Finovate Global: Fintech News from the Periphery

As Finovate goes increasingly global, so does our coverage of financial technology. Finovate Global: Fintech News from the Periphery is our weekly look at fintech innovation in developing economies in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Africa

• TechCrunch profiles Africa-based microlender, Branch, which recently picked up an investment of $70 million.
• IT News Africa takes a look at the demand for “senior leaders” in Africa’s growing fintech industry.
• International money transfer firm PaySend partners with Access Bank Nigeria

CEE

• Polish Financial Supervision Authority signs MoU with Hong Kong Monetary Authority to encourage fintech collaboration.
• U.K.-based cross border payments company Ebury opens first office in Bucharest, Hungary. (In Hungarian.)
• Crowdfundinsider notes the surge in number of registered fintechs in Lithuania courtesy of report from Invest Lithunia.

Asia

• ayondo celebrates being the first fintech to list in Singapore.
• Sri Lanka’s largest bank, Bank of Ceylon, to deploy anti-money laundering solution from CustomerXP.
• Central Bank of Malaysia establishes open API implementation group to develop standards for financial sector.

MENA

• World Finance Magazine awards Temenos Best Islamic Banking & Finance Software Solution at 2018 Islamic Finance Awards.
• RAKBANK, also known as The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, launches contactless cash withdrawal facility for its more than 170 NFC-enabled ATMs.
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) signs MoU with Middle East Venture Partners to support development of the area’s capital technology ecosystem.

LATAM

• Nubank Challenges Brazil’s Big Banks in Wake of $150 Million Funding Round.
• Mexico enacts legislation to regulate its fintech sector.
• Colombian roboadvisor Ualet wins honors as Latin America’s Most Innovative Startup at industry event sponsored by Finnovista.

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