OCBC is turning to blockchain with a US$1 billion digital US commercial paper (USCP) programme, giving the bank the ability to raise short-term US dollar funding in minutes. The move reflects efforts to strengthen liquidity resilience as global markets face growing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. The programme complements OCBC’s existing US$25 billion conventional USCP programme, established in August 2011. Issuance, settlement, record-keeping and servicing are conducted on-chain, making OCBC the first USCP issuer globally to use blockchain across the securities’ full lifecycle. Near-instant settlement is enabled by having tokenised securities and funds on-chain. The setup provides all parties with the same real-time, auditable records and reduces reliance on traditional infrastructure and intermediaries. J.P. Morgan’s Digital Debt Service application, built on its multi-asset tokenisation platform, Kinexys Digital Assets, facilitates the programme. J.P. Morgan is also acting as sole dealer. The first USCP tokenised issuance under the programme was completed on 20 August 2025. OCBC issued six-month notes to an accredited institutional investor and received the funds within minutes of the transaction. Proceeds will be used for general funding purposes. The digital USCP programme has short-term credit ratings of P-1 from Moody’s and F1+ from Fitch, the highest for such instruments. OCBC said the programme provides an alternative channel to tap the US$1.4 trillion USCP market to quickly raise USD. The launch follows OCBC’s adoption in 2024 of J.P. Morgan’s Digital Financing application for reverse repo and repo transactions, part of broader efforts to strengthen liquidity management. Kenneth Lai Kenneth Lai, OCBC’s Head of Global Markets, said, “Singapore’s blockchain ecosystem is advancing fast, and asset tokenisation is gaining real momentum. Our focus is now firmly on commercialisation. We have already tapped blockchain for intraday repo and reverse repo transactions—capabilities added last year—and are now expanding into the USCP market to strengthen liquidity and resilience. OCBC is no stranger to this space, but our new digital USCP programme will deepen investor engagement and sharpen our global capital markets profile. The speed and transparency of this solution have only strengthened our conviction in blockchain’s transformative power for capital markets.” Scott Lucas Scott Lucas, Head of Markets Digital Assets at J.P. Morgan, said, “J.P Morgan’s Digital Debt Service provides an additional way for issuers and investors to participate in the USCP market and OCBC’s issuance has demonstrated this in practice. Our partnership with OCBC in support of developing both their access to the US market and their digital agenda is aligned to our commitment of offering innovative liquidity solutions.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by poppet07 via Freepik The post OCBC Taps Blockchain to Raise Short-Term US Commercial Paper in Minutes appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Trust Bank has launched a new S$100,000 give-back programme to mark its one-million-customer milestone, aimed at helping 1,000 families in need through a guided shopping experience using generative AI tools. The initiative, held at FairPrice Xtra in VivoCity, was organised in partnership with FairPrice Group (FPG), the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) ComLink+ initiative and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in support of the national Digital for Life movement. Families with children living in rental housing and supported by MSF’s Social Service Offices in Ang Mo Kio and Yishun each received S$100 in FairPrice vouchers. They were paired with Trust volunteers for grocery sessions where generative AI prompts suggested healthier and more affordable choices. Guest-of-Honour Dr Syed Harun, Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC and incoming Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Development, highlighted the role of daily decisions in supporting both physical and financial well-being. Beneficiaries were also reminded of FairPrice Group’s savings schemes, including a first-of-its-kind three per cent discount for Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Orange cardholders every Friday. Other discounts are available for the Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, seniors and CHAS Blue cardholders, alongside Link rewards and regular value deals. Dwaipayan Sadhu Dwaipayan Sadhu, CEO of Trust Bank said, “Our community give-back efforts reflect our belief that banking should be inclusive and compassionate. We’re grateful to continue supporting MSF’s beneficiary families, building on the impact of our earlier engagements. We also look forward to partnering with IMDA in the coming months to empower more people through digital skills including essential scam prevention tips.” Vipul Chawla Vipul Chawla, Group CEO of FairPrice Group added, “We are proud to support Trust in this initiative, which not only provides tangible assistance to families-in-need but also equips them with the knowledge to make informed and healthier choices. Through collaborations like this, we stay true to our purpose of making every day a little better for the communities we serve, while working together to build greater resilience and well being.” For more on how Trust Bank scaled to become Singapore’s fourth-largest bank, watch our interview with CEO Dwaipayan Sadhu here.    The post Trust Bank’s S$100,000 Community Programme Helps Families Budget with Gen AI appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Cognizant, a professional services company headquartered in the US, has announced a five-year strategic engagement with Temenos to develop and market the Temenos Country Model Bank in Australia. The Country Model Bank is an extension of Temenos’ core banking platform, designed to help financial institutions accelerate implementation by offering pre-configured, region-specific banking functions intended to reduce cost and risk. Financial institutions in Australia face growing regulatory demands and challenges linked to legacy systems that limit their ability to adapt. By combining Temenos’ cloud-native banking technology with Cognizant’s implementation and market expertise, the Country Model Bank is intended to provide a pre-configured framework that supports modernisation while aiming to lower costs and operational complexity. As Temenos’ preferred upgrade partner in Australia, Cognizant will further develop regionalised functionality, tailoring the platform to meet the requirements of local financial institutions. Will Dale “We are delighted to collaborate with Cognizant, strengthening our commitment to delivering agile and future-ready banking solutions in Australia,” said Will Dale, Managing Director, APAC, Temenos. “Together, we are driving digital transformation that enhances efficiency and scalability for financial institutions.” Archana Ramanakumar, Global Head of Industry Solutions at Cognizant, highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting over 15 years of collaboration with Temenos globally. She said: Archana Ramanakumar “This will be a true game-changer for Australian financial institutions that are on their digital transformation journey, delivering a pre-integrated, market-ready solution that aims to significantly reduce risk in core modernisation initiatives.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by aboodi vesakaran via Unsplash The post Cognizant and Temenos Partner to Develop Country Model Bank in Australia appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Financial sanctions are essential government tools for achieving foreign policy objectives – and compliance is mandatory – but the sanctions landscape can be complex to navigate. Here we unpack some key questions around this important topic. Understand financial sanctions and why they matter. Uncover best-practice approaches for remaining compliant as well as the consequences for non-compliance. Financial sanctions enforce economic and trade bans against foreign jurisdictions and regimes, as well as individuals and entities engaging in harmful activity. In the United States, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for implementing and enforcing financial sanctions, but the sanctions landscape is global in nature. Specific sanctions have been outlined by the EU, the UN and many other governments, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and many more. The 5th edition of the Global Sanctions Index (GSI) report by LSEG Risk Intelligence provides a detailed account of the key changes in global sanctions over the past year, as well as insights into the most important mega-trends – including uncertainty – that will shape sanctions in the coming months. Here we answer some key questions around financial sanctions. Five key questions answered 1. What are financial sanctions? Financial sanctions are measures taken against targeted jurisdictions and regimes (including individuals and entities) engaging in harmful activities. They are designed to restrict or prohibit transactions and can include entire countries or geographic regions. They are primarily used to exert pressure to change negative behaviour, such as involvement in terrorism, money laundering, human rights abuses, the spread of weapons, and more. These sanctions can be effective tools for achieving foreign policy objectives and guiding a nation’s interactions with other countries. Some examples of common types of sanctions include: • Asset freezes, including blocking access to the bank accounts, property or investments of a sanctioned individual or entity. • Trade embargoes, such as bans on imports and exports to or from a sanctioned country. • Investment bans, which can restrict or prohibit investments in sanctioned countries. • Financial aid restrictions, which can prevent access to financial assistance, including loans, grants and aid programmes. 2. Why do financial sanctions matter? Financial sanctions matter because they have economic and geopolitical repercussions and can therefore significantly impact global stability. Sanctions can have: • Economic consequences, for example governments can prohibit transactions with entire countries or geographic regions. • Geopolitical implications, for example trade-related delays because of sanctions can create tension between countries and/or entities across the globe. 3. What are some of the consequences of non-compliance? Non-compliance with global sanctions can have serious consequences, including: • Potentially severe reputational damage: The impact of reputational damage is often unquantifiable – it can lead to long-term lack of credibility, tarnished customer relationships, and a loss of trust in your brand. • Operational disruptions: If you are subject to an investigation, this can substantially disrupt day-to-day operations, with knock-on effects for your organisation. • Criminal charges: In many cases, failure to comply with financial sanctions can result in criminal charges and even imprisonment. 4. What are the biggest challenges in sanctions compliance? Implicit or narrative sanctions are often the biggest challenge in sanctions compliance. Entities or individuals may not be explicitly named, but may be covered by broad narrative sanctions or be sanctioned based on their connections to a sanctioned entity or individual. Some other key challenges include, but are not limited to: • Complexity: The sheer volume and complexity of sanctions can be overwhelming, and often specialist knowledge is needed to navigate requirements. • Inaccurate data: Inaccurate or incomplete data can leave you vulnerable to inadvertently transacting with a sanctioned entity or individual. • High false positive rates: In some instances, robust screening can lead to false positive rates, disrupting legitimate relationships. 5. How can I improve my compliance? The sanctions landscape is dynamic and complex, but there are resources and solutions that can cut through this complexity and help you keep abreast of ongoing changes. The OFAC Framework for Compliance Commitments provides useful guidelines around sanctions compliance, and all organisations subject to US jurisdiction and foreign entities doing business with the US should review this. It also is essential to implement a robust sanctions screening programme that starts with reliable access to accurate data, deep insights and comprehensive reports. Sanctions are constantly updated, so timely data is essential to keep you informed of changes as they happen. Some key points to remember include: • Screening – of both customers and transactions – is an important first step in ensuring that you do not transact with any sanctioned individual or entity. • Where heightened potential risk is identified, further investigations in the form of enhanced due diligence (EDD) can help you understand more about potential risk. Effective EDD delivers detailed insights and background checks. • Ongoing transaction monitoring is also essential, because new risks can emerge at any time. Robust monitoring helps you uncover potential links to sanctioned individuals or entities. The key take-away is this: complying with financial sanctions is non-negotiable, but with the right data, tools and expertise, you can cut through complexity, boost your efficiency and streamline your compliance function. Download the latest Global Sanctions Index (GSI) report for more insights.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Financial Sanctions: LSEG Risk Intelligence Answers Your Key Questions appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

GXS Bank has introduced Money Lock, a new feature in its app designed to strengthen customer protection against scams. The tool allows users to lock some or all of their savings in up to eight Saving Pockets, which can be enabled through each Pocket’s settings. Once activated, the Saving Pocket is locked immediately. The launch comes as scams continue to rise in Singapore. According to the Singapore Police Force, more than S$53 million was lost to scams in June 2025 alone, including over 600 e-commerce cases. These often involve fraudulent listings on social media platforms where victims are asked to make advance payments. Funds placed in locked Saving Pockets continue to accrue daily interest, and customers can still add deposits. Savings remain insured up to S$100,000 under the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation Limited. Unlocking a Saving Pocket requires a video verification call with a GXS Buddy, the bank’s customer support officer, who is trained to detect signs of fraud. Following this, account holders are notified via email, and a 12-hour cooling-off period is imposed before funds are transferred. Customers who suspect unauthorised activity may contact the bank during this period to stop the request. Shahzaib Hassan, Group Chief Technology and Product Officer at GXS Bank, said: “It may sound counter-intuitive to add speed bumps into a digital experience, but we do this because scammers often use urgency to scare or entice their victims into making a fraudulent funds transfer. By adding ‘breaks’ throughout the funds transfer process, we hope to provide the time for our customers to consider and verify that the transaction which they are about to make is legitimate.” He added that the bank encourages customers to use Money Lock as an added safeguard, while remaining vigilant to evolving scam tactics.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by onlyyouqj via Freepik The post GXS Bank Launches Money Lock to Secure Savings Amid Rising Scams appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Bank of Thailand has moved to reassure the public following confusion over a reported 50,000-baht daily transfer limit. In a statement, the central bank clarified that the cap will not apply to all customers, but only to specific vulnerable groups. These include children, individuals aged 65 and older, and customers with little to no transaction history or who rarely transfer funds. Most bank users will not be affected and can continue transferring money in line with their usual patterns. Customers in categories with limited or irregular histories may request higher limits from their banks, while larger transfers can also be conducted at bank counters. This clarification comes alongside broader anti-fraud measures introduced by the regulator. This includes stricter identity checks, enhanced due diligence for high-risk accounts, real-time transaction alerts, stronger mobile app security, tighter controls on mule accounts, and emergency support for victims of online scams.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by mike.shots and starline via Freepik The post Thai Central Bank Clarifies 50,000 Baht Daily Transfer Cap Applies Only to Vulnerable Groups appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the CFO playbook in Asia Pacific. A new Salesforce survey reveals that finance chiefs are dedicating a growing share of budgets to AI agents and expect them to drive long-term business outcomes beyond cost savings. The report found that 75% of CFOs in the region believe AI agents will not only reduce expenses but also generate new revenue. More than three-quarters said the technology will change how their organisations operate. Five years ago, 63% of CFOs described their approach to AI as conservative, a figure that has since dropped to just 3%. On average, CFOs in Asia Pacific are now directing 23% of their AI budgets to agents. Half of those surveyed said AI agents are changing how they evaluate returns on investment, moving beyond traditional financial metrics to broader outcomes such as productivity gains, compliance improvements and cost savings. Six in ten said agents are already critical to competing in the current environment, while 62% noted that they are reshaping how companies allocate spending. Nearly a third said the technology requires them to adopt a bolder investment mindset. The study also found that 83% of CFOs are increasingly using AI to support decision-making. Risk assessments (85%), financial forecasting (65%) and profitability analysis (58%) are among the top tasks delegated to AI. A majority, 58%, expect agents to take on more strategic responsibilities rather than routine work. Despite the growing optimism, concerns remain. Security and privacy risks were cited by 68% of respondents, while 62% pointed to the length of time needed to realise returns from AI investments. CFOs also noted that while agents reduce costs, they expect revenue to increase by nearly 20%. Robin Washington Robin Washington, President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Salesforce, said, “The introduction of digital labour isn’t just a technical upgrade — it represents a decisive and strategic shift for CFOs. With AI agents, we’re not merely transforming business models; we’re fundamentally reshaping the entire scope of the CFO function. This demands a new mindset as we expand beyond financial stewards to also become architects of agentic enterprise value.” The survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of Salesforce and polled 261 CFOs globally, including 60 from Asia Pacific across Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by romanshashko and rawpixel.com via Freepik The post Salesforce Study Finds APAC CFOs Doubling Down on Aggressive AI Strategies appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore’s Sea Ltd has obtained fresh regulatory clearances in Brazil that will enable it to broaden its financial services footprint, according to DealStreetAsia. The company said it has secured a Sociedade de Crédito Direto (SCD) license and received initial approval for a Sociedade de Crédito, Financiamento e Investimento (SCFI) license, reinforcing its ambition to bring its Southeast Asian fintech model into Latin America. The SCD license allows lending with the company’s own funds, while the SCFI license provides scope for a wider range of financing activities and more diversified funding. Both are part of measures introduced by Brazil’s central bank to encourage competition in financial services. Brazil has become Sea’s fastest-growing market outside Asia. Shopee, its e-commerce platform, has operated there for five years and has added products such as personal loans and buy-now-pay-later. In the second quarter of 2025, Sea reported that its consumer and SME loan book reached US$6.9 billion, up 94 percent from a year earlier, with adjusted EBITDA from its digital financial services arm rising 55 percent to US$255.3 million. Sea said its financing in Brazil is backed by external lender partnerships and that the country’s abundant data has strengthened its credit risk models. Shopee’s continued growth is also supporting the push, with monthly active buyers climbing more than 30 percent year-on-year and digital entrepreneurship promoted among over 8 million Brazilians. Brazil’s fintech market already includes major players such as Nubank, Stone, and XP. Sea is betting that embedding lending and payments within Shopee will help it compete more effectively in this crowded market.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Luiz Ribeiro via Freepik The post Sea Steps Up Brazil Push with New Lending Licenses appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS Bank is tokenising structured notes on the Ethereum public blockchain, making them available to eligible investors through third-party platforms ADDX, DigiFT and HydraX. This marks the bank’s first distribution of tokenised products to non-DBS clients. The initiative comes as Singapore strengthens its position as a wealth management hub. The number of single family offices in the city-state exceeded 2,000 in 2024, a 43 percent increase from the year before. Structured notes usually require a minimum investment of US$100,000, but tokenisation breaks them into US$1,000 units that are identical and easier to trade. DBS said this format improves fungibility and allows investors to manage portfolios with greater flexibility and resilience during market volatility. The first product will be cash-settled cryptocurrency-linked participation notes. These provide cash payouts when cryptocurrency prices rise and are structured to reduce potential losses if prices fall. Demand for such instruments has been strong, with DBS clients executing more than US$1 billion worth of trades in the first half of 2025, and volumes rising nearly 60 percent between the first and second quarters. Beyond cryptocurrency-linked notes, DBS also plans to tokenise equity-linked and credit-linked notes. Li Zhen Li Zhen, Head of Foreign Exchange and Digital Assets, Global Financial Markets, DBS, said, “Asset tokenisation is the next frontier of financial markets infrastructure. Since 2021, DBS has been active in scaling this ecosystem by fostering responsible innovation, enabling tokenisation to meet real market demand and make financial markets more efficient and accessible. By leveraging DBS’ strong credit ratings, partnerships and capabilities, more investors can now tap our solutions to better manage their portfolios. Our first tokenised product, a crypto-linked note, also addresses the growing institutional appetite for digital assets. With this initiative, a broader segment of investors can now tap our digital asset ecosystem to build exposure to the asset class.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by masaideeabdulkoday70 via Freepik The post DBS Rolls Out Tokenised Crypto-Linked Notes as Singapore’s Wealth Sector Grows appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Databricks, the data and AI company, announced it has signed a term sheet for its Series K funding round, which is expected to close soon with support from existing investors. The round values the company at more than US$100 billion. The proceeds are expected to be used to advance Databricks’ AI strategy, including the development of Agent Bricks, further investment in its new database product Lakebase, and international expansion. At its Data + AI Summit in June, Databricks introduced Agent Bricks, designed to create production-ready AI agents using enterprise data, and Lakebase, an operational database built on open source Postgres and designed for AI agents. The company noted that the funding would also support potential AI-related acquisitions and research. Ali Ghodsi “We’re seeing strong investor interest because of the momentum behind our AI products, which power the world’s largest businesses and AI services,” said Ali Ghodsi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Databricks. “Every company can securely turn its enterprise data into AI apps and agents to grow revenue faster, operate more efficiently, and make smarter decisions with less risk. Databricks is benefiting from global demand for AI apps and agents. We’re pleased this round is already oversubscribed and to work with strategic, long-term investors who share our vision for the future of AI.” Databricks said the investment follows recent partnerships with Microsoft, Google Cloud, Anthropic, SAP, and Palantir. The company reports that more than 15,000 organisations globally use its Data Intelligence Platform, which is built on open source technology.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News America, based on image by freepik This article first appeared on Fintech News America The post Databricks Raising Series K at Valuation Above $100 Billion appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DigiFT, a licensed exchange focused on institutional-grade tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), has raised a total of US$25 million to date following its latest funding round. The firm had previously raised a US$ 10.5 million Pre-Series A funding round in February 2023. The latest round was led by Japan’s SBI Holdings, with participation from Mirana Ventures, Offchain Labs (Arbitrum), Yunqi Partners, Polygon Labs, and senior figures from global technology and financial firms. The company said the funding will support its expansion as an RWA infrastructure provider, aiming to bridge traditional asset management with on-chain finance through regulated tokenised products. DigiFT operates licensed exchanges in Singapore and Hong Kong, facilitating the trading and distribution of RWAs while improving secondary market liquidity, capital efficiency and yield access for both institutional and Web3-native investors. Its platform features strategies in money markets, public mutual funds, U.S. Treasuries and private credit, offered with asset managers including Invesco, UBS Asset Management, CMB International Asset Management and Wellington Management. DigiFT has also listed the Peakwater Volatility Alpha Fund token (pEAK), described as the first institutional-grade tokenised volatility strategy designed to capture cross-asset returns across traditional and alternative markets. Beyond tokenisation, DigiFT has enabled RWAs to be used as high-grade collateral for active trading on digital asset exchanges and embedded RWA yields into payment cards to bring returns into everyday transactions. The firm was recently granted Type 1 and Type 4 licenses by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Yoshitaka Kitao “DigiFT has the regulatory discipline, product maturity, and focus on real onchain utility to lead the convergence of traditional finance and Web3. What sets them apart is their focus on enabling real onchain utility for institutional-grade assets—going beyond tokenization to unlock collateral use cases, embedded yield, and secondary market liquidity. This pragmatic approach to infrastructure aligns with the needs of institutional investors, and we’re proud to support their growth across Asia and globally.” said Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO, SBI Holdings. Henry Zhang “This raise validates the institutional momentum behind tokenised finance—and DigiFT’s unique role in driving it forward. We’re honored to be backed by both leading TradFi players and top-tier Web3 investors. Together, we’re building an open, interoperable capital markets infrastructure for the on-chain economy.” said Henry Zhang, Founder & Group CEO of DigiFT.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Na_st via Freepik     The post DigiFT Hits US$25 Million in Total Funding as Japan’s SBI Leads Latest Round appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is investing US$7 million in a Series B round for Mongolian fintech firm AND Global, marking its first equity investment in the country in more than a decade. The funding aims to expand access to finance for small businesses and support job creation in Mongolia. Through the investment, AND Global will scale its technology arm, AND Solutions, which develops products such as document processing, credit scoring and lending systems used in 11 countries. The partnership will also strengthen its local lending platform, LendMN, listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange. IFC will provide guidance on corporate governance, risk management and responsible lending practices. LendMN currently serves more than 1.3 million registered users, covering over 80 percent of Mongolia’s economically active population. It plays a key role in financing micro, small and medium enterprises, which employ 70 percent of the workforce and contribute nearly 18 percent of GDP. Access to formal finance remains limited, with the SME financing gap estimated at 10.6 percent of GDP. Since 1997, IFC has invested about US$5 billion in Mongolia across sectors including banking, mining, hospitality and services. It has also expanded advisory support to improve the investment environment and foster private sector growth. Khos-Erdene Baatarkhuu “Reaching this milestone is a strong validation of our vision, execution, and growth potential. As a startup born in Mongolia, it reflects the relentless effort of our team—and we take pride in breaking new ground with purpose. Partnering with IFC brings together shared values around innovation and financial inclusion. With its global reach and experience, we’re confident this collaboration will significantly accelerate our ability to scale impact, expand access, and shape the future of finance globally.” said Khos-Erdene Baatarkhuu, CEO of AND Global. Matthieu Le Blan “Mongolia, as the most sparsely populated country, can greatly benefit from digital solutions to expand access to financial services. By promoting tech entrepreneurship and the digitalization of key services, IFC supports job creation, particularly among women and youth. Our partnership with AND Global is an important part of these efforts.” said Matthieu Le Blan, IFC’s Resident Representative for Mongolia.       The post IFC Invests US$7M in AND Global to Strengthen Digital Lending in Mongolia appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) will require banks to cap daily digital transfers at 50,000 baht for individual customers as part of new anti-fraud measures. The cap, tailored to each customer’s transaction profile, is meant to slow criminals from moving stolen funds and reduce losses, especially for children and the elderly. The decree also makes financial institutions, e-payment operators, digital asset firms, telecom providers and social media platforms jointly liable for damages from technology crimes unless they can prove compliance with regulatory standards. Effective 8 August 2025, the new rules build on five principles: targeting specific risks, having clear procedures, aligning with Thailand’s context and international standards, and raising public awareness. They extend earlier efforts against mule accounts and add measures such as real-time withdrawal notifications. Mobile banking protections will be tightened through bans on suspicious links, limits on device use, facial recognition with biometric forgery detection, and blocking apps that run alongside risky applications. Banks must also follow stricter Know Your Customer rules when opening deposit accounts, in line with BoT and Anti-Money Laundering Office guidelines. High-risk customers, classified as Black, Dark Grey and Light Grey account holders, will be subject to enhanced due diligence. Financial institutions are required to notify customers of transfers at no cost, block suspicious funds, suspend transactions, bar mule account holders from opening new accounts, and provide rapid fraud-reporting channels at all times. Banks must also offer emergency support for customers who need to exceed the transfer cap. The rules will apply to new mobile and internet banking users by the end of August 2025 and to existing customers by year-end. The BoT said the measures are aimed at strengthening fraud prevention, reducing losses and improving the recovery of stolen funds.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Freepik The post Bank of Thailand to Cap Daily Digital Transfers at 50,000 Baht to Tackle Online Fraud appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Alchemy Pay has partnered with verification provider Sumsub to integrate its Travel Rule solution across its platform, aiming to bolster compliance as regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions grows. The Travel Rule requires virtual asset service providers to share information on transaction originators and beneficiaries, aligning crypto transfers with standards used in traditional finance. The measure is intended to improve transparency and curb money laundering and terrorist financing. With the integration, Alchemy Pay will use Sumsub’s infrastructure to automate secure data exchange with more than 1,800 counterparties connected to networks such as GTR, TRP, CODE and Sygna. The system validates and transmits required information while keeping processes smooth for users. Sumsub’s platform, which supports compliance in over 35 markets, adds to Alchemy Pay’s existing framework of KYC and AML checks, fraud detection and regional licensing. The partnership comes as Alchemy Pay expands its regulatory footprint, having recently secured its 10th money transmitter license in the United States and extending its reach in Europe, the UK, Korea and Southeast Asia.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user16766420 via Freepik     The post Alchemy Pay Adopts Sumsub’s Travel Rule Solution as Crypto Oversight Tightens appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Stripe announced a series of product updates in Singapore as it looks to support global growth for Asian businesses through stablecoin payments and artificial intelligence (AI). The announcements were made at its Stripe Tour Singapore 2025 event, which also introduced new payment methods, the Terminal S710 reader with cellular connectivity, and more than 50 upgrades across payments, revenue, and embedded finance tools. Stablecoins are gaining traction, with 46% of businesses surveyed by Stripe planning to adopt them within two years. The company already processes stablecoin payments in more than 120 countries and has acquired Bridge and Privy to expand its offerings. Earlier this year, it introduced stablecoin financial accounts, now available in over 100 countries including Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Brunei. Through Bridge, Stripe has also partnered with Visa to enable cardholders to spend directly from stablecoin balances. AI is also expected to reshape commerce. By 2030, 82% of Asian businesses expect to use AI-driven sales channels, and half predict that at least some of their sales will come from these interfaces. Already, 20% are implementing agentic AI, with another 47% preparing to adopt it. Stripe said it has introduced what it calls the world’s first AI foundation model for payments, trained on tens of billions of transactions. The model has been used to improve fraud detection, with early results showing a 64% increase in identifying card testing attacks. Stripe works with a range of regional companies including Aspire, Luckin Coffee, ManusAI, Shoplazza, StarHub, and Zoho. Sarita Singh “Asia is showing extraordinary resilience and focusing on international growth. Between July 2024 and June 2025, over half of our users in the region (54%) sold internationally and we’re seeing cross-border payments surge by over 30% in hubs like Singapore. Stripe is helping businesses to go global, faster, and we expect new technologies like stablecoins and AI to accelerate their growth.” said Sarita Singh, regional head and managing director for Southeast Asia, India, and Greater China at Stripe.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by specialday_studio via Freepik The post Stripe Bolsters Asia Presence with New AI and Stablecoin Offerings appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Universal Digital Payment Network (UDPN), Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), and GFT Technologies (GFT) have joined the Commercial Bank Money Token (CBMT) initiative as technical service providers. The project is designed to enable tokenised commercial bank money, facilitating direct and secure transactions between businesses using distributed ledger technology (DLT). The CBMT initiative seeks to establish a scalable and regulatory-compliant framework for digital financial solutions. A proof-of-concept has already demonstrated its potential in real-world applications with commercial banks including DZ Bank, UniCredit and Commerzbank, alongside corporates such as Siemens, BASF, Evonik and Mercedes-Benz. The three firms will contribute onboarding and interoperability services, banking and enterprise system integration, and DLT-based technologies from UDPN. Planned tests cover delivery-versus-payment in supply chain and trade finance, inter-company cross-border transactions, and working capital optimisation, as well as advanced IoT and machine-to-machine payments, both online and offline. The working group also aims to bring more banks and enterprises into the CBMT network to expand its reach and functionality. Abbas Albasha “Stablecoins and tokenised deposits like CBMTs will support the ongoing digitalisation of business process automation and IoT payments. Tailored to the specific needs of the ecosystem, the CBMT initiative will provide the first platform for seamless issuance, management, and operation of tokenised deposit services. We are proud to be part of this initiative of making the financial ecosystem more digital, efficient and secure,” said Abbas Albasha, Senior Strategy Consultant CBDC at Giesecke+Devrient. Florian Becker “Commercial bank money tokens empower corporates to execute digital transfers, fostering fast and efficient financial operations in the digital economy. UDPN and GFT’s engagement in the CBMT initiative reflects our commitment to building a financial technology system that will accelerate global digital transformation,” said Florian Becker, Managing Director APAC & GCC at GFT.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user8285578 via Freepik The post UDPN, G+D and GFT Join Pilot for Tokenised Commercial Bank Money appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

SEON, a provider of fraud prevention and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance solutions, has announced that MoneyMe, an Australian digital lender, will adopt its unified platform to strengthen fraud detection as the company continues to expand. MoneyMe will use SEON across its product portfolio, which includes car loans, credit cards and personal loans, to enhance device intelligence, behavioural analysis and second-party fraud detection. The decision followed an assessment of several vendors and reflects MoneyMe’s focus on strengthening risk management while maintaining customer experience. Jonathan Wu “SEON stood out for its flexibility, strong device intelligence and scalability,” said Jonathan Wu, MoneyMe’s Chief Operations Officer and Chief Product Officer. “Its platform will help us consolidate tools, reduce complexity and enhance both fraud prevention and operational efficiency as we grow.” The rollout will include fraud prevention and credit decisioning support through SEON’s data engine. MoneyMe will also use SEON’s integrated dashboard to gain visibility across different risk areas and enable coordination between its fraud, risk and compliance teams. Troy Nyi Nyi “MoneyMe is the kind of forward-looking fintech we built SEON for,” said Troy Nyi Nyi, Senior Vice President and General Manager for APAC at SEON. “By combining device intelligence, digital footprinting and real-time compliance in one centralised command centre, we’re helping them to both stop fraud before it starts and scale securely.” MoneyMe intends to develop its fraud detection approach further by adding additional data points to improve credit modelling, while also aiming to achieve cost savings in know-your-customer (KYC) and onboarding processes. The company plans to extend its use of SEON to include transaction monitoring in later phases.   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik The post MoneyMe to Implement SEON Platform for Fraud and Risk Management appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Nexus Global Payments (NGP) has appointed Andrew McCormack as its inaugural CEO following an extensive global search process facilitated by an international talent acquisition firm. NGP is a not-for-profit organisation established by the initial first mover central banks. This includes the Reserve Bank of India, Bank Negara Malaysia, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Bank of Thailand, to operationalise and manage the Nexus multilateral instant cross-border payments scheme. McCormack has more than two decades of senior leadership experience across global payments, digital infrastructure, and financial innovation. He most recently served as COO of Etihad Payments, the national payments entity of the United Arab Emirates, where he played a key role in modernising the country’s domestic payment infrastructure. Prior to that, he was the founding Centre Head of the BIS Innovation Hub in Singapore and Chief Information Officer at Payments Canada, where he led the delivery of the country’s real-time payments platform. Based in Singapore, McCormack will oversee NGP’s strategic direction, operations, and international growth as it implements a modern blueprint for cross-border interoperability. Benjamin Lee “NGP and its transition Board are delighted to welcome Andrew as its inaugural CEO. Andrew brings deep expertise and a strong track record in the faster payments space, combined with proven experience in building and leading early-stage growth institutions. This makes him uniquely well-qualified to lead NGP,” said Benjamin Lee, Interim Director of NGP. “Nexus will dramatically transform cross-border payments, and it is my honour to be selected to lead this important initiative. The design phase is complete, and the focus is now on building a world-class company and payments platform for the future,” said Andrew. For more on Andrew McCormack’s views on the region’s payments landscape, watch our earlier Fintech Fireside Asia discussion: Is Southeast Asia Entering its Golden Era of Payments?     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by vart_dant via Freepik The post Andrew McCormack Appointed Inaugural CEO of Nexus Global Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Aspire has launched Aspire Yield, a new investment feature within its business account platform aimed at giving Singapore’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) access to better returns on idle cash. The rollout follows AFT SG 2, part of the Aspire Group, securing a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in April 2025. The license enables the company to offer regulated investment solutions, with funds managed in partnership with Fullerton Fund Management for both Singapore and US dollar investments. Aspire said the partnership is designed to provide the stability and performance needed to turn idle balances into capital growth. Through Aspire Yield, businesses can access institutional-grade money market funds with no minimum investment requirement and next-business-day liquidity. SMEs can earn up to 2.04% on Singapore dollar balances and 3.88% on US dollar balances, compared with traditional savings rates that typically range from 0.01% to 0.25% per year. Early data from Aspire Yield’s beta showed that about 55% of funds now invested through the platform were previously sitting idle in traditional business accounts, generating minimal returns. Aspire added that the product is designed for operational flexibility, with no lock-up periods and funds remaining accessible as business needs change. Andrea Baronchelli “That’s a staggering statistic and shows just how much capital small businesses have been leaving on the table. Aspire Yield changes this by giving every eligible Singapore business access to the same high-quality money market funds that are available to institutional investors, seamlessly integrated into their daily financial operations.” said Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and Co-founder of Aspire. Mark Yuen “Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of Singapore’s economy, yet they’ve historically faced barriers in accessing institutional-quality investment solutions. Our partnership with Aspire group democratises access to professional fund management, enabling SMEs to optimise their working capital with the same calibre of investment solutions traditionally reserved for larger businesses.” said Mark Yuen, Chief Business Development Officer, Fullerton Fund Management.   The post Aspire Launches Yield Solution for Singapore SMEs to Boost Idle Cash Returns appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Global expansion is high on the agenda for merchants today, yet the reality is far from simple. Setting up local entities, adapting to fragmented payment systems, and navigating diverse regulations can turn opportunities into frustration. This challenge is especially visible in emerging economies, where growth is fastest but the barriers to entry are steep. Eduardo de Abreu, Vice President of Product at EBANX, explains: Eduardo de Abreu “Based on data from World Data Lab, over the next 10 years, we are going to see almost 700 million people joining the consumer class (people who spend more than US$12 per day) in emerging markets. This is massive in terms of potential growth and addressable markets.” Unlike developed markets, they tend to rely on localised payment rails like mobile wallets and alternative payment methods (APMs). Without integrating these digital payments, even the most ambitious cross-border strategies can stall before they start. This is the reality that EBANX is spotlighting at the APAC Edition of its Payments Summit in Macau, running from 28 to 30 August 2025. Connecting APAC Merchants to the Next Frontier of Payments Now in its third consecutive year in APAC, the EBANX APAC Payments Summit has previously been held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2024 and Sanya, China, in 2023. The summit itself is in its eighth year, previously taking place in the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico. Choosing Macau as the host city is both strategic and symbolic. As a growing hub for regional collaboration and innovation, Macau reflects EBANX’s deeper commitment to APAC and its merchants, offering an ideal location to unite merchants and partners across the region. This year’s agenda aims to give participants a clear, strategic view into new opportunities for merchants expanding into Latin America, Africa, and more high-growth regions. The summit will spotlight Brazil’s Pix Automático, Latin America’s gaming market growth, the rise of digital wallets and stablecoins in cross-border payments, and Africa’s expanding payment rails. The lineup features a powerhouse mix of voices shaping the future of global payments, including João Del Valle, Co-Founder and CEO of EBANX; Jonathan Haigh, Chief Product Officer at World Data Lab; Jason Maweu Masai, Head of Digital Product at M-PESA; and Eric Barbier, CEO of Triple-A. Emerging Markets at the Center of the Conversation The EBANX APAC Payments Summit will focus on select main themes. Firstly, it will bring forth timely insights on payments innovation and digital commerce, from Brazil’s Pix to Africa’s local schemes and Latin America’s fast-growing gaming economy. The Summit will dive into what makes Latin America one of the most dynamic gaming markets in the world: a mobile-first audience, strong community-driven engagement, and a complex mix of cards, instalments, digital wallets, and even cash payments. Interestingly, many alternative payment methods were never designed with merchant purchases in mind. Yet, their deep integration into daily life has made them a dominant option for online shopping, especially so in countries where access to cards and bank accounts remains limited. Source: Beyond Borders 2025, EBANX Another highlight will be a deep dive into Pix Automático, launched in June 2025 as a major evolution of Brazil’s most-used payment system. Designed for recurring transactions, it offers merchants access to more than 60 million Pix users who do not hold credit cards. Eduardo adds on, “Card penetration is not the same as card acceleration. We do see people with higher access to cards, but the credit component is still limited, like US$50 as a limit. ” Beyond Latin America, the Summit will explore Africa’s payments landscape, highlighting domestic schemes such as Verve in Nigeria. These solutions are driving financial inclusion and e-commerce adoption in some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies. Stablecoins will also take centre stage, with contributions from Triple-A on how it could rewrite the rails of cross-border digital commerce. Tax and regulatory updates in Latin America is another highlight. When asked about the compliance challenges that APAC merchants face when expanding into LATAM and how EBANX helps navigate them, Fernanda De Fino, Director of Global Risk and Compliance at EBANX, shared, Fernanda De Fino “This is what we provide for the best, that is, solving the complexity. In terms of compliance, we have a strong team with deep knowledge in the local market, that could navigate it and facilitate the merchant operation there.” The APAC edition of the summit is indeed a forward-looking forum designed to anticipate what’s next for the industry. It will unlock opportunities in non-obvious markets, showcase breakthrough technologies, and help merchants understand the future of payments across rising economies. Why APAC Matters in EBANX’s Multi-Market Expansion Although EBANX currently processes payments locally in India, the company itself supports around 100 APAC merchants, including for global platforms like AliExpress, Canva, and Weverse. With a single integration, merchants can access 29 countries and leverage more than 200 local payment methods. EBANX handles settlement, compliance, and cross-border processing, allowing companies to focus on market growth. Notably, on 1 August 2025, EBANX received its Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Fernanda elaborated on the milestone, “We have been granted by the MAS, as an MPI (Major Payment Institution). EBANX is the first, as of now, the only Brazilian company that has this license here in Singapore. It represents our commitment to regulatory compliance and the security that we offer to our merchants and also to our clients.” The license builds on EBANX’s recent strategic steps in Asia, such as its partnership with YES BANK and the appointment of a country director to lead its operations in India. Where Merchants Gain the Edge in Global Commerce In an era where cross-border commerce is being reshaped by real-time payments, alternative payment methods, and rising consumer markets, APAC merchants have more competition than ever. In tandem, regions like South Asia, Africa, and Latin America are set to see significant digital commerce growth, driven largely by the adoption of local payment methods. The EBANX APAC Payments Summit offers a rare vantage point into these shifts, combining market intelligence, live case studies, and access to on-the-ground players from across these high-growth economies. When queried about various payment methods across different regions and how to balance innovation with fraud prevention and compliance, Fernanda dives in, “When you know the market, when you know how the payment methods work, when you have a local team that is also a consumer, you can prevent fraud and be compliant with regulations easily. EBANX is ahead of the game since the beginning, and this is our footprint in the region.“ For APAC merchants with global ambitions and the readiness to meet consumers on their own payment terms, this Payments Summit, due to be held at the prestigious Karl Lagerfeld Hotel, is where market intelligence meets market access. It’s where you leave with the strategies and insights that make it happen. Featured image by EBANX on EBANX The post EBANX’s Payments Summit Heads to Macau, to Spotlight Emerging Market Opportunities appeared first on Fintech Singapore.