In Focus
Asia’s fintech firms raise $2.3b as deals slow in Q2 2026
Asia’s fintech firms raise $2.3b as deals slow in Q2 2026
Only 116 transactions were recorded during the quarter.
Malaysian banks to see stable profit despite margin and deposit pressures
The banks' established deposit franchises should mitigate competition pressure.
Why new trade routes will benefit Islamic finance
Islamic finance can help financial institutions strengthen their trade, treasury, payments, and settlement flows.
Stablecoins fail to crack 1% of non-wholesale cross-border payments
Consumer-to-business activity represented 22% of digital-token volume.
Islamic finance reaches $6t as capital deployment stays uneven
Trade corridors link Gulf liquidity with fast-growing economies.
Up to $47b in revenue up for grabs for APAC wealth and asset managers
AWM companies in the region manage only 22% of assets versus Europe’s 40% and North America’s 60%.
Digital currencies lead Asia payment coverage at 26%
Quick response code and wallet connectivity ranked second with a 24% share.
Indian private banks bet on retail loans and foreign deposits
Lenders want to increase their share of high-yielding and predominantly retail loans, said S&P.
Singapore banks offload risk to private credit
Banks will continue to anchor relationship-based senior lending, KPMG said.
Investment banks see bond deals slow as issuance falls 3.8%
Regional issuers still secured $2.5t through primary offerings excluding Japan.
Hong Kong’s financial sector set to lead APAC tokenisation: KPMG
The city is attracting mainland asset holders looking to tokenise their holdings.
Indonesia’s liquidity release may boost bonds instead of loans
Banks are increasingly allocating funds towards short-term government bonds and securities.
Digital wallets overtake cards in Singapore payments
Wallets captured 40% of online transaction value and 36% of in-store spending in 2025.
Taiwan private banks buoyed by mergers and semiconductor demand
Some lenders’ mergers are expected to expand the franchise and improve profitability.
Stablecoins set to go invisible amidst gig and B2B payments shift: Visa
It can reduce complexity in cross-border B2B payments and make payouts near-instant.
Indonesia QR payment searches surge 475%
It showed the fastest growth amongst six Southeast Asian markets.
Can AI replace wealth advisers?
Affluent investors still seek human judgement for major financial decisions.
Commentary
Singapore's next payments opportunity
DIFC's reforms open new doors for Asian businesses: Is yours ready?
Why Asia’s private wealth industry requires a new era of governance
APAC has mastered domestic payments. The next challenge is connecting them.
Why fragmented communications are becoming a hidden governance risk for Asia Pacific banks
From automation to agency: Asia’s wealth leaders can reinvent, not just streamline
Singapore aced its FATF evaluation — now comes the hard part