In Focus

Asia adds just 1 fintech unicorn in Q1 2026

Juspay raised $50m in January to hit a $1.2b valuation.

Hong Kong wallets surge as card share drops to 31% online

HKQR and contactless payment acceptance accelerated mobile transaction adoption.

Japan's megabanks eye record earnings as BOJ rate hikes boost margins

Their earnings may further rise over the next two years.

Singapore banks benefit from safe-haven flows amidst Middle East conflict

Investors are shifting assets to the city-state for stability and protection.

Japan fintech market to hit $33b with 13% CAGR

Artificial intelligence blockchain and machine learning are driving sector expansion.

APAC cross-border payments surge as trade drives $24t outlook

The region is projected to account for 36% of global outbound flows by 2033.

Singapore's big 3 banks pivot to wealth as margins shrink

The banks eye growth in onshore, ASEAN, China and Hong Kong wealth.

Indian banks ready for new loss provisioning framework: Fitch

The banking system’s average CET1 ratio is expected to decline by 30bp by FY2028.

Malaysia e-wallet ownership drops to 1.5 wallets per user

Less frequent usage rose with 24% paying through wallets every one to three months.

Chinese megabanks’ assets grow 16% as Japan and India stalls

Singaporean banks’ assets also logged double-digit growth in 2025.

IoT payments to grow 24% in APAC fintech

Southeast Asian markets made up around 25% of regional fintech activity.

Asia fintech share stalls at 20%

The US accounted for 47% of global fintech deals in Q1 2026.

Malaysia's Q1 loan growth set to stall as businesses turn cautious

Banks’ loan loss provisioning is also expected to rise between $203.82m to 1b in Q1 2026F.

Only 2 in 5 small businesses use instant payments for refunds

Global Payments says gig pay usage reaches 63% amongst APAC businesses.