APIA, Samoa, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Phemex, a user-first crypto exchange, announced the launch of the Phemex Trading Bot Carnival, a global initiative with a total reward pool of up to 260,000 USDT, aimed at supporting wider adoption of automated and strategy-based crypto trading. The campaign runs from January 12 to January 25, 2026, and is designed to help users explore systematic trading approaches through practical participation rather than short-term speculation.

The initiative follows growing user interest in structured trading tools as market activity becomes more fragmented. In response, Phemex has continued to expand its trading bot infrastructure as part of its broader focus on helping users trade more consistently, manage risk more effectively, and reduce reliance on purely discretionary decision-making.

The program includes multiple participation tracks, such as onboarding incentives for first-time trading bot users, operational challenges, volume-based participation, and referral mechanisms. These tracks are structured to accommodate different experience levels, from users experimenting with automation for the first time to those already running systematic strategies. First-time bot users may receive participation rewards of up to 100 USDT to offset initial experimentation costs.

Phemex Trading Bot Carnival aligns with its broader vision of empowering traders through accessible automation and disciplined trading infrastructure. As the platform continues to evolve its trading bot ecosystem, Phemex remains focused on building tools that support long-term participation and consistent engagement across changing market conditions.

About Phemex
Founded in 2019, Phemex is a user-first crypto exchange trusted by over 10 million traders worldwide. The platform offers spot and derivatives trading, copy trading, and wealth management products designed to prioritize user experience, transparency, and innovation. With a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to user empowerment, Phemex delivers reliable tools, inclusive access, and evolving opportunities for traders at every level to grow and succeed.

For more information, please visit: https://phemex.com/ 

PANAMA CITY, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 9, the 2025 Hong Kong Wealth Management Summit and the 12th Hong Kong Listed Companies Awards Ceremony were held in Hong Kong. Alec, Head of HTX Ventures, was invited to share insights on the evolving landscape of Hong Kong’s wealth management industry, and cross-industry collaboration within the Real-World Asset (RWA) ecosystem.

Strategic Conviction: Productive RWAs, AI Finance, and Compliant Payments

Speaking at the panel discussion “A New Global Benchmark for Asset Allocation: The Rise of Hong Kong Wealth Management and Its Future Outlook,” Alec analyzed that as regulatory clarity improves and institutional capital flows into the market, several key directions within the convergence of global wealth management and Web3 deserve sustained attention:

Yield-Generating Real-World Assets: Platforms focused on tokenizing traditionally high-barrier assets such as private equity (PE), private credit, and green finance debt instruments.

AI-Agentic Finance: Middleware solutions that effectively integrate AI-driven investment strategies with Hong Kong SFC-compliant frameworks.

Compliant Stablecoins and Payment Gateways: Centered around HKD-backed stablecoins, these infrastructures support cross-border trade settlement and B2B payments, serving as foundational layers for wealth management by enabling the instant conversion of traditional fiat assets into on-chain assets.

Evolving Investment Logic: Building Foundations Amid Constant Change

Beyond sector selection, HTX Ventures emphasizes a project’s ability to evolve within a shifting market. Alec highlighted three core evaluation dimensions:

Architectural Flexibility: In an increasingly multipolar regulatory landscape, modular and scalable system architectures enable projects to adapt to jurisdiction-specific compliance requirements without reconstructing their core infrastructure.

Sustained Competitiveness and Demand Alignment: HTX Ventures goes beyond capital deployment by leveraging its global user data and industry insights to help projects establish efficient feedback loops and agile iteration mechanisms, ensuring long-term relevance in the competitive Web3 and AI arena.

Ecosystem Connectivity and Access to Unique Assets: Through its global fund network and ecosystem partnerships, HTX Ventures directly connects projects to unique asset sources worldwide, significantly shortening the cycle from proof of concept to commercial monetization, and helping the projects secure first-mover advantages.

Alec emphasized that HTX Ventures will continue to invest in projects combining frontier technology with real-world utility in their early stages, strengthen blockchain infrastructure investments, and help accelerate the large-scale adoption of Web3.

HTX Ventures Awarded “Best Web3 Venture Capital of the Year”

At the ceremony, HTX Ventures was honored with the “Best Web3 Venture Capital of the Year” award, in recognition of its sustained contributions to the global Web3 ecosystem and its outstanding investment performance.

In recent years, HTX Ventures has been increasing its investments in Web3 infrastructure and innovative applications, establishing a clear and disciplined investment framework across the integration of blockchain technology with real-world business scenarios, global compliance pathways, and long-term value creation. Its systematic approach has earned broad recognition across the industry.

Founded in 2012, the Hong Kong Listed Companies Awards Ceremony, jointly initiated by Tencent and Finet Group, aims to promote the healthy development of Hong Kong’s capital markets through annual rankings and awards. Featuring high-level forums with an award ceremony, the event has grown into one of Hong Kong’s most influential annual gatherings for the financial and investment community.

This award not only affirms HTX Ventures’ past achievements as a deeply engaged participant in the global Web3 movement, but also reinforces its commitment to deepening its presence in Hong Kong while connecting global opportunities. As Hong Kong emerges as a hub for institutionalized Web3 narratives, HTX Ventures will continue to act as connectors and enablers, introducing unique assets, compliant technological architectures, and forward-looking business models into the Hong Kong market. Jointly, they contribute to the sustainable prosperity of Hong Kong’s capital markets.

About HTX Ventures

HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With more than decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.

HTX Ventures currently backs over 300 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active FOF (Fund of Funds) funds, HTX Ventures invests in 30 top global funds and collaborates with leading blockchain funds such as Polychain, Dragonfly, Bankless, Gitcoin, Figment, Nomad, Animoca, and Hack VC to jointly build a blockchain ecosystem. Visit us here.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bank of America reported its fourth quarter 2025 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

A Form 8-K containing Bank of America’s financial results is also available at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

Investor Conference Call information
Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan and Executive Vice President and CFO Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in an investor conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the “Events and Presentations” section of the company’s Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call
Investors can access replays of the investor conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on January 14 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 23. 

Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Investors may contact

Lee McEntire, Bank of America
Phone: 1.980.388.6780
lee.mcentire@bofa.com
 

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)
Phone: 1.212.449.3112
jonathan.blum@bofa.com

Reporters may contact

Jocelyn Seidenfeld, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.743.3356
jocelyn.seidenfeld@bofa.com 

BALI, Indonesia, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Savaya Group, in partnership with PT Kharisma Anugrah Jawara Abadi (KAJA Group), a prominent Indonesian hospitality developer today unveiled Zumana, a new beachfront hospitality destination set along the iconic shoreline of Kuta Beach.

Conceived as an immersive exploration of modern society, Zumana is a living environment where human behavior, ritual, and self-expression are observed, amplified, and celebrated. Framed by Bali’s legendary sunsets, the experience unfolds through music, architecture, and collective gathering, blurring the boundaries between spectator and participant.

Situated on one of Bali’s most historically significant coastlines, Zumana reintroduces Kuta as a contemporary hospitality destination, offering a renewed perspective on an area that once defined the island’s global appeal.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed Rockwell Group, the 35,000-square-foot venue integrates a beachfront daylife experience with a 200-seat restaurant, allowing guests to transition seamlessly from sun-led afternoons into elevated dining and nightlife as day turns to night.

Alex Cordova, CEO of Savaya Group, said:
“Building on the global success of Savaya, this project underscores our long-term commitment to Bali as a destination with both a distinct identity and global relevance. We are focused on developing concepts that originate here, resonate internationally, and contribute meaningfully to the island’s enduring appeal. At its core, our work is about creating experiences that stay with guests long after they leave.”

Nadia Tjahyadikarta, Managing Director of KAJA Group, added:
“As an Indonesian-founded group, we continue to grow our portfolio through a balance of global partnerships and original concepts. This project represents the latter, a destination conceived from the ground up to express a distinct point of view. In collaboration with Savaya Group, we are proud to introduce a beachfront experience that sets a new benchmark for Indonesia and Southeast Asia.”

Zumana is scheduled to open in 2026 on Kuta Beach, further strengthening Bali’s position as a leading global destination for lifestyle, culture, and hospitality.

www.ZumanaBali.com

About Savaya Group

Savaya Group is a hospitality company developing and operating restaurant, nightlife, wellness, and lifestyle destinations across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Its portfolio includes Savaya Bali, Desa Kitsuné, and Ina Ré, with projects recognized globally for experiential hospitality.

About KAJA GROUP

KAJA Group (PT Kharisma Anugrah Jawara Abadi) is an Indonesian hospitality and lifestyle developer founded in 2016, focused on design-led concepts and premium guest experiences.

CHICAGO and DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Connect Trade, an API-first connectivity layer for retail brokers and trading platforms, today announced a strategic collaboration with Benzinga, a leading financial media and data provider headquartered in Detroit. The collaboration will make Benzinga’s real-time news, analysis, and content more accessible to the exploding ecosystem of retail trading platforms and brokers around the world looking to plug into U.S. markets.

By pairing Benzinga’s content and data with Connect Trade’s unified brokerage infrastructure, the relationship helps platforms deliver richer trading experiences for idea discovery, market context, and execution are tightly integrated.

“We believe Benzinga’s news, data and content is core to the future of how investors globally will research their investments,” said Jim Nevotti, CEO of Connect Trade. “Retail traders want to move from idea to execution without friction. By integrating Benzinga’s trusted news and content into the Connect Trade ecosystem, we’re giving platforms and brokers an easier way to combine high-quality market insight with secure, compliant connectivity.”

The collaboration will enable platforms connected to Connect Trade to incorporate Benzinga content directly into their user experiences by supporting use cases such as in-app news feeds, opinions on bull vs. bear investor sentiment, and more. The offering is particularly valuable for international brokers and fintechs that want to offer U.S. market access but lack the in-house resources to manage multiple data and brokerage integrations.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Connect Trade to bring Benzinga’s content closer to the point of execution,” said Clint Rhea of Benzinga, who leads institutional collaboration at the company. “Benzinga has always believed in empowering retail investors with fast, actionable information. Connect Trade is building the connectivity layer that modern brokers and fintech platforms need. Together, we’re helping global platforms connect their users to the ideas, tools, and markets that matter.”

Through this collaboration, Connect Trade and Benzinga will jointly support retail-focused platforms and brokers seeking to:

• Offer integrated news and data alongside trading workflows
• Reduce time-to-market by leveraging pre-built content and brokerage APIs
• Improve user engagement and retention with richer, context-aware trading experiences
• Scale into U.S. markets without compromising on compliance or infrastructure reliability

About Benzinga

Benzinga is an innovative financial media and data company that delivers actionable market intelligence to investors, institutions, and fintechs worldwide. Through its extensive suite of APIs, real-time news, and analytics, Benzinga helps clients power smarter investment decisions across platforms and products. See https://www.benzinga.com/apis for more information.

About Connect Trade

Connect Trade is a leading provider of B2B trading API infrastructure to integrate into U.S. retail brokerages. With one normalized API, platforms gain scalable access to equities, single-leg and multi-leg options, and futures.

Connect Trade delivers streamlined workflows, flexible data access, and real-time streaming updates. By simplifying broker connectivity, Connect Trade helps platforms scale faster and deliver powerful trading experiences without the complexity of managing each integration in-house. For more information, please visit www.connecttrade.com.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WSPN, a leading provider of regulated stablecoin infrastructure, today announced a landmark deployment of stablecoin-denominated, asset-backed trade finance, supporting an Australian commodity exporter, JOC Australia Pty Ltd, in a live cross-border shipment financed and settled entirely on-chain.

This transaction marks one of the first times globally that physical commodities have been financed using stablecoins secured by blockchain-native Bills of Lading, proving that digital money can now operate directly within real-world supply chains.

From Cargo to Capital On Chain

JOC Australia, an exporter of agricultural and frozen-meat products, was conducting a cross-border sale to an overseas buyer under standard trade terms, where part of the payment is received in advance and the balance is settled after shipment.

The transaction was executed using TradeGo’s electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) system, which represents legal control of cargo in digital form. JOC used the eBL as collateral to obtain short-term trade financing from WSPN.

Global traders simply pledged its on-chain, asset-backed title and received stablecoin-denominated, fully collateralized trade credit. One block later the goods were financed; one block after payment the title auto-released. Global traders side-step the traditional banking settlement cycle: funds arrive in minutes, not days, and the digital title transfers the moment payment is confirmed. No overnight waits, no weekend gaps, no correspondent-bank float.

Why This Matters

This transaction demonstrates a shift in how stablecoins can be used in global trade: beyond payments, they can now serve as the settlement and credit backbone for real, asset-backed transactions. WSPN provided financing not based on corporate guarantees, but through cryptographic control of the cargo via the on-chain electronic Bill of Lading.

By holding the eBL, WSPN had first-priority claim over the goods and the ability to enforce title or block cargo release if necessary. This approach offers security comparable to traditional bank-backed trade finance while enabling faster, more efficient funding. Through WSPN’s infrastructure, commodities become digitally controlled, legally enforceable, and immediately financeable, opening new opportunities for exporters, lenders, and supply-chain participants across Australia, Asia, and Latin America.

Looking Ahead

This deployment reflects WSPN’s commitment to bridging traditional trade with blockchain-enabled financial infrastructure. As more exporters and trade finance participants adopt digital bills of lading and stablecoin-based settlement, WSPN expects broader adoption of faster, more transparent, and more inclusive trade finance solutions globally.

About WSPN

WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, dedicated to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent global payment ecosystem. Our flagship stablecoin, WUSD, is fully backed and pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar, serving as the foundation for a suite of integrated financial solutions. These solutions support a range of financial applications from institutional treasury management to programmable payments and decentralized finance. With a strong focus on transparency, regulatory compliance, and user accessibility, WSPN bridges the gap between Web3 innovation and traditional financial systems, driving the global adoption of stablecoins at scale.

Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn

COLOGNE, Germany, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DeepL, a global AI product and research company, today announced the appointment of Gavin Mee as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Detlef Krause as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). These strategic additions to DeepL’s executive team mark a significant step forward in the company’s mission to redefine AI enterprise solutions and accelerate its global growth trajectory. 

“With Gavin and Detlef joining our leadership team, we’re starting 2026 with the strongest possible bench to grow adoption of DeepL’s AI solutions for enterprise,” said Jarek Kutylowski, CEO and Founder of DeepL. “Their expertise will be critical as we scale our operations, innovate for our customers, and solidify our position as a global leader in AI products and research.” 

Detlef Krause Joins as Chief Revenue Officer

Detlef Krause, a seasoned enterprise sales leader with over 25 years of experience, has held senior leadership roles at Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow, where he successfully rebuilt and scaled global organizations. Recognised for delivering strong, scalable growth across global markets, Detlef advanced ServiceNow’s presence in Germany, EMEA, and APAC. He grew the German organization from 150 to over 500 people and doubled the EMEA Central team, reinforcing his standing as a high-impact leader.

Detlef’s decision to join DeepL was no coincidence. “From my first conversations with the DeepL team, two things were unmistakable: joining one of the most innovative European AI companies and a team unlike any I’ve ever met. This feels like the beginning of something truly exciting for me,” said Detlef. 

As CRO, Detlef is taking over the role from David Parry-Jones, who is retiring after an illustrious career in the tech industry. Jarek added “David has set a high bar with his leadership and contributions to DeepL’s success. His dedication and expertise have been instrumental in helping us grow into a global leader in AI-powered communication. We are deeply thankful for his impact and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. I am confident that Detlef will build on this strong foundation and continue to drive our growth in the years ahead.” 

Detlef’s primary objective as CRO is to elevate DeepL’s position as the market leader in AI solutions for the enterprise. “DeepL is already renowned for its world-class Language AI and is now emerging as a pioneer in agentic AI. My ambition is to bring our AI to every enterprise worldwide – scaling agentic workflows and embedding DeepL at the heart of global business operations,” he added.

Gavin Mee Appointed as Chief Operating Officer

Gavin Mee joins DeepL as COO with an impressive background in scaling global go-to-market (GTM) organizations. Over the course of his career, Gavin has held senior leadership positions at prominent technology companies including Salesforce, Oracle, Adobe, UiPath, and Palo Alto Networks.

At DeepL, Gavin’s role as COO will focus on driving operational excellence, ensuring alignment across teams, and unlocking the full potential of the organization. His mandate includes evolving DeepL’s go-to-market strategy, fostering collaboration across engineering, research, and GTM teams. 

“I’m thrilled to join DeepL at such an exciting time,” said Gavin. “This company has an incredible product, a passionate team, and a bold vision for the future. My goal is to evolve our operations and ways of working, ensuring we’re not only delivering for our customers but also maximizing value for our investors and partners. Together, we’ll build a world-class organization that continues to lead in AI-powered communication. DeepL is at the forefront of innovation, and I’m eager to help the company scale its impact globally.” 

Driving the Future of AI-Powered Communication

These appointments follow DeepL’s strongest year yet in 2025, marked by major product expansions, including the launch of its groundbreaking AI Agent, the introduction of the Customization Hub, and other key senior leadership appointments. As DeepL continues to build on this momentum, 2026 will be the year the company scales its AI solutions across Europe and beyond, delivering transformative innovations that redefine how businesses and individuals communicate and work thanks to AI. 

About DeepL

DeepL is a global AI product and research company focused on building secure, intelligent solutions to complex business problems. Over 200,000 business customers and millions of individuals across 228 global markets today trust DeepL’s Language AI platform for human-like translation, improved writing and real-time voice translation. Building on a history of innovation, quality and security, DeepL continues to expand its offerings beyond the field of Language, including DeepL Agent – an autonomous AI assistant designed to transform the way businesses and knowledge workers get work done. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jarek Kutylowski, DeepL now has over 1,000 passionate employees and is supported by world-renowned investors including Benchmark, IVP, and Index Ventures. For more information on DeepL, visit www.deepl.com.