CoinGecko has reportedly appointed Moelis to advise on a potential sale that may value the crypto data firm at around US$500 million, according to CoinDesk. The process only began late last year and one person familiar with the discussions said it is too early for a firm valuation to be set. Interest in the business comes as crypto dealmaking rebounds. PitchBook data cited by CoinDesk shows disclosed mergers and acquisitions reached about US$8.6 billion across 133 transactions in 2025, exceeding the combined value of the previous four years. Major transactions included Coinbase’s US$2.9 billion purchase of derivatives exchange Deribit and…
Author: Fintech News Malaysia
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Digital banking in Asia was supposed to change the world. Five years later, did it live up to the hype? In this in-depth retrospective, Vincent Fong (Chief Editor, Fintech News Network) sits down with David Becker (Managing Director, Head of APAC Sales, Mambu) to unpack the last five years of the digital banking boom. They discuss why the predicted “death of traditional banks” never happened, how incumbents managed to adapt so quickly, and why the real revolution is happening in rural financial inclusion rather than just glossy apps. From the technical challenges of cloud-native infrastructure to the “boring but important”…
BigPay has linked its app to Bank Rakyat’s BRICK platform, giving users a new way to access information and apply for Shariah-compliant personal financing. Users who select the financing option in the BigPay app are directed to Bank Rakyat’s BRICK virtual banking platform, where they can view details of the product and submit their applications. Vijayanathan Sockanathan, Chief Operating Officer of BigPay, said, “This partnership reinforces BigPay’s mission to help Malaysians gain access to Islamic financing and make smarter and more informed financial decisions. Together with Bank Rakyat, we are giving financing greater transparency and accessibility directly through the BigPay…
Rafiza Ghazali has stepped down from her role as Chief Executive Officer of KAF Digital Bank. She will officially conclude her employment with the Islamic digital bank on 31 January 2026. During this transition, Suzaini Mokhtar has been appointed as the Acting CEO. Rafiza has led KAF Digital Bank since June 2022 and played a key role in steering the lender through its regulatory approval and market entry phases. The bank opened to the Malaysian public in August last year after receiving approval from Bank Negara Malaysia to begin onboarding customers following the completion of its PERINTIS phase. The digital…
Digital banking in Asia was supposed to change the world. Five years later, did it live up to the hype? In this in-depth retrospective, Vincent Fong (Chief Editor, Fintech News Network) sits down with David Becker (Managing Director, Head of APAC Sales, Mambu) to unpack the last five years of the digital banking boom. They discuss why the predicted “death of traditional banks” never happened, how incumbents managed to adapt so quickly, and why the real revolution is happening in rural financial inclusion rather than just glossy apps. From the technical challenges of cloud-native infrastructure to the “boring but important”…
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has announced the appointment of Dato’ Seri Ahmad Johan Mohammad Raslan as the non-executive Chairman of its Audit Oversight Board (AOB), effective 5 January 2026. Dato’ Seri Johan joined the AOB as a non-executive member in December 2020 and the Board later redesignated him as non-executive Chairman. He succeeds Tan Sri Abu Samah Nordin, who completed his two-year term as the AOB’s non-executive Chairman on 4 January 2026. Dato’ Seri Johan brings extensive experience across the corporate and public sectors, with a background in audit, governance and financial oversight. He previously served as Executive Chairman…
Fadrizul Hasani has announced his departure from Grab and GXBank following a 14-year tenure. As the First Engineer at Grab, Fadrizul was a foundational member of the technical team that scaled the company into a regional platform. He most recently served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at GXBank. GXBank has since updated its website to name Nishant Sharma as the new CTO. In a LinkedIn post, Fadrizul confirmed that his next phase of work will focus on the Malaysian market, with an emphasis on projects designed for national impact. “I’m stepping into a new chapter focused on building things…
CGS International Securities Malaysia (CGS MY) entered 2026 following a leadership transition announced on 25 November 2025. Khairi Shahrin Arief has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, while Alan Inn assumes the role of Country Head. Khairi will oversee strategic businesses and local operations, while Alan will focus on regional and cross-border growth. Commenting on the outlook, Khairi said Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and growth themes in digital technology, energy transition and healthcare supported CGS MY’s performance in 2025. “In 2026, we look forward to sharing progressive results of these activities, as CGS MY continues to serve as an important gateway to…
CIMB is laying the groundwork for tokenised bond and sukuk issuance as regulators advance securities tokenisation in Malaysia. The group said it will develop tokenised financial services covering assets, settlement and payment infrastructure under the Securities Commission Malaysia’s industry pilot programme on securities tokenisation. The initiatives will be rolled out in phases. The bank is also engaging Bank Negara Malaysia to seek admission into the Digital Asset Innovation Hub. Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Group, said, “CIMB is pleased to play a leading role in advancing Malaysia’s evolution towards a modern, resilient financial market infrastructure. In line…
Banks advise customers to update their web browser and mobile operating systems for a safer and more secure banking experience Malaysian banks are warning customers that outdated browsers and mobile operating systems increase the risk of scams and malware. The advisory was issued by member banks of The Association of Banks in Malaysia and Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia, which said unsupported software may no longer receive critical security updates. Banks said customers using the latest browser and operating system versions receive security patches that address newly identified vulnerabilities. Devices running unsupported versions face higher exposure to…
TNG Digital has partnered with MYDIN to offer discounts on school uniforms and provide direct support to underserved children ahead of the 2026 school term. The initiative targets back-to-school spending pressures as families prepare for the new academic year. From 18 December 2025 to 12 January 2026, customers who purchase selected Disiplin brand school uniforms for primary and secondary students at participating MYDIN outlets nationwide and pay using TNG eWallet will receive RM5 off each eligible item. The savings are applied at the point of purchase and are intended to help families manage upfront costs during the peak back-to-school period.…
Malaysia’s fintech scene has never lacked energy. What it has lacked, for years, is a centre of gravity that could pull startups, banks, corporates and investors into the same orbit. That is now changing, and we have PayNet to thank for that. For a long time, PayNet was known mainly as the national operator that kept the country’s payment rails humming. That work remains vital, but the company is now taking on a role that looks very different from its past. Through the PayNet Fintech Hub, it is positioning itself as the ecosystem builder that can accelerate the country’s next…
Setel has introduced a cash top-up feature that allows customers to add funds to their Setel Wallet using cash at PETRONAS stations across Malaysia. This move expands access to its digital payments ecosystem for users who prefer cash transactions. The service is available at more than 1,000 PETRONAS stations nationwide and enables customers to top up their wallets without requiring online banking or payment cards. After completing a one-time verification process, users can use their cash-funded balance for fuel purchases, parking, retail payments, Mesra Rewards and payments via DuitNow QR. The feature is particularly relevant for BUDI95 subsidy recipients, as…
RAM Ratings has upgraded the LECA rating of Polisea Labuan Ltd, the reinsurance subsidiary of PolicyStreet, to “a+”. The upgrade places the entity at the higher end of the “a” category, indicating an adequate capacity to meet policyholder obligations and financial commitments. The rating action reflects improved business traction and sustained profitability in a niche segment focused on high frequency, low severity risks. The rating remains within the “a” category, reflecting the company’s gestation phase and the potential for higher claims and reserving requirements as underwriting activity expands. Polisea Labuan is a licensed general (re)insurer in Labuan International Business and…
Bursa Malaysia now requires listed companies to file sustainability disclosures through its CSI platform under an updated prescribed format. The requirement took effect on 15 December 2025 and applies to issuers on the Main Market and ACE Market. It follows amendments to Bursa Malaysia’s listing requirements made in December 2024 under Malaysia’s National Sustainability Reporting Framework. Under the updated rules, companies must adopt the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and use Bursa Malaysia’s Centralised Sustainability Intelligence platform to generate a standardised disclosure format summarising sustainability-related metrics and targets. This summary must be included in issuers’ sustainability statements without modification. The CSI…
Glen Cha has stepped down as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of AEON Bank after three and a half years, bringing his tenure with Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank to a close. He led the build-out of the bank’s technology function, growing the team from two people to more than 130 and overseeing the development of systems that support the bank’s operations. His role covered included aligning technology delivery with business strategy, introducing agile product development practices, and leading bank-wide artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning initiatives. He also oversaw the design of the bank’s data governance framework and data quality…
Bjak, a Malaysia-based online insurance platform, is considering an initial public offering (IPO) within the next two years as it looks to fund further international growth. Bloomberg reported that the company is evaluating new markets beyond Asia. Founder Low Wei said Bjak is assessing Spain and Germany for potential entry in 2026, which would mark its first expansion into Europe. The move would follow the company’s recent entry into Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. Low said gross written premiums rose by about 20 percent to 30 percent this year and he expects growth to accelerate as the company expands overseas. He…
Halogen Capital has raised RM13.3 million in a funding round led by Kenanga Investment Bank, with participation from 500 Global. The investment was made through Kenanga’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kenanga Private Equity Sdn Bhd. Following the funding round, Kenanga holds a 14.9 percent stake in Halogen Capital, making it the company’s largest institutional shareholder. “This funding round represents an important step in advancing Kenanga’s digital asset ecosystem. Our investment in Halogen Capital—alongside our other investments in digital-first businesses such as KDX, Helicap and Merchantrade—reflects our conviction that the future of finance will be defined by innovation, supported by strong governance and…
The Securities Commission Malaysia has opened a public consultation to review the country’s corporate governance framework. The consultation is intended to assess whether existing governance standards remain fit for purpose as market conditions evolve and expectations around accountability, risk oversight and technology use continue to rise. According to the discussion paper, the review will look at how boards and management can play a stronger role in driving long term value creation while improving overall board effectiveness. Areas under consideration include behavioural expectations at board level, agility in managing emerging risks and the adoption of new technologies. The paper also flags…
Malaysia has moved into the highest follow up category under the Financial Action Task Force review after its latest mutual evaluation showed stronger controls against financial crime. The assessment follows the publication of Malaysia’s latest Mutual Evaluation Report by the Financial Action Task Force and the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and marks an improvement from the country’s 2015 evaluation. The report reflects stronger technical compliance and improved effectiveness in addressing money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing risks. The evaluation cites a comprehensive legal and institutional framework supported by amendments to key laws, including the Anti Money Laundering,…