The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched BLOOM (Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency), a new initiative to expand settlement capabilities among financial institutions. BLOOM will work with the financial industry to facilitate settlement using tokenised bank liabilities and well-regulated stablecoins, while promoting standardised risk management practices in the digital settlement asset landscape. BLOOM builds on the foundation of Project Orchid, which examined potential use cases for a digital Singapore dollar and the necessary supporting infrastructure. Since its launch in 2021, Project Orchid has conducted over ten trials, resulting in several industry reports detailing real-world applications. Insights from these trials have led participating institutions to develop market-ready commercial solutions. The initiative addresses growing interest in using tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins as settlement assets across multiple currencies, including G10 and Asian currencies. It supports both domestic and cross-border payments, focusing on wholesale use cases such as corporate treasury management, trade finance, and agentic payments. BLOOM’s members will collaborate on shared challenges and opportunities. Their initial efforts will focus on three areas: first, improving the distribution and clearing of settlement assets to coordinate different networks and enable the seamless transfer and redemption of various assets. Circle, DBS, OCBC, Partior, Stripe, and UOB are among the institutions working on this. Second, developing programmable compliance controls to automate and standardise checks, making cross-border wholesale settlements more consistent and cost-effective. Ant International and StraitsX are leading work in this area. Third, exploring agentic payments using AI to automate transactions under predefined conditions, reducing manual intervention and optimising transfer timing. Coinbase and DBS are participating in this effort. MAS welcomed the initial members of BLOOM, acknowledging their expertise and global perspectives. The authority invited additional financial institutions, industry partners, and regulatory bodies to join the initiative and conduct trials. Kenneth Gay, Chief Fintech Officer at MAS, said, Kenneth Gay “Project Orchid established the technical competencies necessary to support the digital Singapore dollar and explored potential use cases for it. BLOOM takes this further, enhancing the range of settlement asset options for participants. This complements ongoing MAS-industry collaboration on asset tokenisation under Project Guardian and foundational infrastructures under the Global Layer One initiative.”     Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by mrsiraphol and yeven_popov via Freepik The post MAS Launches BLOOM to Advance Tokenised and Stablecoin Settlements appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Imagine running a modern city’s transportation network on a century-old single-track railway. That’s the reality many acquirers face today. Their legacy systems are unable to keep up with real-time digital commerce. While everyone sees the tap, click, or swipe, few realise that the true enabler of speed, personalisation, and profitability in merchant acquiring is the software platform behind it. Just as e-commerce relies on logistics networks, digital payments depend on invisible infrastructure. Think of this ecosystem as a train network. Card products and transactions are the trains, acceptance channels and hosts are the stations, and payment platforms like Way4 from OpenWay are the rails. These rails don’t just move payments but rather, they determine how fast acquirers can onboard merchants, launch services, adapt pricing, and operate across omnichannel environments. When the rail network is modern and orchestrated in real time, trains pass through every station fast and friction-free, all while helping acquirers compete and scale. The Engine Room of Modern Payments Old-fashioned rails make for a bumpy ride. According to PwC’s Battle of the Rails, acquirers can’t afford to rely on systems never built for open-loop, omnichannel payments, real-time orchestration, or multi-scheme settlement. Manual processes, legacy integrations, and rigid architecture lead to delays and errors, preventing acquirers from launching new experiences or adapting offerings. PwC stated that 80% of financial institutions were planning to outsource platform infrastructure by 2025. The rise of PayFacs, ISVs, embedded finance, and instant payments is redrawing the competitive landscape. Acquirers who can’t adapt quickly risk losing both efficiency and market relevance. What sets successful acquirers apart today is how they use their platforms to create competitive differentiation. Leaders are investing in infrastructure that enables: Dynamic pricing: boost margins by 4–8% and revenue by 5% (McKinsey) with event-based or tiered pricing models. Smart payment wallets: accept cards, wallets, CBDCs, and crypto via a unified interface. Value-added services: launch loyalty programs, merchant financing, and real-time FX in weeks. Verticalised offers: tailor onboarding flows and pricing for specific sectors like retail, mobility, and government. OpenWay’s top-rated digital payments platform, Way4, enables all this and more. Not as isolated features, mind you, but as part of a well-integrated real-time core. Below, we explore how these capabilities come together to deliver acquiring transformation at scale. Four Ways Way4 Enables Acquiring Transformation End-to-end digitisation with automation and smart integration Way4 unifies the entire merchant lifecycle into a real-time digital core. Its open REST APIs allow seamless integration with CRMs, KYC platforms, scoring engines, and other services, enabling fast onboarding and personalised journeys with strong security and high conversion rates. The Smart Payment Wallet option lets merchants accept cards, wallets, CBDCs, and crypto through a single interface, a key differentiator in markets embracing digital currencies. OpenWay client Nexi digitised and consolidated acquiring in just 9 months. It’s a part of a broader Tier 1 trend away from fragmented vendor stacks. Fast time-to-market and high conversion thanks to deep personalisation Way4 enables acquirers to launch new services in mere days. With 95% of product logic parameterised, teams can configure onboarding flows, pricing strategies, or merchant financing offers without coding. Plus, it enables you to adapt them in real time. Finaro (now part of Shift4) accelerated merchant onboarding by 50x using APIs, geo-clustering, and rule-based automation, since then tripling its acquiring revenue. Scalable, resilient infrastructure Way4 powers large-scale acquiring worldwide. It supports daily volumes exceeding 15 million POS transactions for a European acquirer and scaled SmartPay in Vietnam to over 700,000 merchants in three years. Network International, serving 130,000+ merchants in the Middle East and Africa, saw a 60% transaction increase, 50% more processed volume, and a 186% TPS boost after adopting Way4. With 99.999% uptime and 4,000+ TPS, Way4 ensures uninterrupted performance, even during peak demand. Trusted execution at global scale OpenWay supports acquiring operations for payment leaders around the world. Its proven track record includes complex migrations, long-term partnerships, and analyst recognition from Gartner and Datos Insights. In the 2025 Merchant Acquiring Software Platforms Matrix, Datos Insights named OpenWay  “Best‑in‑Class” for overall product strength and innovation. For over 10 years, the company has ranked among the leaders in the Datos (formerly Aite) Matrix. With offices in 20+ countries, OpenWay combines global best practices with local expertise. Its global approach and flexible implementation model ensure that each implementation aligns with local regulations, operational realities, and market needs, helping acquirers thrive in diverse environments. Are Your Rails Still Carrying You Forward? The shift to real-time, omnichannel, and cross-border payments is unstoppable. Acquirers using Way4 have demonstrated that the right infrastructure enables sustained growth, innovation, and speed to market. As acquiring becomes more competitive, commoditised and cross-border, scalable platforms like Way4 are no longer a luxury; they’re the foundation for profitability and speed. Contact OpenWay to explore how Way4 can support your acquiring strategy today. Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore based on images by OpenWay and yeven_popov via Freepik. The post The Hidden Champion of Digital Payments Empowering Acquiring Leaders appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

DBS has teamed up with Banque Saudi Fransi to deepen trade and payment connectivity across Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council region. The partnership, signed on the sidelines of Sibos 2025 in Singapore, aims to promote trade and capital flows across the Asia–GCC corridor through enhanced trade settlement, financing and regional currency clearing. It supports businesses and consumers engaged in cross-border trade, investments and remittances. Trade between Southeast Asia and GCC nations reached about US$130 billion in 2023 and is expected to rise by another US$50 billion by 2027. Trade between China and GCC countries is projected to double to US$1.9 trillion by 2035, with Saudi Arabia driving much of the growth. Under the memorandum of understanding, the banks will offer trade financing solutions such as letters of credit, guarantees and trade loans, and may jointly finance client transactions to expand capacity and manage risk. They also plan to use each other’s clearing networks, including DBS’s access to seven major Asian currency corridors and BSF’s Saudi Riyal clearing services. BSF is considering the use of DBS GlobeSend for same-day cross-border payments through DBS’s global payout network, which covers more than one billion accounts and digital wallets across 100 markets and supports 60 currencies. The platform enables banks and non-bank financial institutions to make cost-effective, fast and transparent payments. Sriram Muthukrishnan Sriram Muthukrishnan, Group Head of Global Transaction Services Product Management, DBS, said, “Asia and the Middle East are growing increasingly interconnected as businesses, investors and talent pursue opportunities in these dynamic markets. Our partnership with BSF builds upon DBS’ connectivity across Asia and our track record in providing secure and efficient access to trade financing and cross-border payments. This aims to facilitate the seamless flow of goods, services and capital across this corridor – ultimately benefitting businesses, end-consumers and communities.” Faisal Darwish, Head of Institutional Banking, BSF, said, “At Banque Saudi Fransi, we see this partnership with DBS as a significant step in strengthening financial connectivity between the GCC and Asia. By combining our networks and expertise, we aim to deliver innovative solutions in trade financing and cross-border payments. This collaboration will open new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role in driving growth across this dynamic economic corridor.”     Featured image: (From left) Sriram Muthukrishnan, Group Head of Global Transaction Services Product Management, DBS; Simon Ong, Group Head of Financial Institutions and Government-Linked Corporates, DBS; Faisal Darwish, Head of Institutional Banking, BSF; Badr Alnowaisser, Head of Financial Institutions, BSF.   The post DBS and Banque Saudi Fransi Partner to Boost Asia-GCC Trade, Payment Connectivity appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

A former UOB staff member who fell for a scam disguised as an investigation by Chinese authorities has been convicted of leaking sensitive information from more than 1,000 customer accounts to fraudsters, The Straits Times reported. Court records showed that 30-year-old Chinese national Cao Wenqing, who was also a Singapore permanent resident, faced 27 charges under the Computer Misuse Act and the Banking Act. She worked as a junior officer in UOB’s mortgage department, where she was authorised to access the bank’s customer database for mortgage sales and servicing work. The database contained personal details including names, nationalities, addresses, identification numbers, phone numbers, account numbers and balances. While the data was meant to be used solely for legitimate banking purposes, Cao misused her access after being deceived by two individuals who claimed to be Chinese law enforcement officers. According to The Straits Times, the pair, known by the aliases “Xiang Ying Dong” and “Captain Lu,” first contacted her in March 2021 and later communicated with her through WhatsApp. Although court documents did not specify what was said during the initial approach, Cao believed their claims and agreed to help with what she thought was a formal police investigation. She began running searches in the UOB system for customers with common Chinese surnames and reviewed their profiles to identify Chinese nationals. The data she compiled, often in batches of 50 to 100 customers, was recorded in an Excel spreadsheet, photographed and sent to “Lu” through WhatsApp. She also captured screenshots of certain customer profiles at his request before deleting the evidence from her phone. Investigators found that Cao had knowingly breached UOB’s internal policies and Singapore’s confidentiality laws. She admitted that, despite understanding the rules, she felt pressured to comply with the supposed officers because she feared being implicated in a fake investigation or losing her job. Channel News Asia reported that the court considered her education level and training and found it unreasonable for her not to verify the legitimacy of the calls with actual Chinese authorities. Cao later realised she had been deceived and lodged a police report on 22 April 2021. She was arrested that same day. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim told the court that while Cao acted out of fear, she was fully aware that her conduct was unlawful under Singapore law. Sentencing is scheduled for December.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by UOB and Freepik The post Ex-UOB Staff Duped by Fake Chinese Police, Leaked Data of Over 1,000 Customers appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard is rolling out two new products designed to make business-to-business (B2B) transactions simpler, more efficient, and easier to control, aiming to bring consumer-level ease to the corporate payment space. The company introduced the Commercial Connect API and a new clearing controls feature to address rising demand for modern, streamlined payment solutions. According to Mastercard, 69% of companies face challenges integrating payment and business systems, while 77% of CFOs plan to increase technology spending in 2025. Virtual cards, which help reduce fraud risk and improve cash flow, continue to drive interest in embedded payment tools. The Commercial Connect API offers a single, scalable connection to Mastercard’s issuer ecosystem and commercial payment capabilities, simplifying how B2B platforms embed payment features. Launching with its virtual card platform in 2025, the API is designed to speed up integration and give companies more flexibility to use their existing commercial card credit lines within the tools they already use. Pay4You will be the first to adopt it to enhance spend management for European corporations, with additional B2B capabilities planned for next year. Marc Pettican “We are committed to empowering enterprise growth around the world through smarter, digital-first solutions. By enhancing access to our commercial payments technology and unlocking more sophisticated virtual card controls, our goal is for payments to be so seamless and secure they fade into the background — freeing organisations to focus on what truly matters: growth, innovation, and people.” said Marc Pettican, Global Head of Corporate Solutions, Mastercard. Mastercard also introduced clearing controls, a first-of-its-kind capability that extends issuer and corporate oversight across the full transaction lifecycle. The feature allows card issuers to apply rules such as spending limits and merchant category restrictions at the clearing stage, blocking non-compliant transactions before settlement to reduce chargebacks and improve reconciliation. It will be particularly relevant in sectors such as B2B travel, which sees some of the highest average chargeback values, according to Mastercard’s 2025 State of Chargebacks Report. Global rollout is planned for 2026. Building on its embedded virtual card number (VCN) program launched in March 2025, Mastercard is expanding integrations with SAP Concur, SAP Taulia, Pay4You, Grasp Technologies, and Kresus. The aim is to give more corporates access to advanced virtual card features such as real-time transaction notifications, granular controls, and improved reconciliation.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Freepik The post Mastercard Upgrades Commercial Platform to Simplify Business Payments appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Six of ASEAN’s key payment networks are taking a major step toward global interoperability with the signing of the George Town Accord, paving the way for standardised instant payments. The MoU brings together six national payment networks from five ASEAN countries to establish a global standards body for non-card instant retail payments. The accord marks a milestone in regional efforts to align technical and operational standards across borders. The signatories are Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet), Singapore’s Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS), Vietnam’s National Payment Corporation (NAPAS), the Philippines’ BancNet, and Indonesia’s PT Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis and PT Rintis Sejahtera. Together, they aim to enable seamless and secure interoperability for more than 538 million people in the region. Formalised under the George Town Accord, the collaboration launches the Next50 Common Standards project, a roadmap for the next 50 years of payment innovation. The initiative begins with efforts to standardise cross-border transaction frameworks for QR payments, account-to-account transfers, e-wallets, and other mobile-based methods powered by technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), biometrics, and agentic AI. Next50 seeks to link domestic payment networks globally while preserving national payment sovereignty and enabling seamless cross-border cooperation. Building on the success of existing bilateral linkages, the initiative also invites payment networks worldwide that share its goal of interoperable and inclusive payments to participate. Farhan Ahmad PayNet’s Group CEO Farhan Ahmad, said, “As domestic payment networks, all of us have made great strides in establishing cross-border linkages. What’s missing is a cross-jurisdiction industry-level space to collaborate and exchange operational and technical insights – a forum where we can together develop common standards to strengthen resilience. Project Next50 is our answer. This represents domestic payment networks’ commitment to shared ownership, practical cooperation, and strategic alignment in a rapidly evolving payments industry.”     Featured image: (From left) Siti Hidayati, Director, Artajasa, Roseanne T. Tan, Head, Business & Relationship Management, BancNet, Nguyen Quang Minh, Chief Executive Officer, NAPAS, Lawrence Chan, Group Chief Executive Officer, NETS, Farhan Ahmad, Group Chief Executive Officer, PayNet, Abraham J. Adriaansz, Vice President Director, RINTIS] The post Six ASEAN Payment Networks Set 50-Year Plan for Cross-Border Interoperability appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

HSBC and Indian payments firm Juspay have entered into a strategic partnership to create a full-stack acquiring platform aimed at simplifying global payment operations for digital merchants. The platform will merge HSBC’s global reach with Juspay’s proven payments infrastructure capabilities. The solution is designed to unify the payment value chain, enabling HSBC to offer merchants a consolidated, end-to-end acquiring experience. Merchants using the platform will gain access to multiple payment methods through a single provider, enjoy improved transaction success rates, reduce cost complexity, and benefit from enhanced reliability. Built for speed, flexibility, and reliability, the platform offers end-to-end payment capabilities for merchants. It includes native checkout interfaces, transaction processing with smart routing and retry logic, access to local payment methods, risk and fraud management, dispute handling, reconciliation and settlement tools, and monitoring and control dashboards. Lewis Sun “The acquiring platform we’re building with Juspay is a full-stack, future-ready solution that meets the fast-changing needs of today’s payments landscape. This all-in-one solution removes the complexities of managing multiple payment methods for our clients, allowing them to focus their time and energy on growing their businesses,” said Lewis Sun, Global Head of Domestic and Emerging Payments, HSBC. Sheetal Lalwani “We’re excited to partner with HSBC and set a new benchmark for acquiring by demonstrating how banks and fintechs can co-create high-performance, future-ready infrastructure. Together, we are building a platform that bridges institutional scale with the agility of modern technology.” said Sheetal Lalwani, Co-Founder and COO of Juspay.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik The post HSBC and Juspay to Build All-in-One Global Payment Platform for Merchants appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

SHOPLINE has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Major Payment Institution license. Once finalised, the license will allow the company to offer five regulated payment services, including account issuance, domestic and cross-border money transfers, merchant acquisition, and e-money issuance. The approval will enable SHOPLINE to provide merchants with end-to-end payment services, from KYC verification and transaction processing to fund settlement, without fully relying on third-party providers. The company said this will enable faster settlements, greater security, and multi-currency capabilities to support merchants’ cross-border growth. The move builds on SHOPLINE’s existing regulatory presence in Asia and Australia, further strengthening its position in Asia-Pacific. Raymond Hsu “This MPI license is a key milestone in our global strategy. It highlights our commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards while delivering secure, efficient, and borderless payment experiences for merchants.” said Raymond Hsu, Co-President of SHOPLINE.       Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by sambathdara95 via Freepik   The post MAS Grants SHOPLINE In-Principle Approval for Payment License appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Singapore’s DBS has overtaken Malaysia’s PETRONAS to become ASEAN’s most valuable brand in 2025, according to the latest ASEAN 500 2025 report by Brand Finance. The study valued the region’s top 500 brands at US$306.6 billion this year, reflecting Southeast Asia’s growing financial and digital strength. DBS’ brand value rose 56% to US$17.2 billion, supported by higher net interest income, stronger card fee performance, and continued gains in wealth management and lending. The bank’s performance highlights the success of its regional digital strategy and sustained investment in technology-driven financial services. Indonesia’s Bank Central Asia (BCA) ranked among the region’s strongest brands with a 42% increase in brand value to US$4.4 billion and an AAA+ brand strength rating. BCA was also named the strongest banking brand globally, underpinned by its strong reputation and customer trust. Vietnam’s Vietcombank rose three spots to become the third strongest brand in ASEAN with a 16% increase in brand value to US$2.4 billion and an AAA+ rating. The bank’s strong domestic visibility and brand familiarity have reinforced its leadership in Vietnam’s fast-evolving financial sector. Singapore’s Great Eastern retained its position as ASEAN’s most valuable insurance brand with its brand value rising 36% to US$4.8 billion, reflecting its expanding footprint in regional life and health insurance markets. Alex Haigh Alex Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance Asia Pacific, said, “ASEAN’s top brands are proving that resilience and innovation go hand-in-hand. While the region’s combined brand value still trails larger Asian markets like China and Japan, the rapid rise of ASEAN brands is starting to push global players and reshape competition.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by DBS   The post DBS Overtakes PETRONAS to Lead ASEAN’s Brand Rankings with US$17.2B Valuation appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Cross-border payments sit at the heart of global finance, yet remain one of its most persistent challenges, plagued by high costs, slow processing times, and limited transparency. In Asia-Pacific, the complexity is amplified by nearly 50 currencies, diverse regulatory environments, and varying levels of financial infrastructure. To address these issues, the G20 has set ambitious targets for 2027: reduce costs to below 3 percent, ensure 75 percent of payments are completed within one hour, achieve full transparency on fees and FX, and broaden access for all users. APAC is primed to build on its domestic real-time payments success and extend its leadership across borders, with initiatives like Project Nexus offering a blueprint for how the region can align with the G20 roadmap. These opportunities and challenges were explored in a recent webinar, “Unlocking G20 Cross-Border Goals in APAC with Project Nexus” which brought together experts from Bottomline, TBCASoft, and MBSB Bank to discuss how the region can accelerate progress toward the G20 targets. Project Nexus: Building a Multilateral Model At the core of the discussion was Project Nexus, first developed as an initiative by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub to interlink domestic instant payment systems through a multilateral model. Unlike today’s patchwork of bilateral links that require separate negotiations, legal frameworks, and integrations for each corridor, Nexus enables a single connection that opens access to the entire network. The initiative is now implemented by Nexus Global Payments (NGP), a not-for-profit formed by five central banks in India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to manage and operationalise the Nexus cross-border payments scheme. Ricky Lim, Managing Director for South Asia at TBCASoft who supported the development of Nexus under the BIS Innovation Hub, explained: Ricky Lim “By linking domestic instant payment systems to a unified model, Nexus cuts through complexity, improves transparency, and can deliver payments in under a minute.” He noted that Nexus builds on infrastructure already in place, such as PayNow in Singapore, DuitNow in Malaysia, and PromptPay in Thailand. Acting as the bridge, it uses a shared rulebook and technical framework rather than bespoke bilateral builds. This makes it scalable and sustainable, while directly supporting the G20 objectives of speed, cost reduction, transparency, and access. The broader potential has also been highlighted outside of the webinar. Agustín Carstens, BIS General Manager, remarked that “even with just the first wave of connected countries, Nexus has the potential to connect a market of 1.7 billion people globally, facilitating easy and cost-effective instant payments.” Malaysia’s ISO 20022 Journey Driven by the November deadline, banks worldwide have made ISO 20022 adoption a strategic priority. From a bank’s perspective, Emli Faizul bin Jano, Deputy Director of Group Payment Operations at MBSB Bank, shared Malaysia’s experience. Bank Negara Malaysia completed the migration of its Rentas RTGS system to ISO 20022 in December 2024, reflecting the country’s proactive stance in adopting structured messaging standards. MBSB Bank was one of the pioneers, completing its own migration as early as May 2023. Emli Faizul bin Jano “Modernisation goes beyond technology. It requires strong governance, change management, and collaboration across the industry. Our phased approach, supported by structured testing and training, ensured a smooth transition,” For MBSB, the migration was not just about regulatory alignment but about harmonising systems across treasury, remittance, and trade finance. The outcome has been improved reconciliation, better data clarity, and a stronger foundation for future cross-border initiatives such as Nexus. Industry Perspective: Simplifying Connectivity For banks across APAC, the challenge is not only adopting new standards but also managing the complexity of multiple networks. Edouard Joliveau, Product Lead for Swift Connectivity and Value-Added Services at Bottomline, highlighted that institutions are increasingly seeking simplified solutions. Edouard Joliveau “Banks don’t want dozens of separate connections. They want a single point of entry to multiple payment rails, supported by services like intelligent routing and sanctions screening that reduce friction.” In his role, Edouard works directly with financial institutions across the region to modernise their Swift connectivity and prepare for a multi-rail future. He noted that SaaS-based infrastructures are emerging as best practices, helping banks simplify operations, reduce costs, and prepare for industry initiatives like Nexus without major disruption. Market Perspectives The session also polled live attendees, providing insight into the most pressing challenges facing APAC banks. When asked about the greatest pain point in cross-border payments, the majority pointed to slow or unknown speed of arrival and lack of visibility, followed by the cost of maintaining multiple nostro accounts and the issue of trapped liquidity. These findings align with the speakers’ observations that customer expectations for speed and visibility are rising, while outdated systems still limit progress. It is also worth highlighting that trapped liquidity might have ranked higher if respondents had reflected on the role of operating hours, as many markets still lack 24/7/365 availability that enables liquidity to move freely. On the adoption of real-time and instant payments, nearly 70 percent of respondents identified legacy infrastructure as their biggest barrier. This reinforces the urgency of modernisation if the region is to meet the G20’s 2027 deadlines. Meeting Customer Expectations Ultimately, delivering on the G20 roadmap is not just about meeting compliance milestones. As the speakers stressed, the end goal is to deliver better outcomes for businesses and end users: payments that are faster, more cost-efficient, transparent, and reliable. For APAC banks, the priorities are clear: • Invest in ISO 20022 readiness to ensure structured data supports compliance, reconciliation, and visibility. • Leverage initiatives like Project Nexus to simplify cross-border connectivity and expand network access. • Adopt SaaS-based infrastructure to streamline multi-rail integration. • Keep customer needs central, ensuring that every investment translates into tangible improvements in speed, clarity, and cost. As Emli concluded, “If we keep standardisation, partnership, and end-user outcomes at the centre, we can ensure that modernisation delivers real benefits to both people and businesses.” Final Thoughts Cross-border payments in APAC still face deep-rooted obstacles, from regulatory fragmentation to outdated infrastructure. Yet these very challenges also make the region a proving ground for innovation. As the webinar highlighted, progress will not come from compliance alone. It will require banks to build on their ISO 20022 foundations, embrace multilateral models like Nexus, and simplify connectivity across multiple rails. Importantly, it will require keeping customer outcomes front and centre, delivering speed, transparency, and access at scale. If APAC’s financial institutions align these priorities with the G20 roadmap, the region will not only meet the 2027 targets but also set the global standard for how cross-border payments evolve toward greater inclusivity, visibility, and connectivity. Watch the on-demand webinar for deeper insights and the full discussion.     Featured image: Generated by Gemini The post Unlocking G20 Cross-Border Goals in APAC with Project Nexus appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Visa has introduced the Trusted Agent Protocol, a new framework designed to secure transactions as AI agents increasingly shop and pay on behalf of consumers. Developed with Cloudflare, the protocol establishes a foundational framework for agentic commerce by enabling secure communication between AI agents and merchants during every step of a transaction. It helps merchants verify legitimate agents and filter out malicious bots, addressing a growing challenge in AI-driven commerce. The launch comes as AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail websites has surged more than 4,700% over the past year. While most shoppers who use AI tools report better experiences, the rise of automated transactions has created new issues for merchants, including bot detection systems blocking valid agent activity and a loss of visibility into the consumer behind the AI. The protocol allows approved AI agents to securely transmit key details to merchants using cryptographic signatures. These include an agent’s intent to buy, data showing whether a consumer has an account with the retailer, and payment information that can be provided as an option to support a merchant’s preferred checkout method. Built on the HTTP Message Signature standard, the framework requires minimal user experience (UX) changes and aligns with Web Both Auth, with potential to extend to non-web message protocols. The initial specifications apply to the Visa network, but the company said it is pursuing an open, ecosystem-wide approach. Visa is aligning with standards bodies such as IETF, OpenID Foundation, and EMVCo, and is working with partners including Coinbase on interoperability with x402 and other agentic commerce standards. Jack Forestell “We believe the entire payments ecosystem has a responsibility to ensure sellers can trust AI agents as much as they trust their best customers and networks. For the past year, we’ve worked closely with sellers, issuers and partners to make sure agent-initiated transactions are as seamless and secure as any payment today. Our new agent protocol is focused on creating no-code functionality for merchants to securely identify agents with an intent to buy and provide a better payments and personalized experience for its known users.” said Jack Forestell, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Visa. Stephanie Cohen “Securing the future of commerce is a shared responsibility, especially as AI agents begin to act on behalf of consumers. Our work with Visa on the Trusted Agent Protocol is a vital step in building the necessary guardrails for this new ecosystem.” said Stephanie Cohen, Chief Strategy Officer, Cloudflare. The company added that it has worked with partners including Adyen, Ant International, Checkout.com, Coinbase, CyberSource, Elavon, Fiserv, Microsoft, Nuvei, Shopify, Stripe, and Worldpay, who provided feedback during development. The Trusted Agent Protocol is available now in the Visa Developer Center and on GitHub.       Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by thanyakij-12 via Freepik The post Visa, Cloudflare Develop Framework to Verify AI Agents in Online Transactions appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Global Finance has named DBS the World’s Best AI Bank for 2025 in its inaugural AI in Finance Awards, recognising the bank’s progress in applying artificial intelligence across its operations. DBS also received two additional honours, Best Corporate/Institutional AI Bank and Best Enhanced Customer Experience in the consumer AI banks global sub-category. Since beginning its AI journey in 2014, DBS has made significant investments in its technology platforms, processes, and workforce to scale AI across the organisation. These efforts aim to enhance customer experience and employee productivity through wider use of AI-driven tools. The bank uses AI to generate hyper-personalised nudges that help customers make better investment and financial planning decisions, while enabling relationship managers to offer data-driven advice. Internally, its generative AI tool iCoach helps employees plan personalised career and upskilling roadmaps, supporting long-term growth within the bank. In 2024, Harvard Business School published a case study on DBS’s AI strategy, the first focused on an Asian bank. DBS said the recognition reflects its continued focus on using AI responsibly while maintaining an empathetic approach to technology adoption. In a separate programme, DBS also received three global wins at Global Finance’s Digital Bank Awards 2025, including Best Corporate/Institutional Digital Bank in the World for the second year in a row, along with Best Digital Payments Strategy and Best Open Banking APIs. In total, the bank earned six global, 15 regional, and 52 domestic awards across both programmes. Joseph Giarraputo Joseph Giarraputo, Founder & Editorial Director of Global Finance said, “DBS Bank stands out as the leading bank in AI adoption due to its early and extensive deployment of AI models, strong experimentation culture, data-driven workforce, and robust execution capabilities. DBS has implemented over 1,500 AI models across more than 370 use cases, with a projected economic impact exceeding SGD 1 billion in 2025. This commitment is further demonstrated by its transparent measurement of AI value in annual reports, the PURE framework guiding ethical AI development, and comprehensive reskilling and upskilling programmes for its employees to leverage AI as an augmentation tool.” Tan Su Shan Tan Su Shan, Chief Executive Officer at DBS said, “This award is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and the significant investments made over the past decade. Our strong foundation has enabled us to scale transformative AI innovations across all parts of the bank – from enhancing fraud protection to empowering employees and optimising risk management. As DBS advances on our journey to be an AI-enabled bank with a heart, we remain committed to leveraging AI responsibly, blending machine intelligence with human empathy to reinforce the trust our customers place in us.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by DBS The post DBS Recognised as World’s Best AI Bank in Global Finance’s Inaugural Awards appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Trust Bank is set to bring fractional trading to Singapore, letting customers buy and sell portions of US stocks and ETFs directly through its app. The new feature expands its TrustInvest service, which was introduced earlier this year to make investing more accessible. It will allow customers to trade US-listed equities and exchange-traded funds within the Trust App, offering a simpler way to build diversified portfolios without switching between multiple platforms. Trust said the addition of fractional trading will make it possible for customers to invest smaller amounts in higher-priced shares such as Netflix or Meta, which can cost more than S$500 per share. The bank added that this feature lowers the barrier to entry for retail investors while keeping the experience fully integrated within its digital banking platform. The new platform will also include a range of ETFs covering index trackers, digital asset funds, and sector-focused investments, enabling users to diversify their portfolios with a single trade. The waitlist for the trading platform opens today, and customers will be invited to open accounts in the coming weeks. New users can register by opening a Trust Savings account through the app. Eligibility will be assessed when they apply for a stocks account. Dwaipayan Sadhu Dwaipayan Sadhu, CEO of Trust Bank, said, “Following the success of our initial TrustInvest launch, we are excited to expand our offering so that customers can trade US stocks and ETFs. Offering fractional trading means that all our customers can access a wide range of investments, with the confidence of doing so through an easy to use and seamless banking app.” The post Trust Bank Gears Up to Offer Fractional Trading of US Stocks and ETFs appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Stripe is expanding its stablecoin payment feature to cover subscriptions, giving businesses a new way to accept recurring payments in digital currency. The update is designed to support the 30% of businesses on Stripe with recurring revenue models, including the majority of AI companies. Customers can now pay for subscriptions using crypto wallets, with settlements made directly in fiat. Businesses can manage both fiat and stablecoin subscriptions through the Stripe Dashboard and integrate them with Stripe Billing and the Optimized Checkout Suite. The move builds on Stripe’s stablecoin payment launch a year ago, which has been adopted by global companies seeking faster and more cost-efficient cross-border transactions. The top 20 AI firms on Stripe, most of which are based in the US, now earn about 60% of their revenue from outside the country. Companies such as Shadeform have shifted roughly 20% of their payment volume to stablecoins, which settle almost instantly and cost about half as much per transaction to process. To make recurring crypto payments possible, Stripe developed a smart contract that allows customers to save their wallets as payment methods and authorize future transactions without manually signing each one. The process is similar to saving any other payment method on Stripe and supports more than 400 crypto wallets. The new capability also lets businesses extend the benefits of stablecoin payments across their entire product suite. It is currently available in private preview for US-based businesses, supporting USDC transactions over the Base and Polygon blockchains.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by suksao via Freepik The post Stripe Brings Stablecoin Payments to Recurring Subscriptions in Early US Rollout appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Mastercard has launched Merchant Cloud, a next-generation platform that unifies its and its partners’ services to simplify global commerce and support business expansion. The platform offers a single access point to manage and optimise payment acceptance worldwide. Merchant Cloud includes scheme-agnostic tools for credential tokenisation, guest checkout, fraud protection, identity verification, and approval rate optimisation. It also provides gateway functions for omnichannel transactions, smart routing, and data-driven insights to enhance payment performance. The platform supports secure agentic payments through Mastercard Agent Pay, applying the latest agentic payment protocols to offer a seamless and trusted shopping experience. Artificial intelligence is integrated to improve transaction efficiency and approval rates. Mastercard’s Payment Optimisation Platform (POP) leverages network intelligence and will soon use AI to generate optimised authorisation messages and insights that help increase successful transactions. Security features include cyber, identity, and AI-based fraud monitoring that identify high-risk merchants and provide risk scores to acquirers, payment service providers, and facilitators. The Transaction Risk API analyses data in real time to deliver actionable insights that reduce global fraud and improve customer experience. Connected to more than 240 acquirers and supporting over 35 payment types, including alternative payment methods, global and domestic wallets, domestic schemes, and card networks, Merchant Cloud enables businesses to accept more transactions and offer greater consumer choice. Gaurang Shah Gaurang Shah, EVP, Global Acceptance & Merchant Solutions at Mastercard said, “With Mastercard Merchant Cloud, commerce is truly simplified through a unified, scalable, secure, and open infrastructure — one that not only supports the needs of merchant partners today with data, services and insights, but is also designed to anticipate the future of digital and agent-driven commerce.” The modular suite of services is built for the entire merchant value chain, from acquirers and payment service providers to payment facilitators, independent software vendors, and merchants, streamlining access to tools that enable secure, scalable growth.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on images by tahantanha10 and zayedhasanwahid via Freepik The post Mastercard Rolls Out Merchant Cloud to Unify Payments, AI, and Security Services appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Visa has partnered with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Malaysian fintech firm Soft Space to extend its Tap to Pay initiative to Chatuchak Weekend Market and Pratunam Market, two of Bangkok’s busiest retail areas. The move aims to make it easier for local merchants to accept digital payments while offering tourists a faster and more convenient checkout experience. The solution allows merchants to accept card payments directly through their smartphones without extra hardware, complementing existing payment terminals. By supporting cashless transactions, the initiative helps reduce reliance on cash and supports Thailand’s shift toward a digital economy. Since its launch a year ago, the “Mae Manee Tap to Pay” programme has gained traction among small businesses nationwide, including street vendors, cafés, salons, and community shops that previously lacked access to electronic payment systems. Following this success, Visa and SCB are expanding the programme to more provinces and retail segments to make digital payments more accessible. SCB said the partnership marks a milestone in its digital strategy, making it the first bank in Thailand to enable merchants to accept Tap to Pay directly via mobile devices. Choenporn Sawasdivorn, Head of Client at Visa Thailand, said, “Over the past year, contactless payments in Thailand have surged, with more than 66 per cent of Visa transactions now taking place via contactless methods each month. This rapid growth is driven by strong adoption among small businesses from street food vendors to local shops who are utilising Tap to Pay to attract more customers and expand their operations. By equipping merchants with modern payment solutions, Visa is not only enhancing the shopping experience for both tourists and locals, but also helping to build a more vibrant, resilient, and digitally connected economy across communities throughout Thailand.” Joel Tay Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer of Soft Space, added, “Contactless payment acceptance, which was once costly and less accessible for Thai small businesses, is now affordable, enabling even the smallest businesses to accept cards alongside QR payments. The solution we’ve introduced with Visa and SCB empowers Thai consumers and tourists the freedom to choose a convenient, friction-free and cost-effective way to pay.” Visa is also running a promotion rewarding Tap to Pay users with vouchers through December 2025 to encourage broader adoption among shoppers.     Featured image: (From left) Natthanart Dontree, Director of Account Executive, Visa (Thailand); Joel Tay, CEO, Soft Space; Panisa Thongma, Director, Chatuchak Market; Chernporn Sawaddiworn, Head of Client, Visa (Thailand); Vilasinee Leamkeawsakul, SVP of Digital Payment Solution, SCB; and Pornprapa Sinsawat, Payment Solution Services, Digio The post Visa, SCB, Soft Space Expand Contactless Payments to Bangkok’s Top Tourist Markets appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Coinbase has expanded its commitment to the burgeoning crypto markets in India and the Middle East with a new investment in CoinDCX, a leading regional exchange. The move builds on earlier backing through Coinbase Ventures and reflects confidence in the region’s growing role in the global on-chain economy. Coinbase said CoinDCX has built trust with users and regulators while extending its footprint across the Middle East. As of July 2025, CoinDCX reported annualised group revenue of ₹1,179 crore (about US$141 million), annualised transaction volumes across products of ₹13.7 lakh crore (about US$165 billion), and assets under custody above ₹10,000 crore (about US$1.2 billion). The platform’s user base exceeds 20.4 million. Coinbase added that CoinDCX’s ability to navigate challenges earlier this year strengthened its conviction in the company’s leadership and platform. The investment broadens Coinbase’s footprint in South Asia and the Middle East, where it already maintains local operations and partnerships, and signals confidence in the region’s evolving on-chain ecosystem. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Shan Aggarwal Shan Aggarwal, Chief Business Officer at Coinbase, said in a blog post, “We’re excited to work alongside CoinDCX and other partners in the region to make crypto more accessible, more useful, and more trusted for millions of people. And we’ll continue looking for opportunities to collaborate with builders across India as we expand our international footprint.”     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Trend2023 via Freepik   The post Coinbase Expands Regional Footprint with New Investment in India’s CoinDCX appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will delay the rollout of new cryptoasset capital rules for banks to at least 2027, following industry feedback calling for more time and global coordination. The decision comes after MAS sought comments earlier this year on amendments to the capital and liquidity frameworks for Singapore-incorporated banks to align with Basel Committee standards on the treatment and disclosure of cryptoasset exposures. Respondents supported the framework but warned that implementing it ahead of other jurisdictions could lead to regulatory arbitrage. Several also called for flexibility in treating assets on permissionless blockchains, which would otherwise fall under Group 2 with a 1250% risk weight. MAS said it will continue to monitor global regulatory developments and advances in blockchain technology before setting a final implementation date. Until then, banks must consult MAS and apply prudential treatment largely aligned with the consultation paper. Separately, new rules for Additional Tier 1 (AT1) and Tier 2 capital instruments will take effect on 1 January 2026. These instruments can only be issued to non-retail investors in Singapore, though the restriction applies only at issuance. Banks must include clauses in agreements with intermediaries prohibiting retail sales, while MAS has reminded intermediaries not to distribute or facilitate retail access to such instruments. MAS reiterated that AT1 and Tier 2 instruments are complex and high-risk, and generally unsuitable for retail investors. Instruments issued before 2026 will continue to qualify as regulatory capital under a grandfathering arrangement with no expiry, provided they meet other requirements under MAS Notice 637. The regulator will also proceed with clarifications to Notice 637, including updates on capital buffers and credit risk mitigation under synthetic securitisations.     Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by vector_lovers via Freepik The post MAS Delays Cryptoasset Banking Standards to 2027 to Align with Global Regulators appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Reap Group has been granted a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The fintech offers digital and blockchain-based solutions that help businesses manage accounts, spending, and payments across Asia. The license allows its Singapore entity to provide account issuance, domestic money transfer, and cross-border money transfer services under the Payment Services Act 2019. The milestone strengthens Reap’s regional expansion as it deepens its presence in Singapore to serve SMEs and enterprises seeking secure and efficient payment management. Reap Singapore has expanded its headcount over the past year across finance, risk and compliance, product, customer experience, HR, marketing, engineering, and cybersecurity, and plans to grow its local workforce by a further 50% this year. Singapore will serve as Reap’s strategic base for Southeast Asia operations and cross-border payments innovation, complementing its global headquarters in Hong Kong. Together, the two hubs anchor Reap’s strategy to expand payment corridors across Asia and globally. Kevin Kang “Singapore is a cornerstone market for Reap as we scale our digital financial infrastructure solutions across Asia and globally. Securing the MPI license underscores our long-term commitment to operating within trusted regulatory frameworks while supporting Singapore’s vision of becoming a global payments hub. We’re humbled to join the ranks of leading global and regional payments providers, contributing to Singapore’s vibrant and growing fintech landscape.” said Kevin Kang, Co-Founder & CEO of Reap Singapore.     The post Reap Group Secures Payment License from MAS appeared first on Fintech Singapore.

Bybit has announced a partnership with DigiFT to support UBS’s USD Money Market Investment Fund Token (UBS uMINT), the first tokenised investment fund launched by UBS Asset Management. Through this partnership, Bybit will allow shares of UBS’s tokenised money market fund, distributed via DigiFT, to be used as collateral for trading on its platform. The move marks a step forward in Bybit’s efforts to link traditional finance (TradFi) with the digital asset market. The UBS uMINT, issued by UBS Asset Management, is a money market fund built on the Ethereum blockchain. Opened to external investors in November 2024, the fund is distributed through authorised partners. DigiFT, a licensed real-world asset (RWA) platform regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, is currently the largest distributor of the tokenised fund by volume. Ben Zhou “DigiFT is an innovator in regulated blockchain distribution,” said Ben Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit. “By working together, we are opening the door for more traditional institutions to unlock further utility from their tokenised money market products. Through this collaboration, investors in the UBS tokenised money market fund will be able to use their holdings as collateral for trading in a secure and cost-efficient way.” Henry Zhang, Founder and Group CEO of DigiFT, said: Henry Zhang “As a regulated, smart contract-based, non-custodial RWA distributor, DigiFT’s goal has always been to make quality investment products available on-chain without compromising compliance. This partnership demonstrates how regulated RWA infrastructure can bring capital efficiency and transparency to future financial markets.”   Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by rawpixel.com via Freepik This article first appeared on Fintech News Hong Kong The post Bybit Partners with DigiFT to Support UBS’s Tokenised Money Market Fund appeared first on Fintech Singapore.