Banking, Fintech - Scandasia

Executive Director NordCham Philippines, Axel Fries

From tech start-ups to NordCham Philippines: Axel Fries is its new Executive Director

April 8, 2026April 8, 2026 - by Joakim Persson - Leave a Comment

Young Filipino-Swede Mr Axel Fries has taken over as NordCham Philippines’ new Executive Director, keen on leading the chamber to new heights, while not going ahead of himself. And while …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel

Why Investors See Southeast Asia as a Growth Engine

December 12, 2025January 18, 2026 - by Avi Jagota - Leave a Comment

Southeast Asia has entered 2025 with one of the world’s strongest regional growth outlooks, with forecasts hovering around 4.5 percent, well above the global average. Combined with stable macro fundamentals, …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Myanmar / Norway

Norfund-backed Yoma Bank partners with MoneyGram to offer remittances for Myanmar’s migrant workers

August 14, 2025December 26, 2025 - by Sharan Khorana - Leave a Comment

Yoma Bank, part-owned by Norway’s development finance institution Norfund, has partnered with global payments network MoneyGram to enable near-instant cross-border money transfers to Yoma Bank accounts across Myanmar. The service …

Emil Akander, Vice President and Head of Region for the Asia-Pacific - Business Sweden

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Construction, infrastructure / Energy / Healthcare / Innovation & Technology / International relations / Sustainability / Transportation, maritime

Emil Akander, Business Sweden, Asia-Pacific: Sweden’s biggest economic growth potential at the crossroads of emerging economies and the world’s major economies

May 28, 2025May 28, 2025 - by Joakim Persson - Leave a Comment

In the region he has already called home for the past decade, Emil Akander was in early 2025 appointed by Business Sweden (BuS) as Vice President and Head of Region …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Denmark / Singapore / Taiwan / Thailand

Saxo Singapore reports strong 2024 growth as EAM assets surge

May 5, 2025January 18, 2026 - by Avi Jagota - Leave a Comment

The Danish founded Saxo Bank’s Singapore operations have seen a major boost in 2024, with the firm reporting that assets managed through its External Asset Manager (EAM) segment have doubled …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Malaysia / Singapore / Sweden / Thailand / Vietnam

Swedish fintech Vilja expands into Vietnam following growth in Malaysia and Thailand

March 19, 2025 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

Swedish fintech company Vilja has expanded its operations into Vietnam with a new development hub in Ho Chi Minh City, marking its latest move in Southeast Asia following earlier expansions …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Indonesia / Innovation & Technology / Norway / Sustainability

Indonesia seeks funding for Danish and Norwegian waste management technology

February 23, 2025 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

Indonesia is exploring opportunities to procure waste management technology from Denmark and Norway, according to the country’s Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment. The ministry’s deputy for environmental and …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / International relations / Singapore

Danish Embassy in Singapore celebrates MoU between Copenhagen Fintech and the GFTN

November 15, 2024 - by Karoline Rosenkrantz Paasch - Leave a Comment

The Embassy of Denmark in Singapore recently announced a significant milestone in fintech collaboration. This achievement came with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Copenhagen Fintech and …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Singapore

Saxo Bank appoints new leaders in Singapore for Asia-Pacific expansion

November 13, 2024 - by Miriam Soukaina Nenni - Leave a Comment

Danish investment company Saxo Bank has appointed Damian Hitchen as the new leader for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. Hitchen, who has been with Saxo since 2021, now has …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / China / General news / Innovation & Technology / Philippines / Singapore / Thailand / Trading & Logistics

Bitcoin vs. Altcoins: Exploring Effective Trading Strategies

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

The cryptocurrency market has experienced significant growth over the past decade, with Bitcoin taking the lead as the first and most valuable digital currency. Bitcoin’s emergence was followed by a …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Denmark / Finland / Hong Kong

Saxo Bank explains Hong Kong closure

October 1, 2024 - by Karoline Rosenkrantz Paasch - 1 Comment

Last week, we reported that Saxo Bank closed its office in Hong Kong, but were unable to obtain a statement. Yesterday, Saxo Bank A/S, the Denmark-based trading platform, officially announced …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Finland / Vietnam

Finnish investment firm PYN Elite bets big on Vietnamese Banks

October 1, 2024January 18, 2026 - by Avi Jagota - Leave a Comment

Finnish investment firm PYN Elite is showing strong support for Vietnamese banks by dedicating half of its portfolio to them. This highlights PYN Elite’s confidence in the growth potential of …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Denmark / Hong Kong

Saxo Bank close Hong Kong and China offices

September 25, 2024January 18, 2026 - by Avi Jagota - 1 Comment

Denmark-based Saxo Bank, headquartered in Copenhagen, announced plans to close its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. It will also scale back operations in Tokyo, according to Nikkei Asia. The …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Sweden / Thailand

Swedish company Vilja enters Thailand to drive digital banking innovation

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 - by Karoline Rosenkrantz Paasch - Leave a Comment

Swedish digital banking company Vilja has expanded into Thailand, marking its entry into the ASEAN market. At a launch event in Bangkok, the company signed partnerships with four local firms …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Norway / Philippines / Sweden

Nordic and Southeast Asian central banks top global rankings

August 27, 2024August 28, 2024 - by Miriam Soukaina Nenni - Leave a Comment

Central banks in both the Nordics and Southeast Asia have been recognized among the world’s best-performing financial institutions, according to the latest Central Banker Report Cards from Global Finance magazine. …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Finland / Laos / Norway / Sweden

Laos to open gold bank

August 12, 2024May 12, 2025 - by Anika Jagota - Leave a Comment

Laos plans to establish the Lao Bullion Bank to build gold reserves, enhance financial stability, and strengthen the Lao Kip. The bank will allow both individuals and legal entities to …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Carousel / China / Hong Kong / Indonesia / Thailand

A beginner’s guide to online trading with MTrading Broker

May 27, 2024May 27, 2024 - by News Desk - 7 Comments.

The financial markets have long held an air of mystique, a realm seemingly reserved for suited figures barking orders on Wall Street. But the rise of online trading platforms has …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Finland / Indonesia

Finnish fund supports Indonesian fintech

April 11, 2024 - by Lærke Kobberup - 1 Comment

The Indonesian fintech AwanTunai has gotten the support from OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund I in the form of 5 million US Dollars in equity. OP Finnfund Global Impact Fund …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Finland / Laos / Norway / Sweden

Foreign investors are now required to have Laos bank account

February 23, 2024 - by Lærke Kobberup - Leave a Comment

Laos is making it mandatory for foreign investors to create a local bank account within 15 days of getting their business license. This new rule has applied since 10 February …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Philippines / Sweden

New digital currency in Philippines to learn from Sweden

February 14, 2024 - by Charlotte Nike Albrechtsen - Leave a Comment

The Philippines expect a new central bank digital currency (CBDC) within the next two years. The digital tokens are to compete with volatile crypto currencies as an alternative system of …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Sweden / Vietnam

SEB Group targets Vietnam for expansion

January 22, 2024 - by Miabell Mallikka - Leave a Comment

SEB Group, a Swedish financial institution, is targeting Vietnam for expansion. Marcus Wallenberg, SEB Group’s Chairman, praises Vietnam’s development, positioning it as a key investment destination. In a strategic move, …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Construction, infrastructure / Denmark / Finland / Innovation & Technology / Norway / Singapore / Sweden

True Global Ventures’ insights on megatrends, and the significance of AI

December 19, 2023December 19, 2023 - by Joakim Persson - Leave a Comment

In the past, Dusan Stojanovic, Director and Founder of True Global Ventures (TGV), has guided the ScandAsia readers within the world of financial technology (fintech). The Singapore-based Swede now returns, …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Carousel

Tech Stacks: Integrating Trading Software & Analytics Tools

December 1, 2023December 1, 2023 - by News Desk - Leave a Comment

Financial trading requires sophisticated technology. A well-crafted tech stack ensures smooth operations and equips traders by giving real-time data analytics that enables informed decision-making. Integration between trading software and analytics …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Thailand / Trading & Logistics

Doing business in Thailand will be easier for foreigners

September 27, 2023 - by Sofie Rønnelund - Leave a Comment

Bank of Thailand (BOT) said on 26 September 2023 that they will relax foreign exchange rules for non-residents, to make it easier for foreigner to do business in the country. …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Denmark / Singapore

Danish Nordea gets Singapore license

September 12, 2023 - by Miabell Mallikka - Leave a Comment

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has granted a capital markets service license to Denmark-based Nordea Asset Management. This allows the Scandinavian company to operate within portfolio construction and allocation and …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Norway / Singapore

Norway’s wealth fund closes China office in shift to Singapore

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 - by Miabell Mallikka - Leave a Comment

Norway’s $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund, is closing its only office in China and moving it to Singapore, the fund said on Thursday, September 7. The Norwegian fund has mentioned …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Indonesia / Malaysia / Philippines / Thailand / Vietnam

Vietnam agrees to establish cross-border payments between other five ASEAN countries

August 25, 2023 - by Kanlayakorn Pengrattana - Leave a Comment

Vietnam’s Central Bank signed an agreement to establish a cross-border payments mechanism between five Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines on Friday, 25 August …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Singapore

Singapore seeks to tighten money laundering audits

August 1, 2023 - by Miabell Mallikka - Leave a Comment

Singapore’s central bank proposed on Monday, July 31, measures to tighten money laundering surveillance of family offices, that handle the financial affairs of the super-rich. The Monetary Authority of Singapore …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Malaysia / Singapore

Singapore and Malaysia set up cross-border payment link

April 1, 2023 - by Miabell Mallikka - Leave a Comment

The central banks of Singapore and Malaysia launched a cross-border payment link between the neighbouring countries on Friday, March 31. The new system, called Nets-DuitNow QR, allows travelers to pay …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel

How much does hospitality contribute to Thailand’s economy?

February 24, 2023February 25, 2023 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and the Thai economy benefits hugely from the multibillion-dollar tourism sector. Renowned as one of the most beautiful …

Banking, Fintech

Thailand Booting Up Towards An “Innovative State”

February 22, 2023May 26, 2023 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

The country of Thailand is labeled as “the land of smiles.” It is referred to as a smile because a smile is greater than just a sweet gesture; it is …

Banking, Fintech

Economic Recession To Affect Cryptocurrency’s Consumption In Asia But How?

February 22, 2023February 22, 2023 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

The world is sailing the boat of economic recession for quite a time now. Especially post covid outbreak. But the main question here is to predict, will this inflation impact …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Sweden

Sweden approves Binance as official financial institution

January 16, 2023 - by Kanlayakorn Pengrattana - Leave a Comment

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen/Swedish FSA) recently approved and registered the crypto exchange, Binance, as an official financial institution. According to Reuters, the registration allows Binance to launch a …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Carousel

International Money Transfers: 5 Tips To Minimize Charges

December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

People send money overseas for different reasons, such as settling bills like overseas mortgages or foreign investments. Also, business owners who ship products regularly send cash internationally to suppliers to …

Estonian Ambassador to Singapore, Priit Turk

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Cambodia / Education / Entrepreneurship / Estonia / Indonesia / Innovation & Technology / Laos / Malaysia / Myanmar / Philippines / Singapore / Thailand / Vietnam

New Estonian embassy and Ambassador to Singapore: Priit Turk

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 - by Joakim Persson - Leave a Comment

Estonia strongly views itself as belonging to the Nordics. And for Estonia debuting in Southeast-Asia means business! Learn more about the brand new embassy and the first ambassador on the …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Myanmar / Norway / Singapore

Yoma firm to acquire more stake in Myanmar Wave Money from Telenor

November 22, 2022 - by Kanlayakorn Pengrattana - Leave a Comment

The Singapore-based company, Yoma MFS Holdings, is to buy a 51% stake in Wave Money from Norway’s Telenor. Both companies agreed to transfer the stake for 53 million USD in …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / China / Indonesia / Philippines / Singapore / Thailand / Vietnam

Future of Asia: The Future of Financial Services

November 18, 2022 - by News Desk - Leave a Comment

Consumer spending is increasing everywhere, but nowhere more so than in Asia. If you ignore Asia, you risk missing out on half of the global picture, a $10 trillion consumer …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / China / Philippines / Singapore / Thailand

UAE expats rushing to send money to Pakistan, Philippines, India as currencies plunge to all-time low

November 5, 2022 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

Expatriates in the UAE now have the incentive to send money back home as the currencies of Pakistan, Philippines, and India have hit an all-time low. Recent reports say that …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel

Stock Market Is Challenged As Inflation Likely To Peak 6.7% This Last Quarter

October 31, 2022November 1, 2022 - by News Desk - 1 Comment

As the number of cash remittances from Filipinos peaks, it is possible for the Philippine peso to gain ground on the US Dollar by November and December of the year …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / Hong Kong / Indonesia / Singapore / Thailand

Best Forex Brokers for Beginners in Hong Kong

October 20, 2022October 20, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - 6 Comments.

There are many reasons to dive into the world of Forex as a new investor, such as the fact that it’s accessible, fast-paced, and offers the possibility of making quick …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Innovation & Technology / Norway / Thailand / Vietnam

Norwegian web browser company chooses South East Asia to explore Web 3.0

August 10, 2022 - by Kanlayakorn Pengrattana - Leave a Comment

The Norwegian company Opera is partnering on its Web3 plans with Vietnam-based decentralized finance (DeFi) platform Coin98. Susie Batt, Crypto Ecosystem Lead at Opera shared that, “The Web3 ecosystem is …

Banking, Fintech / Cambodia / China / Denmark / Finland / Healthcare / Hong Kong / Moving to Asia / Norway / Singapore / Sponsored content / Sweden / Thailand

Most expats are ‘burnt out’

July 23, 2022July 23, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - 1 Comment

Expat stress world wide has reached an all-time high. Almost all expats are having symptoms of burnout. These are some of the findings of a Global Well-Being Survey of 11.922 …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / Entrepreneurship / Hong Kong / Malaysia / Singapore / Thailand

5 Tips to Not Use a Credit Card for Your Business

June 30, 2022September 7, 2023 - by Gregers Møller - 4 Comments.

Running a business is a lot of work. There are many challenges to overcome, from developing a clever idea to building a loyal customer base. Managing finances is one of …

Banking, Fintech / China / Denmark / Hong Kong / Singapore / Thailand

Thai tourists spend the most money in Denmark

June 24, 2022June 24, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

It is a long way from Asia to Denmark, but once the Asian tourists arrive, they spend a lot of money in the country. The biggest spenders are the tourists …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / China / Indonesia / Singapore / Thailand

Exploring the Opportunities of the Gold Market

June 10, 2022June 11, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

As any successful investor knows, diversity is the key to success when building wealth. Exploring a range of options with your assets and securities will allow you to withstand even …

Banking, Fintech / Carousel / China / Malaysia / Singapore / Thailand

5 Key Insights for Navigating the Current Landscape of Core Banking

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - 1 Comment

In the last few years, the global banking industry has been rocked on all sides by evolving market and consumer demands, shifting regulatory requirements, and the rise of new and …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Norway / Singapore

Norway and Singapore wealth funds weigh in on Indian IPO

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022 - by Jaqueline Deeon - Leave a Comment

High profile anchor investors from Norway and Singapore have their eye on the new and biggest IPO in India, which means they will be allotted shares before the subscription opens …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Hong Kong / Sweden

Sweden’s EQT joins forces with Baring Private Equity Asia

March 18, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - 2 Comments.

Sweden’s EQT has reached an agreement to acquire Baring Private Equity Asia, a leading private markets investment firm in Asia with EUR 17.7bn of assets under management. In this company …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / China / Norway / Retail & Wholesale / Services

China criticizes Norges Bank for excluding Chinese Sportswear company

March 12, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund recently decided to exclude the Chinese sportswear company Li Ning Co Ltd due to concerns over human rights violations. Allegations China denies and warns that the …

Banking, Fintech / Business in Asia / Norway / Services / Singapore / Sweden

Singaporean and Norwegian experts to advise Swedish firm EQT’s longer-hold investment fund

February 1, 2022February 18, 2022 - by Gregers Møller - Leave a Comment

The Swedish private equity firm EQT has appointed three high-caliber business executives with strong impact expertise to its EQT Future’s Mission Board. The Swedish private equity firm said in a …