Welcome back! Crypto is increasingly seeping into the weekly updates, that's more a sign of its incre
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January 16 · Issue #58 · View online |
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Welcome back! Crypto is increasingly seeping into the weekly updates, that’s more a sign of its increasingly presence in the mainstream and the fact that businesses in Asia seem more keen to experiment at this point. Here are the highlights from this edition: 🇨🇳 Apple swept international users into its iCloud data migration 💸 Line and India’s Reliance Jio are considering their own cryptocurrencies 🚲 China’s Didi is launching its own bike-sharing platform 📰 Rappler faces closure in the Philippines Tips, feedback and story suggestions are all very welcome, especially inside the Telegram group – https://t.me/asiatechreview – which just crossed 150 members. See you next week! Jon
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Alibaba will consider listing some affiliate businesses in Hong Kong
Hong Kong continues to emerge as a tech IPO destination.
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Didi Chuxing declares war on China’s bike-sharing startups
A new platform might seem like support for bike-sharing startups, but this is Didi’s effort to exert control and keep apps like Ofo and Bluegogo as features inside its app not full-blown competitors.
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Apple’s China iCloud data migration sweeps up international user accounts
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China's top movie ticketing app plans $1 billion IPO
Maoyan Weying, whose backers include Shenzhen-listed film producer Beijing Enlight Media, was formed in September through the merger of two rival ticketing platforms. Its other investors include Tencent Holdings Ltd., the biggest Chinese internet company, as well as Meituan Dianping, the country’s largest group-buying and restaurant reviews service.Â
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China targets platforms and apps that have filled crypto exchange gap
Now authorities are taking aim at online platforms and mobile apps that offer exchange-like services, according to sources.
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China also wants to squeeze out bitcoin miners
Bitcoin mining could be on its last legs in China. The country’s top internet-finance regulator, the Leading Group of Internet Financial Risks Remediation, issued a notice asking local governments to “guide” bitcoin-mining operations to make an “orderly exit” from the business, according to a leaked document online.
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China’s Kunlun completes full buyout of Grindr
Nearly two years to the day after its majority investment in Grindr, Kunlun now owns the whole company.
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E-commerce startup citiesocial raises $2.75M led by Alibaba’s fund for Taiwanese entrepreneurs
Citiesocial is a Taipei-based startup that helps emerging brands break into Asia’s e-commerce market.
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Reliance Jio reportedly plans own cryptocurrency called JioCoin
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Ofo launches in India
The service entered the country via Pune and in partnership with Paytm.
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Ola plans targets Australia and New Zealand for expansion
The company has been linked with forays into Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the past. Some recent reports even said Ola’s CEO had met the London Major about a potential UK move, but that is apparently inaccurate.
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NiYO raises $13.2M to digitize payroll and employee benefits
Investors include US-based Social Capital.
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Paytm launches investment arm and will invest $10M
In a move right of out the Alibaba playbook, Paytm Money is in the process of seeking approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India to act as an investment advisor
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Line explores cryptocurrencies for payment services
The firm is looking to integrate cryptocurrencies into its messaging platform, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.
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Cryptocurrency traders face fines for virtual accounts
Cryptocurrency investors have until the end of the month to convert their virtual accounts into real-name ones, according to authorities.
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Rappler faces closure
The news organization has been critical of President Duterte as part of its focus on independent reporting. That’s created few friends in the government and now the Philippines’ SEC is investing its ownership. Rappler claims it is 100% owned by Philippines execs, per law, via a special investment vehicle, but the SEC believes its American investors own a piece of the business.
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Grab pulls in strategic investment from Hyundai
Grab also took money from Toyota as part of its newest $2.5 billion funding round.
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Female journalists, male politicians and the epidemic of sexual harassment in Asean link
Chinese tech workers abandon Silicon Valley for riches back home link
India clings to cash, even as tech firms push digital money link
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