Digital financial services now shape everyday life, placing greater pressure on companies to earn and keep customer trust. With more transactions, more touchpoints and more customer data, getting security right has never been more important. eKYC is no longer just a compliance checkbox. It is now a critical part of how financial institutions build and maintain trust across the entire customer journey. This webinar will bring together industry experts from across the region to share practical insights on what comes next for eKYC in APAC. The evolving role of eKYC across the full digital customer journey Tackling identity fraud and…

Futu has launched a new AI-powered trading assistant that can assist with trade execution based on user instructions. The “Expert” mode uses an agentic architecture designed to support the entire investment process. It moves beyond simple text-based interactions by streamlining market analysis and supporting trade execution. Futu introduced the tool at its Causeway Bay flagship store in Hong Kong. The company highlighted its ability to process complex cross-market and cross-asset data. Futu’s “Agentic AI + Skills” architecture allows the platform to plan strategies, verify data, and support trade execution based on user instructions. The system aims to narrow the gap…

DigiFT has partnered with SBI Global Asset Management to launch a tokenised Japanese high-dividend equity fund. The JX token marks the first time a Japanese asset manager’s listed-equity strategy has been brought on-chain through DigiFT’s regulated tokenisation infrastructure, targeting accredited and institutional investors via the Solana network. The launch comes amid a broader expansion of real-world asset tokenisation beyond cash-like instruments into actively managed public-market strategies. SBI Asset Management manages the underlying strategy for the JX token. This direct alignment between issuer and manager reflects an industry shift away from products that only provide synthetic exposure. DigiFT holds Type 1…

Baillie Gifford has launched its tokenised investment fund to professional investors in Hong Kong. The Baillie Gifford Enhanced Yield Fund allows investors to hold fund tokens representing exposure to short-duration government and corporate bonds on public blockchains. The structure avoids the use of special purpose vehicle arrangements. The fund, developed in partnership with BNY, expands Hong Kong’s tokenised investment market into the fixed income sector. Instead of using intermediary or special purpose vehicle structures, Baillie Gifford issues the fund natively on public blockchain infrastructure. The blockchain serves as the official record of ownership, with the token representing the investor’s holding. The…

SBI XDC Network APAC has partnered with South Korean blockchain infrastructure firm DSRV to develop enterprise solutions on the layer-1 public blockchain XDC Network. The collaboration will explore cross-border use cases in trade finance, supply chain management, and digital asset tokenisation across Japan and South Korea. SBI XDC operates within the SBI Group to drive the deployment of enterprise blockchain solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. DSRV, its partner in the collaboration, operates as a registered Virtual Asset Service Provider with the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit. The company specialises in validator operations and digital asset services. Validator role and network operations…

Gobi Partners has partnered with Japanese telecommunications company NTT to connect startups across Southeast Asia and Japan with enterprise technology opportunities. The non-binding collaboration will explore opportunities to match emerging technology companies with NTT Group entities. It will focus on business validation and proof-of-concept initiatives. This partnership combines the regional investment network of Gobi Partners with the digital infrastructure capabilities of NTT. The two organisations aim to facilitate cross-border commercial engagements between startups, corporate enterprises, and public institutions across Japan and Southeast Asia, including selected initiatives in Malaysia. “When we expanded into Japan, our ambition was never simply to establish…

Statrys has launched local account capabilities in five European markets for its SME clients in Hong Kong. The fintech company said the feature gives businesses more control over cross-border payment costs. The new feature allows businesses holding a Hong Kong account to send and receive payments using local payment networks in the UK, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Liechtenstein. Clients can manage these transactions through their existing Statrys account. Each market offers specific local account details. For the UK, businesses receive local details for British Pound payments. In Germany and Luxembourg, Statrys provides clients with an IBAN for Euro transactions across…

JCB has signed a MoU with Circle to explore the use of stablecoins across its global merchant network. The Japanese payments company will test how Circle’s blockchain infrastructure could improve cross-border settlements through a proof of concept. Initial efforts will focus on cross-border treasury operations using USDC. A proof of concept for JCB’s internal fund transfers will evaluate opportunities to improve payment efficiency, reduce remittance costs, and support broader cross-border payment flows. Beyond treasury operations, the companies will explore stablecoin payment experiences at physical retail locations in Japan. The initiative targets local merchants and international visitors while assessing technologies that…

South Korean police are investigating KakaoPay over the alleged unauthorised transfer of customer data to Alipay, according to a report by The Chosun. Authorities are examining whether the digital wallet provider violated financial privacy laws by allegedly sharing the personal information of around 40 million users without their explicit consent. The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency raided the company’s headquarters in Seongnam on 6 and 7 July. The search marks an escalation of an investigation that began in March after the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) referred the case to law enforcement. The…

Visa has named Arturo Planell as its new Group Country Manager for Japan, Korea and Mongolia. The executive takes on the role after previously leading Regional Southeast Asia, as well as the Global Sellers and Digital Sales teams. Planell announced the leadership change in a LinkedIn post, marking his transition from his previous regional remit. He thanked his Southeast Asia teams, clients and partners, saying, “We built something I’m incredibly proud of, not just because of the results we achieved, but because of how we achieved them: with ambition, integrity, trust, and a lot of fun along the way.” In…

OneDegree has promoted its Deputy Chief Executive Emily Chow to Chief Executive and Executive Director with immediate effect. The appointment follows the virtual insurer achieving full-year profitability, calculated in accordance with the Insurance Ordinance. Chow joined the firm as General Manager in January 2022 before stepping into the Deputy Chief Executive role in January 2023. Under her management, the company reported that its revenue increased more than sixfold over the past four years compared to 2021 figures. During her tenure, Chow focused on strengthening the company’s position in the pet insurance market. She also broadened the general insurance portfolio by…

Oman-based fintech Mamun is expanding its operations in Hong Kong to build stronger trade finance links between the Gulf region and Asia. The company seeks to strengthen cross-border trade finance between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China’s Greater Bay Area, according to a report by Arab Founders. The expansion follows the company’s entry into the Hong Kong market earlier this year with support from InvestHK. Mamun executives recently met with InvestHK representatives, including Global Head of Financial Services King Leung and Senior Vice President of Fintech Peggy Kwok, to discuss new trade finance partnerships. Two-way financing corridor The company…

HSBC has completed a private placement of its first digitally native structured product in Hong Kong. The bank issued US dollar-denominated notes in a digitally native format on blockchain infrastructure, exploring how tokenisation can streamline key stages of the product lifecycle, including issuance, settlement and servicing. Marketnode, an APAC digital market infrastructure operator, supported the transaction. The firm acted as both the tokenisation agent and the digital paying agent, managing payment flows between HSBC and the investor. “Tokenisation can help make markets more efficient and accessible by streamlining key steps across product lifecycles, from issuance and settlement through to ongoing…

OSL Group has secured authorisation as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) from the Austrian Financial Market Authority. The Austrian Financial Market Authority granted the approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). OSL Group, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, can now offer regulated digital asset services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Under the new framework, OSL EU, the firm’s European subsidiary, can provide custody, spot trading, on and off-ramp conversion, and crypto-asset transfer services. The services are available to institutional and eligible clients. The harmonised framework removes the need for firms…

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has ordered internet brokers and virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong to stop using one-time passwords for client login and device binding. According to a circular issued by the regulator, firms must adopt stronger alternatives to combat the growing threat of phishing attacks involving stolen client credentials. The mandate requires firms to implement phishing-resistant authentication methods as soon as practicable. Firms must complete the transition within 12 months from the circular’s issuance. Large internet brokers are expected to adopt the measures immediately. The regulator said one-time passwords carry associated risks and that stronger…

Hang Seng Bank has partnered with Alipay+ to enable its customers to make cross-border QR payments directly through the bank’s mobile app. The integration allows users to make QR payments at over 100 million merchants across more than 55 countries and regions without needing to pre-fund a third-party wallet. The service covers markets including the Chinese Mainland, Europe, the US, Australia, South Korea, and Malaysia. According to Ant International, Hang Seng Bank is the first banking partner in Hong Kong to join the Alipay+ network. Customers see the payment amount based on the Alipay+ exchange rate before confirming the transaction.…

Animoca Brands has completed a live pilot of AI-powered commerce capabilities in Hong Kong, developed in collaboration with Visa. Users can deploy AI agents that identify rewards and complete purchases on their behalf within user-defined preferences and spending controls. Built for Minds by Animoca Brands, the capabilities support the platform’s persistent AI agents. Initially available through the Bruce Lee Club Ltd eShop, the pilot combines Visa Intelligent Commerce with a cardholder rewards directory. Rather than manually searching for promotions or comparing benefits, users can authorise their AI agents to surface relevant Visa offers based on eligible cards and execute transactions.…

Grace Investment Machine (GIM) has secured US$20 million in a Series A funding round to develop agentic AI systems for capital markets. The financing marks the investment technology company’s third funding round within its first year of operations. A US venture capital firm and Hony Capital co-led the round, with IDG Capital and existing investor Monolith Capital also participating. GIM will use the capital to build multi-agent systems that generate, test, and refine investment hypotheses using market data. The company aims to move beyond AI models that only assist with research. Instead, it is focusing on closed learning loops where…

Hyundai Card has completed a stablecoin-based cross-border remittance pilot for Hyundai Motor Company. The proof of concept successfully moved funds between the automaker’s US and Mexican corporate entities, marking a step beyond traditional blockchain testing toward real-world intercompany settlement use cases. The transaction involved converting US$20,000 from Hyundai Motor America into the stablecoin USDT, transferring the funds to Hyundai Motor Mexico, and converting the digital assets back into US dollars. Hyundai Card reported that the entire process took an average of seven minutes, compared with the three to four hours typically required for traditional interbank transfers. To prepare for the…

JCB, Resona Holdings and ODAWARA have partnered to develop an ultra-wideband (UWB) hands-free payment system for public buses in Japan. The initiative aims to reduce boarding times and ease the workload on drivers amid a nationwide labour shortage. This collaboration builds on a March 2026 agreement between JCB and Resona. The addition of ODAWARA, a transit fare equipment manufacturer, will allow the companies to begin technical trials with bus operators in the current financial year. UWB technology provides high-speed data transmission and precise positioning. The system identifies passengers as they board and alight, processing UWB transit payments without requiring them…