The Ultimate Guide to Decentralized Finance
A curated Asian edition of TechDay news, analysis, interviews, reviews, job moves, and related resources for Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
What to know about Decentralized Finance
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) represents a transformative shift in the financial landscape, leveraging blockchain technology to create transparent, inclusive, and efficient financial systems. It challenges traditional centralized institutions by enabling peer-to-peer transactions and reducing barriers to entry, fostering financial innovation and accessibility.
Exploring recent trends and developments in DeFi reveals its expanding role—from the rise of stablecoins as reliable digital assets to innovations in blockchain interoperability and institutional adoption challenges. Readers will find insights into how DeFi is shaping new forms of investment, payment solutions, and governance models, alongside discussions on security, regulatory considerations, and the evolving crypto ecosystem.
Engaging with stories tagged under Decentralized Finance offers an opportunity to understand the dynamic interplay between technology, finance, and regulation, as well as practical implications for investors, developers, and consumers navigating this rapidly evolving space.
Asian Decentralized Finance News
Regional stories with direct local relevance
Indonesia, China launch cross-border QR payments link
Travellers and small merchants in Indonesia and China can now use domestic e-wallets across both markets, widening QR payment acceptance.
OceanBase opens Kuala Lumpur support centre for Asia
The Kuala Lumpur hub will give Southeast Asian customers round-the-clock technical support as OceanBase pushes to win more regulated finance clients.
Ant International courts merchants on AI-led Asia growth
Asian checkout friction is driving global merchants to Ant International as AI-assisted shopping starts reshaping cross-border payments.
Banma, Alipay launch voice payment system for cars
Drivers will be able to book tickets and order food by voice as Banma and Alipay bring hands-free payments into connected cars.
CoinGecko adds market intelligence tools & partner platform
Investors will get AI summaries, portfolio tracking and sharable charts as the crypto data site broadens beyond price feeds.
Singapore sandwich class turns to crypto for stability
Middle-income households in Singapore are increasingly using cryptocurrency to diversify portfolios and buffer rising costs, a new survey shows.
Analyst Insights
Research and market analysis connected to Decentralized Finance
Expert Columns
Digital identity: How it powers APAC's fintech boom
The 70% problem: Why checkout is still where eCommerce goes to die
Fintech must match tech progress with true inclusion
Building payments that work for everyone: Why diverse teams are the key to secure innovation
The world needs more women in tech - and there's no time to wait
2026 begins: Crypto's heavyweight rumble - round by round
Government Adoption Signals Web3 Maturity
The future of authentication in 2026: Insights from Yubico's experts
Top Fraud Trends and Considerations for 2026
How identity verification could have stopped a $300M Crypto scam
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the networkRecent Decentralized Finance News
Mastercard brings Apple Wallet transit payments to Korea
International visitors to South Korea can now tap iPhone and Apple Watch for subway, bus and taxi fares, avoiding cash and local cards.
EX.IO & Payment Asia explore Hong Kong stablecoins
Hong Kong merchants may soon gain stablecoin payment and settlement options as the two firms test licensed digital assets under the new regime.
MetaComp launches compliance tools for AI payments
Institutions handling cross-border stablecoin flows could cut false compliance alerts as MetaComp adds AI risk checks and an agent governance standard.
Sun PhuQuoc taps 2C2P to boost Asian payment options
Sun PhuQuoc Airways partners 2C2P and M-PAY to add cards, wallets and QR options, preparing for wider Asian cross-border sales.
Mastercard, Bank of Shanghai boost China transfers
Mastercard Move links with Bank of Shanghai to add bank account rails for two-way cross-border payments between China and global markets.
Broadridge links Crypto.com to NYFIX for Asia crypto
Broadridge links Crypto.com to NYFIX, giving Asia-based brokers FIX access to crypto liquidity through existing multi-asset trading pipes.
Phishing & smishing scams surge across Philippines
Phishing and smishing scams in the Philippines surged in 2025, with phishing sites jumping 423% as fraud shifts to mobile and social media.
Ant International powers SME growth with AI fintech
Ant International taps AI-driven fintech to power over 2 billion cross-border payments and turbocharge SME growth in emerging markets.
Paydibs targets direct rails to power Malaysia's SMEs
Paydibs backs direct access to Malaysia's payment rails and global wallets to cut costs, speed settlements and boost SME resilience.
Animoca backs GROW Digital Wealth in Hong Kong pivot
Animoca backs GROW's Hong Kong wealth arm in a strategic deal to build a regulated Asia platform spanning crypto and traditional assets.
2026: Payments in Singapore are about to get more personal, more portable and more purposeful
By 2026, Singapore's payments will become more personal, portable and purposeful, with AI-driven security and mobile solutions reshaping retail experiences.
Southeast Asia's consumers diverge in spending & payment habits
Southeast Asia's consumer spending and digital payment habits vary widely, with distinct trends emerging across six key markets amid inflation pressures.
Boku opens Singapore hub to tackle USD $290 trillion payment market
Boku launches a new Innovation Hub in Singapore to develop fintech solutions aimed at simplifying global payments valued at USD $290 trillion by 2030.
Ecommpay expands Asian payment methods amid USD $23.8T boom
Ecommpay expands Asian payment methods, enabling merchants to tap into the USD $23.8 trillion Asia-Pacific digital payments boom by 2032.
Exclusive: EBANX targets APAC with MPI licence win
EBANX expands in APAC, leveraging local expertise and regulatory compliance to link 100+ merchants with 200+ payment methods amid rising digital commerce.
MetaComp study urges using three KYT tools for stablecoin checks
MetaComp urges firms to use three KYT tools for stablecoin checks after study finds single-tool setups miss up to 25% of high-risk blockchain transactions.
Blockchain & Web3 drive digital transformation in real estate
Blockchain and Web3 are reshaping global real estate by enabling decentralised, transparent transactions and boosting investment through digital asset tokenisation.
Worldpay expands domestic acquiring services to Thai market
Worldpay has expanded its domestic acquiring services to Thailand, enabling local businesses to process payments with Thai banks and popular digital wallets more efficiently.
Southeast Asia startups shine at AppWorks Demo Day in Singapore
At AppWorks Demo Day in Singapore, 18 startups showcased AI, Web3 and deep tech innovations, highlighting Southeast Asia's rising influence in tech innovation.
Travel businesses struggle with payments, report reveals
Research on the travel industry's payment challenges for 2024 highlights the post-COVID shift in Singapore's customer payment preferences.