Why edfintech is a big deal in Indonesia

Check out our top articles for the week. [Read from your browser]( Top Stories of The Week Hello {NAME} When I first heard about education-focused fintech startups Cicil and Pintek, I knew it was a story I wanted to share with you. Apart from being at the intersection of two fascinating sectors, these startups also have a social impact: broadening access to education for millions. In the course of writing this story, a couple of things stood out. First was the vast difference in the cost of capital between Singapore and Indonesia. Interest rates on unsecured loans to individuals in the latter can go for 3x as high! Second was the delicate balance these startups have to strike with traditional banks, which are both lenders on their platforms and potential competitors. Banks may even end up as these companies’ exit opportunities, since they could possibly purchase these startups in the future. So much is going on in the financial sector in Indonesia, and I can’t wait to see how the edfintech players continue to develop and find their footing in this dynamic industry. -- Simon Huang, journalist at Tech in Asia  ---------------------------------------------------------------  THE BIGGEST STORIES 1️. [‘Edfintech’ in Indonesia: the billion-dollar opportunity]( Edfintech in Indonesia is young, dynamic, and transformative, but the industry may still end up embracing traditional banks. 2️. [The key players in Singapore’s thriving fintech space]( With a vibrant investor scene, a sufficiently talented tech pool, and the requisite regulatory frameworks in place, it’s perhaps no surprise that Singapore is home to over 1,000 fintech startups 3️. [Sea Group commissioner: Why now is the time for local unicorns to IPO]( A public listing may be a lot of work, but it could also open up a fountain of capital. 4. [Why Shopee’s Taiwanese archrival is plotting a Southeast Asia expansion]( Momo, the largest ecommerce platform in Taiwan, is expanding its footprint in SEA. The company hopes to use its home shopping network in Thailand as a launchpad. 5️. [Behind GoBear’s surprising and sudden closure]( Was it a case of expanding too fast, too furiously? 6️. [WhatsApp’s Indian rival Hike shuts down its messaging app]( Hike was founded in 2012 by Kavin Bharti Mittal, the son of telecom giant Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal. 7. [The under-the-radar tech opportunities that are trending in Asia]( From telehealth for sexual wellness to Omegle, we dive into the topics that are attracting a ton of attention in Asia. 8️. [Beyond FOMO: Why Grab should race to an IPO fast]( Going public this year will provide Grab with the resources it needs to battle for dominance in Southeast Asia. 9️. [NUS creates aerogel that converts air into drinking water]( NUS researchers are now looking for industry partners to scale the product for domestic or industrial use. 10. [Tinder co-founder leads $2.1m round for Singaporean fintech Volopay]( The company will use the new funds for hiring, product development, international expansion, and strategic partnerships.  ---------------------------------------------------------------  FREE PREMIUM READ Every week, we unlock a premium article for our awesome community. 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