NOVEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9ARCHER AVIATION TO SUPPLY POWERTRAIN FOR OMEN AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFTNEWSROOMArcher Aviation has announced that it will supply its electric powertrain for the Omen autonomous air vehicle, which is being jointly developed by U.S.-based Anduril Industries and the UAE's EDGE Group.The agreement marks Archer's first third-party application of its powertrain technology, currently used in its Midnight eVTOL aircraft, and represents a significant new revenue stream for the company.The Omen aircraft is designed as a hover-to-cruise autonomous vehicle, aimed primarily at defense and advanced logistics applications. It has already secured an initial commitment of 50 units from the United Arab Emirates, underscoring strong early demand for the platform. Archer's powertrain system--featuring its proprietary battery pack and electric engine system--will be manufactured at its U.S. production facilities.As companies in the eVTOL sector face regulatory hurdles delaying commercial passenger air taxi services, many are shifting focus toward defense, logistics, and other non-passenger domains to diversify revenue."While most see our Midnight eVTOL as an aircraft, we view Midnight as a platform that plays host to a wide range of new and exciting aerospace technologies that will be leveraged way beyond our own aircraft," Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said.He added that the Anduril deal is expected to be the first of multiple partnerships.The partnership was revealed during the Dubai Air Show, further strengthening Archer's international footprint. It follows a series of global collaborations, including agreements in South Korea and Japan to integrate the Midnight aircraft into emerging urban air mobility programs.This deal highlights the growing crossover between commercial eVTOL technology and defense-oriented autonomous systems as global demand accelerates. Grab and StraitsX have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore integrating a Web3-enabled wallet and a stablecoin-based settlement layer across Asia.The initiative aims to bring blockchain-powered payments into the Grab super app, enabling users to hold, store, and transact with StraitsX stablecoins such as XSGD and XUSD.If implemented, GrabPay merchants across participating Asian markets could accept stablecoin payments from both domestic and international customers, improving cross-border payment efficiency. The project comes at a time when Southeast Asia continues to face high costs, slow settlement, and fragmented systems in cross-border transactions. With over 260 million unbanked individuals in the region, integrating stablecoins into widely used super apps could enhance financial access, enabling easier remittances, microtransactions, and digital commerce.Regulation will play a central role. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) finalized its stablecoin regulatory framework in August 2023, requiring issuers to maintain 100% reserves in cash, cash equivalents, or short-term Singapore Government bonds.StraitsX's XSGD stablecoin already complies with this and is fully backed by reserves held with DBS and Standard Chartered. However, MAS rules restrict issuance to Singapore, which may affect Grab's expansion plans.Grab's rollout of stablecoin features will depend on regulatory approvals, licensing requirements for custody and merchant settlement, and compliance with MAS' upcoming legislative updates expected in late 2025.Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia are testing stablecoins in regulatory sandboxes, positioning them as early targets for expansion. The partnership reflects rising demand for Web3 payments, real-time settlement, and digital financial inclusion across Southeast Asia. GRAB & STRAITSX PLAN WEB3 WALLET AND STABLECOIN PAYMENTS IN ASIA · Archer supplies its electric powertrain for the Omen autonomous aircraft· Marks the company's first third-party powertrain application and new revenue stream· UAE commits to 50 Omen units, strengthening global defense adoption· Grab and StraitsX will explore Web3 wallets and stablecoin settlements across Asia· Stablecoins like XSGD and XUSD may soon be integrated into the Grab app· Regulatory approvals in Singapore and regional sandboxes will shape rollout
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