Dear reader,
The impending shutdown of TikTok’s US operations marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about national security, data privacy, and digital freedom. With 170 million American users and a global presence supported by US-based infrastructure, TikTok’s potential ban exemplifies the complexities of regulating technology in an increasingly interconnected world.
At the heart of the controversy lies the tension between safeguarding national security and preserving freedom of expression. The US government’s mandate for ByteDance to divest TikTok stems from concerns about data accessibility by Chinese authorities. While such concerns are valid in the context of rising geopolitical tensions, critics argue that a blanket ban infringes upon First Amendment rights and disrupts the livelihoods of countless creators and businesses reliant on the platform.
The situation has been further muddled by political posturing. President-elect Donald Trump’s deliberation over an executive order to delay the ban contrasts sharply with the outgoing Biden administration’s firm stance on enforcing the law. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s indecision underscores the legal ambiguity surrounding the issue.
This lack of clear direction has left TikTok users and businesses in limbo, highlighting the absence of a cohesive strategy for balancing security concerns with the rights of private entities.
TikTok’s assertion that a US ban could disrupt services globally raises significant questions about the unintended consequences of such policies. The platform’s role as a cultural and economic phenomenon cannot be understated, and its shutdown could set a concerning precedent for the future of global tech regulation.
Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder of the need for nuanced policymaking. As governments grapple with the challenges of digital sovereignty, the TikTok saga underscores the importance of balancing security imperatives with the principles of openness and innovation.
Sainul,
Editor.
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NEWS & VIEWS
TikTok may shut down in US on Sunday: sources
The decision will depend on whether the Supreme Court intervenes to block the ban | Under current legislation, new downloads of TikTok are prohibited from Apple and Google app stores.
Oyo investors plan to sell stake at US$3.9B valuation
Early Oyo investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, are in talks with family offices to sell their shares | Peak XV, another early investor in Oyo, recently sold part of its 3% stake, earning US$80-US$90M.
Digibank Sygnum achieves unicorn status after US$58M raise
The round was led by bitcoin-focused venture capital firm Fulgur Ventures | The Swiss and Singaporean company plans to use the funds to expand into new markets, including the EU, EEA, and Hong Kong.
Singapore, Thailand authorities move to block crypto betting site Polymarket
Singapore’s Gambling Regulatory Authority blocked access to the prediction markets platform in December, as it was deemed to be providing unlawful gambling, a spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
India’s Breathe Well-being lays off 100 employees: sources
The layoffs were reportedly due to the healthtech startup’s inability to raise fresh funding, leaving it with a runway of just six months to a year | The startup, which helps manage and reverse Type 2 diabetes, has raised over US$10M to date.
Skor scores US$6.2M funding to tackle Indonesia’s credit market
The investors include Argor Capital, QED Investors, and Saison Capital | Skor’s product Skorcard is designed as a digital-first product, with a purpose-built mobile app that uses “gamification” to engage users.
Singapore bitcoin rush defies MAS warnings
According to Gavin Chia, CEO of investment platform Moomoo, the trading volume of bitcoin ETFs in Singapore increased by over 200% in November compared to October 2024. Over 50% of the platform’s crypto traders in 2024 were Singaporeans.
SC Ventures, ENGIE Factory launch Qatalyst to transform carbon finance market
The goal is to simplify and expedite the identification, due diligence, and oversight of carbon abatement projects, thereby addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the sector.
iMyanmarHouse launches C2C marketplace for individuals to connect, exchange goods
iMyanmarMarket’s emergence comes after the late 2022 exit of OneKyat, a C2C e-commerce platform previously owned by Carousell | iMyanmarMarket is also looking to expand into the business-to-consumer (B2C) sector.
Urban solutions, sustainability take centre stage at SMU’s LKYGBPC startup challenge in 2025
This year’s LKYGBPC is enhancing its support for participants by connecting finalists with Southeast Asia’s leading business families.
Amazon to acquire Indian BNPL firm Axio
The financial terms were not disclosed, but sources estimate the transaction exceeds US$150M | This acquisition marks Amazon’s second purchase in India within a year, following its acquisition of video streaming service MX Player in June 2024.
SG corporate finance firm W Capital secures Series B funding
received investments from existing seed shareholders, a single-family office, and leaders from listed companies | W Capital Markets has executed over 50 transactions valued between US$36.6M and US$2.19B.
Kaya Founders plans to invest in 10 to 15 startups in 2025
Kaya Founders focuses on pre-seed and series A startups in the Philippine market, with an emphasis on technology-driven solutions, AI, and financial services.
Meta warns of feature rollbacks after antitrust ruling in India
Meta Platforms may be required to withdraw certain features in India due to a directive from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) | These restrictions could affect Meta’s ability to provide personalised ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram in India.
SG women’s health startup Aura Fem Health secures US$200K in funding
Aura Fem Health aims to address the gaps in women’s healthcare, considering mental, physical, and environmental factors | Currently, Aura serves users in ten countries, mainly in the US and Europe, targeting women aged 40 to 55.
Grab, BYD partner to expand EV fleet in Southeast Asia
The partnership will bring up to 50K EVs to Grab’s driver-partners in the region | This collaboration aims to reduce the costs of EV adoption and promote sustainable transportation.
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
Rise of the machines: 20 robotics startups shaping Southeast Asia’s future
Singapore leads the region in robotics adoption, particularly in manufacturing and service industries, due to its robust R&D infra and favourable investment climate.
How NEU Battery Materials is powering the circular economy for lithium
NEU Battery Materials has developed a proprietary electrochemical redox-targeting technology to sustainably recycle Li-ion batteries.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The banking revolution: Balancing convenience and security in the digital era
In the digital age, banking undergoes a transformation where convenience meets security, and fintech revolutionises financial management.
From teaching to a writing startup: Why and how I’ve pivoted my career
Don’t stop learning and trying new things. Even if it seems useless or controversial at first, every skill you have will come in handy one day.
How millennial investors are taking control of their wealth creation
Tech is making investing more accessible for young investors in Southeast Asia but disinformation can threaten financial wellbeing.
How Generative AI will advance embedded lending
The latest developments in generative AI will bring some significant developments to the lending industry with more personalisation.
How fintech in Asia is enabling and making education affordable for everyone
Financing has always been the key barrier for enrolment and retention and is a top-of-mind issue for schools.
Edutech in a post-pandemic world: Where do we go from here?
Edutech stands to furnish massive opportunities to startups that seek to provide solutions for the ever-evolving education sector.
How the metaverse opens new opportunities for education
Education in the metaverse will be more democratised, the academic curriculum will be more equitable and open.
How to navigate through the vast opportunities in the finance industry
As the scope of the finance industry continues to evolve, a career in the industry can be fast-paced, dynamic, challenging, and enriching.
Openness and collaboration in education is what the world needs
To solve the problems of tomorrow, we need to leverage digital technology to match the world’s best minds with the best education resources.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
US$25B lost: Crypto’s deepfake defence is failing
With minimal technical knowledge, AI can now generate hyper-realistic deepfake content | As a result, it is becoming increasingly hard to distinguish between legitimate and deceptive media.
How this founder went from being a tutor to a modern-day mompreneur
As a mompreneur every day I am tasked with managing the home and the office and juggling between the two.
Leading the pivot: Transforming B2B marketing in the age of AI
The question isn’t whether AI will change marketing; the real question is: will you lead the change or get left behind?
How to use AI positively and stay ahead in your career
The real question isn’t whether AI will take over but whether we’ll take advantage of it to stay ahead in our careers.
Beyond drug discovery: How generative AI is revolutionising content creation in biotechnology
Generative AI is set to revolutionize scientific data processing, analysis, and presentation, prompting biotech leaders to rethink content strategies.
The future of education is AI: Here’s how it will look
With the right kind of AI, edutech enterprises can not only shape the future of curriculum, but also the very culture of learning.
How AI and digital strategy are shaping the future of connectivity
A platform-based approach helps telcos future-proof with digital integration, automation, and intelligence.
Gina Romero’s quest of unchaining women through AI and digital tasks
“Making sure that women have access to technology is a gamechanger, it creates opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist,” says Romero.
How a hospitality career helped me jump into tech
This article focuses on my journey where I changed the trajectory of my career and went on to become a full-stack software developer.
Is Vietnam the new AI destination? NVIDIA might say yes!
The partnership with NVIDIA highlights the commitment of Vietnam to high-tech development and a skilled workforce.
The digital silk road: How Southeast Asian startups are redefining cross-border collaboration
The journey of Southeast Asian startups represents more than a regional success story – it offers a blueprint for global technological collaboration.
The post Ecosystem Roundup: TikTok may shut down in US on Sunday | Digibank Sygnum becomes unicorn | Singapore bitcoin rush defies MAS warnings appeared first on e27.