As Finovate goes increasingly global, so does our coverage of financial technology. Finovate Global: Fintech News from Around the World is our weekly look at fintech innovation in developing economies in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe.
MENA
- Dubai’s mobile-only, millennial-focused digital bank Liv celebrates acquiring more than 10,000 new customers every month in its first year of operation.
- Islamic banking technology provider Path Solutions recognized as vendor of choice for Sharia-based core banking platforms by IBS Intelligence.
- Dubai-based insurtech startup Aqeed raises $18 million in fuding one month after launch.
Africa
- Africa-based digital payments solution company Cellulant has raised $47.5 million in Series C funding.
- Hypepotamous profiles South African authentication specialist Entersekt.
- Wala, which leverages blockchain technology to power its mobile money solution, goes live for Android users in Uganda, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
LATAM
- Kyriba announces plans to boost investment in Latin America and help CFOs and treasurers modernize cash, risk, payments, and working capital optimization.
- Morgan Stanley to buy $14 million (50 million reais) in bonds from Brazilian online lender Geru Tecnologia e Servicos.
- Forbes.com looks at the future of financial technology in Mexico
CEE
- Polish Credit Office, the largest credit bureau in Central and Eastern Europe, to use blockchain technology from Billon to store and access credit histories of more than one million businesses and 24 million people.
- Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which CEE country has the most fintech companies of all? According to Unicredit, Bulgaria wins the top spot with 70 registered and working firms.
- Revolut hires former Lead Marketing Manager of Uber Romania, Irina Scarlat, as its new Country Manager for Revolt Romania.
Asia
- EY Asean markets managing partner Liew Nam Soon discusses the growth of Vietnam’s fintech industry.
- Singapore Business Review looks at how blockchain technology could revive Thailand’s trade finance sector.
- Hong Kong’s fintech unicorn WeLab plans to be among the first companies to apply for a virtual banking license from Hong Kong Monetary Authority.