Nium Expands Instant Payment Services to Australia
Weekly APAC news up to Wednesday, 26th of February 2025.
👀 NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Singapore-based crypto mining rig manufacturer Bgin Blockchain Limited has filed to go public in the US in an offering that’s predicted to generate $50 million.
In a Feb. 21 filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Bgin said it would offer around 59.54 million Class A ordinary shares and 15.69 million Class B ordinary shares. Its registration statement also said it had applied to Nasdaq to list its Class A shares under the ticker “BGIN.”
NOW, ON TO THE SUMMARY OF LAST WEEK'S NEWS
🧋 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
⭐️ Nium Expands Instant Payment Services to Australia.
⭐️ XPay partners with Huawei Cloud Services to back digital payments in Egypt
⭐️ HSBC sees $1.8 billion in revamp related costs as new CEO looks to boost returns
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AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
Zeller targets startups with new digital banking solution. The new service addresses the need to juggle multiple financial platforms alongside their primary bank account, a common frustration among Australian tech companies. A key feature lets founders create accounts for projects or expansions.
SINGAPORE 🇸🇬
Robinhood expects to launch crypto products in Singapore in 2025, through the entity of European digital-assets exchange Bitstamp Ltd., which it recently acquired. The company intends to roll out the services with guidance from local regulators, although it hasn’t yet set a launch date, said Johann Kerbrat, VP and GM of Robinhood.
Trust Bank reaches 1 million customers and unveils TrustInvest. Through TrustInvest, customers can choose from five different funds. With each fund designed to meet differing investment goals and risk appetites, ensuring a smooth and accessible experience.
Grab’s digital bank deposits surpass US$1.2B, loan disbursements hit US$639M. The company reported a 17% year-on-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue for 2024 to US$764 million, supported by growth across its ride-hailing, delivery, and financial services segments.
TAIWAN 🇹🇼
Thunes expands real-time payments network to Taiwan. This expansion provides a real-time alternative to traditional cross-border transfers. It also strengthens Thunes‘ global network by establishing direct connections with banks, enabling faster and efficient transactions.
CHINA 🇨🇳
Aspire launches Visa Corporate Card for Hong Kong SMBs. By providing access to powerful, user-friendly financial tools, this aims to lay the foundation for a new era of growth and efficiency in Hong Kong’s business landscape. Read More
HashKey Exchange announces partnership with Deutsche Bank. With this cooperation, the bank will provide fiat currency deposit and withdrawal services for the exchange. The service is based on Deutsche Bank's API virtual account solution. Users can deposit Hong Kong or US dollars directly into the virtual account managed by Deutsche Bank.
Hong Kong expands virtual asset push with new licensing and trading options. The Securities and Futures Commission will establish new licensing regimes for over-the-counter trading in virtual assets and for custody services, aiming to boost market efficiency and investor protections.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 🇦🇪
Mamo and Paymentology join forces to drive financial inclusion. The partnership will enhance the features and services available through Mamo's existing card program, offering greater rewards and benefits for SMEs across the UAE. Read more
Tether leads $10m funding round for cross-border FinTech provider MANSA. With the funding, MANSA wants to expand its services in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where liquidity issues often slow down cross-border payments, the firm explains.
INDIA 🇮🇳
PhonePe, India’s payments FinTech backed by Walmart, has begun preparations for a public listing on Indian stock exchanges. This move makes PhonePe the third major FinTech to go public in the country in the past 5 years. Continue reading
INDONESIA 🇮🇩
GoTyme Indonesia offers flexible financing for MSMEs with Danabijak and Olsera. The program allows eligible merchants using the Olsera point-of-sale platform to access business loans without needing collateral. The application process is fully digital and can reportedly be completed in under 10 minutes.