The Singapore fintech scene has seen tonnes of movement in the past quarter. Driven by success in the retail banking field, fintech startups in Singapore raised S$656 million in equity funding in Q1 alone. The fundraising has already reached about 46% of last year’s total. 

The companies behind this staggering increase have set up deals to expand overseas and linked up with solid investors to grow their business operations. With a region in need of retail banking, these startups are well-positioned to democratise financial investing and apply solutions to everyday payment systems.  

We look at who the hottest fintech startups in Vietnam

Below, we take a deeper look into the background of these key emerging players and their roles in this financial success. 

Uno

Seeking to solve financial discrepancies, Uno focuses on creating a more inclusive space for bank users through its platform. The Singapore-based startup, operated by DigibankAsia, has opened up opportunities for underbanked populations to access a multitude of financial services. Placing personalisation at its forefront, it offers customised features and an all-in-one experience for every monetary need. 

Broadening its reach, Uno recently secured a digital bank license in the Philippines, making it the first fintech firm to ever do so. By partnering with digital leaders Xebia, Backbase, Mambu, and Amazon Web Services, the startup accomplished this feat and entered a market with one of the lowest penetration in Southeast Asia. The company hopes to continue these efforts in other ASEAN countries. 

BondEvalue

While continuing its quest for financial democratisation, the electronic bond trading startup BondEvalue is widening its scope of operations overseas. Established in 2016, its leaders, holding extensive knowledge of the bond investment market, desired to create an app to simplify and innovate the archaic methods of bond trading. 

With the use of proprietary technology and blockchain, investors can now buy and sell in value as little as $1,000 USD, instead of the usual $200,000, through their online wealth management system, BondbloX Bond Exchange. By lowering the entry point, more people can find opportunities to partake in the exchange. 

In an ambitious fundraising round, the company raised $6 million USD in Series A, increasing its total capital to $10 million USD. Finance giants Citigroup and MassMutual Ventures Southeast Asia participated in this investment and will most likely join the board. 

MatchMove

Managing the end-to-end process of customer transactions, this fintech startup helps businesses to integrate payment systems into their existing platforms with convenient tech solutions. Its digital wallet services come with first-class security tools for smooth transfers and loan disbursements. MatchMove currently has customers and partners in more than six countries. 

Recently, MatchMove has taken a tremendous financial leap forward. The company acquired a $100 million USD investment from the U.S.-based IT firm Nityo Infotech Corp, increasing its value to $600 million USD. The funding will help them to achieve entry into more markets and expand the reach of their services.

Nium

Nium has become a market leader in streamlining money transfers and payment systems. Launched in 2014 as Instarem, the company created a platform built on simplicity and speed to make everyday transactions easier for consumers. Owning licenses in several countries, it moves to improving cash flow economics and providing financial services to businesses worldwide.

Looking to increase its global connectivity, the fintech startup acquired the travel payments company Ixaris for an undisclosed number. Backed by state-owned investor Temasek Holdings Pte, with this deal, Nium will expand its reach in Europe before setting its sights on pursuing an IPO in the U.S. In the coming weeks, the company also expects to seal a deal in India, further extending its authority.

Rely

Rely, founded in 2017, provides flexible payment solutions for consumers through its partnerships with retailers such as Aldo, GNC, and Zalora. Its buy-now-pay-later structure gives customers the option to split their purchases into three to four installments, interest-free. The Singapore-based startup seeks to return shoppers’ control over their buying habits by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to help determine repayment capabilities and decrease debt.

With intentions to expand in Southeast Asia, Rely secured a seven-figure pre-Series A funding. Goldbell Financial Services led the fundraising round since Rely wanted investors with experience in the fintech industry on board as advisors. With this newfound capital, the company looks to fuse partnerships with wide-scale retailers and better facilitate its existing commercial merchants’ high transaction volumes and sales flow, especially during peak seasons. 

Surpassing 2020’s quota by a whopping 355% increase in Q1, the Singapore fintech scene seems to be flying to the top with tonnes of support behind it. With fintech startups in Singapore making waves in innovation and revolutionising retail banking, it seems the growth will continue to skyrocket as they help merchants and consumers to simplify their financial activity.