Alipay+ reported that mobile-first habits are reshaping how international travellers spend in Malaysia. Ranked among the world’s top five most popular destinations and first in Southeast Asia by transaction volume, Malaysia is seeing increased mobile wallet use not only in Kuala Lumpur but also in secondary cities such as Semporna, Kuantan and Tawau. With the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign targeting 47 million visitors, Alipay+ is working with local merchants and the tourism sector to meet rising demand by expanding its payments and digital services ecosystem. This includes extending cross-border payment acceptance to over 100 markets and partnering with 40 digital…

Tradeview Capital and Funding Societies Malaysia have launched the Tradeview Funding Societies Income Fund (TFSIF). It is a wholesale private credit fund aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s economy by channelling capital to SMEs while offering investors steady returns. The open-ended fixed-income fund provides monthly income distributions and liquidity opportunities. It combines Tradeview Capital’s disciplined fund management with Funding Societies’ SME origination and risk analytics platform to build a diversified, low-volatility portfolio. TFSIF targets a 6% annual return, distributed monthly, by investing primarily in short-term investment notes issued by Malaysian SMEs through the Funding Societies platform. It focuses on underserved but creditworthy…

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and TERAJU Bumiputera Corporation (TERAJU) have signed a MoU to expand capital market access for Bumiputera micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-tier companies (MTCs). The two-year MoU supports the SC’s Catalysing MSME and MTC Access to the Capital Market: 5-Year Roadmap (2024–2028), which targets RM40 billion in market-based fundraising by 2028. It also aligns with the 13th Malaysia Plan’s goal of helping Bumiputera businesses scale regionally and globally. The partnership will strengthen fundraising readiness through the SC’s Elevate programme, led by Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM), an SC affiliate. The initiative helps companies enhance…

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is using its first Climate Adaptation and Resilience (A&R) Conference to spotlight the capital market’s role in mobilising public and private finance for the nation’s climate defences. The conference brought together more than 400 participants from ministries, government agencies, financial institutions, climate experts, and academia to explore new pathways for adaptation financing. Minister of Plantation and Commodities and Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani delivered the keynote address on the government’s approach to managing climate risks. Sessions focused on enabling policies, science-based investment strategies, and innovative models to…

HashKey Exchange is expanding its Southeast Asia footprint through a new partnership with Malaysia’s HATA, uniting two licensed digital asset platforms under one regional push. The MoU outlines plans to build a secure and transparent framework for digital asset services, leveraging both firms’ strengths in Hong Kong and Malaysia. The collaboration will focus on technology, regulations, user experience, and business model innovation to support the region’s growing digital finance ecosystem. Both exchanges will assess API connectivity and system integration to improve efficiency and market liquidity. They will also study regulatory frameworks in markets including Hong Kong and Malaysia to establish…

Perodua has launched P-Circle, a new superapp featuring its e-wallet P-Duit, marking the automaker’s move toward offering Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in Malaysia. The P-Duit e-wallet supports payments for almost all transactions across Malaysia and will be accepted at electric vehicle (EV) charging stations through agreements with charging point operators. Perodua said this feature will complement its upcoming EV launch, allowing users to manage vehicle and lifestyle needs through one platform. Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said, “The P-Circle offers mobility as a lifestyle as all these offerings covers a significant portion of our online…

Paydibs has partnered with AhaPay to make it easier for Malaysian merchants to offer flexible installment plans, meeting growing consumer appetite for Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options. The collaboration, backed by global fintech holding Fingular, will integrate AhaPay’s BNPL services into Paydibs’ payment ecosystem, providing more flexibility for consumers and merchants across Malaysia. Through this partnership, AhaPay will roll out four- and seven-month installment plans for essential categories such as insurance and healthcare. The options aim to help consumers manage key expenses while enabling merchants to meet growing demand for flexible payment solutions. For merchants, integration across Paydibs NEO…

Malaysian small businesses are getting a digital boost as Shopee rolls out the RM50 million Shopee Rai Lokal MSME Growth Package to help them scale online. The initiative equips local entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and incentives needed to build sustainable e-commerce businesses. It also supports the government’s efforts to promote Malaysian products and expand inclusive participation in the digital economy. Under the programme, new sellers will receive commission fee waivers of up to RM2,000, while both new and existing MSMEs will benefit from platform support fee waivers. Shopee is also offering a complimentary six-month trial of its Fulfilled-by-Shopee (FBS)…

For more than a decade, banks have been busy “going digital”. They built apps, digitised forms, and automated obvious tasks. It worked. Mobile banking became expected, more processes went paperless, and many core systems were moved to the cloud (or at least parts of them). Yet even with all that, many banks still haven’t completed that journey. Globally, over 80% of banks have not fully migrated both their core banking and customer-facing digital channels to the cloud. A recent study also showed that while 91% of banks and insurers have initiated cloud transformation, more than half have moved only minimal…

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) Leadership Council (MLC) have announced the winners of the MIFC Global Impact Challenge 2025 (MIFC GIC 2025). In the Social Resilience track, the recipients were e-Wakalah, Gobarakah, and Koha Islamic Digital, while Bagh-e won under the Climate Resilience track. The awards were presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Global Islamic Finance Forum 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The winners will receive cash prizes and up to 12 months of post-programme support from the Asia School of Business’ Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (ASBhive) and global partners…

CIMB has unveiled OCTO Biz, a new digital platform aimed at helping sole proprietors, SMEs, and corporate clients simplify banking, secure financing faster, and expand across ASEAN. The platform was launched alongside SME FlexiCash/-i, a revenue-based financing solution designed to give small and medium enterprises easier access to working capital. CIMB OCTO Biz combines banking services and business management tools in one platform, building on the user experience of CIMB OCTO for retail customers. Users can monitor cash flow, manage transactions, and access trade, treasury, and foreign exchange services. Powered by AI and data-driven insights, it supports cross-border payments and…

The Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) will introduce the MADANI Captive Insurance Programme under the 2026 national budget. The programme will serve as a new national instrument for risk management. It aims to reduce reliance on public funds by channeling risk financing through captive insurance and takaful platforms, providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to manage risks. It was announced by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of the Fourth MADANI Budget. Further details about the programme’s structure and implementation were not provided. Featured image: Edited by Fintech…

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim in the Belanjawan 2026 speech, aimed at advancing the country’s financial inclusion and protection agenda. An additional RM35 million in matching grants has been allocated to the iTEKAD social finance initiative. The programme, which was launched to spur entrepreneurship and strengthen protection for vulnerable groups, will now also focus on creating employment opportunities. The new allocation seeks to enhance the financial resilience and capacity of target communities, helping them sustain and improve their livelihoods. The funds will be matched…

Indonesia-based payment gateway unicorn Xendit has completed the full acquisition of Payex, a Malaysian payment gateway licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia. According to DealStreetAsia, the announcement was made during the Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention (SDEC) 2025. The acquisition follows Xendit’s initial investment in Payex in early 2023 as part of its entry into the Malaysian market. The full integration, finalised this year, enables Xendit to operate under Payex’s local licence while applying its regional technology framework to deliver end-to-end payment services across Southeast Asia. Following the acquisition, Payex will be rebranded as Xendit Malaysia and adopt Xendit’s…

Everywhere you look today, identity is the real currency. Whether you’re opening a bank account or applying for government services, the same question comes back again and again. Who are you, and how can anyone be sure? That question has grown far beyond the teller’s counter. It now runs through the veins of the global economy, shaping how governments roll out digital services and how banks try to balance security with convenience. Digital identity has not-so-quietly become the infrastructure for growth, trust, and even inclusion. The Push to Make Identity Digital Fabrice Jogand-Coulomb, who is the Vice President of Mobile…

Fraud and scams are on the rise in Southeast Asia, from job scams and forced scam centers to deepfake impersonations and multimillion-dollar corporate fraud. In this episode of Banking After Hours, I’m joined by Julius Rajeswaran, COO of ‪Ryt Bank, and Tai Vo, Director of Market Planning, Fraud & Identity, APAC at ‪LexisNexis Risk Solutions‬, to explore: Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for scams How digital banks like Ryt Bank are rethinking fraud prevention The role of AI, behavioral data, and consortium-level intelligence Best practices from leading banks across the region

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has launched RENTAS+, an enhancement to its real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system that now enables continuous, 24/7 interbank fund transfers and settlements. According to the central bank, this makes RENTAS the first RTGS system in the ASEAN region to offer round-the-clock service. The upgrade is a response to the rapid growth in retail payments, with daily transaction volume and value having grown by 49% and 22% respectively since 2024. Previously, the old system settled retail payments twice daily on a deferred net basis, a method that carried inherent credit and settlement risks between banks. RENTAS+ now…

Malaysia has formalised its Single Family Office (SFO) incentive scheme with the gazettement of new rules, marking a key step in developing its wealth management ecosystem. The Ministry of Finance gazetted the Income Tax (Single Family Office Incentive Scheme) (Pulau 1 of Forest City Special Financial Zone) Rules 2025 on 3 October 2025, providing clarity and long-term policy certainty for families and advisers. According to the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), interest has been strong since the scheme’s launch in September 2024. Six families have received conditional approval, with indicative assets under management of close to RM400 million, and more than…

Fasset has received approval from Malaysia’s Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) to explore the development of a stablecoin-based Islamic banking model. The move marks a key step for the Dubai-based fintech as it expands its Shariah-compliant financial offerings within regulated frameworks. The company said the approval allows it to pilot digital financial products in a controlled environment under Labuan’s regulatory oversight. Fasset plans to build out a platform that combines asset-backed savings, financing tools, and blockchain-based payment features, including a planned crypto debit card that would support online and in-store purchases through Visa, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, pending…

CIMB Bank has unveiled a new bespoke digital wealth portal designed to bring personalised advisory, real-time market data, and interactive investment tools under one roof. The platform aims to make wealth management more accessible and data-driven as more customers turn to digital tools to monitor and grow their investments. The platform is powered by CIMB’s Chief Investment Office (CIO), the first wealth advisory unit of its kind in Malaysia serving affluent clients. The CIO brings together specialists across asset classes such as equities, fixed income, funds, structured products, and foreign exchange, combining global perspectives with local insights to deliver advice…