Asia’s digital growth presents a massive opportunity—but publishers must align with new regulations, shifting payment models, and clever scaling tactics.
The digital goods and services sector is growing at breakneck speed. Mobile gaming, now a cultural staple, is expected to become a US$342 billion industry by 2034. Meanwhile, Asia’s creator economy, valued at US$18.35 billion, is expected to nearly triple, reaching US$52.17 billion by 2030.
Southeast Asia’s broader digital economy is also accelerating, with gross merchandise value (GMV) projected to hit US$600 billion by 2030.
As daily life becomes increasingly digital, how we live and play and the momentum of online commerce is reshaping pay. While this shift brings vast opportunities, it also presents new challenges.
Gaming and entertainment publishers must navigate a complex landscape—rising app store fees, shifting regulations, fragmented payment preferences and ever-evolving player expectations. The real challenge? Not just surviving this wave of change—but thriving in it.
Embracing Alternative Payment Methods
Digital wallets have become the dominant payment method across Asia. A 2024 Deloitte report highlights that the Asia Pacific region leads the world in digital wallet adoption, accounting for over two-thirds of global digital wallet spending—amounting to a combined US$9.8 trillion.
In Southeast Asia, 60% of the population remains underbanked. With customer loyalty declining, localized alternative payment options—such as digital wallets and carrier billing—are becoming essential. Publishers that adopt these solutions can unlock access to a vast, underserved market.
Navigating a New Regulatory Landscape
Following the EU’s Digital Markets Act, several Asian countries are rolling out measures to boost competition and protect consumers. Japan and South Korea are challenging Big Tech’s control over app sales through antitrust actions. India’s Digital Competition Bill targets anti-competitive behavior, and Indonesia is reassessing its digital platform regulations.
For publishers—whether established or emerging—the message is clear: adapt to this evolving landscape or risk being left behind.
Scale Smarter, Not Harder: The Merchant of Record Advantage
Expanding globally isn’t just about reaching more customers—it’s about doing so efficiently and compliantly. The Merchant of Record (MoR) model offers a more innovative way for publishers to scale in today’s complex environment.
An MoR acts as the legal entity handling payments, taxes and compliance on behalf of publishers, freeing them to focus on growth. By centralizing these essential functions, the MoR model simplifies navigating diverse regulations, accelerates market entry and minimizes the risk of penalties through compliance with local tax laws.
With support for various local payment methods, MoR also helps publishers reach underserved markets especially in regions with limited access to traditional payment systems.
In a rapidly evolving digital economy, savvy providers adopting strategies like MoR can unlock increased profits, deeper customer insights, broader reach, and enhanced control—turning disruption into a competitive edge.
Read also – Southeast Asia’s leading private capital firms come together to launch a startup governance framework.
