructure across more markets and use cases. Circle Mint is provided by Circle Internet Singapore, which holds a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by sweetmaroonstudio via Freepik The post Circle Brings Stablecoin Payout Infrastructure to Singapore appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore-based fintech Aspire has officially launched in the United States, expanding its cross-border financial platform to businesses operating across multiple markets. The company serves more than 50,000 businesses and offers multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, yield, payroll infrastructure, spend management and real-time financial controls through a single platform. Its platform also integrates cards, credit, accounting and payroll tools across 16 currencies. As part of the rollout, Aspire is entering the market with technology and financial infrastructure partners including Stripe. Paul Harapin “We’ve seen Aspire’s incredible velocity in Asia, and bringing that same innovation to the U.S. is a massive win for founders everywhere. Stripe is here to fuel the global ambitions of Asia’s tech leaders and to give these global champions the infrastructure they need to scale and win on the world stage,” said Paul Harapin, Chief Revenue Officer, Asia Pacific & Japan at Stripe. Aspire has also deepened its integration with Deel to support payroll and hiring across markets. The launch follows recent U.S. regulatory milestones for Aspire, including its registration as a Money Services Business and as a Registered Investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company has also appointed former Revolut executive David Harris as its U.S. Country Head. Aspire’s platform is supported by more than 10 international licenses across Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, the United States and Canada. Andrea Baronchelli “As the world’s largest startup ecosystem and a hub for venture-backed innovation, the United States has become a launchpad for global innovation and expansion. Founders can’t afford to have multiple local banks on one side and their CFO suite on the other. They need a financial platform that understands how they operate and scales with them. Our ambition isn’t incremental improvement — we want to define a new $3 trillion category by bringing regulated financial operations together with intelligent software and automation for global startups.” said Andrea Baronchelli, Co-Founder and CEO of Aspire.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by ismode via Freepik The post Aspire Expands Global Footprint with USA Launch appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Vietnam’s MoMo is considering whether to bring in new investors, with Reuters reporting that preliminary discussions could value the company at more than US$2 billion. The talks are still at an early stage and there is no certainty that they will lead to a deal. The fintech has hired Jefferies and Morgan Stanley to help manage the process after attracting interest from strategic and financial investors. MoMo and Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Jefferies declined to comment. Launched in 2010, MoMo has expanded from mobile payments into a broader financial services platform that includes consumer lending, insurance, savings, investment products and merchant services. The company has been profitable since 2024 and says it serves more than 30 million users in Vietnam. An initial public offering is not currently on the near-term agenda, even though earlier reports said MoMo was targeting a listing by 2025. The company last raised major funding in 2021, when it said it secured US$200 million from investors led by Mizuho Bank.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Freepik The post MoMo’s Early Investor Interest Points to Valuation Above US$2 Billion appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Thai travellers can now use KASIKORNBANK’s Q Wallet to pay merchants in Singapore by scanning GrabPay QR codes. The service allows users to make payments through the Q Wallet by KBank app without exchanging cash or opening a bank account overseas. KBank is rolling out the service in collaboration with StraitsX and Grab. Payments are accepted through Grab’s merchant network in Singapore. Under the arrangement, Q-money, KBank’s blockchain-based e-money, is used as the settlement medium. The system runs on Quarix, a blockchain platform developed by Orbix Technology & Innovation, a company under KASIKORNBANK FINANCIAL CONGLOMORATE. The project is operating under the Regulatory Sandbox of the Bank of Thailand and builds on Q Wallet’s earlier rollout for international tourists in Thailand. StraitsX and Grab hold Major Payment Institution licences issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Payment Services Act 2019. Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich, Executive Vice President of KBank, said, “By applying blockchain technology alongside real-world financial systems, we aim to provide greater convenience for Thai travellers, enabling secure mobile payments abroad without reliance on cash. Singapore has been selected as our first overseas pilot market, allowing us to further develop cross-border payment models through digital financial systems while supporting the advancement of next-generation financial infrastructure that connects the regional digital economy.” Tianwei Liu “Travellers shouldn’t have to think about currencies when they cross borders. By connecting Q-money with XSGD, we’re enabling instant blockchain settlement between Thailand and Singapore, demonstrating how stablecoins can power the next generation of cross-border payments in Southeast Asia.” said Tianwei Liu, CEO and Founder of StraitsX. StraitsX and KBank are also participating members of the MAS’ BLOOM initiative.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by fahroni via Freepik The post KBank Enables Thai Travellers to Pay in Singapore Using Grab QR appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Vietnam’s NAPAS has expanded QR payment connectivity with China, giving Chinese tourists a new way to pay at local merchants. The move was made possible through a partnership between NAPAS, Ant International and Vietcombank. Under the rollout, Chinese visitors can use Alipay to scan VIETQRGlobal codes and pay at participating merchants in the NAPAS network across Vietnam. The payment option is available at shopping malls, retail stores, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions. The transactions run through the linked infrastructure of NAPAS and Ant International, with Vietcombank serving as the settlement bank and supporting payment processing between the Chinese yuan and the Vietnamese dong. Nguyen Quang Minh Nguyen Quang Minh, General Director of NAPAS, said, “Cooperation with Ant International is an important milestone in NAPAS’s journey to expand cross-border connectivity, as Vietnam’s national retail payment infrastructure will directly connect with China’s leading payment ecosystem with over 1 billion users. This connection will allow Chinese tourists to experience familiar, convenient, and secure QR code payment methods as in their own country, while also creating more growth opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.” Vietcombank described cross-border QR payments as an increasingly common option for international transactions and noted that it had committed resources to the project in its role as settlement bank. Douglas Feagin Douglas Feagin, Chairman of Ant International, said, “Ant International helps partners apply international payment methods, including Alipay, to be accepted by retailers worldwide, promoting international payment interoperability and cross-border trade.” NAPAS and Ant International also plan to complete deployment of the next phase of the service soon. This will allow Vietnamese travellers in China to use their domestic banking apps to scan Alipay QR codes and make payments there. NAPAS is continuing to expand the VIETQRGlobal acceptance network through partnerships with banks, payment intermediaries and businesses. It has so far completed bilateral QR payment connectivity with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and China, and plans to expand to more markets in the region.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Vietnam Banking Association  The post Vietnam and China Expand Cross-Border QR Payment Connectivity appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard has gone live with authenticated agentic transactions in Singapore and Malaysia and plans to open a regional AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore later this year. The rollout marks the first wave of Mastercard’s AI-initiated payments effort in the region, with more ASEAN markets set to follow. Later this year, Mastercard’s Singapore AI Centre of Excellence will bring together its innovation, cybersecurity and AI capabilities and serve as its largest innovation space in APAC. The centre will support broader work in payments, fraud detection, cybersecurity and real-time risk management. Mastercard worked with UOB on the initial region-wide testing and with local banks in each market to support local deployments. The pilots are meant to support wider expansion on trusted rails as more stakeholders come on board. Jacquelyn Tan “Our multi-market collaboration with Mastercard shows how trusted, AI‑driven payments can enhance everyday banking and commerce, tailored to diverse lifestyle needs across markets. As adoption grows, we continue to combine innovation and strong governance to scale these capabilities across borders and sectors, unlocking greater value for consumers and businesses across ASEAN,” said Jacquelyn Tan, Head of Group Personal Financial Services, UOB. The rollout is built around Mastercard Agent Pay, which supports AI-powered commerce through tokenised credentials, verifiable intent and end-to-end auditability, using Mastercard Agentic Tokens and Payment Passkeys. The framework is designed to keep AI-initiated transactions aligned with what users have authorised. Mastercard said verifiable intent, which it co-developed with Google, creates a tamper-resistant record of what a consumer approved when an AI agent acts on their behalf, giving issuers, merchants and consumers a shared reference point for the transaction. Safdar Khan “The first wave of authenticated agentic transactions across ASEAN shows how quickly the region is embracing secure, AI‑enabled commerce. With early pilots now live across multiple markets, Mastercard is proving that AI agents can operate responsibly and transparently, giving consumers confidence that every transaction is authenticated and anchored in verifiable intent,” said Safdar Khan, Division President, Southeast Asia, Mastercard.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mkmult via Freepik The post Mastercard Goes Live with Agentic Payment Pilots in ASEAN, Plans Singapore AI Centre appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

FOXAI and Axe Finance announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the banking and lending sectors in Vietnam and Laos. This collaboration combines advanced AI-driven innovation with globally recognised end-to-end lending technology to empower banks and credit institutions with scalable, cost-efficient digital solutions. The primary objective of the partnership is to deliver professional digital transformation solutions that minimise costs and maximise operational efficiency for banks and financial institutions. By integrating FOXAI’s digital transformation and technology transfer expertise with Axe Finance’s modular lending platform, Axe Credit Portal, the two organisations will provide practical, implementation-ready solutions tailored specifically for lending institutions in emerging markets. Driving Practical and Scalable AI Adoption As financial institutions across Southeast Asia modernise their operations, the demand for intelligent automation, enhanced risk management, and streamlined credit processes continues to grow. The FOXAI and Axe Finance partnership directly addresses these needs by enabling banks and lenders to: Optimise credit workflows and reduce manual intervention Minimise operational and infrastructure costs Enhance credit risk assessment and underwriting accuracy Strengthen regulatory compliance and reporting Accelerate time-to-market for new lending products FOXAI brings strong expertise in digital transformation consulting, AI deployment, and technology transfer, ensuring that solutions are innovative, scalable, and aligned with local regulatory and operational requirements. Axe Finance contributes to its globally trusted digital lending platform, covering the full credit lifecycle from origination and underwriting to loan servicing, portfolio monitoring, compliance, and reporting. Trusted by leading financial institutions worldwide, Axe Credit Portal enables banks and lenders to automate and optimise their credit operations with flexibility, modularity, and compliance at the core. From left to right: Anh Do Tuan, Business Development Manager for Vietnam at Axe Finance; Le Viet Truong, CEO of FOXAI; and Joe Udomdejwatana, Business Development Director for APAC at Axe Finance, during the contract signing ceremony. Initial Focus on Vietnam and Laos The initial implementation scope of the partnership will focus on Vietnam and Laos, two rapidly evolving markets with increasing demand for modern, digital lending infrastructure. Positioned as a strategic collaboration, the partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation adoption, supporting banks and credit institutions in strengthening operational efficiency, risk management, and long-term competitiveness. Anh Do Tuan Anh Do Tuan, Business Development Manager for Vietnam at Axe Finance, stated: “Vietnam’s banking sector is undergoing a critical phase of digital acceleration. Through our partnership with Fox AI, we are combining global lending technology expertise with strong local digital transformation capabilities to deliver tangible impacts for banks and credit institutions. At Axe Finance, we believe digital transformation in lending must be practical, scalable, and results driven. By integrating our modular lending platform with Fox AI’s AI-powered capabilities, we are enabling financial institutions in Vietnam and Laos to modernise credit operations, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making with confidence. We’re proud to work with FOXAI; this AI‑powered partnership reaffirms our long‑term commitment to local institutions and represents a significant move toward building intelligent, cost‑efficient lending ecosystems across emerging markets.” FOXAİ CEO, Lê Viết Trường, provides strategic solution advisory to Axe Finance. Lê Viết Trường, Chief Executive Officer of FOXAI, added: “At Fox AI, our mission is to deliver professional digital transformation solutions that minimise costs and maximise operational efficiency for banks and financial institutions. Partnering with Axe Finance strengthens our ability to bring advanced, AI-driven innovation directly into the lending ecosystem in Vietnam and Laos. Axe Finance’s comprehensive lending platform, combined with our expertise in AI implementation and technology transfer, creates strong synergies. Together, we are helping banks and credit institutions adopt scalable solutions that are technologically advanced and practically implementable within local market conditions. We see this partnership as a strategic milestone in accelerating digital transformation across the financial sector in emerging markets.” The partnership between FOXAI and Axe Finance brings together strong technological expertise and innovation. A Shared Vision for Emerging Market Growth Both organisations share a long-term vision of empowering banks and credit institutions with intelligent automation, scalable infrastructure, and data-driven lending capabilities. This strategic partnership reflects a strong commitment to supporting financial innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth across Vietnam, Laos, and the broader Southeast Asian region. Watch Joe Udomdejwatana unpack the limitations of basic digitisation and explore what true Lending 3.0 strategies could mean for banks across Asia Pacific. The post FOXAI and Axe Finance to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Vietnam, Laos appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Binance is facing fresh turnover in its compliance ranks, with Bloomberg reporting departures from teams covering sanctions, investigations and financial crime monitoring. According to the report, Chief Compliance Officer Noah Perlman has discussed leaving the company sometime this year or next. Binance said no departure date has been set, no successor has been named and Perlman remains in the role. Peter Van Logtenstein, Inga Petrauskaitė, Erin Fracolli, Jarek Jakubcek and Alex Côté were also listed among the recent exits, which Binance described as routine turnover and performance-related departures. Perlman joined Binance in 2023 to run sanctions enforcement, financial crime monitoring and investigations. Later that year, Binance pleaded guilty in a resolution worth more than US$4 billion with US authorities over anti-money-laundering, unlicensed money-transmitting and sanctions violations. Co-founder Changpeng Zhao separately pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering programme. The personnel changes come as Binance remains under scrutiny in Washington over Iran-linked activity involving its platform. Senator Richard Blumenthal opened an inquiry in February and, in a 1 April follow-up, said Binance had still not produced all of the records requested by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. In a 10 March post, Binance put the value of funds that moved through a multi-hop network before ultimately reaching wallets with links to Iranian wallets at about US$126.1 million. The company added that US$24.1 million of that amount reached wallets related to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and that the accounts involved were offboarded and reported to law enforcement. Separately, in a 6 March response, Binance reported that it employs more than 1,500 compliance specialists and processed more than 71,000 law-enforcement requests in 2025.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by spacestudios via Freepik The post Binance’s Compliance Team Sees Senior Exits, Bloomberg Reports appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

MyRepublic, a telecoms service provider, has introduced a managed email security offering aimed at helping Singapore SMEs guard against phishing, malware and business email compromise. The MyRepublic Email Guard service was developed for smaller businesses that may lack the cybersecurity resources and dedicated IT teams of larger firms. In Singapore, SMEs account for 99 percent of enterprises and employ nearly 70 percent of the workforce. Powered by Check Point’s email threat protection technology, MyRepublic Email Guard is designed to detect and block malicious emails before they reach users’ inboxes. It supports platforms including Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The service includes deployment, ongoing management and local support to help businesses strengthen email security without adding to the burden on internal teams. Lawrence Chan Lawrence Chan, Managing Director and Chief AI Officer of MyRepublic, said, “Far too many local businesses remain exposed simply because they cannot access or afford the cybersecurity tools available to larger enterprises. With MyRepublic Email Guard, we are changing that. We bring enterprise-grade protection to businesses that have long been underserved, backed by the local expertise and support they deserve.” Imran Nazi Imran Nazi, Head of ICT at MyRepublic, said, “MyRepublic Email Guard is built specifically for Singapore’s SMEs, where it is designed to be affordable, easy to adopt, and supported by a team that understands the local business environment. We want every SME in Singapore to have access to the same level of protection that large enterprises take for granted, because a safer SME ecosystem means a stronger Singapore.” MyRepublic Email Guard is now available to businesses in Singapore.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by vart_dant via Freepik The post MyRepublic Launches Email Security Service for Singapore SMEs appeared first on Fintech Singapore.