Author: The Digital Trade Outlook

Rising tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran are drawing close attention from global trade and financial markets, particularly due to the potential impact on energy supplies from the Gulf. Analysts say the evolving conflict could carry significant implications for China, whose industrial economy depends heavily on stable oil imports from the region.China currently imports close to 70% of its crude oil consumption, making the Gulf a critical energy source for its manufacturing-driven economy. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that China remains the world’s largest crude oil importer, with a substantial share of…

Industry observers say the conversion of physical gold into cash is also feeding into cross-border financial flows between the Gulf and major remittance corridors in South and Southeast Asia.

The intensifying U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran has jolted global oil markets, with the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway that carries about one-fifth of the world’s daily seaborne crude and significant LNG volumes — now largely inaccessible to commercial vessels due to security threats, tanker attacks, and rising regional tensions. The disruption, now entering its second week, has forced several major Middle Eastern producers to cut output as storage facilities fill up and exports stall. Iraq has already curtailed nearly 1.5 million barrels per day, while Qatar has halted LNG production, with Kuwait and potentially other producers considering…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 20, 2025 (EZ Newswire) — Following the In-Principle Approval (IPA) granted by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for the registration of OSON (DIFC) Limited, the fintech holding company OSON, opens new tab has entered negotiations with three UAE banks to establish strategic partnerships in preparation for the launch of its multi-currency wallet, OSON Wallet. The company notes that the UAE’s banking sector plays a vital role in shaping the new digital finance landscape, where collaboration between traditional institutions and fintech innovators drives accessibility and financial inclusion. As part of its 2026 expansion roadmap, OSON plans parallel…

Nov 21 (Reuters) – The central banks of India and the European Union have agreed to start the initial phase of linking domestic payments systems, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday. The interlinking will aim to facilitate cross-border remittances between India and the euro zone, the RBI said. The Reserve Bank of India has been actively pursuing interlinking of its locally developed Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with fast payment systems of other jurisdictions to promote cross-border payments. “The decision is part of the Euro system’s overall efforts to make it easier for businesses and consumers in Europe to…

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) – The boom in private credit markets and stablecoins warrants close monitoring, the Group of 20’s financial risk watchdog told leaders ahead of their summit in South Africa. In a letter to the G20 leaders published on Thursday, its Financial Stability Board Chair, Andrew Bailey, called for global efforts to “modernise and strengthen” financial regulations without compromising stability. The letter also highlighted the growing role of non-bank financial intermediaries, including private credit markets, saying it will be one of the main focal points of the FSB’s work next year. It underlined the “urgency” of improving cross-border payments…

BRASILIA, Nov 18 (Reuters) – Brazil is looking at taxing the use of cryptocurrencies for international payments, two officials with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters, closing a loophole in the country’s usual levy on foreign-exchange transactions. One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the confidential talks, said the Finance Ministry is looking at expanding its financial transaction tax (IOF) to some cross-border transfers using virtual assets and stablecoins that the central bank classified this month as forex operations. Crypto transactions are not currently subject to the IOF tax. Investors must pay income tax on capital gains…

SINGAPORE, Nov 13 (Reuters) – Singapore’s biggest bank DBS Group (DBSM.SI), opens new tab and Ant International said on Thursday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their partnership and scale up cross-border payments and fintech services. The deal, announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, will allow DBS PayLah! users to make QR code payments at over 150 million merchants in more than 100 markets via Ant’s Alipay+ network, a statement by the companies on Thursday said. The companies are also exploring near-instant remittances between DBS customers and 1.8 billion Alipay+ accounts, using global financial messaging standards, according to…

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (Reuters) – India’s cabinet has approved spending 450.6 billion rupees ($5.1 billion) on support for exporters, including 200 billion rupees in credit guarantees on bank loans, Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. The plan includes the allocation of 250.6 billion rupees over six years for affordable trade finance for small exporters, logistics and market support under an export promotion package to help offset the impact of recent U.S. tariff hikes. The new U.S. tariffs, including a 25% punitive levy over New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases, raised duties to as high as 50% on items such as garments,…

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 11 (Reuters) – One of South Africa’s top retail banks, First National Bank (FNB), launched a new cross-border payment platform with Mastercard (MA.N), opens new tab on Tuesday that aims to make remittances and international transfers easier and cheaper. The Globba platform would help customers looking to send money to other African countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Ghana, and First National Bank said it aims to eventually extend the service across its network in Africa. Cheaper and easier remittances and transfers have been a priority issue for South Africa’s G20 presidency. Last month the G20’s Financial Stability Board warned…