Singapore-based wealthtech startup Chocolate Finance grew assets under management to nearly S$1.1 billion in its first full commercial year, though it remained loss-making as it invested heavily in expansion. Regulatory filings reviewed by DealStreetAsia show the company generated S$5.3 million (US$4.2 million) in revenue and recorded a net loss of S$6.55 million (US$5.2 million) for the 16-month period ended 30 April 2025. The reporting window spans 1 January 2024 to 30 April 2025 and follows a change in its financial year-end from December to April, making the figures not directly comparable with the previous 12-month filing ended 31 December 2023. Assets under management scaled to nearly S$1.1 billion during the period, while the platform’s user base crossed 100,000. Performance fees accounted for S$4.61 million of revenue, with the remainder from card interchange and foreign exchange income. The firm charges customers only when returns are generated, with fees accrued daily and crystallised annually. Marketing and incentives totalled S$3.9 million, IT development and maintenance costs reached S$2.9 million, and employee costs stood at S$3.02 million, reflecting continued investment in growth. Total equity declined to S$6.55 million from S$13.1 million as of 31 December 2023, while liabilities rose to S$5.78 million, including working capital facilities and convertible instruments. Growth Momentum Tempered by March Withdrawal Pause During the reporting period, Chocolate Finance temporarily suspended its instant withdrawal feature in March 2025 due to high volumes, extending processing times to three to 10 working days. The surge reportedly followed a personal finance influencer publicly withdrawing funds after the company discontinued AXS bill payment support tied to its rewards programme. Founder and CEO Walter de Oude acknowledged communication missteps in implementing the changes. In July, the company raised US$15 million in a Series A+ round led by Nikko Asset Management, with participation from Peak XV Partners, Prosus Ventures and Saison Capital. It also secured regulatory approval to operate in Hong Kong, marking its first market outside Singapore. Chocolate Finance, which launched a pilot in August 2023 and commenced commercial operations in July 2024 after obtaining regulatory licences, said it is targeting profitability by 2027. De Oude told DealStreetAsia that revenue expectations for 2026 are higher than originally planned and that the fresh capital will support expansion into Hong Kong, the UAE and Japan over the next two years, alongside a corporate account product in Singapore expected in the second quarter of 2026.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mrsiraphol via Freepik The post Chocolate Finance Scales to S$1.1 Billion AUM, Targets Profitability by 2027 appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Indian fintech IDfy raised ₹476 crore (approximately US$52.3 million) to expand its identity verification and risk management business. The round was led by Neo Asset Management Pvt. Ltd. and included a mix of primary capital and secondary share sales. Existing investors Blume Ventures, Analog Capital, Elev8 Venture Partners, IndiaMART InterMESH Limited and Kae Capital also participated. IDfy said the fresh capital will support international expansion, strategic acquisitions and further development of its digital trust and privacy offerings. Founded over a decade ago, IDfy provides identity verification, digital onboarding and risk management solutions to enterprises across sectors including banking, fintech and e-commerce. The company now serves over 1,500 enterprise clients and processes more than 500 million checks annually. Its product suite includes tools for know-your-customer and know-your-business compliance, background screening, fraud detection and onboarding workflows delivered through APIs and SaaS platforms.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user28313935 via Freepik   The post Indian Regtech Firm IDfy Raises Over US$52 Million appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The National Payments Corporation of India has partnered with NVIDIA to advance sovereign AI model capabilities tailored to the country’s digital payments ecosystem. The collaboration centres on building a payments-native AI foundation model aligned with India’s regulatory and data sovereignty requirements. NPCI will use the NVIDIA Nemotron family of open models, including open weights, training data and recipes, as part of its development approach. The initiative marks a shift from use-case–specific AI tools toward a scalable foundational layer designed for high-volume, low-latency payment environments. It combines NPCI’s experience operating population-scale, real-time payment systems with NVIDIA’s AI and accelerated computing platforms. The next phase will explore architectures such as Mixture of Experts to manage multilingual datasets and agent-optimised systems at scale. NPCI said the platform is intended to support trust frameworks, grievance redressal and operational intelligence, while maintaining safeguards around data security, sovereignty and responsible AI governance. The move builds on NPCI’s pilot of the UPI Help Assistant, supported by FiMI, the Financial Model for India, a fine-tuned Small Language Model developed for the payments ecosystem to improve grievance resolution for users. Vishal Kanvaty Vishal Kanvaty, Chief Technology Officer, NPCI, said, “Through this collaboration with NVIDIA, NPCI aims to advance AI capabilities designed specifically for India’s payments ecosystem. Drawing from our experience of operating population-scale, real-time payment systems, this initiative is designed to create a sovereign, payments-native AI foundation that strengthens trust, resilience, and security, while remaining aligned with India’s regulatory and data sovereignty requirements. As we evolve from use-case–led AI deployments to a foundational and scalable AI layer, our focus remains on enabling the broader ecosystem to innovate responsibly through robust governance frameworks and secure, future-ready infrastructure.” Vishal Dhupar “India has one of the most advanced digital payment systems in the world that operates at population scale where trust, resilience, and performance are fundamental. With accelerated computing and AI, we aim to strengthen India’s fintech infrastructure while enabling responsible innovation across the ecosystem,” said Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Asia South, NVIDIA.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by wahyu_t via Freepik The post NPCI Taps NVIDIA to Build Sovereign AI Model for India’s Digital Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Sri Lanka has launched its Digital Nomad Visa program, allowing remote workers to live on the island for up to 12 months. The visa program is intended to attract foreign professionals who work for overseas clients, and position Sri Lanka as a preferred long-stay digital destination. Officially launched in February 2026, Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa grants holders legal residency for one year in the country, with the option to renew. Holders are permitted to open and maintain personal bank accounts in Sri Lanka, rent or lease property, enroll dependent children in international or private schools, and access Sri Lankan telecommunications, Internet, utilities, co‑working spaces, information and communication technology (ICT) programs, and tourism related events organized by government or private sector entities. Holders of the Digital Nomad Visa are not allowed to engage in local employment within Sri Lanka, or earn income from domestic sources, and must refrain from any political or disruptive activities. Furthermore, any changes in employment, income or dependents must be notified to the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days. Eligibility and financial requirements Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa is available to foreign nationals who are 18 years or older, and who work exclusively for clients outside the country. The primary applicant must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of US$2,000, and if the number of dependents exceeds two, an additional US$500 per month must be shown for each extra dependent. This income threshold makes Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa one of the most accessible in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, comparable to Malaysia’s DE Rantau program, which requires a minimum annual income of US$24,000 for IT professionals and related fields. Launched in October 2022, the DE Rantau program targets digital professionals exploring Southeast Asia. It’s administered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, and is valid for three to 12 months and renewable for another 12, allowing up to 24 months total. Fees are MYR 1,000 (around US$252) for the main applicant and MYR 500 per dependent. In comparison, Bali’s E33G visa demands proof of at least US$60,000 annual income from foreign sources, plus US$2,000 in savings held for three months. It provides one year of legal residence with multiple-entry privileges. Meanwhile, Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa, launched in March 2024, requires an annual income of a minimum of JPY 10 million (US$65,000). It permits holders to live and work remotely from Japan for up to six months, and includes special provisions for accompanying spouses and children. Other digital nomad visa programs in APAC, include Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa, which offers a five-year, multiple-entry visa and allows for stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable to 360 days, and Taiwan’s Digital Nomad Visitor Visa, which allows foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries to extend their stay duration for up to six months with no requirement to leave Taiwan. Applying to Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa To apply to Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa, candidates must complete the visa application form, and submit a photocopy of their passport that’s valid for at least six months, along with two recent passport-sized photographs. Applicants must produce a clean criminal‑record certificate issued within the past three months, international health insurance coverage valid in Sri Lanka, proof of the required monthly income for the applicant and any dependents, as well as a recommendation from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Digital Economy. They must also provide a marriage certificate for their spouse, birth certificates for their dependents, a complete security clearance form, and a medical clearance report. All materials are to be submitted via the Department of Immigration and Emigration website. The visa is valid for one year, and is renewable annually. It costs US$500 per person. The rise of digital nomads Sri Lanka’s Digital Nomad Visa joins a growing list of digital nomad programs that have emerged around the world. These programs are designed to attract high-earning professionals, bring income into the country without displacing local workers, and stimulate local economies through spending on housing, food, and services. According to UN Tourism, about half of all global destinations now offer digital nomad visas. These destinations are targeting a segment estimated to include over 35 million individuals who collectively spend about US$787 billion each year.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by rawpixel.com and pranavkr via Freepik The post Sri Lanka Launches Digital Nomad Visa appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Cloudflare and Mastercard have formed a strategic partnership to develop cybersecurity tools tailored for small businesses, government agencies and critical infrastructure providers. The collaboration combines Mastercard’s attack surface monitoring capabilities from Recorded Future and RiskRecon with Cloudflare’s application security portfolio. The aim is to help organisations identify previously unknown internet-facing assets, assess their cyber posture and automate remediation of hidden risks. As companies layer in new vendors, outsourced services, shadow IT and legacy systems, their external exposure often expands without full visibility. This creates blind spots that attackers can exploit. The joint solution is designed to give organisations a unified view of their attack surface and allow them to map, prioritise and address risks from a single platform. Through Recorded Future, users can discover public-facing domains, software stacks and exposed infrastructure. Organisations will receive a continuously updated A–F security rating based on checks across software vulnerabilities, authentication weaknesses, exposed infrastructure and third-party risks. These findings will appear within Cloudflare’s dashboard, prioritised by asset criticality and severity. Security controls such as web application firewall protections, encryption and automated defenses can be activated directly through the same interface to mitigate identified risks. Stephanie Cohen Stephanie Cohen, Chief Strategy Officer at Cloudflare, said,  “For small businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments, a cyberattack is more than a technical hurdle. It is an existential threat. Often considered ‘target rich but resource poor,’ these organisations are strategic targets and are often attacked at a greater rate than global enterprise or Fortune 500 organisations. This partnership brings together the best in cyber defense so that these underserved organisations don’t fall victim to the growing number of cyberattacks.” Johan Gerber Johan Gerber, Global Head of Security Solutions at Mastercard, said, “With small businesses accounting for about half of the world’s GDP, closing the resilience gap is critical to securing the foundation of our global economy. Our collaboration with Cloudflare propels our mission to secure the digital ecosystem in partnership with governments and other key players, empowering businesses to focus on what matters most: their productivity and growth.”       Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by 3Dsss via Freepik   The post Cloudflare, Mastercard to Offer Cybersecurity Tools for Small Businesses appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Payoneer plans to roll out stablecoin features as part of its push to streamline cross-border money movement for small and medium-sized businesses. The new capabilities will be embedded within the Payoneer platform and powered by Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider owned by Stripe. The integration will allow businesses to securely receive, hold and send stablecoins as part of their day-to-day global financial operations. Payoneer said the features will provide end-to-end stablecoin workflows directly within its platform. A wholesaler will be able to receive customer payments in stablecoins, while a marketing agency can use stablecoins to pay overseas suppliers or contractors. Funds can be held in stablecoins or withdrawn to a local bank account when required. Payoneer expects to launch the stablecoin capabilities in select markets in the second quarter of 2026, with broader availability planned later in the year as functionality and geographic coverage expand. Businesses can register interest for early access through the company’s website. The company serves nearly two million customers worldwide and said the new capabilities will operate within its existing compliance framework, which is built to support cross-border SMBs. John Caplan “No-friction money movement is essential for global business. In partnering with Bridge, we’re bringing stablecoin into Payoneer’s trusted financial stack in a way that prioritizes compliance, speed, security, and simplicity. This is about rethinking how money moves across borders for real businesses, not as an experiment, but as a scalable financial capability.” said John Caplan, Chief Executive Officer of Payoneer. Zach Abrams “Bridge was built to abstract away the hardest parts of blockchain infrastructure so companies like Payoneer can focus on building great financial experiences. Together, we’re making stablecoins a practical and secure option for every day cross border money movement.” said Zach Abrams, Co-founder and CEO of Bridge.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Freepik The post Payoneer to Roll Out Stablecoin Capabilities for International Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Payoneer plans to roll out stablecoin features as part of its push to streamline cross-border money movement for small and medium-sized businesses. The new capabilities will be embedded within the Payoneer platform and powered by Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider owned by Stripe. The integration will allow businesses to securely receive, hold and send stablecoins as part of their day-to-day global financial operations. Payoneer said the features will provide end-to-end stablecoin workflows directly within its platform. A wholesaler will be able to receive customer payments in stablecoins, while a marketing agency can use stablecoins to pay overseas suppliers or contractors. Funds can be held in stablecoins or withdrawn to a local bank account when required. Payoneer expects to launch the stablecoin capabilities in select markets in the second quarter of 2026, with broader availability planned later in the year as functionality and geographic coverage expand. Businesses can register interest for early access through the company’s website. The company serves nearly two million customers worldwide and said the new capabilities will operate within its existing compliance framework, which is built to support cross-border SMBs. John Caplan “No-friction money movement is essential for global business. In partnering with Bridge, we’re bringing stablecoin into Payoneer’s trusted financial stack in a way that prioritizes compliance, speed, security, and simplicity. This is about rethinking how money moves across borders for real businesses, not as an experiment, but as a scalable financial capability.” said John Caplan, Chief Executive Officer of Payoneer. Zach Abrams “Bridge was built to abstract away the hardest parts of blockchain infrastructure so companies like Payoneer can focus on building great financial experiences. Together, we’re making stablecoins a practical and secure option for every day cross border money movement.” said Zach Abrams, Co-founder and CEO of Bridge.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Freepik The post Payoneer to Roll Out Stablecoin Capabilities for International Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore announced at the Budget 2026 the formation of a workgroup to strengthen its position as a leading centre for growth capital. The Growth Capital Workgroup will be chaired by Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development and Deputy Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It will comprise private and public sector representatives, with support from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It will recommend measures to support the financing needs of companies from Singapore and the region across various growth stages. Bank loans remain the primary source of financing in many Asian economies. Policymakers are seeking to widen capital channels as global investors diversify to manage risks and capture growth opportunities. Singapore sees scope to reinforce its role as a regional growth capital hub. The initiative builds on the Equities Market Review Group’s efforts to strengthen the equities market and complements recommendations from the recent Economic Strategy Review Mid-term Update. The workgroup will examine venture capital, private equity, private credit and securitised assets. Its review will cover the financing value chain, from deal origination and capital raising to mobilisation and capital recycling, with the aim of supporting Singapore’s startup ecosystem and a new generation of enterprises scaling regionally and globally. The workgroup aims to complete its review by end-2027 and will provide interim updates on its recommendations.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Who is Danny via Freepik The post Singapore Sets Up Growth Capital Workgroup at Budget 2026 appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS Bank has launched instant remittances to Weixin Pay, expanding cross-border transfers into the Chinese mainland. Introduced with TenPay Global, Tencent’s cross-border payment platform, the service enables DBS customers to send funds through DBS Remit on the digibank app. Customers can transfer money directly to a recipient’s Weixin Pay wallet or linked bank cards. Funds are credited almost immediately and can be used for transfers, top-ups and spending within the Weixin ecosystem, which serves more than one billion users globally. TenPay Global supports remittances from over 100 countries and regions into Weixin Pay. Customers add recipients using their Weixin or WeChat registered phone number and complete a one-time 12-hour cooling period before the first transfer. Subsequent payments are processed instantly after the amount and purpose are submitted. The launch comes ahead of Chinese New Year, when DBS typically sees about a 30% increase in remittances to China. DBS and TenPay Global are also working to link DBS PayLah! with Weixin Pay, allowing more than three million users to scan or present QR codes at tens of millions of merchants across the Chinese mainland. Sanjoy Sen Sanjoy Sen, Group Head of DBS Consumer Bank, said, “We’ve been seeing consistent double-digit year-on-year growth in DBS Remit funds sent to China, reflecting the strength of cross-border ties between Singapore and the Chinese mainland. The launch of this service is timely with Chinese New Year approaching. During this festive season, we typically see around a 30% increase in remittances to China. Through our partnership with TenPay Global, we’re glad to be able to offer customers a trusted, seamless way to move money instantly and with confidence, at scale and with zero fees.” Wenhui Yang Wenhui Yang, CEO of TenPay Global Singapore, said, “By connecting Weixin Pay with DBS’ trusted banking and payment platforms, we are delivering compliant and user-centric cross-border solutions that simplify how money moves and how payments are made across borders. This partnership reflects our shared ambition to unlock new possibilities for economic exchange and to support secure, everyday digital payment experiences in an increasingly connected world.”     Featured image: DBS Group CEO Tan Su Shan (centre in red) and Forest Lin (fifth from right), Corporate Vice President of Tencent and Head of Tencent Financial Technology   The post DBS Launches Instant Remittances to Weixin Pay in China appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) concluded on 27 January 2026, marking a success for Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem as it showcased the city’s strengths in empowering the industry. Jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the forum served as a super-connector, attracting 4000+ global leaders from more than 60 countries and regions to deliberate on the theme “Co-Creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape.” A Global Stage for Strategic Dialogue & Cooperation The two-day event featured a high-powered lineup of 150+ speakers, including financial institution representatives and leaders of multilateral organisations. The forum also launched the inaugural Global Business Summit to promote greater integration between finance and key industries, supporting innovation and economic development. The initiative is intended to contribute to Hong Kong’s continued development in the year ahead, in its latest chapter, by reinforcing its role through financial empowerment. At the Keynote Luncheon on the first day of AFF, Dr José Manuel Barroso, Former President of the European Commission, Former Prime Minister of Portugal, and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Goldman Sachs International, delivered a keynote speech on Hong Kong’s role in promoting regional cooperation. He also spoke about how Asia can learn from Europe’s experience to strengthen economic integration. Dr Barroso said: Dr José Manuel Barroso “What we are seeing now is a technological race. This creates instability. And so, the major companies in the world – American, European, but also in Asia – the leaders want to see how they can position their corporations in a favourable position facing the geopolitical risk and the technological risk.” Next, at the Panel Discussion on the Global Economic Outlook, Dr Zhu Min, Member of the Senior Expert Advisory Committee of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, discussed the opportunities that renminbi internationalisation could bring to Hong Kong. He said: Dr Zhu Min “I see competition among the three major currencies. RMB internationalisation requires liquidity and a bond market – Hong Kong is perfectly positioned to provide this service.” The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau also signed a cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Gold Exchange to strengthen collaboration between the Hong Kong and Shanghai gold markets. The agreement set up a high-level cooperative governance framework for Hong Kong’s central gold clearing system. It explored opportunities for coordinated development of physical infrastructure and enhanced market connectivity. This marked progress in Hong Kong’s development as an international gold trading hub. Highlighting Hong Kong’s Role in Cross-Border Collaboration The inaugural Global Business Summit was held as part of AFF. It was jointly organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC, and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). The event started with opening remarks from Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, and Professor Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC. Prof Ma said that the financial services segment helped industries and investors maximise their investments and their impact. This, in turn, would generate far-reaching benefits, including continued technological advancement, deeper integration and sustainable development. He continued, Professor Ma “In this sense, the Global Business Summit reflects the greater emphasis we are placing on co-creation at this year’s AFF.  In these unpredictable times, working together on shared goals adds to the agility and resilience of our economies, our industries and businesses, and our communities.” He added on, saying that through the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, Hong Kong is well-suited to host such discussions and encourage collaboration across sectors, serving as a super-connector, super-collaborator and super-value-adder. He noted that the city is home to businesses worldwide and is a “bustling two-way gateway between the Chinese Mainland and the rest of the world.” In doing so, Hong Kong supports high-growth Mainland enterprises in expanding overseas while aiding high-growth foreign enterprises to access China. Commitment to Global Expansion and Cross-Border Collaboration Source: HKTDC A Pledging Ceremony was held to show the commitment by the HKSAR Government, the HKTDC and the AFF Partners in collaborating to help Chinese Mainland enterprises in expanding globally via Hong Kong and to integrate with overall national development goals. AFF Partners consisted of EY, HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered, UBS, CICC, Huatai Securities, Bank of Communication (Hong Kong and China CITIC Bank International. During the summit, a series of plenary sessions were held. These comprised Business Plenary I – Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global and Business Plenary II – Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth. Both plenary sessions focused on emerging opportunities in global market expansion as well as inbound foreign investment. Business Plenary I on “Chinese Mainland Enterprises Going Global” was chaired by Victor Chu, Chairman and CEO of First Eastern Investment Group. Business leaders from XPENG, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, LONGi Green Energy, Wusawa Advisory, Alibaba Group, Seres Group and Shanghai Investment (Holdings) took part too. The discussion centred on how Chinese Mainland Enterprises were developing global expansion strategies in response to changes in the macroeconomic environment. The speakers examined the challenges these companies faced and emerging opportunities in their efforts to grow internationally. Senior representatives from XPENG, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, LONGi Green Energy, Wusawa Advisory, Alibaba Group, Seres Group, and Shanghai Industrial Investment Holdings also took part. The discussion focused on how Chinese Mainland enterprises are developing global expansion strategies in response to changes in the macroeconomic environment. Speakers examined the challenges these companies face as well as the opportunities emerging in their efforts to grow internationally. Next, for Business Plenary II on “Strategic Collaboration for Shared Growth,” leaders from global investment institutions and business executives shared their perspectives and strategies for entering the Chinese Mainland market. The session talked about how national policies promoted stronger domestic demand and high-quality development, and in doing so, the Chinese Mainland offered ample opportunities for international companies to strengthen cross-border collaboration while expanding their presence across industry value chains. The session addressed how national policies aimed at boosting domestic demand and promoting high-quality development are creating opportunities for international companies to strengthen cross-border collaboration and expand their presence across industry value chains. Business Plenary II featured remarks by Liu Haoling, President, China Investment Corporation. It was chaired by Lincoln Pan, Chief Executive Officer, Jardine Matheson. Speakers included representatives from Banking Circle, Infineon AG, Investcorp, JP Morgan, Revolut and Triton Partners. During the session, Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman, Investcorp, said, Mohammed Alardhi “The China-Gulf Cooperation Council corridor is vital. We’re connecting companies throughout the corridor, implementing Chinese technology there, and buying Chinese vehicles for logistics. It bridges the world’s second-largest economy and the Gulf region, which is transforming with vast opportunities and capital. When you compare the valuations of Chinese companies and technologies with those from the West, there’s no comparison. There is a significant appetite in the Gulf region to partner with them.” The speakers discussed in-depth on how international firms can create new business roadmaps in the Chinese Mainland through investment, partnerships and joint ventures, while also examining Hong Kong’s crucial role as a gateway for companies entering the Chinese Mainland market. Strategic Insights in High-Growth Sectors The Asian Financial Forum held a series of in-depth discussion sessions targeting high-growth, high-value sectors. This included biomedicine and healthcare, green energy, new consumer trends, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Featuring a powerful lineup of speakers, the event focused on the critical intersections of technology and market evolution. In the featured session, “Biomedicine 2026: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,” industry leaders from Amgen and Merck highlighted the most pressing challenges currently facing the sector, specifically the high costs and lengthy cycles in research and development. To address these hurdles, the speakers emphasised the need for diversified and internationalised financing channels, which would allow financial services to serve an empowering, multiplier role in accelerating technological translation and commercialisation. Next, the event continued with high-level discussions in the sessions “AI Infrastructure: Powering the Intelligent Supply Chain” and “AI Driven Robotics and Autonomous Technologies Revolutionising Industry”. These panels featured a distinguished roster of business leaders, including representatives from DexForce Technology, JD.com and Pictet Group. The speakers explored scalable application strategies, key investment priorities and the growth momentum that was catalysed by deep ecosystem collaboration. The second session, chaired by Dr Allan Wong, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, VTech Holdings Limited, and leaders from AI² Robotics, Galbot and Tencent, offered the latest insights into how AI-driven robotics could integrate into the real economy. It had the potential to fundamentally transform sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and services. Polling Future Technology Trends and Strategies During the summit, AFF conducted real-time polling across multiple sessions. The aim was to capture participant perspectives on the global economic outlook, their expectations on future financial and technological trends, and their asset-allocation strategies. More than 70% of attendees expressed a neutral to optimistic outlook for the global economy throughout the current year. Next, 51.2% of participants believed that the development of AI and AI-driven applications was the top priority, especially given today’s rapidly evolving international landscape. This percentage was followed by energy transition and sustainable development at 20.3% This emphasis on digital transformation significantly outpaced other critical areas, with energy transition and sustainable development following at 20.3%. Strategic On-Site Deal-Making Sessions and Regional Synergy Source: HKTDC The HKTDC continued to position the AFF as a vital hub for international investment and substantive cooperation, proactively bridging the gap between global enterprises and potential partners through business-matching opportunities. This year, in collaboration with the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, the AFF Deal-making sessions attracted 280+ investors and 600+ investment projects. These sessions resulted in more than 800 one-on-one meetings, effectively funnelling global capital with investment opportunities. Success stories emerged from diverse regions, including a returning Thai participant who identified several promising co-investment partners, and an Australian food processing project owner shared that the platform helped in identifying potential partners that could provide support beyond financial investment, including practical expertise and technical guidance. To ensure the momentum continued, the matching services transitioned to an online platform on 28 January 2026  and 29 January 2026, allowing for extended networking beyond the physical event. Complementing these private deals, the Project Investment Sessions showcased Hong Kong’s strategically essential development initiatives. Key presentations focused on the Northern Metropolis, which is designed to drive cross-sector industry upgrading, and SKYTOPIA, the Airport City development aimed at solidifying the Hong Kong International Airport as a future-ready international aviation hub. Additionally, updates on the Hong Kong–Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park highlighted the city’s commitment to accelerating the I&T ecosystem within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Representatives of the respective organisations provided participants with recent project updates and investment opportunities on-site, offering participants a glimpse into the city’s long-term regional connectivity, innovation‑driven development and infrastructure enhancement plans. The tangible impact of the forum was further exemplified by a landmark collaboration in the food-tech sector. On the first day of the AFF 2026, Hong Kong-based Techvalue International and Australia’s Gryph Holdings signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a joint venture. This partnership, facilitated by the HKTDC Sydney Office through connections made at previous forums, aims to launch innovative plant-based products that can be instantly prepared with either hot or cold water. The venture plans to debut its products in Papua New Guinea before expanding into the Australian and New Zealand markets. This agreement serves as a testament to Hong Kong’s role in enabling cross-border innovation and high-tech commercialisation. Thematic Showcases Driving Green Innovation and Investment The AFF expanded its physical presence this year through four distinct thematic zones: the FutureGreen Showcase, FintechHK Start-up Salon, InnoVenture Salon, and Global Investment Zone. These hubs hosted approximately 150 exhibitors, including major institutions such as EY, which was AFF’s Knowledge Partner, as well as HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered, CICC, and Huatai Securities. A significant highlight was the debut of the FutureGreen Showcase, which focused on the current advancements in green finance and technology. By enabling capital matching for sustainable development, this zone addressed the rising global demand for green transformation. Exhibitors presented comprehensive solutions covering green certification and standards, climate-risk assessment and reporting, carbon-credit trading and management, and ESG monitoring. These presentations demonstrated the robust market demand for green transformation across different sectors. High-Level Roundtables Fostering Deep, Strategic Connections Beyond the exhibition floor, the forum featured two pivotal roundtable meetings designed to foster deep industrial connections. The Hong Kong International Fundraising Roundtable 2026 convened senior executives from the Chinese Mainland and overseas alongside leaders, as well as leaders from Hong Kong’s financial and professional services sectors. The session focused on practical strategies to address the diverse financing needs of various industries. Simultaneously, the first-ever “Attracting Strategic Enterprises: Roundtable on Hong Kong Opportunities” was co-organised by the HKTDC and OASES. This session provided a dedicated platform, which allowed key international and Chinese Mainland enterprises looking to enter or expand within the Hong Kong market to network directly with local financial or professional service providers, reinforcing the city’s role as a primary gateway for strategic business growth. The 19th Asian Financial Forum effectively consolidated the perspectives of global financial leaders and industry innovators, centring on the integration of emerging technologies and sustainable practices. By facilitating direct deal-making and outlining clear development roadmaps for regional infrastructure, the event served as a comprehensive barometer for international investment sentiment. As the forum concluded, the shift toward online matching platforms and the formalisation of cross-border agreements signalled a continued focus on maintaining momentum in global financial cooperation throughout 2026. Featured image edited by Fintech News Singapore based on image by the Asian Financial Forum The post AI Ranked No 1 Priority at Hong Kong’s Asian Financial Forum 2026 appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS has become the first bank in Asia Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce, testing AI agents that can complete payments on behalf of customers. The pilot, conducted with Visa, examines how agent-initiated transactions can run on existing card networks through secure, issuer-controlled processes. Visa Intelligent Commerce combines integrated APIs and partner tools on Visa’s infrastructure to support consent-based payments initiated by artificial intelligence. The two parties completed live food and beverage transactions using DBS and POSB credit and debit cards, showing that AI agents can execute routine purchases within established authentication and control frameworks. Reference of an agentic transaction with DBS Visa Altitude The trials will expand to use cases such as online shopping and travel bookings. DBS is also validating new authentication measures and transaction controls for agent-led payments, with safeguards overseen by both the issuer and the network. The exercise will assess how AI-driven transactions can be integrated into existing systems while maintaining regulatory, operational and security standards. Ananya Sen “AI agents are unlocking a new phase in digital payments, where routine transactions can be completed efficiently and reliably, helping customers save time and simplify everyday tasks. Our collaboration with Visa shows how agent-led payments can be deployed securely and safely at scale, giving customers confidence in how transactions are made in an AI environment. By building these capabilities across our regional footprint, we are shaping the next generation of cards and payments, setting new standards for intelligent, trusted and seamless commerce.” said Ananya Sen, Group Head of Regional Consumer Products, DBS Bank. T.R. Ramachandran “Through Visa Intelligent Commerce and Trusted Agent Protocol, we’re building the foundation that will make agentic commerce safe, secure and scalable — from AI‑ready credentials to advanced authentication. This sets the stage for how trusted, AI‑powered experiences will come to life for consumers and partners across the region.” said T.R. Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific at Visa.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post DBS First APAC Bank to Pilot AI-Powered Agent Payments with Visa appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

SBI Holdings has moved to acquire a majority stake in Singapore digital asset platform Coinhako. The Japanese financial group said its wholly owned Singapore unit has signed a letter of intent to inject capital into Coinhako and purchase shares from existing shareholders. The deal would make Coinhako a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings, subject to regulatory approvals and final terms. Coinhako operates regulated digital asset services in Singapore through Hako Technology, a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It also operates Alpha Hako, a registered virtual asset service provider in the British Virgin Islands. SBI said the proposed acquisition forms part of its global digital asset strategy and strengthens its presence in Asia. Yoshitaka Kitao “In this era of tokenisation, the importance of global infrastructure for digital assets is growing ever greater. Bringing Coinhako into the SBI Group as a consolidated subsidiary is not merely an investment in a single platform. By integrating it with the digital space ecosystem SBI Group have built, this is a solid step toward realising the SBI Group’s strategy: expanding the global corridor for digital assets and creating next-generation finance including tokenised stock and stablecoin.” said Yoshitaka Kitao, Representative Director, Chairman & President of SBI Holdings. Yusho Liu “Our alignment with the SBI Group accelerates our mission to be the premier digital asset hub for Asia. Mr. Kitao’s vision for a global digital corridor perfectly mirrors our own ambitions. With SBI Group’s extensive network and resources, Coinhako will scale its institutional-grade infrastructure to meet the surging demand for tokenised assets and stablecoins, ensuring Singapore remains at the heart of the world’s next-generation financial system.” said Yusho Liu, Co-founder and CEO of the Coinhako Group.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mkmult via Freepik The post SBI Holdings Moves to Acquire Majority Stake in Coinhako appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Grab Holdings Limited (Grab) announced its unaudited financial results for Q4 2025 and shared that it delivered its first full year of net profit. For Q4 2025, Grab’s revenue grew by 19% YoY to $906 million. Anthony Tan, Group CEO and the Co-Founder of Grab, shared, Anthony Tan “We exited 2025 with a record fourth quarter, delivering our first full year of net profit and crossing 50 million Monthly Transacting Users.” He added on, saying that Grab intends to elevate itself based on this momentum via a multi-year strategy. The said strategy would “focus on further expanding its addressable market through greater affordability and reliability, while harnessing product-led innovations”. Alex Hungate, COO and President for Grab, shared on LinkedIn, “As we enter what feels like a third era, we’re determined to show that we can continue to innovate with heart, leaning into AI-first technologies, to become the platform of choice across the region, while expanding possibilities for our partners – not just the gap with our competitors.” A $1.18 Billion Net Loan Portfolio The most significant takeaway from Grab’s Q4 2025 and FY 2025 results is Grab’s rapid maturation into a regional financial player. This transformation is anchored by customer deposits across GXS Singapore and GXBank Malaysia, which reached $1.6 billion at the end of Q4 2025, up from $1.2 billion in the previous year’s fourth quarter. Source: Alex Hungate, LinkedIn Grab attributes this growth to customer growth, and notes that a large share of these depositors came from Grab users. This indicates that Grab is converting substantial super-app engagement into regular banking relationships and sticky funding, which could effectively lower the cost of capital for its lending expansion. Next, the Grab Q4 2025 results also indicated that the company’s net loan portfolio doubled YoY to $1.18 billion compared to $536 million in Q4 2024. After removing credit loss provisions, Grab shared that its gross loan portfolio was $1.278 billion in Q4 2025, up from $586 million in the prior year. Source: Grab For the full year 2025, its financial services revenue increased by 37% YoY to $347 million. Grab attributes this YoY growth to more contributions from its lending business, a key driver. The economics of this segment are also stabilising. Adjusted EBITDA losses for Grab’s financial services segment showed improvement by as much as 6% YoY to -$25 million in Q4 2025. On a full-year basis, the same segment’s Adjusted EBITDA losses grew by 5%, which Grab highlights was due to higher credit loss provisions as its loan portfolio continued to expand. To sustain this momentum, Grab resolves to strengthen its credit risk models to scale its loan portfolio further, stating that 90-day non-performing loans are “well within its risk appetite” and that the loan portfolio “generates healthy risk-adjusted returns.” 1 out of 15 Southeast Asians Uses Grab Every Month Today, roughly 1 in 15 Southeast Asians use Grab monthly. In the regional market, Grab reached a record 50.5 million monthly transacting users (MTUs) in Q4 2025, up 15% YoY from Q4 2024. Source: Alex Hungate, LinkedIn MTUs are the monthly number of unique users who transact using Grab’s apps, either paying for or using any of Grab’s products or services. This is a metric Grab uses to evaluate and manage its business, and its management believes is necessary for investors to understand and evaluate its business, too. Grab recently acquired Stash, an investing platform based in the United States, for US$425 million in enterprise value at closing. Featured image edited by Fintech News Singapore based on image by Grab and freepik on Freepik The post Grab’s Digital Banking Deposits Hit US$1.6B in Malaysia and Singapore appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires banks to implement multifactor authentication for online banking security, in response to a parliamentary question. He was responding to a question on whether the government would work with digital-only banks to provide alternative biometric or non-facial verification options for Singpass. The question focused on ensuring accessibility for medically vulnerable users who rely on nasal ventilation masks or other medical equipment that may obstruct facial recognition. Gan said that for banks that use Singpass face verification (SFV) as one of the authentication factors, MAS expects them to offer alternative verification methods. This applies to customers who are unable to use facial recognition technology, such as those with medical conditions. Customers of banks, including digital-only banks, who encounter face verification issues can contact their bank’s customer service team for assistance.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by digitizesc via Freepik   The post Banks Must Offer Non-Facial Singpass Verification for Medically Vulnerable Users appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Citigroup approved US$42 million in total compensation for CEO Jane Fraser for 2025, up about 22 percent from the prior year, a regulatory filing cited by Reuters showed. Fraser’s total compensation for 2024 stood at US$34.5 million. For 2025, the package consists of a US$1.5 million base salary and US$6.075 million in cash incentive pay, with the remaining portion granted as deferred awards. In the filing, Citigroup said the decision reflected record performance across its core businesses, progress in resolving regulatory issues and an evaluation of CEO compensation against industry rivals. Citigroup shares climbed 65.8 percent in 2025, outperforming major U.S. banking peers as well as an index tracking bank stocks. The pay award comes as Citi continues executing a multi-year workforce reduction strategy. In January, the bank moved ahead with about 1,000 job cuts, according to people familiar with the matter and a Bloomberg report at the time. The reductions form part of a broader plan first outlined in 2023 to eliminate 20,000 roles by the end of 2026 as the lender works to simplify its organisational structure and lower expenses. Citigroup reported approximately 229,000 full-time employees as of 31 December 2024, underscoring the scale of the restructuring still underway.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post Citigroup Raises CEO Jane Fraser’s Pay to US$42 Million Amid Mass Layoffs appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has expanded its Equity Market Development Programme from S$5 billion to S$6.5 billion under Budget 2026. The increase follows an announcement by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong that the Financial Sector Development Fund will be topped up to support the programme’s expansion. Launched in February 2025, the programme was introduced based on recommendations from the Equities Market Review Group to strengthen Singapore’s local fund management industry and increase investor participation in Singapore equities. MAS has allocated S$3.95 billion across nine appointed asset managers to date and said the initiative continues to see strong interest and a robust pipeline of applications. With the higher funding cap, MAS will be able to support more high-quality asset managers whose strategies invest significantly in Singapore equities. The regulator said the expansion is expected to catalyse additional third-party investments and anchor deeper pools of capital for listed companies with strong fundamentals, supporting a well-functioning equities market. The next batch of asset managers under the programme is expected to be appointed around mid-2026.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by MAS via LinkedIn The post Singapore Raises EQDP Funding to S$6.5 Billion to Support Local Equity Markets appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

MariBank has added Weixin Pay to its Overseas Transfers service through a partnership with TenPay Global, Tencent’s cross-border payments platform. Customers in Singapore can send salaries or savings directly to their own or close relatives’ Weixin Pay wallets in China. MariBank said the expansion follows growth in its Chinese yuan transaction volumes, which it attributed partly to promotional pricing and exchange rate offerings. Users will receive competitive exchange rates and a transfer fee waiver until 30 June 2026, subject to terms and conditions. Transactions that do not proceed will not be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. The bank provides remittance services to retail customers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The addition of Weixin Pay expands its Singapore-China payment corridor. Natalia Goh Natalia Goh, EO of MariBank, said, “Through our partnership with TenPay Global, we’re making cross-border remittances to Weixin Pay as seamless as a local transfer. We’re removing the friction from international payments and managing global transfers and expenses instantly.” Wenhui Yang Yang Wenhui, CEO of TenPay Global Singapore, said, “At TenPay Global, we are committed to helping our users stay connected no matter where they reside. Through this partnership with MariBank, we look forward to becoming a bridge for individuals sending money home. We will continue to develop solutions that will enhance cross-border connectivity with our customers at the heart of it.” MariBank Overseas Transfers supports transfers to more than 40 countries in 20 currencies, with funds credited almost instantly or within one to three business days depending on destination.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Weixin Pay  The post MariBank Adds Weixin Pay to Overseas Transfers for Retail, SME Users appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The US$2.5 trillion SME credit gap in the Asia Pacific remains a significant challenge for traditional banks. Joe Udomdejwatana of Axe Finance joins us to discuss how the Axe Credit Portal (ACP) is transforming lending infrastructure. Key Highlights Composable architecture avoids high-risk “rip and replace” projects. Tools like Axe Studio and Axe BPM empower compliance officers to manage regulatory shifts. Predictive scoring with explainability models replaces “black box” AI with a transparent “glass box” approach. Lending 3.0 focuses on “intelligent adaptability” to process data in real time. The post How to Solve the US$2.5 Trillion SME Credit Gap in Asia Pacific appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Aspire has partnered Antler to reach more early-stage founders as it targets a 2.3x increase in startup customers in 2026. The Singapore-based finance platform recorded 46 percent year-on-year growth among startups globally last year. The partnership gives founders access to Aspire’s financial infrastructure at inception as they begin operating across markets. Antler invests in hundreds of startups across Southeast Asia and Japan each year. Andrea Baronchelli “Partnering with Antler lets us reach founders at the exact moment they’re making critical infrastructure decisions. We’re seeing exceptional momentum — because founders increasingly understand that fragmented financial tools slow you down. When you’re moving money in multiple currencies and hiring across continents, you need one platform that just works.” said Andrea Baronchelli, CEO and co-founder of Aspire. Aspire said activity across its startup base has accelerated. Artificial intelligence companies accounted for about 30 percent of new additions, in line with funding patterns that saw AI capture close to half of global venture funding in 2025. Startup customers are processing 50 percent more in annual payments than two years ago, despite tighter funding conditions. New customers are also executing 30 percent more foreign exchange transactions in their first 30 days compared with earlier cohorts. Hiro Kiga “At Antler, we are the first institutional investor for hundreds of startups across Southeast Asia and Japan each year, many of which are global from day one. As these teams build and operate across multiple markets early on, the need for integrated systems that can support cross-border operations becomes clear very quickly. This partnership strengthens the support system around how founders work today, and our commitment to ensuring they have the right foundations in place as they scale internationally.” said Hiro Kiga, Partner at Antler Southeast Asia and Japan. The expansion forms part of Aspire’s broader growth across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States, supported by new regulatory licences, market launches and partnerships.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by LensMastersCollection via Freepik The post Aspire Aims to More Than Double Its Startup Clients Through Antler Partnership appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

OCBC customers can now make payments at Weixin Pay merchants in mainland China directly through the bank’s app. The new feature allows users to scan Weixin Pay QR codes in China without using a separate payment app, expanding the bank’s overseas QR payment coverage. Customers can also use the app to pay Alipay+ and UnionPay merchants through the same interface. Alipay+ and Weixin Pay account for more than 90 percent of mobile payment transactions in China. The app displays exchange rates in real time before confirmation, and the bank said there are no additional fees for these transactions. OCBC said it is the only bank in Singapore that enables customers to scan and pay across all major merchant QR codes in mainland China. The capability is supported through its collaboration with UnionPay International. Its Scan and Pay function is available in 57 destinations, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. China is the top overseas market for the feature. Last year, one in five overseas Scan and Pay transactions made through the app took place in China. The average transaction value in China is nearly double that of other overseas markets. Regina Lim Regina Lim, Head of Card Payments and Personal Loans at OCBC, said, “Our customers have a strong appetite for travel. With the Lunar New Year looming, this service will especially benefit customers travelling to China for the festivities. In China, where cashless payments are the default and not the exception, our customers do not even need to download another payment app.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by OCBC The post OCBC Only Singapore Bank to Cover All Major China QR Payment Networks appeared first on Fintech Singapore.