If the startup world is one big pizza party, female founders are still only walking away with a single slice. Despite a recovering market, only 12% of deal funding is going to women. Where is the rest of the capital going, and why is the system structurally built to ignore female ambition? In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Lim (Investment Partner, OSK Ventures) and Rejina Rahim (Founder, Wahine Capital) to uncover the hard truths of the Venture Capital ecosystem in Southeast Asia. We move past the surface-level “diversity” buzzwords to address the real roadblocks: from the staggering lack of female decision-makers (67% of SEA investors have none) to the societal “Double Burden” that traps women in invisible labor at home. The post Southeast Asia Funding is Recovering, But Why Are Women only Getting 12% appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

MobiFone Digital Payments Joint Stock Company has launched in Vietnam with plans to develop digital payment infrastructure in the country. The Hanoi-based company is backed by MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation. It is licensed by the State Bank of Vietnam to provide intermediary payment services covering financial switching, electronic clearing, payment gateway services, and collection and payment support. MDP has already partnered with more than 20 member institutions, including Vietnamese banks and financial institutions, and announced a collaboration with Visa at its launch event. Prior to its official launch, MDP signed a MoU with the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam, or NAPAS, to explore possible interconnection models between their switching systems. The move is aimed at supporting a more coordinated and secure national payment infrastructure. MDP received its licence from the State Bank of Vietnam on 27 November 2025. The company said it will continue expanding partnerships with banks, technology firms, fintech companies, and other ecosystem players as it grows its presence in Vietnam’s payments market. Phan Thanh Son Phan Thanh Son, CEO of MDP, said, “With a modern technology foundation and an open collaborative approach, MDP aspires to build a new digital payments infrastructure for Vietnam, one developed by Vietnamese, operated to international standards, and seamlessly connected with both domestic and global financial ecosystems. We believe that when banks, technology companies, and partners collaborate on a shared platform, Vietnam’s digital payments market will grow faster and more sustainably, while gradually enhancing the country’s position within the regional digital economy ecosystem.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Phan Thanh Son via LinkedIn  The post MobiFone Digital Payments Officially Launches in Vietnam appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

World Foundation has sold US$65 million worth of WLD in OTC transactions, with the token trading near an all-time low. The Block reported that World Assets, the foundation’s token issuance arm, sold the tokens to four counterparties, with the first settlement taking place on 20 March. The transactions were priced at an average of about US$0.2719 per token, bringing the total sold to around 239 million WLD. The sale price is far below WLD’s March 2024 peak of about US$11.82. World Foundation said US$25 million worth of the tokens sold are subject to a six-month lock-up. The foundation said the proceeds will support operations, product development, orb production and ecosystem growth. The disclosure came days after on-chain activity flagged by Lookonchain showed 117 million WLD moved to Binance and FalconX on 21 March. That transfer was valued at about US$39 million at the time and may have been linked to part of the OTC activity disclosed later. The latest transaction adds to earlier WLD sales by the project. In April 2024, the then-named Worldcoin Foundation said it planned to sell between 500,000 and 1.5 million WLD a week through private placements to institutional trading firms. In May 2025, the project also raised US$135 million through a token sale backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto to support its US expansion. A major community token unlock is also due to begin on 23 July 2026, covering 52.51% of WLD’s total supply, according to DefiLlama. Eightco Holdings, which launched a WLD treasury in September 2025 alongside a US$250 million private placement, held 277 million WLD as of 20 March and has been identified in market coverage as the largest publicly traded holder. World has also drawn regulatory scrutiny in Asia, including an operational suspension in Indonesia, a cease order in Hong Kong, investigations in Singapore tied to the sale of Worldcoin accounts and tokens, and a fine in South Korea over biometric data privacy breaches.       Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by Steve Jurvetson via Wikimedia Commons, and user23413193 via Freepik The post Sam Altman’s Iris-Scanning Crypto Project Sells US$65M in WLD as Token Plummets 98% appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

SCBX has formed BankX Bank after its consortium won approval to establish one of Thailand’s three virtual banks. The new subsidiary will serve as the vehicle for SCBX’s planned virtual banking business in Thailand. The Bank of Thailand announced in June 2025 that SCB X Public Company Limited, WeTechnology Limited and KakaoBank Corp. were among the three groups approved by the finance minister to establish a virtual bank. In a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, SCBX said it holds 90 percent of the total issued shares in BankX Bank Public Company Limited. The company was registered as a public limited company with an initial registered capital of THB 10,000. SCBX said it plans to raise the registered capital to THB 5 billion within 2026, or upon submission of an application for a virtual banking licence to the Ministry of Finance, in line with the rules and timeline set by the Bank of Thailand. The central bank said approved groups must establish a public limited company, meet the conditions set by the finance minister, pass a readiness assessment by the Bank of Thailand and begin operations within one year from the date of approval. BankX Bank is now preparing for launch with its strategic partners KakaoBank Corp. and WeBank Technology Services Limited. KakaoBank is one of BankX Bank’s shareholders and is South Korea’s largest digital banking service provider. WeBank Technology Services Limited, formerly known as WeTechnology Limited, is a subsidiary of WeBank Co., Ltd. The new entity will use technology and innovation from its partners to develop financial products and services in Thailand. The virtual banks are expected to serve unserved and underserved retail and SME segments, while bringing new value propositions or improving the efficiency of existing financial services through digital channels.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by lifeforstock via Freepik The post SCBX Forms BankX Bank as Thailand’s Virtual Bank Race Takes Shape appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore is setting out new measures to strengthen its position as a trusted gold trading centre for the Asia-Pacific, as interest in vaulting and trading gold in the city-state grows. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Bullion Market Association said the focus areas were identified by a Gold Market Development Working Group formed in January 2026, following discussions and studies with industry participants in 2025. The group will look at developing gold-related capital market products to support price discovery and liquidity, while also setting internationally aligned standards for vaulting and logistics. It will also build a clearing system for the over-the-counter settlement of large bar and kilobar gold trades in Singapore. MAS is also studying the possibility of offering vaulting services for foreign central banks and sovereign entities to meet potential demand. These steps are aimed at improving market confidence and supporting Singapore’s role as a regional gold hub alongside other major centres. The effort is also intended to anchor higher-value activities in Singapore, create jobs, and strengthen the resilience and diversity of the financial sector. The working group is co-chaired by MAS and SBMA, with steering committee members from DBS, ICBC Standard Bank, JPMorgan Chase, SGX Group, UBS, UOB and the World Gold Council. It is supported by technical workstreams involving a wider group of stakeholders, including the institutions listed below. The group is expected to work out the details of the measures over the next few months and provide updates on implementation through 2026.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by amankris via Freepik The post MAS and Industry Partners to Strengthen Singapore’s Gold Trading Infrastructure appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Sri Lanka’s national payment network, LankaPay, has launched cross-border QR payment acceptance via China’s Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay). The integration allows inbound travellers to make payments at over 400,000 LANKAQR merchants across the island. With Weixin Pay reportedly serving nearly 900 million monthly active users globally, the partnership aims to reduce friction at points of sale for Chinese tourists. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said the industry is preparing for a possible 30% to 40% decline in the European market due to global crises. The initiative also seeks to direct tourism revenue into rural areas and reduce foreign exchange leakage. Currently, tourism revenue leakage exceeds 30%, largely because major hospitality providers rely on imported goods. Hewawasam highlighted that rural vendors, such as craftspeople, bakeries and local produce sellers, could benefit from the ability to accept digital payments, according to the Daily Mirror. For local businesses, the integration offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional payment methods. LankaPay Chief Executive Officer Channa de Silva said: Channa de Silva “The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has capped the merchant discount rate for international QR transactions at 1.8%, presenting a significantly cheaper alternative to standard international credit card fees. The direct integration also eliminates the cumbersome and costly dual conversion process through the US dollar.” He called on banks to educate merchants to ensure the system is fully used. Weixin Pay Managing Director for Southeast Asia and North America Ben Yang said Sri Lanka is well-positioned to benefit from Chinese outbound tourism. “The collaboration extends beyond basic payment processing; the objective is to connect with Chinese tourists, convert their engagement into seamless transactions, and grow Sri Lanka’s overall tourism revenue,” he said. Both parties plan joint campaigns to promote Sri Lankan travel experiences and local merchants to Chinese consumers.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Harsha de Silva via LinkedIn The post Chinese Tourists Can Now Use WeChat Pay at LankaPay Merchants in Sri Lanka appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said authorities had launched a large-scale investigation into alleged cryptocurrency fraud across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Nang, and Dak Lak. Following directives from the ministry, the Economic Security Department, in coordination with the Investigation Security Department and local police forces, conducted coordinated searches over two days in March, summoning more than 140 individuals. According to the statement, they confiscated computers, mobile devices, documents, and other evidence linked to the alleged offences, “successfully dismantling” a network that reportedly embezzled billions of US dollars from investors in the ONUS ecosystem. On 23 March 2026, the Investigation Security Agency initiated criminal proceedings for “using computer networks, telecommunications, or electronic means to commit asset misappropriation” and “money laundering,” covering activities from 2018 to the present. Authorities temporarily detained Vuong Le Vinh Nhan, General Director of Digital Asset Management JSC; Tran Quang Chien, technical administrator of the ONUS cryptocurrency exchange; Ngo Thi Thao, Director of HANAGOLD Jewelry JSC; and five others. One additional individual faces charges of money laundering, though their identity remains undisclosed. The Supreme People’s Procuracy approved all prosecution and detention decisions. Investigators allege the suspects created tokens including VNDC, ONUS and HNG, promoted them using false information, and used artificial trading activity to manipulate prices and misappropriate investor funds. Authorities also blocked attempts to destroy evidence or disperse assets. ONUS, formerly known as VNDC Wallet, launched in 2020 and has been widely marketed to Vietnamese users, though reports have described it as Singapore-headquartered. The platform had previously said it had more than 7 million users globally by end-2025, with VNDC positioned as a stablecoin pegged to the Vietnamese dong.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by ganzevayna1 and pvproductions via Freepik The post Vietnam Police Detain ONUS-Linked Suspects in Multi-Billion Dollar Crypto Fraud Probe appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Visa has launched Enhanced Subscription Manager, a new service that lets issuers help customers manage recurring payments through their mobile apps. Part of Visa’s Digital Issuer Solutions platform, the service allows cardholders to view subscriptions, get alerts, and receive insights through their banking app. It also allows them switch eligible subscriptions paid with any card to a Visa card and cancel certain subscriptions without leaving the app. Visa said the launch comes as subscription use continues to grow, with the total projected to reach 12 billion by 2030 and consumers seeking clearer ways to track recurring charges. The company is working with Pinwheel, a fintech firm that provides in-app bill management and switching tools, to expand those features. Through the integration, issuers will be able to offer card switching and subscription cancellation across more than 100 major merchants, with cancellation available for select merchants and guided workflows offered for others. Visa said the service could help issuers reduce disputes and chargebacks linked to recurring payments while improving customer engagement and retention. Kathleen Pierce-Gilmore Kathleen Pierce-Gilmore, Global Head of Issuing Solutions at Visa, said, “Consumers today want clarity, control, and convenience when it comes to managing the subscriptions that touch so many parts of their lives. By enhancing subscription management capabilities with Digital Issuer Solutions, and expanding through strategic collaborations with companies like Pinwheel, we’re helping issuers deliver digital experiences that keep them top‑of‑wallet.” Enhanced Subscription Manager will be available to North American issuers in summer 2026, followed by expansion to Latin America and the Caribbean. Further updates to its subscription-related offerings are planned throughout 2026.   The post Visa Offers In-App Subscription Management Tool for Card Issuers appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Sumsub has partnered with ComplyAdvantage to strengthen anti-money laundering screening across its compliance platform. The partnership brings ComplyAdvantage’s Mesh risk intelligence technology into Sumsub’s AML screening tools across Know Your Customer, Know Your Business and transaction monitoring. It is aimed at helping compliance teams manage sanctions checks, politically exposed person screenings and watchlist monitoring more accurately within one system. Sumsub said the integration is designed to improve screening accuracy and give compliance teams more flexibility to tailor workflows based on their risk appetite and regulatory requirements. The company is also introducing a Bring Your Own Key option, allowing customers to connect their own ComplyAdvantage Mesh API credentials directly to the platform. For ComplyAdvantage, the partnership gives existing Mesh customers access to Sumsub’s review tools and case management while continuing to use Mesh as their screening intelligence source. Andrew Novoselsky “Compliance teams don’t need more tools—they need one powerful system that does it all. With ComplyAdvantage Mesh fully embedded into our platform, we’re not just enhancing AML screening—we’re redefining how compliance operates. Sumsub brings together verification, screening, monitoring, and intelligent decisioning into a single environment, giving teams complete control, real-time intelligence, and the ability to scale with confidence in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.” said Andrew Novoselsky, Chief Product Officer at Sumsub. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by MH Stock via Freepik The post Sumsub Taps ComplyAdvantage to Expand AML Screening Capabilities appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard is considering a sale of the account-to-account payments business it picked up from Nets in 2019, the Financial Times reported. The company declined to comment. A sale would put Mastercard’s largest acquisition to date back in play, after the company bought the business for about US$3.2 billion as part of its push beyond traditional card payments. According to the report, Mastercard has appointed bankers to explore a sale of the unit, which could draw interest from private equity firms. People familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that the company is unlikely to recover the price it originally paid. The business, which supports real-time payments between bank accounts in Europe, is said to generate about US$370 million in annual revenue and roughly US$100 million in EBITDA. Mastercard bought the asset from Denmark’s Nets Group in 2019 to expand its presence in account-to-account payments and broaden its offering beyond its core card business. The reported sale comes shortly after Mastercard announced a deal to acquire stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK for up to US$1.8 billion, as it continues to expand into newer areas of payments infrastructure. Nets itself was acquired by Italian payments group Nexi in 2020 in a deal valued at €7.2 billion, helping create one of Europe’s largest payments operators.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Mastercard Weighs Sale of Nets Payments Unit Acquired in US$3.2 Billion Deal appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Xero is teaming up with Anthropic in a multi-year deal that will enable small businesses to use Claude for financial analysis and workflow tasks. The partnership will bring Claude into Xero’s platform while also making Xero’s financial data and tools available through Claude.ai. This is intended to help small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors get real-time insights and act on them more easily. Within Xero, Claude will support automation across accounting, payroll and payments. Customers will also be able to use Xero financial data and insights in Claude.ai for analysis and planning, including scenario testing and follow-up actions. Any financial information shared between the two services will only be used for the user’s specific session and will not be used to train Anthropic’s AI models. As part of the agreement, Xero’s engineering teams will also use Claude Code and Cowork to support product development. Claude-powered insights in Xero and the Claude.ai integration are expected to become available in the coming months. Diya Jolly Diya Jolly, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Xero said, “Small businesses and advisors don’t just need data; they need a digital partner that acts on it. Integrating Claude moves Xero into agentic workflows, where Xero’s AI superagent, JAX (Just Ask Xero), does the heavy lifting, from predicting cash flow gaps to executing complex financial tasks. Crucially, this trusted intelligence isn’t locked into one platform; it follows the user securely wherever they choose to work, empowering advisor collaboration. By shifting the admin burden to a team of agents orchestrated by JAX, we’re giving our customers time back and providing them with clarity so they can make informed decisions and focus on the future.” Chris Ciauri Chris Ciauri, Managing Director of International, Anthropic, said, “Claude brings a reasoning layer to that foundation. Now, instead of spending hours trying to make sense of their financials on top of everything else it takes to run a business, customers get clear answers and recommended actions in real time. This provides small businesses and their advisors with the kind of financial intelligence that used to require a dedicated analyst or CFO.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user4894991 via Freepik   The post Xero Users to Get Access to Claude for Real-Time Financial Analysis, Planning appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Revolut plans to take its India workforce to 5,500 by the end of 2026 under a five-year £500 million investment plan, Reuters reported. The expansion will add 1,600 roles across product development, support and financial services functions such as payment processing and fraud investigations. The move will deepen Revolut’s global capability centre in India, which is separate from its local consumer business. India already handles about a third of Revolut’s processes, including transaction monitoring and AI-led alert systems. The company has also used tools developed there, such as video KYC capabilities, to improve onboarding in other markets. Revolut currently employs about 12,000 people worldwide, meaning India is set to make up a much larger share of its global workforce by the end of next year. The company said group revenue rose 46% to US$6.0 billion in 2025 from US$4.0 billion a year earlier, while its Singapore operation remained net profitable for a second straight year in 2025. Revolut’s local unit holds a Reserve Bank of India licence to issue prepaid payment instruments and already has permissions to offer certain foreign exchange services. The company is targeting a product launch next quarter and has said it aims to reach 20 million customers in India by 2030. Founded in 2015, Revolut was valued at US$75 billion. The £500 million India commitment also sits within a wider US$13 billion, five-year global investment plan announced by the company last year.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mabrouksamira25 via Freepik   The post Revolut Targets 5,500 India Staff by End-2026 Under £500 Million Investment appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Tazapay has raised a Series B extension led by Circle Ventures, taking its total funding for the round to US$36 million. New investors in the extension include CMT Digital and Coinbase Ventures. Circle Ventures, Peak XV Partners, GMO Venture Partners, and January Capital also participated in the extension. Existing backers of Tazapay include Ripple, Norinchukin Capital, ARC180, and RTP Global. The fresh funding will support licensing expansion, commercial growth across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Americas, as well as the development of infrastructure for AI-driven payment use cases. Kanupriya Sharda Kanupriya Sharda, Chief Business Officer at Tazapay, said, “The demand we’re seeing from enterprises and fintechs across Asia, LATAM, and the Middle East is unmistakable; businesses want to move money faster, cheaper, and with full regulatory confidence. Tazapay’s infrastructure was built precisely for this moment. With Circle Ventures’ backing and the addition of CMT Digital and Coinbase Ventures, we now have the fuel to scale our go-to-market across the corridors where this matters most.” Tazapay provides cross-border payment infrastructure for businesses in emerging markets. Its platform supports faster and more capital-efficient settlement than traditional banking rails. The firm now serves more than 1,000 enterprises and fintechs across 30 countries and has doubled revenue for three consecutive years. Tazapay currently holds licences and registrations in Singapore, Canada, Australia, and the United States. It also has active licence applications underway in the UAE, the European Union, and Hong Kong. Brian Schultz Brian Schultz, Vice President at Circle Ventures, said, “Stablecoin adoption in cross-border commerce depends on regulated, operationally reliable infrastructure. Tazapay has built that capability across key emerging markets. Their licensing footprint and local market integration address an essential requirement for enterprise stablecoin-to-fiat settlement.”     Featured image: (From left) Aayush Singhania (CPO), Kanupriya Sharda (CBO), and Rahul Shinghal (CEO). The post Tazapay Raises US$36 Million in Series B Extension Led by Circle Ventures appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Visa will join the Canton Network as a Super Validator, becoming the first payments firm to take on the role. The company said it will be one of 40 Super Validators on the blockchain network, which is built for regulated finance and designed to keep sensitive data private. Visa said it will help support operations on Canton Network as banks and financial institutions explore onchain payment flows, including stablecoin payments, settlement and treasury use cases. The move addresses a key hurdle for financial institutions using blockchain. While transparency is one of blockchain’s core features, it can also raise privacy concerns for institutions operating under strict compliance and risk rules. Rubail Birwadker Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa, said, “Many banks see the lack of privacy as a dealbreaker for moving meaningful activity onchain. By operating as a Super Validator on Canton Network, we’re bringing Visa-grade trust, governance and operational rigor that define Visa’s global network to privacy‑preserving blockchain infrastructure, so regulated FIs can bring payments onchain without having to rethink how they operate.” Canton Network has mainly been used in capital markets, including for the issuance and trading of tokenised assets. With Visa joining, the network is looking to expand further into payments and connect those use cases more directly with its broader financial ecosystem. The move builds on Visa’s broader stablecoin push, which includes settlement, card-linked programmes and advisory work for financial institutions and fintechs.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Visa The post Visa Joins Canton Network to Support Onchain Payment Flows appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Trip.com is working with Checkout.com to improve payments for travelers booking across its global platform. The partnership will see Trip.com roll out digital card payment services through Checkout.com in markets including the UK, Japan and Saudi Arabia, with further expansion planned in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Trip.com offers hotel bookings, flights, trains, car rentals and attractions, and operates in 24 languages across 39 countries and regions. The two companies are also exploring additional local payment methods beyond online card payments, including e-wallets and bank transfers, to support customers in different markets. Trip.com has adopted Checkout.com’s standalone 3D Secure authentication service and is also exploring tools for card storage, identity verification and issuing as it expands its payments setup. Brian Sze Brian Sze, President of Checkout.com Asia Pacific, said, “As one of the fastest-growing travel platforms globally, Trip.com is at the forefront of digital travel, and we’re proud to support its global expansion with the payment infrastructure needed to thrive in today’s digital economy. Our collaboration goes beyond processing transactions – it’s about co-creating a payment strategy that drives performance, reduces friction, and supports the growth of the tourism industry through digital innovation.” Wang Zhe Wang Zhe, Vice President of Trip.com Group, said, “ Checkout.com’s global acquiring capabilities and modular technology give us the flexibility to tailor our payment strategy by market – improving success rates, reducing costs, and ultimately delivering a better experience for our customers. This partnership strengthens our ability to innovate at speed and scale as we connect travelers with the world around them.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Wavebreak Media via Freepik The post Trip.com Taps Checkout.com to Ease Travel Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Airwallex has appointed former New Zealand Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Bill English as Chair of its New Zealand board. Sir Bill joins as an independent director, bringing extensive experience in public finance, economic policy and international trade. His appointment comes as global payments and financial services grow in importance for New Zealand’s export-led economy, and as more businesses adopt digital platforms to operate internationally. Airwallex provides financial infrastructure to a range of high-growth New Zealand companies, including Halter, Partly and Tracksuit. It also supports international businesses operating in New Zealand, such as Afterpay and Bolt. Since entering New Zealand in 2023, nearly 20% of the country’s digital and tech sector relies on the platform. Airwallex has enabled over 1,000 Kiwi startups and modern businesses to operate internationally. The platform now facilitates approximately NZ$2.4 billion in annual payment flows, representing 240% year-on-year growth. It allows businesses to open local bank accounts in over 20 countries. Companies can also manage foreign currencies, pay suppliers and employees abroad, and collect revenue in 70 markets worldwide. Airwallex is also embedding AI into payments, treasury and spend management, enabling businesses to automate routine operations, optimise cash flow decisions and gain real-time insights into their global performance. Sir Bill said he was drawn to Airwallex’s role in supporting New Zealand’s high-growth exporting and technology firms. Sir Bill English “I’m looking forward to supporting a business that is helping New Zealand companies participate more effectively in the global economy, and contributing to the long-term direction of Airwallex in New Zealand as it continues to grow,” he said.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mrsiraphol via Freepik This article first appeared on Fintech News Australia The post Former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Bill English Joins Airwallex as Board Chair appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DV8 Public Company plans to fully acquire Rakkar Digital and inject up to THB100 million (about US$3.05 million) into the Thai digital asset custody provider. The listed company has signed a share sale and purchase agreement to buy Rakkar’s ordinary shares from its existing shareholders, according to a filing with the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions under the agreement. Rakkar is a digital asset custodial wallet service provider authorised by Thailand’s Minister of Finance under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm was founded by Arthit Sriumporn, who now serves as EVP for Digital Channels at Siam Commercial Bank. The planned capital injection will support its operations and help it meet regulatory net capital requirements for digital asset business operators. The company said the transaction does not meet the threshold for a material asset acquisition under Thai capital market rules and that Rakkar and its existing shareholders are not connected persons under the relevant connected transaction rules. DV8 added that SEC approval will still be required for it to become a major shareholder in Rakkar. After the deal closes, DV8 will appoint three directors to Rakkar’s board, namely Jason Kin Hoi Fang, Theng Wei Tan and Kittiwut Horthong following SEC’s approval. DV8 will fund the investment through internal working capital.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by yogiermansyah22 via Freepik The post DV8 to Acquire Rakkar Digital, Plans Up to US$3 Million Capital Injection appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

iPiD has struck two deals in Korea, bringing its payee verification tools to DOZN’s clients and Hana Bank’s cross-border payment operations. DOZN, a Korean digital commerce and payments platform, will resell iPiD Validate to financial institutions, payment service providers and corporates in Korea. The real-time payee verification service allows users to check account details before a payment is made through features such as name matching, account confirmation and pre-payment validation. The partnership comes as Korean payment providers and businesses handle more cross-border transactions and face pressure to reduce fraud, prevent misdirected payments and improve efficiency. Damien Dugauquier “Korea is one of the world’s most dynamic digital economies. Our partnership with DOZN brings trusted, accurate payee verification to a market that is scaling rapidly across borders. Together, we’re helping Korean institutions strengthen trust in every transaction,” said Damien Dugauquier, Co-Founder & CEO of iPiD. Meanwhile, Hana Bank has deployed iPiD Node to support payee verification under the UK’s Confirmation of Payee framework and Europe’s Verification of Payee requirements. Through a single integration, the bank can confirm whether a beneficiary’s name matches the account details before funds are sent across UK and European payment corridors. The setup is intended to reduce payment errors and lower the risk of authorised push payment fraud without adding operational complexity. Hana Bank said the service will support cross-border payments by businesses and individuals, including overseas transfers for expenses such as tuition and rent.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mrsiraphol via Freepik   The post iPiD Expands Korea Footprint Through DOZN and Hana Bank Partnerships appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS and Bank of China (BOC) have announced plans to strengthen their long-standing partnership, focusing on financial innovation to support trade and investment across the region. Key areas of cooperation include fintech development, regional connectivity, cross-border RMB solutions, third-party market expansion, and sustainable finance. The banks will leverage their respective strengths to deepen strategic cooperation in China and regional overseas markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Initiatives aim to facilitate cross-border trade, support Chinese companies expanding abroad, and enable global enterprises and long-term investors to access the Chinese market. Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS Group, said: Tan Su Shan “Economic and trade cooperation between China, Singapore and the region has continuously deepened, demonstrating resilience and structural growth. BOC is a long-term valued partner of DBS. Building on that foundation, this MOU symbolises our renewed commitment to support global growth, drive regional development and create more impactful collaboration.” Ge Haijiao, Chairman of BOC, added: Ge Haijiao “Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will continue to explore broader cooperation, enabling the international use of RMB, advancing financial innovation and green finance, and supporting intra-regional collaboration to deliver results for our stakeholders.”       Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by K8 via Unsplash This article first appeared on Fintech News Hong Kong The post DBS and Bank of China to Deepen Cooperation on RMB, Trade, and Regional Finance appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Triple-A has joined Circle Payments Network to support stablecoin-based cross-border settlements in local currencies. Operated by Circle Technology Services, the network connects banks, payment service providers, virtual asset providers and enterprises to enable near real-time payments using stablecoins. With the integration, Triple-A joins the network as a Beneficiary Financial Institution. The company said this will support use cases such as remittances, payroll, supplier payments and global treasury management. Eric Barbier Eric Barbier, CEO of Triple-A, said, “Through Circle Payments Network, we enable last-mile settlement in USDC on the backend and deliver in local currency through domestic payment systems. This allows businesses to benefit from stablecoin infrastructure without needing to directly handle digital assets.” Irfan Ganchi Irfan Ganchi, SVP of Product Management, Payments at Circle, said, “Triple-A’s integration with Circle Payments Network expands stablecoin-to-fiat settlement capabilities across major financial markets. As a Beneficiary Financial Institution on CPN, Triple-A supports local currency payouts through established domestic rails, helping institutions streamline cross-border payment operations.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Triple-A   The post Triple-A Taps Circle for Cross-Border Stablecoin Settlement appeared first on Fintech Singapore.