The Fintech Times

MAY 29, 2024

The idea that digital assets are exclusively some form of currency has been slowly dispelled, as new use cases emerge and are rapidly adopted across the globe. But digital currencies are far from irrelevant. CBDC overview across the MEA region in 2024 But why are so many countries adopting CBDC initiatives?

Digital Currency 111

Digital Currency CBDC Cross-Border Payments Cross-Border 111

Clearly Payments

OCTOBER 31, 2024

America Biometric Payments 2 Global, especially mobile-first markets Cash Payments 5 Emerging Markets, some developed regions Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) 1 Asia, Caribbean Credit Cards Overview : Credit cards allow consumers to make purchases on credit, paying later and often with interest.

Online and Mobile Banking 98

Online and Mobile Banking RTP BNPL Debit Card 98

Fintech Finance

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) announced that it has invested in EMTECH , a global financial technology company that provides software-as-a-service platforms to help central banks streamline, connect and modernize their processes and operations. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Central Bank 98

Central Bank Digital Currency CBDC Financial Inclusion 98

The Fintech Times

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

With advancements in payment systems, blockchain exploration, and digital currencies, these nations are harnessing technology to transform their financial landscapes and drive future development. per cent Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Armenia’s growth has been driven in part by its young, tech-savvy population.

FinTech 69

FinTech Central Bank Financial Literacy Online and Mobile Banking 69

The Payments Association

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are exciting many in the digital assets world, but what can these mean for those who are less engaged and on the fringes of financial services altogether? Read more

Financial Inclusion 88

Financial Inclusion Digital Currency Central Bank 88

Payments Source

JANUARY 7, 2020

Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency project has drawn vast political pushback, but also more tangible government action as nations globally consider central bank supported digital currencies. It’s also sparking a potential bottom-up approach in New York.

Digital Currency 112

Digital Currency Central Bank Cryptocurrency Governance 112

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

IMF head Christine Lagarde called on central banks to seriously consider issuing digital currency to fill the gap left by the declining use of cash. Lagarde said by embracing digital currencies central banks can supply money to the digital economy. reported the Financial Times.

Digital Currency 60

Digital Currency Central Bank Financial Inclusion Crime 60

The Fintech Times

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Senegal is one of many countries across the Middle East and Africa trying to diversify its economy and future-proof itself by hosting financial inclusion by employing fintech solutions. However, Senegal remains a developing economy with significant challenges in financial inclusion , particularly in rural areas.

FinTech 59

FinTech Financial Inclusion Online and Mobile Banking Central Bank 59

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

4) it inked a partnership with Banque Régionale de Marchés (BRM) to provide a digital currency in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The secure digital instrument can be used across all existing payment platforms and will be equivalent in value to physical legal tender, eCurrency said in the press release.

Digital Currency 73

Digital Currency Financial Inclusion Interoperability Central Bank 73

PYMNTS

JANUARY 27, 2021

According to a study by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) will be available for 20 percent of the world’s population in the next three years. In the past four years, 86 percent of central banks have been actively doing some kind of work on CBDCs, according to BIS.

CBDC 102

CBDC Central Bank Digital Currency Financial Inclusion 102

The Fintech Times

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Cambodia is leveraging fintech innovations and strategic reforms to boost economic growth, financial inclusion and international partnerships, positioning itself as a key player in the Southeast Asian digital economy. Cambodia has also ventured into central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Financial Inclusion 69

Financial Inclusion FinTech Central Bank Online and Mobile Banking 69

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 2, 2020

2), said that FinTech companies have some "key advantages" over traditional banks in terms of developing a customer base and curbing risk. He praised financial inclusion, with microloans and mobile payments bridging a gap for rural residents but said protecting peoples' private information is still challenging.

Transactions 116

Transactions Digital Currency Process Central Bank 116

The Fintech Times

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

The country is focusing on fintech solutions like mobile payments and cross-border systems to boost financial inclusion and economic growth. Key developments in the fintech and digital ecosystem have emerged over recent years. Laos is also experimenting with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Financial Inclusion 64

Financial Inclusion Digital Payments Cross-Border Central Bank 64

Fintech Finance

JULY 4, 2024

The introduction of a token-based solution such as G+D Filia® Unplugged not only strengthens payment resilience but also has the potential to drive financial inclusion for nearly 1.4 With Filia® Unplugged, we are helping to bridge this gap,” explains Dr. Raoul Herborg, Managing Director Central Bank Digital Currency at G+D.

Digital Payments 98

Digital Payments Online and Mobile Banking Central Bank Financial Inclusion 98

Fintech News

MARCH 17, 2025

This year, the summit will begin in Malaysia before moving to a series of Southeast Asian countries, bringing together industry leaders and experts under the theme “Revolutionising Banking and Insurance through Digitalisation.” Discussions will address regulatory challenges, financial inclusion, and evolving consumer expectations.

FinTech 80

FinTech Cybersecurity AI Financial Inclusion 80

Fintech News

DECEMBER 11, 2023

SC Ventures, the innovation, fintech investment, and ventures arm of Standard Chartered, and Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) successfully completed a proof-of-concept (PoC) on the Universal Digital Payments Network (UDPN). Meanwhile, the the direct model is where central banks manage wallets and settlements within a centralised CBDC system.

CBDC 113

CBDC Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Cross-Border Central Bank 113

Fintech News

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

These experts covered some of the industry’s hottest trends and most urging issues, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, digital assets, next-generation transactions, and financial inclusion. The regulatory attributes are finalized, and the central bank is now working on legislation, he said.

FinTech 109

FinTech Cross-Border Payments Cross-Border Payment APIs and Integration 109

The Payments Association

JANUARY 21, 2025

Will Marwick CEO, IFX Payments The Payments Report 2024 highlights the growing impact of digital currencies, particularly stablecoins, as transformative payment solutions. The report notes how stablecoins, supported by regulatory developments, are driving advancements in digital commerce and cross-border transactions.

Payments Trends 88

Payments Trends Financial Crimes Cross-Border Payments 88

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Central bank digital coins on the Continent – but plenty of room for cash. In Berlin, where last week saw a two-day meeting of financial officials from Europe, central bankers discussed digital payments and the confines of digital, national currencies.

CBDC 91

CBDC Risk Central Bank Digital Currency 91

Clearly Payments

JANUARY 4, 2024

Since 2009, the financial landscape has been undergoing a transformation with the emergence of cryptocurrencies. As digital currencies grow in popularity , merchants around the world are exploring the potential benefits of accepting payments in cryptocurrency. This is covered in the below section. What are Stablecoins?

Cryptocurrency 105

Cryptocurrency Stablecoins Digital Currency Cross-Border Payments 105

Fintech News

JANUARY 30, 2024

Other payment trends in Asia preceding 2024 including the rise of B2B buy now pay later (BNPL), growing prominence of central bank digital currency (CBDC), and prevalence of composable, cloud-based ‘as-a-Service’ IT architecture models have helped shape much of what we anticipate for 2024.

Payments Trends 120

Payments Trends Digital Currency Cross-Border Payments Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) 120

PYMNTS

JUNE 30, 2020

Cuttino noted that things like early wage programs can come with high transfer fees, and said markets have generally not solved the problem of financial inclusion. Charles Cascarilla, CEO and co-founder of stablecoin company Paxos, said stablecoins and digital central-bank currencies are “critical” for financial infrastructure.

Stablecoins 124

Stablecoins Financial Inclusion Online and Mobile Banking Federal Reserve 124

PYMNTS

AUGUST 21, 2020

Earlier this month, as PYMNTS noted , the Federal Reserve said its Boston bank is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to explore the possibility of issuing digital currency. Central bank digital currencies (or CBDCs) have been gathering steam, at least as a concept.

CBDC 107

CBDC Fed Federal Reserve ISO 20022 107

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 7, 2018

The organization said in its report, “digital identity is the fundamental building block and a key area for governments to focus on … another important building block … is having digital versions of national currencies on the blockchain , for example, through blockchain-based central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).”.

Blockchain 75

Blockchain Central Bank Digital Currency Blocks 75

PYMNTS

JULY 2, 2020

Much has been written about how delivering fiat currencies digitally can boost financial inclusion and perhaps streamline financial services. It’s a system that has been in place for a while, with oversight and regulation (and central banks) in place to keep fiat front and center in traditional banking.

Blockchain 90

Blockchain Stablecoins Wire Transfer Financial Inclusion 90

The Fintech Times

NOVEMBER 9, 2024

Back in 2012, Sri Lanka had the highest financial inclusion rate in South Asia with two-thirds of its population having access to formal financial accounts. It was also exploring the idea of public input on the prospect and thoughts on open banking. Could fintech be the catalyst it needs to see a revival?

Economy 96

Economy Online and Mobile Banking Central Bank Financial Inclusion 96

Fintech News

MARCH 5, 2024

3 Programmable Money: Advancing Financial Inclusion or Creating Walled Gardens, Powered by J.P. The discussion will cover key aspects such as the impact on cross-border payments, liquidity funding needs, and the broader implications for financial inclusion and the global movement of money.

Embedded Finance 109

Embedded Finance APACS Financial Inclusion CBDC 109

The Payments Association

JUNE 3, 2025

This is what distinguishes tokenisation from being solely a security measure: its enabling of cross-border capital flows, fractional ownership models, and financial inclusion. Das disagrees, citing the very different purposes for which asset tokenisation and network tokenisation are built.

Security 88

Security Payment APIs and Integration Payment Security Credential 88

Fintech Finance

JANUARY 11, 2024

The report underscores the increasing pace of change in cross-border payments, mentioning key developments such as SWIFT’s gpi, the global rollout of the ISO 20022 standard, the exploration of Distributed Ledger Technologies, the use of APIs, and the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies. The post U.S.

Cross-Border Payments 93

Cross-Border Payments Cross-Border Faster Payments ISO 20022 93

Fintech News

MARCH 5, 2024

3 Programmable Money: Advancing Financial Inclusion or Creating Walled Gardens, Powered by J.P. The discussion will cover key aspects such as the impact on cross-border payments, liquidity funding needs, and the broader implications for financial inclusion and the global movement of money.

Embedded Finance 98

Embedded Finance APACS Financial Inclusion CBDC 98

The Payments Association

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

N ine out of ten central banks worldwide are actively exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). The enterprise blockchain market is predicted to grow to $246 billion by 2030 , the same year Boston Consulting Group says real-world asset tokenization will become a $16 trillion industry.

Blockchain 88

Blockchain Use Case Financial Inclusion Stablecoins 88

Fintech News

DECEMBER 13, 2024

However, there is slight shift these days as Asian markets are now embracing stablecoins that are linked to their own respective local currencies. This trend highlights efforts to enhance monetary sovereignty, boost financial inclusion, and modernise payment systems in an increasingly digital world.

Stablecoins 109

Stablecoins Cross-Border Cross-Border Payments Caps 109

PYMNTS

MARCH 4, 2020

Global currency, anyone? In the age of Libra, in a new decade where at least some central banks are exploring their own fiat issued in bits and bytes, would a global currency set the stage for relative calm? billion unbanked individuals into the world of financial inclusion.

Central Bank 88

Central Bank Cross-Border Financial Inclusion Digital Currency 88

Fintech News

MAY 6, 2025

Problem statements for G20 TechSprint 2025 These efforts aim to promote wider adoption of fast payment systems and support financial inclusion and economic growth. Previous editions have explored topics such as green finance, central bank digital currencies, and cross-border payments.

Cross-Border 67

Cross-Border Finance Security Cross-Border Payments 67

Fintech News

JANUARY 21, 2025

Beyond offering convenience, super apps also play a crucial role in addressing financial inclusion challenges. Platforms such as Grab and Gojek embed services like micro-lending and mobile payments, providing essential financial tools to communities that have been traditionally underserved by banks.

Stablecoins 109

Stablecoins FinTech Embedded Finance Financial Inclusion 109

Fintech Finance

MARCH 12, 2024

Banco do Brasil reinforces its pioneering commitment to financial inclusion technologies and takes an important step towards making offline payment with digital money a reality in Brazil. ​ 2 The Central Bank of Brazil plans to launch the CBDC DREX by the end of 2024.

CBDC 52

CBDC Financial Inclusion Digital Currency Use Case 52

Fintech News

DECEMBER 10, 2023

In APAC, financial inclusion has emerged as a driving force behind digital innovation. Many nations within the region have recognised the transformative potential of extending financial services to underserved populations. Digital payments are fast becoming the norm, positioning the region as a global payment leader.”

Addressing 120

Addressing Fraud Prevention Financial Inclusion Payments 120