Beyond Horizons
Trailblazing Tales from Asia
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
Events
Asia-Pacific Space Events
October 2025
28–31 Oct 2025: Nihonbashi Space Week 2025, Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan – Brings together 100+ start-ups and companies, highlighting developments supported by Japan’s Space Strategic Fund.
November 2025
4–6 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Satellite and Space Community (APSCC 2025), Taipei Marriott Hotel, Taiwan – Market insights, partnership opportunities, and business deals for space professionals.
18–21 Nov 2025: Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu, Philippines – Focus on regional policy, education, GNSS, and applications.
December 2025
9–11 Dec 2025: Airspace Asia Pacific 2025, Hong Kong, China – Addresses integration of space launches and satellite operations into urban airspace, fostering dialogue between airspace managers and space industry stakeholders.
Summary
Financing & Investments: Malaysia Secures MYR15 Billion in Digital Investments; StraitsX Raises $10 Million to Expand Stablecoin Services; Bluwhale Secures $10 Million Series A for Decentralized AI; Pave Bank Raises $39 Million to Grow Programmable Banking; and Endowus Closes $70 Million Round to Boost AI WealthTech
Environmental Sustainability: Airbus and the Cathay Group to Invest $70 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Asia; Asahi Kasei Expands Kawasaki Works for Electrolysis Component Production; JGC Corporation and Energy Dome Explore CO₂ Battery Projects in Japan; J-POWER Invests in Active Surfaces to Advance Perovskite Solar Technology; Singapore Ranks Highest in Asia Pacific in Global Resilience Index.
Aviation: APAC Pilots Consider Job Changes Amid Pay Gaps; Rex Secures Buyer as Air T Steps In; Bankstown Airport Wins Approval for $80M Mixed-Use Development; Korean Air Acquires 11% Stake in WestJet; and Swissport Launches Advanced Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong
Advanced Air Mobility: China Unveils 2026-2030 Development Priorities; Beijing Electric Propulsion Completes Series A2 Funding; Saudi Arabia To Start EHang 216 Commercial Trials In November; Terra Drone And Unifly Finish BURDI Project For Drone Integration; and Korean Air Partners With Archer To Launch Midnight eVTOL In South Korea
Marine: Oil Markets React to US Sanctions; Japan Plans $2.3B Shipbuilding Investment; Philippines Requests US Clarification on Seafarer Deportations; Samsung Heavy to Develop Shipbuilding Robots; and Zodiac Maritime Places First Order at Vietnam Yard
Space: Space Debris Discovered in Australian Desert; Gaofen-14 02 Satellite Successfully Launched; Chang’e 7 to Search for Lunar Water; Japan’s HTV-X Cargo Vehicle Reaches Orbit; and MEASAT Partners to Provide LEO IoT Services
Financing & Investments
Singapore is seeing strong growth in digital finance, with startups raising capital to expand regionally and globally. Funding in stablecoins, decentralized AI, programmable banking, and AI-driven wealth management reflects rising institutional adoption of digital assets and Web3 solutions, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a fintech hub.
Malaysia-Singapore
Malaysia has drawn MYR15 billion ($3.55 billion) in fresh digital investments from Singapore-based technology firms following a high-level mission led by Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo to the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) 2025.
💡Major commitments include MYR10.8 billion from AOLANI Cloud for advanced data centers, MYR1.7 billion from MYS AssetCo for hyperscale infrastructure, MYR1.4 billion from Easybook to expand digital mobility services, and MYR1.1 billion from Bitdeer Technologies Group for blockchain infrastructure. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) said total approved digital investments from Singapore reached MYR25.18 billion ($5.96 billion) in 2025,
Singapore
Singapore-based stablecoin settlement firm StraitsX has raised $10 million in strategic funding from cross-border payments provider UQPAY to support its expansion across Asia. The round also saw continued participation from Japan’s NTT DOCOMO.
💡The funding will help StraitsX enhance connectivity between stablecoin and fiat payment networks, strengthen enterprise APIs, and expand cross-border settlement and card programs. The company said the partnership marks a new phase in its goal to establish stablecoins as compliant, interoperable infrastructure for global finance.
Singapore
Singapore-based Bluwhale has raised $10 million in a Series A round led by UOB Venture Management, with participation from SBI Holdings and several leading blockchain platforms including Sui, Tezos, Cardano, Arbitrum, and Movement Labs. The funding, backed by both institutional and blockchain investors, will support Bluwhale’s efforts to build a decentralized AI network that runs on-chain, enabling open, secure, and scalable AI-powered financial services.
💡The round follows Bluwhale’s recent token generation event for its native $BLUAI token and comes amid growing institutional adoption of digital assets. Bluwhale, which has over 3.6 million users, operates an AI agent marketplace that connects consumers and enterprises through its multi-chain Layer 3 infrastructure. The company said it aims to bridge traditional finance and blockchain by offering AI-driven financial intelligence tailored to the next generation of digital users.
Singapore
Pave Bank, a Singapore-based programmable commercial bank, has secured over $39 million in a funding round led by Accel, with participation from Tether Investments, Quona Capital, Wintermute, and others. The latest round brings total funding to more than $44 million and will support the bank’s regulatory expansion, product development, and global client growth.
💡The company said it aims to bridge traditional and digital finance through a fully regulated, multi-asset banking platform offering programmable treasury and institutional financial products. Pave Bank, which has achieved profitability in most of its first nine months, plans to deepen integration with fiat and digital asset ecosystems as global regulations evolve.
Singapore
Singapore-based wealth advisory and investment platform Endowus has closed a new funding round exceeding $70 million, led by Illuminate Financial with participation from existing investors Prosus Ventures, Citi Ventures, and several Asian family offices. The raise brings Endowus’ total funding to more than $130 million since inception.
💡The company said the new capital will support the development of retirement and pension solutions in Singapore and Hong Kong, expansion of its B2B offerings for financial advisors and external asset managers, and continued integration of artificial intelligence across its platform.
Environmental Sustainability
Japan leads in the news, driving clean energy and advanced technology development through investments and partnerships in electrolysis, perovskite solar, and CO₂ battery projects.
Asia
Airbus and the Cathay Group have agreed to jointly invest up to $70 million to support the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Asia and globally. The partnership, announced at the IATA World Sustainability Symposium in Hong Kong, will focus on identifying, assessing, and funding SAF projects based on commercial feasibility, technology readiness, and potential long-term supply agreements.
💡The initiative aims to boost SAF production capacity through 2030 and beyond, while encouraging policy measures to support SAF supply and demand in the region.
Japan
Asahi Kasei has received approval to build new facilities at its Kawasaki Works to produce components for both alkaline water electrolysis and chlor-alkali electrolysis systems. The expansion targets growing demand for clean hydrogen production and strengthens the company’s vertical integration in key materials for hydrogen, chlorine, and caustic soda markets. The project is supported under Japan’s GX Supply Chain Development Program.
💡The new facilities will manufacture electrolysis cell frames and membranes, enhancing Asahi Kasei’s ability to supply advanced solutions to the energy and basic chemicals sectors.
Japan—Italy
JGC Corporation, the domestic EPC subsidiary of JGC Holdings, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italian firm Energy Dome to explore the introduction of CO₂ Battery technology in Japan. The partnership aims to leverage Energy Dome’s long-duration energy storage (LDES) solution and JGC’s EPC capabilities to stabilize power supply amid growing renewable energy adoption, including solar and offshore wind.
💡CO₂ Batteries store electricity by compressing and liquefying CO₂, then releasing it to drive turbines when demand rises. Unlike lithium-ion systems, they use no rare metals and offer high efficiency without degradation. Energy Dome has already deployed commercial-scale plants internationally, and the collaboration will assess feasibility for Japanese installations,
Japan-USA
Japan’s Electric Power Development Co. (J-POWER) has invested in Active Surfaces, a Massachusetts-based startup developing ultra-light, flexible perovskite solar modules. Founded in 2022 with technology originating from MIT, Active Surfaces’ peel-and-stick panels can be applied to roofs, walls, and curved surfaces, reducing installation costs up to tenfold while maintaining over 25% power conversion efficiency and durability exceeding 10 years, certified by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
💡The startup’s high-speed roll-to-roll manufacturing and proprietary encapsulation and coating technologies aim to overcome the traditional scalability, durability, and cost challenges of perovskite solar cells. J-POWER plans to collaborate on pilot tests and explore commercial applications across diverse environments as part of its renewable energy strategy under the “J-POWER BLUE MISSION 2050.”
Singapore
Singapore ranks as the most resilient country in Asia Pacific and fourth globally in the Global Investment Risk and Resilience Index by Henley & Partners and AlphaGeo, reflecting its strong governance, social cohesion, and climate preparedness. Other high-ranking Asia Pacific nations include New Zealand (18th), Australia (20th), South Korea (25th), and Japan (35th), while larger emerging economies such as China (49th), India (155th), and Indonesia (109th) face challenges from governance gaps, regulatory uncertainty, and climate risks.
💡Most Southeast Asian countries scored poorly, with Brunei (33rd) and Malaysia (54th) leading the regional pack after Singapore.
Aviation
Asia-Pacific’s aviation sector is seeing shifts, with pilot turnover high due to pay gaps and flexible work models, regional airlines changing ownership, and major investments in infrastructure and international partnerships supporting growth and operational efficiency.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific pilots are facing high turnover risk as nearly half (48.4%) consider changing jobs, according to AeroProfessional’s 2025 Global Pilot Salary & Market Insights Report. Pay in the region lags global benchmarks, with Boeing 737 Captains earning 15.8% below and Airbus A320 First Officers 23% below worldwide averages.
💡Flexible workforce models, including 18% of pilots working as contractors, further shape employment patterns and contribute to mobility in the fast-growing APAC aviation market.
Australia
Australia’s regional airline Rex has secured a buyer, with American firm Air T set to take ownership and return much of the grounded Saab 340 fleet to service. The sale ends a prolonged voluntary administration period and is welcomed by industry bodies, including Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) and the Australian Airports Association (AAA), as a positive step for regional air connectivity.
💡 The transaction is expected to safeguard jobs, restore reliable operations, and ensure ongoing access to essential air services for rural and regional communities across Australia.
Australia
Bankstown Airport owner Aeria Management Group (AMG) has received government approval for an $80 million mixed-use development near the airport, featuring retail, office, warehouse, and childcare facilities. The project is expected to generate around 500 jobs and contribute $110 million annually to the NSW economy.
💡The development follows AMG’s recent approval for a $60 million aviation hangar project to support general aviation, flight training, and emergency services.
South Korea-Canada
Korean Air has acquired an 11.02% stake in WestJet’s parent companies, Kestrel Topco Inc. and Kestrel Holdings Inc., through a US$217 million investment, representing a 10% equity share in Canada’s second-largest airline.
💡The transaction, originally agreed on May 9, 2025, also included investments from Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.
Switzerland-China
Swissport has launched operations in China through a partnership with Smargo, a joint venture between AVINEX Logistics and China Eastern Airlines Logistics, to manage the new Digital & Intelligent International Cargo Terminal at Shanghai Pudong Airport. The $215 million facility spans 222,000 square meters and is designed to handle up to 1.2 million tons of international cargo annually, featuring AI-driven logistics, automated vehicles, and temperature-controlled storage for sensitive goods.
💡The terminal aims to improve the speed and reliability of Chinese exports, particularly for e-commerce and pharmaceuticals, by linking Shanghai with Swissport’s global cargo network.
Advanced Air Mobility
China is accelerating low-altitude aviation development with hybrid propulsion startups and regulatory frameworks, while Saudi Arabia, Europe, and Korea-U.S. partnerships trial autonomous drones and commercial short-range aircraft, reflecting a push toward integrated and rapid urban air mobility.
China
China has outlined its priorities for the 2026-2030 period in a key recommendations document for the 15th Five-Year Plan, emphasizing the development of a modernized industrial system and strengthening the foundations of the real economy.
Officials said efforts will focus on upgrading traditional industries, expanding emerging sectors such as new energy, aerospace, low-altitude economy, and advanced manufacturing clusters, and fostering future technologies including quantum computing, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, and sixth-generation mobile communications.
💡The recommendations also highlight broader opening-up policies, including expanding market access for services such as telecommunications, biotechnology, education, and healthcare, while enhancing regional and bilateral trade agreements and high-standard free trade zones.
China
Beijing Electric Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd., a developer of aviation hybrid electric propulsion systems, has closed a Series A2 funding round worth tens of millions of yuan, led by CSC Financial with continued investment from Yida Capital. The company plans to use the capital to expand testing and production capabilities, following a Series A1 round earlier this year, bringing cumulative financing to over 100 million yuan.
💡Founded in 2016, the company develops high-power, high-density aerospace power systems, including air- and oil-cooled megawatt-class aviation power generation systems. Its products are being deployed across eVTOL aircraft, unmanned combat systems, and other aerospace platforms, with plans to expand production capacity, complete flight testing of hybrid aircraft, and participate in the Dubai Airshow later this year.
China-Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is preparing to launch its first commercial trials of EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicles as early as November 2025, following a partnership with Front End Limited Company and Cluster 2 Airports. Initial flights will include passenger rides and cargo operations, with plans to expand services across 22 airports in 2026 and 2027.
💡The project also includes development of a UAS traffic management system to safely integrate uncrewed aircraft into Saudi airspace. Previous trials of the EH-216 were conducted in Makkah in 2024, and partnerships with UrbanV and Cluster2 aim to ensure regulatory compliance and support broader advanced air mobility deployment.
Japan-Europe
Terra Drone Corporation and its subsidiary Unifly have completed the three-year BURDI Project, aimed at integrating drones and manned aircraft safely within shared airspace. The initiative, conducted across Belgium and the Netherlands, included demonstration flights for medical drone deliveries and the development of operational models to support coexisting air traffic.
💡The project’s results were presented at an international conference in Belgium, with plans to advance toward large-scale implementation through collaboration with national authorities and industry partners.
South Korea-USA
Korean Air has partnered with Archer Aviation to commercialize the four-passenger Midnight eVTOL aircraft in South Korea, starting with government applications and planning to acquire up to 100 aircraft. The agreement names Korean Air as Archer’s exclusive local partner, combining Archer’s electric aircraft technology with Korean Air’s operational and maintenance expertise to accelerate adoption.
💡The Midnight is designed for short, rapid trips, potentially replacing 60–90-minute car commutes with 10–20-minute flights.
Marine
Global shipping faces turbulence as US sanctions disrupt Russian oil flows, Japan launches a major shipyard modernization drive, South Korea expands robotics in shipbuilding, and the Philippines navigates tighter US seafarer visa policies, highlighting the interplay of geopolitics, technology, and labor in maritime trade.
Global
Oil markets are reacting to new US sanctions on Russia as China’s top buyers, including Sinopec, CNOOC, and PetroChina, temporarily suspend seaborne purchases of Russian crude, joining India in pausing imports. The measures target Russia’s largest producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, and come amid concerns over secondary sanctions, with tanker tracking data expected to show shifts in global seaborne flows.
💡Prices have risen since the sanctions were announced, while tanker forward freight agreements through year-end have jumped amid fears of supply disruptions. Analysts warn that combined with recent attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, the measures could force production cuts, though OPEC has signaled readiness to offset any shortfall by adjusting output in the Gulf and Middle East. European Union and UK sanctions further tighten the squeeze on Russian exports, particularly affecting Chinese importers.
Japan
Japan’s shipbuilders are seeking a ¥350bn ($2.3bn) government-backed investment to modernise yards, boost automation, and expand capacity, aiming to double national shipbuilding output within a decade. The plan, led by the Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan and including 17 companies such as Imabari Shipbuilding, is part of a larger ¥1trn ($6.6bn) state-led effort to revitalise the maritime sector and attract international orders, including from the U.S.
💡The initiative targets regaining competitiveness lost to South Korea and China, whose combined global market share dominates LNG carrier and commercial ship construction. Challenges remain, including fierce price competition, an ageing workforce, limited space for new facilities, and the need for substantial new orders to sustain capacity. If implemented, it would mark Japan’s largest coordinated shipbuilding investment since the 1980s.
Philippines-USA
The Philippines has formally requested clarification from the United States after reports emerged of an increasing number of Filipino seafarers being denied entry and deported from American ports. Nearly 100 crew members, mostly from cruise ships, were reportedly affected by mid-2025. The Philippine Embassy in Washington said it had reached out to multiple US agencies, including the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, while coordinating with unions, shipowners, and port agents to verify the incidents.
💡Industry sources say the issues stem from stricter US visa policies, including a shift from multiple-entry to single-entry permits and shortened validity periods, which complicate compliance with Maritime Labour Convention contract lengths and disrupt continuous employment.
South Korea
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rainbow Robotics to develop and commercialise shipbuilding robots, including AI-equipped welding robots, mobile dual-arm robots, and quadruped robots.
💡The partnership aims to extend automation to challenging tasks such as welding curved blocks and moving inside ship blocks or on slopes. SHI already operates around 90 types of automation equipment across block welding, LNG carrier hold welding, pipe inspection, and steel cutting, with plans to expand AI and robotics applications for increased productivity and quality.
UK-Vietnam
UK-based Zodiac Maritime has signed a landmark order with Samsung Heavy Industries’ newly controlled Vietnam shipyard, becoming the yard’s first client. The deal covers three firm conventionally fuelled suezmax tankers, with options, valued at $80 million each and scheduled for delivery in 2028.
💡Each tanker will have a capacity of about 157,000 dwt and will be built at Samsung Heavy’s PVSM yard in southern Vietnam, developed in partnership with PetroVietnam. The order follows Zodiac’s previous firsts with other shipbuilders and highlights the ongoing international expansion of South Korea’s major yards as domestic orderbooks extend into the late 2020s.
Space
Space activity intensifies with China advancing satellite launches and lunar water extraction, Japan boosting ISS cargo capacity, Malaysia and China collaborating on LEO IoT services, and Australia confronting falling debris, underscoring the rapid expansion and emerging risks in orbital operations.
Australia
A large piece of probable space debris was found on a remote road in Western Australia, the Australian Space Agency reported. Mine workers discovered the charred object, which may be a propellant tank or pressure vessel from a rocket, still smoldering.
💡Experts say the incident highlights growing concerns over space pollution, as increasing satellite and rocket launches generate debris that can survive re-entry.
China
China has successfully launched the Gaofen-14 02 satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province aboard a Long March-3B rocket. The spacecraft, which lifted off at 11:55 a.m. Beijing Time, entered its planned orbit without incident.
💡The satellite is designed to capture high-precision stereo imagery globally, supporting both national economic development and defense projects. The launch also marked the 603rd mission for China’s Long March rocket series.
China
China is poised to take the lead in lunar water extraction with its Chang’e 7 mission, set to launch in August, according to the Chinese National Space Agency. The mission will carry 18 scientific payloads, including an orbiter, lander, rover, and a mini-flying probe, all aimed at studying the Moon’s surface and subsurface. The lander is expected to touch down near Shackleton Crater, where the mini-flying probe will analyze lunar soil for water molecules. Chang’e 7 also includes seven international payloads from countries including Russia, Italy, and Thailand, as well as one from a Hawaii-based NGO.
💡The United States had been close to achieving lunar water extraction with Intuitive Machines’ second lunar landing, but the attempt failed when the lander tipped over, preventing NASA’s PRIME-1 drill from operating. NASA still has two Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions planned for 2026—Blue Ghost 2 and IM-3—but it is unclear whether either will carry instruments capable of confirming water ice in the lunar regolith.
Japan
Japan has successfully launched its new cargo spacecraft, HTV-X, into orbit aboard an H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The uncrewed transporter, designed to deliver equipment and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), separated from its boosters and first-stage engine about 14 minutes after liftoff.
💡Replacing the Kounotori series, the HTV-X can carry 50% more cargo and features enhanced fuel capacity and a solar array for stable power. It is scheduled to reach the ISS in four days, where astronaut Yui Kimiya will use a robotic arm to capture and dock the spacecraft.
Malaysia-China
MEASAT Global Berhad has entered a strategic partnership with China’s Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology Co. and China StarWin Science & Technology to deliver Internet of Things (IoT) services in Malaysia via the Tianqi Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Under the agreement, MEASAT will act as the authorized service provider, leveraging its local network to support a commercial rollout in 2026, while Guodian Gaoke provides satellite infrastructure and StarWin supplies compliant ground terminals.
💡The collaboration aligns with Sarawak’s Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, which targets 96% high-speed internet coverage and a 20% digital GDP contribution by 2030. MEASAT said the initiative will enhance digital connectivity for remote sectors including agriculture, utilities, and healthcare through LEO-enabled IoT applications such as smart farming, flood monitoring, and telemedicine.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**