Eurasia / Tech
Tajikistan’s Zypl pioneers AI financial sector scoring system to drive SME lending
Zypl, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company founded in Tajikistan in 2021, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) models to drive financial inclusion in emerging and frontier market (EM/FM) economies.
Uzbekistan’s Oasis set to be a leading online loans fintech to the SME sector
Fintech is growing fast in Central Asia as banking sectors looking to leapfrog the traditional financial sector development go straight to high-tech solutions for local people’s lending and spending needs.
Emerging and Frontier markets fintech ready to break out
The Digital Intelligence Index (DII) put together by specialist Emerging and Frontier market investment fund Sturgeon Capital provides insights into the potential for fintech investments in emerging and developing markets.
Mastercard doubles down on Uzbek market with opening of Tashkent office
International payments company believes Uzbekistan can be a hub for operations across Central Asia.
Darkweb marketplaces offering deepfake videos at up to $20,000 per minute conference hears
Kaspersky Lab probed offers in dark shadowy corners of the internet for AI-driven synthetic media services that could be used in fraud, extortion or other crimes.
Uzbekistan’s “President Tech Award” looks to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship as country’s IT sector booms
The President Tech Award is worth $1,000,000 in total, with each category winner receiving cash prizes of up to $100,000, and second and third place getting $50,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Moscow investment bankers access Bloomberg terminals via Armenia
Investment bankers and brokers in Moscow are accessing Bloomberg terminals remotely via subscriptions in Armenia a year after the US media giant cut access for all its Russian clients, bne IntelliNews can reveal.
Kazakhstan’s big name fintech player Kaspi.kz working on US listing
Announcement comes as company, valued at $6.5bn during 2020 London IPO, reports 52% y/y expansion in adjusted 1Q23 profits.
Data indicate Korea exporters dodge sanctions by shipping to Russia via Central Asia, South Caucasus
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia among countries that appear to be conduits for sanctioned goods from East Asia nation.
Iranian ride-hailing giant Snapp accused of anti-competitive foul play
Rival Tapsi says it has used a SIM card wheeze to monitor internal information and capture drivers.
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Turkey clones Iran’s ‘kamikaze’ drones
Analysts say the Azab is a “replica” of the Shahed-136 that Russia uses to attack Ukraine.
Big Uzbek fintech Uzum to launch grocery delivery service, conduct IPO
Company says it is negotiating with some of the Middle East’s largest international investment funds, with plans to raise $300mn by the end of the year.
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Central Asia ‘washing machine’ sales that help Russia repair tanks may spark EU crackdown
Bloc concerned Russian arms industry is stripping down imported household appliances and used cars for microchips and other spare parts.
Kazakhstan poised to intensify vetting of re-exports to Russia
Kazakh traders have been helping fill Russian demand for high-tech consumer goods and other items hard to obtain under Western sanctions.
How cryptocurrency mining froze a Kazakh city
Inhabitants of Ekibastuz who were left without heating on freezing winter days have a much different understanding of the term “crypto winter” than digital money enthusiasts.
