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JA Solar Delivers 1GW n-Type PV Modules for Ulan Buh Desert Renewable Energy Pilot Project

BEIJING, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JA Solar, a global leader in the PV industry, recently announced the completion of delivery for 1GW of high-performance n-type PV modules to the 1GW PV project at the Ulan Buh Desert Northeast New Energy Base initiative in China.

The Ulan Buh Desert Northeast New Energy Base is designed to become a major wind and solar power hub with a planned capacity of 12GW. The successful execution of this pilot project, powered by 1GW of JA Solar’s cutting-edge n-type modules, demonstrates the company’s ability to support large-scale renewable energy efforts. It also reflects the market’s recognition of JA Solar’s advanced technology and its role as a reliable supplier, ensuring the timely provision of critical energy solutions.

From the first shipment to the project in early 2024 to completion in just 180 days, JA Solar displayed exceptional flexibility in meeting customer requirements. With monthly peak deliveries exceeding 400MW, the company’s dedication to on-time delivery was evident throughout the entire process. At the busiest stage, more than 80 truckloads were dispatched daily, helping maintain consistent and efficient transportation logistics.

JA Solar’s involvement in this high-profile project highlights its leadership in the PV industry and its capability to handle complex, large-scale initiatives. The pilot’s importance extends beyond its own scope; it serves as a critical milestone in the broader Ulan Buh Desert New Energy Base.

Aiqing Yang, Executive President of JA Solar, said, “JA Solar’s involvement in this significant project underscores the company’s operational strengths, extensive experience in large-scale initiatives, and steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable development. JA Solar is dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions globally and accelerating the shift to a low-carbon economy. By providing high-quality PV modules for this project, JA Solar reinforces its role as a dependable partner in global carbon neutrality efforts, while continuing to support the growth of renewable energy infrastructure for a greener and more sustainable future.”

Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to know more about JA Solar.

Greater Insurability of Climate Risk is Key to Global Economic Resilience: Aon Catastrophe Report

  • Annual report reveals 60 percent of economic damage caused by catastrophes in 2024 was uninsured
  • Insured losses reached $145 billion globally – the sixth costliest year on record

DUBLIN, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today published its 2025 Climate and Catastrophe Insight report, which identifies global natural disaster and climate trends to quantify the risk and human impact of extreme weather events in 2024.

The report reveals global natural disaster events caused $368 billion (2023: $397 billion) in economic losses in 2024, driven by hurricanes and severe convective storms (SCS) in the U.S. This is 14 percent above the 21st-century average and the ninth consecutive year of losses exceeding $300 billion.

Greg Case, CEO of Aon, said: “The devastating events of 2024 underscore the significant economic toll of climate risk. Evidenced by the data in our report – and the tragic destruction in California at the beginning of 2025 – extreme weather remains a powerful force driving the complexity and volatility that businesses and communities face and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative solutions to address this growing challenge.”

The Climate and Catastrophe Insight report points to several trends with natural catastrophe losses:

Weather-related events are becoming more frequent and costly. Global insurance losses in 2024 were 54 percent above the 21st-century average, covering $145 billion of the $368 billion in damages (2023: $126 billion). Even as insured losses far exceeded the average, the protection gap stood at 60 percent (2023: 68 percent), representing a significant financial headwind to communities, businesses and governments. Increases in population, wealth and overall exposure to natural hazards in high-risk areas continues to be a crucial component of growing disaster losses.

Hurricane Helene was the costliest global event in 2024. The hurricane made landfall in the U.S. in September and caused $75 billion of damages and 243 fatalities. Hurricane Milton in October was the costliest single global insured loss event, causing $20 billion in losses. These are major contributors to the fact that 78 percent of global insured losses were recorded in the U.S.

The steady growth of SCS losses reflects increasing population, exposure and wealth. There were at least 54 global events that each resulted in economic losses above $1 billion in 2024, which is above the average of 44. The increase in the number of billion-dollar events is largely driven by SCS in the U.S. Growing exposure to this peril increases the likelihood of billion-dollar disasters occurring, particularly as the U.S. continues to experience spatial growth of cities in areas regularly affected by SCS activity, such as Dallas, Houston or Denver.

In terms of climate, 2024 was the warmest year on record. Twenty countries and territories recorded their highest temperatures during a year which saw the end of 15 consecutive months of record global high temperatures in August.

Case added: “When it comes to climate risk, the stakes could not be higher. The $223 billion in uninsured losses in 2024 challenges the ability to rebuild, recover and create more resilience across the globe. Part of the solution requires investments in technology and analytics to model and price the risks and attract deeper capital pools that can see a potential return on investment to take on these risks. Capital will not go where it is not protected – and the events from 2024 should stimulate innovation across our industry to strengthen the global economy.”

Aon’s report also shows that with greater resilience and mitigation measures in place, global economies can reduce damage and loss of life. In 2024, 18,100 people lost their lives due to natural hazards, mostly from heatwaves and flooding globally. This was below the 21st-century average of 72,400 and could be attributed to improved warning systems, weather forecasts and evacuation planning, underscoring the value of reliable climate data, insights and analytics.

Andy Marcell, CEO of Risk Capital for Aon, said: “The insurance industry – and broader financial community – has the opportunity to bring new sources of capital to protect vulnerable communities and create greater economic resilience. The collaboration between various stakeholders will be crucial in developing public-private partnerships and innovative insurance products that offer a sustainable way of closing the protection gap.”

The report reveals that Spain, Brazil, U.A.E. and Vietnam all recorded their costliest insurance events in 2024. The top 10 global economic loss events were as follows:

Top 10 Global Economic Loss Events in 2024

Date

Event

Location

Deaths

Economic Loss

(2024 $ B)

Insured Loss

(2024 $ B)

09/25 – 09/28

Hurricane Helene

United States, Mexico, Cuba

243

75.0

17.5

10/08 – 10/11

Hurricane Milton

United States, Mexico

35

35.0

20.0

01/01

Noto Earthquake

Japan

489

18.0

1.0

10/27 – 10/30

Valencia Floods

Spain

231

16.1

3.9

06/09 – 07/14

South, Central China Floods

China

470

15.7

0.4

09/01 – 09/09

Typhoon Yagi

China, Southeast Asia

816

12.9

0.7

07/01 – 07/11

Hurricane Beryl

United States, Caribbean, Canada

70

7.7

3.7

09/12 – 09/16

Central Europe Floods

Central Europe

29

7.5

2.1

01/01 – 12/31

Drought

United States

N/A

7.1

3.5

05/06 – 05/10

Severe Convective Storm

United States

6

6.6

5.2

All other events

~15,700

166.4

87.0

TOTALS

~18,100

368

145

Michal Lörinc, head of Catastrophe Insight at Aon, said: “Our understanding of natural hazards continues to evolve, but one trend is clear – we continue to see a greater number of large-scale disasters in terms of financial loss. Businesses and communities need to prepare their people, operations and properties using insights from the latest forecasting models, analytics and reliable climate data.”

Aon’s 2025 Climate and Catastrophe Insight report can be found at the following link: https://aon.io/4jsosa2

About Aon
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

Follow Aon on LinkedInXFacebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

Aon UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of regulated products and services in the UK. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 00210725. Registered Office: The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AN. Tel: 020 7623 5500. FP #13161 has been approved until January 21st, 2027, after which time the content should not be used or distributed.

Media Contact
mediainquiries@aon.com
Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114
International: +1 312 381 3024

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues in over 120 countries provide our clients with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.
Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues in over 120 countries provide our clients with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon’s newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.

 

Emeren Group Announces Sale of 17 MW Solar Portfolio in Poland

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Emeren Group Ltd (“Emeren” or the “Company”) (www.emeren.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator, today announced the sale of a 17 MW operational solar portfolio in Poland, composed of a previously announced 15 MW under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and an additional 2 MW, all developed and constructed by Emeren and sold together as a package deal. It supports Poland’s climate goals and energy transition by integrating renewable energy into the grid. The project contributes to local economic growth by creating construction and long-term jobs while generating annual tax revenues to support infrastructure and community development.

Yumin Liu, CEO of Emeren Group, stated, “The successful development, construction, and sale of this 17 MW solar portfolio highlight our commitment to advancing impactful renewable energy initiatives and delivering meaningful value to our stakeholders. This achievement reinforces Emeren’s position as a trusted leader in key markets like Poland, where we actively support both local energy transitions and global sustainability objectives. By collaborating with committed partners, we aim to deliver clean energy solutions that not only address environmental goals but also contribute to long-term community growth and resilience.”

About Emeren Group Ltd

Emeren Group Ltd (NYSE: SOL), a renewable energy leader, showcases a comprehensive portfolio of solar projects and Independent Power Producer (IPP) assets, complemented by a significant global Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity. Specializing in the entire solar project lifecycle — from development through construction to financing — we excel by leveraging local talent in each market, ensuring our sustainable energy solutions are at the forefront of efficiency and impact. Our commitment to enhancing solar power and energy storage underlines our dedication to innovation, excellence, and environmental responsibility. For more information, go to www.emeren.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Emeren Group Ltd – Investor Relations
+1 (925) 425-7335
ir@emeren.com 

The Blueshirt Group 
Gary Dvorchak
+1 (323) 240-5796
gary@blueshirtgroup.co

Mega Matrix Inc. Announced that FlexTV and Telkomsel Launch the FlexTV Premium Bundling Package, Offering Affordable Vertical Short Drama Content in Indonesia

SINGAPORE, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU) announced that its globally leading short drama streaming platform, FlexTV has teamed up with Telkomsel, Indonesia’s leading telecommunications provider, last week to introduce the FlexTV Premium Bundling Package. This innovative offering aims to bring high-quality vertical short drama content to Indonesian audiences in an affordable and convenient way.


Yucheng Hu, Chief Executive Officer of MPU FlexTV, remarked, “This collaboration marks an important milestone for FlexTV in Indonesia, broadening our audience and solidifying our position as the premier platform for vertical-screen content. Through this partnership with Telkomsel, we are proud to offer engaging digital entertainment tailored to the preferences of Indonesian viewers.”

Lesley Simpson, VP of Digital Lifestyle at Telkomsel, commented, “Telkomsel as Indonesia’s leading digital telecommunications provider is committed to provide the most comprehensive digital entertainment solutions that is beneficial to our customers. By collaborating with FlexTV, we offer an affordable and rich digital entertainment experience, enhanced with special data privileges.”


The FlexTV Premium Bundling Package is priced at Rp77,000, providing customers with a 30-day FlexTV subscription and a special 6 GB data quota. This package opens the door to a wide variety of short drama genres, from heartwarming romance to thrilling mysteries and captivating fantasies. Popular titles available on FlexTV include Love by Confinement, The Bride of The Wolf King, Mr. Williams! Madame is Dying, and The Security Guard is a Trillionaire. Customers can easily purchase the package via the MyTelkomsel app, UMB *363#, mobile phone counters, retail stores, or e-commerce platforms.


Once purchased, customers will receive an SMS with a link to log in to the FlexTV app or website. Telkomsel reminds customers to be cautious of potential fraud and avoid sharing OTP codes or personal information, as well as being wary of suspicious links posing as Telkomsel.

In addition to the Premium Bundling Package, customers can purchase Coins to unlock premium content on FlexTV. Starting from Rp20,000 for 500 Coins, each purchase comes with an additional 3 GB of data, providing greater flexibility for customers to enjoy their favorite content.

This collaboration between FlexTV and Telkomsel is further supported by TelkomMetra, with content acquisition and distribution services provided by its strategic business unit, MetraMediaHub. MetraMediaHub ensures seamless access to FlexTV services for Telkomsel users and will explore local short drama productions to diversify entertainment offerings.

FlexTV is available in over 100 countries and offers content in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, and French. With over 140,000 drama episodes, FlexTV continues to delight drama enthusiasts worldwide.

For more details about the FlexTV Premium Bundling Package, please visit  telkomsel.com/video/flextv

About Mega Matrix Inc.: Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU) is a holding company and operates FlexTV, a short-video streaming platform and producer of short dramas, through its subsidiary, Yuder Pte, Ltd.. Mega Matrix Inc. is a Cayman Island corporation headquartered in Singapore. For more information, please contact info@megamatrix.io or visit: http://www.megamatrix.io.

About Telkomsel (www.telkomsel.com)

Telkomsel is the leading digital telecommunications service provider in the region, empowering Indonesians to make better today and excellent tomorrow by delivering innovative and superior connectivity, services, and solutions for everyone, every household, and every business, to achieve more. Aligned with Indonesia’s spirit for digitalizing the nation, Telkomsel plays a pivotal role as the largest provider of convergence services, consistently expanding its 4G network coverage, developing 5G technology, and implementing the latest fixed broadband technology to enhance customer experience quality. Additionally, Telkomsel is evolving its digital services portfolio, encompassing Digital Lifestyle, Digital Advertising, Digital Enterprise Solutions, and Internet of Things. With 29 years of establishment, Telkomsel operates with support from over 269,000 BTS and serves more than 158.4 million mobile customers and over 9.4 million fixed broadband customers (IndiHome-B2C) across the nation. In pursuit of sustainable corporate operations, Telkomsel also upholds ESG principles to generate positive impacts on the corporate ecosystem. More information and customer services are available through the website: www.telkomsel.com, Facebook.com/Telkomsel, Twitter @telkomsel, Instagram @telkomsel, and Telkomsel’s virtual assistant on the MyTelkomsel application.

Telkomsel Media Contact:

Saki H. Bramono
Vice President of Corporate Communications & Social Responsibility
mediarelations@telkomsel.co.id

About TelkomMetra 

PT Multimedia Nusantara (TelkomMetra) is a strategic holding company in Indonesia specializing in digital solutions and multimedia services. As part of the Telkom Group, TelkomMetra is committed to supporting digital transformation by providing innovative solutions through its subsidiaries and strategic business units focusing on B2B Digital Health, Digital Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Digital Media services. With a vision to become a trusted leader in business portfolio management, TelkomMetra emphasizes meticulous and sustainable investment strategies to optimize its business portfolio, create long-term value, and strengthen its position in the digital ecosystem. 

TelkomMetra Media Contact:
Iin Kusumastiwi 
Group Head of MetraMediaHub 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements that are purely historical are forward looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose,” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are: the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate future acquisitions; ability to grow and expand our FlexTV business; ability to execute the strategic cooperation with TopReels, ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; ability to establish the investment fund with 9 Yards Communications under the memorandum of understanding; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting the Company’s profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic; the possibility that the Company may not succeed in developing its new lines of businesses due to, among other things, changes in the business environment, competition, changes in regulation, or other economic and policy factors; and the possibility that the Company’s new lines of business may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. The forward-looking statements in this press release and the Company’s future results of operations are subject to additional risks and uncertainties set forth under the “Risk Factors” in documents filed by the Company’s predecessor, Mega Matrix Corp., with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, and are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. In addition, such risks and uncertainties include the Company’s inability to predict or control bankruptcy proceedings and the uncertainties surrounding the ability to generate cash proceeds through the sale or other monetization of the Company’s assets. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Disclosure Channels

We announce material information about the Company and its services and for complying with our disclosure obligation under Regulation FD via the following social media channels:

The Company will also use its landing page on its corporate website (www.megamatrix.io) to host social media disclosures and/or links to/from such disclosures. The information we post through these social media channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these social media channels in addition to following our website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The social media channels that we intend to use as a means of disclosing the information described above may be updated from time to time as listed on our website.

BingX’s 2024 in Vietnam: Strengthening Market Presence and Driving Innovation

PANAMA CITY, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BingX, the global leading cryptocurrency exchange, has marked a year of substantial growth and meaningful engagement in Vietnam. As part of its strategic initiative ExpansionX, BingX identified Vietnam as a key market for its global growth, underpinned by a strong commitment to the local crypto ecosystem and a focus on community engagement, education, and social responsibility.

BingX's 2024 in Vietnam: Strengthening Market Presence and Driving Innovation
BingX’s 2024 in Vietnam: Strengthening Market Presence and Driving Innovation

Pioneering Leadership in Vietnam

BingX appointed Alex Nguyen as its spokesperson for Vietnam, leveraging his over 20 years of experience in finance, marketing, and blockchain to enhance its market presence. Known for his thought leadership, Alex has been instrumental in advancing BingX’s mission to connect with local users and promote blockchain adoption in the country. He played a key role in representing the platform at major events, including the Vietnam Crypto Market Report 2024 AMA and the Vietnam Tech Impact Summit (VTIS) 2024, where his keynote speech emphasized BingX’s leadership in driving crypto and blockchain innovation in Vietnam. Alex is set to continue spearheading BingX’s expansion in Vietnam.

A Year of Community Engagement and Recognition

BingX solidified its connection with the local community through strategic sponsorships and interactive initiatives. Key highlights include:

  • Platinum Sponsorship at GM Vietnam 2024: BingX engaged over 5,000 attendees with an interactive booth showcasing games and exclusive merchandise, elevating its visibility within the Vietnamese crypto market.
  • Diamond Sponsorship at VTIS 2024: With 18,000+ attendees, BingX’s booth stood out as a focal point, generating substantial interest and reinforcing its leadership in the industry.

Beyond event sponsorships, BingX organized creative campaigns to foster community spirit, such as the Pizza’s Day Giveaway, distributing over 300 pizzas to partners and users, and the Mooncake Event, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with exclusive BingX-branded mooncake boxes.

Market Insights: A Vision for Vietnam’s Crypto Future

BingX’s commitment to providing valuable market insights was exemplified by its collaboration with Coin68 and Kyros Ventures to produce the Vietnam Crypto Market Report 2024. This comprehensive report offered in-depth analysis of market data, investor sentiment, and future projections. It revealed that 93.5% of respondents are optimistic about the upcoming altcoin season in 2025, positioning BingX as an integral player in shaping the future of Vietnam’s crypto market.

Empowering the New Wave of Crypto Users

BingX’s commitment to education continued with its sponsorship of The Token Show, a popular podcast dedicated to educating new crypto users. With over 223,000 views on YouTube and a total of 1.55 million views across social media platforms, the show effectively simplified crypto concepts for a broader audience, reinforcing BingX’s leadership in crypto education and advocacy for new traders.

Social Responsibility: Making a Difference Beyond Trading

BingX’s dedication to corporate social responsibility was demonstrated through its efforts in Vietnam’s recovery after Typhoon Yagi. The exchange donated 1 billion VND to support the rebuilding of communities in northern Vietnam. Additionally, BingX sponsored the “Bến Tre Charity” event, which focused on building infrastructure and hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival for children in Giồng Trôm District, Bến Tre Province.

Looking Ahead to 2025

“Building on the strong foundation laid in 2024, we aim to deepen our engagement with the local community and accelerate blockchain adoption in Vietnam. The opportunities ahead are vast, and we are excited to lead the way in delivering innovation and growth to the market,” said Alex Nguyen.

BingX’s achievements in Vietnam in 2024 mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter. With a focus on innovation, user empowerment, and continued social impact, BingX is poised to lead the growth of Vietnam’s crypto ecosystem. As the country’s digital economy evolves, BingX remains committed to driving meaningful progress and delivering unparalleled value to its users.

About BingX 

Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange, serving over 10 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management – all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became the official crypto exchange partner of Chelsea Football Club, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.

For more information please visit: https://bingx.com/

Top 5 trends for the AIoT industry in 2025

HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In recent years, Hikvision has explored the evolving trends in the security landscape. As technology has advanced, the focus has broadened from merely securing our world—to making it smarter. AIoT (AI-powered Internet of Things) is leading this transformation, revolutionizing industries beyond security. This year, Hikvision dives deeper into the trends driving AIoT, showing how they are reshaping industries and fostering a more efficient, secure, and sustainable future.

Top 5 trends for the AIoT industry in 2025
Top 5 trends for the AIoT industry in 2025

1. Perception technologies are adapting to varied environments and situational needs

Perception technologies are continuing to evolve to operate efficiently in diverse conditions. AI Image Signal Processing (AI-ISP) technology, for example, has already set a high bar on image quality performance in low-light conditions by significantly reducing image noise and addressing motion blur.

Beyond the visible light spectrum, millimeter-wave radars see through smoke, dust, and obstacles, providing precise speed and direction measurements widely used in traffic management. In noisy, harsh industrial settings with continuous operations, meanwhile, sound wave sensing enables non-invasive equipment monitoring for early fault detection, reducing downtime.

2. AIoT is bringing digitalization to life in diverse industrial applications

Companies are increasingly adopting AIoT technologies to address specific operational challenges and speed up digital transformation. In retail, where loss prevention and maintaining a competitive edge is crucial, AIoT devices now provide valuable data such as inventory tracking, foot traffic, queue lengths, and area density. In the energy sector, meanwhile, safety is a non-negotiable requirement. AIoT solutions, such as automated personal protective equipment (PPE) checks, now use AI to streamline the inspection of proper safety gears, reducing manual oversight and enhancing workplace safety.

Furthermore, the development of large vision, audio, and fiber-optic models is being tailored with industry-specific designs, algorithm optimization, and model simplification. This trend aims to create lightweight, vertical-specific AIoT deployments that are practical and effective in real-world scenarios.

3. There is a significant move towards open and collaborative ecosystems

As the demand for tailored AIoT solutions in fragmented industrial scenarios has increased, no single company can meet all the user demands on their own. Open platforms and tools are therefore becoming essential. These enable solution providers to seamlessly integrate third-party applications in order to accelerate digital transformation across industries.

This collaborative environment helps developers and integrators create flexible and effective AIoT solutions. Simple to use AI training platforms are now becoming widely available, which allow non-specialist systems integrators to train and deploy their own custom AI models.

4. Building cybersecurity trust through proactive strategies and cross-industry partnerships

Cybersecurity remains a critical concern in the expanding AIoT landscape. Increasingly, companies are adopting proactive, yet responsive, cybersecurity approaches, which focus on rapid threat detection and effective response.

Again, close collaboration is key to this trend, with installers, system integrators, and customers all working together to ensure secure deployment and use, leading to a more resilient and trusted operational framework.

5. AIoT becoming a game-changing catalyst for sustainability

Organizations worldwide are seeking more sustainable ways to operate and conduct business, and many are turning to AIoT technologies to do this. By augmenting connected sensors with AI algorithms, AIoT is helping to optimize resource use, cut energy consumption, improve waste management, and boost operational efficiency in numerous industries.

In building management, for example, AIoT systems are being used to automatically adjust energy use based on occupancy and weather conditions, leading to significant cost savings and lower carbon emissions.

Find out more

To discover more about Hikvision’s insights and the latest trends in AIoT, please visit Hikvision Blog.

‘It is the U.S. vs the rest’. Global broker’s Octa view on U.S. exceptionalism


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 January 2025 – The U.S. dollar has been appreciating almost relentlessly since the end of September. In just three and a half months, the Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the greenback relative to a basket of six major foreign currencies, including the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, and Swiss franc, was up more than 10% (from 27 September low to 13 January high). On 13 January, it breached the critical 110.00 level and although it has since declined slightly, it remains by far the best-performing currency among other major currencies this year so far.

Octa

‘The reasons for such an impressive rally are plentiful and diverse, but generally it all boils down to the widening interest rate differentials between the United States and other major economies’, says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, the Federal Reserve (Fed), the U.S. central bank, currently maintains its benchmark interest rate in the range of 4.25-4.50%, which is the second highest level among eight industrialized economies. Most importantly, however, unlike most other central banks, the Fed is not expected to cut the rates aggressively in 2025 as the U.S. economy continues to demonstrate striking resilience, marked by robust labour market data and strong consumer spending. In addition, geopolitical uncertainty and the risk of trade wars have fuelled safe-haven demand for the U.S. dollar. In fact, the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president largely served as a catalyst for the recent rally in the U.S. dollar.

‘It was always assumed that Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race would be bullish for the U.S. dollar as his trade and immigration policies were viewed as inflationary. Therefore, the market started to price in that outcome well in advance and the dollar began its ascent one month before the election’, says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Specifically, Trump has explicitly threatened to impose trade tariffs on Eurozone and Canada, which clearly had a bearish impact on their currencies. For example, the Euro, which has a dominant 58% weight in the DXY, has lost more than 8% against the U.S. dollar since 25 September 2024. The biggest losers, however, have been risk-sensitive currencies such as the Australian dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand dollar (NZD) (see the chart below) both of which devalued by more than 10%.

Major Currencies Performance Since October 2024
Source: Octa Broker calculations
Source: Octa Broker calculations

To put it simply, the U.S. dollar is rising because of fear that Trump’s policies might spur inflation at best and trigger an all-out trade war at worst. In addition, the U.S. economy is outperforming most of its peers so the Fed is highly likely to ease its monetary policy at a much slower pace compared to other countries. Indeed, a recent Bloomberg survey forecasts a modest 1% growth for the Euro Area this year, slightly better than the 0.8% projected for 2024 but well below the long-term average of 1.4%. It is no surprise that the market continues to expect three or four 25-basis point rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB) in 2025 compared with just one or two by the Fed over the same period. In these circumstances, it is hard to expect EURUSD to rebound substantially from its recent lows. ‘I think there is more than a 50% chance that EURUSD will decline towards parity at some point this year and may even temporarily drop below the 1.0000 mark’, comments Kar Yong Ang, adding that Eurozone faces a number of structural challenges ranging from high energy costs and deindustrialization to geopolitical tensions and fiscal instability.

As for the DXY, its rally has started to show some signs of exhaustion lately. Technically, there is a bearish divergence between the DXY price and the Relative Strength Index (RSI). Furthermore, fundamentally, a lot of bullish factors have been already priced in and bulls lack new impulses for the next move higher. ‘I think the market has overly priced in all the dollar-related positives and the greenback actually looks slightly overvalued at this point. I think betting on its continuing appreciation is risky’, says Kar Yong Ang. Indeed, in some respect, the market has factored in a less likely scenario—i.e., that Donald Trump will impose blanket tariffs and destabilize global trade. While such a scenario is certainly possible its probability is relatively low. For example, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. could take a measured approach towards tariffs. ‘The market is forward-looking. Just like it started to price in Trump’s victory well before the elections, so it may now begin to price out the underlying bullish expectations and anticipate a downturn in a classical “buy the rumour sell the news” fashion’, concludes Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Ping An Bank Fuels Yulin Chemical’s Green Transition With RMB2.3 Billion Loan

HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter “Ping An“, “the Company” or the “Group” HKEX: 2318 / 82318; SSE: 601318) announced that its subsidiary, Ping An Bank, has provided a RMB2.3 billion (equivalent to USD 322 million) loan to Shaanxi Coal Group’s Yulin Chemical Co. Ltd. (“Yulin Chemical”). The financing will support Yulin Chemical’s Coal Clean and Efficient Conversion Demonstration Project, which promotes cleaner and more efficient coal processing, aligning with China’s low-carbon development goals.

The project is listed in the National Development and Reform Commission’s 2024 Catalogue for Guiding Industry Restructuring. It uses advanced technologies to convert organic and inorganic sulfur into usable sulfur and repurposes slag, a byproduct of turning coal into a fuel gas, for building materials. This approach embodies a circular economy model of “reduce, reuse and recycle,” maximizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact.

Since June 2022, Ping An Bank has provided a cumulative RMB3.44 billion (equivalent to USD 481.6 million) in loans to the project and will continue to offer financing support as construction progresses.

In light of China’s “dual carbon” goals to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, high-carbon industries face significant pressure to transition to more sustainable practices. This transition presents a substantial funding gap, estimated to reach RMB487 trillion (equivalent to USD 68.2 trillion) over the next 30 years, an average of approximately RMB16 trillion (equivalent to USD 2.2 trillion)[1] annually. Traditional high-carbon sectors, such as coal power, steel and cement, often struggle to secure financing for these critical upgrades, despite having transition plans.

As an extension of green finance, transition finance plays a crucial role in facilitating industrial upgrades and ensuring stable economic growth. Guided by Ping An’s green finance strategy, Ping An Bank seeks to provide funding for projects with significant carbon reduction potential, particularly in sectors with high emissions or those facing challenges in direct emission reduction.

“We are delighted to partner with Yulin Chemical in developing cleaner and more efficient coal conversion technologies,” said Ping An Bank. “This project underscores our commitment to driving a green transition and sustainable development. We will continue to innovate in our financial services and support outstanding enterprises like Yulin Chemical to achieve China’s dual carbon goals and industrial upgrades.”

Ping An has integrated green finance in its Group-level strategy, leveraging its comprehensive financial services capabilities. In green insurance, Ping An provides risk protection and enhances risk reduction management for green industries. In green credit, Ping An Bank optimizes its credit structure and capital allocation based on low-carbon principles. It supports a green transition and environmental upgrades in traditional sectors such as coal power, steel and chemicals. In green investment, Ping An leverages the long-term and stable nature of insurance funds to meet the financing needs to develop a green, low-carbon, and circular economy. Through collaboration among its investment, asset management and securities businesses, Ping An has fully integrated environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors in its investment management requirements.

Ping An’s green finance business continues to grow. In the first three quarters of 2024, Ping An’s green insurance premium income reached RMB37.34 billion (equivalent to USD 5.2 billion). As of June 30, 2024, Ping An’s green investment of insurance funds and green loan balance reached RMB124.88 billion (equivalent to USD 17.5 billion) and RMB164.63 billion (equivalent to USD 23.0 billion), respectively.

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEx:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services, Under the technology-driven “integrated finance + health and senior care” strategy, the Group provides professional “financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge” services to its 240 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses’ quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of September 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 29th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2024 and 53rd in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2024.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn – PING AN.

[1]Transition Finance Needs Financial Instrument Support (Source: China Banking and Insurance News Network) – http://www.cbimc.cn/content/2024-04/03/content_513214.html


Note: 1 RMB equivalent to 0.14 USD (according to the currency rate as of 22 Jan 2025)