Foreword Vincent Fong, Chief Editor, Fintech News Malaysia Malaysia’s fintech sector continues to thrive on the back of a facilitative regulatory environment, enterprising entrepreneurs and a rapidly growing digital population. The increased demand for better and more inclusive financial services makes room for more and more fintech startups to mushroom. Compared to our 2021 report, the number of fintech firms in Malaysia have seen a 27% increase to 293, with payments still maintaining the lead as the largest fintech segment in Malaysia. Malaysia has also hit a major funding milestone last year as we witnessed the first funding round to exceed US$ 100 million with BigPay’s fundraising round led by SK Group. As more and more innovative players emerge in Malaysia’s fintech space, we are bullish that we will see increased deal flows in the long-term despite the funding winter lurking just around the corner. However, in the short to medium term, players must brace themselves for challenging times as the next few years may very well be a crucial proving ground to determine the fintech champions of Malaysia. As the industry undergoes these interesting times, we look forward to continue reporting on the latest developments and trends in this space. We hope that our platform and the Fintech Malaysia Report will continue to serve as a vital resource to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry for the years to come. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Merchantrade, GHL, Vsure.life, and pitchIN for supporting in producing this report. Vincent Fong Chief Editor, Fintech News Malaysia Foreword Ramasamy K. Veeran, Founder & Managing Director, Merchantrade Asia Continue Delivering Greater Social Impact through Digital Financial Services The global pandemic crisis brought about an unprecedented impact and forever changed life as we know it. However, it did give rise to the importance of digital services and through necessity, moved the world to its immediate adoption. The sudden need for digitalised services introduced significant and positive changes in the industry and the consumers’ personal digital lifestyle. This offered immediate solutions, greater possibilities of convenience and accessibility to a world in need. At Merchantrade, our digital financial services experienced exponential growth over the last few years. Last year we witnessed massive growth with onboarding of new customers, and a turnover of nearly USD2.5 billion via all channels. We saw how fast technology could bridge the “need” gap, seamlessly connecting lives where it needed to. Our customers were able to continue using vital services, such as the digital remittance app eRemit as well as Merchantrade Money, to send desperately needed funds to loved ones overseas during lockdowns. Besides the remittance services, our Merchantrade Money Prepaid Visa Card is a card-meets-eWallet product that’s becoming a necessary service for employers and employees alike. Through Merchantrade Money, they are able to make digital purchases for online or offline necessities through the eWallet. Our philosophy has always been to ensure that our services continue to positively impact the lives of our customers in Malaysia and around the world through innovation. We continually aim to improve our end-to-end digital ecosystem of meaningful financial services and delivery modes to deliver life-changing impact through tech, and change how our customers live. Our greatest social impact yet has been in ensuring affordable insurance for the Malaysian B40 and OKU markets. We are proud to have ensured protection of the underserved through our micro-insurance products through Merchantrade Insure. There have been significant strides made in the development and adoption of fintech over the last few years, and there’s no sign of it slowing down with new technologies and initiatives being introduced almost daily. We are very optimistic about the growth of the industry and are grateful to be growing alongside it while having a positive impact on people’s lives. Here’s to an exciting year ahead as the world gradually recovers and the industry continues to push the boundaries of fintech. Ramasamy K. Veeran Founder & Managing Director, Merchantrade Asia Foreword Sean Hesh, Group Chief Executive Officer, GHL Systems Berhad The payments industry has experienced a dramatic and transformational growth over the last 24 months. The next 35 years will further witness an acceleration of this transformation, creating an expanded growth opportunity in digital commerce for GHL. Both public and private sectors are working towards future-proofing solutions that ensure enhanced availability, accessibility and security of payments. Digital transformation is not merely about technology, but rather on how we can maximise innovation for increased efficiency and improved customer experience. GHL is focused on products and services that can drive the creation of a holistic payment ecosystem, tailored to the needs of our various stakeholders. As one of the eight approved pioneer 'Credit Community' providers under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, we have rolled out digital lending services for our merchants. This enhances the micro-financing journey for SMEs and micro retailers, making credit more accessible to the underbanked and the underserved. On a separate note, according to Bank Negara Malaysia’s recently released Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026, cyber security is viewed as one of the biggest risks in advancing the digitisation of the financial sector. To address this issue, GHL has established a comprehensive playbook to help identify and handle suspected cyber security threats or breaches. As GHL continues to adapt and thrive within this continuously evolving landscape, we will continue to focus on innovating and delivering sustainable solutions to leverage on the challenges and opportunities presented, while providing value across the communities we serve. Sean Hesh Group CEO, GHL Foreword Eddy Wong, Co-Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of VSure.life If there are any learnings to take home from the past two years, it would be to never underestimate that importance of protection. We have all witnessed the impacts of a global pandemic and are still living through its reverberations till this very day, deeply felt by all layers of society, especially the underserved B40 communities. It is vital for all parties from both public and private sectors to unite and protect the masses, more importantly deliver hope and confidence to positively tip the socioeconomic scale towards greater prosperity. This serves as a unique opportunity for insurtech players to deliver real and meaningful change. Thanks to the great acceleration of digital adoption by the masses, insurtech products, services and capabilities can better protect the fast-evolving and diverse lifestyles that exist today. Over the next ten years, we foresee a continuous shift in living standards and lifestyles as our nation continues towards a post-endemic state, eager to unpause their lives. As a key financial services pillar, insurance must be capable of adapting to the people’s ever-changing needs, which is why we are thrilled to be able to contribute through our pay-per-use insurance solutions. VSure.life as Malaysia’s first On-Demand Lifestyle Insurer approved by Bank Negara Malaysia under its Fintech Sandbox programme serves to close the underinsured gap, and we remain ever committed to march forward with the insurtech industry and beyond to offer highly flexible and affordable protection. While we are proud and thrilled to be driving the On-Demand insurance initiatives in Malaysia, it is a strong reminder that our work has only jut begun with around 50% of Malaysians remaining uninsured. However, I remain hopeful, and I personally look forward to working closely with all partners to move the needle forward and change the world for the better! Eddy Wong Co-Founder, Managing Director, and CEO, VSure.life Malaysia Fintech Report 2022 Sponsors This 2022 Malaysia Fintech Report was made possible thanks to the support of our generous sponsors below. Thank you! Malaysia’s Fintech Landscape Malaysia Fintech Map 2022 Total: 294 Fintech Companies AI/ Data (9) Remittance (29) Payment (60) Proptech (6) E-wallet (43) Lending (55) Marketplace (13) Islamic Fintech (16) Digital Bank (5) Blockchain/ Cryptocurrency (21) MALAYSIA FINTECH MAP 2022 Crowdfunding (10) KYC/ Regtech (14) Insurtech (32) Wealthtech (25) Koha Note: Some companies appear in more than one category to better reflect the nature of their businesses, but they still count as one towards the total Malaysia’s Fintech Landscape Malaysia registers a notable increase in insurtech and blockchain/ cryptocurrency in 2022 Equity Crowdfunding Proptech Digital Banking AI/ Data 2% 3% 3% 2% Marketplace KYC/ Regtech Payment 4% 19% 4% Islamic Fintech 5% 6% Remittance 17% Lending 7% Blockchain/ Cryptocurrency 8% 12% 9% E-wallet Wealthtech Insurtech Source: Compiled by Fintech News Malaysia Note: Some companies appear in more than one category Malaysia at a Glance Malaysia in Numbers 32.7 million Total Population RM1.5 trillion Multi-cultural 77.2% Society City Population GDP (2021) RM45,874 29.4 GDP Per Capita (2021) 3.1% Median Age GDP Growth (2021) 84.2% Internet Users 36th Largest Economy in The World 3.6 million B40 Households (2021) 1st Global Islamic Economy Indicator (GIEI)* Ranking Notes: GIEI ranking according to the State of the Global Islamic Economic Report 2020/2021 Source: Global Findex Database, Bank Negara Malaysia 54 Number of Banks Banking Landscape Mobile banking is surpassing internet banking in monthly transaction value Value growth 2021- 2022 Year-end Apr (%) Transaction values of payment channels (RM billion) – From Jan-16 to Apr-22 102.8 Internet banking² -2.3% 101.5 Mobile banking 46.9% 100 126.2% Internet Banking (% of Population as of Apr 2022) RM billion 80 39.3 million subscribers 60 39.4 42.9 40 ATM Cash Withdrawal -5.1% 76.4% 32.8 Mobile Banking (% of Population as of Apr 2022) 20 25.0 million subscribers 2.6 0 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Jan-22 1. Based on 6 largest countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines 2. Internet banking excludes corporate Source: Global Findex Database, Bank Negara Malaysia Payment Landscape Digital Payments Continue to Grow in Malaysia The average number of e-wallet payment transactions per capita exceeds pre-COVID level at 64.5 in 2021. Last year alone, over 7.2 billion transactions were made with electronic payment (e-payment) channels in Malaysia, growing 30% year-on-year. Digital payments use and acceptance in Malaysia have risen significantly over the past decade, but this cashless revolution truly went mainstream during the Covid-19 pandemic. Transaction Value (RM billion): Transaction Volume (million) 2,108 2,030 648 2021 351 56 556 265 60 1,475 737 1,541 75 0 1,827 498 489 Mobile banking FPX and Direct Debit 2% Debit card 1% ATM 0% E-money 0% Interbank GIRO 11% RM 1,392 billion Debit card 2,089 1,174 Credit card Interbank GIRO 490 371 510 203 500 Credit card 1% FPX and Direct Debit 936 179 2019 E-money Internet banking 372 2020 Mobile banking 6% RM 10,303 billion ATM 1000 Source: Bank Negara Malaysia 1500 2000 2500 Internet banking 79% BNPL & Lending Bank Negara Malaysia Leading Efforts to Regulate Buy Now Pay Later Schemes in 2022 We’re seeing a rise in companies and apps offering BNPL services. New laws will be introduced to regulate and monitor BNPL schemes. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is working with Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to enact the Consumer Credit Act in 2022 to strengthen regulatory arrangements for all consumer credit activities including BNPL schemes offered by non-bank operators. This regulation will provide much-needed clarity to the regulatory treatment of BNPL schemes which some have considered to be operating in the grey area. BNPL providers in Malaysia Launched Feb 2020 HQ Singapore Launched Jun 2020 HQ Malaysia Launched Dec 2020 HQ Malaysia Launched Dec 2020 HQ Singapore Launched Jan 2021 HQ Malaysia Launched Jun 2021 HQ Malaysia Launched Jul 2021 HQ Singapore Launched May 2022 HQ Singapore Launched Jun 2022 HQ Malaysia Acquired by Shopback in 2021 Launched Jan 2021 HQ Singapore Launched Oct 2021 HQ Malaysia Launched Mar 2021 HQ India Launched Nov 2021 HQ Malaysia Source: Compiled by Fintech News Malaysia Launched Apr 2021 HQ Singapore Launched Mar 2022 HQ Malaysia Digital Banking Bank Negara Malaysia Dishes Out 5 Digital Banking Licenses BNM has announced five successful applications for digital banking licenses under the Financial Services Act 2013 (FSA). The assessment criteria cover the character and integrity of applicants, nature and sufficiency of financial resources, soundness and feasibility of business and technology plans as well as ability to meaningfully address financial inclusion gaps. Following this announcement, the successful applicants will undergo a period of operational readiness that will be validated by BNM through an audit before they can commence operations. This process may take between 12 to 24 months. The consortium will be led by Axiata with its subsidiary Boost Holdings owning 60% and RHB owning 40% of the digital banking consortium. They will primarily target the underserved segment like MSMEs and the gig economy. Boost is best known for their e-wallet and the micro-lending services Boost Credit. Source: Bank Negara Malaysia Registered in Singapore, GXS is jointly owned by Grab and Singtel, while Kuok Brothers is a Malaysian conglomerate with business interests spanning across multiple industries. Their digital bank joint venture will be led by Pei Si Lai, a financial services industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience. Sea Group was granted a full digital banking license in Singapore in 2020 and acquired Indonesia’s Bank BKE in 2021. The company has rebranded to a digital bank, Sea Bank. Its fintech businesses include its ewallet ShopeePay and its BNPL services named SPaylater. Meanwhile, YTL Berhad, is a Malaysian conglomerate with business interests spanning across hospitality, property, technology, and more. Led by KAF Investment Bank, this consortium consists of wellknown Malaysian startups and is largely considered a dark horse in this race. MoneyMatch is a locally built fintech focusing on cross-border payments with business interests in Malaysia, Australia, and Brunei. Jirnexu is best known for their comparison site RinggitPlus. Carsome is a digital marketplace for used cars and is Malaysia’s first unicorn. AEON Credit is primarily a provider of consumer financing services, an e-money and credit card issuer as well as merchant acquirer. It is also a licensed moneylender since 2019. MoneyLion is best known for offering neo-banking services in the US, while in Malaysia, it serves as a technology hub for the startup. The consortium set to launch Islamic digital bank in 2024. Islamic Fintech The Islamic Fintech Landscape in Malaysia Malaysia is gearing up to be the global leader in Islamic Fintech. In 2020, the Islamic Fintech transaction volume within OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries is estimated at US$49 billion. The halal economy is currently worth US$3.1 trillion and is projected to be worth US$5 trillion by 2030. At the heart of this explosive growth is Malaysia, which ranks first in terms of market maturity and is among the top five Islamic Fintech markets based on transaction volume. The Malaysian government, regulators, recognizing the potential that lies within the Islamic fintech market, has been taking initiatives to spur the growth of this industry. Malaysian Islamic Fintechs RM2.3 trillion Malaysia’s Islamic Capital Market (ICM) Size 2020 (RM1.1 trillion in 2010) 7.5% CAGR in total size of Islamic Capital Market (ICM) 1st Malaysia’s ranking in Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Index (Score 87) microLEAP is an Islamic and PayHalal is Shariah-compliant CapBay is a Malaysian multi-bank Ethis is an ethical investment and conventional peer-to-peer payment gateway that supply chain finance and peer-to- social finance platform operator, (P2P) microfinancing platform processes payments from peer financing (P2P) platform. focusing on sustainable and regulated by Securities CASA e-Money Debit and The firm has secured RM30 impactful crowd-investments, Commission Malaysia (SC). credit payments for both online million investment from Kenanga financing and donations. Ethis is The platform, which serves as and physical stores. PayHalal Capital Islamic (KCI), a subsidiary collaborating with venture capital an alternative financing tool, is is forecasting RM8.61 billion in of Kenanga Investment Bank firm Gobi Partners to structure a Malaysian P2P operator that payment processing volume Berhad (KIBB). The investment is and set up a US$20 million offers both Islamic and and RM135 million in revenue a step forward to growing Shariah-compliant seed fund. The conventional financing. SME for the company in the next CapBay’s supply chain finance joint fund will invest in Shariah- Corp partnered MicroLEAP to financial year 2023. PayHalal arm, CapBay Islamic, which is compliant startups globally with disburse RM 10 million in partnered with Atome to offer approved for Shariah-compliant an initial geographic focus in the Shariah-Compliant financing to merchants participation in P2P financing by the Securities MENA as well as the ASEAN SMEs in Malaysia. Shariah compliant BNPL Commission Malaysia (SC). regions. facility. CapBay’s P2P platform has reportedly maintained 0% default since its launch in March 2020. Source: Bank Negara Malaysia Key Regulations BNM’s five-year plan for digitizing the financial services sector in Malaysia Desired outcomes and targets for 2026 Strengthen cyber security Future-proof key digital infrastructures Including data ecosystem, payment and settlement systems, digital identity, and internet connectivity. Support a more vibrant digital financial services landscape Fostering innovation while preserving broader financial system stability. As the increased sophistication of threat actors heightened cyber security, risks of fraud, data breaches, and financial losses. Support greater use of technology for regulation and supervision Financial Inclusion Finance for Transformation Finance for Sustainability To continuously improve effectiveness and efficiency as a financial regulator. Key targets and milestones • Narrowing of gap between Malaysia’s OECD/INFE* financial literacy scores and the average score of OECD members • Increase in e-payment per capita at CAGR of higher than 15% • Insurance/takaful penetration rate of 4.8-5.0% (as % of GDP) • Doubling of subscribers of microinsurance/micro takaful • Enactment of consumer credit law and oversight body • Single licensing regime for financial advisors and financial planners • Steady growth in alternative finance channeled to new, innovative enterprises • Faster, cheaper, more accessible cross-border payments • More than 50% of new financing is for green and transitioning activities • Steady growth in VBI-aligned assets INFE= OECD International Network on Financial Education Source: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Key Regulations BNM’s five-year plan for digitizing the financial services sector in Malaysia Future-proof key digital infrastructures • • Strengthen cyber security A multi-year modernisation of RENTAS* with the objective of improving the overall efficiency of large-value payment systems, include reviewing RENTAS access for non-bank payment service providers and exploring potential central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and distributed ledger technology (DLT) applications for RENTAS. BNM will also intensifying research and experimentation of CBDCs for Malaysia’s monetary and financial infrastructures. Support a more vibrant digital financial services landscape Enhance efficiency on the cross-border payments front, including linking up with other real-time payment systems in ASEAN. BNM has already began efforts by linking up real-time payment systems with Thailand in early 2021. Malaysia is collaborating with BIS on their Project Nexus, which aims to connect real-time payment systems in Malaysia, Singapore, and the euro area. To enable cheaper and faster cross-border payments, Malaysia is also looking into the use of multi-CBDCs alongside with Singapore, Australia, and South Africa in Project Dunbar, led by BIS. • Open data agenda with a market-led approach, looking into use cases that promote financial inclusion and support consumers to make better informed financial decision. • Strengthen system-wide cyber security oversight and capabilities, which include strong cyber risk governance and management and sharing of actionable cyber security intelligence. • Strengthen domestic and global collaborative efforts on cyber security, such as advocating for greater standardisation in cyber security and cyber resilience terminology, deliver specialised cyber security training and certification. Source: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Support greater use of technology for regulation and supervision • Refresh Regulatory Sandbox to accelerate timeto-live testing, providing accelerated tracks for lower-risk activities or simplified testing parameters for qualified players. • Implement digital banking framework, allowing digital banks and incumbent banks to evolve their business models to create an ecosystem that will better address underserved and unserved segments. • Finalise a regulatory framework for digital insurers and digital takaful operators in 2022, encouraging new digital players that can leverage technologies to deliver value propositions on inclusion, competition, and efficiency. • Advance an industry-led approach to digital payments by reviewing existing regulatory policies on digital payments, advancing regulations for payment services operators like PayNet, Visa, and Mastercard. • Leverage technology to strengthen applications of technologies such as AI, ML, and automation to streamline and facilitate more efficient regulatory and compliance process. • Initiate a comprehensive review on the financial data ecosystem, including through the use of APIs and Open Data initiatives Key Regulations SC launches five-year Capital Market Masterplan to support Malaysia’s next stage of growth SC launched the third Capital Market Masterplan (CMP3), which will serve as a strategic framework for the growth of Malaysia’s capital market. The framework seeks to leverage the strengths and potential of the Malaysian capital market to accelerate economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive. The CMP3 outlines six key development and regulatory thrusts that will collectively serve as pillars in developing strategic initiatives over the next five years. DESIRED OUTCOMES FOR THE CAPITAL MARKET Grows in relevance with the upgrade of the economy and its stakeholders Efficient in capital mobilisation, guided by evolved regulatory Diversified, competitive and differentiated to create value for diverse participants SIX KEY DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATORY FOCUS DEVELOPMENT FOCUS: REGULATORY FOCUS: CATALYSES COMPETITIVE GROWTH EMPOWERS INVESTORS FOR A BETTER FUTURE SHAPES A STAKEHOLDER ECONOMY With greater fundraising efficiency for companies across their business lifecycle, enabled by competitive markets and intermediation. With accessible and quality investment advice and greater diversity for emerging needs through a digitally inclusive ecosystem. With effective capital mobilisation through SRI and ICM solutions to sustainable, responsible and stakeholder-oriented businesses. SRI= Sustainable and Responsible Investment, ICM= Islamic Capital Market Source: Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) EMBEDS SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY In the capital market to promote responsible businesses, industry self-regulation and investor advocacy, underpinned by principles-based regulations. PRIORITISES EFFICIENCY AND OUTCOMES In protecting investor vulnerabilities, with a fitfor-purpose regulatory architecture as well as effective supervisory and enforcement approach. EMBRACES THE DIGITAL AGE With the industry, as they navigate through RegTech and emerging technology risks, while enhancing the SC’s digital capabilities. Key Developments Malaysia witnesses several key fintech developments in the past year 6 Aug 2021 25 Feb 2022 12 Nov 2021 BigPay raises up to US$100 Million for its digital banking aspirations BigPay raises up to US$100 Million for its digital banking aspirations from South Korean conglomerate SK Group. The funding further accelerates the scope of growth for its digital businesses, including logistics and financial services. The funding comes a few weeks after BigPay announced its application for a Malaysian digital banking license. Bank Negara Malaysia leading efforts to regulate Buy Now Pay Later Schemes BNM announced that it is driving inter-agency efforts to enact the Consumer Credit Act in 2022. This regulation will provide clarity to the regulatory treatment of BNPL schemes which some have considered to be operating in the grey area. PayNet appoints Farhan Ahmad as its Group Chief Executive Officer Farhan was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bento for Business, a US-based fintech that provides payment and expense management services to SMEs. With his broad experience in private payment system initiatives, he now aspires to contribute on a national basis and drive PayNet towards achieving its vision in empowering Malaysia’s digital economy. BNPL MoneyLion’s Foong Chee Mun becomes first Malaysian fintech founder on NYSE BNM paves the way for digital insurance with proposed licensing framework MoneyLion’s Foong Chee Mun becomes first Malaysian fintech founder on NYSE. Foong announced plans to bolster the company’s KL-based technology center of excellence. The center currently employs over 250 technologists and expects to double the size of its Malaysian office in the next 12 months. BNM issued a discussion paper on Licensing Framework for Digital Insurers and Takaful Operators. It outlines the proposed framework for licensing new digital insurers and takaful operators (DITOs) to encourage digital innovation in the insurance and takaful sector. 13 Oct 2021 Source: Fintech News Malaysia Binance takes strategic stake in Malaysian Crypto Exchange MX Global MX Global landed an equity investment into the company from Binance, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. MX Global is one of the four Recognized Market Operator-Digital Asset Exchange (RMO-DAX) that has been granted full approval by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) in July 2021. 5 Jan 2022 Bank Negara Malaysia announces much anticipated Digital Banking Licenses After a month of delay, BNM announced the list of successful applicants. The five winners are reported in Digital Banking section. Following this announcement, the successful applicants will undergo a period of operational readiness that will be validated by BNM through an audit before they can commence operations. This process may take between 12 to 24 months. 1 Mar 2022 28 Apr 2022 If we’ve missed you out in our fintech map of if you’d like to speak to us for media enquiries/advertising kindly reach out to: vincent.fong@fintechnews.my