Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Anthropic Reportedly Taps Wilson Sonsini as It Prepares for a Potential 2026 IPO 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
GM Issues Recall for 2026 Chevrolet Silverado Trucks Over Missing Owner Manuals 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
RBA Signals Possible Rate Implications as Inflation Proves More Persistent 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Tesla Expands Affordable Model 3 Lineup in Europe to Boost EV Demand 
Apple Pay is expected to arrive in South Korea soon after the country’s Financial Service Commission cleared it for launch. The FSC said last week that local credit card companies are allowed to introduce the mobile payment service of the US-based tech firm, Apple Inc.
As per Aju Business Daily, Apple Pay could be made available in the country as early as March. FSC’s approval was based on the results of its review after carrying out the procedures required for allowing a new payment service.
Once activated, people who are using iPhones and other Apple devices will be able to make payments via Apple Pay. Based on the total number of smartphone users in the country, 30% are said to be iPhone users, so it is already a given that many are set to use Apple’s mobile payment service.
In Korea, Apple Pay will be introduced in partnership with the credit card subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, which is the Hyundai Card Co. It was said that the two sides have been having talks about the launch of the service for some time now. However, the companies have not yet released any information related to any agreement they may have.
It was noted that other credit card companies could also team up with Apple Inc. for the payment service. This is possible because Hyundai reportedly stopped demanding for exclusive rights to the local Apple Pay service.
Then again, the Financial Service Commission made it clear that credit card companies must not be allowed to transfer fees from the use of Apple’s mobile payment to customers or merchants. The agency also asked companies to take proper measures to protect customers from possible leaks or theft of personal data, Korea Joongang Daily reported.
Photo by: Christiann Koepke/Unsplash
