Payment processing provider Episode Six (E6) has joined forces with Singapore-licensed financial institution DCS Card Centre (DCS), enabling fintech companies to issue their own branded credit cards.
Starting in Singapore, Episode Six card issuance technology will ensure the process required to launch a new credit card is significantly reduced from the typical four to six-month period, down to a matter of weeks.
This collaboration between DCS and E6 combines their expertise onto a unified platform, streamlining the credit card launch process which traditionally contains difficulties and complexities due to regulatory, operational and technical challenges, to enable fintechs to innovate rapidly.
The holistic credit card-as-a-service solution also incorporates access to a virtual account, enabling top-ups with fiat currency via bank transfers, or with digital assets via DCS tokens, which are directly issued by DCS.
E6 explained that the move represents a starting point for the service, which it plans to eventually roll out in other markets across the Asia Pacific region.
John Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Episode Six, commented: “Fintechs and other companies that leverage this solution will be able to reap all the benefits that a modernised cloud-native payment system can provide resilience, scalability, and security.
“Embedded finance is changing the way we interact with financial services and drive innovation in the industry. This trend is redefining the traditional landscape, enabling banking functionalities to be woven into the fabric of our digital interactions. In today’s digital era, relying on legacy payments technology can prove costly in the long run and financial institutions will do well by adapting to stay relevant.”
Driving digital innovation
This strategic partnership serves as a key business pillar of DCS Innov, a new enterprise established by DCS in February 2024 to drive digital innovation in the fintech sector.
Ceridwen Choo, CEO of DCS Innov, led the new business initiative and explained that this partnership represents a deliberate effort to support the company’s vision of leading embedded payments in Singapore and the region, with simplified access to integrated payment services.
“Embedded finance, especially card payments, is top-of-mind for fintechs wanting to scale their businesses. E6’s robust APIs and presence in major countries globally, is well-placed to support fintechs and any other brands wanting to incorporate payments into their digital interfaces.”
