SINGAPORE, 11 December 2025 — Instarem, a global digital payments platform under Nium, together with Choco Up, a leading growth-financing provider, announced that non‑dilutive financing is now embedded within the Instarem Business portal. The service, live since 1 September 2025 in Singapore and Australia, enables eligible Small and Medium‑Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for growth capital directly from their Instarem account.
The launch comes as cross‑border commerce in Southeast Asia continues to expand. IDC projects intra‑regional trade to reach US$14.6 billion by 2028, nearly 2.8 times the 2023 figure, underscoring the importance of reducing frictions for SMEs, faster settlement, simpler foreign exchange (FX), and timely working capital to capture regional demand.
Through the integration, Instarem Business clients can apply for up to US$1,000,000 in revenue‑linked growth financing. Underwriting is data‑driven and aligned to business performance. Upon approval, funds are typically disbursed by Choco Up in as little as two business days to the client’s Instarem account or operating bank account. Financing is collateral‑free and requires only a personal guarantee from one director, with applications supported by basic Know Your Business (KYB) documentation and recent transaction history.
Beyond the product launch, both companies bring meaningful scale to the collaboration. Choco Up has supported over 1,000 SMEs across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, enabling approximately US$2.5 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). Instarem processes more than US$6 billion annually, completing payments up to 12 times faster than traditional banks.
“Fast, flexible, non‑dilutive financing lets owners stay in control of how and when they scale,” said Percy Hung, Founder and CEO of Choco Up. “Many digital‑first businesses do not fit traditional credit boxes, yet their growth moves in real time. Embedding financing within Instarem means businesses can act at the point of need, from inventory and marketing to supplier terms, without giving up equity. We chose Instarem because it is where cross‑border SMEs already operate daily: payments, foreign exchange, and now funding, in one place.”
“Southeast Asia’s SMEs increasingly sell across borders, tapping suppliers and customers in multiple markets,” added Michael Minassian, Global Head of SME Business at Instarem. “By partnering with Choco Up, we add a practical growth lever to our payments and FX stack so businesses can collect, convert, and capitalise inside a single platform. It is about reducing friction and helping regional champions scale internationally with confidence.”
Looking ahead, Instarem and Choco Up plan deeper API integration to automate data sharing and accelerate decision‑making. Both companies are also evaluating invoice and trade financing options to support broader working‑capital needs, with expansion to Hong Kong targeted for the first quarter of 2026.
