Author: Fintech News Singapore

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public input on proposed changes to the criteria for selecting digital assets offered on local exchanges. The revisions aim to keep regulations aligned with the evolving digital asset landscape, supporting innovation and utility while preserving investor protection. The SEC Board approved the proposed updates at its June 2025 meeting. The changes include adjustments to reflect new forms of digital asset use, innovation trends, and developments in the broader digital asset ecosystem. The rules also continue to uphold safeguards against conflicts of interest, market manipulation, and unfair practices such as insider trading. The…

Experian has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider as part of a broader move to expand its cloud infrastructure and scale up the use of generative artificial intelligence. The global data and technology firm said the partnership supports its shift to a cloud-first approach, helping improve performance, reliability and scalability across its services. Migrating away from mainframe systems, Experian is centralising its platforms in the cloud to deliver faster and more secure access to real-time financial data for its clients. Under a new 10-year agreement, Experian will also work with AWS to develop more than 100…

Coinbase Global has launched a payments platform aimed at making stablecoins a standard option for online transactions, Bloomberg reports. The rollout comes shortly after the US Senate passed stablecoin legislation and targets the multitrillion-dollar e-commerce sector. By offering a stablecoin-based solution, Coinbase is positioning itself as a potential alternative to traditional networks like Visa and Mastercard. Coinbase Payments is built for platforms such as Shopify and eBay, helping merchants, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, reduce reliance on costly card transactions. The platform is designed to mirror credit card infrastructure, making it easy to integrate into existing checkout systems. Shopify is…

Singapore-based digital payments firm dtcpay has integrated its platform with Mastercard Move. This gives customers access to the card network’s global money-movement infrastructure starting this month. The tie-up opens access to more than 49 payment corridors for transfers originating in Singapore. Payout destinations include mainland China, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, and select markets across the European Union. dtcpay said the collaboration will allow it to deliver tailored solutions that address the diverse needs of different user segments, while ensuring cost-effective and transparent services. Typical processing times range from under an hour for 60…

Finmo, a treasury operating system for international finance teams, has launched MO AI, a conversational assistant embedded within its platform. Designed for CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals, MO AI aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of tasks such as cash management, forecasting, compliance, and reporting across multi-entity, multi-currency operations. The assistant allows users to perform complex treasury functions using natural language, including retrieving account balances, initiating transactions, analysing payments, and generating reports. Responses are contextual and immediate, supporting a shift from fragmented processes to a more integrated, real-time workflow. Built on Finmo’s proprietary Model Context Protocol, MO AI incorporates…

Thailand’s Ministry of Finance, with the advice of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), has announced the approval of three applicants to establish virtual banks in Thailand, following the conclusion of a rigorous review process carried out under the Notification of the Ministry of Finance dated 20 February 2024. This notification outlined the rules, procedures, and conditions for the application and issuance of virtual bank licenses. From 20 March to 19 September 2024, the BOT accepted applications from interested parties. A total of five applications were submitted during this period. The Ministry of Finance and the BOT have now completed their…

Trust Bank Singapore has introduced new features to its Trust+ offering, which it says will provide customers with greater value and convenience. The update includes a complimentary metal card, an increase in the deposit cap for higher interest earnings, and expanded partner privileges. Customers who qualify for Trust+ will now be able to earn the bank’s higher interest rate on deposits of up to S$1.2 million, up from the previous limit of S$800,000. To qualify, customers must maintain a minimum average daily balance of S$100,000 across their savings and investment accounts within a calendar month. Starting July, funds held in…

UOB and its wholly owned subsidiary UOB China have signed agreements to become direct participants of China’s Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). This strengthens their ability to support cross-border renminbi (RMB) transactions. CIPS, authorised by the People’s Bank of China, facilitates RMB-denominated trade, investment, and other cross-border payments. As of May 2025, it connects 174 direct and 1,509 indirect participants globally. With this access, UOB will offer RMB clearing, settlement, and payment services to businesses and financial institutions in and outside China. The bank said this enables real-time gross settlement and reduces intermediary steps, helping clients lower payment and clearing…

DBS and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) have signed a MOU to boost trade and investment between Australia and Southeast Asia. Announced alongside the 10th anniversary of DBS’ Sydney branch, the agreement is the first between Austrade and a Singapore-based bank. It supports Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and aims to help Australian companies expand into key markets including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Under the MOU, DBS and Austrade will offer market insights, regulatory guidance, and connect Australian companies with regional partners and industry leaders to unlock commercial opportunities. DBS may also provide advisory support…

Jumio has announced the general availability of Jumio Liveness Premium with advanced deepfake detection, which it describes as its most advanced biometric liveness detection tool to date. The new solution builds on the recently launched in-house Jumio Liveness and is designed to enhance protection against sophisticated identity fraud tactics, including deepfakes and injection attacks. It uses a patented technology that combines randomised colour sequences and AI-driven analysis to confirm the presence of a real human in real time during identity verification. Jumio said the tool extends beyond traditional presentation attacks, such as screen or paper-based copies, by identifying more complex…

In just under three years, Trust Bank has gone from a new entrant to becoming Singapore’s 4th largest bank. Fintech News Networks Chief Editor sits down with Trust Bank CEO, Dwaipayan Sadhu where he reveals the secret sauce behind how they scaled to over a million customers in Singapore’s overbanked market. In this video, we talk about: Why over 70% of new users come through referrals Their approach to building a modern core banking stack from scratch How a full banking license gave them an edge over digital-only challengers

Nine fintech-focused chief marketing officers (CMOs) have been named among the most influential and purposeful marketers in Asia-Pacific (APAC), recognized by Campaign Asia-Pacific and DoubleVerify for their ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Featured in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Power List, a curated selection of the region’s top marketing executives, these leaders are celebrated for their resilience, purpose-driven leadership, and ability to drive meaningful transformation. They are reshaping APAC’s marketing landscape, setting a new benchmark for influence, innovation, and inclusive leadership. Astrud Burgess, CMO, ANZ Group; General Manager of Data, Marketing, and Customer Experience, ANZ New Zealand, New Zealand…

Thailand has approved a five-year tax exemption on capital gains from digital asset trading, provided the transactions are conducted through licensed platforms. The measure, approved by the Cabinet on 17 June, will waive personal income tax on profits earned from the sale of digital assets via exchanges, brokers, and dealers licensed under the Royal Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561. The exemption will apply from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2029. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the move is part of the government’s effort to promote Thailand as a global digital asset hub and support the growth…

OSTTRA and Baton Systems have announced that Partior has connected to their on-demand FX payment-versus-payment (PvP) settlement network, enabling financial institutions to settle foreign exchange transactions using tokenised commercial bank deposits with 24/7 access. The integration offers participants the flexibility to settle trades using fiat currency, tokenised commercial bank money, or assets with the credit characteristics of central bank money. The addition of tokenised funds supports growing real-world adoption as institutions move beyond experimentation to streamline post-trade FX processes. Institutions now have access to tokenised USD, EUR, and SGD from participating banks and can settle transactions on demand, around the…

As crypto adoption accelerates, regulators are ramping up enforcement of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Travel Rule compliance in APAC. Governments remain cautious, driven by concerns over financial stability and the absence of centralised control. As a result, many have passed legislation to implement the Travel Rule for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Yet according to Sumsub’s guide on enabling secure crypto payments, 75% of jurisdictions in the region are still either non-compliant or only partially compliant, leaving loopholes that fraudsters are already exploiting. Identity fraud is a major concern, especially with the use of AI to carry out…

Sumsub has expanded its fraud prevention capabilities by integrating advanced device intelligence from Fingerprint, a provider of real-time device signal analysis. The update aims to help businesses identify suspicious behavior earlier in the customer journey, particularly after onboarding, where the majority of fraud attempts reportedly occur. The enhanced solution analyses technical parameters such as browser type, operating system, and the use of VPNs or remote access tools. This allows companies to detect threats such as bot activity, account takeovers, and multi-accounting without relying on personal data or interrupting user experiences. Fingerprint’s Smart Signals also detect incognito mode, developer tool usage,…

Experian and GBG have expanded their partnership to enhance fraud prevention and identity verification services for organisations across Australia and New Zealand. The collaboration combines Experian’s data capabilities with GBG’s greenID platform to support real-time identity verification across banks, fintechs, telcos, utility providers, legal and AML-regulated sectors, as well as non-regulated businesses looking to reduce fraud risks. The solution enables real-time identity checks using name, address, and date of birth matching, offering a faster and more secure verification process for customers without paperwork, delays or in-person visits. The move comes amid growing concerns around identity-related fraud. According to Experian’s 2024…

Mastercard announced that banks and fintechs in Asia Pacific can now connect to its network up to four times faster through its cloud-based solution, Mastercard Cloud Edge. The service, offered in collaboration with cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), is aimed at helping firms roll out new payment tools more efficiently. Cloud Edge enables issuers, acquirers, network enablement partners, processors, and other payment providers to connect directly to Mastercard via cloud infrastructure rather than relying on traditional, on-premise systems. The solution is designed to reduce onboarding time, lower capital and maintenance costs, avoid physical data center overheads, and meet…

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA) have launched a global call for nominations for the 2025 Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF) Fintech Excellence Awards. Supported by PwC Singapore, the awards mark their 10th anniversary and aim to recognise corporations and individuals who have used innovative technologies to transform financial services, create new growth opportunities, and promote financial inclusion. The awards are open to fintech companies, financial institutions, and technology firms, as well as individuals whose initiatives have significantly contributed to the fintech ecosystem. A total of eight winners will be announced during SFF 2025, which…

Ant International has introduced its first Sustainability Framework alongside its inaugural independent Sustainability Report, marking a key milestone following its separation from Ant Group. Headquartered in Singapore with more than 30 offices worldwide, Ant International provides cross-border digital payment, commerce, and financial services through four business units. This includes Alipay Plus (wallet gateway services), Antom (merchant payments), WorldFirst (cross-border business accounts), and Bettr (embedded finance). The company serves over 100 million merchants worldwide. The new framework is structured around six focus areas—travel, trade, thrive, technology, talent, and trust—collectively known as the 6T areas. It aims to align business growth with…