Southeast Asia’s edutech sector has emerged as one of the region’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, transforming how millions learn across its diverse markets. From Indonesia to Singapore, Vietnam to the Philippines, ambitious founders are leveraging technology to address the region’s unique educational challenges – from limited access to quality education in remote areas to the growing demand for upskilling in rapidly digitalising economies.

As traditional education systems grapple with modernisation, these innovative startups have attracted substantial investment from both regional powerhouses and global venture capital firms. Their solutions range from mobile-first learning platforms and personalised tutoring apps to enterprise training systems and specialised coding schools.

Many have successfully adapted global edtech models to local contexts, while others have pioneered entirely new approaches tailored to Southeast Asian learners.

This feature profiles 24 of the region’s most promising edutech ventures that have not only secured significant funding but are actively reshaping the future of education across Southeast Asia’s vibrant markets, collectively serving millions of learners from diverse backgrounds and needs.

Eruditus

A provider of executive-level programmes for professionals, offering programmes for comprehensive management and senior executive courses.

Countries: Singapore and India
Founding year: 2010
Total investments raised so far: US$961 million
Institutional Investors: The Rise Fund, SoftBank Vision Fund, Leeds Illuminate, CPP Investments, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Accel, Prosus, Bertelsmann India Investments, Peak XV Partners, Ved Capital, Innoven Capital, and The Private Shares Fund.

Ruangguru

An online platform offering self-learning solutions with products like Ruang Belajar, providing educational videos and exercises.

Also Read: From classroom to boardroom: How Singapore’s universities nurture future investment leaders

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2014
Total investments raised so far: US$205 million
Institutional Investors: Tiger Global Management, GGV Capital, East Ventures, Venturra Capital, UOB, General Atlantic, MIT, EDBI, Innoven Capital, Launchpad Accelerator, and Trihill Capital.

LingoAce

An app-based platform providing tutoring sessions for language learning through interactive learning solutions and gamification.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2017
Total investments raised so far: US$180 million
Institutional Investors: Owl Ventures, Shunwei Capital, SWC, Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global Management, Decent Capital, and K3 Ventures.

Cialfo

A cloud-based platform offering school management software with features including a database of post-secondary schools.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2012
Total investments raised so far: US$$77 million
Institutional Investors: Tiger Global Management, DLF Venture, Lim Teck Lee, January Capital, Vulcan Capital, SEEK Investments, SIG Venture Capital, Square Peg Ventures, Bisk Ventures, Alto Partners, Enterprise Singapore, Seed Capital, YK Capital, Govin Capital, DBS Bank, Singapore Airlines, Singapore Health Management, Sycamore Partners, Arcus Invest, George Street Capital, WATIGA, Dragonfly Education Group, B Capital, Cowrie Capital, Blowfish Ventures, Great Noble International, Divine Blessing Investments, Gracejoy Liquids, and SEEDS Capital.

Zenius

A provider of app-based courses for school education, offering courses on various subjects.

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2004
Total investments raised so far: US$60 million
Institutional Investors: MDI Ventures, Northstar Group, Alpha JWC Ventures, Openspace Ventures, Beacon VC, Beenext, Kinesys, Kinesys Group, Nullabor, Innoven Capital, and Alto Partners.

CoLearn

A mobile-based platform providing online tutoring solutions, enabling students to learn mathematic concepts.

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2019
Total investments raised so far: US$34 million
Institutional Investors: TNB Aura, KTB Network, BINUS Higher Education, Alpha Wave Global, Surge, Leo Capital, GSV Ventures, AC Ventures, January Capital, Alpha JWC Ventures, Taurus Ventures, MyAsiaVc, Astir Ventures, TNB Aura, S7 Ventures, Alter,
Orient Growth Ventures, and BIG Ventures.

Edupia

An online platform providing programmes to learn English, offering online courses, live classes, and educational resources.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2017
Total investments raised so far: US$24 million
Institutional Investors: Jungle Ventures, eWTP Capital, ThinkZone, ReDefine Capital Partners, and Global Minds Accelerator.

Adventus

A SaaS-based platform connecting international students with universities, enabling students to enrol, select, and admission.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2019
Total investments raised so far: US$23.4 million
Institutional Investors: Kin Group, 333 Capital, OIF Ventures, and Adventus Holdings.

Cakap

A SaaS platform providing multiple language learning solutions, offering one-on-one online tutoring services.

Also Read: Singapore’s skills gap: How Singaporean employers can embrace upskilling

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2015
Total investments raised so far: US$20.5 million
Institutional Investors: MDI Ventures, Heritas Capital Management, Indonesia Impact Fund, centaurifund.com, KB Investment, Strategic Year, InvestIdea, PT Prasetia Dwidharma, Mandiri Capital Indonesia, and Ango Ventures.

Manabie

It provides end-to-end digital infrastructure for educators for online and offline learning.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2019
Total investments raised so far: US$19.8 million
Institutional Investors: Chiba Dojo, Genesia Ventures, Globis Capital Partners, Do Ventures, Rise Health, and Amand Ventures.

Geniebook

An AI and app-based platform offering adaptive learning solutions for students, identifying weaknesses and generating targeted content.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2015
Total investments raised so far: US$18 million
Institutional Investors: Titan Capital, East Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Apricot Capital.

Point Avenue

A provider of AI-based teaching platforms and educational services, offering solutions for SAT test preparation and educational programmes.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2018
Total investments raised so far: US$12 million
Institutional Investors: GAW Capital Partners, NPX TeraArk, and NPX Capital Private Equity.

Tigerhall

A provider of micro-learning platform for professionals, providing users with podcasts and reading materials from experts.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2018
Total investments raised so far: US$10.8 million
Institutional Investors: Monk’s Hill Ventures, Vulpes Investment Management, XA Network, Taurus Ventures, Surge, WDHB, Paladigm Capital, and Vulpes Ventures.

XSEED

A provider of academic programmes for schools, developing thinking and problem-solving skills in students.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2011
Total investments raised so far: US$20 million
Institutional Investors: Verlinvest, Lighthouse, Vogelstein Revocable Trust, and John L Vogelstein Revocable Trust.

PREP

A provider of a test preparation platform with video lectures, sample papers, exercises, and mini-tests for exams.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2020
Total investments raised so far: US$8 million
Institutional Investors: East Ventures, Cercano Management, Northstar Ventures, Saison Capital, and Touchstone.

Vuihoc.vn

A platform offering online courses for school students in subjects like math, English, and Vietnamese.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year:
Total investments raised so far: US$8 million
Institutional Investors: Innoven Capital, TNB Aura, Vulpes Ventures, Colopl Next, Nextrans, DT&Investment, BAce Capital, TSP, The Next Unicorn Ventures, and Do Ventures.

Clevai

An AI-based platform providing math-related learning solutions, offering math exercises, weekly learning lessons, and live streaming.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2020
Total investments raised so far: US$6.75 million
Institutional Investors: MVP, Altara Ventures, FEBE Ventures, FJ Labs, and BOD Tech Ventures.

Marathon Education

An online platform providing multi-disciplinary courses with online live-streaming solutions for teachers and analysis solutions for students.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2021
Total investments raised so far: US$6.7 million
Institutional Investors: Vulcan, Forge Ventures, DSG Consumer Partners, Goodwater Capital, Blowfish Ventures, Y Combinator, Venturra Capital, and iSeed.

PINTAR

An online platform providing multi-disciplinary courses under various categories including language, business, economics, and medicine.

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2013
Total investments raised so far: US$5.2 million
Institutional Investors: SIG Venture Capital and Havez Capital.

Everest Education

It offers after-school learning programmes for children, including small classes, camps, and tutoring for subjects like math.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2011
Total investments raised so far: US$5 million
Institutional Investors: Hendale Capital, VCAM, and Nullabor.

Also Read: Pintar snaps up Gredu, Kerja.io, Hiringmaps to enter trade-based education, labour placement sectors

Gredu

A provider of a school management and learning management system for educational institutions. Gredu was acquired by Pintar.co.

Country: Indonesia
Founding year: 2016
Total investments raised so far: US$4 million
Institutional Investors: Intudo Ventures and Vertex Ventures.

NativeX

An online English learning platform designed for working professionals.

Country: Vietnam
Founding year: 2023
Total investments raised so far: US$4 million
Institutional Investors: Ansible Ventures, Northstar Ventures, and Blueprint.

Conicle

A cloud-based learning management solution and an LMS platform for organisations to create and assign courses to employees.

Country: Thailand
Founding year: 2014
Total investments raised so far: US$3.9 million
Institutional Investors: Intouch, 500 Global, Stormbreaker Ventures, Heimildin, InVent,
Humanica, Disrupt Technology Venture, and AIS.

Doyobi

Doyobi is an online platform that provides courses on science and coding with integrated videos, quizzes, and projects. It was acquired by ErudiFi.com.

Country: Singapore
Founding year: 2020
Total investments raised so far: US$3.8 million
Institutional Investors: Monk’s Hill Ventures and Tres Monos Capital.

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Data courtesy: Tracxn.

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I’ve been closely following the developments that unfolded following the release of the January Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes. These minutes, released by the US Federal Reserve, provide a window into the central bank’s thinking and have sparked a nuanced reaction across markets.

My perspective on this topic is shaped by a blend of macroeconomic analysis, market observations, and a critical eye on how these developments ripple through various asset classes and geographies. The muted global risk sentiment that emerged in the wake of these minutes reflects a cautious recalibration by investors, balancing the Fed’s hawkish stance on inflation with emerging signals about potential shifts in monetary policy tools like quantitative tightening (QT) and the supplementary leverage ratio (SLR).

Let’s unpack this in detail.

The January FOMC minutes reiterated a stance that many market participants had anticipated but still found sobering: the Federal Reserve is in no rush to cut interest rates. With inflation proving stickier than hoped—hovering above the Fed’s two per cent target despite some progress—the central bank emphasised a data-dependent approach, signalling that rate cuts remain contingent on clearer evidence of disinflation.

This hawkish tone was tempered, however, by hints that the Fed might be nearing the end of its quantitative tightening program, a policy that has seen the central bank shrink its balance sheet by allowing bonds to mature without reinvestment.

The minutes’ suggestion of a potential pause or conclusion to QT caught the attention of analysts and traders alike, as it could imply a softening of the Fed’s aggressive stance on draining liquidity from the financial system. For me, this duality—caution on rates paired with a possible pivot on QT—highlights the Fed’s delicate balancing act: controlling inflation without choking economic growth.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the minutes was the Fed’s focus on the supplementary leverage ratio (SLR), a regulatory metric that dictates how much capital banks must hold against their total assets. The inclusion of an entire paragraph on the SLR suggests that the Fed sees relieving pressure on bank balance sheets as a priority. This is significant because the SLR has been a point of contention, particularly during periods of market stress when banks’ ability to absorb government debt or facilitate market liquidity can falter under tight capital constraints.

By signalling potential adjustments to the SLR, the Fed may be laying the groundwork to ease these pressures, which could lower bond yields and widen swap spreads at the longer end of the yield curve. Indeed, post-minutes, US swaps moved to session highs, and Treasuries saw buying interest, with the 10-year US Treasury yield dipping 2 basis points to 4.53 per cent. From my vantage point, this move underscores a subtle shift in the Fed’s toolkit—away from blunt rate hikes and toward more targeted measures to support financial stability.

The market’s reaction to these developments was telling. US equities managed to gain traction late in the trading session, with the MSCI US index edging up 0.2 per cent. Sector performance, however, revealed a mixed picture. Healthcare stocks led the charge with a 1.2 per cent advance, possibly buoyed by their defensive appeal amid economic uncertainty.

Also Read: The future of job market: Dramatic changes and cultural shifts

Meanwhile, the Materials sector lagged, dropping 1.4 per cent, a decline I attribute to persistent concerns over US tariff threats—an issue that continues to weigh on industries reliant on global supply chains. This late rally in equities suggests that while global risk sentiment remains subdued, investors are still willing to bet on pockets of resilience within the US economy, particularly as the Fed hints at measures to bolster financial conditions.

On the economic data front, the latest US housing starts figures painted a less rosy picture. A decline in both single- and multifamily home construction reflects growing unease over rising mortgage rates and a glut of unsold homes. For me, this is a critical signal. Housing is a bellwether for broader economic health, and its softening aligns with the Fed’s acknowledgment of an uncertain outlook. High borrowing costs, fuelled by the Fed’s current rate stance, are clearly taking a toll, and I suspect this data point will keep policymakers vigilant as they weigh the risks of overtightening.

Turning to currencies and commodities, the US Dollar Index ticked up 0.1 per cent, a modest gain that reflects its safe-haven status amid global caution. Gold, often a barometer of investor anxiety, slipped 0.1 per cent, a slight retreat that might suggest some profit-taking after recent highs.

Brent crude, however, climbed 0.3 per cent to US$76 per barrel, marking its second consecutive session of gains. This uptick, in my view, is less about bullish sentiment and more about supply-side fears—specifically, potential disruptions to US and Russian oil flows amid geopolitical tensions and tariff rhetoric. These movements underscore how interconnected global markets are, with each asset class responding to a complex web of Fed policy, economic data, and external risks.

Across the Atlantic, European stocks faltered, dragged down by the spectre of US tariffs and apprehension ahead of Germany’s upcoming election. The German vote, scheduled for Sunday, adds another layer of uncertainty, as its outcome could shape the Eurozone’s economic direction at a time when trade tensions are already fraying nerves.

In Asia, equity performance was uneven, with most indices trending lower in early trading. US equity futures, meanwhile, hinted at a softer open, suggesting that the cautious mood might persist into the next session. For me, this global patchwork of market responses illustrates how the Fed’s words reverberate far beyond US borders, influencing risk appetite from Frankfurt to Tokyo.

Also Read: Markets on edge as jobs data, currency shifts, and crypto milestones shape the week

Shifting gears to the cryptocurrency space, a notable development caught my eye: State Street and Citi, two financial behemoths with over US$70 trillion in assets under custody, are gearing up to offer crypto custody services. State Street is reportedly eyeing a 2026 launch for Bitcoin and other digital assets, while Citi is exploring similar offerings, though without a firm timeline. This move marks a seismic shift in Wall Street’s embrace of cryptocurrencies, driven by surging institutional demand, clearer regulations, and the lure of new revenue streams.

As a journalist, I see this as a watershed moment. Traditional banks have long been wary of crypto’s volatility and regulatory grey areas, but the entry of heavyweights like State Street and Citi signals that digital assets are no longer a fringe phenomenon—they’re becoming a core part of institutional finance. For investors like hedge funds and asset managers, secure custody from trusted names could unlock significant capital inflows, potentially stabilising crypto markets long plagued by wild swings.

This shift comes amid other crypto headlines. Researchers reported a US$99 million withdrawal from the Milei-backed Libra token, a move that raises questions about confidence in certain digital projects. Meanwhile, Bitcoin rebounded to around US$96,000, and XRP surged six per cent, according to CNBC Crypto World.

These price movements suggest that while specific tokens may face turbulence, the broader crypto market retains resilience—perhaps buoyed by the prospect of institutional backing from firms like State Street and Citi. From my perspective, this juxtaposition of traditional finance’s entry and crypto’s ongoing evolution underscores a broader narrative: the lines between old and new money are blurring, and the Fed’s policy backdrop will play a pivotal role in shaping this convergence.

Reflecting on all this, I can’t help but marvel at the complexity of today’s financial landscape. The Fed’s January minutes, with their cautious tone on rates and nuanced hints at policy tweaks, have set the stage for a multifaceted market response. Lower Treasury yields and a late equity uptick offer glimmers of optimism, yet housing weakness and tariff fears temper that enthusiasm. Globally, Europe and Asia grapple with their own challenges, while the crypto world stands on the cusp of a mainstream breakthrough.

My take is that we’re at an inflection point—where central bank decisions, economic fundamentals, and technological shifts are colliding to redefine risk and opportunity. The Fed’s next moves, whether on rates, QT, or the SLR, will be critical, and I’ll be watching closely to see how this story unfolds. For now, the muted risk sentiment feels like the calm before a potentially transformative storm.

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With the cybercrime industry eclipsing US$9 trillion this year and projected to explode over the coming decade, cybersecurity teams are on the back foot. Defying broader economic trends, however, finance departments are ramping up company investments in global security and risk management.

Long story short, cybersec teams are here to stay and ready to adapt to a wildly uncertain future. With that settled, let’s set aside the numbers for a moment and take a closer look at the people on the frontlines of this endless security war.

It’s simple, really. Cybersecurity protects everyone. We believe it should include everyone, too. Here’s a radical idea: what if cyber teams mirrored the incredibly diverse ecosystem we aim to defend? At Hackuity, we strive to inspire industry inclusion by starting with our own organisation. The more voices working toward our common goal, the more effective our solutions become.

Take gender diversity, for example. It’s something cybersecurity and tech at large have struggled with, so naturally, the challenge is accepted. Remarkable women empower our Product Development, Sales, Marketing, HR, and Administration teams, bringing invaluable insights, unwavering empathy, and diverse solutions that resonate throughout the cybersec community.

In APAC alone, women make up 67 per cent of Team Hackuity, including Hackuity’s Vice President of Sales and Country Manager. Ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of background, beliefs, or identity is fundamental to who we are. In fact, it is who we are.

Also Read: Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever

While we’re at it, let’s not forget the power of language and the cultures that have defined them. From French to English and Chinese to Arabic, meeting the needs of our clients and teammates begins with understanding them – all of them. You’ll hear plenty of Franglish and Spanglish in the halls at Hackuity as we bond over what makes each of us unique. For all the talk of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the workplace, we think cultural intelligence (CQ) is also up there on the priority list.

Where we are headed is not limited to where we were founded either. From inception to the present, Hackuity has always looked for the best and brightest – without borders. We’re not multinational in any NASDAQ sense of the term, but with teams spanning France, Singapore, the UK, and Spain (and nationalities that expand far beyond where we work), it’s hard to argue we’re anything else. Navigating international regulations to achieve this level of cultural representation is easier said than done for a scaleup of our size, but we don’t make any excuses, and we make it happen.

Hackuity is strong because the diversity of thought here is non-negotiable, and that begins with embracing the experiences of those who drive our teams to ask hard questions. We never settle for the first, second, or third solution till we’re confident it is the best solution. What works for Singapore or Kuala Lumpur might not work for Johannesburg, which may or may not work for London, Paris, and Madrid. So, we work together – and challenge each other – to view cybersecurity through a global lens that reflects the unique individuals that compose it.

As we look to the future, we’re doubling down on our commitment to our teams and the clients we protect. We know inclusion is not a tick-the-box exercise, and companies that treat it like one quickly snap back to the status quo. Hackuity was born to break and build a new one. Our philosophy hasn’t changed, but we have because there’s no separating technology from the diverse builders and users who empower it.

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This article was first published on April 23, 2024

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In today’s fast-paced business landscape, collaboration tools are essential for streamlining communication, boosting productivity and ensuring your team remains connected. These platforms enable real-time document sharing, messaging and project management that can transform your operations.

However, with this enhanced connectivity comes cybersecurity risks that could disrupt your business. Without proper safeguards, hackers may access sensitive data; phishing attacks could target your employees, and unvetted third-party apps might introduce vulnerabilities. Understanding these risks is crucial to fully harnessing the benefits of collaboration tools while protecting your business from digital threats.

Phishing attacks

Employees can be vulnerable to phishing scams from fake links or malicious attachments. In 2022, internet users in Vietnam were more frequently exposed to phishing attacks worldwide than users in any other country, underscoring the urgency of recognising this threat. Your team members could inadvertently clink on harmful links that compromise sensitive company data or provide hackers with unauthorised access.

Regular phishing awareness training can help employees identify potential scams before they cause damage. Additionally, enabling automatic email filtering can reduce exposure to these malicious messages. It adds a crucial layer of defence against phishing threats.

Weak authentication

Poor password management and a lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) can make unauthorised access to your systems and data too easy. Weak or reused passwords are vulnerable to breaches, so using MFA for all accounts adds a vital layer of security by requiring an additional verification step. 

Encouraging your team to use unique, strong passwords via password managers will also reduce the risk of compromised credentials. This combination of practices can improve your company’s security posture. It ensures your data remains well-protected.

Data leakage

You can expose sensitive company data using unsecured collaboration tools, putting your business at significant risk. In 2023, organisations could only detect one-third of breaches using their security teams. It highlights the challenges of relying solely on internal sources.

Also Read: What if cybersecurity included everyone it protects?

You must implement strong encryption for all data transfers to protect your company’s data. It ensures that only authorised recipients can access sensitive information. Additionally, enforcing strict access control policies will help you prevent unauthorised individuals from viewing critical files. It fortifies your defences and keeps your business secure.

Third-party integrations

Integrating with unvetted third-party apps may introduce security vulnerabilities. It can potentially put your company’s data at risk. These apps can have hidden backdoors or lack sufficient protection, exposing you to cyberattacks.

You can restrict third-party apps to only those undergoing thorough security evaluations. In addition, regularly review the security of integrated apps to ensure they remain compliant with your standards. Being selective and diligent helps protect your collaboration environment from potential breaches. It ensures that only trusted apps interact with your systems.

Insider threats

Employees might intentionally or accidentally share sensitive data, creating a significant vulnerability in your security infrastructure. In fact, 30 per cent of chief information security officers identified insider threats as a top cybersecurity concern. It emphasises the importance of managing this risk.

You can implement strict access permissions to reduce the chances of internal data leaks. This way, employees only see the information they need. Likewise, monitor usage to detect unusual behaviour and educate your team about the importance of data security. It ensures they understand their role in protecting your company’s sensitive information.

Outdated software

Using outdated versions of collaboration tools can expose your business to known vulnerabilities and leave you susceptible to cyberattacks. Hackers often exploit older software flaws, which could risk your data.

Also Read: These top cybersecurity firms are vital defenders against evolving digital threats in 2024

Ensure you regularly update your collaboration software to the latest security patches to protect your company. This simple practice ensures you benefit from the most recent protections against potential threats. It keeps your business communications safe and secure.

Lack of encryption

Unencrypted communication channels can expose your business to eavesdropping and data interception, leaving your information vulnerable. In 2022, perpetrators breached over 34 million accounts in China — the highest number in the Asia Pacific region — demonstrating the magnitude of this issue.

Choose collaboration tools that offer end-to-end encryption to safeguard your company’s communications. It ensures your data remains private and accessible only to intended recipients. This added layer of protection will minimise the chances of unauthorised parties intercepting critical information and keep your business conversations secure.

Misconfiguration of settings

Misconfigured settings can lead to unintended data exposure, potentially making your company’s sensitive information accessible to unauthorised parties. Conduct regular audits of your collaboration tools to ensure proper configuration and to identify vulnerabilities that might put your data at risk.

Additionally, use secure defaults to establish a strong baseline for your settings. By staying proactive, you’ll safeguard your systems against accidental oversights and help prevent data from slipping through the cracks.

Enhancing business operations by prioritising cybersecurity

Proactive measures can minimise cybersecurity risks and protect your business from potential threats. Prioritising this aspect in your collaboration tools creates a safer environment for your team’s productivity and communication.

Don’t wait for a breach to highlight your vulnerabilities. Instead, take steps now to safeguard your data. Make cybersecurity a core strategy to enhance your business operations and secure your organisation.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page.

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This article was first published on May 27, 2024

The post Optimising collaboration with security: A guide to protecting your business data appeared first on e27.

Asia is leading the global shift to digital payments – something that frequent international travellers are quick to notice. During a recent trip through Asia, Yuno’s Co-Founder and CEO, Juan Pablo Ortega, stopped by a Starbucks in Shanghai and, after pulling out his credit card to pay, noticed the barista was stumped — it had been a while since they had seen someone paying with a physical credit card.

This simple encounter speaks volumes about the stark differences between Asia’s payments landscape and that of North America and Europe. Across much of Asia, digital wallets have become ubiquitous, enabling many countries to leapfrog from cash directly to digital payments. Unlike developed markets that are still grappling with legacy banking systems, Asia has largely bypassed the era of clunky traditional financial products.

For the region’s young, ambitious and increasingly tech-savvy consumers – many of whom remain underbanked – this shift has brought convenience and inclusion. However, the rapid adoption of digital payments also presents challenges. They carry greater security risks particularly regarding fraud, and are also difficult for multinational businesses to navigate, given the wide differences in preferred payment methods across Asian countries.

For example, QR code-enabled payments dominate in the Philippines, driven by the central bank’s QR Ph initiative. Similarly, platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay are embedded in daily life in China. Meanwhile, Singapore continues its transition to a cashless society, with PayNow at the forefront. 

As a global payments orchestrator, we are fortunate to witness these exciting developments firsthand. The trends emerging today are shaping a future that is as dynamic as it is transformative.

Here are five key trends we believe will continue to define Asia’s payments sector in 2025:

New technology will further reshape cross-border payments 

Cross-border transactions have long been plagued by high fees, slow processing times, and a lack of transparency. However, as new providers emerge, cross-border payments are becoming increasingly decentralised and threatening to disrupt the dominance of traditional correspondent banking networks.

Consumers are becoming more aware of convenient, lower-cost options like dynamic currency conversions for FX, as disrupters like Revolut and Wise offer more competitive pricing. Initiatives like Project Nexus, which promote cross-border account-to-account (A2A) transfers, are also further improving FX conversion speed and transparency.

Other innovations such as wallet interoperability are enabling easy fund transfers between digital wallets, critical for Asia’s wallet-dominated markets. Blockchain technology is further enhancing the landscape by enabling faster settlements, reduced reliance on intermediaries, and greater security, with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) like China’s digital yuan pointing toward a unified digital-first ecosystem.

These advancements are breaking down barriers. Consumers benefit from lower costs, greater transparency, and faster processes, while businesses can expand into new markets with ease, offering customers more flexible and affordable payment options.  As innovation continues, we are likely to see a more democratic global payment ecosystem emerge, one where businesses in emerging markets can compete on a more level playing field.

Also Read: How fintech is disrupting the Southeast Asian payments market

Payment orchestration will become increasingly business critical

Once a niche concept, payment orchestration is now becoming an indispensable partner for businesses navigating Asia’s rapidly evolving payments ecosystem, providing optionality to merchants and giving them the freedom to quickly go to market when expanding globally. Payment orchestrators make it easy for companies to access hundreds of locally relevant payment options, including traditional cards and alternative payment methods (APMs) like e-wallets and QR codes, and quickly integrate them in just a few clicks. 

This makes it easy for merchants to offer the most popular payment options in each market, tapping into new customer segments and improving financial inclusion. It also helps them reduce internal costs and scale more quickly across Asia and the rest of the world.

Beyond integration, payment orchestration platforms can help enhance localised insights and experiences, including by integrating AI-based features into their tool kit. Payment orchestrators like Yuno can help companies to optimise their entire payment ecosystem – from incoming customer payments to outbound payments to partners and suppliers – driving revenue growth and enabling them to fully capitalise on the region’s continued e-commerce boom.

As payment orchestration evolves, it is shifting from being a purely technical tool to a strategic partner, offering data-driven insights that help businesses hyper-localise their offerings and penetrate markets more effectively. In Asia’s diverse payments landscape, this capability will be a cornerstone of success.

Embedded finance will extend its reach

Embedded finance is already revolutionising the payments landscape, and its influence will only grow in 2025. With the proliferation of Payments as a Service (PaaS) providers, merchants can now integrate financial services directly into their platforms, enhancing convenience and reducing friction.

Ride-hailing platforms like Grab and inDrive exemplify this shift. Grab now offers embedded insurance and loans for drivers and users, significantly enhancing financial access for underserved populations in Southeast Asia, while inDrive has launched lending for drivers in some markets, starting with Latin America. 

Beyond convenience, embedding financial services enable businesses to offer a broader suite of solutions, such as lending, remittances, and card issuance, directly through their platforms. This simplifies the customer journey, unlocks new revenue streams, and strengthens customer loyalty. As consumer demand for integrated, hassle-free solutions grows, embedded finance will play an increasingly central role in driving innovation and growth across the payments ecosystem.

As a result, traditional banks may see their role diminish in favour of tech-first ecosystems in the future, with platforms like Grab, Gojek and inDrive emerging as the new financial providers of choice for millions of customers. This process, redefining financial services, is already underway.

Also Read: Navigating the gender divide in the Southeast Asia’s fintech landscape

UX will continue to grow in importance

Today’s consumers expect more than functionality – they demand payment experiences that are intuitive, seamless and even enjoyable. Unified commerce, which integrates online and offline payment systems to let customers use their preferred payment methods anywhere they shop, is therefore becoming increasingly vital to merchant success.

We are already seeing retailers allowing customers to scan QR codes in-store to pay instantly via their apps, bypassing the cash register line. But the future promises even more. Biometric authentication, one-click checkout and integrated loyalty programs are quickly becoming essential for businesses looking to differentiate themselves.

Biometric authentication helps to speed up payments while enhancing security; one-click checkout simplifies online transactions by allowing customers to pay in just one tap. Integrated loyalty programs, meanwhile, encourage repeat purchases by automatically applying rewards and discounts to shopping carts, creating a more personalised customer experience. 

Other customer-centric innovations that integrate payment UX into non-payment services to enrich customers journeys are also gaining popularity. For example, IKEA’s Place and Pay AR feature allows customers to visualise furniture in their homes before paying through an integrated one-click checkout system. 

Such integrations combine augmented reality (AR) and gamification to enrich customer journeys. In the future, innovative use of AR, VR and other features integrated with payment tech are likely to become the main differentiator for brands, as consumers will demand an increasingly engaging and memorable shopping experience.

Payments optimisation will continue across the value chain

Payments optimisation is leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate currency fluctuations, helping businesses make informed decisions before losses occur. To achieve optimal performance, merchants should strategically leverage both local acquiring and cross-border acquiring services. 

Local acquiring can reduce costs by minimising interchange fees and cross-border transaction fees, while improving approval rates due to reduced latency and greater familiarity with local regulations and consumer preferences. At the same time, cross-border acquiring can simplify operational complexities, especially for merchants serving international customers in multiple markets.

To make the most of this, merchants can deploy AI and machine learning to intelligently route transactions. These tools can analyse key factors such as purchase success rates, latency, and complex cost structures of payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. By dynamically routing transactions to either local or cross-border acquirers based on real-time data, merchants can maximise approval rates, reduce costs, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Also Read: How to recession-proof your business with payments

In the future, we may see predictive optimisation evolve even further, transforming into real-time automation systems where AI autonomously manages currency exchange, liquidity, and settlement across global supply chains, making international business operations even faster and more cost-effective.

As the above trends continue to evolve, businesses across Asia must stay agile to capitalise on the opportunities presented by this rapidly changing landscape. With the rise of new technologies, payment orchestration, embedded finance, and other innovations, the future of payments in Asia is more dynamic than ever.

Asia’s payment sector is at an exciting inflection point and innovation is moving forward at breakneck speed. As the continent continues to lead the world in redefining how payments are made and managed, businesses that adapt to these new and evolving trends in 2025 will be well positioned to unlock the vast potential that all the different countries in Asia have to offer.

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