The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has announced TOPPAN Edge, a subsidiary of TOPPAN Holdings that provides business process, security, and identity solutions, as the first Japanese Qualified vLEI Issuer (QVI) within the verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI) framework. Developed by GLEIF, the vLEI is a globally standardised digital form of organisational identity. By providing organisations and their representatives with cryptographically verifiable credentials, vLEIs aim to support trust and transparency in digital interactions, addressing challenges associated with digitalisation. As a QVI, TOPPAN Edge will issue and manage vLEI credentials for organisations seeking to enhance transparency and trust across global…

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the independent regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the statutory body responsible for regulating Hong Kong’s securities and futures markets, have signed a MoU to enhance cooperation in the regulatory oversight of collective investment scheme managers in each other’s markets. The agreement aims to ensure compliance, governance, and alignment of cross-border regulatory practices. The MoU was presented during the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong. The MoU establishes a framework for consultation, cooperation, and information exchange to enhance the supervision of regulated entities…

South Korea’s fintech unicorn Toss is preparing to launch its finance super-app in Australia before the end of this year. The company also plans to issue a Korean won-backed stablecoin once regulatory conditions in its home market permit. This marks Toss’s first overseas expansion and a step towards entering digital currency markets as government support for stablecoins grows in South Korea. Toss, operated by Viva Republica, is entering the Australian market with the aim of creating a unified financial platform. Chief Executive Lee Seung-gun confirmed the company’s plans in an interview with Reuters, stating, “We proved in Korea that a…

China’s largest government-backed research funder has begun accepting applications for studies on stablecoins and their cross-border monitoring systems, signalling Beijing’s growing interest, and caution, towards the emerging digital asset. According to the South China Morning Post, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, an affiliate of the Ministry of Science and Technology that manages hundreds of billions of yuan in annual funding, posted a circular last week inviting proposals for the project, describing it as addressing “an issue critical to the country’s economic development.” “The hidden circulation of private stablecoins can undermine the effectiveness of capital controls, and [presents] a…

XTransfer has entered into a partnership with the Shanghai branch of China Zheshang Bank (CZBank). The agreement was signed during the “XTransfer TradeVision Summit 2025” and focuses on strengthening cooperation in cross-border finance. The two parties will work together to provide Chinese foreign trade enterprises with more secure, efficient and convenient global collection and cash management services. The partnership is positioned as a step towards supporting SMEs and advancing the digital transformation of international trade. CZBank has experience in cross-border finance and supply chain finance, alongside service capabilities and a record of innovation. Its collaboration with XTransfer aims to help…

Brinc, a Hong Kong-based venture acceleration and corporate innovation firm, has acquired OG Club, a decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) focused on Web3 innovation and entrepreneurship. The acquisition represents a step in Brinc’s expansion of its digital assets ecosystem. In 2024, Brinc launched its Token Advisory arm with Ignit3, complementing its existing Web3 accelerators. As part of the integration, OG Club’s community will be rebranded as the VentureVerse community. VentureVerse, an AI-driven venture capital operating system, aims to provide digital infrastructure for entrepreneurship, offering AI tools and agents designed to support founders throughout the venture lifecycle. Its goal is to democratise…

HashKey Group, a digital asset financial services company based in Asia, has announced plans to launch what it says will be the region’s largest multi-currency Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) ecosystem fund for global investors. The fund will focus on DAT strategies and operate as a perpetual vehicle, allowing for regular subscriptions and redemptions. It aims to build a diversified portfolio of projects centred on mainstream crypto assets, initially prioritising initiatives in the Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystems. The first fundraising phase targets more than US$500 million. HashKey said the fund is intended to create a bridge between traditional financial…

MetaComp, a licensed provider of cross-border foreign exchange and digital asset infrastructure based in Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has announced a strategic partnership with OSL Group, a digital financial infrastructure platform headquartered in Hong Kong. The collaboration will focus on developing digital solutions for cross-border payments, enhancing the market infrastructure for tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), and strengthening regulatory-compliant innovation across the two financial centres. Central to the partnership is the aim of building a more interconnected ecosystem for digital assets and tokenised finance. Areas of focus include improving liquidity, enabling cross-border transactions, supporting compliant…

South Korea has launched the Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4S), introducing a new pathway for international entrepreneurs to establish startups in the country. The scheme, rolled out in November 2024, shifts emphasis away from academic credentials and residency requirements, focusing instead on innovation and business feasibility. Unlike the existing Technology and Business Startup Visa (D-8-4), the Special Visa is evaluated on the strength of a founder’s business plan, the capability of their team, and the potential fit within the Korean market. Applicants who pass the review process receive a recommendation letter from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), which…

HSBC announced a series of senior appointments to support its businesses in Hong Kong and position both HSBC and Hang Seng Bank for the next phase of development. Luanne Lim will be appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, effective October 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Lim joined HSBC in 1999 and has held senior roles across key markets in Asia, leading strategic growth and transformation initiatives. Since 2021, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Hong Kong, where she has overseen business growth and strengthened engagement with clients, industry bodies, and the community. Given…

With a world-class financial system, forward-looking fintech policies, and unrivaled connectivity to Mainland China and the rest of the world, Hong Kong offers fintech companies a fertile environment to grow and scale, according to a new report by the government. This favorable environment has positioned Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading fintech hubs, particularly in blockchain, digital assets, and wealth management. The report, released in July, highlights Hong Kong’s latest developments and competitive advantages, presenting a comprehensive view of the city’s open, safe, stable, efficient, and internationalized business ecosystem. It underscores Hong Kong’s institutional strengths and outlines the…

Stripe, the programmable financial services company, has launched Stripe Terminal in Japan, aiming to help businesses integrate both online and offline commerce. The announcement was made at Stripe Tour Tokyo, the company’s annual event for business leaders in Japan, where Stripe also highlighted a range of new products and features. These included upgrades that incorporate AI and stablecoins, designed to support businesses as they adapt to new commerce models. Stripe Terminal will support Tap to Pay on iPhone, alongside integrations with PayPay, Japan’s largest QR code payment service with more than 70 million users, and Weixin Pay, also known as…

MUFG Bank and MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP), both subsidiaries of MUFG, have invested in LayerX, a Japanese startup developing AI-based software. Alongside the investment, MUFG Bank has signed a strategic partnership memorandum of understanding with LayerX to expand their collaboration. MUIP’s contribution, made through the MUFG Innovation Partners No. 3 Investment Limited Partnership, follows its earlier participation in LayerX’s Series A round in 2023. LayerX provides services including the AI cloud platform “Bakuraku,” which supports back-office operations, and “Ai Workforce,” designed to enhance efficiency and data use across companies and public institutions. Led by CEO Yoshinori Fukushima and chief technology…

Bosch, a global supplier of technology and services, and Alibaba Group have announced an expanded strategic partnership to advance digital transformation through cloud computing and AI. The collaboration will cover cloud-based enterprise operations, AI-driven business applications, and e-commerce growth. “Our partnership opens up opportunities for both Bosch and Alibaba to expand in the global market,” said Dr Tanja Rückert, member of the Bosch board of management and Chief Digital Officer. “By joining forces, we combine Alibaba’s cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities and e-commerce reach with Bosch’s expertise in mobility, industrial technology and consumer goods. Cooperation with strong partners like Alibaba is…

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan’s largest financial services provider, has announced the completion of a US$75 million senior secured revolving credit facility for Activehours, trading as EarnIn, a US-based earnings management company. The facility, arranged by MUFG, is designed to provide capital to support EarnIn’s expanding range of products, including Live Pay, which allows workers to access their earnings in real time; Early Pay, which enables employees to receive their pay up to two days early regardless of their bank; and Cash Out, which permits workers to withdraw a portion of their earned wages before payday. “This facility gives…

Adyen, a global financial technology platform, has released its Adyen Index 2025, highlighting how Hong Kong’s retail sector is adapting to digital adoption, evolving payment habits, and changing consumer expectations. The study, based on a poll of 41,000 consumers across 28 markets, including Hong Kong, shows that while AI is becoming more common across Asia Pacific (APAC), Hong Kong consumers remain cautious. Around 30% of respondents in Hong Kong are comfortable using AI when shopping, but 35% are hesitant, citing fraud risks and the reliability of AI-generated recommendations. 15% report not trusting AI at all, slightly above the APAC average.…

Japan Post Bank announced it will introduce a digital yen by the end of fiscal 2026 to make digital financial transactions more convenient for its depositors. The move by the postal banking giant, which holds around 190 trillion yen (US$1.29 trillion) in deposits, underscores a growing trend of Japanese institutions adopting blockchain technology to streamline financial services, according to Reuters. Japan Post Bank, partly owned by the Japanese government, will roll out “DCJPY,” a digital currency developed by DeCurret DCP, for its customers, the two companies said in a statement on Monday (September 1). Once launched, depositors will be able…

Obita, an enterprise-level cross-border payment and digital financial network, has completed an angel funding round exceeding US$10 million. The round was co-led by Vision Plus Capital and Mirana Ventures, with participation from Legend Capital, HashKey Capital, Web3.com Ventures, and other institutional and individual investors. The company said the funds will be used for system research and development, compliance infrastructure, and global market expansion, with a focus on its stablecoin-based cross-border payment network. Obita is developing a blockchain-native payment framework called Obita Mesh, designed to reduce foreign exchange costs, improve settlement speed, and enhance fund flow transparency. The firm is initially…

Futu Securities International (Hong Kong), a technology-focused broker in Hong Kong, has opened its largest flagship store in Causeway Bay, next to Times Square. The site spans more than 7,000 square feet across two floors and includes Futu’s first Institutional and Private Wealth Services Centre, providing asset management services for high-net-worth individuals, as well as an interactive fintech zone. Since 2023, Futu has expanded its physical presence with stores in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O and Causeway Bay. Together with its Admiralty customer service area, the firm now operates eight service points across…

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced that it has granted a restricted banking license to ABN AMRO Clearing Bank (AACB) under the Banking Ordinance. AACB is incorporated in the Netherlands. The granting of this restricted banking license takes effect on August 29 2025. Following this approval, the number of restricted license banks in Hong Kong stands at 16. ABN AMRO is a modern full-service bank operating with a transparent and client-focused business model. It offers both traditional and digital banking products, underpinned by a moderate risk profile, a strong balance sheet, a solid capital base, and a robust funding…