The Bank of England, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Bank of Thailand have announced a collaboration to explore the technical and policy implications of settling foreign exchange (FX) transactions using synchronised settlement mechanisms. Building on insights from Project Meridian FX, the collaboration will test synchronised FX settlement across a range of technical and institutional environments. Initial experiments will use simulated versions of participating central banks’ Real Time Gross Settlement systems and Distributed Ledger Technology-based settlement environments to examine interoperability between the central banks’ systems and complex, multilateral scenarios involving different settlement infrastructures. The experiments aim to enable atomic, real-time FX transactions that are secure and interoperable across diverse systems. The collaboration will explore synchronisation’s potential to support Payment versus Payment (PvP) FX settlement across jurisdictions with varying infrastructures, time zones, and regulatory frameworks. Tom Mutton, Director of Fintech at the Bank of England, said, Tom Mutton “This project explores, in more realistic conditions, how synchronisation solutions might support an open and effective global financial system by providing a new, innovative FX settlement channel. This, together with our RT2 Synchronisation Lab, forms part of our wider roadmap to support innovation and new functionality in money and payments.” Kenneth Gay, Chief Fintech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said, Kenneth Gay “To realise the potential of tokenised financial systems, international cooperation is needed to foster the development of open and interoperable networks. We look forward to exploring how synchronised settlement can enhance interoperability across different jurisdictions and infrastructures through this collaboration.” Thammarak Moenjak, Senior Director, Digital Currency Policy and Development Unit at the Bank of Thailand said, Thammarak Moenjak “This joint initiative, linking different settlement infrastructures through an interoperable and synchronized mechanism, will potentially enhance the efficiency of conducting FX Payment versus Payment (FX PvP) transactions and support cross-border Delivery versus Payment (DvP) use cases.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Who is Danny via Freepik The post UK, Singapore and Thailand Central Banks Collaborate on FX Settlement appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore and Germany have agreed to work on tokenised cross-border settlement under a new MoU between the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Deutsche Bundesbank. The cooperation aims to improve international financial transactions, including flows between both countries. The agreement covers joint development of settlement solutions that can reduce the cost and processing time of cross-border transfers. The two central banks will also promote common standards for payments, foreign exchange and securities flows involving tokenised assets to support interoperability across digital asset platforms. The partnership builds on MAS’ Project Guardian, launched in 2022 to explore how asset tokenisation can enhance liquidity and market efficiency. The Bundesbank joined the Guardian Policymaker Group in November 2024. Both regulators said the collaboration augments the strong financial cooperation between Singapore and Germany. Leong Sing Chiong Leong Sing Chiong, MAS Deputy Managing Director (Markets and Development), said, “Through this new partnership with the Deutsche Bundesbank on digital asset settlement, we hope to enhance financial connectivity in ways that benefit individuals, corporates and financial market participants in both our economies. This also lays the groundwork for future digital financial infrastructure.” Burkhard Balz Burkhard Balz, Bundesbank Executive Board Member, added, “The partnership with MAS reflects our shared commitment to advancing new financial infrastructures. Together, we aim to foster technological innovation and set new standards for efficiency and interoperability in international payments and securities transactions.”   The post Singapore and Germany Regulators to Work on Tokenised Cross-Border Settlement appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

ASEAN fintech funding dropped 36 percent to around US$835 million in the first nine months of 2025, but Singapore continued to draw the lion’s share of capital and strengthened its role as the region’s hub. Funding drops to nine-year low as investors turn cautious The Fintech in ASEAN 2025: Navigating the New Realities report, released by UOB, PwC Singapore and the Singapore Fintech Association, shows that the region recorded its lowest funding level since 2016 and the fewest deals in a decade. Investors remained cautious amid market volatility and shifted their focus toward companies that could demonstrate clearer progress on profitability and scale. Deal activity fell sharply across the six largest ASEAN economies, with only 53 transactions in the first nine months of 2025. Despite the slowdown, the average deal size increased 42 percent to US$21.4 million as capital concentrated around firms with stronger fundamentals. Late-stage companies captured 67 percent of total funding, a 24 percentage point increase from last year, supported by three mega deals amounting to nearly US$450 million. Average late-stage deal values rose to about US$112 million, reflecting continued investor confidence in firms with established revenue models. Singapore widens its lead while regional markets face pressure Singapore remained the region’s strongest performer. It attracted more than US$725 million, or 87 percent of ASEAN’s total funding, up from 57 percent last year. The country also accounted for more than half of all deals, driven largely by activity in blockchain for financial services and investment technology. Pre-series and early-stage rounds made up most of Singapore’s deal count, indicating ongoing opportunities for emerging players. Eight of ASEAN’s ten most-funded fintechs this year are based in Singapore, including five late-stage firms. Conditions were tougher elsewhere. Indonesia’s share of funding fell from 20 percent to four percent, and its deal count dropped from 23 to 10. The Philippines matched Indonesia with five deals, including an early-stage round for lending platform Salmon, which secured ASEAN’s sixth most funded deal. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam together accounted for less than 10 percent of regional funding and saw a noticeable decline in activity. The report notes that ASEAN’s fintech sector is shifting toward more disciplined growth, with realistic valuations, tighter cost management and a stronger emphasis on long-term sustainability. Despite the downturn, the region continues to test fintechs on their ability to sustain innovation in a volatile and uncertain environment. Cross-border collaboration and regulatory alignment remain important to supporting long-term competitiveness. Janet Young Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head, Channels & Digitalisation and Strategic Communications & Brand, UOB, said, “As ASEAN’s fintech sector recalibrates, innovators continue to show remarkable resilience. The rise in average deal size and strong performance of late-stage companies underscore investor confidence in the region’s long-term potential as a thriving digital economy. We believe that innovation is the key to driving sustainable growth and financial inclusion. Guided by our commitment to building the future of ASEAN, we will continue to foster collaboration, support the catalysing of new solutions and empower businesses to seize the opportunities in the digital future.” Holly Fang Holly Fang, President, Singapore Fintech Association, said, “Singapore’s position as the region’s leading fintech hub reflects the strength of its collaborative ecosystem, where regulators, financial institutions, and innovators work together to drive meaningful change and sustainable growth. The sector’s focus on sustainable growth and profitability marks an important step in the maturation of the fintech ecosystem, where firms are being tested on their ability to sustain innovation amid an increasingly volatile and uncertain environment.” The Fintech in ASEAN 2025: Navigating the New Realities report was launched at the Singapore Fintech Festival.     The post Singapore Bags 87% of ASEAN Fintech Funding as Regional Total Slips to US$835M appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The future of finance is unfolding in powerful waves, shaped by the convergence of technology, talent, and imagination. AI and other technologies drive decisions at scale, digital ecosystems blur the lines between industries, and innovation increasingly moves without borders. Yet for all this acceleration, one reality endures: human capability is what turns technology into real impact. Nowhere is this more evident than in Singapore, where talent has long been treated as strategic infrastructure. The nation’s skill-first mindset recognises that human capital fuels everything else: innovation, competitiveness, and the ability to build world-class fintech products that scale. The latest SFA Fintech Talent Report captures this reality with clarity and depth. Drawing from a wide base of real-world perspectives, founders, hiring managers, educators, and job seekers, it distils today’s talent landscape into sharp insights and forward-looking strategies. The report reflects what’s actually happening on the ground: how companies are hiring, how candidates are moving, and how roles are evolving in a digital-first economy. Some findings are surprising, others deeply validating. For instance, 92% of employers say communication and teamwork matter more than certifications (a mere 8%), underscoring a shift toward adaptable, people-centred talent in a sector often stereotyped as purely technical. And that’s just the beginning. What else is reshaping the fintech talent equation in Singapore, and what does it say about where the industry is heading next? What’s the State of Fintech Talent Like in Singapore? Singapore stands among the world’s 12 global tech powerhouses, an achievement that surprises no one familiar with its ecosystem. The country’s mature digital infrastructure, deep talent pool, and pro-innovation policies have created an environment where ambitious companies can scale with confidence. Despite its compact footprint, Singapore competes head-to-head with giants like China and India, and is now actively shaping its future as an AI powerhouse by accelerating talent development and expanding global partnerships. The goal is clear: to anchor itself firmly in the next era of intelligent innovation. Tawishi Singh, Vice-President of the Singapore Fintech Association, shared, Tawishi Singh “Singapore has long been a global hub for fintech, with talent at the heart of its success. Future-proofing the sector means equipping employees with both hard and soft skills to thrive alongside evolving technologies such as AI.” Source: SFA Fintech Talent Report 2025 This strength is reflected in how fintech teams are built today. While Singapore remains the primary hub, many organisations now operate with talent distributed across the wider APAC region, a sign of increasingly hybrid, regionally integrated workforce models. The survey also reveals what will drive fintech hiring in the year ahead. Business growth priorities, cost optimisation, and shifting geopolitical or macroeconomic conditions top the list. Almost 70% of companies cite budget constraints as a key hurdle. Yet, a significant 62% still plan to increase headcount to support expansion, underscoring both cautious spending and sustained confidence in the sector’s potential. Tech Companies Now Hire With a Strategic, Targeted Approach The biggest question in talent management has always been this: where do you find, retain, and upskill talent to match the industry? The current favoured approach is to be both strategic and precise. While 54% of surveyed companies are still hiring significantly, fintechs are now also going beyond tech, and increasingly seeking out product managers, partnership leads, and senior regulatory experts. Source: SFA Fintech Talent Report 2025 Still, the most in-demand roles remain anchored in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, product management, and compliance. Flexible models are also rising. Companies are turning to contract specialists and project-based hires to stay agile while managing costs. On the other side of the equation, candidates are selective. Job seekers prioritise career growth, exposure to advanced technologies, and hybrid work arrangements. With 91% of fintech applicants in Singapore holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree, strong academic credentials clearly give candidates a solid advantage when entering this fast-moving industry. The Three Talent Pressures Reshaping The Fintech Workforce Singapore’s fintech employers are navigating three pressing talent challenges. First, the 2025 SFA survey highlights a growing difficulty in filling senior and C-suite roles. These positions are the hardest to close because top talent is often pulled toward markets like India, the United States, and China, where compensation packages can run up to 30% higher. This creates a smaller local talent pool and intensifies competition for experienced leaders. Second, AI job demand surged by up to 40% in 2025, with specialist roles commanding salaries of up to S$200k annually. But automation brings a parallel challenge: while it increases efficiency, it also creates new demand for AI governance, ethics, and risk experts. Companies now need to balance technological advancement with strong human oversight. Third, the skills gap remains a structural issue. While 41% of fintech roles require technical skills, 36% demand non-tech functional expertise, according to MyCareersFuture. Yet many candidates lack regulatory and compliance knowledge, pushing firms to invest heavily in upskilling. Specialists in AI, cloud, and compliance now command salary premiums of 20% to 35%, adding pressure to hiring budgets. In response, companies are prioritising senior hires and shifting toward split workforce models, anchoring leadership teams in Singapore while offshoring engineering talent to Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. Source: SFA Fintech Talent Report 2025 But to truly win the talent war, employers will need to rethink compensation, strengthen retention strategies, and build clear career pathways that keep leadership rooted in Singapore while tapping wider regional talent pools for scale. The Expectation Gap Between Employers and Employees Despite the survey showing that 84% of hiring needs are in commercial, technical, and product roles, active applicants only meet 47% of market demand, with the largest gaps appearing in commercial and tech functions. What’s even more striking is the mismatch in priorities. Industry professionals place heavy emphasis on technical skills such as AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity for the year ahead. Hiring managers, however, see things differently: 92% prioritise soft skills, and 85% highlight adaptability and learning agility. Source: SFA Fintech Talent Report 2025 The takeaway is clear: technical expertise may get you noticed, but soft skills determine how far you go. A widening disconnect is also emerging between what talent wants and what employers can realistically offer. 67% of professionals cite salary as the top reason for switching jobs, just behind career progression. Yet on the employer side, 70% say budget constraints will shape hiring strategies in the coming year, and only 11% consider offering competitive pay a priority. Talent, meanwhile, is taking ownership of their development. Professionals are actively upskilling or reskilling through online courses, mentorship programmes, and in-person workshops, signalling a workforce that is hungry to stay relevant. Source: SFA Fintech Talent Report 2025 At the same time, expectations around work have shifted. 62% rank remote or hybrid flexibility and work-life balance as top pull factors, and 60% of hybrid workers would consider leaving if office time increases. Together, these trends show that while candidates are willing to invest in themselves, they expect employers to meet them halfway with modern, flexible work environments. The Real Differentiator? Alignment Between Employers and Talent The SFA Fintech Talent Report makes one thing unmistakably clear: technological progress may set the pace, but it is human capability that determines how far the sector can go. And today, that capability is shaped by shifting expectations on both sides of the talent equation. Employers must evolve. Companies will need to refine how they assess potential, rethink pay structures, and build environments that reward adaptability, learning agility, and cross-functional collaboration. Budget pressures may be real, but talent will gravitate toward workplaces that offer meaningful growth, clarity of progression, and leaders who are both tech-fluent and mentorship-driven. Retention now matters as much as recruitment. Talent, too, must adapt. Professionals who thrive will be those who continuously learn, invest in their craft, and build authentic, intentional career narratives. Upskilling, reskilling, and contributing to projects; these are the new signals of readiness in a competitive and increasingly globalised fintech marketplace. Jon Goldstein Jon Goldstein, Managing Partner, Page Executive Southeast Asia and India, added, “The next wave of success will belong to those who combine digital innovation with human insight, creating ecosystems that are not only efficient but trusted.” Ultimately, the future of fintech talent in Singapore will hinge on alignment: between what companies need and what professionals aspire to; between technological progress and human judgment; between the ambition to scale and the ability to build sustainable, skilled teams. Singapore’s strength has always been its people, and as fintech moves into its next era, that truth only becomes more important. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by sumarnimurni on Freepik The post In Singapore’s Dynamic Talent Landscape, What Do Fintech Employers and Talent Want? appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

AI models still misinterpret Singlish so the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and A*STAR will build a voice-to-text system that can handle the mix of languages and dialects used in local conversations. MAS Managing Director Chia Der Jiun said existing tools struggle with the code-switching common in local speech, creating accuracy gaps in financial interactions that rely on transcription. The project is the first major workstream under BuildFin.ai, MAS’ new initiative bringing financial institutions, research groups and technology providers together to tackle shared AI challenges. Chia said pooling data and expertise can improve accuracy and cut duplicated effort as AI becomes more embedded across the industry. Singapore’s Broader AI and Digital Asset Work MAS is expanding its AI infrastructure. More than 30 financial institutions have set up AI competency centres here, and the PathFin.ai platform has grown from 20 participants at launch to more than 100 firms sharing validated use cases and implementation lessons. MAS will also publish its principles-based Guidelines on AI Risk Management for consultation, supported by an Executive Handbook from the Project MindForge consortium that provides practical guidance for firms deploying AI. Workforce preparation continues through the GenAI Jobs Transformation Map and training initiatives with the Institute of Banking and Finance. Chia also outlined MAS’ ongoing work in tokenisation, saying standardised assets and interoperable networks are needed to avoid fragmented liquidity. MAS has published frameworks for funds, bonds and FX under Project Guardian and is advancing interoperability through the Global Layer One initiative, which includes a market infrastructure toolkit with 108 controls drawn from established regulatory and market principles. The regulator is testing different settlement assets as activity moves on chain. DBS, OCBC and UOB recently completed Singapore’s first live wholesale CBDC settlement for overnight interbank lending, and teh regulator will next trial tokenised MAS Bills settled with CBDC. The authority is also exploring tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins as potential settlement options. Chia added that MAS is strengthening infrastructure resilience, with the newest financial institution innovation centre focusing on quantum-safe encryption in partnership with academic and industry groups. He said these efforts in AI, tokenisation and governance aim to build stronger foundations for large-scale adoption across the financial sector, and the Singlish voice-to-text initiative illustrates how targeted collaboration can solve practical industry problems. The post AI Models Struggle With Singlish So MAS Is Building Its Own Voice-To-Text Model appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) has entered a strategic partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), represented by Qatar Fintech Hub (QFTH), to establish a Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) for finance and technology in Doha. The initiative aims to promote regional collaboration, strengthen links with Asian markets, and deepen connections with Singapore’s fintech ecosystem. Under the partnership, QDB and GFTN will pursue two main initiatives. The first is the Qatar Forum, an annual fintech event in Doha integrated with GFTN’s global platforms, including the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025. The forum will bring together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, investors, startups, and academia to discuss innovation, inclusion, and the future of finance. Doha was selected due to its position as a rapidly growing fintech hub with advanced financial infrastructure and a progressive regulatory environment. The second initiative is the Doha Policy, Capacity and Innovation Centre of Excellence. The CoE will provide research and policy insights on transformative financial technologies affecting markets from Africa and Central Asia to the GCC. It will connect regulators, financial institutions, and innovators to promote collaboration and harmonised policy frameworks. The centre will also focus on capacity development through knowledge transfer, leadership programmes, and policy workshops. Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN said: Sopnendu Mohanty “Together with QDB’s deep commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and national capacity building, we are creating a platform that connects capital, policy, technology and talent into an engine for accelerated and inclusive digital growth across MENA.” Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QDB and Chairman of QFTH said: Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi “Through this partnership with GFTN’s global network, policy expertise, and digital innovation platforms, we aim to accelerate the development of local fintech capabilities, attract world-class innovators to Qatar, and complement the existing fintech infrastructure to create an ecosystem that connects local capacity with global opportunity.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by zara66579 via Freepik   The post GFTN and Qatar Development Bank Partner to Establish Global Fintech Centre in Doha appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Thunes is enabling Mashreq to send instant mobile wallet transfers to millions of customers across major remittance corridors. The partnership connects Mashreq to Thunes’ Direct Global Network, giving the bank direct access to mobile wallets in Asia, Africa and Europe. The service is designed to offer faster, more affordable, transparent and efficient cross-border transfers across key growth markets. The rollout will begin with Mashreq’s top 30 payment corridors and expand to more destinations over time. The UAE, the world’s second-largest remittance hub, is expected to process about US$47 billion in outward flows in 2025, growing at 4.7 percent annually. Both companies said the collaboration aims to meet rising demand for secure and reliable international payments. Kartik Taneja “By expanding our reach to mobile wallets through Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network, we’re empowering millions of people to send funds to around 45 new destinations instantly and more affordably than ever before. With mobile wallet users projected to exceed five billion globally in the next few years, this capability is critical to serving our customers in key growth markets and driving greater financial connectivity.” said Kartik Taneja, Head of Payments & Consumer Lending at Mashreq. Simon Nelson “We are delighted to welcome Mashreq as a Member of our Direct Global Network. This alliance further strengthens our position in the Middle East, amplifying our mission to enable more consumers to take part in the global economy through instant, borderless payments. Trusted by leading banks and financial institutions worldwide, Thunes provides the secure and reliable Network needed to move money with confidence. Together with Mashreq, we’re enabling a new wave of payment innovation and connectivity that will reshape how money moves worldwide.” said Simon Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer at Thunes. The post Mashreq to Roll Out Instant Global Mobile Wallet Transfers with Thunes appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) and PalawanPay have announced a digital partnership during the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025. The collaboration will soon allow over 20 million PalawanPay users to open an RCBC DiskarTech basic deposit account directly via the PalawanPay app, advancing financial inclusion through a “Banking-as-a-Service” model. PalawanPay, an e-wallet platform supported by more than 5,000 Palawan Express Pera Padala branches nationwide, will act as an access point for underserved Filipinos to open a “PalaSave” basic deposit account through RCBC DiskarTech, the bank’s multilingual financial app available in Taglish and Cebuano. Third Librea “Many Filipinos want to save, but traditional banking may feel intimidating,” said Third Librea, President of PalawanPay. “‘PalaSave’ aims to close the gap by offering easy and secure access to deposit products suited to different lifestyles and goals. Through RCBC’s DiskarTech, users can earn up to 4% interest without a minimum initial deposit or complex requirements.” Through the RCBC DiskarTech account, customers will be able to earn competitive interest rates while continuing to use PalawanPay’s range of financial services. Since its launch during the pandemic, DiskarTech has become one of the country’s key alternative banking platforms, offering among the highest savings rates in the market. Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer of RCBC, described the partnership as a milestone in the country’s digital finance landscape. Lito Villanueva “PalawanPay and RCBC are working towards a new era in Philippine banking. This collaboration brings together a nationwide microfinance network and a digital bank with a shared vision of improving financial literacy and deepening engagement with the banking system,” he said. Villanueva added that the initiative supports the government’s innovation agenda. “The Marcos administration has challenged us to accelerate efforts to make the Philippines a fintech innovation hub. This partnership is one of several steps towards that goal, ensuring Filipinos are financially prepared and empowered,” he said.     Featured image credit: RCBC The post RCBC, PalawanPay Partner to Boost Financial Inclusion in the Philippines appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard is expanding its payout network through a partnership with Thunes that enables direct transfers to stablecoin wallets. The collaboration, announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, will integrate Thunes’ Direct Global Network with Mastercard Move to support near real-time payouts using regulated stablecoins. Mastercard Move currently supports payouts to cards, bank accounts and cash across more than 200 markets and 150 currencies, reaching over 95% of the world’s banked population. Adding stablecoin wallets gives banks, payment providers and end-users another option for sending and receiving funds, particularly in markets with limited access to traditional channels. Thunes’ recently launched Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution will be integrated into Mastercard Move. Both companies said the feature reflects growing demand for faster, round-the-clock settlement and may help recipients manage currency volatility when receiving digital funds. Mastercard added that the expansion aligns with increasing interest in using digital currencies for everyday transfers and cross-border payouts. Pratik Khowala “With Mastercard Move, we already enable transfers in 150 currencies to over 10 billion endpoints—including accounts, cards, and cash. With this collaboration we’re adding stablecoin wallets to that mix. It’s all about giving end-users more choice and unlocking new possibilities for banks and payment service providers as digital currencies continue to grow.” said Pratik Khowala, Global Head of Transfer Solutions at Mastercard. Chloé Mayenobe “Collaborating with Mastercard Move to enable stablecoin payouts is another step forward in our mission to enable the next billion end users to take part in the global economy. By adding Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network and Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution to their network and money movement capabilities, Mastercard is delivering faster and more inclusive payment options for individuals and businesses worldwide.” said Chloe Mayenobe, President and Chief Operating Officer at Thunes.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by noob via Freepik The post Mastercard and Thunes Team Up to Enable Payouts Directly to Stablecoin Wallets appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Across much of the developing world, credit remains the final frontier of financial inclusion. While mobile wallets and digital payments have scaled rapidly, formal credit access still eludes millions of consumers and small businesses. According to the World Bank, around 1.3 billion adults remain unbanked. In Southeast Asia, a Bain & Co study revealed that eight out of 10 SMEs need financing, yet they do not have access to affordable credit. The reason is simple yet systemic: legacy credit systems are built for a different era. Traditional credit systems and scoring models fail to capture the realities of modern financial life, from gig work to micro-entrepreneurship. As a result, creditworthy individuals and enterprises remain invisible to lenders, and financial institutions grapple with how to serve these segments profitably and responsibly. This is where credit tech emerges as the solution, one that combines AI, alternative data, and automated risk intelligence to build the digital infrastructure that powers inclusive lending at scale. Among the pioneers leading this shift is FinVolution Group (FinVolution). Established in 2007, the New York Stock Exchange-listed fintech has spent nearly two decades refining the digital foundation of modern credit systems. The group has successfully extended its footprint beyond China with localised fintech platforms in Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Its “loan facilitation” model bridges licensed financial institutions and near-prime borrowers, helping lenders reach new customer segments once deemed too costly or risky. Today, FinVolution connects over 36.6 million users with 134 financial institution partners, with cumulative transactions exceeding US$157 billion. Source: FinVolution At the forefront of these initiatives is Lei Chen, Vice President of FinVolution Group, an instrumental figure whose work sits at the intersection of innovation and inclusion, helping financial institutions in emerging markets extend credit safely to those once beyond their reach. Building the Digital Backbone of Modern Credit In emerging markets, financial institutions face a dual challenge: reaching underserved borrowers while managing risk and compliance in fast-evolving digital landscapes. FinVolution’s answer is a full-stack, AI-driven credit technology platform that supports the entire lending journey, from acquisition to risk control and customer service. The group’s foundation in data and automation runs deep. Since launching its first credit scoring and anti-fraud system in 2008 and forming a dedicated AI team in 2016, FinVolution has steadily built one of the most comprehensive digital credit infrastructures in Asia. Drawing from its experience in China, FinVolution has successfully localised its full-stack digital credit solution across emerging markets, tailoring algorithms and onboarding models to local data realities. Source: FinVolution “With nearly two decades of credit tech experience and a replicable operational playbook, we can help them onboard users efficiently, manage risks effectively, and stay fully compliant with local regulations.” At the core of this ecosystem lies an AI risk engine that analyses borrower profiles in real time, assigning credit lines and pricing decisions within seconds. This intelligence has helped lift the proportion of high-quality borrowers to over 80% of its user base. Next, at the front end, FinVolution’s in-house marketing platform, Octopus, automates and optimises cross-channel outreach, using AI to generate more than half of all campaign content. By connecting to major advertising APIs such as Ocean Engine, Tencent Ads, and Google, Octopus serves as a unified advertising, strategy, and analytics hub. It tracks performance across the full customer journey, automatically adjusts targeting strategies, and can create and launch ad materials in batches, based on real-time feedback. The group’s proprietary chatbot, BLU AI, brings a new dimension of intelligence to customer interaction. Deployed across nearly 40 fintech platforms in seven countries spanning Asia, Latin America, and Africa, it supports seamless communication in five major languages: Chinese, English, Spanish, Bahasa, and Tagalog, alongside multiple Chinese dialects. With a speech recognition accuracy of 95%, BLU AI now handles more than two million calls every day, enabling real-time, human-like conversations that bridge cultural and linguistic divides. It also further improves fraud detection by analysing linguistic and contextual cues across multiple languages. “Our edge lies in our technology depth — particularly in fraud control, risk decisioning, and user growth. We complement banks by expanding their reach while keeping risk controllable, building sustainable and mutually reinforcing partnerships.” Additionally, in the Philippines, FinVolution operates JuanScore, a licensed Special Accessing Entity under the Philippines’ Credit Information Corporation (CIC). JuanScore consolidates credit data covering nearly 70% of the underserved population and supports more than 50 proprietary localised risk control models. AI-Driven Fraud Control Across Markets FinVolution’s fraud prevention system draws on behavioural signals, linguistic cues, and contextual data across multiple languages to detect and stop suspicious activity in real time. Lei Chen explained the importance of doing so, Lei Chen “The rise of generative AI has lowered the barrier to sophisticated fraud — cloned voices, deepfakes, and synthetic identities are becoming common.” Back in 2023, FinVolution also identified a spike in deepfake-based face swap attacks in its Southeast Asian markets. Fraudsters used manipulated videos to attempt to bypass the KYC systems of its lending platforms. In response, the group deployed a proprietary detection algorithm that achieved 98% accuracy in flagging these attempts, highlighting how AI innovation is becoming essential to protecting digital lending ecosystems in the region. In 2024, FinVolution’s AI engine intervened in more than 7,000 suspected cases a day, blocking over 26,000 scam attempts and preventing nearly RMB 370 million (S$67.7 million) in potential losses. It demonstrated how technology can apply data science to deliver measurable, real-world protection for users. The system is also evolving to counter emerging forms of fraud. Lei Chen added, “Beyond technology, we actively shape the ecosystem too, hosting two consecutive algorithm competitions on deepfake detection with conferences like IJKAI and CIKM to advance industry-wide innovation.” Charting FinVolution’s Road to Global Scale by 2030 FinVolution’s experience and scale now position it among the leading credit technology innovators shaping inclusive finance globally. By 2030, FinVolution aims for half of its revenue to come from international markets, expanding its footprint well beyond Asia into regions where the promise of credit inclusion remains untapped. The group has identified four key trends that will shape this next phase. Firstly, the next phase of growth will be driven by smarter AI models that tap into alternative data and LLMs to better understand and serve new borrowers. Next, user journeys will become increasingly frictionless, powered by biometric KYC and real-time events. Thirdly, regulatory agility will play a vital role in ensuring innovation moves in step with strong consumer protection. In line with these factors, there will be a strong demand for inclusive credit, especially in underbanked markets. Lei Chen added, “We believe collaboration between fintechs, banks, and regulators will accelerate financial inclusion, with fintech players bringing the technology, banks the scale and trust, and regulators ensuring sustainable development.” FinVolution will be among the featured companies at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, where Lei Chen will speak on AI Applications in Credit Finance. Source: FinVolution His session at SFF will explore how AI and LLMs are transforming user growth, fraud detection, risk assessment, and intelligent operations, driving greater accuracy, efficiency, and smarter decision-making across consumer finance. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on an image by Juan J. J. Labrador on Freepik The post How FinVolution Is Reimagining Credit Access for Millions in Emerging Markets appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Scaling digital assets requires trusted, open and interoperable networks, said Leong Sing Chiong, Deputy Managing Director (Markets & Development) at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Leong Sing Chiong Speaking at the Layer One Summit during the Singapore Fintech Festival, Leong said that while digital asset activity is gaining pace, progress remains uneven, creating fragmentation that limits adoption. He cited recent developments such as the GENIUS Act in the US, the Digital Euro’s next phase and SWIFT’s plans for a blockchain ledger. Financial institutions, he added, are moving from pilots to live tokenisation projects, bridging traditional and digital finance. “Technology has the potential to transform finance, but trust must underpin it,” Leong said, calling for shared standards and governance to achieve interoperability. MAS Deepens Work on Project Guardian, BLOOM and the SGD Testnet MAS is expanding Project Guardian to support cross-border applications of tokenised assets. One initiative, Les Gardiennes, jointly led by the Banque de France and MAS with UBS and Société Générale-FORGE, is testing repo transactions using tokenised assets and digital money. Two reports will also be released this week: an operational guide for tokenised funds and a joint study by the Investment Management Association of Singapore and the UK’s Investment Association on aligning digital assets with buy-side needs. In payments, Leong highlighted BLOOM (Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency), launched in October to advance tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins for wholesale settlement. The project brings together over 16 global banks, financial institutions and fintechs to create shared compliance and settlement frameworks. He said MAS is considering a hybrid model that gives financial institutions access to wholesale central bank digital currency while ensuring interoperability between distributed ledger and traditional systems. The Singapore Dollar (SGD) Testnet, a shared ledger for live trials of tokenised settlements, will focus on wholesale settlement activities and initially be open to a select group of market participants. Leong also noted the Global Layer One (GL1) initiative, a public-private collaboration supported by MAS, the Bank of England, Banque de France, the European Central Bank and global financial institutions, which is developing interoperable infrastructures and compliance toolkits. “Rather than racing ahead in isolation, we should also develop the connective tissue together,” Leong said. “Let us work together to build a financial ecosystem as connected and interoperable as the world’s best airports. Not walled gardens. Not proprietary silos. But open runways, where innovation can take flight, and markets can truly connect. ”   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by user15041540 via Freepik   The post MAS Deputy: Digital Asset Scale-Up Hinges on Trusted, Interoperable Networks appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Global financial software provider Finastra has expanded its technology leadership team with three senior appointments to strengthen its data, information, and security functions. The company has named Ali Khan as Chief Data Officer, Matthew McCormack as Chief Information Security Officer, and Sanjay Jain as Chief Information Officer. These new roles are designed to enhance Finastra’s global financial software capabilities and support its 8,000-plus customers worldwide in innovating, scaling, and growing. Mike Stawchansky, Chief Technology Officer at Finastra, said the appointments underscore the company’s focus on trust and transformation. He added that the executives’ expertise will accelerate the delivery of modern financial services software and reinforce Finastra’s position as a trusted partner for mission-critical banking solutions. Ali Khan Khan, an award-winning executive with more than 25 years of experience in data, AI, and platform architecture, joins from Experian. He will lead Finastra’s global data organisation and data-driven strategy, helping customers unlock value from their data while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and innovation. Matthew McCormack McCormack, a renowned global leader in cybersecurity and risk management, joins from BNY. With over 25 years of experience leading large-scale security operations, he will oversee Finastra’s security strategy and frameworks, ensuring resilience in a complex and evolving threat landscape. Sanjay Jain Jain, who brings more than 25 years of experience from Honeywell, will oversee Finastra’s IT strategy and transformation initiatives. His focus will include automation and scaling global teams to ensure the company remains at the forefront of modern enterprise IT.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Trend2023 via Freepik The post Finastra Names New Chief Data Officer, CISO, and CIO in Strategic Tech Push appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

One theme has been persistently dominating most fintech conversations this year, and it involves AI and its growing influence over how finance operates, regulates, and evolves. What began as automation in back offices has become the invisible engine of credit, compliance, and capital flow. Yet as AI accelerates, a new challenge also emerges: how do we govern technology this widespread across borders and different systems? As AI is embedded across almost every layer of finance, regulators worldwide are shifting gears quickly to establish their guardrails. Yet, as the GFTN AI in Finance report shows, what has emerged is a mix of governance philosophies rather than a united front. How Major Jurisdictions Are Governing AI in Finance Source: GFTN AI in Finance Report 2025 The European Union’s AI Act takes on a comprehensive, legally binding approach. It risk-based regulation classifies AI use cases into tiers. Many financial ones which fall into the high-risk tier, such as credit scoring, require strict compliance on data quality, risk management, and human oversight. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has pioneered a more collaborative testing-to-trust model through initiatives like FEAT, Veritas, and PathFin.ai, which comprise guidance on the responsible use of AI and data analytics, multi-phased collaborative projects, and an AI knowledge hub, respectively. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken a distinctly pro-innovation stance, one that emphasises explainability and proportionality. Rather than imposing prescriptive rules, the FCA empowers firms to apply a set of cross-cutting principles, supported by practical experimentation. It was among the first regulators to introduce regulatory sandboxes and AI live testing environments, enabling companies to trial new AI solutions safely and responsibly before broader deployment. The US takes on a more decentralised approach. Its AI Action Plan, which kicked off in July 2025, prioritises strengthening American AI innovation. This is done through deregulation, promoting ideologically neutral AI systems and infrastructure investment. At the same time, the US aims to extend its global influence by exporting its American AI technology stack. Complementing these efforts are a series of Executive Orders on AI safety and trustworthiness, signalling a preference for market-driven innovation under broad federal oversight. Each approach reveals a deeper philosophical divide: between regulation by rule and regulation by design. Fragmentation Risks Through The Rise of AI Model Borders The divergence in AI governance could indirectly reshape global financial competition. The report warns that “disparate AI rules could limit innovation, encourage regulatory arbitrage, or create compliance barriers for cross-border fintechs,” effectively creating AI model borders. What passes compliance in one jurisdiction might still face restrictions in another, highlighting how regulatory divergence can fragment innovation that was meant to be global. For multinational financial institutions deploying models across multiple jurisdictions, this lack of interoperability translates to rising compliance costs, fractured development pipelines, and delayed time-to-market for AI-enabled services. Such fragmentation could also deepen systemic risks. An over-reliance on a handful of approved or “jurisdiction-safe” AI models may lead to model concentration risk, too. Aligning the Future of AI Regulation The next frontier in AI governance will depend more on who can make them work together. A practical starting point lies in mutual recognition frameworks, agreements that could allow AI audits, assurance tests, and risk assessments to be accepted across jurisdictions. Such reciprocity could reduce compliance duplication, accelerate cross-border deployments, and strengthen trust between regulators and industry. As the GFTN AI in Finance report shows, financial innovation increasingly operates in global code but national rulebooks. The task ahead is to bridge that divide, turning today’s sandboxes into tomorrow’s standards, and today’s experiments into tomorrow’s common trust frameworks. If regulators, institutions, and innovators can align on that vision, AI in finance will not only be smarter and faster, but also safer and more connected across the world. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore based on image by freepik on Freepik The post Why the World Needs Interoperable AI Governance for Finance appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Paymentology has entered the Australian market through a partnership with fintech firm Constantinople. The collaboration, announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, will see Constantinople use Paymentology’s platform for card issuing, processing, and digital wallet integration for its financial institution clients. Founded in Sydney, Constantinople provides Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions, combining digital banking infrastructure with back-office operations including onboarding, compliance, fraud monitoring, and risk management. Its platform supports community banks and fintechs such as Great Southern Bank and Tyro. Through the partnership, Paymentology will handle card issuance and transaction processing across Mastercard and Visa, including Apple Pay and Google Pay tokenisation, with dedicated BINs for customisable card programmes. The integration also includes Constantinople’s core banking system via 10x. Di Challenor, Co-Founder of Constantinople, said: Di Challenor “Constantinople’s mission is to give smaller banks and innovative fintechs access to the same leading-edge technology as big global banks. Partnering with Paymentology will allow us to launch new card programmes at pace, with the flexibility to tailor every element to our clients’ unique needs. Paymentology’s global reach ensures we can scale effortlessly beyond Australia.” Jeff Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Paymentology, added: Jeff Parker “Working with Constantinople is particularly rewarding; their experienced leadership team brings a clear vision for modern, automated banking that aligns with our mission to support next-generation financial institutions.”     Featured image credit: Paymentology The post Paymentology Partners with Constantinople to Enter Australian Market appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Goldpac is showcasing its latest end-to-end card production and issuance technologies at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025 from 12 to 14 November. At booth 3-3G19, visitors can explore interactive and gamified consumer onboarding-to-card issuance journeys that highlight how personalisation can enhance customer engagement. Guests can try Goldpac’s integrated card production management platform and design custom LED edge cards using the on-demand DIY printer, DCE160. Cards can be personalised instantly by uploading images via Goldpac’s mobile platform or using the onsite photobooth. The display includes premium card designs featuring eco-friendly materials, metal, LED lighting, and encrusted diamonds. These distinctive branding options aim to capture consumer interest and meet growing demand for personalised payment experiences. Goldpac is also demonstrating its Integrated Issuance Solution (IIS), a comprehensive industrial platform for multi-scenario card issuance management. Designed for personalisation bureaus, IIS connects to the all-in-one desktop printer and embosser, PIE001-M, to illustrate distributed issuance. Drawing on Goldpac’s 30 years of experience, the system automates processes from card order management and device monitoring to personalisation and completion to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Other technologies on display include the portable onboarding and card issuance printer PIE001-E and the SST502 biometric registration terminal. Both feature customisable eKYC components and support distributed issuance across multiple industries, helping increase accessibility and reduce in-branch traffic. Goldpac provides secure and scalable payment and personalisation solutions spanning user onboarding, card issuance systems, self-service kiosks, and desktop printers. Its operations cover financial services, telecommunications, social security, healthcare, transport, retail, mobile payments, identity verification, and third-party payment platforms. The post Goldpac Brings Gamified Card Issuance Experience to SFF 2025 appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

At the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, Visa announced a pilot programme that allows businesses and platforms to send payouts directly to recipients’ stablecoin wallets. Businesses using Visa Direct can fund payouts in fiat currency, while recipients have the option to receive funds in USD-backed stablecoins such as USDC. The initiative aims to improve the speed and accessibility of global payouts, particularly in regions with currency volatility or limited banking infrastructure. Chris Newkirk “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes, not days, for anyone, anywhere in the world,” said Chris Newkirk, President, Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.” This pilot follows an earlier initiative announced at SIBOS in September, in which businesses could pre-fund payouts using stablecoins. Together, the pilots aim to provide greater financial flexibility to Visa’s clients and to consumers worldwide. Consumers, creators, and freelancers will be able to access payouts in stablecoins with near-instant speed. The use of stablecoins may expand access to those in underbanked regions or where USD bank accounts are unavailable. Transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain, offering auditability, compliance, and receipt confirmation. The pilot is being launched with select partners, with a broader rollout planned for the second half of 2026 as client demand and regulatory frameworks develop.     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik The post Visa Pilots Stablecoin Payouts for Faster Global Transfers appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Ant International has added iris authentication to Alipay+ GlassPay, its augmented reality glasses payment solution, through partnerships with smart glasses manufacturers Xiaomi and Meizu. Alipay+ GlassPay already uses multi-modal biometric verification, including an AI-powered voice interface with intent recognition and voiceprint authentication. The addition of iris recognition, tested on AlipayHK, allows merchants and service providers to offer a more secure and seamless experience via augmented reality. Iris authentication has gained attention worldwide for its security advantages over other biometric methods, as it is more resistant to spoofing. Alipay+ GlassPay compares over 260 biometric feature points, using AI and liveness detection technology to counter fraud attempts with photos, videos, or masks. The system can verify identities accurately under varying lighting conditions, providing zero-contact authentication. The solution includes an end-to-end security framework for e-wallets and applications, with a personal encryption key system to protect user data. Device manufacturers, service providers, and technology partners work together to ensure compliance with local security regulations. Alipay+ GlassPay’s security framework is supported by Ant’s gPass, a trusted connection technology for smart glasses that allows manufacturers and developers to create secure AI-driven services and explore new applications for the devices. Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International, said, Peng Yang “Payment remains the foundation of all fintech and all financial services. Ant International is focused on advancing payment solutions across hardware-embedded services, card and QR interoperability, bank-to-wallet connectivity, and AI merchant payment orchestration. Seamless, real-time, secure global payment will remain a key driver of resilience and growth.”       Featured image credit: Ant International The post Ant International Adds Iris Authentication to Alipay+ GlassPay AR Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have partnered to advance the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance. Announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, the UK-Singapore AI-in-Finance Partnership aims to promote trustworthy AI innovation and help financial institutions and technology providers scale solutions across both markets. As part of the initiative, MAS and the FCA will jointly test AI applications, share regulatory insights, and host discussions on responsible adoption. The collaboration builds on MAS’ PathFin.ai and the FCA’s AI Spotlight programmes to strengthen knowledge sharing and cross-border cooperation. Kenneth Gay Kenneth Gay, Chief Fintech Officer at MAS, said,  “AI is redefining the future of finance — moving from experiments to enterprise use, and from individual models to connected, agentic systems. As this shift accelerates, MAS’ priority is to ensure that adoption is both safe and scalable. This new UK-Singapore AI-in-Finance Partnership with the Financial Conduct Authority creates an important bridge for our financial institutions, innovators and regulators to collaborate on trustworthy AI — from learning from each other’s approach to testing environments and workforce readiness.” Jessica Rusu Jessica Rusu, Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer at the FCA, said, “Our partnership with the Monetary Authority of Singapore will help raise our global influence in a strategically competitive space. UK and Singapore firms will be able to grow through collaboration, gauge new cross-border opportunities, and shape the future of responsible AI innovation in finance.”     The post Singapore and UK Regulators to Advance AI in Finance appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Chubb has introduced an AI-powered optimisation engine within its Chubb Studio platform to help digital partners deliver more personalised insurance options. The new capability was unveiled at the Singapore Fintech Festival. Chubb said the engine is among the first of its kind available to digital distribution partners in the insurance sector. It uses proprietary AI to analyse data and tailor offers at the point of sale, allowing digital platforms to embed coverage options directly into their apps and services. The feature aims to improve customer engagement and support business growth by aligning protection with individual needs. Chubb Studio, the company’s global platform for embedded insurance, enables partners to integrate products through APIs and SDKs. The new feature combines data-driven insights, click-to-engage tools, and marketing strategies to help partners offer products such as phone damage, travel, hospital cash, and life coverage. It also supports campaigns based on customer personas to make insurance options more relevant within digital experiences. Sean Ringsted “The launch of the Chubb Studio optimisation engine represents a significant leap forward in how we empower our digital distribution partners to engage their customers, increase conversion and build financial resilience through highly relevant insurance protection. By combining data-driven insights with Chubb’s breadth of products and deep industry and regional market expertise, we’re enabling unique insights for our partners, and delivering tailored insurance products and services that drive results,” said Sean Ringsted, Chief Digital Business Officer at Chubb.   Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Chubb Rolls Out AI-Powered Feature to Personalise Embedded Insurance appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Nextvestment, a Singapore-based AI solutions provider, has announced a strategic collaboration with Phillip Securities to launch POEMSGPT, an AI-powered financial guidance tool integrated within the POEMS trading platform. The partnership aims to make AI-assisted investing more accessible to everyday traders. Introduced at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025, POEMSGPT highlights the potential for collaboration between established financial institutions and emerging AI developers in advancing investor engagement and supporting Singapore’s role as a global centre for responsible financial innovation. Luke Lim “Our collaboration with Nextvestment on POEMSGPT is an example of how innovation and customer-centricity can come together to shape the future of investing,” said Luke Lim, Managing Director of Phillip Securities. “By integrating advanced AI capabilities into our POEMS platform, we enable users to access real-time, personalised insights, from company financials to stock-trade evaluations, directly within their trading environment. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to data-driven, customer-focused innovation.” Built on Nextvestment’s Financial Guidance Copilot, POEMSGPT uses generative AI and real-time reasoning to turn complex market data into clear, actionable insights. Users can ask questions, compare stocks, and interpret financial information within the POEMS platform. Michael Davies, Founder of Nextvestment, said: Michael Davies “Phillip Securities has long been a trusted name among Singapore’s investors. Together, we’re reimagining investor empowerment in the age of AI, where financial data not only informs decisions but also explains them.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post Nextvestment and Phillip Securities Partner to Launch AI-Powered POEMSGPT appeared first on Fintech Singapore.