You might have heard of the global ride hailing service called TADA, which was launched back in 2018, but how much do you know about its parent company MVL? 

Well, this is an interesting one, because its parent MVL is actually an incentive-based blockchain mobility ecosystem, more so than a transport app maker.  

Its consumer facing businesses include the ride hailing service TADA, as well as ONiON Mobility, an electric vehicle manufacturing and battery charging infrastructure brand best known for its electric tuk-tuks in Cambodia

Behind the action, MVL also has other business verticals including a decentralised physical mobility infrastructure network that collects mobility data as well as a crypto wallet called Clutch. 

The mechanics of the business may be complicated, but MVL said it can be better understood as a player providing Web 3.0 mobility. But what is Web 3.0 mobility exactly? And how does MVL see Tada and ONiON mobility’s roles in its blockchain ecosystem? 

Aside from the mechanics, MVL is also a company to zoom in on because it is seeing some developments of late relating to Tada and ONiON mobility specifically. 

For one thing, Tada had said in August 2024 that it will expand into Hong Kong as authorities there plan to regulate private ride-hailing services. But what were the reasons behind entering Hong Kong, and what are the key drivers of growth for the business? 

Where will it expand into next, say Vietnam, after fellow industry player Gojek exited the country after six years?

And on ONiON mobility had in May 2022 launched a US$20 million electric motorcycle and three-wheeler assembly plant in Cambodia. But what’s next for the firm on this front?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sean Kim, Chief Executive Officer at TADA Mobility and Chief Operating Officer at MVL.