Gulf Development, a unit of Gulf Energy led by Thailand’s richest individual Sarath Ratanavadi, has increased its stake in Kasikornbank to 5.23%, Bloomberg reported. This makes it the third-largest shareholder in the country’s second-biggest lender by assets. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated 16 May, the stake rose by 0.53 percentage points from a previous disclosure. Gulf previously ranked fourth on Kasikornbank’s shareholder list as of 18 April, when it held 3.49%. The share acquisition is part of Gulf’s regular investment activities aimed at generating capital gains and dividend income, said the company’s CFO Yupapin…
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Core banking solutions provider Sunline has signed a strategic partnership agreement with global IT firm FPT Corporation to support banking transformation efforts in Thailand and international markets. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was formalised during the official visit of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Vietnam and at the Vietnam–Thailand Business Forum 2025. The signing was witnessed by the prime ministers of both countries and their respective government delegations, highlighting stronger collaboration in digital and technological development between the two nations. Through the partnership, Sunline and FPT plan to accelerate core banking upgrades with a focus on SunCBS, Sunline’s next-generation…
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to streamline prospectus requirements for initial public offerings (IPOs) and expand channels for issuers to reach potential investors. The proposals aim to smoothen the listing process for companies and broaden options for engaging with investors across more channels. The proposed adjustments focus on three primary areas. Firstly, for primary listings on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), MAS suggests that issuers concentrate prospectus disclosures on core information most relevant and material for investors. This aims to focus issuer efforts on details pertinent to investor decision-making. Secondly, for secondary listings…
Banking technology company Temenos announced two new appointments to its product leadership team. Rohit Chauhan has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Eugene Khmelevsky has taken on the newly created role of Global Head of Architecture and Data. Chauhan will oversee Temenos’ technology strategy, research and development, and innovation efforts. His responsibilities include enhancing the flexibility of the company’s platform to support its core banking and modular solutions, tailored to the evolving needs of financial institutions. Chauhan brings over two decades of experience in technology and banking, with previous leadership positions at JPMorgan, where he was Managing Director and…
AI-powered embedded finance startup CrediLinq has raised US$8.5 million in a Series A funding round. The fundraise was backed by Citi North America, Rustem Family Office, OM/VC and MS&AD Ventures. Existing investors 1982 Ventures, 500 Global, Epic Angels and Big Sky Capital also participated in the round. Based in Singapore, CrediLinq offers embedded financing solutions for B2B platforms by integrating its credit infrastructure through APIs. Described as a Credit-as-a-Service platform, its technology uses real-time alternative data—including platform data, unstructured data, and bureau information—to assess creditworthiness and offer financing to SMEs directly within digital platforms. The new funds will be used…
Trading signals are invaluable for making informed decisions in the fast-paced world of trading. Economies.com VIP offers serious traders a comprehensive solution with exclusive market analysis and expert insights. The selection of regulated brokers is an essential aspect of achieving optimal trading results. When you prioritize brokers with solid regulatory oversight, you ensure that your trading environment is both secure and reliable. Factors such as trust, licensing, and platform features play pivotal roles in determining the suitability of a broker for your needs. By making informed decisions about these elements, you enhance your trading strategy’s effectiveness and safeguard your investments.…
In Asia-Pacific (APAC), companies are embracing remote and flexible work arrangements, eyeing cost efficiency opportunities, and access to broader talent pools. According to a new study by the International Data Corporation (IDC), 68% of APAC companies currently employ more than 70% of full-time remote employees and around 30% remote contractors, underscoring the region’s ongoing shift toward remote work. The IDC study, commissioned by Remote, a human resources (HR) platform specializing in remote employment, surveyed 600 companies with 100 to 2,000 employees across Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The findings show widespread remote work adoption in…
DCS Card Centre and Visa have launched the DeCard Visa card in Singapore, a micro credit card that can be topped up using either fiat currency or digital assets. Designed to help users spend only what they already own, the card offers an alternative to traditional credit options and supports better cash flow management without the risk of debt. Unlike conventional credit or debit cards, DeCard operates on a regulated top-up model. Users can fund the card through Singapore dollar transfers or, for those already active in digital finance, by converting stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. The card offers…
Franklin Templeton has received approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to launch the Franklin OnChain U.S. Dollar Short-Term Money Market Fund. This is said to be the first tokenised fund available to retail investors in the country. The fund is structured under Franklin Templeton Investments VCC, a Variable Capital Company incorporated in August 2024. Shares of the fund will be issued via Franklin Templeton’s blockchain-integrated transfer agency platform. The minimum investment is set at US$20, aimed at improving accessibility to a broader base of investors. The fund’s investment strategy mirrors that of the Luxembourg-registered Franklin U.S. Dollar Short-Term Money…
OCBC will integrate its securities businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia into its Global Markets division effective 1 July 2025. This move comes as OCBC looks to sharpen its focus on a broader range of customer segments, including high net worth and institutional clients. It will bring together OCBC Securities Pte Ltd (OSPL), OCBC Securities Brokerage (Hong Kong) Limited and PT OCBC Sekuritas under one umbrella. Retail brokerage has been a major contributor to the bank’s securities business, with OSPL ranking among the top three retail stockbrokers in Singapore by trading volume over the past decade. OCBC said the…
PayPal has launched its Complete Payments solution in Singapore, offering SMEs a streamlined way to accept payments and expand globally through a single integration. The solution allows businesses to accept a wide range of payment methods across more than 200 markets, including PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, major credit and debit cards, and local options such as Alipay, iDEAL and BLIK. PayPal reports that its card processing capabilities can increase authorisation rates globally by an average of 4.7 percentage points, while access to PayPal Wallet and Apple Pay can potentially boost checkout conversion by up to 17%. Merchants can display…
Global Fast Track 2025 (GFT 2025) is now open for applications until 21 September 2025. This year, the programme will include other verticals besides fintech, providing business opportunities for more technology companies in Hong Kong and worldwide. The year-long hybrid program offers participants one-on-one meetings, live pitching opportunities, mentorship, and customised business matching with corporate clients, investors, and service providers. A separate competition track will choose semi-finalists from each vertical to pitch in person at the Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 in November. The grand finale will be held during the main conference. Shortlisted companies will also…
Huawei Cloud has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with financial services technology provider Silverlake at the Huawei Cloud APAC Partner Summit 2025. The two companies will collaborate to build an all-in-one core banking platform by combining Huawei’s cloud infrastructure with Silverlake’s CgW AI platform and domain expertise. The partnership aims to streamline banking operations, strengthen cybersecurity, and support digital transformation efforts across the financial sector. Silverlake will serve as an enterprise software partner, offering customised solutions powered by Huawei’s technology stack. “We are excited to partner with Huawei Cloud. This collaboration is a strategic step forward in developing a new…
Backbase, a digital banking software provider, has appointed Adrian McPhee as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). McPhee, a technology and data executive with experience in scaling global technology organisations, joins as the company seeks to accelerate its strategy focused on artificial intelligence in banking, following the recent launch of its AI-powered banking platform. McPhee brings over two decades of experience in technology transformation across sectors including fintech, retail, and digital marketplaces. He previously served as Global CTO for LeasePlan, a leasing company with a significant banking division regulated by the European Central Bank. At LeasePlan, McPhee led a technology…
PayNet’s Fintech Hub is more than just an accelerator, it’s a platform built to help Malaysia’s fintech startups scale without giving up equity. In this video, we sit down with PayNet’s CMO, Gary Yeoh, to talk about why this initiative could be a game-changer for founders looking to build the next fintech giant in Malaysia. From mentorship and funding credits to exclusive global networks and many more benefits. Watch till the end to learn how you can join the movement.
Australia’s financial crime watchdog AUSTRAC is expanding its Fintel Alliance initiative after the public-private partnership delivered significant results in tackling financial crime through collaborative intelligence sharing. Established in 2017, Fintel Alliance brings together major banks, remittance and gambling service providers, and law enforcement agencies to share data and insights in real time. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the collaboration has proven so effective that the agency will now make its data analytics hub a central function of its operations. By working together, members of the alliance have been able to identify and act on serious crimes such as money laundering,…
Amber International Holding Limited, which operates under the brand name Amber Premium, has launched a US$100 million crypto ecosystem reserve. The move is to support its strategic expansion and encourage broader institutional adoption of digital assets. The reserve aims to differentiate itself from traditional treasury holdings by using a proprietary AI engine that guides investments toward high-impact blockchain ecosystems and emerging business opportunities. Initial allocations will focus on what the company described as “high-conviction” digital assets, including Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), Sui (SUI), Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH). The reserve may also support ecosystem-aligned tokens and stablecoins…
Anchorage Digital has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mountain Protocol, the Bermuda-based issuer of the USDM stablecoin. The financial details were not disclosed. The move comes as Anchorage Digital looks to expand its stablecoin offering amid growing institutional demand and evolving U.S. regulatory clarity. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Mountain Protocol is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and is backed by Multicoin Capital, having recently raised US$8 million in a Series A round. The company’s USDM stablecoin is fully backed by U.S. Treasuries and operates across multiple blockchains. Through this acquisition,…
China’s Ant Group plans to divest a 4% stake in Indian digital payments company Paytm for approximately US$242 million, according to a term sheet reviewed by Reuters. The sale is priced at 809.75 rupees per share, marking a 6.5% discount to Paytm’s closing price on Monday. The identities of the prospective buyers were not disclosed, and both Ant Group and Paytm have yet to respond to requests for comment. This move follows a series of major shareholder exits from Paytm in recent years. Among those who have reduced or ended their holdings are Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and Japan’s SoftBank…
Bhutan has launched what is described as the world’s first integrated national crypto payment system for tourism, enabling international visitors to use crypto for a wide range of travel-related expenses. The initiative is a collaboration between Binance Pay, DK Bank, and Bhutan’s Department of Tourism. DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, manages settlement for merchants in local currency. Under the system, travelers with Binance accounts can pay for services such as flights, visa fees, hotel bookings, monument entry, guided tours, and even goods from roadside vendors using digital assets. Over 100…