Bjak Sdn, Malaysia’s largest online insurance aggregator, is mulling an initial public offering within the next two years as it seeks to enter Europe.Bjak is eyeing new markets in Spain and Germany in 2026 following its recent expansion in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, Wei Low, the firm’s founder said in his first-ever media interview. The firm’s gross written premiums increased 20% to 30% this year and are set to grow at a faster pace in the future as Bjak expands into new markets, the 36-year-old told Bloom ...

An updated edition of the October 27, 2025 article.Money is moving faster, smarter and increasingly without cash. Mobile payments are reshaping money flows across a connected global economy, with smartphones, tablets, and wearables replacing physical wallets at the point of sale. As digital transactions gain ground, reliance on ATMs is steadily declining, including in regions once considered cash-heavy. What began as a simple convenience has matured into a powerful financial ecosystem that blends speed, tru ...

Group 1: Market Updates - A data center issue has halted trading of futures and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, affecting stock futures, foreign exchange, and commodities trading [1] - Broker Tech US, a CME unit, has restored its electronic trading service for treasuries, allowing accurate yield data to be available [2] Group 2: Regulatory Investigations - The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Jeffrey's relationship with bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands Group, focusing on whether investors were adequately informed about fund exposure to the failed business [3] Group 3: Company Developments - Alibaba has launched its new AI smart glasses in China, priced starting at approximately $270, aiming to penetrate the wireless market dominated by Meta [4] - Apple is challenging India's antitrust penalty law, which could impose a fine of up to $38 billion, related to allegations of monopolistic practices in the iPhone app market [5] - Disney's Zootopia 2 achieved over $81 million in global ticket sales on its opening day, with $39.5 million from domestic sales and a record $34 million in China for a Hollywood animated film [6]

Geopolitical Tensions - China's Foreign Ministry emphasizes that the Taiwan issue is a "red line" and a core interest, warning against any interference [1] - Japan maintains a steady policy on Taiwan, focusing on regional stability and dialogue despite China's protests [2] US-South Korea Trade Deal - The US and South Korea have announced a comprehensive trade agreement involving $150 billion in Korean investments in US shipbuilding and $200 billion for strategic sectors [3] - The deal includes significant tariff concessions, reducing Section 232 tariffs on various Korean imports to 15% and eliminating the cap on US-made vehicles in South Korea [3] - South Korea commits to purchasing $25 billion in US military equipment by 2030 and is authorized to build nuclear-powered attack submarines [3] Chinese Tech Landscape - Alibaba's Damai Entertainment launches MaisEat, a global events service platform integrated with Alipay, enhancing international ticketing [5] - Baidu reveals an AI chip roadmap, including the M100 chip for inference by 2026 and the M300 chip for training and inference by 2027, amid US export restrictions [6] - Tencent is making progress in revenue sharing discussions with Apple for mini-games on WeChat, while Bilibili reports record user metrics despite revenue growth slowdown [6]

Core Insights - The global Digital Payment Market was valued at USD 134.42 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 984.66 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 28.2% from 2025 to 2032 [1][20]. Market Overview - The Digital Payment Market includes electronic transactions such as online payments, mobile payments, POS systems, and P2P transfers, driven by smartphone penetration, e-commerce growth, and demand for efficient payment solutions [6][7]. - Key solutions in the market include payment processing, gateways, fraud management systems, and POS solutions, catering to various industries from retail to healthcare [7]. Technological Trends - AI is transforming the digital payment landscape by enhancing efficiency, security, and personalization, including real-time fraud detection and optimized transaction routing [2][4][5]. - Key trends include the rise of real-time payments, contactless technologies, and embedded finance, which integrates payment services into non-financial platforms [9][10]. Growth Drivers - The market's growth is fueled by smartphone adoption, e-commerce proliferation, supportive regulatory frameworks, and advancements in security technologies [15][16][19]. - Innovations such as biometric authentication, real-time payment systems, and distributed ledger technology are enhancing user experience and security [14][18][19]. Segment Analysis - The "Digital Wallets" segment is expected to grow rapidly due to convenience and integration with financial services, while "Payment Security and Fraud Management" solutions will see significant uptake due to increasing transaction volumes [26][30]. - The "Cloud Deployment" segment is projected to grow fastest, offering scalability and cost-efficiency for businesses [27]. Regional Insights - North America, particularly the U.S. and Canada, is leading in digital payment technology adoption with a projected CAGR of approximately 27.5% [28]. - The Asia Pacific region, especially China and India, is anticipated to achieve the highest CAGR of around 29.5%, driven by mobile payment adoption and government initiatives for financial inclusion [31]. Future Outlook - The Digital Payment Market is expected to continue its strong expansion driven by digital transformation, financial inclusion efforts, and emerging technologies like quantum computing and advanced AI [20][34]. - Key forces influencing the market include technological innovation, evolving regulatory frameworks, and shifts in consumer behavior towards convenience and personalization [34][35].

Core Insights - Ant Group's chairman Eric Jing highlighted the company's advancements in tokenisation and the growing importance of blockchain in financial services during Hong Kong Fintech Week, while not addressing the stalled stablecoin initiative due to regulatory constraints [1][6]. Group 1: Tokenisation and Financial Services - Ant Group has successfully utilized tokenised bank deposits for cross-bank real-time settlement this year as part of the Hong Kong government's Project Ensemble [1]. - The company achieved real-time settlement across different branches of a global bank last year, showcasing the effectiveness of its tokenisation efforts [2]. - Jing emphasized the confidence gained from using tokenised deposits and money to facilitate real-time global settlement [3]. Group 2: Project Ensemble and Digital Asset Market - Project Ensemble, launched in August last year, aims to explore various use cases for tokenisation, which involves creating blockchain representations of traditional assets for faster and cheaper transactions [4]. - Ant Digital Technologies, a unit of Ant Group, operates Jovay, an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain focused on real-world asset tokenisation, and is actively participating in the sandbox [5]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment and Stablecoin Initiative - The stablecoin initiative of Ant Group has been stalled due to advice from the Chinese government for mainland firms to pause certain digital-asset activities in Hong Kong [6]. - Financial Secretary Paul Chan clarified that stablecoins are intended as tools for facilitating cross-border transactions rather than for investment or speculation [6].

Industry Overview - Mobile payments are transforming financial transactions, moving from physical cash to digital transactions through smartphones, tablets, and wearables, creating a dynamic financial ecosystem [2][3] - The global mobile payments market is projected to grow from $3.84 trillion in 2024 to $26.53 trillion by 2032, reflecting a 27% CAGR, indicating strong momentum in the sector [6] Technological Advancements - Emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence are enhancing transparency, fraud detection, and transaction speeds, while "super apps" are integrating messaging and shopping into seamless financial experiences [3][4] - Companies are leveraging advanced technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and QR codes to facilitate mobile payments [2] Key Players - Capital One is enhancing its mobile payments leadership with a digital-first banking ecosystem, integrating its mobile app with digital wallets and offering a comprehensive financial hub [8][9][10] - NCR Voyix is innovating in mobile payments for retail and restaurants, introducing solutions like Aloha Pay-At-Table, which improves transaction speed and customer experience [11][12][13] - Affirm is expanding its mobile payments presence through its Buy Now, Pay Later platform, integrating with digital wallets and planning international expansion [14][15][16] - Marqeta is powering mobile payments with its card-issuing platform and has seen a 29% year-over-year increase in total payments volume, while also bridging crypto and fiat transactions [17][18][19] Market Dynamics - The rise of e-commerce and improved digital infrastructure are driving the adoption of modern payment platforms, which serve as comprehensive financial dashboards [5] - Regulatory initiatives are evolving to enhance security, data privacy, and financial inclusion, keeping pace with the rapid growth of mobile payments [6]

Core Insights - Ant Group has filed trademarks in Hong Kong for virtual assets, stablecoins, and blockchain, indicating a potential expansion into Web3 despite regulatory challenges from Beijing [1] - Chinese technology firms are actively securing intellectual property in the digital asset space amid increasing regulatory scrutiny [2] Trademark Applications and Regulatory Context - Ant Group's trademark applications follow a shift in its stablecoin strategy, with plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Luxembourg [3] - Regulatory authorities in China have instructed firms, including Ant Group, to pause or abandon stablecoin initiatives due to concerns over monetary authority [4] Regulatory Concerns - Former PBoC governor Zhou Xiaochuan expressed caution regarding stablecoins, highlighting their potential for speculation and questioning their utility for retail payments [5] Blockchain Strategy - Despite domestic regulatory challenges, Ant Group has expanded its blockchain infrastructure globally, with its Whale blockchain processing approximately one-third of over $1 trillion in transactions last year [6] - Ant Digital has led the tokenization of real-world assets in China's renewable energy sector, connecting over 60 billion yuan worth of assets to AntChain [7]

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba Group has experienced significant stock volatility since its 2014 launch, primarily influenced by political risks, but has seen a resurgence in investor confidence in 2023 due to strategic decisions and improved political relations [1][2]. Company Overview - Alibaba is recognized as the leading online retailer in China, often compared to Amazon. Its revenue is predominantly generated from its e-commerce operations, but it also invests in AI and other sectors like Alibaba Cloud and fintech through Alipay [3]. - The company plans to invest approximately $53 billion in cloud and AI technologies over the next three years, collaborating with Nvidia on robotics and self-driving cars, and has introduced a large language model [4]. Investor Sentiment - The stock has appreciated over 110% year-to-date, and despite this increase, Alibaba's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 21, which is lower than Amazon's 34 and Sea Limited's 91, making it an attractive investment option [2][5][7]. - High-profile investors like David Tepper and Cathie Wood have shown renewed interest in Alibaba, indicating a shift in market sentiment towards the company [2]. Political Environment - Recent improvements in political relations, particularly Jack Ma's reconciliation with President Xi Jinping, have positively influenced investor sentiment and may provide reassurance regarding the company's future [4]. - However, the political landscape remains a concern, as the potential for delisting of American depositary receipts (ADRs) continues to loom, reflecting ongoing uncertainties in the regulatory environment [6].

Market Overview - Asian equities experienced a strong week, with the exception of Mainland China, which saw slight declines as the market consolidates after a recent rally [2] - Chinese equity investors, after a bear market from 2021 to 2023, witnessed a strong week, particularly in Hong Kong, which broke above recent resistance levels [3] Company Performance - Hong Kong growth stocks led the gains, with Alibaba Group rising by 5.44% and Baidu climbing by 8.08%, driven by reports of both companies developing proprietary semiconductor chips [4] - Mainland investors continued to purchase Alibaba shares in Hong Kong through Southbound Stock Connect, while Baidu's rally was partly attributed to short covering [5] - Technology hardware stocks were mixed, with Foxconn gaining 4.84%, while semiconductor stocks showed varied performance, with Cambricon Technologies up by 7.28% and SMIC down by 1.69% [6] Sector Insights - The Chinese healthcare sector rebounded amid concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on imported healthcare drugs and equipment, with the sector outperforming year-to-date [8] - The non-ferrous metals sector saw Zijin Mining decline by 0.23% ahead of its planned relisting in Hong Kong, while CATL rose by 0.76% due to positive electrical equipment prospects [9] Regulatory and Economic Developments - The State Administration for Market Regulation urged companies to end unfair competition in food delivery subsidies, addressing the "race to the bottom" in the industry [7] - The Ministry of Finance reported an increase in the government budget deficit to 4% this year, with special government bond issuance climbing to RMB 1.94 trillion, indicating continued economic policy support [11] Diplomatic Activity - U.S. lawmakers are scheduled to visit China, marking the first visit by a U.S. House of Representatives delegation since 2019, which is seen as a positive sign for U.S.-China relations [7][10]