venture capital
Japanese financial services conglomerate SBI Holdings has announced a follow-on strategic investment in UAE-based digital asset platform Fasset. The transaction assigns Fasset an enterprise valuation of $1 billion, following SBI’s initial stake purchase in May 2026. Upon completion of Fasset's ongoing Series C funding round,
asset management
Tokyo-headquartered Amova Asset Management (formerly known as Nikko Asset Management) has officially completed its acquisition of an additional 77.675% equity interest in Malaysia’s AHAM Asset Management Berhad (AHAM Capital). The transaction increases Amova AM’s total ownership stake from 20% to 97.675%, successfully converting AHAM Capital
banking
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has imposed an Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) of RM520,000 on AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad for failing to comply with targeted financial sanctions (TFS) regulations. The regulatory action follows an on-site supervisory examination by BNM, which revealed that the non-bank financial institution had
venture capital
The Cool Japan Fund (CJF) has made an investment of up to $12 million in Polisea, the Singapore-based InsurTech firm behind the "PolicyStreet" platform. The move is designed to bolster the digital infrastructure supporting Japanese exports across Southeast Asia, with a primary focus on the Malaysian market.
mergers & acquisitions
Amova Asset Management has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining equity interest in AHAM Asset Management, moving to take full control of one of Malaysia’s leading fund management houses. In a strategic push to solidify its footprint in Southeast Asia, the Japan-headquartered firm will increase its
consumer finance
AEON Financial Services has submitted an amended securities report and other documents for the fiscal year ending February 2025 to the Director-General of the Kanto Regional Financial Bureau on July 31, 2025, and has also corrected its financial results summary, as detailed below. As announced on July 9, 2025,
banking
AEON Credit Service reported a 14.9% year-on-year growth in revenue to MYR 599.92m in the first fiscal quarter ending 31 May 2025, compared to MYR 522.26m in the preceding year. AEON Credit Service was incorporated in December 1996, converted into a public limited company in
ecommerce
Seedflex Technologies, a Singapore-based FinTech platform co-founded by two former Grab executives, has raised a $3.2 million seed extension round co-led by Z Venture Capital (ZVC), the corporate venture capital firm owned by LY Corporation, and Iterative. The funding also saw participation from existing investor 500
ASEAN
The panel discussion emphasized the opportunities and challenges for startups in the Southeast Asian region. It highlighted the need for realistic valuations, strategic collaborations, a deep understanding of local markets, and a focus on long-term commitment in order to succeed in the region. In short, relationships are key in
lending
CARSOME Group, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car e-commerce platform, and JACCS (Japan Consumer Credit Service), a global consumer finance company and a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, announced a strategic partnership via CARSOME Capital, the financing arm of CARSOME. As part of this strategic partnership, JACCS