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SYDNEY, June 23 -- James Pinch, Managing Director of KuCoin in Australia, was invited to speak at Digital Economy Conference (DECON) 2026 in Sydney, joining Ashima Chaudhary, Vice President at Mastercard Australia, for a fireside chat titled "From Programmable Money to Everyday Commerce: Unlocking the Next Payment Era." Moderated by Yasmine Amani, Head of Account Management at Banking Circle, the session explored how fiat, cards, stablecoins and digital assets are converging through multi-rail infrastructure to support the next phase of global commerce.  Representing KuCoin, Pinch shared how exchanges are evolving beyond trading platforms into infrastructure providers connecting liquidity, payments, and stablecoins to real-world utility. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience in financial services and digital assets, he noted that KuCoin's approach in Australia reflects a broader global strategy: building responsibly within evolving regulatory frameworks while connecting KuCoin's global product suite with the licensing, compliance and operating standards required in each market. Pinch noted that the launch of KuCard in Australia reflects the ongoing evolution of digital asset adoption. For eligible users, KuCard enables supported crypto assets to be used more seamlessly for everyday spending through Mastercard's global network, delivering a familiar payment experience while helping integrate digital assets into established consumer payment habits. "Crypto does not succeed by remaining just an investment; it succeeds by morphing to also encompass other real world use cases like payment methods. Our role is to build an ecosystem where people talk about the technology less and simply use it for everyday life - like paying for coffee or bills - just as they do with a traditional bank card today," said Pinch. The discussion also addressed trust, compliance, security and consumer protection as core requirements for mainstream adoption. Pinch emphasized that as digital assets become more embedded within the broader financial system, strong governance, regulatory engagement and resilient infrastructure will remain essential to building long-term trust. He also highlighted KuCoin's significant investment in highly skilled cybersecurity and infrastructure expertise, noting that protecting users and maintaining resilient systems must remain a top priority for major platforms, as it does for KuCoin. Looking ahead, Pinch said artificial intelligence will be one of the key forces shaping the next stage of digital finance, particularly as commerce, payments and financial decision-making become increasingly automated. He pointed to KuCoin's ongoing investment in crypto-native AI initiatives, saying, "When we look at an e-commerce business now, anyone can buy a domain, anyone can set up a website, and they can find a supplier. Where we start to see this fall apart is when we look at the payment function of this automation. It is not possible or at least very difficult to automate around fiat banking for this purpose, as it incurs delays and a range of other challenges, this is where KuCoin plays a unique role in this adaptation of disruptive technology." Which is exactly what KuCoin has taken on, designing systems that support how users, developers and intelligent agents access market intelligence, on-chain information and crypto capabilities. Pinch concluded that over the next three to five years, crypto payments may become less visible as a technology and more natural as a financial behaviour, with KuCard truly leading the way. "KuCard as a product, I think we talk about it less, right? If you think about just a typical card payment, no one talks about using the card and how they have a CBA card or how it's a Mastercard. They just pay for a coffee, they pay the bills, whatever it may be. And we might abbreviate it when it comes to crypto, but we'll stop talking about it, "said Pinch. About KuCoin Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certifications. In recent years, KuCoin has built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets. Learn more:www.kucoin.com -- PRNewswire -- Source : KuCoin 

KuCoin Australia MD James Pinch at DECON 2026: Exchanges Are Becoming the Infrastructure Behind Everyday Commerce

SYDNEY, June 23 — James Pinch, Managing Director of KuCoin in Australia, was invited to speak at Digital Economy Conference (DECON) 2026 in Sydney, joining Ashima Chaudhary, Vice President at .... read more

ABU DHABI, UAE, June 23 -- The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, and Sanofi, a worldwide biopharma and vaccines leader, have signed an Memorandum of Understanding and intend to into an agreement to advance their partnership in vaccine innovation and to jointly explore the development of a Vaccine Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration would strengthen capabilities across AI-enabled vaccine discovery, mRNA research, clinical development and manufacturing, and support regional and global preparedness for future public health challenges.     Operating within Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, the collaboration intends to bring together scientific research, clinical infrastructure, academic expertise, enabling regulation and advanced manufacturing within a single ecosystem. H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, said: "Through our partnership with Sanofi, we are bringing together AI, scientific research, clinical expertise, advanced manufacturing and enabling regulation within a single ecosystem designed to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. This partnership reflects Abu Dhabi's commitment to creating an environment where innovators can build, test and scale solutions that improve lives, strengthen preparedness and advance health outcomes for communities around the world." Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager Vaccines, Greater Gulf at Sanofi, said: "We are proud to deepen our collaboration with the DoH. Vaccine innovation today is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, by advances in mRNA science, and by new models that connect discovery, development and manufacturing. We look forward to exploring how these capabilities can be brought together to accelerate the journey from discovery to the patients." The planned Vaccine Innovation Centre is expected to strengthen Abu Dhabi's contribution to global health security while supporting the development of local scientific talent, advanced manufacturing capabilities and next-generation vaccine innovation. Through the advancement of vaccine research, development and manufacturing capabilities in the region, the centre will help expand access to advanced vaccines and strengthen preparedness for future public health challenges. The announcement forms part of Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2026, where the emirate is showcasing its intelligent life sciences ecosystem and partnerships across genomics, gene editing, AI-enabled health innovation, advanced therapeutics and rare disease. A key enabler of the emirates intelligent life sciences ecosystem is Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, which connects research, investment, commercialisation and healthcare implementation within a single ecosystem. -- PRNewswire -- Source: The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi   

DoH and Sanofi Partner to Advance Vaccine Innovation

ABU DHABI, UAE, June 23 — The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, and Sanofi, a worldwide biopharma and vaccines .... read more

HONG KONG, June 22 -- Payment Asia, a leading payment solutions provider, today announced a strategic integration with PayMe by HSBC, Hong Kong's highly popular mobile payment application. This partnership will enable all Payment Asia merchants to accept payments from PayMe's user base of over 3.3 million, significantly expanding their market reach and providing greater convenience for customers.  This integration allows Payment Asia's merchants to seamlessly process PayMe transactions through their existing merchant applications PA Pay and Smart POS Terminals. A key feature of this integration is the provision of real-time transaction data, empowering businesses with immediate insights into their sales and operational performance. Paul Tang, Chief Operating Officer at Payment Asia, stated: "We are thrilled to partner with PayMe by HSBC, a widely adopted payment platform in Hong Kong. This integration underscores our commitment to providing innovative and comprehensive payment solutions to our merchants, not only expanding our customer base but also enhancing the overall payment experience. The real-time transaction data provided by our merchant applications and Smart POS Terminals will further equip businesses with valuable insights to make better decisions." Lawrence Li, Head of Transaction Banking and Payments, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Hong Kong and Head of PayMe by HSBC said: "Like any forward-looking city, Hong Kong needs a robust digital payment network to support its journey toward becoming a leading smart city. Achieving this vision requires a sizable ecosystem—on both the merchant and customer sides. Through our partnership with Payment Asia, we hope to play a key role in Hong Kong's smart city development: helping merchants reach over 3.3 million PayMe users, while connecting our PayMe community to a wider network of merchants." Together, Payment Asia and PayMe will bring merchants broader customer reach, a smoother collection experience, and deeper operational data insights. Both parties are committed to continuously optimizing the payment process, helping merchants lower transaction barriers, improve checkout efficiency, and win over more consumers in today's competitive retail landscape. Going forward, Payment Asia will continue to join hands with quality partners to build a more comprehensive and intelligent payment ecosystem for Hong Kong merchants.  -- PRNewswire -- Source: Payment Asia 

Payment Asia Integrates with PayMe to Expand Merchant Payment Options

HONG KONG, June 22 — Payment Asia, a leading payment solutions provider, today announced a strategic integration with PayMe by HSBC, Hong Kong’s highly popular mobile payment application. This partnership .... read more

HONG KONG, June 22 -- PhotonPay, a next-generation financial operating system powered by stablecoins, achieved significant recognition at the 2026 WAVES Summit hosted by 36Kr, a pioneering platform dedicated to serving New Economy participants. PhotonPay's Founder and CEO Lewison Chen was selected for 36Kr's "2026 36Under36" Entrepreneurs List, while Sales VP Joey Xu joined a featured panel discussion to unpack the strategic resilience and high-conviction execution required to scale a business.     Visionary Leadership: Driving the Next-Generation Financial OS The annual "36Under36" list recognizes 108 young leaders driving innovation across AI, deep technology, globalization, and emerging industries. This year's cohort highlights entrepreneurs who are not simply pursuing market opportunities, but building the foundational systems that enable long-term economic transformation. For Lewison, this recognition underscores his strategic foresight in anticipating the deep structural shifts of global commerce. It validates his leadership in transitioning payments from a fragmented network of disconnected tools into an intelligent, unified operating system.   Under Lewison's guidance, PhotonPay has established a robust global footprint, expanding to 14 strategic operational hubs across major financial jurisdictions, with a team of over 500 professional employees. Through deep technical and commercial partnerships with world-leading financial institutions, global card networks and banks, the platform now supports more than 60 major currencies, with its full product suite covering over 200 countries and regions. Today, this institutional-grade infrastructure is trusted by more than 200,000 businesses worldwide to secure, manage and optimize their cross-market financial operations. Abstracting the friction of legacy global banking, PhotonPay operates as a unified financial operating system, which encapsulates multi-currency banking networks and stablecoin rails into a single, programmable infrastructure layer. Clients can run their capital workflows via an intuitive portal, or seamlessly extend these capabilities to their business applications via robust APIs. This modular OS coordinates the entire lifecycle of corporate capital, enabling multi-currency collections, real-time global payouts, card issuance, on/off-ramping, FX conversions and automated reconciliation within a secure and efficient ecosystem. "Long-term infrastructure is never built on static formulas — it's built on the conviction to turn macroeconomic uncertainty into operational certainty," said Lewison Chen, Founder and CEO of PhotonPay." Being recognized on the 36Under36 list reflects not just what PhotonPay has built, but what we believe the next generation of global financial infrastructure must become: programmable, adaptive, and borderless. We are investing heavily in our global network and technical architecture so that payments stop being a cost center and start being a strategic engine for growth." On the WAVES Stage: Redefining Capital Velocity for Global Businesses Addressing the summit's flagship panel, "Riding the Waves Before Anyone Believes," PhotonPay's Sales VP Joey Xu aligned these capabilities with real-world market execution. "Global financial giants and legacy banks established the foundational networks of digital trade," Joey noted during the discussion. "PhotonPay's mission is not to disrupt this baseline, but to provide precise ecosystem adaptation. We translate complex, fragmented global banking structures into a tailor-made financial operating system optimized for the exact workflows of international businesses." Joey highlighted that multi-market organizations routinely drain liquidity and lose days of transaction velocity when transferring funds across disconnected collection, FX, and disbursement applications. PhotonPay resolves this by enabling businesses to retain global earnings in a multi-currency wallet, allowing balances to be instantly deployed for real-time operational expenses — such as global digital ad spends or logistics payouts. Unified approach like this has allowed PhotonPay to reduce global capital costs for its clients by more than 75% while boosting treasury operational efficiency by 60%. When discussing long-term execution in a volatile market, Joey identified three core pillars of PhotonPay's operational ethos: Long Cycle: Building institutional-grade payment networks, technological foundations, and international regulatory licenses requires years of deliberate cultivation rather than reliance on short-term market trends. Granularity: Global infrastructure success depends on a meticulous focus on hyper-local compliance matrices, regional clearing frameworks, and real-time FX fluctuations. Continuous Listening: Sustainable growth relies on maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the market to capture the shifting realities of global commerce. Moving forward, PhotonPay will continue to anchor its strategy in long-term infrastructure evolution, expanding the boundaries where payment technology intersects with core corporate operations. By pioneering the convergence of traditional finance with programmable architecture, stablecoin and agentic commerce, the company aims to deliver sustained value to the global trade ecosystem. About PhotonPay PhotonPay is a stablecoin-powered financial operating system built for the stablecoin era. Designed for modern enterprises, PhotonPay enables businesses to send, receive, convert, and settle funds across both fiat and stablecoin rails through a single, compliance-first integration, spanning 200+ countries and territories. For more information, visit [www.photonpay.com]. -- PRNewswire -- Source : PhotonPay   

Scaled for Global Commerce: PhotonPay Reinforces Market Leadership at 2026 WAVES Summit

HONG KONG, June 22 — PhotonPay, a next-generation financial operating system powered by stablecoins, achieved significant recognition at the 2026 WAVES Summit hosted by 36Kr, a pioneering platform dedicated to .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 22 -- The encouraging response to two Islamic bond issuances by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) totaling RM2.5 billion for energy transition projects shows that Malaysia is in a strong position to lead the financing of energy transition in the region. TNB's new Chief Energy Officer, Mohd Zarihi Mohd Hashim, said the two sukuk issuances in 2026, which included RM1 billion for a solar project in May and RM1.5 billion for a hydro project in March, were each oversubscribed five times. He said that TNB's recent experience illustrates this trend, showing that there is a huge demand from investors that is increasing regionally and globally. "This achievement shows that investors are very interested in renewable energy assets (REAs) that are well-prepared and bankable, supported by a clear structure and solid business partners," he said. Mohd Zarihi shared his views on how Malaysia can channel available funds into well-structured projects to support the country's aspirations to achieve net zero carbon emissions, at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) held recently. He said the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) estimates financing needs of RM1.2 trillion to RM1.3 trillion over the next 25 years or approximately RM50 billion per year. Globally, US$2.3 trillion has been channeled into energy transition projects by 2025, demonstrating that the availability of capital is not a major constraint. Mohd Zarihi said that the panel discussion session held at ETCon26 concluded that the more pressing challenge lies in the speed and scale of project implementation. Projects require stronger preparation, clearer contractual arrangements and stable policy signals to enable capital to be invested more efficiently. Risk-sharing mechanisms, including blended financing, are expected to play an important role, especially among small developers and new technologies, he said. The encouraging response to TNB's two sukuk issuances indicates strong demand among investors. The high interest reflects the institution's confidence in the utility company's energy transition initiatives as well as NETR's target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Energy transition financing includes renewable energy projects such as solar and hydro, green hydrogen, carbon capture, energy efficiency, electric mobility advancements and energy-related initiatives. Mohd Zarihi said that financing for energy transition projects is growing rapidly, placing greater emphasis on whether the project can be financed by banks and is ready to receive investment capital. Commenting on Malaysia's readiness to be a leader in financing the energy transition in the region, he said that the regulatory framework and climate-related guidelines have been put in place while the capital market has shown support for transition-focused instruments. "The priority at this time is to accelerate the channeling of capital into bankable projects, resilient infrastructure and large-scale implementation that support the country's transition aspirations," he said. -- BERNAMA

Malaysia in strong position to lead energy transition financing – TNB

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 22 — The encouraging response to two Islamic bond issuances by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) totaling RM2.5 billion for energy transition projects shows that Malaysia is in .... read more

BRISBANE, Australia, June 22 -- Allianz Care, part of global leader in insurance and assistance services Allianz Partners, has unveiled a refreshed Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) portfolio with new product 'Everyday Care Workers',  designed to better cater to a range of budgets in Australia's international workforce. This product offers practical and accessible health coverage, including uncapped general practitioner (GP) visits and admitted hospital benefits,  affordably priced from AUD 93 per month for Single policyholders.   The launch follows findings from Allianz Partners' customer research, which identified a growing group of recent graduates and skilled workers seeking affordable GP access without the higher costs of specialist coverage. The 2025 State of Student Healthcare Report identified 85% of respondents underestimated the cost of living. With rising living expenses and more than 59% of international students planning to stay in Australia after graduation, the Everyday Care Workers product responds directly to this shift by offering a streamlined, cost-effective health cover option. "Allianz Care has a long history of supporting international communities in Australia," said Miranda Fennell, Executive Head of Health, Allianz Partners Australia. "These updates demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing health insurance that's clear, flexible, and truly focused on care, whether supporting international students transitioning from their studies into the workforce or welcoming international workers and visitors to Australia." This product launch forms part of a broader refresh of Allianz Care's OVHC range, featuring simplified product names and a redesigned online purchasing experience. The updates make it easier for international visitors and workers to compare plans, understand inclusions, and choose cover aligned with their visa, lifestyle, and budget. Demand for such coverage continues to grow. In 2025 133,891 temporary graduate visas were issued, up over 7% from grants in 2024 (124,687). This sustained demand for skilled migration underscores the importance of affordable health insurance as international students transition into the Australian workforce. International students and workers also make a notable contribution to Australia's economy. According to the Australian Government Department of Education,  international education was worth almost $55.0 billion to the Australian economy in 2025. The Business Council of Australia estimates that for every 1,000 migrants, there is approximately AUD 124 million in economic value per year. Through the new Everyday Care Workers product, and refreshed OVHC portfolio, Allianz Care continues to deliver on its ambitions to make health insurance accessible, practical, and supportive for migrants. For more information about the new OVHC portfolio, visit allianzcare.com.au. About Allianz Partners Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health, travel insurance, automotive and assistance. Customer-driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech, high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Our products are embedded seamlessly into our partners' businesses or sold directly to customers, and are available through two commercial brands in Australia: Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Care. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer assistance to our customers around the world.    For more information, please visit:  https://www.allianz-partners.com/en_AU.html. -- PRNewswire  -- Source: Allianz Partners 

Allianz Partners Responds to Cost Living Crisis with refreshed Overseas Visitor Health Cover for Australia’s International Workers

BRISBANE, Australia, June 22 — Allianz Care, part of global leader in insurance and assistance services Allianz Partners, has unveiled a refreshed Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) portfolio with new .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 21 -- Starting as a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic, local footwear brand Machino has now achieved a proud milestone when its founders, two sisters, Esther Tai Shen Hui and Amy Tai Shuh Yuk, were recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2026. The award recognizes young entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers in the Asia Pacific region. Esther said the idea to establish Machino stemmed from the desire to produce women's shoes that were not only stylish but also comfortable to wear. According to him, the company collaborates with their uncle who runs a shoe factory to produce high-heeled shoes and flat shoes that emphasize user comfort. These key features are not only what makes their shoes so popular, but the local design inspiration also caught the attention of Forbes. "Our shoes have a thick inner sponge layer and many customers have told us they can wear them all day, including to do daily errands. That is one of our greatest achievements, which is producing comfortable high-heeled shoes that customers come back to buy again and again," he told Bernama. HONESTNESS, COOPERATION SUPPORT THE COMPANY'S SUCCESS Esther said the recognition was a meaningful achievement for the company, which was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Being selected in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 is a proud moment for us. This recognition is not just for me and Amy, but for the entire team who have worked hard to build Machino," he said. Machino was selected in the retail and e-commerce category for its success in developing a brand that combines elements of fashion, comfort and Malaysian cultural identity. Machino now has an online and physical presence through a store in a major shopping mall in Putrajaya as well as another branch in Selangor. Apart from women's shoes, the company also offers various other products including handbags, tote bags, children's shoes and men's sandals. On future plans, Esther said Singapore is Machino's first international market, while the company's long-term goal is to sustainably develop a globally recognised fashion brand. “What started as a dream of two brothers has now grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined. "Throughout these six years, we have gone through many challenges, but the support of our customers and community has always been the main driving force," said Esther. FORBES RECOGNITION STRENGTHENS CONFIDENCE IN THE COMPANY According to Esther, they started Machino with a simple goal: to produce comfortable and stylish shoes, which would one day be recognized globally. "Therefore, being listed in Forbes shows that we are on the right track," he said, adding that the recognition also increases the confidence of future partners, suppliers and investors in the company's ongoing efforts. In an effort to develop something new, the company has succeeded in creating its own distinctive features in the highly competitive women's shoe market. In addition, each pair of Machino shoes, whether heeled or flat, is 100 percent handmade, thus reflecting the unique Malaysian cultural elements that are the main attraction and build customer loyalty. “From delicate batik patterns to the textures of songket and Chinese brocade, our shoe designs combine these elements to highlight the beauty and diversity of Malaysian culture,” said Esther. The Machino brand also incorporates Asian cultural elements in many of its designs, including the use of batik and sari lace. 'MACHINO' MEANS MALAY, CHINESE, INDIAN AND OTHERS Esther explained that she wants the public to see Malaysian-identical designs as something valuable and unique. From a business perspective, he said, Machino is developing a strong omnichannel experience through its official website, TikTok Shop and physical premises, as well as participating in exhibitions and expos in Malaysia and Singapore. The company also places a high emphasis on customer experience by training its retail team using service principles inspired by the hospitality and aviation industries. He also explained that the name Machino itself symbolizes Malaysian identity, with “MA” referring to Malay, “CH” to Chinese, “IN” to Indian and “O” to Others. The Hana flower is the brand's iconic motif, used on shoes and bags as a symbol of celebration of local culture. Most Machino products are manufactured in Malaysia, thus supporting local artisans and ensuring that the country's handcrafted shoemaking industry continues to grow. Asked about the strategy to meet the demand for women's footwear market, he said Machino focuses on five main aspects, namely product, quality, customer experience, community and human resources. “We work closely with manufacturers to maintain quality, and as the company grows, Machino is constantly improving the customer experience both online and offline. “We are also building stronger relationships with the community, investing in teams and systems to prepare for the next phase of growth,” he said. Esther said Machino's direct-to-consumer model approach helps the company remain cost-efficient. “By selling primarily through our own website, TikTok Shop and a few select retail outlets, we are able to reduce the additional costs common in traditional distribution channels. “This also allows us to test products faster, better understand customer demands and avoid overproduction, with the savings being reinvested into improving the product, team and customer experience,” he said. AI ENABLES TEAM FOCUS ON HIGH QUALITY WORK Meanwhile, Esther also admitted that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the company's daily operations helps speed up and simplify work. “AI helps us follow industry trends, generate ideas, provide training materials and organize information more efficiently. “However, AI does not replace decision-making; it helps teams save time and focus on high-value work,” he said. With the selection of Forbes 2026 recipients made from nearly 4,000 nominations across 18 countries and regions in the Asia Pacific, Machino's inclusion on the list is considered a significant achievement for the company. Candidates for the list in 10 categories were assessed by the Forbes Asia Team based on various aspects including impact, uniqueness, creativity and innovation in their work. -- BERNAMA

Machino founder makes Malaysia proud, recognized by Forbes 30 under 30 Asia Class of 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 21 — Starting as a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic, local footwear brand Machino has now achieved a proud milestone when its founders, two sisters, Esther .... read more

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, June 19 -- KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, today announced the upgraded KCS experience, marking the opening chapter of KuCoin's ninth anniversary journey and a new step in the evolution of KCS from a platform utility token into a broader value participation layer across the KuCoin ecosystem. Nine years ago, KCS was introduced to reward and empower KuCoin's earliest users. Since then, both KuCoin and the broader digital asset industry have undergone profound transformation. What began as a token primarily associated with trading benefits has gradually evolved into a broader ecosystem asset connecting users with rewards, payments,  loyalty privileges and community participation. As digital asset ecosystems mature,  the role of exchange-native tokens is changing as well. Exchange-native tokens are no longer defined only by isolated benefits or short-term incentives. They are increasingly becoming participation layers that connect users with value across an entire ecosystem. The upgraded KCS experience addresses this shift by bringing fragmented KCS-related benefits into a more connected and actionable journey. Through the upgraded experience, users can better discover and activate KCS benefits across trading fee reductions, rewards, loyalty privileges, KuCard-related incentives and broader ecosystem programs through one clearer pathway. This reflects KuCoin's trust-first approach in practice: making platform value easier to understand, more transparent to access and more consistent across touchpoints. "KCS has grown alongside our users and our ecosystem for nearly nine years," said BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin. "As the industry evolves, we believe the next generation of exchange-native tokens will be defined not simply by utility, but by how effectively they connect users with ecosystem value. Our vision is for KCS to serve as a participation layer that brings together trading, rewards, payments, and future ecosystem experiences into one cohesive journey." KCS, the native token of the KuCoin ecosystem, has long served as a bridge between users and KuCoin's platform value. With this upgrade, KCS's long-term vision of moving blockchain "from geeks to mass adoption" and building a blockchain-based value self-circulation ecosystem is being translated into a clearer and more practical user experience, making KCS easier to understand, activate and use across KuCoin. The milestone arrives at a symbolic moment for KuCoin, serving as the opening chapter of its ninth-anniversary journey. As KuCoin prepares to celebrate nine years of growth, the evolution of KCS reflects the broader transformation of KuCoin itself — from a crypto exchange into a global digital asset ecosystem spanning trading, payments, Web3 infrastructure, institutional services and emerging technologies such as AI. In this next chapter, KCS is designed to become a clearer user-facing gateway to KuCoin's expanding ecosystem, helping users better discover, understand and participate in the value created across the platform. As KuCoin enters its ninth anniversary, the upgraded KCS experience sets the tone for a broader vision: making ecosystem value more accessible, connected and meaningful for users worldwide. About KuCoin Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certifications. In recent years, we have built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets. Learn more at www.kucoin.com. -- PRNewswire -- Source : KuCoin 

KCS Opens KuCoin’s Ninth Anniversary Chapter, Advancing Token Utility as a Value Participation Layer

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, June 20 — KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform built on trust, today announced the upgraded KCS experience, marking the opening chapter of KuCoin’s ninth .... read more

PM Anwar: Turkmenistan Visit Achieves Key Goals in Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Energy Cooperation

ASHGABAT, June 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described his official visit to Turkmenistan as a success, saying it achieved its key objectives of strengthening diplomatic relations .... read more

HONG KONG, June 19 -- Longbridge Group today officially opened its new Singapore office at Asia Square Tower 2, in the heart of the Marina Bay financial district. This is the first of 2 offices that Longbridge Group will be opening in Singapore, with the second one opening Q4 2026.  This will be a first among online brokerages in Singapore. The move marks a significant milestone for the group, solidifying its presence in Singapore as the company's headquarters, in one of the city-state's most prominent business addresses and signalling a deepened long-term commitment to the region.    Longbridge Group is a leading fintech company operating across three core business segments: Securities, Technology, and AI. Through its retail brokerage platform Longbridge, its institutional trading solutions arm LONGPORT Whale, and its AI-native financial infrastructure platform LongbridgeAI, the group serves a global base of retail investors, institutional clients, quantitative researchers, and developers. With offices across Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the United States, and New Zealand, Longbridge Group combines deep financial market expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver next-generation investment experiences. "Singapore is not a new market for us, we have been here for our users have been here since the beginning," said Nowa Zhu, Group CEO and co-founder. "What's new is that we can finally say: come find us. Longbridge is now a more prominent presence in your city, and we're here to stay." Singapore's position as Asia's premier financial centre makes it the natural home for Longbridge Group's office. As a global hub for capital markets, regulatory innovation, and technology talent, Singapore provides the ideal platform from which Longbridge can deliver world-class fintech services to investors across Asia and beyond. The city-state's open economy, robust regulatory framework, and connectivity to global markets align directly with Longbridge Group's ambition to build trusted, technology-driven financial infrastructure for a global audience. The new office is located at Asia Square, one of Marina Bay's most recognisable business addresses, placing Longbridge Group at the centre of Singapore's financial district. To mark the occasion, the team welcomed the new space with a lion dance and a pineapple rolling ceremony, a beloved Singaporean tradition rooted in the Hokkien phrase ong lai, meaning "fortune arrives." The office opening is the first of two milestones for Longbridge in Singapore this year. The upcoming Longbridge Cafe, the brand's first in Southeast Asia, will open at a separate Singapore location later in 2026, further cementing the group's presence in the city. Across its three business segments, Longbridge Group continues to achieve strong momentum. On the Securities side, Longbridge has expanded its trading infrastructure to support multi-market access for retail investors across Asia, growing its user base and deepening product offerings in equities, options, and fixed income. In Technology, LONGPORT Whale has broadened its suite of multi-asset, multi-market solutions for institutional clients including brokers, banks, and family offices, with an increasing number of partnerships across the region. On the AI front, LongbridgeAI has accelerated development of its agent-native financial data and trading infrastructure platform, positioning Longbridge Group at the forefront of the industry's shift toward AI-driven investing. -- PRNewswire -- Source: Longbridge Group    

Longbridge Group Opens New Singapore Headquarters at Asia Square, Marina Bay

HONG KONG, June 19 — Longbridge Group today officially opened its new Singapore office at Asia Square Tower 2, in the heart of the Marina Bay financial district. This is .... read more

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