A new group formed by President Donald Trump, apparently tasked with ensuring the US is at the forefront of blockchain innovation, has put forward its recommendations. Those recommendations include a call to shore up regulatory oversight, enabling oversight of spot markets, and allowing the trading of crypto assets at a federal level. It has also called for changes to enable consumers to trade crypto without unnecessary bureaucratic delays, and follows Trump’s July signing of a federal bill to regulate stablecoins. The blockchain industry is one built on innovation, with investors consistently looking for the next big innovation. This has seen…

Cyberport led a delegation of its fintech start-ups to MyFintech Week 2025 (MyFW 2025), held in Kuala Lumpur from 4 to 7 August. Several start-ups signed MoUs with both local and international fintech partners, strengthening cross-border collaboration between Hong Kong and ASEAN in digital finance and technology. Themed “Ideate, Innovate, Co-create: Shaping the Future of Finance,” the event highlighted regional cooperation and efforts to build a more inclusive financial future. Cyberport organised a series of side events, including pitch sessions, panel discussions, and MoU signings. One agreement involved the launch of a digital insurance programme expected to reach over 100…

Hong Kong’s newly implemented stablecoin law, in effect since 1 August, has sparked concern among some in the industry over its stringent customer identification requirements, which they say could limit the adoption of stablecoins and affect the city’s appeal in global digital finance. The law positions Hong Kong as one of the first jurisdictions globally to regulate fiat-backed stablecoin issuers, offering an early-mover advantage in its push to become a virtual asset hub, according to Reuters. However, market participants say the finalised know-your-customer (KYC) rules, requiring issuers to verify the identity of every stablecoin holder, have raised questions about their…

The Asia-Pacific fintech landscape is thriving, fueled by the rapid adoption of digital payments, online banking and alternative lending solutions. With over a billion users projected to access digital financial services by 2026, the region is ripe with opportunity — and equally vulnerable to escalating fraud threats. The region faces a wave of sophisticated attacks: payment fraud losses are forecast to surpass US$362 billion between 2023-2028, and identity fraud is rising sharply, exacerbated by data breaches and advanced AI-driven tactics. As digital finance accelerates, fraudsters are evolving faster than ever, pushing fintechs and payment providers to rethink their approach to…

Hong Kong’s private banking and wealth management sectors are poised for further growth in hiring and office expansion, according to Eddie Yue Wai-man, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Yue said major private banks saw a 14% rise in assets under management (AUM) in the first half of the year, compared to the end of December, and hired over 400 wealth management professionals in the past two years, a 12% increase, South China Morning Post reported. Yue did not name the banks involved. Both HSBC and Standard Chartered reported strong performances in their wealth management businesses during…

TransUnion, a global information and insights company and the first comprehensive private credit reference agency in the Philippines, has appointed Devon Sin as Chief Product Officer for Asia Pacific. He will be based in Hong Kong and will oversee product, data, and analytics strategies across the region. Sin brings two decades of experience in the banking sector, having worked across both traditional and digital institutions. Most recently, he was with ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s first digital bank, where he served as Alternate Chief Executive and General Manager of Business Banking and Lending. He was a founding member of the bank.…

Adoption of fintech has increased significantly in Hong Kong’s traditional financial sector in recent years, particularly in regtech, insurtech, and greentech where it has increased by 16, 27, and 29 percentage points respectively since 2022, according to a new study by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). This upward trend is expected to continue, as financial institutions maintain strong investment in technology and increasingly embrace innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technology (DLT). Regtech adoption in Hong Kong reached 97% in 2025, making it one of the most mature fintech verticals in Hong Kong. This near-universal adoption…

As of June 2025, Hong Kong was home to 64 companies operating in the green fintech industry, reflecting the sector’s steady growth and increasing importance within the broader financial ecosystem, new data released by the Hong Kong’s Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group show. ESG compliance dominates The Hong Kong Green Fintech Map 2025, released last month, gives a comprehensive view of the green fintech sector in Hong Kong. The map reveals that within the sector, the category of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data disclosure, compliance and regulatory reporting, is the most crowded and advanced, totaling 19 ventures.…

IXT, a core insurtech solutions provider under global technology firm AIFT, has partnered with Richmond Insurance Brokers to launch Taiwan’s first digital platform for commercial insurance. The initiative aims to offer SMEs a more streamlined and accessible means of obtaining commercial insurance coverage. The platform brings together insurance products from several established insurers, including cybersecurity insurance from MSIG Mingtai Insurance, public liability insurance for businesses and property management committees from Hotai Insurance, and event liability insurance from Union Insurance. Delivered through IXT’s Launchpad platform, the collaboration allows for the digital handling of traditionally manual processes such as quoting and policy…

Standard Chartered, one of Hong Kong’s three note-issuing banks, will roll out a digital investment platform this month aimed at attracting tech-savvy young investors, according to its Hong Kong chief. The new platform will enable users to conduct investment research and trade a range of products, including stocks, funds, and alternative assets, Mary Huen Wai-yi, CEO for Hong Kong, Greater China, and North Asia, said. “Traditionally, many wealthy customers like to talk to bankers or relationship managers about their investments. But the new generation of investors may prefer to trade on a digital platform by themselves,” Huen said. “This is…

Fintech firms in Hong Kong are scrambling to raise equity to support expansion into cryptocurrencies, as the city began accepting applications for stablecoin issuer licenses on August 1. According to Reuters, at least 10 companies listed in Hong Kong raised over US$1.5 billion through share placements in July, with proceeds earmarked for stablecoins, digital assets, and blockchain-based payment solutions. These firms include digital asset platform OSL Group, retail cloud provider Dmall Inc, and AI company SenseTime Group. Investor enthusiasm has been particularly strong for stablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional assets such as the US dollar, driven by the passage of…

The first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses in Hong Kong is expected to be granted in early 2026, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said during a media briefing on Tuesday (July 29). According to Reuters, the city’s new stablecoin legislation is set to come into force on August 1, as Hong Kong moves ahead with efforts to position itself as a global digital asset hub. While market participants had anticipated that the first licenses would be issued before the end of this year, the HKMA’s latest comments underscore a more cautious regulatory approach. Darryl Chan, Deputy Chief Executive of…

Cross-border payments are the fundamental infrastructure that facilitates the flow of money within an increasingly interconnected global economy, underpinning commerce between individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. While traditional payment systems have historically struggled with inefficiencies such as high costs and slow processing times, addressing these challenges presents tremendous opportunities for innovation, expanding financial inclusion, and making cross-border transactions faster, more secure, and more accessible. Stakeholders across various sectors, including banks, fintech companies, regulators, and payment networks, must collaborate to create a resilient and inclusive payments ecosystem that promotes sustainable economic growth. The Growth Imperative – A Booming Market The payments…

Fintech News Hong Kong has released its selection of the top fintech players in Hong Kong, highlighting both local and international organizations that are transforming Hong Kong’s financial landscape. These companies are recognized for their leadership in specific fintech verticals, as well as for their broader contributions to the city’s financial innovation and sector growth. The selection spans ten fintech verticals, including digital payments, wealthtech, digital assets, and digital banks, along with supporting organizations such as accelerators and government agencies. These categories reflect the diversity and depth of Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem. E-wallets In the e-wallet fintech vertical, four brands…

PAObank has announced an investment of HK$200 million from Lufax Holding Limited. The funding will support PAObank’s ongoing efforts to enhance product development and strengthen its technological infrastructure, with a focus on further expanding its retail banking services. “This investment reflects our shareholders’ confidence in the promising prospects of digital bank,” said Ronald Iu, Chief Executive and Executive Director of PAObank. “PAObank will continue optimising our product and user experience, bringing efficient and flexible banking solutions to our customers.” As the digital bank marks its fifth anniversary, PAObank is entering a new phase of its business strategy. Having established a…

Boost is deeply rooted in Malaysia’s fintech story as the company that pioneered e-wallets and laid the foundations for Malaysia’s cashless culture. Nearly a decade later, the company has evolved to offer a full suite of fintech services from payments, lending, to a full fledged digital bank. Sheyantha Abeykoon, Group CEO, Boost has his eyes set on taking the Malaysian story regional. Will Boost be a household name in Southeast Asia? Will it finally turn profit this year? Check out our full interview to learn more

UK fintech giant Revolut is exploring a potential move into China, setting the stage for competition with domestic heavyweights such as Ant Financial’s Alipay and Tencent’s WeChat Pay. According to a pitch deck shared with investors during a secondary share sale last year, the company is actively evaluating “hiring, licensing [and] scoping” opportunities in the Chinese market. Revolut is also eyeing expansion across the Middle East as part of its broader push for global growth. The pitch deck, seen by Sifted, characterised the regulatory environment in the Asia Pacific region as “neutral”, while describing the Middle East and North America…

ZA Global has led a US$40 million Series A2 funding round for HK fintech firm, RD Technologies (RD), marking a significant step in the development of a regulated stablecoin ecosystem and next-generation Web3 financial infrastructure in Hong Kong. As lead investor, ZA Global’s participation reflects its confidence in RD’s long-term potential in the regulated stablecoin sector. The investment provides essential capital support and highlights ZA Global’s focus on advancing a compliant and innovative digital finance environment in Hong Kong. Alongside the funding, ZA Bank, ZA Global’s digital banking subsidiary, has signed a MoU with RD, furthering their existing collaboration in…

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has published several documents in preparation for the implementation of the regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers, which will come into effect on 1 August 2025. These include the consultation conclusions and finalised versions of the Guideline on Supervision of Licensed Stablecoin Issuers and the Guideline on Anti Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (For Licensed Stablecoin Issuers). The HKMA has also released an Explanatory Note on Licensing of Stablecoin Issuers, outlining the application process and various aspects of the licensing regime, as well as an Explanatory Note on Transitional Provisions for Pre existing…

APAC saw a sharp rise in human-led attacks in 2024, with attack rates growing over 60% year-on-year and increasing 37% overall, according to the LexisNexis Risk Solutions Cybercrime Report 2025. After years of rising global fraud, the report reveals that fraud is now plateauing in most regions. APAC, however, tells a different story. In 2024, while global daily fraud attack rates rose by just 1%, APAC experienced a dramatic 61% surge in human-led attacks, driving a 37% overall increase in attack rates. This coincided with a 16% rise in digital transaction volumes, highlighting a growing gap between rapid digital growth…