With technology cycles accelerating faster than ever, the next wave of innovation will not just be defined by what’s new, but by how seamlessly it integrates into our lives. This October, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is set to highlight this future through two flagship events: the Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia, running 13–16 October 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two fairs are expected to feature more than 3,200 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions.

Now in its 45th edition, the Electronics Fair will bring together global exhibitors and buyers to explore how AI, robotics, digital entertainment, and the silver economy are shaping industries and societies. Visitors will also find well-known brands in the Hall of Fame and discover up-and-coming names in the new RISE Avenue. Another brand new zone the Adventure Hub will provide immersive experience in gaming accessories, and interactive entertainment combine AI, AR and VR.

Register for free entry here.

AI, robotics, and the new frontiers of automation

Among the most anticipated highlights is the dedicated RoboPark, where service robots, industrial bots, and consumer-facing machines will be on display. There will be over 30 sharing sessions with speakers from leading robotics companies including Booster Robotics and Unitree Robotics. Exhibitors such as Ti5robot and PADBOT exemplify how robotics is no longer limited to factories or research labs, but is becoming part of everyday life. From healthcare assistance to logistics, these demonstrations will offer a glimpse into how automation can reshape business models and customer experiences.

The emphasis on AI-driven robotics signals a broader shift in Asia’s innovation agenda. Beyond the novelty of robots, the conversations are increasingly about integration: how robotics can collaborate with humans, augment productivity, and scale sustainably across industries. For startups and investors alike, this is not just a product showcase but a chance to understand where robotics is heading in both consumer and enterprise contexts. The new Hong Kong Tech Showcase has been added to this year’s exhibition area to present high-quality innovation and technology products from local tech companies to global buyers.

Entertainment and lifestyle innovation on display

The fair also places digital entertainment at the heart of its program. Visitors will find immersive VR sports, gaming experiences, and travel gadgets that highlight how leisure technology is blending with mobility and lifestyle. The new Adventure Hub takes this one step further, offering interactive metaverse journeys and outdoor entertainment solutions designed to push the boundaries of engagement.

What makes this significant is the shift from entertainment as a passive activity to one that is participatory and experiential. These technologies are not only redefining consumer expectations, they are also opening up fresh opportunities for startups working at the intersection of gaming, tourism, and wellness. By situating entertainment within broader lifestyle contexts, the fair reflects how digital innovation is extending far beyond traditional industry silos.

Also read: Innovation on display: Discover the tech shaping Asia’s future at Hong Kong’s leading fairs

Building inclusive futures through the silver economy and IoT

Another strong theme is the silver economy, with fitness and health technologies designed for ageing populations. Asia’s demographics are changing rapidly, and the need for elder-friendly innovation is becoming critical. By spotlighting solutions that promote active, healthy living for seniors, the fair acknowledges that designing for inclusivity is now a competitive advantage as well as a social imperative.

These innovations connect directly to the broader IoT and smart living landscape presented in the Tech Hall, where solutions for connected homes, cities, and healthcare ecosystems will be showcased. Alongside product displays, the symposium and startup showcases will bring together founders, investors, and corporate leaders to explore how demographic shifts, connectivity, and frontier technologies converge.

Also read: Multilingual conversations decoded: Fano’s vision for communication clarity

Why this matters for Asia’s innovation economy

In 2024, the fairs drew over 60,000 industry buyers from 136 countries and regions, underscoring their role as one of the largest gathering points for the electronics and technology community.

The 2025 edition expands this momentum with fresh features like the RoboPark, featuring over 30 sessions with speakers from leading robotics companies, and RISE Avenue, spotlighting rising innovators in robotics and entertainment. Together, they offer startups a stage to showcase ideas, corporates a window into emerging trends, and investors a direct link to the next generation of growth opportunities.

Register for free entry here.

—

Want updates like this delivered directly? Join our WhatsApp channel and stay in the loop.

This article is produced by e27, sponsored by HKTDC.

We can share your story at e27 too! Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. You can reach out to us here to get started.

Featured Image Credit: HKTDC

The post How HK Electronics Fairs 2025 showcase the future of AI, robotics, and smart living appeared first on e27.

The latest Tracxn data underscores a defining moment for Southeast Asia’s technology ecosystem. With total funding slipping to US$2.6 billion in the first nine months of 2025, the market is experiencing its sharpest bifurcation yet (In H1, funding plummeted by 20.7 per cent year-on-year to US$1.85, marking the weakest period in terms of both deal volume and value in over six years).

On one hand, early-stage activity–the bedrock of innovation–has collapsed. Seed and Series A/B funding plummeted by over 70 per cent, leaving fewer than 60 startups able to raise their first institutional capital. This erosion of the pipeline poses long-term risks, stifling the next generation of regional disruptors.

On the other hand, late-stage resilience paints a very different picture. A handful of giants, overwhelmingly anchored in Singapore, continue to attract mega-rounds. Enterprise infrastructure and applications are fast becoming the sectors of choice, while fintech, once SEA’s golden child, has sharply receded.

The exit landscape reflects this duality: IPOs are rebounding strongly, but acquisitions have lost momentum, and unicorn creation has nearly stalled.

What emerges is a funding environment driven by a “flight to quality”, where proven, mission-critical companies absorb outsized capital, while early innovation is left in the cold. The challenge ahead is clear: without replenishing the seed and early-stage base, Southeast Asia risks narrowing its innovation horizon.

REGIONAL

Fintech rebound: Singapore bags US$1.04B, outpaces global peers
This significant influx marks the highest investment quantum seen in the city-state since the first half of 2023, when investments reached US$1.59 billion across 125 deals | Crucially, Singapore’s deal values increased by approximately 87 per cent year-on-year compared to H1 2024 and rose by 28 per cent from H2 2024.

Southeast Asian digital bank Yup raises US$32M Series C1
The investors are Moore Strategic Ventures, and Spice Expeditions | The company will use the funds to expand its customer base and enhance its digital banking offerings for underbanked and underserved segments in the region | Yup currently serves millions of credit card holders and aims to reach break-even by the end of 2025.

Ex-Investree CEO arrested after being on the run
Adrian Gunadi is accused of raising at least US$161.4M from the public without market regulator OJK’s approval between January 2022 and March 2024, using two legal entities under Investree’s name | Authorities say some of the funds were used for personal benefit.

SG hospitality firm Zuzu raises US$5.9M Series B extension
Investors include Wavemaker Growth, Vulpes Ventures, Velocity Ventures, and Latin Leap | The company operates RevMate, an AI-powered revenue management platform that uses data from over 3,000 independent hotels | The new funding will help scale RevMate’s adoption among independent hotels across Asia.

Singapore’s iSense taps DNAKE partnership for global smart city expansion
iSense, which has active initiatives progressing in the Philippines and Vietnam, will further expand into Indonesia, Australia, Europe, and the US | The Southeast Asian smart city market is projected to triple in valuation from US$49B in 2024 to US$145.8B by 2033.

OKX SG debuts stablecoin payments at local GrabPay merchants
OKX SG partnered with StraitsX and Grab for the rollout | The service lets users pay for daily purchases at GrabPay merchant locations using stablecoins USDT or USDC, with transactions converted to the StraitsX-issued XSGD stablecoin and settled in Singapore dollars.

Singapore Management University debuts tech accelerator for startups
Urban SustaInnovator (USI) is a 12-month, zero-equity, non-residential programme open to startups worldwide and backed by a consortium of public and private partners, including A*STAR, Antler, and ST Engineering.

Backing bold ideas: Singapore Polytechnic funds 16 student ventures
The funding injection follows an event in which more than 300 students across eight Singapore Polytechnic schools formed trans-disciplinary teams to develop commercially viable solutions to real-world issues, including senior care, social connection, and sustainability.

REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS

IPO surge, unicorn scarcity: The new face of SEA’s funding landscape
The US$2.6B total funding pool for 9M 2025 was sustained by fewer deals overall, reflecting a broader tightening of investment criteria | The total number of funding rounds dropped by 62 per cent, landing at 168 compared to 443 in 9M 2024 | The impact was most acutely felt by nascent startups and those attempting to scale early on.

Policy warning: Without intervention, AI could deepen the digital divide
Policymakers face the immediate challenge of ensuring the benefits of AI do not only accrue to already-rich economies, and must address the risk of deepening digital divides.

Enterprise AI adoption: Context, not cost, defines deployment
A Claude study suggests that deploying AI for complex tasks might be constrained more by access to appropriate, readily available information than by underlying model capabilities.

INTERNATIONAL

OpenAI’s H1 2025: US$4.3B in income, US$13.5B in loss
R&D expenses were its largest cost, totalling US$6.7B in the first half | OpenAI also spent US$2B on sales and ad—nearly double what it spent in all of 2024—and about US$2.5B on stock-based compensation, nearly double the amount from the first half of last year.

US-based Velocitor acquires NextBillion.ai, Microsoft exits
NextBillion.ai, which develops routing, dispatch, and mapping APIs for logistics and delivery businesses, had previously raised over US$32M million from backers such as Microsoft, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Alpha Wave Global.

S Korea telco firm, Microsoft team up on GPT-4o-based AI
SOTA K, an AI model based on GPT-4o and tailored for the Korean language, is designed to handle Korean nuances, including honorifics, dialects, and terminology across law, finance, and history.

India’s Together Fund launches platform to back early AI startups
The Bengaluru- and US-based venture capital firm said SwarmSpace combines a community, a 12-week AI studio, and a research lab, offering selected startups up to US$1 million in funding and US$600,000 in partner credits.

AI recruiter Alex raises US$17M to automate initial job interviews
The startup’s voice AI tool can conduct autonomous interviews with applicants soon after they apply for a job | Its AI recruiter does thousands of interviews a day.

Entrepreneur Charlie Javice gets over seven years for JP Morgan fraud
The founder of the college financial aid startup Frank was convicted in March on all four counts she faced: bank fraud, securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Javice was found guilty of exaggerating the company’s customer numbers before JP Morgan acquired it for US$175M in 2021.

Alibaba in talks to buy Hong Kong office for US$900M: sources
Alibaba and its affiliates, which currently lease 10 floors at Times Square in Causeway Bay, will see their tenancy end in 2028 | The potential purchase comes as Hong Kong’s office vacancy rate nears a record high, with commercial property values dropping and vacancies reaching about 17 per cent.

SEMICONDUCTOR

Nvidia CEO: US-China tech rivalry could benefit both sides
Nvidia’s sales to China, a key market, have been disrupted by US export restrictions, though some shipments resumed after new levies were agreed | Nvidia’s shares have surged 62 per cent in the past six months, with its market cap reaching US$4.3T.

Samsung backs S Korean AI chip maker Rebellions’s round at US$1.4B valuation
Other backers are Arm Holdings, Lion X Ventures, Korea Development Bank, and Korelya Capital | Rebellions is raising funds to scale up mass production of its chips and advance product development | It is among several firms working to build AI infrastructure globally.

Huawei to double AI chip production in 2025
Huawei targets to produce 600,000 units of its flagship 910C Ascend AI chips in 2025 | The company will also raise total output of its Ascend line to as many as 1.6 million dies in 2026 | Huawei partners with Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. to produce the chips.

Trump reportedly mulls chip tariffs on foreign electronics
The Commerce Department would set tariffs as a percentage of a device’s chip content value, aiming to push companies to manufacture in the US | White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the US should not rely on foreign-made chips, citing national and economic security.

AI

AI in Southeast Asia: The silent force powering today and the engine for tomorrow’s growth
While discussions about the future of AI often conjure images of autonomous robots or complex algorithms, the reality is that its most profound impact is already woven into our daily lives | Much like electricity became an invisible utility, AI has transitioned from a niche technology to an indispensable part of our digital infrastructure.

The unspoken truth about AI in Southeast Asia: It’s not the robot, it’s the raw material
In the world of AI, the data is the raw ingredient | And for all the chatter about the transformative power of AI, especially in a diverse and dynamic region like Southeast Asia, we haven’t spent nearly enough time talking about the messy, complex, and often overlooked state of our data.

AI-powered marketing: How to generate leads, nurture customers, and close deals on autopilot
Automation has long been a part of marketing, but the integration of AI has elevated it to the next level | We’ve moved beyond just content generation and image editing to creating meaningful value in a company’s operations.

AI in Southeast Asia: The silent force powering today and the engine for tomorrow’s growth
While discussions about the future of AI often conjure images of autonomous robots or complex algorithms, the reality is that its most profound impact is already woven into our daily lives | Much like electricity became an invisible utility, AI has transitioned from a niche technology to an indispensable part of our digital infrastructure.

How AI agents will transform financial services
As AI agents become more capable, they will be able to conduct transactions and complex processes without the need for human intervention | However, it is important to put the right safeguards in place to ensure the right levels of accountability when it comes to AI decision making.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

How Malaysian SMEs are using AI to save time, money, and stress
In Malaysia, AI for SMEs isn’t about futuristic factories or robots; it’s about taking the repetitive, time-consuming work that usually frustrates small teams and turning it into something simple, faster, and less stressful—so they can focus on growing the business instead of being stuck with admin tasks.

The great divide: How Southeast Asian SMEs are bridging the AI gap between survival and success
For many SMEs across Southeast Asia, the rise of live shopping presents both an opportunity and a barrier | Traditional livestreaming requires studio rental, merchandise samples, and human hosts—costs that can quickly overwhelm small business budgets.

From ChatGPT to Copilot: The security blind spot everyone misses
Some organisations have already moved to block risky AI use | Because they recognised that what feels like an innocent productivity hack could lead to intellectual property leaks, compliance violations, or even open the door to cyberattacks.

The future of food: Tech-enabled, hyper-personalised, and sustainable
Tech will be a key enabler to achieving such food security, wellness, and sustainability goals across Asia and worldwide | Investment and innovation will advance and harness tech to shape the future of food, transforming options for food production, accessing nutrition, and how food consumption is shaped and experienced.

How to unlock possibilities through data privacy enhancing technologies
We see the possibilities of data exchange across industries such as manufacturing, where external data sources on weather and other factors can allow a full view of supply chain issues to mitigate risks early or even within the energy sector, studying data sets from smart homes to building management to drive operational efficiency and provide customers with advanced services.

Why unmanned retail solutions are the turning point for the F&B industry
Robots are not new to us; they’ve been around for the last 30 years in factories producing cars, laptops and more | By taking the technology a step further and combining robotics with AI, F&B owners can solve the aforementioned challenges, significantly improving their chances of maintaining and even scaling their business in the long run.

Funding deeptech: Balancing potential and complexity in the search for capital
Despite this uncertainty, more VC funding than ever has been allocated to deep tech over the last five years | Yet in 2022, according to Crunchbase and Pitchbook, these numbers represent only a fraction of the total: 12 per cent | Excluding AI, drones, and robotics, we are down to two per cent for all other frontier tech sub-segments, including advanced materials.

Why blockchain is instrumental for the future of trade finance
When trade finance is done on a decentralised blockchain, all transactions are recorded in a secure database which is accessible to all parties to the trade | This addresses the three major challenges facing trade finance transactions: inefficiencies stemming from the use of large quantities

Can autonomous delivery vehicles handle the chaos of real roads?
They process large numbers of moving objects in fractions of a second, balancing near-range precision with long-range awareness to ensure safe, stable navigation in crowded environments | This level of real-time perception is what makes safe autonomous navigation possible.

The post Ecosystem Roundup: IPO surge, fewer unicorns shape SEA funding | Yup raises US$32M | Singapore fintech bags US$1.04B | Ex-Investree CEO arrested appeared first on e27.

The Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE) has unveiled a new flagship global deeptech accelerator, the Urban SustaInnovator (USI).

The Urban SustaInnovator is a zero-equity, zero-fee, 12-month hybrid, non-residential programme open to eligible global startups. The accelerator aims to scale and anchor breakthrough solutions in the urban solutions and sustainability (USS) space.

The USI is designed to tackle critical urban challenges facing regional cities, including decarbonisation, energy transition, sustainable construction and mobility, and the rising costs associated with climate inaction. It aligns directly with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, positioning innovation towards these urgent national priorities.

Also Read: Urban solutions, sustainability take centre stage at SMU’s LKYGBPC startup challenge in 2025

The programme framework provides crucial tailored support for deeptech ventures. Each startup receives dedicated one-to-one mentorship, with a Lead Mentor assigned from a consortium of business, scientific, and government leaders.

Additional benefits include:

• Fundraising guidance and industry introductions.
• Pathways for lab validation and accreditation, facilitating fast-tracked commercialisation.
• Access to SMU’s Overseas Centres and events to expand networks across Asia.

The USI is backed by a public-private consortium that aims to connect participating startups to global networks and strengthen Singapore’s role as a deeptech hub. The consortium powering the USI includes institutions such as A*STAR, Antler, Building Construction Authority, Energy Market Authority, ST Engineering, The GEAR by Kajima, TRIREC, and Wavemaker Partners.

The launch of the USI was witnessed by Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, during the Grand Finals Week of the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), which serves as a talent pipeline for the USI. The competition attracted a record 1,572 applications from 91 countries this year, marking a nearly two-thirds increase compared to the previous edition.

Sixty university-affiliated deeptech startup finalists from around the world have converged in Singapore to compete for a prize pool of SGD2.5 million in cash, in-kind support, and mentorship.

SMU IIE has a track record of supporting sustainability ventures; in the past five years, startups emerging from its incubator, the Business Innovations Generator, have collectively raised over SGD1.15 billion. Furthermore, nearly 40 per cent of these incubator startups have focused on addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Minister Chee Hong Tat stated: “Innovation is not just important; it is essential.” He noted that the accelerator “brings together venture capitalists, R&D experts, leading companies and public agencies to mentor promising urban solutions and sustainability startups. Participants will receive guidance on fundraising, market access, and R&D as you build and launch your ventures.”

Also Read: 60 global startups to compete for US$2M prize at LKYGBPC grand finals

Professor Lim Sun Sun, SMU’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, added: “Bridging global startup talent to Singapore’s ecosystem can both catalyse revolutionary solutions for a more equitable, sustainable future, and greatly boost knowledge and skills transfer for our local workforce.”

The launch further underlines Singapore’s robust position in the global tech scene. Startupblink ranked the nation 4th in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, having climbed 12 places since 2020. Singapore also commands nearly 60 per cent of Southeast Asia’s venture capital deal flow.

The post Singapore university unveils Urban SustaInnovator accelerator for global deeptech startups appeared first on e27.

When people interact with money, friction shows up everywhere. It takes the form of unanswered questions, confusing jargon, and tools that do not meet users where they are. Too often, investors face information gaps, cognitive barriers, and fragmented workflows that leave them uncertain or even paralysed when making financial decisions.

This is exactly where AI Financial Assistance can make the biggest impact. Its true value is not in flashy features or futuristic speculation. It is in removing friction.

Done right, AI can:

• Provide the information, research, and analysis people need in the moment
• Educate users in simple, accessible terms to lower cognitive barriers
• Live inside the apps and workflows where financial decisions actually happen

AI gives us the opportunity to reshape how people everywhere engage with money.

Provide relevant info, research, and analysis when needed

Rates changes, stocks move, markets shift, and investors are often left piecing together news from multiple sources. The result is wasted time, frustration, and sometimes costly mistakes.AI can close this gap by pulling together reliable inputs such as verified data, exchange feeds, and research, and presenting them instantly in context. That is what Robinhood’s Cortex does: it gives users the “why” behind market movements in the very moment they are wondering.

For Southeast Asia

This is even more urgent. Data sources are fragmented, disclosure standards vary, and research coverage is thin. Startups here will need to partner with exchanges, brokerages, and regulators to ensure the data behind AI assistance is trustworthy. Because when money is on the line, trust in the source is part of the product.

Also Read: The new market symbiosis: How Fed easing, AI, and crypto ETFs are lifting equities

Educate users in simple terms to remove cognitive barriers

But information alone is not enough. Across the world and across Southeast Asia in particular, millions of people can solve calculus problems but do not understand risk-return, diversification, or how to build a budget. They do not just need data. They need understanding and clarity.

AI Financial Assistance can serve as a personal tutor. It can explain why saving early matters more than saving big, why dollar-cost averaging reduces risk, or why volatility should not automatically spark panic. Cortex hints at this by clarifying the “why” behind price moves, but the bigger opportunity is to integrate financial literacy directly into daily investing experiences.

When an investor sees their stock drop five percent, they should not only learn the news event that caused it. They should also understand what that means for long-term returns, risk management, or their specific goal.

Education removes the cognitive barrier that keeps many people from taking confident financial steps. In a region where first-time investors are flooding into the markets, that educational role is as important as the informational one.

For Southeast Asia

The lesson is just as important. Regulators from MAS in Singapore to the SEC in the Philippines have taken cautious stances on AI-driven financial advice. But there is enormous space for AI to play a role as an always-on coach. Explaining why a stock or mutual fund is moving, summarising relevant news, or clarifying terms in a financial product are all areas where AI can add immediate value without crossing the regulatory line.

By combining info with education, AI can help users feel not just better informed in the moment, but also more financially literate over time. That is how trust deepens: through clarity, context, and confidence.

Be where users already are in their apps and workflows

The best AI does not feel like AI. It feels like part of the process you were already doing, just smoother. Cortex lives inside Robinhood, appearing the instant you tap on a stock chart and ask, “why did it move?” It does not demand a new app or a separate chatbot. It is integrated.That is the principle fintechs in Southeast Asia need to embrace.

First-time investors here are overwhelmingly mobile-first, with workflows that often start inside e-wallets, banking apps, trading platforms, or super apps. AI Financial Assistance should meet them there, not in a standalone tool that adds another layer of friction.

Also Read: The great divide: How Southeast Asian SMEs are bridging the AI gap between survival and success

At Infina, this is the approach we are exploring: building AI financial assistance into the apps where financial decisions already take place. Imagine setting a financial goal in your banking or e-wallet app and being guided step by step: how much to put aside each month, which products align with your tolerance for risk, and how close you are to achieving it. Or opening your portfolio in your brokerage app, seeing a dip, and immediately receiving a plain-language explanation of why it happened, backed by real data.

By living inside the app where money decisions actually happen, AI shifts from being a novelty to being an indispensable guide.

Looking ahead

AI Financial Assistance is not about making decisions for people. It is about reducing friction so that people can make better decisions themselves.

• Information reduces uncertainty
• Education reduces confusion
• Integration reduces effort

For Southeast Asia and the global fintech ecosystem, the opportunity is enormous. Tens of millions of new investors are entering the markets with limited literacy but high mobile penetration. If AI can meet them where they are, explain in language they understand, and provide trustworthy insights, it can accelerate financial inclusion at scale.

Because when it comes to money, credibility is not just a feature. It is the foundation. And if AI can remove friction while earning credibility, it will not just change how people invest. It will change how people trust.

—

The post Key to AI financial assistance: Removing friction appeared first on e27.

Financial inclusion has already proven itself to be a key component in realising opportunities in the digital era. In most emerging markets, the market share of digital payments has increased significantly compared to traditional financial services, as these solutions offset the limitations brought about by infrastructure gaps, high transaction costs, and regulatory hurdles.

While many advancements in cross-border payment technologies have managed to bridge this divide, continuous improvements in their connectivity and accessibility to customers are still necessary to fully drive global financial inclusion. It helps that the wider market recognises the success and value of API-powered payment infrastructure, which offers fast, low-cost, and transparent transactions. 

By enabling remittances, mobile top-ups, and business payments across over 100 countries, these solutions empower migrant workers, small businesses, and underserved populations to participate in the global economy safely and seamlessly. Whether the country’s business landscape has a more sophisticated financial infrastructure, or in the case of developing countries, is still in its growing phase of financial inclusion, there is a tangible impact of accessible digital finance and what it means for long-term economic empowerment.

This is the fundamental thesis behind Tranglo, a cross-border payment hub with a proven track record in business payments, remittances, and mobile payment solutions. Founded in 2008 with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, and London, Tranglo operates a global network spanning 100+ countries, 2,500+ banks, 80+ digital wallets, 300+ mobile operators, and 60+ cash pickup partners with hundreds of thousands of touchpoints. Committed to the highest standards of security, Tranglo is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring robust information security management across its operations.

Also read: Bridging global payment borders and remittances with Tranglo

Serving the unbanked in the digital era of global payment hubs

More than half of the population, or millions of people in Africa and the CIS countries, remain unbanked or underbanked, unable to access essential financial services. Despite high amounts of remittances and payments flowing through these areas, this exclusion limits participation in the global economy, reduces financial resilience, and stifles entrepreneurial growth across entire communities.

Tranglo aims to bridge financial gaps by providing seamless, secure APIs that enable real-time transactions. Through an uninterrupted and full suite of options, Tranglo allows its users to scale across borders, particularly in its newly launched channels in 28 African and 5 CIS countries since last year.

One product that stands out for Tranglo is its ability to enable financial institutions and businesses to make payments through Tranglo Connect, its proprietary cross-border payments solution. It seamlessly integrates payout and partner services, unifying the end-to-end process with direct API access.  With Tranglo Connect, companies can make payments to over 100 countries reliably and securely.

As additional financial safeguards are needed, Tranglo aims to “target and enhance financial connectivity and provide a more reliable and cost-effective way for migrant workers to support their loved ones.” Tranglo Group CEO Jacky Lee emphasised this in a press release at its expansion launch in August last year, to support CIS payout countries including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with more to follow. Aside from migrant workers experiencing more reliable remittances, rural households are also able to top up mobile wallets. Beneficiaries can pick up the cash in USD or Euro within 15 minutes. 

He adds, “We are excited to enter the CIS region, where remittances are a crucial economic pillar for many families. This expansion aligns with our commitment to bridging financial gaps, improving financial inclusion and empowering communities through seamless cross-border payments.”

Also read: Southeast Asia’s crypto race heats up: Can Indonesia stay ahead?

Empowering the livelihood of millions of SMEs and stakeholders by solving issues caused by late payments

Low-cost, transparent payments also serve to empower key groups that are often overlooked, including micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and SMEs that access global suppliers. The United Nations has identified that despite being the backbone of the global economy, representing over 90% of businesses and contributing significantly to employment and GDP worldwide, many SMEs face persistent disruptions due to late payments, inefficient payment systems, and high transaction costs. These challenges limit business growth, disrupt supply chains, and create financial bottlenecks that hinder long-term sustainability.

Nearly two-thirds of SMEs cite late payments as a major obstacle, while 55% of large organisations admit to delaying supplier payments beyond agreed terms. According to a World Bank study, the average global remittance cost is 6.2% per transaction, further straining business profitability. As businesses increasingly expand across borders, the need for faster, cost-effective, and seamless payment solutions has become more pressing.

In response, earlier this year, Tranglo launched an enhanced version of Tranglo Business, an all-in-one payment solution designed to help SMEs overcome cash flow challenges. The latest version introduces a new user interface (UI), seamless self-onboarding experience, and fixed transaction fees. Covering more than 60 countries, the solution aims to streamline payment processes and enhance financial predictability, providing businesses of all sizes with greater control over their cash flow.

Tranglo Business enhances liquidity and payment speed for SMEs across industries

Tranglo Business caters to corporates of all sizes, particularly non-money services businesses, including academic institutions, goods and services providers, import/export traders, tourism and e-commerce businesses, global freelancing and outsourcing platforms, and gig workers.

Also read: Stablecoins could unlock US$6.2T for ASEAN SMEs: Metacomp study

Designed for speed and efficiency, Tranglo Business enables real-time, real-time FX rates and multi-currency transactions, helping businesses to maintain liquidity and adapt to changing market demands. With transactions processed instantly and available 24/7, SMEs can ensure funds are available when needed. Fixed transaction fees eliminate the unpredictability of fluctuating charges, enabling more accurate financial planning. The new self-onboarding feature minimises manual processes and allows users to start transacting in a shorter time. The upgraded UI UX delivers a more intuitive and seamless cross-border payment experience.

Lee said: “SMEs are the driving force of global economic growth, yet cash flow challenges remain a persistent barrier. At Tranglo, we are committed to empowering businesses with faster, more transparent payment solutions. With our new UI, seamless onboarding, and fixed rates, we are creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem that supports SME growth.”

Crypto adoption as a parallel track

The future of cross-border payments is being reshaped by stablecoins and hybrid models that integrate both fiat and crypto rails. Stablecoins like USDT, USDC, and Ripple’s RLUSD are increasingly used to transfer value across borders, reducing costs from nearly 10% via traditional methods to under 2% on blockchain rails. Pegged to fiat currencies, these digital assets reduce transaction fees while enabling near-instant transfers, including to mobile wallets in underserved regions. What once took days to settle can now be completed in minutes, offering faster, cheaper, and more reliable options for migrant workers, SMEs, and the unbanked.

Governments are also recognising this potential, piloting regulated, currency-pegged stablecoins to balance innovation with trust. Initiatives like Hong Kong’s e-HKD and Singapore’s Project Orchid reflect a growing shift toward digital currencies that combine blockchain efficiency with regulatory oversight. Together, these efforts are accelerating financial inclusion, providing millions of people in emerging markets with safer and more accessible ways to send, receive, and store money.

Echoing this global shift, Tranglo has built a hybrid infrastructure that supports both fiat and crypto settlements. Through its partnership with Ripple, Tranglo powers Ripple Payments across Asia and emerging markets, enabling instant settlement using XRP as a bridge currency. This eliminates the need for pre-funded accounts and unlocks liquidity on demand, extending modern financial services to regions where they are most needed.

Also read: Blockchain boom: The Philippines’s rise in Southeast Asia’s crypto scene

Sustainable financial inclusion driving economic resilience and scalable global integration

Tranglo’s global expertise has pushed fintech innovation in markets that need intervention the most. As cross-border payments become more accessible and interconnected, Tranglo goes beyond providing aid and lays the foundation for economic empowerment. By participating in empowering individuals, Tranglo also boosted the creation of global digital identity, credit histories, and formal economic participation. Likewise, small businesses can reap the benefits of a boosted local economy, job creation, and intra-regional trade.

For more information on how Tranglo can expand opportunities for you and your business, visit their website to learn more.

—

Want updates like this delivered directly? Join our WhatsApp channel and stay in the loop.

This article is produced by e27, sponsored by Tranglo.

We can share your story at e27 too! Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Reach out to us here to get started.

Featured Image Credit: Tranglo

The post Fiat vs. Crypto: How seamless payout networks are bridging borders appeared first on e27.