GRAB EYES MAJORITY STAKE IN SOFTBANK-BACKED FINTECH ATOME

The potential acquisition would expand Grab's financial services portfolio beyond its existing payment and lending offerings. Atome Financial operates a buy-now-pay-later platform that allows consumers to make purchases and defer payments, a service category that has gained significant traction across Asia. The deal would bring Atome, which is backed by SoftBank, under Grab's umbrella as the ride-hailing giant continues to diversify into financial services. Grab already offers GrabPay, its digital wallet and payment solution, and has expanded into lending and insurance products across its Southeast Asian markets. No financial terms have been disclosed, and the discussions are ongoing. The acquisition would represent another strategic move by Grab to strengthen its fintech ecosystem and deepen financial service penetration among its driver and consumer base across Southeast Asia.