China’s Ant Financial applies for a digital banking license in Singapore – e27
China-based fintech operator Ant Financial has announced that it has applied for a digital wholesale banking license in Singapore, following the waves of unicorns trying to ahead each other in obtaining the digital banking license form Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), reported e27.
Recently gaming startup Razer and ride-hailing company Grab applying for full banking licenses.
An Ant Financial spokesperson is quoted saying to South China Morning Post: “In line with our commitment to promoting financial inclusion globally, we have submitted an application to the MAS for a digital wholesale banking license. We look forward to contributing to the development of the digital banking landscape in Singapore.”
Tesla cuts price for China-made Model 3 vehicles before delivery- Reuters
US electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc cut the starting price for its China-made Model 3 sedans by 16 per cent to US$42,919 after receiving Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles, according to a Reuters report.
Also Read: Startup of the Month, December: Bambooloo by The Nurturing Co.
The reduction, partly thanks to RMB24,750 of subsidies, from an earlier RMB355,800 is among a slew of adjustments Tesla has made to its sales policy in China, including tweaking prices for car accessories and home charging facilities.
Tesla has said it plans to start delivering cars, made at its $2 billion factory in Shanghai, to the public on Jan. 7.
Hong Kong bourse discusses new listings with Ctrip, Netease – Bloomberg
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. is discussing secondary listings with Chinese technology companies including Ctrip and Netease Inc. after Alibaba raised US$13 billion in its 2019 share offering in the city, Bloomberg cited people with the matter in its report.
Bourse officials have held follow-up talks with the two US-listed firms about the possibility of a secondary share sale, the people said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. The discussions are preliminary and subject to change, they added.
Malaysian motorcycle ride-hailing startup Dego Ride is back in business – Says
Malaysia-based motorcycle e-hailing service, Dego Ride, has resumed its operations on the new year’s day with 700 approved riders, Says reported.
According to New Straits Times, the local on-demand ride startup was the first company to introduce motorcycle taxis in Malaysia.
With its signature blue and yellow driver’s uniform, the company was founded by CEO Nabil Feisal Bamadhaj in 2015. Dego Ride then officially launched its services in November 2016 with around 5,000 registered riders at the time.
Just shortly after the operation, the bike-hailing service was banned by previous government Barisan Nasional, stating safety concerns. The impose lasted until last year when Pakatan Harapan, who initially disagreed with the concept, decided to proceed with a six-month trial for motorcycle hailing operations starting January 2020.
With the ban being lifted, the company intends to “provide a solution to the current first and last-mile disconnect from the nearest public transportation systems for those living in the Klang Valley, Shah Alam, and Putrajaya.”
In March, Dego Ride stated that it will expand its services into other regions and states.
—
Image Credit: Matthew Guay on Unsplash
The post Today’s top tech news: Ant Financial seeks digital banking license, Ctrip discusses new listing in Hong Kong bourse appeared first on e27.