Singapore’s Olea Secures $30M Series A, Backed by SC Ventures and Global Investors to Transform Trade Finance
In a major vote of confidence for fintech innovation in Southeast Asia, Singapore-based trade finance platform Olea has just closed a US $30 million Series A funding round, led by Spanish banking giant BBVA and joined by key strategic investors including SC Ventures—the venture arm of Standard Chartered Bank—as well as XDC Network and others. (Tech in Asia)
This fresh capital marks a pivotal moment for Olea, which launched in 2022 and has rapidly positioned itself as a platform that bridges the gap between global liquidity and underserved trade networks. Since inception, the company has facilitated over US $3 billion in trade financing—a strong signal of demand for scalable, tech-enabled solutions that help businesses secure funding across complex global supply chains. (Tech in Asia)
A Funding Round with a Strategic Cast
The Series A was led by BBVA, which brings not only capital but banking experience and global reach to support Olea’s expansion across Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. SC Ventures—both an early incubator of Olea and a continued backer—participated alongside XDC Network, a Layer-1 blockchain protocol aimed at enabling tokenized and stablecoin-enabled trade workflows. (Tech in Asia)
With this backing, Olea signals a clear ambition: to leverage AI, Web3 readiness, and embedded finance capabilities that respond to evolving enterprise needs while expanding its origination footprint in high-growth markets. (TNGlobal)
Why This Matters
Trade finance—an essential part of global commerce—is often fragmented, slow, and reliant on traditional banking rails. Olea’s model brings institutional governance, risk analytics, and digital infrastructure to the table, helping suppliers and buyers access funding more efficiently. (TNGlobal)
For companies operating across borders and especially for small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), this can mean faster access to working capital, improved cash flow, and greater participation in international trade—a goal that aligns with broader efforts in the region to modernize financial ecosystems and support inclusive economic growth. (EuropaWire)
What’s Next for Olea
The new funds are earmarked for:
- AI-driven analytics and risk tools
- Web3 and tokenization readiness
- Expansion of global trade corridors
- Deepening embedded finance offerings These priorities underscore a hybrid vision of finance and technology, combining data intelligence with institutional capital to unlock new levels of efficiency and transparency in global trade. (TNGlobal)
Glossary
Series A: Early stage venture capital round focused on scaling product and market fit. Trade Finance: Financial products that support international trade, helping companies pay for goods and services across borders. Embedded Finance: Financial services integrated directly into non-financial platforms. Tokenization: The process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain. Web3: A decentralized iteration of the internet built on blockchain technologies.
Source: https://www.techinasia.com/news/sc-ventures-joins-30m-a-sg-trade-finance-olea
