Fiuu, a fintech platform, has secured a JCB Direct Acquiring license covering Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, allowing it to process JCB card payments directly instead of relying on third-party providers.
This strengthens Fiuu’s payment processing business and gives merchants a more reliable way to accept JCB cards both online and in stores. By handling transactions in-house, Fiuu said it can offer faster settlement, better visibility into payments, and more consistent service.
The license comes as digital payments continue to grow across Southeast Asia. Around three in five consumers in the region now shop online, while more than 60% of payments are made digitally. Although QR codes and digital wallets continue to gain popularity, credit cards remain widely used because of rewards programs and established consumer habits.
For Philippine merchants, the agreement could help improve acceptance of JCB cards, which are commonly used by Japanese travelers and customers from Japan. It also simplifies payment processing for businesses operating across multiple Southeast Asian markets.
The new license builds on Fiuu’s regional scale. In its fiscal year 2025, the company processed$13 billion in total payment volume across businesses in different industries.
“Our direct acquiring relationship with JCB strengthens that foundation, allowing us to support merchants with broader acceptance, greater consistency, and the confidence to serve customers across both digital and physical commerce,” said Eng Sheng Guan, CEO of Fiuu.
JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. As of 2026, it has issued 181 million cards worldwide and is accepted by 72 million merchants globally.
“As Southeast Asia’s payments landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Fiuu’s regional expertise, fast-growing merchant network, and multi-channel payment capabilities make it an important partner in expanding JCB acceptance across this region,” said Shimpei Yamaguchi, managing director of JCB International Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Fiuu said it is also working to extend its direct acquiring capability to Thailand as part of its plan to become a larger regional card acquirer, giving businesses a single payment partner across Southeast Asia.