Home Blog Page 156

Binance Launches BTC Yield, Bringing Covered Call Bitcoin Income Strategy to Users

BTC Yield gives long-term Bitcoin holders a new way to seek potential weekly BTC income through a strategy from traditional finance

ISLAMABAD , July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance today announced the launch of BTC Yield, a new addition to its Advanced Earn product lineup. BTC Yield is a BTC-denominated, open-ended strategy designed for long-term Bitcoin holders seeking income potential without actively trading the market.

Binance Launches BTC Yield, Bringing Covered Call Bitcoin Income Strategy to Users
Binance Launches BTC Yield, Bringing Covered Call Bitcoin Income Strategy to Users

BTC Yield is among the first covered-call Bitcoin income products offered directly to both retail and institutional users by a major crypto exchange. Bitcoin does not have a native staking mechanism, creating demand for ways for long-term holders to seek income from their BTC.

This launch also reflects broader demand for Bitcoin income strategies in traditional finance. Covered call approaches are well established in institutional markets, and products such as the NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF and BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Premium Income ETF have attracted significant assets. Goldman Sachs has also filed to launch a Bitcoin yield product, underscoring continued demand for Bitcoin income strategies.

By bringing this strategy into a streamlined crypto-native format, Binance is making it easier for users to access a familiar income approach within a single platform as it continues to expand beyond trading into a broader financial super app.

“BTC Yield underscores Binance’s focus on expanding the range of products available to users and giving them more ways to put their digital assets to work,” said Shunyet Jan, Head of Exchange and Trading at Binance. “Covered call strategies have long been used in traditional finance, but they can be complex for retail users to access directly. With BTC Yield, we are simplifying that experience for Bitcoin holders who want income potential without actively trading the market.”

“During periods of weaker market sentiment, many Bitcoin holders may be reluctant to sell or actively trade. BTC Yield gives long-term holders a simpler way to seek potential income while maintaining exposure denominated in Bitcoin,” he added.

Key product information:

  • BTC Yield is powered by a covered call strategy that seeks to generate option premiums from Bitcoin holdings.
  • Users subscribe with BTC to receive BTCY and may benefit through weekly BTC distributions. Remaining premiums are retained in the product, which may increase the convertible BTC value of each BTCY over time.
  • BTCY has no fixed maturity date and supports both Fast Redemption (T+1) and Standard Redemption.
  • BTC Yield offers simple access, APY potential, and large quotas for eligible users.
  • BTC Yield complements other Earn products such as Dual Investment and Discount Buy.

Important information: As an options-based strategy, BTC Yield carries risks and is not principal protected. Weekly BTC distributions are not guaranteed and users may receive back less BTC than they originally allocated. The covered call strategy may limit participation in upward BTC price movements, meaning BTC Yield may underperform a direct holding of BTC, particularly in strongly rising markets.

Disclaimer: Digital asset prices can be highly volatile. The value attributable to your BTCY strategy position may go down or up, and you may not receive back the amount of BTC you allocated. By participating in BTC Yield, you are converting your subscribed BTC to BTCY. BTC Yield is not capital protected, and you may lose some or all of your BTC. Any BTC Credits, APY, realised APY, illustrative yield, or similar figures shown in connection with BTCY are for information purposes only, are not guaranteed, may be zero, and refer to BTC-denominated amounts only rather than actual or predicted returns in fiat or any other digital asset. BTC Yield uses a strategy that may underperform holding BTC directly, including in periods of strong BTC price appreciation. When you exit BTC Yield, the amount of BTC returned to you will depend on the applicable valuation at the relevant processing time, and this may be higher or lower than the valuation shown when you submitted your request. Fast Exit may be unavailable, and Standard Exit may be subject to processing windows, capacity limits, delays and fees. Binance does not provide financial, legal, tax or investment advice, and you are solely responsible for your investment decisions. For more information, please see the BTCY Terms, Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

NEOS, BlackRock, iShares, and Goldman Sachs are referenced for market context only and are not affiliated with, nor have they endorsed, Binance or BTC Yield.

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 320 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.

PTT Lao Moves to Co-Invest in BlueDot’s EV Charging Network

PTT Lao and BlueDot sign an agreement to conduct a feasibility study on a joint investment to expand EV charging stations along National Road No. 13 North and South across Laos. (Photo supplies)

PTT Lao signed an agreement with BlueDot, an EV charging brand, to study a joint investment in expanding electric vehicle charging stations across Laos.

Two companies signed the “Feasibility Study Project for Joint Investment in Expanding EV Charging Station” on 2 July in Vientiane.

Peravej NaRanong, managing director of PTT Lao, and Ladsasiphon Phimphachanh, managing director of Laothani Tractor Sole Co., Ltd., which operates BlueDot, signed the agreement, with executives from both companies attending.

BlueDot has operated as the sole investor in charging stations installed at select PTT stations nationwide under an earlier partnership. PTT Lao now aims to become a co-investor, and the two sides will study forming a new joint venture company to operate the charging business under the BlueDot brand.

The study will also examine a business model suited to consumer behavior in Laos.

The partnership targets expansion along Lao National Road No. 13 North and South, aiming to build a border-to-border charging network that supports heavy-duty electric trucks. 

The push aligns with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, issue date 13 March, which calls for urgent measures to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuel, a factor officials link to inflation and pressure on foreign currency reserves.

PTT Lao also plans to develop its stations into hubs that combine charging with other services, linking customers to its non-oil businesses such as Café Amazon and convenience stores. The company points to the 20 to 30 minutes EV drivers typically spend charging as an opportunity to expand those offerings at its stations nationwide.

BlueDot’s charging stations offer capacities ranging from 40 kilowatts (kW) and 120 kW to 180 kW, with an ultra-fast option reaching 400 kW, serving both private drivers and commercial fleets.

The stations connect to a mobile application and charging cards for payment and management, and are built to international engineering standards.

Both companies describe the collaboration as a step toward building a “Seamless Mobility Ecosystem” that connects charging infrastructure with lifestyle services, as Laos works to expand its EV charging network alongside growing EV adoption and government efforts to cut fossil fuel imports.

Humanforce launches AI-powered workforce intelligence and learning tools to help frontline employers reduce compliance risk and administrative burden

SYDNEY, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As labour shortages, workforce turnover and compliance pressures continue to challenge frontline employers, Humanforce has developed two new solutions designed to help organisations identify workforce risks earlier and automate one of HR’s most time-consuming administrative tasks.

Frontline healthcare worker
Frontline healthcare worker

Humanforce today announced the launch of Humanforce HR Analytics and Humanforce Learning, expanding its workforce management platform with AI-native tools built to analyse, interpret and act on workforce data, providing greater visibility into workforce trends, automating compliance training and help HR teams make more informed people decisions.

For many frontline organisations, workforce data remains fragmented across multiple systems, while mandatory training still relies on manual assignment, follow-up and record-keeping. At the same time, HR teams are being asked to manage growing compliance obligations, skills shortages and employee retention challenges with limited resources.

According to research from SHRM, more than 70 per cent of jobs globally are frontline or deskless, yet these workers have historically been underserved by traditional HR technology. The organisation also reports that 86 per cent of HR managers view training as critical to employee retention, despite compliance training remaining one of the most labour-intensive and manually managed processes for many employers.

“Frontline organisations are under pressure to do more than fill shifts,” said Clayton Pyne, CEO, Humanforce. “They need to understand where people risks are emerging, keep teams compliant, and make development part of everyday workforce operations. HR Analytics and Humanforce Learning give HR leaders and managers clearer visibility and more automated action, so they can spend less time chasing data and more time making confident people decisions.”

Humanforce HR Analytics: Workforce insight built for frontline HR teams

For many frontline HR teams, workforce reporting is a backward-looking exercise, requiring data to be extracted from multiple systems before it can be analysed and acted upon.

Humanforce HR Analytics is built with AI at its core, continuously analysing workforce data to surface trends, detect anomalies and flag emerging risks before they require escalation.

HR leaders can ask questions of their workforce data in natural language and receive instant, AI-generated answers, while custom dashboards, automated reporting and threshold-based alerts ensure critical workforce information remains visible and actionable.

“HR leaders shouldn’t have to wait until a monthly report lands on their desk to identify emerging workforce issues,” said Pyne. “Because AI is doing the analysis continuously, not periodically, organisations have more opportunity to address risks around compliance, retention, workforce planning and employee engagement before they become larger operational challenges.”

Humanforce Learning: Automating compliance training and workforce development

Alongside HR Analytics, Humanforce Learning aims to remove the manual administration traditionally associated with compliance and workforce training.

Integrated directly with Humanforce HR data, the platform automatically assigns learning when workforce changes occur, from induction for new employees, to role changes, internal transfers and compliance renewal requirements, ensuring every employee is roster-ready with the qualifications and training their role demands. Training completion records are automatically linked to employee profiles, creating a clear audit trail while giving managers visibility into training status, upcoming requirements and overdue learning activities.

“Training and compliance shouldn’t rely on someone remembering to manually assign courses every time an employee changes roles or joins the business,” said Pyne. “When learning is connected directly to workforce events, organisations can reduce administrative overhead while improving confidence that every employee is qualified, compliant and ready to work.”

A more connected view of workforce readiness

Training and compliance data generated through Humanforce Learning is surfaced within Humanforce HR Analytics alongside broader workforce metrics, providing HR leaders with a more connected view of workforce capability, readiness and compliance status.

Together, HR Analytics and Humanforce Learning reflect Humanforce’s ongoing investment in the Humanforce platform, built around how shift-based work actually operates. By bringing workforce insight and learning automation closer to core HR workflows, Humanforce is helping frontline employers reduce manual administration, improve compliance visibility and respond to workforce challenges more proactively.

Humanforce HR Analytics and Humanforce Learning are available now. For more information, visit humanforce.com.

-ends-

About Humanforce

Humanforce provides the market leading, employee-centred, intelligent and compliant HCM suite for frontline and flexible workforces, offering highly configurable, all-in-one WFM, HR, Talent, Benefits and Payroll – without compromise. Our vision is to make work easier and life better by focusing on the employee experience (EX), and the efficiency and optimisation of businesses.

Founded in 2002, Humanforce has a 2300-strong customer base and is heading towards one million employees under management, across a wide range of industries including Aged Care, Childcare, Healthcare, Retail, Hospitality, Events & Stadia, Local Government and more. Today, we have offices across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and the USA.

Customers include Accor, Flight Centre, Hungry Jack’s, Vodafone, Fujitsu, Alfred Health, Hostplus and more: https://humanforce.com

PropertyGuru Group’s 2025 Sustainability Report Reinforces its Commitment to More Resilient and Inclusive Urban Futures Across Southeast Asia

  • Commitment to set Science-Based Targets, while maintaining net-zero Scope 2 emissions through 100% renewable electricity procurement
  • Scaled inclusive housing options, with 31% of Singapore rental listings adopting “Everyone Welcome” and expansion into Malaysia
  • Made sustainable living options easier to find with feature like Green Score in Singapore and its Sustainable Living filter in Thailand

SINGAPORE, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PropertyGuru Group (“PropertyGuru” or “the Group”), Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, titled Meeting Change with Resilience. The report documents a year of measurable progress, from a 36% reduction in total emissions to the regional expansion of tools that help millions of property seekers find greener, more inclusive homes.

PropertyGuru’s sustainability strategy is embedded in its Gurus For Good strategy — three interconnected pillars of Sustainable Living, Thriving Communities and Responsible Business — designed to make the Group’s platforms a force for more responsible and informed property decisions across the region.

“At PropertyGuru, we are committed to actively shaping Southeast Asia’s urban future using the power of our reach,” said Lewis Ng, Chief Executive Officer, PropertyGuru Group. “This report reflects how we put that commitment into action. It shows where we have made real progress and areas where we still have work to do. We are focused on making sustainability and inclusion tangible in the property journey. In the information we surface, the tools we build and the standards we help set across the ecosystem.”

Climate action: 36% emissions reduction and a commitment to science-based targets

PropertyGuru achieved a 36% year-on-year reduction in total market-based emissions in 2025, driven primarily by a decline in Scope 3 emissions, which account for the majority of the Group’s footprint. The Group also maintained net-zero market-based Scope 2 emissions for the second consecutive year, matching 100% of its office electricity consumption with Renewable Energy Certificates.

Building on this momentum, PropertyGuru has committed to setting Science-Based Targets, a third-party validated framework for corporate decarbonisation, with formal submission planned for 2026.

Sustainable home search: plan to expand tools to more markets in Southeast Asia

PropertyGuru continued to provide sustainability-related features that help property seekers make more informed choices.

  • In Singapore, Green Score rates properties based on proximity to public transport and recognised green building certifications. Demand is growing: 70% of property seekers surveyed in Singapore say sustainability features influence their home-buying decisions.
  • In Thailand, DDproperty’s Sustainable Living filter enables users to search for listings with features such as solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations.
  • In Malaysia, PropertyGuru plans to introduce a sustainability-related search feature in 2026, shaped by property seekers’ expectations.

These tools translate consumer demand into market signal — helping developers and agents understand the growing value of sustainable features.

Inclusive housing: Everyone Welcome has reached 31% of rental listings in Singapore and has now been rolled out in Malaysia

PropertyGuru’s ‘Everyone Welcome’ feature — which enables landlords to signal that their properties are open to all renters regardless of race, gender, religion or other characteristics — has gained significant traction in Singapore since its 2024 launch.

By end-2025, 31% of Singapore rental listings carried the ‘Everyone Welcome’ tag, reflecting strong and sustained adoption by landlords and agents. The feature was subsequently introduced in Malaysia, where 4% of listings were tagged within six months, a strong early signal given the shorter time frame.

Platform safeguards supporting inclusive housing practices also include advertisement guidelines, a language moderation tool, and a reporting mechanism to report unfair practices.

People and workplace: Top Employer recognition and a diverse workforce

PropertyGuru was recognised as a Top Employer in Singapore by the Top Employers Institute, reflecting the Group’s continued investment in people practices and employee experience.

As of 31 December 2025, women made up 65% of the Group’s workforce, with employees representing 28 nationalities. Through Be More, Be a Guru, the Group’s employee value proposition, PropertyGuru invested in skills development across communication, resilience, performance and AI, including Learning Fest 2025 and its Management 201 programme.

Community impact also extended beyond the office. Gurus For Good, the Group’s employee volunteering programme, delivered initiatives in 2025 that included rebuilding a primary school in Vietnam, restoring mangroves in Thailand, and supporting community outreach in Malaysia and Singapore.

Governance: integrated risk function and responsible AI principles

PropertyGuru strengthened its governance structure in 2025 by integrating its Legal and Risk teams into a single function — enabling closer coordination and a more holistic approach to risk management across its multi-market operations.

The Group also adopted a set of AI principles to guide responsible deployment of artificial intelligence across its platforms and business operations, with plans to explore AI-enabled tools to automate accessibility checks within its HIVE 2.0 design system.

In 2026, PropertyGuru expects to submit its Science-Based Targets, launch a sustainability search feature on its Malaysia platforms, and deepen programmes that advance women’s leadership and professional development across its workforce.

PropertyGuru’s 2025 Sustainability Report is available at https://www.propertygurugroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PropertyGuru-2025-Sustainability-Report.pdf.

About PropertyGuru Group

PropertyGuru Group is Southeast Asia’s leading[1] PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 30 million property seekers monthly[2] to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2 million real estate listings[3], in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions.

Launched in Singapore in 2007, the Group has been advancing to make the property journey transparent and efficient for property seekers and sellers in Southeast Asia. In the last 19 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand as well as the region’s biggest and most respected industry recognition platform – PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, events and publications across Asia.

For more information about PropertyGuru, please visit
PropertyGuru.com.sg and PropertyGuruGroup.com, or our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

[1] Based on SimilarWeb data between January 2025 and December 2025.

[2]Based on Google Analytics data between January 2025 and December 2025.

[3] Based on data between January 2025 and December 2025.

 

/C O R R E C T I O N — Lazada Group/

In the news release, Lazada Joins Meta’s Affiliate Partnerships Programme to Streamline Social Shopping in Southeast Asia, issued 08-Jul-2026 by Lazada Group over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the first paragraph contains incomplete information. The complete, corrected release follows:

Lazada Joins Meta’s Affiliate Partnerships Programme to Streamline Social Shopping in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, has joined Meta’s Facebook Affiliate Partnerships programme, enabling content creators across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines to tag Lazada products directly within their Facebook and earn commissions on every completed purchase, with Instagram integration expected to follow.

The launch comes as creator-led commerce continues to reshape how Southeast Asians discover and shop online. Video commerce now accounts for approximately 25% of the region’s eCommerce GMV[1], while 82% of Southeast Asian consumers purchased products based on influencer recommendations in 2024[2]. By bringing Lazada’s affiliate ecosystem closer to the content people already engage with daily, the partnership creates a more direct bridge between inspiration, product discovery and purchase.

Turning Everyday Content into Earning Opportunities

Historically, the path from content to commission has involved multiple steps, from external links to app redirects to separate checkout pages, which often results in lost conversions for creators, brands, and businesses alike.

With this partnership, creators can now connect their Lazada affiliate accounts directly to Facebook today and soon on Instagram, search Lazada’s product catalogue, and tag items within their content in Reels or Feed posts. When a follower clicks through and completes a purchase on Lazada, the creator earns a commission, all within a single, uninterrupted experience.

For brands and sellers on Lazada, opening their product catalogues to creators unlocks a new avenue for discovery and conversion. For shoppers, it makes product discovery more intuitive. Instead of moving from a creator’s post to a separate link or searching for the item manually, they can tap directly from the content that inspired them and continue their shopping journey on Lazada.

“Through this partnership with Meta, we’re making it easier for shoppers to move from discovering products on Facebook and Instagram to completing their purchase on Lazada. By creating a more seamless path from discovery to checkout, we’re helping brands and sellers connect with customers more effectively while delivering a better shopping experience across Southeast Asia,” said Jared Chan, Head of Regional Affiliate, Lazada Group.

Building on Lazada’s Investment in Creator Commerce

The partnership with Meta builds on Lazada’s broader commitment to strengthening creator commerce across Southeast Asia. In 2025, Lazada announced an annual US$100 million investment in the LazAffiliate Programme to support creators, brands and sellers through enhanced commissions, campaign incentives, personalised voucher pools, custom storefronts and performance tools.

Together with Meta’s Affiliate Partnerships, this investment reflects Lazada’s continued focus on making affiliate marketing more accessible, measurable and rewarding for creators, while helping brands and sellers tap into trusted creator-led product discovery across the region.

How It Works

Lazada affiliates can get started through the following steps:

1. Enable Professional Mode on their Facebook or Instagram profile

1. Enable Professional Mode on their Facebook or Instagram profile
1. Enable Professional Mode on their Facebook or Instagram profile

2. Navigate to Affiliate Partnerships via the Monetisation tab

2. Navigate to Affiliate Partnerships via the Monetisation tab
2. Navigate to Affiliate Partnerships via the Monetisation tab

3. Connect their Lazada affiliate account and complete the sign-up process

3. Connect their Lazada affiliate account and complete the sign-up process
3. Connect their Lazada affiliate account and complete the sign-up process

4. Begin tagging Lazada products directly in Facebook and Instagram content

4. Begin tagging Lazada products directly in Facebook and Instagram content
4. Begin tagging Lazada products directly in Facebook and Instagram content

To learn more or join the LazAffiliate community, visit:

ID: https://lzdaff.co/LazAffiliatesApp
MY: https://pages.lazada.com.my/wow/gcp/my/aia/share-affiliate?from=promote
PH: https://lzd.co/LAZAFFREGISTER
SG: https://pages.lazada.sg/wow/gcp/sg/aia/share-affiliate?from=promote
TH: https://pages.lazada.co.th/wow/gcp/lazada/channel/th/marketing/Affiliate-Home VN: https://pages.lazada.vn/wow/gcp/vn/aia/affiliate

About Lazada Group 

Lazada Group is Southeast Asia’s pioneer eCommerce platform. For the last 14 years, Lazada has been accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. Today, a thriving local ecosystem links about 160 million active users to more than one million actively selling sellers every month, who are transacting safely and securely via trusted payments channels and Lazada Wallet, receiving parcels through a homegrown logistics network that has become the largest in the region. 

Brigadier General Mikee Romero Honored As Outstanding Leader in Asia


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 July 2026 – Philippine Air Force Reserve Brigadier General Michael “Mikee” L. Romero, who heads Mikro-Tech Capital Inc., has been recognized as one of Asia’s most outstanding leaders by ACES Awards.

Brigadier General Mikee Romero Honored As Outstanding Leader in Asia

He was recognized for his multiple successes that has influenced a broader mindset shift for sustainable growth beyond corporate boundaries.

“Brigadier General Romero exemplifies a leader whose multifaceted impact redefines leadership standards, setting a benchmark for future generations,” the ACES Awards 2026 said in its official statement on his winning as one of Outstanding Leaders in Asia.

Mikro-Tech Capital Inc. is an anchor organization in investments management which translates his multiplicity in skills and utmost regard for national transformation through excellence and mindset for the future.

ACES Awards cited Brigadier General Romero as the visionary chairman of Mikro-Tech Capital Inc., whose transformative leadership across multiple sectors manifests his unwavering commitment to nation-building.

Romero’s stewardship of Mikro-Tech Capital has pushed its subsidiaries in power and energy into advancing sustainability goals for the Philippines.

His pioneering approach in port infrastructure has significantly enhanced island connectivity in the Philippines, facilitating economic growth and regional integration, the award statement added.

The council praised Romero’s ability to turn his vision into results and noted that his leadership has fostered a culture of resilience and innovation within his organizations.

The ACES Council said: “Brigadier General Romero exemplifies a leader whose multifaceted impact redefines leadership standards, setting a benchmark for future generations.”

The ACES Awards is among top Asian platforms that meticulous screen and recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating excellence in leadership, sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth.

This year’s program carries the theme “Setting the Benchmark for Enduring Impact.” The ACES awards gala will be in October in Kuala Lumpur.

Brigadier General Romero said: “This honor serves as an affirmation and a challenge—to continue to create opportunities for others. It highlights the potential of Filipino leadership to move the needle for mindsets that change outcomes that yield benefits beyond one’s lifetime.”

A celebrated sportsman, sports patron and businessman, Romero was a legislator with recent focus on poverty alleviation. He devoted the past year on humanitarian service, leading the Philippine Reservist Movement as chairman of the Association of Reservist and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines.

Hashtag: #ACESAwards #Mikro-TechCapitalInc.

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

COMING IN HOT. ABSOLUT AND TABASCO® LAUNCH NEW SPICY VODKA

Two global titans of flavour join forces to launch a unique spicy vodka as consumer demand for hotter flavours accelerates

HONG KONG, July 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Absolut Vodka and Tabasco® Brand are firing up the global spirits scene with the launch of a new spicy vodka, Absolut® TABASCO. Launching from February 2026 onwards across 50+ markets, including the US and the UK, this bold innovation captures the heat that spirit drinkers worldwide crave.


Crafted by fusing Absolut Vodka with a unique and completely natural essence (there’s no added sugar) created from the fermented, aged red pepper mash used to make TABASCO® Sauce – Absolut® TABASCO delivers the distinctive heat and aroma of the world’s most famous pepper sauce in the world’s leading premium vodkas.[1]

The new TABASCO®-SAUCE-flavoured vodka comes amid strong, growing demand for hotter flavours. People are craving heat now more than ever, with sales of spicy vodka forecast to increase 27 per cent by 2029.[2] Whether it’s the brunch staple, a Bloody Mary with bite or a Spicy Lemonade, which tingles, Absolut® TABASCOis for them – a smooth-tasting vodka with a heat that builds to leave a warm feeling on the lips with every sip.

The Absolut TABASCO® collaboration unites two titans of flavours, each with more than a century of history and a legacy of authenticity and quality.

Founded in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana, where it is still produced today, TABASCO® Sauce uses just three ingredients: handpicked red peppers, salt, and vinegar. Once mashed together, the red pepper mix is aged and fermented in reclaimed oak barrels for up to three years, creating the sauce’s subtle, unique flavour.

Absolut Vodka is also made using just three natural ingredients – pristine water sourced from a local deep well, a proprietary strain of yeast and winter wheat grown on nearby farms. This premium vodka is only distilled in the small town of Åhus in Southern Sweden, using the same continuous distillation process introduced by its Swedish founder, L.O. Smith, in the 1870s.

The brands’ rich heritages come together through the design of the Absolut Vodka TABASCO™ bottle. It seamlessly blends their iconic bottles into one; the bottle’s colours and diamond label shout TABASCO® Sauce, but the apothecary-inspired shape is unmistakably Absolut Vodka.

Craig van Niekerk, Global VP of Marketing for Absolut Vodka, says: “At Absolut Vodka, we have never been afraid to do things differently or create something bold – and now, we are at it again. People want to feel some heat in their drinks. What better way to do it than by combining one of the world’s leading hot sauce brands with the world’s leading premium vodka brand? For anyone who wants to dial up the heat, whether it’s Saturday night cocktails or Sunday brunch, this spicy vodka is definitely for you.”

Christian Brown, Head of Agriculture and 6th generation family member, McIlhenny Company, makers of TABASCO® Brand product, says: “With more than 150 years of pepper expertise, it only made sense for us at TABASCO® to partner with Absolut Vodka, another brand with a long, storied history that understands and cares about the craft that goes into its product. TABASCO® exists to light up everything we touch and the powerful blending of these two iconic liquids (and unforgettable bottles) is long overdue!”

Kate Neuhaus, Director of Global Marketing Communications at McIlhenny Company, says: “We are thrilled to bring the unique flavour of TABASCO® Sauce to Absolut’s smooth premium vodka. We share a rich heritage and a commitment to quality – and this new partnership is a testament to both. It’s the perfect match. Absolut® TABASCO is the purest form of heat ever bottled for adventurous flavour lovers everywhere.”

Freddy Taylor + Philippa Beaumont, Group Creative Directors at Weiden+Kennedy London, say: “When we won the pitch for Absolut, we’d never have dreamt that our first piece of work would take us to the volcanoes of Iceland, partnering the world’s most famous hot sauce; but when you’re working for a brand with a creative legacy as rich as Absolut’s, big things feel possible. In the early ’90s, people used to love Absolut’s work so much, they’d hang it on their walls. In 2026 just keeping someone’s attention for more than 6s is hard enough, so that’s why we’re returning the brand to simple, witty, smile-in-mind kind of work. Whether that’s a mouthwatering, spicy collaboration, a piece of packaging every bartender wants, or a single image that people save, pin, screenshot, and hopefully one day soon, hang on their wall.”

ABSOLUT® TABASCO (38% ABV) will launch across 50+ markets worldwide from February 2026. Inspired by Absolut Vodka’s legendary print ads, the launch campaign will turn up the heat to leave no doubt that the new flavour will fire up cocktails worldwide. ABSOLUT® TABASCO™ is available in Hong Kong at Wellcome, ParknShop, HK Liquor Store, Foodpanda, and Rich Jupiter, with a recommended retail price of HKD229.

High-res assets are available HERE.

For more information or interview requests, please contact:
theabsolutgroup@mcsaatchi.com

Notes to editors:

About the bottle
Absolut lends its unmistakable silhouette as the canvas, elevated by a crisp white logotype that anchors the design in its pure Scandinavian roots. At the same time, TABASCO® brings its distinctive diamond symbol to the bottle. At the heart of the bottle, the signature Absolut brushstroke was re-imagined through TABASCO® Brand’s screen-printed diamond logo, magnified through the glass to create a vivid interplay between both design worlds. The result is a striking visual fusion: the white Absolut logotype and the TABASCO® diamond standing proud, framed by its classic red, green colours and crystal clarity. The design aims to keep every key element of both brands intact and push their expressions into new territory – a meeting of heritage and creativity to form the perfect spicy edition bottle.

Simple Serves

Spicy Bloody Mary

ABSOLUT®TABASCO: 45 ml
Tomato juice: 150 ml
Lemon juice: 15 ml
Worcestershire Sauce: 10 ml
Ground black pepper: 1 pinch
Salt: 1 pinch
Lemon: 1 wedge
Parsley/celery: 1 bunch 
Chillies: Garnish
Cajun spice rim

Rim a highball glass with Cajun spice – because flavour starts at the edge. In a shaker, mix ABSOLUT®TABASCO™, tomato juice, Worcestershire Sauce, lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add ice, roll it smooth and strain into your spiced glass over fresh ice cubes. Garnish with lemon, red chillies and a bright parsley sprig.

Spicy Lemonade

ABSOLUT®TABASCO: 50ml
Lemonade: 200ml
Lemon: 1 wheel
Chilli slice: Garnish
Cajun (optional)
Spice Rim

Rim a highball glass with Cajun seasoning and fill with ice. Add ABSOLUT®TABASCO, top it up with your favourite fresh lemonade and garnish with a lemon wheel.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and champagne industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long-term growth of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive and responsible culture of authentic conviviality. Pernod Ricard’s consolidated sales amounted to €10,959 million in fiscal year FY25. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices. 

About McIlhenny Company and TABASCO® Brand
From our home on Avery Island, Louisiana, McIlhenny Company produces TABASCO® Brand products, including the legendary TABASCO® Original Red Sauce. A household and restaurant staple around the world, TABASCO® Sauce is sold in more than 195 countries and territories and labelled in more than 36 languages and dialects. With more than 155 years of pepper expertise, our family-owned and operated company is constantly experimenting with new flavours and products to carry on our legacy of exciting the world’s most popular food and drinks. Our core range of pepper sauces includes TABASCO® Original Red Sauce, TABASCO® Jalapeño Sauce, TABASCO® Chipotle Sauce, TABASCO® Sweet Chili Sauce, TABASCO® Sriracha, TABASCO® Habanero Sauce, TABASCO® Scorpion Sauce, TABASCO® Buffalo Style Sauce, and our new TABASCO® Salsa Picante.

Enjoy Responsibly

[1] IWSR 2024

[2] Datassentials February 2025

 

Laos Steps Up Illegal Mining Crackdown After Luang Prabang Gold Mining Cases

A picture of mining sites that used for illegal gold mining in Pak Ou and Phonxay districts, Luang Prabang Province On 10-11 June. (Photo by Luang Prabang Television)

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mineral extraction after recent gold mining cases in Luang Prabang Province drew public attention and renewed concerns over unauthorized mining.

In a statement published on 6 July, the ministry instructed companies and the public to immediately halt all illegal mining activities, warning that authorities will intensify inspections and pursue legal action against offenders.

The announcement follows inspections on 10 and 11 June that uncovered two suspected illegal alluvial gold mining sites in Phonxay and Pak Ou districts of Luang Prabang.

At the first site in Phonxay, inspectors found excavators, gold-washing machines, gold recovery mats, and other mining equipment, although most workers fled into nearby forest before authorities arrived. Two Vietnamese nationals had already been arrested during an earlier operation on 10 June.

At a second site in Pak Ou District, authorities detained five people, two Lao nationals and three Chinese nationals, and seized additional mining equipment. Officials said the operation had no legal authorization, and the suspects remain under investigation by provincial police.

The ministry said inspectors will continue investigating both sites to identify those responsible and take legal action under Lao law.

Broader Campaign

The Luang Prabang cases form part of a broader campaign against illegal mining across the country.

On 18 June, the ministry ordered provincial authorities to strengthen monitoring of illegal mining and mineral trading, warning that violators could face fines, licence revocation, asset confiscation, public disclosure, and criminal or disciplinary action. The government also encouraged the public to report suspected violations.

Authorities have since expanded enforcement. On 2 July, officials launched an investigation into unusually muddy water in the Nam Song River in Vientiane Province, concluding that illegal mineral extraction and road construction had allowed large amounts of sediment to enter the river.

Recent enforcement actions have also included the arrest of eight suspects linked to illegal gold mining in Xieng Khouang Province, the closure of an unauthorized gold mine in Xaysomboun where seven people were detained, and a joint operation in Savannakhet in May that dismantled illegal mining and logging activities and led to the arrest of 11 suspects.

The latest measures are part of a broader effort by the government to tighten oversight of the mining sector as illegal operations continue to surface across several provinces.