Singapore fintech companies raised US$1.7 billion in venture capital funding in the third quarter of 2026, a record high for the city-state and 53.1 per cent of Asia’s total, Fintech News Singapore reported, citing CB Insights’ State of Fintech Q3 2026 report.
Fintech firms across Asia raised US$3.2 billion in the quarter, up 28 per cent from the previous three months.
Two deals drive the total
Much of Singapore’s tally came from two large rounds. Ant International, which spun off from Ant Group and began operating independently in 2024, raised US$1.2 billion in a Series A round in July. The company links more than 150 million merchants with over 2 billion user accounts, and operates across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
Crypto.com, also in July, secured a US$400 million strategic investment from Citadel Securities, which valued it at US$20 billion. Founded in 2016, the platform has more than 100 million users globally.
The report noted that in August, MAS committed S$220 million (US$156 million) over three years under the renewed Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Scheme, known as FSTI 4.0. The scheme has six tracks, covering manpower, institution projects, an AI pathfinder programme, infrastructure and platforms, centres of excellence and the MAS Fintech Awards. According to the central bank, Singapore is home to more than 1,800 fintech firms employing close to 10,000 professionals.
Global funding falls
Asia’s gains came as global fintech funding fell 18 per cent quarter on quarter to US$11 billion, the lowest level since the third quarter of 2024. The number of deals dropped 17 per cent to 650.
Kalshi’s US$1.5 billion Series G round alone made up 14 per cent of the quarter’s global fintech funding. Payments technology drew US$4.7 billion, or 42.7 per cent of the total, while capital markets technology attracted US$3.5 billion.
Fintech accounted for 5.9 per cent of the US$187 billion in global venture funding during the quarter. Artificial intelligence companies took US$103.3 billion, or 55.2 per cent.
Separately, Fintech News Singapore reported on Monday (Oct 26) that Ant International has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to strengthen cross-border payment services and explore business expansion involving Japan, Singapore and Southeast Asia. Under the pact, SMBC will support Ant International’s Alipay+, Antom and WorldFirst businesses, and the two will explore linking Ant International’s Whale RTP platform with SMBC’s digital payment and asset solutions.
