Video: fintech news weekly round-up – 1 April 2019
Apple’s new credit card, New York goes fintech, and more!
Asia Pacific
Qupital raises $15m Series A to expand into mainland China
Hong Kong fintech plans to hire and grow.
BOC granted virtual banking licence in Hong Kong
Livi VB is a joint venture of Bank of China, JD New Orbit Technology and JSH Virtual Ventures Holdings.
ZhongAn licensed to launch virtual bank in Hong Kong
Products will be developed with community input.
Standard Chartered to launch virtual bank in Hong Kong
To be conducted under a new entity in Hong Kong.
ING and Bank of Beijing create digital bank in China
Through an investment of $447 million.
ClauseMatch expands to Asia with Singapore office
It already serves clients with Singapore presence.
Nelito gains Myanmar microfinance win
Alliance for Microfinance in Myanmar has taken Nelito’s FinCraft core system plus the mobile and lending tech.
Top fintech stories this week – 22 March 2019
Catch up on FinTech Futures’ top five fintech stories of the week – all in one place!
Instarem partners with First Data to enable card issuance
It will begin with corporates and fintechs in Singapore.
Challenger banks country by country: who’s who (and what’s their tech)
Comprehensive and free guides for UK, Spain, Germany, France, US, Canada, South Africa, Australia, India and Hong Kong.
Incumbent financial institutions harness the power of the entrepreneurial mindset
Introducing Extrapreneurship, a new programme helping employees of large FIs to adopt the entrepreneurship mindset.
Instarem aims at Japan and Indonesia with $41m funding
This latest round takes InstaReM’s total funds secured to $59.5 million, with an expected IPO in 2021.
Former MtGox boss gets suspended jail on account of data falsification
However, he was cleared of all other charges, including embezzlement.
Thailand prepares portal for regulated ICOs
The country prepares new funding routes but keeps alert to fraudulent activities.
HSBC backs insurtech CXA Group’s $25m funding
Singapore-based firm looking for expansion across Asia-Pacific region.
Kakao’s crypto business raises $90m funding
Ground X plans to raise a similar sum this week.
US Fed bars ex-Goldman Sachs staff over 1MDB misuse
Two former employees are prohibited from the banking industry.
Wirecard under fraud investigation by Singapore police
One employee has been suspended until the inquiries conclude.
Video: fintech news weekly round-up – 11 March 2019
Featuring New Zealand, Ant Financial, and Raisin.
Pintec acquires Australian credit risk solution provider InfraRisk
Chinese firm seeks action abroad and aims to boost its “SaaS Plus” model.
SoftBank and Microsoft power Grab’s $4.5bn funding frenzy
Other investors in its current Series H funding round include Toyota, Hyundai, Ping An, and Yamaha.
Tencent taps University of Hong Kong for fintech talent
They will offer workshops, internships and a Bachelor of Arts in fintech.
Ant Financial tag teams Hoperun for new core banking product
The Chinese firms have released their Distributed Core Banking Platform (DCBP).
Fitting Hub right fit for Japanese banking on blockchain
Five regional banks plan April launch of new service.
TurnKey Lender locks in new investment from OSK Ventures
Singapore-based digital solution provider gets more funding.
Flexcube core banking system gains new takers in LatAm, Europe and Asia
Banco Votorantim in Brazil, Ghazanfar Bank in Afghanistan, Prince Bank in Cambodia, and FEDinvest in Albania.
UOB targets SME digital market in Thailand
With support from DEPA, NSTDA, OSMEP and The Finlab.
Swift unveils e-voting PoC on blockchain
Alongside SLIB, SGX, Deutsche Bank, DBS, HSBC and Standard Chartered.
Singapore regulator’s new tech group targets risky business
Monetary Authority of Singapore makes some changes and gets truly focused.
Maybank unleashes e-wallet for everyone
New service called MAE – Maybank Anytime, Everyone.
Open banking – build it and they will come?
It is the innovative data wranglers that will decide the success of open banking.
Shuhe snaps up $30m funding from internet giant Sina
Chinese start-up wants to improve its data capabilities.
RHB Bank gets modern capital markets tech with Murex
Malaysian deploys Murex’s MX.3 tech for its Islamic and conventional treasury and capital markets (TCM) operations.
Insurtech Axinan plays it cool with igloo app launch
Singapore-based firm targets popular millennial market.
HSBC tests retail e-wallet payments in Hong Kong
Beta testing begins with an initial batch of 15 businesses.
South Korea plans interbank payment network
The nation’s Financial Services Commission gives fintech another boost.
Japan to unleash national digital currency J-Coin Pay
60 financial institutions team up for new smartphone payment service.
Validus Capital raises $15m for SME financing
Series B round led by Dutch public-private development bank FMO.
French card firm Evolis creates Japanese subsidiary
The company is aiming for a long-term presence in the country.
