Tech Recruiter

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereOn June 10, 2025, TikTok Shop, operating under TikTok Nusantara (SG) Pte. Ltd., responded to allegations of monopolistic practices from Indonesia’s Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU).These claims arose following TikTok’s acquisition of a majority stake in Tokopedia.During a KPPU hearing in Jakarta, TikTok emphasized its commitment to user choice in payment and logistics services, as well as fair business practices on its platform.Farid Fauzi Nasution, TikTok’s legal representative, said that the company complies with all conditional approvals proposed by KPPU.These include prohibitions against tying and bundling practices, market power abuse, and limitations on cross-platform promotions.To clarify the tying and bundling prohibition, TikTok proposed adding the phrase “that forces buyers to use such payment or logistics methods.”🔗 Source: Katadata🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Indonesia follows global trend of intensified tech merger scrutinyTikTok’s willingness to accept KPPU’s conditional approval aligns with a broader global pattern where tech companies face heightened regulatory oversight.Between 2020 and 2023, over 75% of Big Tech M&A deals valued above $1 billion faced antitrust reviews in major markets, demonstrating how common such scrutiny has become 1.The duration of antitrust investigations has lengthened significantly, from 6 months in 2015 to 14 months in 2023, creating incentives for tech companies to cooperate with regulators rather than engage in prolonged battles 1.In 2022 alone, the US Federal Trade Commission challenged 67% of proposed Big Tech M&A deals exceeding $500 million, illustrating why TikTok might prefer conditional approval over risking a blocked transaction 1.KPPU’s focus on preventing tying and bundling practices in the TikTok-Tokopedia case reflects global regulatory concerns about digital platform power, showing Indonesia’s alignment with international regulatory approaches.2️⃣ E-commerce platforms increasingly adapt to regulatory frameworksThe TikTok-Tokopedia case demonstrates how e-commerce companies must navigate complex regulatory environments while pursuing growth strategies.In 2022 and 2023 alone, at least $361 billion in announced deals globally faced regulatory challenges, highlighting the financial stakes involved in securing regulatory approval 2.Companies are increasingly structuring deals with regulatory concerns in mind from the outset, which explains TikTok’s proactive acceptance of KPPU’s conditions rather than contesting them 2.This adaptation extends beyond mergers to ongoing compliance, as seen in other markets where e-commerce platforms must adjust their business practices to satisfy regulatory requirements 3.TikTok’s request to modify reporting requirements from quarterly to semi-annual reflects a practical business approach to compliance, acknowledging seasonal sales patterns while still maintaining regulatory oversight.3️⃣ Indonesian regulatory approach reflects mature competition policyIndonesia has demonstrated a consistent approach to enforcing antitrust laws against large companies, as evidenced by historical cases like the $2 million fine imposed on Temasek Holdings for anti-competitive practices in the telecommunications sector 4.The conditional approval process being applied to TikTok shows Indonesia’s regulatory approach that seeks to prevent monopolistic behavior while still allowing business innovation and growth.The specific conditions prohibiting tying and bundling practices address concrete competition concerns while permitting the transaction to proceed, reflecting a balanced regulatory philosophy.This regulatory approach is particularly important in Indonesia’s fast-growing e-commerce sector, which has seen significant success with promotional events like Shopee’s 11.11 sale that generated over 11 million transactions in a single day 5.The KPPU’s approach aligns with global practices that focus on preventing harm to competition rather than blocking mergers outright, helping to maintain a dynamic digital economy

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereUber Technologies is exploring the use of stablecoins to streamline global money transfers, according to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.He shared the news during the Bloomberg Tech conference in San Francisco on June 5, describing the initiative as being in the “study phase.”Stablecoins are digital currencies typically linked to traditional assets, such as the US dollar.Khosrowshahi said they could help reduce costs tied to international transactions for global companies.Meanwhile, US lawmakers are currently discussing regulatory frameworks for stablecoins. These currencies are designed to be backed by reserves to maintain their value.🔗 Source: Bloomberg🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Corporate adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments is gaining momentumUber’s exploration of stablecoins reflects a broader corporate trend that has been building throughout 2025, with multiple major financial players making similar moves.The inefficiencies of traditional cross-border transfers, which can take days and incur fees of up to 7%, create a compelling business case for stablecoin adoption in global companies 1.Transaction volumes for stablecoins have already reached an impressive $27.6 trillion annually, surpassing volumes on traditional payment networks and demonstrating real-world utility beyond speculation 2.Stripe recently acquired stablecoin infrastructure platform Bridge and launched Stablecoin Financial Accounts that operate in 101 countries, showing how payment giants are making substantial investments in this technology 3.Mastercard and PayPal are simultaneously exploring stablecoin integration for B2B payments, with PayPal having already developed its own stablecoin called PYUSD for testing in real-world business scenarios 4.This convergence of major corporate interest suggests that stablecoins are transitioning from niche crypto products to mainstream financial tools for practical business operations, particularly for companies with global footprints like Uber.2️⃣ Regulatory momentum is creating a more favorable environment for adoptionThe timing of Uber’s stablecoin exploration coincides with significant progress in regulatory frameworks that provide the legal clarity businesses need before adopting new financial technologies.The proposed GENIUS Act and STABLE Act in Congress represent bipartisan efforts to establish clear rules for stablecoin issuers, addressing previous regulatory uncertainty that had limited corporate adoption 5.These legislative initiatives specifically target payment stablecoins and establish standards for reserve practices, supervision, and compliance with anti-money laundering laws—all critical concerns for public companies considering these technologies 5.The stablecoin market has grown from $20 billion in 2020 to $246 billion by May 2025, with this dramatic expansion occurring alongside increasing regulatory attention, suggesting that oversight is not hindering but potentially enabling growth 6.Major financial institutions are responding to this regulatory progress, with banks like Standard Chartered exploring stablecoin options and stablecoin issuers becoming significant holders of US Treasury securities 7.For Uber and other multinational corporations, the emerging regulatory clarity reduces legal and compliance risks that previously made stablecoin adoption challenging, potentially accelerating implementation timelines.Recent Uber developments

Bain pinpoints powerful trends set to reshape the global retail landscape by 2035, with businesses whichseize the opportunities set to be tomorrow's winnersBOSTON and LONDON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Far-reaching disruptions in the global retail landscape are set to radically – and rapidly – transform the industry over the next decade, Bain & Company finds in a new analysis of the powerful trends reshaping retail business models, published ahead of next week's Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit in Amsterdam.As retailers worldwide grapple with an array of immediate challenges, including the impact of tariffs, Bain's report, The Future of Retail: Six Disruptions That Could Shape the Next Decade, urges them not to lose sight of six major shifts impacting their future success in the longer term. Tomorrow's retail winners will be the businesses which move quickly to seize the opportunities offered by these trends in technologies, consumer behaviors and shifting retail economics – and will set the pace for a new retail era, Bain concludes."Retail is on the brink of transformation. These disruptions are not speculative, they're already taking hold," said Marc-André Kamel, partner and global head of Bain & Company's Retail practice. "As businesses manage tariff turbulence and other immediate concerns, they can't afford to lose sight of the long-term evolution of the strategic landscape. Our research convinces us that the industry will be comprehensively altered over the next five to 10 years, setting the stage for a retail renaissance."Bain's analysis identifies six provocative visions of the key trends that it believes are already driving what it calls a nascent "retail renaissance":Algorithms and robots will run your business : Core retail functions such as pricing, promotions, and merchandising will increasingly be automated, commoditizing retail capabilities that have traditionally offered a competitive edge. Retailers that don't let algorithms and robots run key parts of their business might give away a few vital percentage points of profit margin.: Core retail functions such as pricing, promotions, and merchandising will increasingly be automated, commoditizing retail capabilities that have traditionally offered a competitive edge