If the loophole in the GENIUS Act isn't closed, the flow of money into stablecoins will wind up reducing the Community Reinvestment Act funding that many underserved communities rely on for development, writes Kevin Kimble.Adobe Stock I've seen firsthand how policy decisions made in Washington ripple through America's neighborhoods, determining who gets a mortgage, who can start a business, and which communities thrive or struggle. Our financial system should serve everyone — not just the wealthy and well ...

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has selected Thunes to provide worldwide mobile wallet payouts via its Direct Global Network, aiming to enhance international payment options for its clients in the UAE. Upon full integration of the solution, the customers of the bank will be able to send payments instantly to over 130 nations, offering them with accessible and transparent international payment solutions. This collaboration supports key national strategies, including the “We the UAE 2031” vision and the “Centra ...

Ghana-based brokerage firm GFX has entered into a strategic partnership with Libeara, a regulated tokenization platform backed by Standard Chartered Ventures, to explore the tokenization of government-issued financial instruments and expand access to high-quality investments across Africa. The announcement, made today at the Singapore FinTech Festival, is a step forward in the continent’s efforts to democratize access to financial markets. For millions of Africans, investing in their own country’s develo ...

RT Superteam Singapore (@SuperteamSG)'I grew up in Nigeria where the ultra-rich and ultra-restricted live on the same street.'Meet @ToochukwuOkoro2 , founder of @useazza , who turned firsthand experience with financial exclusion into an AI-powered WhatsApp wallet bringing banking to millions across Africa.The future isn't out of reach anymore - it's just a text away. Ignition S4 Founders Series 🎬 ...

Core Insights - Visa and Mastercard have both launched stablecoin payout solutions, enhancing real-time payment options for users on their global networks [2][7] - The integration of stablecoin wallets aims to provide more choices for end-users and unlock new opportunities for banks and payment service providers [3][6] - Stablecoin payouts are particularly beneficial for businesses operating in the gig economy and digital marketplaces, allowing for faster payments across borders [4][3] Group 1: Company Initiatives - Visa initiated a stablecoin payout pilot, which was quickly followed by Mastercard's announcement of a similar fiat-to-wallet payout solution [1][2] - Mastercard has partnered with fintech startup Thunes to support its stablecoin payout infrastructure, which includes various payment methods [1][2] Group 2: Market Implications - The introduction of stablecoin payouts could significantly streamline payment processes for global digital platforms, reducing the reliance on traditional systems like SWIFT [4][7] - Major companies, including Meta, are exploring stablecoin payouts to mitigate high costs associated with fiat transfers [4] Group 3: Financial Inclusion - Both Visa and Mastercard highlighted the potential of stablecoin wallets to enhance financial inclusion, especially in regions with low bank account ownership [6][8] - The emphasis on financial inclusion aligns with the broader narrative of stablecoin issuers, aiming to provide access to payments for the underbanked and unbanked populations [8]

Proud to share that BitMart Global CEO Nenter (Nathan) Chow @50Nent has joined the Forbes Business Council!This invitation-only community brings together top business leaders and innovators. Nenter’s inclusion reflects BitMart’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion and bridging traditional and decentralized finance through digital assets and AI-driven innovation.🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/JqsEcQdalk ...

She said the Addressing the student at the Diamond Jubilee Valedictory Lecture at Delhi School of Economics (DSE), University of Delhi here, she said that nationalisation did help in pushing priority sector lending and government programmes but government control made Despite 50 years of nationalisation, the objectives that were not entirely achieved, she said, adding, "after... we professionalised the banks, those objectives are still being beautifully achieved. "So, this perception that when you try to ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Monthly transacting users increased by nearly 6 million year-over-year to 48 million, contributing to a 24% year-on-year increase in on-demand GMV, or 20% on a constant currency basis [4] - Group adjusted EBITDA rose 51% year-on-year to a record $136 million, marking the 15th consecutive quarter of sequential profitability improvement [4] - Adjusted free cash flow improved by $185 million year-on-year to $283 million on a trailing 12-month basis [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mobility segment grew at a rate of 20%, while the delivery segment saw a growth rate of 26% [12] - Financial services revenue grew by 40%, with the loan book reaching an all-time high [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects its financial services loan portfolio to exceed $1 billion by the end of 2025 [6] - The company is experiencing strong growth in Indonesia, with significant contributions from both GrabBike and GrabCar Saver users [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a resilient, tech-driven platform, emphasizing accessibility, affordability, and reliability [4][5] - The strategy includes leveraging AI to unlock new growth and efficiency opportunities [6] - The company is exploring new business models, including Quick Commerce, to expand its grocery segment [44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to drive sustainable long-term value despite macroeconomic uncertainties [36] - The company is not seeing a broad-based slowdown in consumption and believes its countercyclical strategy is effective [35] - Management expects to exit 2025 at record GMV levels and maintain profitable growth into 2026 [26] Other Important Information - The company is actively investing in autonomous vehicle technology as part of its long-term strategy [46] - The financial services segment is focused on financial inclusion, targeting underbanked and unbanked populations [55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Competitive landscape in Indonesia and growth guidance - Management highlighted strong performance in Indonesia driven by product-led growth strategies and affordability initiatives [10][11] - Guidance was raised due to strong top-line growth and disciplined cost management, with an EBITDA target of $490 million-$500 million for 2025 [12][13] Question: MTU growth demographics and future growth rates - MTU growth was driven by affordability strategies, with significant contributions from saver delivery products [20][21] - Management expects continued growth above mid to high teens into 2026, with a focus on maintaining margins [25][26] Question: Balance sheet and cash usage - The company plans to use its strong cash balance for organic growth investments, selective M&A, and potential shareholder returns [30][34] - Management noted a positive macro environment with signs of tourism recovery and no broad-based consumption slowdown [35] Question: GrabMart growth and grocery business initiatives - GrabMart is growing faster than food delivery, with initiatives like Grab More enhancing cross-selling opportunities [43][44] - The company is experimenting with Quick Commerce models to increase grocery penetration [44] Question: Autonomous vehicle investments - Investments in autonomous technology are strategic, aimed at leading adoption in Southeast Asia while collaborating with regulators [46][47] Question: Financial services growth and risk provisions - The financial services segment is on track to exceed a $1 billion loan book, with a focus on risk management and customer insights [53][55] - Management emphasized the importance of credit models in serving underbanked populations [55][56] Question: Advertising revenue and consumer incentives - Advertising revenue is expected to grow as the company attracts more advertisers, with a focus on maintaining sustainable consumer incentives [61][62] - Management noted a slight increase in driver incentives to maintain service quality amid rising demand [60] Question: Delivery margins and monetization strategies - Delivery margins are expected to improve, with a portfolio approach to managing different delivery products [70][71] - The company is exploring in-store monetization strategies to enhance traffic for food merchants [91]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 24% year-on-year increase in on-demand GMV, reaching a record adjusted EBITDA of $136 million, which is a 51% increase year-on-year [4][5] - Adjusted free cash flow improved by $185 million year-on-year to $283 million on a trailing 12-month basis [4] - The financial services loan portfolio is expected to exceed $1 billion by the end of 2025 [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Monthly transacting users (MTUs) increased by nearly 6 million year-on-year to 48 million, with on-demand transactions growing 27% [4][18] - The mobility segment grew at a rate of 20%, while the delivery segment saw a growth rate of 26% [11] - Financial services revenue grew by 40%, with loan dispersals reaching an annualized rate of $3.5 billion, up 56% year-on-year [27][45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to perform strongly in Indonesia, with significant growth in both deliveries and mobility, driven by product-led growth strategies [10][11] - The Grab Mart business is growing at one and a half times the rate of food delivery, indicating strong demand across all markets [37] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a tech-driven platform for long-term resilience, emphasizing affordability, reliability, and accessibility [5] - There is a strong emphasis on product-led innovations to drive user engagement and loyalty, with a focus on cross-selling between services [20][21] - The company is exploring new business models, including Quick Commerce, to expand its grocery segment [38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to maintain profitable growth despite potential macroeconomic challenges, citing a resilient business model [30][31] - The company anticipates strong top-line growth to continue into the fourth quarter, traditionally its strongest quarter [12] - Management highlighted the importance of partnerships with governments to support small businesses and enhance the ecosystem [32] Other Important Information - The company is committed to maintaining a disciplined cost structure, with regional corporate costs increasing only 8% year-on-year [11] - The advertising segment is expected to be a key driver of margin growth in the long run, with a 15% year-on-year increase in active advertisers [54][55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Competitive landscape in Indonesia and growth performance - Management noted strong performance in Indonesia, driven by affordability strategies and product-led growth, with significant increases in MTUs and delivery GMV [10][11] Question: Update on guidance and growth estimates by segment - Management raised EBITDA guidance to $490 million-$500 million for the full year 2025, citing strong top-line growth across segments [12] Question: MTU growth demographics and user profile changes - MTU growth was driven by saver delivery products, with a notable increase in younger users and those from lower-tier cities [19] Question: Growth rate expectations for Q4 and 2026 - Management expects continued strong growth rates, with a focus on sustainable growth and margin improvement [22] Question: Capital allocation and use of cash - The company plans to invest in organic growth, selective M&A, and return excess capital to shareholders [27][29] Question: Financial services segment and risk provisions - The financial services segment is experiencing strong growth, with a focus on financial inclusion for underbanked populations [45][48] Question: Advertising revenue growth and sustainability of consumer incentives - Management indicated that consumer incentives are expected to stabilize, while advertising revenue is projected to grow significantly [52][54] Question: Delivery margins and geographic differences - Management confirmed that delivery margins are improving, with a focus on achieving steady state margins across different markets [61] Question: In-store monetization strategies - The company is exploring in-store monetization through partnerships with offline retailers, enhancing the overall customer experience [77]

💡 Key Takeaways:🔹 Stablecoins become financial inclusion infrastructure, not just speculation tools🔹 CBDC vs. BTC reserve debate splits developed nations along ideological lines🔹 Physical retail distribution outperforms app-first models in emerging markets🔹 Regulatory clarity accelerates globally; implementation capacity becomes the bottleneck🔹 Survival economics drive adoption faster than bull market narratives8/8 ...