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By 2030, AI agents will reach significant mainstream adoption, according to a new report by Mastercard. More than one in ten online shoppers will routinely use AI agents to purchase products on their behalf, a trend that’s already being embraced rapidly by younger generations. At the same time, AI agents will transform
Mastercard has launched Wallet Pay to connect digital wallets across contactless, QR and online payments. More than 4.3 billion people currently use digital wallets worldwide, with that figure expected to exceed 6 billion by 2030. Alipay+ partner wallets including AlipayHK, Clip, GCash, KakaoPay, TNG eWallet and TrueMo
HSBC Private Bank is giving eligible clients in Singapore access to private investment opportunities including some previously reserved for institutional investors. HSBC Access is available to ultra-high net worth and family office clients. It covers venture capital funds, private market opportunities and direct invest
For decades, payments technology has been assessed against security, reliability, scalability, compliance and cost. These remain non-negotiable. Yet in Singapore and Southeast Asia, the environment is changing faster than traditional investment cycles. Real-time rails are connecting across borders, digital businesses a
Grab has agreed to acquire Atome Financial in two phases, starting with a controlling 60% stake for US$1.49 billion in cash. Under the second phase, it has agreed to acquire the remaining 40% from Advance Intelligence Group and other shareholders approximately two years after the initial transaction closes. This would
Microsoft AI says its models must not resist authorised attempts to pause, redirect or shut them down. The proposed rule appears in a draft Code of Conduct that sets out how Microsoft AI intends to develop and operate its models. The document centres on “Humanist AI”, an approach designed to keep AI under human control
Thunes has expanded its cross-border payout network into six more Middle Eastern markets. The company has introduced services in Bahrain, Lebanon, Oman, South Yemen, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. Members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network can now process payouts in local currencies to bank accounts, mobile wallets
DBS has launched the TravelLah! Debit Card with no foreign exchange fees or ATM withdrawal fees overseas. The card uses Visa’s wholesale exchange rates to convert foreign currency transactions into Singapore dollars without an added markup. DBS does not cap the number of fee-free withdrawals, although overseas ATM oper
Globally, artificial intelligence (AI) is being adopted at a rapid pace for shopping discovery. But as the technology moves from exploration to execution through AI agents, adoption is becoming more selective, hindered by trust and control concerns, according to a new survey by Alipay+ and S&P Global. The study, which
The Bank of Thailand and financial firms are stepping up efforts to prevent the financial system from being used for illegal activities. The initiative will strengthen how institutions identify suspicious transactions and respond to emerging threats. It covers governance, information sharing, customer checks and techno
Mastercard is giving merchants a simpler way to connect their products and payments with AI shopping agents. Its new Agent Connect service will link merchants, AI agents, digital platforms and payment providers through a single integration. Businesses can choose which AI services can access their products while retaini
Smartphones now hold vast amounts of sensitive personal and financial data, including passwords private communications, and work-related data, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. This has led mobile banking Trojans and other malicious mobile software to proliferate and spread rapidly over the past years, as a
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