This Week in Fintech - China (3/26)

China added 12 lenders to its digital yuan network to accelerate domestic adoption of the e-CNY and enhance its potential for cross-border payments outside dollar-based systems. Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Everbright Bank and Bank of Ningbo are expected to be included.

Dubai-based GTN obtained a Type 1 license from the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, establishing a local team to facilitate cross-border trading and fractional stock access.

Airwallex appointed former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Bill English as its New Zealand Board Chair to support the firm's rapid growth in the region.

HashKey Chain announced it will provide the infrastructure for the launch of Hong Kong’s first regulated silver-backed RWA tokens, allowing professional investors to trade fractional interests in physical silver.

Futu's PantherTrade launched full-scale licensed virtual asset operations in Hong Kong, integrating with Futu Securities to enable dual-track trading for traditional and digital assets.

DBS and Bank of China signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen their cooperation on financial innovation, regional connectivity, and cross-border RMB solutions.

Trip.com formed a strategic partnership with Checkout.com to streamline global digital payments and support its expansion into markets like Saudi Arabia and the UK.

Alibaba introduced Accio Work, a business-focused agentic AI tool designed to automate complex tasks for small and medium enterprises without requiring coding or setup.

Mox Bank acquired a $1 billion personal loan portfolio from its parent, Standard Chartered, in a strategic move intended to help the digital bank reach profitability in 2026.

Matrixport rebranded as BIT to reflect its evolution in digital asset infrastructure while simultaneously exploring a potential public listing in the United States.