Fintech
UP Fintech’s market share in Singapore increased to 19%
UP Fintech Holding Limited (the “Company”, a NASDAQ-listed company under the ticker “TIGR”, and all its subsidiaries and consolidated entities), a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global investors, today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022. Total revenue in the first quarter was US$52.6 million. Non-GAAP net loss was US$1.9 million.
At the end of the first quarter, customer accounts totaled 1.9 million, and the number of customers with deposits increased to 703,500, an increase of 87.1% from the same quarter last year. The company’s net asset inflow was US$3.5 billion this quarter.
Mr Wu Tianhua, CEO and founder of UP Fintech commented, “despite challenges such as macroeconomic uncertainties and market volatility, we remain committed to creating value for our users and believe that our continuous investment in R&D will put us in a solid position to expand globally in the long run. For U.S securities, over 90% of cash equities and 70% of options contracts are self-cleared through our U.S subsidiaries. In our headquarters in Singapore, our flagship mobile trading App, Tiger Trade continued to lead the online brokerage market as the total number of registered accounts in Singapore now represents nearly 19% of Singapore’s population aged between 20 and 70. Meanwhile, we entered the Australian market, which serves as a robust springboard for the company’s further growth. By remaining at the forefront of technologies and related market trends, we look forward to becoming the go-to platform for one-stop global investment for many more global investors.”
Market Share in Singapore Markets reached 19%
In the first quarter, the company continues to deepen its presence in Singapore with local registered accounts increasing 15.1% Q-o-Q. The total number of registered accounts in Singapore now represents 19% of Singapore’s population aged between 20 and 70. While continuing to scale the user base in Singapore, with the number of average monthly active users reaching nearly 700,000 in the first quarter, the company maintains a high engagement level.
With strong R&D capabilities, the company now self-clears all of its clients’ Singaporean equities trades, as well as becoming one of the seventeen local agents who internally handle the entire process from trading and clearing to depository. This also allows the company to further improve order efficiency and expand account types to better serve clients in Singapore. In addition, the company has become a go-to trading platform for more options investors in Singapore. During the first quarter, the number of local options users at Tiger Trade increased by 65.8% year-over-year, and the percentage of accounts that hold options increased by 18.1% year-over-year.
Retail investors in Singapore are increasingly interested in funds and other wealth management products. In Q1, the number of local customers investing in the Fund Mall increased by 453.1% year-over-year, and the AUM of the Fund Mall increased by 579.8% year-over-year. Other than funds in HKD and USD currencies, the company has added 513 funds in SGD currencies to further meet the customers’ needs for asset allocation. By the end of the first quarter, local users holding SGD funds had increased, reflecting a 138.9% quarter-over-quarter increase and AUM increased by 56.6% quarter-over-quarter. The number of Cash Plus users increased by 39.0% quarter-over-quarter and AUM increased by 36.0% quarter-over-quarter.
While consolidating the leading position in Singapore against a challenging macro environment, the company officially entered the Australian market in March and has been growing steadily. Within just one month, Tiger Trade has been recognized by financial comparison site Mozo in the 2022 Experts Choice Awards, specifically in the Casual ASX Trader category, which looked at the best options for investors making small or infrequent trades on the Australian Stock Exchange. Tiger Trade also soared in popularity as it has quickly moved to the top 60 of the Apple Store ranking in terms of downloads of finance apps, delivering significant validation of its product competitiveness.
Wealth management business continues to grow steadily with AUM being doubled
Q1, commission income was US$30.5 million, a 2% increase from last quarter. UP Fintech continues to keep research and development at the core of the company, strengthening product offerings and optimizing services to meet customer needs. With options having increasingly risen in popularity, the company added more options features such as a comparison between implied volatility and historical volatility on individual stock pages, maximum buying and selling power, as well as optimizing the simulated trading experience for options.
The company also launched the sub-new stock feature, where customers can discover companies that were listed less than a year and showed their growth potential. A simulation tool that allows customers to calculate the probabilities for successfully subscribing to new shares in a HK IPO was also introduced this quarter. In addition, online subscription for international offerings was made available on Tiger Trade for HK IPO, helping high net worth customers to easily subscribe with one click.
At the end of the first quarter, the company’s Fund Mall business grew steadily. The AUM of the Fund Mall increased by 99.4% year-over-year and Cash Plus, the company’s idle cash management product, increased by 44% year-over-year in AUM.
Helping to fuel this growth is the company’s proactive investment in its R&D efforts. In the first quarter, the company optimized time efficiency for order confirmation for Clash Plus as funds transfer-in and out can be made as soon as T+0 day. Benefiting from a meticulous selection of funds and close partnerships with top global asset management firms, Fund Mall continues to provide customers with high-quality fund products. The average returns for the top ten funds increased 13.9% compared to the last quarter.
Ranked third in the U.S. IPO underwriting by deal count among brokerages
According to the company’s Q1 financial results, other revenues, which include revenue from investment banking and ESOP, reached US$5.1 million in Q1. The company remained steadfast in its commitment to strengthening corporate services such as investment bank businesses and has earned a reputation as an innovative digital investment banking leader in the past three years. During this quarter, the company participated in serval HK IPOs including Lepu Biopharma and AInnovation. The company also participated in 8 U.S. IPOs and served as an underwriter in 7 of these IPOs. According to third-party data, UP Fintech ranked third in the U.S. IPO underwriting by deal count among brokerages in the first quarter, reflecting the trust and confidence clients have in the company’s ability to meet fundraising needs under uncertain markets.
Leveraging its deep expertise in the tech industry, the company issued several research reports on topics such as Web3 and Coinbase. The company has also partnered with nearly 20 emerging companies from different industries including retail, SaaS and biomedicines, helping them to better attract global investors.
UP Fintech added 25 ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) clients in the first quarter with total clients now accumulated to 338. With one-stop services from plan design and implementation to execution and reporting, Tiger ESOP has become the go-to ESOP services provider for many pre-IPO and listed companies.
In this quarter, corporates such as Alibaba, WWF Singapore and Medlive joined the Tiger Community and opened enterprise accounts. The company also launched an investor QA function where global investors can directly ask companies questions on Tiger Trade and expect to receive a response from them. Leveraging a variety of innovative investor relations & PR services, the company continued to see corporates of all sizes and in all industries adopting the Tiger online community as their preferred platform to amplify global reach.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward−looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward−looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “aim,” “likely to,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements or expressions. Among other statements, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward−looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward−looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Forms 20−F and 6−K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties, including the earnings conference call. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward−looking statements. Forward−looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward−looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the cooperation with Interactive Brokers LLC and Xiaomi Corporation and its affiliates; the Company’s ability to effectively implement its growth strategies; trends and competition in global financial markets; changes in the Company’s revenues and certain cost or expense accounting policies; the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic; and governmental policies and regulations affecting the Company’s industry and general economic conditions in China, Singapore and other countries. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 28, 2022. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC.
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA)
As we close out 2024, the fintech industry continues to deliver headlines that underscore its dynamism and innovation. From IPO aspirations to groundbreaking regulatory milestones, today’s updates highlight the transformative power of fintech partnerships, regulatory evolution, and disruptive technologies. Here’s what you need to know.
Chime’s Quiet Step Toward Public Markets
Chime, the U.S.-based financial technology startup best known for its digital banking services, has taken a significant step by filing confidential paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). As one of the most valuable private fintechs in the U.S., Chime’s move could potentially signal a renewed appetite for fintech IPOs in a market that has been cautious following fluctuating valuations across the tech sector.
With a valuation that reportedly exceeded $25 billion in its last funding round, Chime’s IPO could set a new benchmark for the industry. Observers note that its strong customer base and revenue growth may make it an appealing choice for investors seeking to capitalize on the digital banking boom. However, the timing and success of the IPO will depend on broader market conditions and the regulatory landscape.
Source: Bloomberg
ZBD’s Pioneering Achievement: EU MiCA License Approval
ZBD, a fintech company specializing in Bitcoin Lightning network solutions, has made history by becoming the first to secure an EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. This landmark approval by the Dutch regulator positions ZBD at the forefront of compliant crypto-fintech operations in Europe.
MiCA, which aims to harmonize the regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the EU, has been a focal point for industry players aiming to establish legitimacy and expand their offerings. ZBD’s achievement not only validates its operational rigor but also sets a precedent for other fintech firms navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Industry insiders view this as a strategic advantage for ZBD as it broadens its footprint in Europe. By leveraging its regulatory approval, the company can accelerate its product deployment and establish trust with institutional and retail users alike.
Source: Coindesk, PR Newswire
The Fintech-Credit Union Synergy: A Blueprint for Innovation
The convergence of fintechs and credit unions continues to reshape the financial services ecosystem. Collaborative initiatives, such as the one highlighted in the recent partnership between fintech innovators and credit unions, are proving to be a potent force in delivering tailored financial solutions.
This “dream team” approach allows credit unions to leverage fintech’s technological expertise while maintaining their community-focused ethos. Key areas of collaboration include digital payments, personalized financial management tools, and enhanced loan processing capabilities. These partnerships not only enhance member engagement but also enable credit unions to remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.
Industry analysts emphasize that such collaborations underscore a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing fintech-driven solutions to bridge service gaps and foster innovation.
Source: PYMNTS
Tackling Student Loan Debt: A Fintech’s Mission
Student loan debt remains a pressing issue for millions of Americans, and a Rochester-based fintech aims to offer relief through its cloud-based platform. This innovative solution is designed to simplify loan management and provide borrowers with actionable insights to reduce their debt burden.
The platform’s features include repayment optimization tools, personalized financial education, and seamless integration with loan servicers. By addressing the complexities of student loan management, this fintech is empowering borrowers to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.
As the student loan crisis continues to evolve, solutions like this highlight the critical role fintech can play in addressing systemic financial challenges while fostering financial literacy and inclusion.
Source: RBJ
Industry Implications and Takeaways
Today’s updates underscore several key themes shaping the fintech landscape:
- Regulatory Milestones: ZBD’s MiCA license approval exemplifies the importance of regulatory compliance in unlocking growth opportunities.
- Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration between fintechs and credit unions demonstrates the value of combining technological innovation with traditional financial models to drive customer-centric solutions.
- Market Opportunities: Chime’s IPO move reflects a potential revival in fintech public offerings, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
- Social Impact: Fintech’s ability to tackle systemic issues, such as student loan debt, showcases its role as a force for positive change.
The post Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025
Leading global payments platform SPAYZ.io has confirmed it will be attending iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 on 14 to 16 January. Exhibiting at Stand 64 at Trade Centre Dubai, SPAYZ.io’s team of professionals will be on hand providing live demonstrations of its renowned payment services for payment providers. Attendees will also receive exclusive insight into SPAYZ.io’s plans for 2025 alongside early early access to its upcoming plans for the new year.
SPAYZ.io delivers a host of payment solutions that leverage the latest technological innovations and open access to the fastest growing emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, there has been huge demand for its Open Banking and local payment method services, alongside bank transfers, mass payouts, online banking and e-wallets.
Yana Thakurta, Head of Business Development at SPAYZ.io commented: “We look forward to once again participating at iFX Dubai to expand our network of partners and clients. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the year, connecting with thousands of industry leaders from FOREX platforms to trading companies, and everything in between.
“Our key goal for iFX Dubai EXPO 2025 is to expand our portfolio of solutions and geographies. We’re using this as an opportunity to partner with like-minded entities who share our ambition to provide payment solutions that are truly global.”
Come meet SPAYZ.io’s team at the Trade Centre Dubai at Stand 64. You can also book a meeting slot with a member of a team.
The post SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments
Airtm, the most connected digital dollar account in the world, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished industry leaders to its Board of Directors: Rafael de la Vega, Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane, and Shivani Siroya, CEO & Founder of Tala. These appointments reflect Airtm’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion as the company enters its next phase of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rafael and Shivani to Airtm’s Board of Directors,” said Ruben Galindo Steckel, Co-founder and CEO of Airtm. “Their unique perspectives and proven track records will be invaluable as we continue scaling our platform to empower individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of financial inclusion and innovation to create a more connected and equitable global economy. Rafael and Shivani bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will strengthen Airtm’s mission to connect emerging economies with the global market.”
Rafael de la Vega, a seasoned leader in fintech global partnerships and technology innovation, is currently the Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane. With a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of fintech, innovation, and commerce, Rafael’s expertise will be pivotal as Airtm continues to grow. “Airtm has built a platform that breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for people in emerging economies to connect to global markets. I am excited to contribute to its growth and help further its mission of fostering financial inclusion on a global scale,” said Rafael.
Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder of Tala, is a pioneer in financial technology, renowned for empowering underserved communities through access to credit and essential financial tools. Her leadership in leveraging data-driven innovation aligns seamlessly with Airtm’s vision of creating more equitable financial opportunities. “Empowering underserved communities has always been at the core of my work, and Airtm’s mission resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to join the Board and work alongside such a dynamic team to expand access to financial tools that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shivani.
The post Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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