IT Brief Asia - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
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Digital currency Stories

Asian Stories

Digital currency stories

Uzbekistan launches Silk Road finance forum in Tashkent
Digital Transformation

Uzbekistan launches Silk Road finance forum in Tashkent

The three-day event is meant to draw investors and regulators as Uzbekistan seeks USD $1 billion in foreign fintech investment by 2030.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Japan's big banks plan stablecoin live use in 2026
Crypto

Japan's big banks plan stablecoin live use in 2026

Live commercial use of a jointly issued token will test whether Japan's biggest lenders can make blockchain payments work at scale in fiscal 2026.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Global Stories

Digital currency stories

Swift readies blockchain ledger for bank payment pilots
Fintech

Swift readies blockchain ledger for bank payment pilots

Seventeen banks will test whether tokenised deposits can speed cross-border payments and extend settlement beyond normal market hours.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • This month
BIS warns stablecoins must preserve trust in money
Crypto

BIS warns stablecoins must preserve trust in money

Broader adoption could unsettle bank funding and monetary sovereignty if privately issued tokens fail to keep money redeemable at par.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Visa unveils AI & stablecoin push with OpenAI tie-up
Fintech

Visa unveils AI & stablecoin push with OpenAI tie-up

Merchants and banks could see fewer false declines and faster digital settlement as Visa expands AI tools, token updates and stablecoin pilots.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Triple-A launches euro accounts for cross-border payouts
Fintech

Triple-A launches euro accounts for cross-border payouts

Businesses selling into Europe can now collect euros without a local entity, as Triple-A ties named accounts to SEPA, stablecoins and payouts.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Bank of England faces pressure over stablecoin rules
Fintech

Bank of England faces pressure over stablecoin rules

Peers say proposed caps and reserve rules could leave GBP stablecoins at a disadvantage, as the Bank of England finalises draft regulations.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month
Project Agorá advances into real-value payment testing
Fintech

Project Agorá advances into real-value payment testing

The next phase could ease delays and settlement risk in wholesale cross-border transfers as Project Agorá moves to real-value testing.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 28th May 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Digital currency stories

Bank of England sets GBP £40 billion stablecoin guardrail
Crypto

Bank of England sets GBP £40 billion stablecoin guardrail

Limits on systemic issuers aim to shield credit supply as the Bank prepares a new regime for sterling stablecoins used in payments.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Quantum computing isn't just a crypto problem - it's a money problem
Encryption

Quantum computing isn't just a crypto problem - it's a money problem

Banks, payment networks and governments may face the same post-quantum migration as crypto, with trust and coordination now at stake.

By Paul Quickenden • 5 min read • Last month
Icon launches digital asset payments framework for banks
Digital Transformation

Icon launches digital asset payments framework for banks

Banks may avoid building separate systems for stablecoins, tokenised deposits and CBDCs as UK regulators back tokenisation in wholesale markets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Mastercard wins New York BitLicence for digital assets
Crypto

Mastercard wins New York BitLicence for digital assets

The approval gives Mastercard a regulated route into stablecoins and tokenised deposits as banks and fintechs test faster settlement systems.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 29th May 2026
ASIC says Australia primed for fintech & regtech growth
Fintech

ASIC says Australia primed for fintech & regtech growth

Australia's financial regulator sees artificial intelligence and easier rules helping startups turn a strong funding base into faster growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 26th May 2026
Provenance appoints AI advisory board for retail shift
Digital Transformation

Provenance appoints AI advisory board for retail shift

Retailers risk being overlooked by AI shoppers unless product data is verified and structured for machine-led search and recommendations.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 22nd May 2026
Block Earner wins first digital asset credit licence
Crypto

Block Earner wins first digital asset credit licence

The approval lets eligible Australians borrow against crypto holdings under direct oversight, as the sector seeks clearer rules and mainstream acceptance.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 21st May 2026
Australia tests tokenised finance in Project Acacia
Fintech

Australia tests tokenised finance in Project Acacia

Settlement could become faster and cheaper for wholesale markets, but regulators say tokenised finance still needs new rules and infrastructure.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 19th May 2026
FinTech Australia warns tax changes may hurt startups
Fintech

FinTech Australia warns tax changes may hurt startups

Uncertainty over planned capital gains tax changes could deter startup funding and prompt founders, investors and talent to leave Australia.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Thu, 14th May 2026