Former Trust Bank Chief Strategy Officer Nick Woodruff has joined SC Ventures as Head of Early-Stage Ventures. The move follows his departure from Trust Bank, where he spent five years as part of the founding team and held roles spanning strategy, product, marketing and Gen AI. Prior to joining Trust Bank, Woodruff spent a decade at Standard Chartered and earlier held roles at Finsbury Glover Hering, and Barclays. Nick Woodruff He said, “During my time at Trust Bank Singapore and FGS Global, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of venture building, particularly the ability to learn fast and create strategic optionality. I’m now bringing that experience back to the SC Ventures platform, across a global portfolio of ventures from ideation through to build and launch.” SC Ventures is Standard Chartered’s venture-building and investment platform. It focuses on promoting innovation, investing in disruptive financial technology and exploring alternative business models. Woodruff’s move comes shortly after Trust Bank announced leadership changes following his exit. The bank named Alexander Pariyskiy as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff, while Naveen Sethia was promoted to Chief Customer Officer.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by alexokov via Freepik   The post Nick Woodruff Moves to SC Ventures After Leaving Trust Bank appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

American Express (Amex) has agreed to acquire Hypercard, known as Hyper, an agentic expense management company, as it looks to strengthen AI capabilities across its commercial services business. The deal brings in Hyper’s team of AI experts as American Express builds agentic tools and other AI-powered solutions to help businesses automate processes and simplify operations. Raymond Joabar “Our customers want smarter, more efficient ways to manage expenses so they can focus on what’s next for their business, and AI has the potential to transform the way businesses get things done. We’re thrilled to welcome Hyper, a team with deep expertise in designing and deploying AI agents, as we build next-generation AI capabilities into our products and services, including our expense management platform launching later this year.” said Raymond Joabar, Group President of Global Commercial Services at American Express. Founded in 2022, Hyper develops native AI agents that can categorise and file expenses, check them against budgets and company policies, and send reminders when submissions are due. American Express and Hyper previously partnered in 2024 to launch the Hypercard Rewards American Express card, which included embedded AI-powered expense agents built through the Agile Partner Platform. Hyper has since continued refining its agentic expense management capabilities. Marc Baghadjian “We’re excited to join the team at American Express and work together to help businesses reduce friction in the expense process through AI technology. Hyper was founded with the ambition to better automate expenses, and we’re excited to continue this mission as a part of the Amex team.” said Marc Baghadjian, CEO and Co-Founder of Hyper. The acquisition also comes ahead of Amex’ planned launch of an expense management platform later this year. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to closing conditions.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik   The post Amex to Acquire Hyper Ahead of Expense Platform Launch appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Sumsub has launched a free online fraud prevention course through its academy for professionals working in risk, compliance, and fraud. The programme is aimed at professionals including risk managers, internal auditors, anti-fraud strategy professionals, AML compliance officers, and senior management. It covers digital fraud risks, detection methods, and operational best practices. It features 26 micro-learning sessions across six modules on digital fraud foundations, fraud lifecycle, entities and data, fraud signals and detection methods, common fraud schemes, industry-specific risks, and the operation of a fraud prevention function. The course also includes sector-specific sessions on crypto, financial services, iGaming, marketplaces, and e-commerce. Participants who complete it will receive an official certificate and gain practical knowledge on identifying, investigating, and preventing fraud across onboarding, account access, and transactional flows. Speakers include Alex Wood, presenter of the BBC’s Scam Secrets; Angelina Škrabec of evoke; Arturs Linde of Paybis; Matteo Gamba of Merchant Payments Ecosystem; Michael Dare of iFAST Global Bank Limited; Ivan Prokofev of Cleo; and Sumsub’s Arthur Tsvettsih and Svetla Gocheva. The course was developed in response to demand from past learners and wider market interest. More than 10,000 students have completed Sumsub Academy courses to date. Fraud Prevention is the eighth course launched by Sumsub Academy, following earlier courses including Sumsub User Verification and AML Fundamentals.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by MDROTONALI via Freepik The post Sumsub Academy Launches Free Fraud Prevention Course appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Airwallex has launched a point-of-sale (POS) payments product designed to bring online and in-store payments together on a single platform. The new offering, Airwallex POS Payments, is now available in the UK, Europe, Hong Kong and Singapore, with the US and Australia next on the roadmap. The launch marks Airwallex’s expansion into in-person payments, as more businesses look to reduce the fragmentation between their online and offline payment systems. Airwallex is positioning the product as a way to bring online and in-store payments together through one integration across multiple markets. The system can integrate with existing point-of-sale, order management, enterprise resource planning and platform systems through APIs and software development kits. It also includes SoftPOS support, allowing platforms to embed in-person payments acceptance into their apps without shipping separate payment hardware. The firm is targeting enterprise retailers and SaaS platforms that want to add in-store payments to their existing systems. Airwallex POS Payments also allows platforms to offer services such as payouts, accounts and cards.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Airwallex The post Airwallex Expands Into In-Person Payments With POS Launch appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Brazilian payments firm Ebanx is adding Thailand, Indonesia and Turkey to its network as it prepares to enter Malaysia and Vietnam next quarter, according to Reuters. The move marks a further step in its Southeast Asia expansion as Ebanx builds out payment coverage across more emerging markets. Ebanx supports global merchants including Uber and Shein, connecting them with local payment options in markets where card usage is still limited. More of Ebanx’s gross profit is now coming from outside Brazil. In 2025, 65 percent came from other countries, up from 32 percent in 2021, while 20 percent came from markets beyond Latin America. To support its Southeast Asia growth, Ebanx has set up its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, with Chief Product Officer Eduardo de Abreu leading from there. Ebanx has been expanding into markets beyond Latin America since 2022, including India, the Philippines and South Africa. The report added that the company is targeting more launches in Asia and the Middle East in early 2027. This year’s expansion will be funded from Ebanx’s existing cash reserves. Its last disclosed capital raise came in 2021, when Advent International invested US$430 million and joined FTV Capital as a minority shareholder.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by MDROTONALI via Freepik The post Ebanx Builds Out Southeast Asia Presence Ahead of Malaysia, Vietnam Launches appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

FPT has launched an ASEAN Salesforce Center in Hanoi to help financial institutions in Vietnam test and deploy practical data and AI applications. Developed with Salesforce, the center is located at FPT Tower and will serve as a space for banks to explore real-world use cases, train teams, and develop new applications. The facility is focused on Vietnam’s banking sector but is also intended to support wider adoption across ASEAN. The ASEAN Salesforce Center will showcase use cases across the customer journey. These include digital onboarding for account opening and credit activation, AI-driven financial recommendations based on spending patterns, and predictive tools that help banks identify customers who may be ready for new products or services. It also features customer intelligence tools that connect interactions across channels, along with a Tableau-powered dashboard for management teams. The center will also provide hands-on training on Agentforce and Data 360 as part of efforts to strengthen delivery capabilities in Vietnam’s financial services sector. Nguyen Quoc Dong Nguyen Quoc Dong, Senior Vice President and Chief Delivery Officer of FPT Corporation, said, “Through our collaboration with Salesforce, we are helping organizations across Vietnam and ASEAN turn these technologies into meaningful transformation, from intelligent decision-making to deeply personalized customer experiences. This initiative builds on that momentum, helping accelerate the next generation of data-driven banking across the region.” Paul Carvouni Paul Carvouni, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Salesforce ASEAN, said, “The Salesforce Center of Excellence with FPT is more than just a facility; it’s a launchpad for Vietnamese companies to redefine the customer journey and scale their growth. We are giving local businesses a space to move beyond experimentation to real business value by experiencing how Agentic Enterprises improve customer experiences, create higher revenue and increase productivity.” FPT has built its Salesforce capabilities over more than a decade. The company now maintains a global team of over 1,000 developers with more than 800 certifications and has delivered over 200 projects across various industries.     The post FPT Launches ASEAN Salesforce Center in Hanoi for Banking AI Adoption appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Over the past few years, Pakistan’s digital banking sector has been developing slowly but surely. Back in 2023, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) approved five digital retail banks, issuing no-objection certificates to HugoBank, KT Bank Pakistan (now Buraq Bank), Mashreq Bank Pakistan, Raqqami Islamic Digital Bank, and Telenor Microfinance Bank. Since then, based on the list of SBP-regulated entities, three digital banks in Pakistan are now in operation: Easypaisa Bank Limited, Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited, and Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Limited. For consumers searching for the best digital bank in Pakistan, their pick depends on whether they prioritise breadth of services, Islamic banking features, or business banking capabilities. Last updated: 16 April 2026 Easypaisa Bank Limited Easypaisa was founded in 2009 and backed by Telenor Group and Ant Group (the company behind China’s Alipay). It has since developed into a comprehensive digital banking platform serving 55+ million users, according to its website, including 31% women, a meaningful push toward financial inclusion. The bank delivers its services and solutions via a mobile app that handles everything from term deposits to micro-enterprise loans. Users can transfer money through various methods, including NayaPay, Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) transfers, Raast ID, and QR payments. For those who require debit cards, Easypaisa offers its personal banking customers virtual or physical cards that enable withdrawals at 16,000+ ATM machines. The cards can also be used to shop at 90,000+ stores, and are powered by either Visa, UnionPay, or PayPak. The digital bank also offers zakat declaration, term deposits, savings pockets, BNPL, easycash loans, and an insurance marketplace for its retail customers. There’s also a daily rewards feature that offers users incentives for regularly engaging with their account. Next, on its business end, Easypaisa offers a dedicated suite of tools aimed at merchants, traders, and farmers, too. Businesses can open an account with digital onboarding and manage finances through an e-banking portal with real-time transaction visibility. The platform handles salary disbursements, bulk vendor payments, cash collection management, and more. On the lending side, the microfinance loan portfolio covers small businesses, growing operations, dairy loans for agricultural businesses, and even a dedicated Karobari Qarza product tailored for women-led businesses. Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited Mashreq Bank in Pakistan advertises itself as an “Islamic-first, digital-first” bank backed by the UAE-based Mashreq Group. The bank shares that its mission is to drive Pakistan’s next chapter of growth through smarter, more accessible financial services. Mashreq NEO delivers its services through a mobile app. The bank says customers can open an account in as little as five minutes by simply verifying their Computerised National Identity Card, with no minimum balance required to open or maintain an account. Mashreq NEO offers Islamic and conventional account options, ranging from its flagship Islamic Current Profit Account and Islamic Savings Account to the conventional NEO Savings Account and finally, the Mashreq Pakistan Account, described as a way to live in the UAE and bank in Pakistan digitally. The bank also issues a PayPak Debit Card that comes with built-in life insurance or Takaful coverage. The card also unlocks offers at 30,000+ merchants across 158 cities in Pakistan. Fraud protection is included, covering each card for up to PKR 30,000 against instances like fraudulent transactions while the card is in the customer’s possession, unauthorised charges from lost or stolen cards, and digital fraud. Mashreq NEO BIZ, meanwhile, delivers real-time account management, including payment and collection solutions, as well as debit cards. Customer support is available around the clock through the Mashreq Virtual Assistant. Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Raqami Islamic Digital Bank (RIDB) is backed by Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company (Private) Limited and Enertech Holding Company KSC, a subsidiary of Kuwait Investment Authority.  Their core retail offerings cover a Current Account for everyday transactions (funds held as Qard), a Savings Account where profits are earned through a Mudaraba partnership, and a Term Deposit product for fixed-tenure investments ranging from 7 days up to one year. RIDB also offer Saving Pots, a goal-based in-app savings feature with options like round-up savings and a 52-week challenge. On top of that, customers get a PayPak debit card with access to 19,000+ ATMs, acceptance at 140,000+ retail outlets, and built-in Takaful (Islamic insurance) coverage. As for business offerings, RIDB recently secured its commercial banking licence in February 2026.  HugoBank (Coming Soon) HugoBank aims to provide accessible financial services to all Pakistanis regardless of socio-economic background. The bank is a consortium which includes Singapore-headquartered Atlas Consolidated. HugoBank’s proposed offering includes transparency on fees in its banking solutions, bill payments, budgeting tools, automated savings and wealth-building features. The platform is currently in its beta phase, with the app available to a limited set of early users. Prospective customers can join a waitlist via the HugoBank website to secure early access and provide feedback that will shape the app. Buraq Bank (Coming Soon) While it’s still in its pre-launch phase, Buraq Bank Pakistan Limited, formerly KT Bank, is another emerging Islamic digital bank in Pakistan. The bank intends to offer a number of banking solutions, ranging from accounts to instant transfers and other forms of digital banking experiences. A community waitlist is open on its website, inviting prospective customers to register ahead of launch. As of April 2026, Buraq Bank remains in its pre-launch stage, with no products yet publicly available. Which Is the Best Digital Bank in Pakistan? For consumers searching for the best digital bank in Pakistan, the answer depends on whether they prioritise breadth of services, Islamic banking features, or business banking capabilities. There is no single best digital bank in Pakistan for every user, but Easypaisa currently stands out for the breadth of its offering, while Mashreq and Raqami each serve more specific needs. Easypaisa’s product suite, which spans retail savings, BNPL, insurance, and dedicated microfinance lending for businesses and farmers, functions almost like a full-service mobile financial platform. Mashreq Bank Pakistan and Raqami Islamic Digital Bank, by contrast, are still in the early stages of building their customer bases, but each brings a distinct angle. Mashreq pitches itself as “Islamic-first, digital-first” while also offering conventional accounts, making it the only one of the three to explicitly cater to both segments. Raqami, meanwhile, has all products structured around Islamic finance principles, and its recent commercial banking licence (secured in February 2026) signals that it is beginning to move beyond retail into business banking. On lending, Easypaisa leads by a significant margin. Its microfinance loan portfolio is the most developed of the three, while Mashreq and Raqami remain largely focused on deposits and payments at this stage. What Comes Next for Pakistan’s Digital Banking Scene? Pakistan’s digital banking sector is still growing, even as players like HugoBank and Buraq Bank have yet to move into full operations. The broader macroeconomic context is working in Pakistan’s favour. A recent report from Arab News indicated that the country’s digital banking users have surpassed 127 million, a given as the government steers towards a cashless society. Raast, Pakistan’s instant digital payment system, has processed roughly $72 million since its launch back in 2021. Although it is still a cash-dominated country, the State Bank of Pakistan aims to ensure that transactions become easily traceable to curb corruption and tax evasion challenges. One initiative for this shift is a cashless model across the country’s airports, where only digital service providers can deliver services to consumers there. Another is a new regulatory framework that allows teenagers to independently own and operate bank accounts and digital wallets, in a bid to promote financial inclusivity. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What are the digital banking options in Pakistan? There are three digital banks available in Pakistan: Easypaisa Bank Limited, Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited, and Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Limited. Are these digital banks safe? Are they regulated? Yes, if you’re wary and only use digital banks that are regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan and appear on the SBP’s official list of regulated financial institutions. What is the difference between a digital bank and a conventional bank with a mobile app? A digital bank tends to operate exclusively through digital channels with no physical branches. A conventional bank usually maintains a branch network alongside its digital services. The two operate under different regulatory frameworks. What is an Islamic digital bank? An Islamic digital bank delivers modern, fully online banking services built on Shariah-compliant principles. Featured image edited by Fintech News Singapore based on images by razahameed and altervelt on Freepik The post Best Digital Banks in Pakistan: What Does Each Licensed Bank Offer in 2026? appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Google Pay has introduced Pocket Money, a feature built on the National Payments Corporation of India’s UPI Circle framework. It allows users to enable UPI payments for family members, friends or employees who do not have their own bank accounts. An existing Google Pay user acts as the primary user, while the added person becomes a secondary user. Payments made by the secondary user are routed through the primary user’s linked bank account. Primary users can add up to five secondary users, provided they are saved in their phone contacts, have Google Pay registered with their mobile number, and have either a UPI ID or a UPI Circle QR code. Spending can be managed in two ways. Under full delegation, the primary user can set a monthly limit of up to 15,000 rupees, allowing the secondary user to make payments within that cap without further approval. Under partial delegation, each transaction must be approved individually by the primary user. Google Pay also applies initial restrictions for newly added secondary users. Under full delegation, the first payment can only be made after 30 minutes. Under partial delegation, payment requests are capped at 5,000 rupees during the first 24 hours. To use the feature, the primary user must have an active bank account linked to Google Pay. The setup process also requires details such as the secondary user’s relationship to the primary user and their government identification number. The verification process helps keep Google Pay Pocket Money in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s Know Your Customer requirements.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by ramstudio via Freepik The post Google Pay Introduces Pocket Money for UPI Payments Without a Bank Account appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Backbase and Ninth Wave have formed a strategic partnership to provide banks with direct connectivity between corporate ERP systems and banking data. The integration allows financial institutions using the Backbase platform to offer business clients a secure link to accounting software, aimed at improving cash flow visibility and payment execution. The collaboration between Backbase and Ninth Wave uses an API-first connectivity layer to manage consent, activity logs, and governance within a single platform. This bridge facilitates real-time data transfer with integrated compliance controls, removing the need for manual workarounds or data scraping. The partnership focuses on embedding banking services directly into the tools businesses use for daily financial management. By using the Ninth Wave connectivity layer, banks can offer a direct integration path into how their corporate clients actually operate. Mayank Somaiya “Commercial clients prefer not to log into a portal and re-enter data that their ERP system already has. By partnering with Ninth Wave, we give banks a direct integration path into how their corporate clients actually operate. That’s what keeps relationships sticky and opens the door to real value-added services,” said Mayank Somaiya, Global VP for Marketplace at Backbase. Joe Fiorillo “Backbase offers a robust, modern foundation for commercial banking, and Ninth Wave simplifies connectivity by managing API connections, ensuring strong security, and providing a management hub to oversee their Open Finance operations. Together, we are delivering the modern banking services that business clients require,” said Joe Fiorillo, Ninth Wave’s VP of Strategic Partnerships. The joint solution is available now. Moving forward, the Backbase Ninth Wave partnership intends to expand ERP features to support multi-country corporate payments and real-time cash management dashboards for global enterprises.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by brilian via Freepik The post Backbase, Ninth Wave Bring Open Finance Connectivity to Commercial Banking appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Fireblocks has launched Earn, a native onchain lending feature built into its enterprise platform. The tool allows institutions to supply stablecoin balances to lending protocols, targeting capital that often sits idle between deployment cycles, settlement windows, or operational holds. The launch follows a year where Fireblocks processed US$6 trillion in stablecoin transfer volume, a 300% year-on-year increase across its 2,400 institutional clients. By embedding lending capabilities, the company provides a secure path for customers to put capital to work using the same approval workflows and policy controls used for their digital asset operations. Through the integration, institutions can access Morpho, a lending network powering curated strategies from names such as Sentora. They can also access Aave, a protocol representing roughly 60% of market activity and the majority of onchain stablecoin borrowing. Both protocols are accessible within the Fireblocks environment, maintaining institutional governance over decentralised finance (DeFi) operations. Michael Shaulov Michael Shaulov, CEO and Co-Founder of Fireblocks, said, “One of the biggest unlocks of onchain finance is the ability to put money to work every second, never letting it sit idle. For the first time, institutions can put those balances to work through onchain lending strategies curated by established institutional names, inside the same platform, under the same controls they already run. Every institution on Fireblocks now has access to a revenue line they didn’t have yesterday.” The launch includes a curated vault from Sentora powered by Morpho, an infrastructure layer designed for managed, accountable access to professional capital. Morpho uses a curator model to provide the oversight required for institutional participation. Earn is available across all Fireblocks solutions. For corporate treasuries, this provides access to lending strategies without new infrastructure or operational changes. For firms building financial products, the feature allows these capabilities to be offered directly within applications. Fireblocks Earn is currently in early access for customers.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user39735559 via Freepik The post Fireblocks Launches Earn for Institutional Onchain Lending appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Money20/20 Asia is returning to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok from April 21 to 23, 2026, bringing together the region’s most powerful voices across banking, payments, digital assets, and financial innovation to redefine Asia’s fintech future. This year’s theme, “Front Infrastructure to Impact – Where Technology Meets Humanity”, will explore how the next wave of financial innovation delivers tangible outcomes across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The conference will feature 250 speakers representing over 40 global and regional banks, alongside leading payment providers including Visa, Nium, and Thunes. Together, these experts will address the industry’s most critical topics such as digital public infrastructure, embedded finance, artificial intelligence (AI)‑powered services, and inclusive financial design. A comprehensive program spread across five stages This year, Money20/20 Asia promises more than 50 hours of strategies and insights distributed across five distinct stages. The Radiant Stage will unit Asia’s most influential industry voices; the Inner Forum Stage will offer deep‑dive sessions and workshops; and the MoneyPot Stage will feature live podcasting and networking experiences, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for learning, debate, and collaboration. Complementing these stages, the Startup and Investor Park will connect 20 standout APAC startups with global investors, enterprise partners, and decision‑makers. These startups will get the chance to compete for the Golden Ticket to the 2026 Startupbootcamp Sustainability Singapore Accelerator, which will offer the winners SGD 70,000 (US$55,000) in non-dilutive prize money, access to the Investment Readiness Program, and expert coaching. Making its debut in 2026, the Intersection Stage will explore the real-world outcomes of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) convergence across APAC, addressing how banks, fintech startups, and emerging technologies are reshaping the global financial ecosystem. This stage will bring together leaders from major financial institutions and well-known fintech companies to discuss how innovation, regulation, and new financial infrastructure are transforming areas such as digital assets, trust and cybersecurity, and cross-border payments. Money20/20 Asia 2026 floor map, Source: Money20/20, Apr 2026 Top sessions to attend on Day 1 Delving deeper into this year’s agenda, several sessions stand out for their timely topics and prominent lineups. These sessions will address some of fintech’s most pressing issues and opportunities, including AI advance, cross-border payments, digital assets, and fintech regulation, featuring industry pioneers who will share their experiences, insights, and predictions for the sector’s future. On April 21, the Scaling Finance Across Asia, Global Platforms and Local Needs session will be held from 10:30 to 11:10 on the Radiant Stage, exploring how financial engagement across Asia is being reshaped by technology that reflects deeply local needs. The discussion, which will feature Nadia Omer of MOVE, Raymond Ng of Revolut, Rachel Whelan of Deutsche Bank, and Vira Platonova of Visa will speak, with Danny Levy of Money20/20 moderating, will examine how regional platforms and partnerships can support resilient financial ecosystems by balancing scale with hyperlocal relevance as institutions navigate diverse markets, infrastructure gaps, and evolving customer expectations. The Breaking Barriers with Scalable Payment Solutions across Asia session, taking place from 11:25 to 11:55 on the MoneyPot Stage, will explore the challenges of scaling payment infrastructure across Asia, such as fragmented regulations and legacy systems, by examining how institutions are redesigning architecture with modular, cloud-native platforms. Led by experts from FIS, Bank of America, and McKinsey, the discussion will focus on balancing regional scale with local adaptability to ensure seamless and trusted cross-border payments. The From Clicks to Code, Governing the Age of Autonomous Commerce panel, scheduled from 11:40 to 12:20 on the Radiant Stage, will investigate the shift from human-led to machine-driven commerce as AI agents begin to transact on behalf of users. Speakers from Worldpay, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and Visa will explore how liability, authentication, and trust frameworks must evolve to enable safe, scalable autonomous commerce through interoperable standards. The Global Money Moves: Connecting Commerce with Cross Currency Payments session, taking place from 11:50 to 12:30 on the Inner Forum Stage, will focus on the critical nature of cross-currency payments to global commerce despite ongoing friction regarding liquidity and regulatory complexity. Leaders from Razorpay, JP Morgan, and Thunes will examine how new infrastructure and digital rails are reshaping money movement to deliver faster, more transparent solutions for global merchants. The Building Intelligent Infrastructure: From Digital Foundations to Human Connections session, scheduled from 13:30 to 14:00 on the MoneyPot Stage, will discuss how intelligent infrastructure is evolving from back-end plumbing to a strategic growth engine as finance becomes increasingly embedded in business operations. Speakers from Ascent Venture Group, Finmo, Coda Payments, BigPay, and Wise will highlight how modular, API-first, and AI-powered platforms are enabling international payments to flow seamlessly into ERP, e-commerce, and supply chain systems, closing long-standing connectivity gaps and bringing enterprise-grade treasury capabilities within reach of businesses of every size. The Winning the Borderless Consumer Through Smarter Payments panel will take place from 13:55 to 14:35 on the Radiant Stage, exploring how travel platforms and fintech innovators are simplifying cross-border consumer payments for Asia’s globally minded consumers. Experts from TenPay Global, YouTrip, PayPal, and TripLink will discuss how local rails, smart foreign exchange (FX) routing, and embedded wallet experiences define the next generation of borderless commerce. The Redefining the Banking Experience for Underserved Segments session, scheduled from 14:45 to 15:15 on the Inner Forum Stage, will examine how digital banks across APAC are using AI, alternative data, and automation to expand access, improve risk assessment, and simplify everyday money management. Panelists from GXS Bank, ANEXT Bank, and Green Link Digital Bank will explore how next-generation banking models are closing access gaps while building sustainable, trust-driven relationships with emerging customer segments. The Banking on Digital Transformation 101 panel, taking place from 15:30 to 16:10 on the Intersection Stage, will explore how banks across Asia are modernizing core systems, operating models, and customer experiences to remain competitive in a digital-first economy. Bringing together perspectives from Mox Bank, Alliance Bank Malaysia, and Yusys Technologies, it will examine the practical realities of transformation, while also highlighting the growing impact of digital assets in reshaping financial services and driving innovation. The Driving Pragmatic Innovation: Pioneering Seamless Payments with Tokenisation session, taking place from 16:15 to 16:45 on the Intersection Stage, will address the corporate need for 24/7 payment solutions beyond real-time rails. Speakers from HSBC, Swift SC, and MAS will discuss how traditional finance players are partnering to leverage distributed ledger technology (DLT) and tokenization to transform corporate treasury flows. Key sessions on Day 2 and Day 3 On April 22, the Payment Workshop: Readiness Barometer of Tokenized Money – Moderated Debate will be held from 10:05 to 10:25 on the Inner Forum Stage, assessing how ready the ecosystem is for tokenized money across regulation and trust, infrastructure and interoperability, real-world demand, and ecosystem alignment. Participants from Thunes, Emerging Payments Association Asia, Fireblocks, and Coinbase will explore whether governance frameworks are clear and use cases are commercially viable to define the path from experimentation to real-world adoption. The Ambition to Action through Operationalizing AI and Data Intelligence in Financial Services session, held from 15:20 to 15:50 on the Radiant Stage, will examine the practical application of AI and data intelligence, emphasizing the transition from theory to measurable business value. Drawing on the expertise of Yusys Technologies, and Huawei, the session will outline the technical infrastructure and security protocols necessary for large-scale implementation of advanced analytics and generative AI (genAI). The How Digital Asset Ecosystems Will Redefine Money session, taking place from 15:35 to 16:15 on the Intersection Stage, will dive into cutting-edge innovations like blockchain and DeFi are driving the future of money. Speakers from Standard Chartered, Caladan, KASIKORNBANK, and UOB will explore how these technologies are creating new opportunities, challenging the status quo, and unlocking financial freedom for billions. On April 23, the Money’s Next Evolution, Stablecoins, CBDCs and the New Payment Stack panel will be held from 10:25 to 11:05 on the Intersection Stage, examining how institutional adoption, policy frameworks, and cross-border coordination are redefining settlement at scale. Experts from Ripple, Capitalixe, Paxos Labs, and Yellow Card will explore where stablecoins fit alongside central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), how governance models are evolving, and what this shift means for global payments, liquidity, and digital commerce. The Behavioural Data and the Last Mile of Credit Access session, scheduled from 11:25 to 12:05 on the MoneyPot Stage, will examine how behavioral and psychometric data are used to assess risk and expand credit access where formal credit histories are limited. Panelists from the National Credit Bureau Thailand, Ringkas, Begini, and the Bank of Punjab will look at the practical considerations, safeguards, and trade-offs involved in deploying alternative data models to support more inclusive lending at scale. The Marketing in Fintech: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next session, taking place from 13:50 to 14:20 on the Inner Forum Stage, will address the increasing complexity and cost of customer acquisition in fintech. Experts from BigPay, People’s Inc. 360 | Seraphina AI, and ANEXT will share insights on what is currently driving results, from data strategies to new distribution approaches, and how trust is built, attention is captured, and growth is sustained in an increasingly competitive landscape. Money20/20 Asia 2026 is expected to bring together 4,000 senior decision-makers from the region and beyond. Register today via this link to secure an all-access pass starting from US$299. Fintech News Network is a media partner.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Money20/20 The post Must-Attend Sessions at Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is evaluating a senior debt investment of up to US$25 million in a Singapore-based private credit vehicle managed by Helicap. According to DealStreetAsia, the capital would support a senior tranche of up to US$50 million issued by the Helicap Income Opportunities Fund. The vehicle, a sub-fund of the Alternative Investments VCC, is overseen by Helicap Investments Pte. Ltd. It provides senior secured private credit loans to non-bank financial institutions and fintech firms throughout Asia. These intermediaries subsequently facilitate financing for MSMEs and other underserved borrowers. The IFC intends to complement its financial commitment with advisory services to help Helicap refine its internal risk management and formalise its responsible lending practices. The development finance institution noted that its participation would provide longer-tenor funding that is often difficult for fintech-focused debt vehicles in emerging markets to secure. Helicap’s Funding and Credit Activity Helicap was established in 2018 by David Z Wang, Quentin Vanoekel, and Jeremy Tan as a specialist in credit syndication and investment management. The platform is backed by several institutional investors, including 33 Ventures, East Ventures, Saison Capital, and Voveo Capital. Its most recent financing round was a 2024 Series B led by the Kenanga Group through a fund managed by Kenanga Investors. This followed a US$5 million strategic raise in 2022 led by Tikehau Capital and PhillipCapital, alongside a US$10 million Series A in 2020. Helicap remains an active deployer of debt capital in the region. In September 2024, the firm announced a US$50 million credit facility for XenCapital, the lending arm of the Indonesian payments unicorn Xendit.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Helicap  The post IFC Weighs US$25 Million Investment in Helicap Private Credit Fund appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Stablecoin transaction volumes surged 72% in 2025, reaching a record US$33 trillion and signalling growing institutional adoption for real-time settlement. Stablecoin payment activity is also heavily concentrated in Asia. Payments originating from the region account for around US$245 billion, or 60% of global stablecoin payment volume, driven largely by Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. As adoption accelerates, institutions are increasingly focused on operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and integrating stablecoins into treasury and payment systems. The question is no longer whether stablecoins work, but how to scale them safely across global cross-border payment networks. In this webinar, we will explore: How stablecoins are emerging as a 24/7 digital settlement infrastructure for global payments The evolving utility of stablecoins as they move beyond trading liquidity toward real-world payment flows How leading payment providers are implementing stablecoin solutions at scale What it takes to build secure, scalable and compliant infrastructure for always-on settlement Panelists: Dan Sleep, Head of Business Solutions – APAC, Fireblocks Hassan Ahmed, Country Director Singapore, Coinbase Zack Yang, Co-founder, FOMO Pay Naveen Gupta, Head of Business Development – Payments, APJ Leader, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Moderator: Vincent Fong, Chief Editor, Fintech News Network The post Why Stablecoins May Become The Backbone of 24/7 Global Trade appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

OCBC has launched a generative AI training programme for 900 wealth advisors in Singapore, as the bank looks to standardise coaching and improve advisory skills at scale. The six-month programme covers investment advisory, client management, product knowledge, and wealth planning. Previously, coaching was conducted in person and depended on the availability of supervisors. Advisors could wait up to three weeks for a session, while supervisors often coached as many as 10 staff alongside other responsibilities. This reliance on manual scheduling often led to uneven feedback and inconsistent evaluation standards. The introduction of OCBC generative AI wealth advisors coaching uses large language models and anonymised internal customer insights to generate training scenarios. These include portfolio planning, risk profiling, product discussions, and strategy adjustments. The tool responds in real time to simulate client conversations and produces a report after each session highlighting competency gaps and areas for improvement. This allows supervisors to focus in-person coaching on specific weaknesses while giving advisors more flexibility to practise independently. The bank reported that advisors who completed the training doubled their weekly client appointments within the first three months compared with peers who had not yet undergone the programme. Participants also recorded a 50% increase in revenue from the previous three months. OCBC plans to extend the programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong with content tailored to the specific regulatory and market needs of each region. Sunny Quek Sunny Quek, OCBC’s Head of Global Consumer Financial Service, said, “We now have a powerful programme for our wealth advisors to help them quickly grasp the skills relevant to build confidence and strong knowledge on products and financial industry regulations. The right customers must be sold the right products at the right time. Driving the tech shift in our corporate strategy, a Gen AI-powered programme like this reinforces our commitment to utilising AI, digital and data capabilities to deliver customer-centric experiences.”   The post OCBC Says Generative AI Training Helped Lift Wealth Advisor Revenue by 50% appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Visa has officially launched its validator node on the Tempo network, marking a key milestone in the company’s push into blockchain infrastructure and stablecoin payments. The move underscores a commitment to running critical blockchain operations in-house to strengthen the foundations of onchain payment innovation. Tempo is a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain designed for agentic commerce and real-time machine-to-machine payments. Visa, alongside Stripe and Zodia Custody, will serve as the first external validators to join the network as it expands its ecosystem of financial and commerce partners. The validator node was configured and managed internally by Visa following six months of collaboration with the Tempo engineering team. By operating as an anchor validator, Visa will directly participate in confirming and ordering transactions into blocks, helping to ensure the network operates with the reliability and performance required for enterprise-scale payments. Cuy Sheffield Cuy Sheffield, Head of Crypto at Visa, said, “We’ve spent years building our expertise in blockchain, and now we’re expanding that work by running critical blockchain infrastructure ourselves. By operating a validator on Tempo, we’re extending Visa’s commitment to reliability, security, and trust into blockchain networks – supporting the development of stablecoin payment systems that meet the high operating standards our clients and partners expect.” Nischay Upadhyayula “Visa processes billions of transactions across nearly every country in the world. That kind of operational rigor is exactly what we look for in validators on Tempo, built for payments at enterprise scale. They’ve been a design partner since day one, and joining as a validator is a natural extension of that work.” said Nischay Upadhyayula, GTM, Tempo. Visa also serves as a Super Validator on the Canton Network, helping financial institutions explore privacy-preserving onchain payment flows.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by stevemax11 via Freepik The post Visa Launches Validator Node on Tempo Network for Stablecoin Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS has appointed Kelvin Wong as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, effective 11 May 2026. Wong succeeds Helge Muenkel, who is leaving the bank to relocate overseas after leading the bank’s sustainability agenda since 2022. Wong currently serves as Managing Director and Head of Energy, Renewables and Infrastructure within the Institutional Banking Group at DBS. Since joining the bank in 2016, he has played a central role in advising on and arranging sustainable finance, carbon credits, and renewable energy transactions across the Asia Pacific region. Prior to his tenure at DBS, Wong held senior leadership positions at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Standard Chartered Bank, specialising in project, acquisition, and leveraged finance. Tan Su Shan Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS, said: “With over 20 years of experience in energy, policy regulation and financing, Kelvin is well placed to advance DBS’ sustainability agenda with our clients and communities. We also extend our deep thanks to Helge for his invaluable contributions to DBS’ sustainability journey and wish him every success ahead.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by mangpor2004 via Freepik and DBS via LinkedIn   The post DBS Appoints Kelvin Wong as New Chief Sustainability Officer appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singlife and Singapore Management University (SMU) are partnering to research retirement readiness, aiming to address the financial challenges of Singapore’s rapidly ageing population. The two organisations signed a MoU during the launch of the SMU Longevity Societies and Economies Institute (LSEI). This collaboration will combine Singlife’s industry data with the academic frameworks of the LSEI to identify specific gaps in retirement adequacy. According to the Singlife Financial Freedom Index 2024, 71% of Singaporean consumers lack confidence in their ability to retire at will. While most respondents aim to retire by 65, they expect to need a median of S$2,856 per month, significantly higher than the median monthly savings of S$1,682 reported in the study. Debra Soon “Through our partnership with SMU, we aim to combine customer insights with academic rigour to better understand evolving retirement needs and translate these into practical solutions. Together, we hope to support Singaporeans in planning for longevity with greater confidence, security and purpose,” said Debra Soon, Group Head of Brand, Communications, Marketing and Experience, Singlife. The partnership will focus on understanding the savings required to withstand healthcare inflation and evolving financial needs. These findings will be published in a joint white paper scheduled for release in the second half of 2027. Beyond research, the collaboration includes a talent development component. Singlife and the SMU School of Economics will explore scholarships, internships, and training programmes for students in actuarial science. Dr. Cheong Wei Yang “The insights from LSEI must shape the perspectives of our next generation of actuarial talent. Singlife’s support in scholarships, internships and training opportunities will ensure that we build these new capabilities in Singapore. Together, our efforts will deliver impact by translating insights into practical solutions that can enhance financial security and confidence in retirement – in Singapore and across Asia,” said Dr. Cheong Wei Yang, Interim Co-Director, SMU LSEI; Vice Provost (Strategic Research Partnerships), SMU.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Pixelid via Freepik The post Singlife Partners SMU on Retirement Research, Actuarial Talent Push appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Choco Up has launched a US$30 million private credit facility in partnership with tech-driven credit specialist CHUAN to provide faster and more reliable financing for SMEs across Asia Pacific. The Choco Up credit facility aims to automate the delivery of working capital to match the operational cycles of small businesses. The first drawdown from the facility has already been completed, marking the start of its deployment across the region. The partnership combines CHUAN’s access to institutional capital with Choco Up’s data-driven credit assessment. This enables funding approvals in as little as a few hours, compared with traditional lending timelines that can reach six months. By combining Choco Up’s AI-driven credit assessment and real-time data with CHUAN’s investor-facing infrastructure, the partnership is intended to give capital providers near real-time visibility into the performance of the underlying assets. This is aimed at improving transparency and the investability of this asset class. Percy Hung “SMEs today don’t just need access to capital. They need financing that keeps pace with how their businesses operate. We’re excited to partner with CHUAN to provide disciplined, transparent, and carefully managed capital, helping businesses continue to grow and innovate even when traditional lending options are limited.” said Percy Hung, CEO and Founder of Choco Up. Choco Up has enabled over US$1 billion in gross merchandise value to date through its flexible financing model. CHUAN brings capital markets expertise, a global investor network, and infrastructure to aggregate and distribute diversified credit opportunities within the digital economy.   Featured image: (From left) Leaders from CHUAN (Lin Tun, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer, and  Kevin Yung, Partner and Chief Financial Officer), and Choco Up (Heng Tam, Vice President,  and Percy Hung, CEO and Founder)  The post Choco Up Launches US$30 Million Credit Facility for APAC SMEs appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Stablecoins have spent the past few years building momentum on the edges of finance, powering crypto trading, remittances, and a growing range of Web3 use cases. The industry is now entering a new phase that looks less like a parallel system and more like an extension of existing infrastructure. A Thredd report, in collaboration with Reap and Fireblocks, points to this shift already taking shape. Payment providers are integrating stablecoins into card infrastructure, allowing users to spend them like fiat within familiar payment experiences. Rather than replacing existing systems, the market is steadily merging new settlement rails with established payment networks. Spending Stablecoins Without the Extra Steps In practice, users still rely on a series of conversions before they can spend stablecoins. Funds typically move from wallets to exchanges, convert into fiat, transfer into bank accounts, and only then load onto cards for payments. Each step adds delay and cost. Payment providers are now removing much of this friction by enabling direct authorisation against stablecoin balances at the point of sale. The user experience remains unchanged, but the funding source shifts from bank accounts to digital wallets. Card networks still process transactions through existing infrastructure, while blockchain rails handle settlement in the background. This eliminates the need for pre-funding and off-ramping, making stablecoins easier to use for everyday payments rather than passive holdings. Traditional Rails Still Do the Heavy Lifting Despite growing adoption, stablecoins continue to rely heavily on existing payment infrastructure. The four-party model (connecting customer, merchant, acquirer, and issuer) remains central to the global payment scale. Card networks still provide capabilities that blockchain systems have not yet matched, particularly in acceptance, trust, and regulatory coverage. Decades of expansion have created near-universal merchant acceptance, while established systems continue to embed fraud controls, dispute resolution, and compliance frameworks such as KYC and AML. These safeguards remain difficult to replicate at scale in decentralised environments. Access to fiat currency also remains essential. Card-linked infrastructure continues to provide a reliable bridge between digital assets and local currencies within a familiar framework. Together, these factors explain why stablecoins are being integrated into existing rails rather than displacing them. The Layer Connecting Wallets to Card Networks Between wallets and card networks sits a less visible but essential layer of infrastructure. Issuer processors act as the connective tissue between digital wallets, blockchain systems, and card schemes. They monitor balances in real time, enforce transaction rules, and ensure payments move smoothly through authorisation and settlement. In stablecoin-based systems, this requires direct API connections to wallet providers alongside backend integration with on-chain settlement networks. Firms such as Thredd, Reap, and Fireblocks are already enabling this model, helping fintechs link stablecoin balances to card-based spending. The result is a blended architecture where blockchain handles value transfer while traditional infrastructure maintains access, compliance, and usability. US$36 Billion in B2B Stablecoin Payments Shows Corporate Demand Is Surging Although much of the early attention around stablecoins focused on retail use cases, business adoption is now gaining ground at a faster pace. B2B stablecoin payments reached an annualised run rate of around US$36 billion by early 2025, reflecting growing interest from companies looking for more efficient ways to move money across borders. Many of these firms are drawn to the practical advantages, particularly faster settlement and lower transaction costs compared to traditional correspondent banking systems. Stablecoins are also being used to support treasury operations, especially when managing multi-currency exposure. Holding and transacting in digital US dollars reduces the need for repeated foreign exchange conversions and simplifies internal fund flows. Momentum in this segment is less about experimentation and more about solving operational challenges that existing systems struggle to address efficiently. APAC Is Setting the Pace While these developments are global in nature, the Asia-Pacific region is playing a leading role in shaping how stablecoins are being integrated into the financial system. Regulators across the region have taken steps to provide clearer frameworks, giving businesses the confidence to invest in long-term infrastructure. In Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has introduced a regulatory regime for single-currency stablecoins, requiring issuers to maintain full reserve backing and meet strict disclosure and capital standards. Elsewhere, Japan has already put in place a legal framework for fiat-backed stablecoins, while Australia is also progressing its token mapping exercise to bring digital assets within existing regulatory structures. Hong Kong has just recently issued its first stablecoin licences under the Stablecoins Ordinance, granting approvals to HSBC and StanChart-Led Anchorpoint Financial, effective 10 April 2026. A mix of regulatory clarity, high digital adoption, and strong cross-border payment demand is creating an environment that supports both experimentation and real-world deployment. As a result, APAC is not only participating in the shift but helping to define how it develops. Less Visibility, More Utility The report ultimately points to a shift defined by integration rather than disruption. Stablecoins are gradually embedding into existing payment systems instead of operating outside them. Users are unlikely to notice these changes in practice, as payments continue to flow through familiar cards, wallets, and embedded interfaces. The difference lies in the infrastructure beneath, where digital assets increasingly function as a settlement layer within everyday transactions. As this infrastructure matures, stablecoins are likely to be viewed less as crypto instruments and more as a functional component of global money movement. Their long-term role will depend on how seamlessly they continue to integrate into the systems people and businesses already use. As stablecoins continue to integrate into existing financial systems, the upcoming webinar, “Why Stablecoins May Become The Backbone of 24/7 Global Trade,” scheduled for 15 April 2026, will explore these developments in greater detail. Register here. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore based on an image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik. The post Stablecoins Are Plugging Into Card Rails Across APAC appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Banking Circle Group will appoint former UBS and ING Group CEO Ralph Hamers as Chairman of its Group Board of Directors from 20 April 2026. Hamers has also advised companies in the fintech ecosystem, including Arta and Grab. He will work with management to expand into new markets, deepen Banking Circle’s product ecosystem, and strengthen its operational and regulatory foundations. Ralph Hamers Ralph Hamers said, “For more than a decade, Banking Circle Group has innovated at the intersection of banking, technology and regulation. The team has built a one-of-a-kind platform and ecosystem, delivering real and compounding value to clients as they scale. I look forward to joining the board and partnering with the team and other stakeholders as we enter this exciting next chapter of growth – continuing to strengthen the platform, expanding globally and delivering even greater value to our clients.” Anders La Cour Anders La Cour, Co-Founder and CEO of Banking Circle Group, said, “I am immensely proud of the achievements of all my colleagues, and the trust that our clients have placed in us on the journey. Ralph’s experience will be critical as we continue to scale the business and prepare for the next phase of growth. We are very excited to welcome him into the business.” Banking Circle is a financial technology platform for global commerce that provides payments infrastructure to payment service providers, fintech firms, banks, global marketplaces, corporates and online merchants. The business has surpassed €500 million in revenue, with growth driven by client adoption, international expansion and continued investment in products, technology and its regulatory footprint. The firm expanded its Asia footprint in November 2025 when its Singapore subsidiary BC Payments secured a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mangpor2004 via Freepik   The post Banking Circle Taps Ralph Hamers as Chairman Amid Global Expansion appeared first on Fintech Singapore.