Alipay Pushes Deeper Into AI Commerce With New Payment Infrastructure
Alipay unveiled an AI‑native payment infrastructure, branding it the world’s first “AI Wallet” and a new service called “Token Pay.” The platform, aimed at AI agents and developers, has already attracted over 100 million users and processed roughly 300 million transactions since its February launch. Token Pay enables AI firms to handle subscriptions, token top‑ups and global payments through a single system. Alipay also introduced an Agentic Commerce Trust Protocol and intelligent security to cement trust in autonomous transactions.
Singapore’s Private Banks Aim to Cut Account Opening Times
Singapore’s private banking sector, led by the Private Banking Industry Group (PBIG), aims to slash account opening times to under one month by the end of 2026, down from the current five‑to‑six‑week median. PBIG has issued Process Enhancement Tips and...
Singapore Leads Emerging Race to Become World’s First «Trusted AI Financial Hub»
DBS Group Research released a report defining the “Trusted AI Financial Hub” and introduced the Global AI Financial Hub Index (GAIFHI) to rank 15 financial centres on AI integration, governance, digital infrastructure, talent and market outcomes. Singapore emerged as the...
Singapore Court Grants Winding up Bids for Three Entities Linked to 1MDB Scandal
The Singapore High Court approved winding‑up applications for three British Virgin Islands companies linked to the 1MDB fraud. The orders empower joint liquidators from Kroll to pursue statutory claims against Standard Chartered and BSI in Singapore. Earlier attempts by the...
Howden Appoints Alaric Lee CEO in Hong Kong
Howden announced that Alaric Lee will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer for its Hong Kong operations on July 1, 2026, succeeding Alfred Sham. Sham will relocate to Singapore to serve as Chief Strategy Officer, Asia, overseeing growth initiatives...
Edison Chan: «Regulation Unlocks Real Demand for Crypto»
Hong Kong has completed a sweeping virtual‑asset regulatory overhaul, adding a Stablecoins Ordinance, licensing for OTC dealers, custodians, advisers and managers, and a 2026 bill that will bring the entire crypto ecosystem under the Securities and Futures Commission and the...
Singapore Gulf Bank Partners with Standard Chartered to Boost Cross-Border Payments
Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) has forged a strategic partnership with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross‑border clearing and settlement, especially across the Middle East‑Asia corridor. The alliance builds on SGB’s SGB Net platform, which offers real‑time multi‑currency settlement and 24/7 payment...
OxPay Appoints AXS Founder to Board
OxPay Financial Limited appointed fintech veteran Joey Chang Wei Nang, founder of Singapore’s AXS, as a non‑executive independent director effective May 12. The move supports OxPay’s phased recovery plan, which includes a consumer‑facing B2C payment platform slated for a Singapore pilot...
OCBC Profit Rises on Fee Gains
OCBC posted a 5% rise in first‑quarter net profit to S$1.97 bn (≈$1.46 bn), up from S$1.88 bn a year earlier. Total income hit a record S$3.83 bn (≈$2.83 bn), driven by a 23% jump in non‑interest income to S$1.61 bn (≈$1.19 bn), which now makes up...
Aleta Planet Wins Key Licenses to Expand Into Malaysia
Singapore‑based fintech Aleta Planet has been granted a Money Services Business Class B licence and an e‑money issuer licence by Bank Negara Malaysia, allowing it to offer remittance and e‑money services alongside its existing merchant‑acquirer capability. The approvals position Malaysia...
DBS Posts Record Income as First-Quarter Profit Edges Higher
DBS Group posted a record total income of SGD 5.95 billion (≈$4.4 billion) in Q1, with net profit edging up 1% year‑on‑year to SGD 2.93 billion (≈$2.2 billion). Strong wealth‑management fees and a surge in treasury customer sales offset a 5% decline in net interest income...
Alea Names Head of Europe to Lead Expansion Push
Alea has appointed Eric Lasaygues as Head of Europe, basing him in Paris to drive the broker’s continental expansion after securing a French broker licence and opening a Paris office. Lasaygues brings three decades of finance, actuarial and insurance brokerage...
DBS Launches Enhanced GenAI Program
DBS Bank has launched an upgraded Spark GenAI programme to accelerate AI adoption among Singapore’s small and medium‑sized enterprises. Developed with Enterprise Singapore and IMDA, the initiative follows a three‑stage framework—Start, Accelerate, Scale—offering tools, consulting and integration support. Eligible firms...
Debt Markets Platform 9fin Expands Into Asia-Pacific
9fin, the global debt‑market intelligence platform, has launched its services across the Asia‑Pacific region, extending its footprint beyond its Hong Kong hub. The rollout provides APAC credit professionals with real‑time news, proprietary data and AI‑driven analytics covering over 1,800 issuers...
ClearBank Partners With Tazapay to Expand Real-Time Payments
ClearBank announced a partnership with Singapore‑based cross‑border payments platform Tazapay, giving the fintech access to the UK and European real‑time payment rails. The deal marks ClearBank’s first Singapore client and its fifth Asia‑headquartered non‑resident customer this year, underscoring rising demand...