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Dtcpay Completes $25 Million Series A Funding Led by SBI Group

By Aiko Tanaka
2 min read
Dtcpay Completes $25 Million Series A Funding Led by SBI Group
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Singapore payment institution dtcpay completed its $25 million Series A funding round after securing late-stage capital from Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group. The transaction closes out a financing round first opened by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India in April 2026, bringing fresh institutional weight to the firm’s cross-border settlement rails.

SBI Group entered through its subsidiary SBI Ventures Asset and the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund, joining Singapore-based asset manager Genedant Capital and existing backer Kwee Liong Tek. The capital gives dtcpay direct balance-sheet support to build out corporate settlement software and expand merchant acceptance across regional retail networks.

Enterprise Portals and Merchant Networks

Founded by chief executive Alice Liu, the payments company processes commercial transactions using fiat and regulated stablecoins. The fresh cash targets two technical milestones before the end of 2026: a redesigned enterprise management portal for corporate treasuries and an expanded feature set inside its consumer application.

Traditional merchant acquirers across Southeast Asia charge between 1.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent on cross-border card settlements, with transactions taking up to three business days to clear. By routing payments through regulated stablecoin tokens, dtcpay settles transfers instantly at lower processing fees. That cost gap gives payment aggregators an opening among luxury retailers, hospitality operators, and cross-border wholesalers that handle high average order values.

Strategic investors in the round provide commercial distribution that standalone venture funds cannot match.

Regulatory Footprint in Asia and Europe

Licensing barriers have historically held back digital asset adoption in Asian commerce, forcing merchants to rely on offshore intermediaries. Liu pursued a direct compliance route instead. The company holds a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, allowing it to handle merchant acquisition, domestic money transfers, and cross-border remittances under strict local reserves oversight.

Overseas expansion relies on a parallel structure in Europe, where dtcpay holds an Electronic Money Institution licence in Luxembourg. That European passport allows the firm to onboard Western brands and process consumer payments from European buyers without relying on correspondent banking partnerships.

Institutional Backing and Market Expansion

Strategic investors in the round provide commercial distribution that standalone venture funds cannot match. Vertex Ventures provided early operational support across Southeast Asian markets, while SBI Group brings established clearing relationships, banking partnerships, and securities networks across Japan and North Asia.

Genedant Capital, which operates under MAS regulation in Singapore, and property investor Kwee Liong Tek provide access to regional commercial real estate and hospitality accounts. For regional retailers, integrating compliant digital asset rails removes currency conversion friction for overseas tourists and high-net-worth consumers.

Product Roadmap for 2026

Commercial execution now hinges on software delivery and corporate client acquisition. Dtcpay plans to roll out its upgraded business portal to commercial clients through the fourth quarter of 2026, targeting regional enterprises that manage multiple currency accounts across Southeast Asia.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which entities participated in dtcpay's Series A funding round, apart from the lead investor?

A.

SBI Group's subsidiaries SBI Ventures Asset and the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund joined the round. Singapore-based asset manager Genedant Capital and existing backer Kwee Liong Tek also contributed to the funding.

Q.

What two technical milestones does dtcpay aim to achieve with the new funding before the end of 2026?

A.

The company plans to complete a redesigned enterprise management portal for corporate treasuries. Also, it aims to implement an expanded feature set within its consumer application by the end of 2026.

Q.

How does dtcpay's payment processing method compare to traditional merchant acquirers regarding fees and settlement times?

A.

Traditional acquirers in Southeast Asia charge 1.5-3.5% on cross-border card settlements, taking up to three business days to clear. Dtcpay offers instant settlements at lower fees by using regulated stablecoin tokens.

Q.

What licences does dtcpay hold that allow it to operate in Asia and Europe?

A.

Dtcpay holds a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, enabling operations in Asia. For Europe, it possesses an Electronic Money Institution licence in Luxembourg.

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