What The FinTech #182 - 17 Feb 2025

?? Welcome to the Latest Edition of What The FinTech! ??

Stay ahead in the dynamic world of fintech with this quick and easy read. We’ve got the headlines, insights, and links to the stories that matter most. For those who crave deeper dives, our full Substack newsletter is packed with exclusive interviews, in-depth analyses, and more!

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In this edition, explore the latest fintech updates and insights, plus a sneak peek into our podcast lineup. Join us as we uncover the trends, ideas, and stories shaping the fintech world.

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??? New Podcast Episode: The Future of Cross-Border Payments in Asia

In the latest episode of What The Fintech X Money20/20, we dive into the evolving landscape of cross-border payments in Asia. Joined by Ian Fong (Money20/20), Michele Fung (LianLian Global), and David G.W. Birch (author and digital money expert), we explore real-time payment systems, fintech-driven innovations, and the disruptive potential of cryptocurrencies.

Discover bold predictions for the next 2, 5, and 10 years in this insightful discussion!

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?? Top Stories in Fintech & Emerging Technologies

???? HONG KONG

• ?? HK’s Crypto Regulations Aim for Long-Term Gains ???? Hong Kong’s cautious crypto policies aim to balance innovation and regulation, focusing on OTC trading & digital asset classifications.
• ?? Hong Kong’s Young Affluent Aim for $18M Savings but Lack Plans ???? Half of young wealthy families in Hong Kong have no solid financial plans, despite ambitious savings goals.

???? SINGAPORE

• ?? Aument Capital Secures Regulatory Approval in ADGM ???? Singapore’s Aument Capital Group receives in-principal approval for an investment advisory license in Abu Dhabi, expanding its reach across key financial hubs.
• ?? Manulife Reshuffles Asia Leadership Team ???? Manulife appoints Dr. Kah Siang Khoo as CEO of Emerging Markets, overseeing Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, while other key roles see leadership transitions.

???? CHINA

• ?? BYD Stock Soars with AI-Driven Driver Assistance ???? BYD introduces DiPilot, an AI-powered driver assistance system, making it China’s first automaker to offer smart driving on budget vehicles.
• ?? Alibaba Expands DeepSeek AI Offerings at Low Prices ???? Alibaba adds six DeepSeek AI models to its cloud services, denying rumors of a $1B investment in the AI startup.
• ?? Tencent Cloud Plans $150M Expansion in the Middle East ???? Tencent Cloud is investing $150M+ to expand its infrastructure in the Middle East, targeting gaming, e-commerce, and digital economy services.
• ?? Apple & Alibaba Partner for AI on iPhones in China ???? Apple joins forces with Alibaba to introduce AI features to iPhones in China, aiming to revive sales amid tough local competition.
• ?? Baidu CEO Pushes for More AI Investment Despite DeepSeek’s Success ????? Baidu CEO Robin Li calls for increased AI infrastructure spending, despite DeepSeek's cost-effective AI breakthroughs.
• ?? Baidu Expands AI & Autonomous Driving Leadership ???? Baidu’s Apollo Project is driving AI innovation in healthcare, robotics, and self-driving vehicles, aligning with China’s tech ambitions.
• ?? JD.com Enters Food Delivery Market ???? JD.com launches JD Takeaway, offering commission-free sign-ups for restaurants, competing against Meituan & Ele.me.
• ?? China Court Rules AI Image Generation as Copyright Infringement ???? A Hangzhou court orders an AI platform to halt image generation and pay 30,000 RMB in damages, setting a precedent for AI copyright disputes.

?? ASIA

• ?? Coles Debuts AI-Powered Instacart Carts ????? Coles launches AI-equipped smart trolleys in Melbourne, allowing customers to auto-scan items, track spending, and check out directly from their cart.
• ?? Macquarie & HSBC Consider Joining Australia Post Pact ???? Australia's government urges Macquarie & HSBC to back the Bank@Post initiative, ensuring rural banking services remain accessible.
• ?? RBI Introduces ‘Bank.in’ Domain for Safer Transactions ???? India’s central bank launches ‘bank.in’ to combat fraud in digital banking and plans a similar domain for non-bank finance entities.
• ?? Toyota to Launch Digital Bond for Retail Investors ???? Toyota Finance issues a digital bond via the Progmat platform, encouraging customers to invest through the Toyota Wallet app.
• ?? SoftBank Expected to Post $1.5B Profit ???? SoftBank’s rising telecom stock value and Swiggy IPO gains contribute to a projected quarterly profit of $1.5B.
• ?? SoftBank Explores Debt-Heavy Financing for $500B AI Push ???? SoftBank considers project-based financing for its $500B Stargate AI venture, potentially reducing its upfront investment burden.
• ?? StanChart Launches ‘SC PrismFX’ for Global FX Payments ???? Standard Chartered introduces SC PrismFX, offering automated multi-currency FX payments across 130 currencies in 40+ markets.
• ?? India’s Loan Demand Expected to Moderate in Q1 2025 ???? Indian bankers predict slower loan growth in January-March 2025, except for the mining sector, which may see tightened lending conditions.
• ?? GenAI to Boost India’s IT Productivity by 45% ???? India’s $254B IT sector expects a 43%-45% boost in productivity from Generative AI, particularly in software development, BPO, and IT consulting.
• ?? Thailand’s Tight Lending Rules Limit SME Credit Access ???? Less than half of Thai SMEs can access bank loans, forcing fintechs to offer alternative credit-scoring solutions.
• ???? Philippine Banks’ Lending Expands 12.2% in December ???? Loans in the Philippines surged 12.2% YoY, driven by consumer loans, vehicle financing, and business lending.
• ???? Bac Giang Invests in AI for Smart Governance ????? Vietnam’s Bac Giang province commits to AI-powered smart cities & digital transformation, aiming to become a regional innovation hub.

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?? Global Tech & Finance Trends

?? NetVRk Unveils SilkAI for AI-Driven Metaverse NPCs ????? SilkAI offers realistic AI-driven avatars & NPCs, integrating blockchain & metaverse technology for lifelike digital interactions.

?? Google & SoftBank Back Quantum Computing Startup QuEra ???? QuEra raises $230M to advance quantum computing, using neutral atom qubits for scalable AI applications.

?? J.P. Morgan Expands Wealth Management in Australia ?????? J.P. Morgan hires new HNW client advisors, strengthening private banking services for wealthy Australian investors.

?? Australia’s AMP Launches Digital Bank for Small Businesses ???? AMP introduces a new digital bank, catering to SMEs, side hustlers, and solopreneurs, featuring AI-driven finance tools & numberless debit cards.

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?? That’s a wrap for this edition of What The FinTech! ??

We hope you found this snapshot of fintech innovation as exciting as we did. Remember, the fintech world is always evolving, and we're here to keep you ahead of the curve.

?? Stay curious, stay connected—our Substack is where the deeper stories live, and our socials are your quick stop for fresh updates.

If you enjoyed this, why not share it with friends or colleagues who live and breathe fintech too? Together, we can grow this incredible community of innovators, dreamers, and changemakers. ??

? What’s next? More breaking news, insightful analysis, and exciting podcast episodes coming your way. So, stay tuned and let’s continue this fintech journey together!

?? Got ideas, feedback, or collaboration opportunities? My inbox is always open. Let’s create something amazing.

Cheers,

Medhy

Your Fintech Navigator ??