The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has introduced the country’s first Social Exchange as part of efforts to widen access to social impact financing. The platform, called Impakrintas, has been operational since 19 February 2026. It allows non-profit organisations to raise donations for eligible social impact projects through a regulated channel while giving donors more visibility over funding opportunities. Eight non-profit organisations have joined the platform so far. Their projects cover healthcare access, early intervention and health education for youth, food security, inclusive livelihoods and environmental sustainability, with a focus on underserved and vulnerable communities. The government has allocated a RM2…
Author: Fintech News Malaysia
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AirAsia MOVE is exploring stablecoin payments in Kazakhstan through a proposed collaboration with Intebix and the Solana Foundation. The companies will assess the integration of Evo, a tenge-denominated stablecoin on Solana, into the AirAsia MOVE platform in Kazakhstan. The project will examine the technical architecture, settlement mechanics and regulatory alignment needed for a potential pilot within the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s regulatory sandbox. The parties will also review the legal and commercial feasibility of the project before moving towards signing definitive agreements for the pilot phase. AirAsia MOVE, part of Capital A, serves more than 17 million…
KWAP now holds a combined 5.07 percent stake in AEON Co. (M) Bhd after its fund manager bought 1.57 million shares in the open market. The shares were acquired on 20 May 2026, according to a Bursa Malaysia filing dated 22 May 2026. The purchase brings KWAP’s total interest in the Malaysian retailer and mall operator to 71.11 million ordinary shares. Of this, KWAP holds 43.24 million shares directly, equivalent to 3.08 percent, while another 27.87 million shares are held indirectly through its fund managers, representing 1.99 percent. The filing was made under Section 137 of the Companies Act 2016,…
GXBank’s MSME financing push could receive a boost from a proposed risk-sharing facility from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), according to a DealStreetAsia report. The facility could support up to about US$110 million in loans to MSMEs, based on an IFC project disclosure cited by the report. The proposed unfunded guarantee would apply to the first-loss portion of the loan portfolio. IFC and GXBank would share the risk on a 90:10 basis, while IFC’s exposure would be capped at up to US$4.95 million in Malaysian ringgit equivalent. The arrangement is intended to help GXBank lend to MSME borrowers who may…
Bank Rakyat is launching the Bank Rakyat Fintech Community Hub in collaboration with the Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Plug and Play, and PayNet to standardise engagement with digital startups and accelerate the rollout of new products. The Fintech Community Hub initiative aims to provide continuous access to evaluated digital financial solutions, supporting the Islamic bank’s broader digital transformation agenda. An early result of this collaborative approach is the integration of Bank Rakyat’s Shariah-compliant Personal Financing-i applications into the BigPay digital wallet. The integration allows BigPay users to apply for credit directly through the app. The hub forms part of…
Bank Islam will fully discontinue its Be U digital banking app on 31 July 2026, according to Amanz, as the bank moves users towards its main BIMB Mobile platform. The bank had stopped new registrations for Be U in May and previously indicated that users would be shifted to Bank Islam accounts. On its website, Be U noted that the app will remain available until 31 July 2026 to give customers time to prepare for the transition. From 1 August 2026, users will be able to continue their banking activities through BIMB Mobile, which Bank Islam describes as offering more…
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) sees scope for MyDigital ID and other data-sharing schemes to support Malaysia’s Open Finance rollout, according to recent media reports, citing a spokesperson for the central bank. The key requirement will be customer consent. According to the spokesperson, personal financial information cannot be shared, accessed or used unless the customer has first given permission. She was responding to a question on whether MyDigital ID data could be connected to Open Finance. While such a link may be possible, the central bank stressed that consent would remain central to any data-sharing arrangement. BNM plans to introduce Open…
The Ant International Sustainability Report 2025 sets out the company’s sustainability agenda across payment access, SME digitalisation, AI, embedded finance and digital trust. Rather than treating sustainability as a separate corporate track, the report places it closer to the way digital financial services operate. Merchant access, credit availability, risk controls and online trust all sit within the wider discussion. Published as Ant International’s second sustainability report since independent operations began, the 2025 edition marks the first year sustainability metrics were added to management performance evaluation. Ant International’s Chairman, Eric Jing, described the approach as making accountability “structural, not aspirational.” The…
In this exclusive roundtable jointly hosted by Fintech News Network and Alteryx, senior banking leaders in Singapore shared how their institutions are deploying AI today, debated where human accountability still sits, and asked whether traditional banks will still exist in 10 years. The conversation moved through: How leading banks are deploying AI today, from chatbots and fraud detection to internal coding assistants and agentic workflows The rise of citizen coding when “the coding language is now English”, and what it means when non-technical staff start building The leap in compute power that has outpaced traditional planning models, and one banker’s…
RHB Banking Group has launched a cybersecurity self-assessment tool to help Malaysian SMEs identify cyber and fraud risks before they escalate. The tool, called RHB Cyber-Secure, is part of the bank’s RHB Digital Trust Programme. RHB described it as Malaysia’s first bank-led cybersecurity self-assessment tool for SMEs. The programme was launched in Kuala Lumpur and officiated by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. RHB Cyber-Secure helps SMEs assess their cybersecurity readiness and understand their exposure to cyber threats, fraud risks and digital vulnerabilities. RHB said SMEs remain vulnerable to cyber threats due to limited cybersecurity capabilities and resources. The programme also…
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is raising the bar for digital asset exchanges with revised rules on product approvals, governance and investor protection. The amendments to the Guidelines on Recognized Markets take effect on 20 May 2026 and are aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for regulated digital asset exchange operators in Malaysia. The revised guidelines will streamline the approval process to help regulated platforms launch products faster, while placing greater accountability on operators. They also strengthen client asset safeguards, governance standards and operational resilience. The SC is raising requirements around financial stability, shareholding structures and management competency for regulated…
Digital assets are gaining real traction among regulated institutions, but security risks are rising just as quickly. As adoption accelerates, scrutiny around custody controls, transaction integrity and compliance oversight is becoming more intense. Banks, exchanges and financial intermediaries are no longer running isolated pilots. Digital asset workflows are being integrated into day-to-day operations, which makes security architecture and governance core requirements rather than secondary considerations. The institutions that move ahead will be those that can scale digital asset activity without compromising control, resilience or regulatory standards. What C-level leaders should consider when building a digital asset security blueprint How regulatory…
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bursa Malaysia have proposed LEAP Market enhancements to improve fundraising access for MSMEs and mid-tier companies. The proposal follows the LEAP Market 2.0 announcement by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan in March 2026. It aims to create a smoother route for smaller businesses and mid-tier companies moving from private fundraising to the public market, while supporting the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030 and its five-year roadmap for MSME and MTC access to the capital market. SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the move represents a major step in building a…
TNG eWallet is adding prepaid mobile plan sign-ups, number switching and reloads through a new integration with Eastel. The partnership brings Eastel Mobile prepaid services into the app, allowing users to manage mobile connectivity alongside payments, rewards, travel and other daily services. Users will also be able to manage their Eastel Mobile plans directly within TNG eWallet, reducing the need to move between separate apps for daily services. Alan Ni, Chief Executive Officer of TNG Digital, said, “Through our partnership with Eastel, we are making mobile connectivity simpler, more accessible, and easier to manage directly within TNG eWallet. At TNG…
GXBank has expanded MSME financing access through a new CGC Digital partnership and broader use of alternative data for credit assessments. The collaboration with CGC Digital, the fintech arm of Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia, allows eligible businesses to access financing of up to RM150,000 through a digital guarantee. GXBank will also accept personal bank statements for business account applications and credit assessments, giving independent entrepreneurs and sole proprietors another way to formalise their business finances. The move targets businesses that may not have a formal business credit history. It is also aimed at helping address Malaysia’s RM90 billion MSME financing…
Hong Leong Bank is offering working capital financing to local SMEs under Bank Negara Malaysia’s latest relief facility. The SME Stabilisation Relief Facility is aimed at helping MSMEs affected by temporary business disruptions and cash flow pressures linked to the conflict in West Asia. Eligible SMEs can apply for financing of up to RM750,000 for working capital needs. The financing rate is up to 3.75% per annum, with a tenure of up to five years. The facility is backed by guarantee coverage of up to 80% from either Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad or Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad. Applications…
Setel has launched a bill payment feature that lets users pay selected household bills through its app. The feature covers 25 billers across utilities, water, telecommunications and broadband services, including Astro, CelcomDigi, TM, Air Selangor and Indah Water. More billers are expected to be added later. The launch expands Setel’s app beyond fuel payments and into other recurring household expenses. The app, which started as a fuel payment platform, has gradually added services linked to daily spending and mobility. Abdullah Ayman Awaluddin, Chief Executive Officer of Setel, said, “The introduction of ‘Bill Payment’ is another step in how we continue…
Funding Societies and Boost Bank are expanding property-backed SME financing in Malaysia through a new partnership. The collaboration will allow eligible businesses to use industrial or residential properties to secure financing for working capital, expansion and business continuity. Funding Societies will originate the financing, while Boost Bank, Malaysia’s first homegrown digital bank, will participate through its balance sheet. The financing is intended for business purposes and is secured by property, distinguishing it from conventional mortgage lending. The partnership targets asset-owning MSMEs and growing SMEs that still face gaps in accessing timely and structured financing. Both companies also plan to explore…
UOB Malaysia is offering up to RM750,000 in SME financing under Bank Negara Malaysia’s SME Stabilisation Relief Facility. The facility is aimed at helping businesses facing disruption and financial strain, including those affected by external pressures linked to the West Asia conflict. Eligible SME customers can apply for financing at a rate of up to 3.75% per annum, inclusive of the guarantee fee. The financing tenure is up to five years, with guarantee coverage provided by either Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan Berhad (SJPP) or Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC). UOB Malaysia said the facility complements its existing financial relief…
KAF Investment Funds has launched a global Islamic equity fund for investors seeking exposure beyond Malaysia. The KAF Global Islamic Equity Fund gives investors access to Shariah-compliant equities across developed and emerging markets. The fund covers themes such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, the energy transition, software innovation and changing consumer trends. KAF Investment Funds said the fund will provide exposure to global market leaders such as NVIDIA, Microsoft and TSMC while remaining aligned with Shariah principles. The fund will also focus on sectors including technology, healthcare and consumer goods. Mohammad Fariz Ahmad Shamsuddin, CEO of KAF Investment Funds Berhad,…