Sisouda Vanthanavong playing at the 24th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships from 7 to 17 August in Singapore. (Photo: Vientiane Chess Academy)
Laos continues working to develop chess among younger generations.
A group of young Lao players has returned from Singapore with 12 medals after gaining international experience against competitors from across Asia and beyond.
Team Laos competed in the 24th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships from 7 to 17 August, earning wins across six podium finishes in Standard, Rapid and Blitz events.
The Lao delegation included 24 players, who competed against young chess players from Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, New Zealand and other countries.
In the Open U18 Standard team event, Kayden Sunjon Nguyen, Michael Sean Manalo and Kaysone Thongmanivong won bronze.
The Girls U18 team of Alana Kittikhoun, Ryzia Lei Zheysha Suelo and Sisouda Vanthanavong also won bronze in both the Rapid and Blitz team events.
Suelo Merlinda added three individual medals, winning silver in the Women’s 50 Rapid and Blitz events and bronze in Standard.
Where it All Started
For many of the young players, chess started at home, at school, or through pure curiosity.
Sean was introduced to the game by his peers, as chess became increasingly popular among his friends.
Kayden discovered it through chess content online, while Kaysone’s interest grew after watching The Queen’s Gambit in 2020.
“Around 2020, I was influenced by a show called The Queen’s Gambit”, Kaysone said. “I stopped for a while until I got into 7th grade. Playing on a physical board deepened my interest in chess.”
Meanwhile, for Lei, chess was part of family life from an early age. Her father was a coach, while other members of the girls’ team said family members encouraged them to take up the game.
That mix of family influence, school friends and online content has helped bring more young people into the chess world.
Kayden Sunjon Nguyen playing at he 24th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships from 7 to 17 August in Singapore. (Photo: Vientiane Chess Academy)
From Online Games to International Competitions
The young players have a set of training routines that they worked on before the Singapore competition.
“I mainly play online and do frequent puzzles,” Sean said. “I also learn certain chess patterns, as competing on a physical board is different from playing chess on your phone.”
Coach Robert has also provided the children with online learning materials.
For several young players, the tournament was their first opportunity to compete internationally, drawing different reactions from each player.
“For me, since I saw my dad play all the time, I don’t really feel nervous or pressured,” Lei said. “I mostly just have fun in tournaments, as the people I played against turn out to be my friends.”
“It was still nerve-wracking despite my years of competing experience, but it was fun nevertheless as I got to play with ‘the best of the best’,” Sean said.
Beyond the Board
For some, the tournament’s most memorable moments took place away from the board.
Players said they met competitors from other countries, made new friends, and received advice from more experienced players.
“Going to Singapore to compete was really great, as I got to explore a new country and its shopping district like Orchard,” Alana said.
Kaysone mentioned he remained in contact with friends he met during the championship.
The students also linked chess to skills used in school and daily life.
They said the game had helped them develop focus, patience, logical thinking, and the ability to manage setbacks, coming back to Laos with a more mature mindset.
“It’s actually a privilege for us to play against strong players, despite the difficulty of the competition”, said Lei. “You don’t get to play with them all the time”.
One player said competitive chess had helped him become more mentally resilient and better able to accept losses.
“Playing against stronger players changes your thinking and maturity over time”, Sean said.
Meanwhile, Kayden said chess supported logical thinking in subjects such as mathematics and physics.
“It helps me find various solutions to real-life problems,” Sisouda echoed. “If one doesn’t work out, there will always be alternatives.”
Laos’ Next Generation of Players
For Laos’ young chess players, the Singapore championship is only one step in a longer development path.
“For many chess players, competing at the Olympiad is a dream,” said Coach Robert, emphasizing the importance of exposing young players to international competition.
The delegation is expected to represent Laos at the 2026 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in September.
Daophet Lonluenglith won the Lao AeroPress Championship 2026, earning the chance to represent Laos at the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico this December. VIentiane, Laos. 22 August 2026. (Photo supplies)
On 22 August, organizers crowned Daophet Lonluenglith champion of the Lao AeroPress Championship 2026, capping a day-long competition at Corebeer in Vientiane Capital that drew an estimated 320 visitors, coffee professionals, and industry partners.
Thanaboun “Tinoi” Vongdeuane, owner of Khoon Coffee, and Sitthadeth “Pop” Champasith, owner of Slurp Coffee Co., hosted the event. Both have played active roles in building Laos’coffee and barista community through competitions, workshops, and industry events.
Vythavad Keobuakham finished as first runner-up, and Ananthavath Sihamontry took second runner-up.
The championship will also select Laos’ representative for the World AeroPress Championship, which will take place in December 2026 in Mexico.
Vithoun Sithimorlada, Deputy Director General of the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (DOSMEP) , and Inpone Saenkhamty of the European Union in Laos attended the opening ceremony.
The Green CUP Project supported the event alongside DOSMEP, the Department of Agriculture, French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, Global Gateway, and other sponsors and media partners.
Organizers said the championship underscored the growing potential of Lao coffee beyond raw bean production, giving Lao baristas a platform to showcase their skills and represent the country on the international coffee stage.
HONG KONG SAR– Media OutReach Newswire – 25 August 2026 – The Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) hosted the Hong Kong Design Summit cum BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony Gala Dinner at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, bringing together an elite audience of 180 leading professional designers, creative industry pioneers, and corporate executives, this year’s flagship event serves as an authoritative platform celebrating excellence in design application, cross-sector matching, and strategic design-tech partnerships.
The Summit was honored to have Miss Yvonne Ip, Acting Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, as the Guest of Honour. In her address, Miss Ip highlighted the power of design to drive business growth and emphasized that the Hong Kong Design Summit, now in its third year, has become a key platform for industry exchange and collaboration, bringing design talent and enterprises together through flagship initiatives like DesignMatch, to turn creative ideas into commercial results. The Hong Kong Designers Association has been a pioneering force in the local design ecosystem for half a century, and CCIDA is proud to partner with HKDA to nurture design professionals, accelerate industrialization, and help local enterprises expand into international markets — advancing Hong Kong’s creative economy together.
Chairman’s Welcome: Driving Real Impact Through Strategic Focus
Opening the evening gala, Ms. Mui Kinoshita, Chairman of HKDA, delivered a heartfelt welcoming address reflecting on the Association’s post-pandemic transformation and strategic vision.
Reflecting on the Association’s post-pandemic vision, Ms. Kinoshita highlighted HKDA’s core strategy—”Two Awards, One Summit, One Platform“—designed to deliver tangible benefits by recognising individual design excellence, honoring corporate design investment, and driving commercial partnerships through DesignMatch. She celebrated HKDA’s expansion from 900 to over 1,300 members, calling it a testament to industry trust. Honoring the Association’s 50-year legacy, she paid tribute to founding pioneers whose dedication laid the foundation for Hong Kong’s creative sector. She concluded with a passionate call for open dialogue and unified collaboration to build a stronger, more caring design industry for the next generation.
Star-Studded Gathering of Design Icons and Industry Leaders
The Gala Dinner was anchored by an extraordinary gathering of creative heavyweights, founding pioneers, and distinguished guests across the design, creative sectors, and corporate leaders. Joining Guest of Honour Miss Yvonne Ip and Officiating Guests, including Dr. Kan Tai-Keung, SBS, BBS, Former Chairman of HKDA (Tenure: 1986, 1987, 1988), Mr. Steve Leung, BBS, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre, Mr. Alan Cheung, MH, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Council, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Mr. Kevin Yeung, Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, were celebrated global design icons and industry leaders who attended in strong support of the Summit, including Ms. Vivienne Tam, Designer and Founder, Vivienne Tam Fashion House, Mr. Tino Kwan, Founder and Principal Consultant of the Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants Limited, and Mr. Gu Wei, Head of AIGC Design Business, Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. The evening was further graced by prominent design masters, industry executives, and organisational representatives. Their presence, alongside premier corporate partners and judging leaders, underscored the unified strength and collective vision of Hong Kong’s creative community.
The annual event unfolds in two key segments: the Hong Kong Design Summit, featuring the Kick-off Ceremony, DesignMatch business matching, and a landmark MOU signing; followed by the BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony.
Hong Kong Design Summit 2026
The opening segment convenes industry leaders and creative professionals to foster commercial growth and educational innovation:
1. DesignMatch Business Matching Sessions: An exclusive, high-impact B2B networking initiative designed to bridge corporations and design professionals, driving immediate business opportunities and accelerating the translation of creative capital into commercial success.
2. Award-Winning Brands Showcase: A curated, high-visibility showcase where outstanding design firms and corporate awardees demonstrate successful project outcomes and share strategic market insights.
3. Strategic Tripartite MOU Signing: A milestone collaboration between School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Alibaba International Design, and Hong Kong Designers Association. The parties intend to explore opportunities for collaborative initiatives in design and AI-related education in the creative industry, as well as strategic collaboration for industry development across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Key potential areas of collaboration include: A) Joint development and delivery of academic and professional training courses (with AI courses as the initial program collaboration); B) Industry–academia partnerships to foster design-tech innovation and applied research; C) Co-organisation of training courses, flagship events, forums, and summits to promote design excellence and cross-sector collaboration.
BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony
The second part of the event highlights design leadership and commercial results through an elite evening program, the BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony. An elite gathering celebrating outstanding brand design applications and recognizing excellence across diverse industries. This year’s competition attracted 150 brand entries from diverse industries, further solidifying BDA’s authoritative position as one of Hong Kong’s top brand awards. The BDA Brand Award invites nominations from professional designers or organizations, with submissions evaluated by a panel of experts based on three aspects: brand story, development, and achievements. Additionally, five assessment criteria are considered: 1) Environmental & Social Impact, 2) Cultural Impact, 3) Innovation & Technology, 4) Brand Image, Identity & User Experience and 5) Market Performance & Value.
The awards celebrated winners across multiple categories, including 1) Best Branding Image Award, 2) Best Cultural & Heritage Award, 3) Best ESG Award, 4) Best Innovation & Technology Award, 5) Best Media & Communication Award, as well as Best Award, Grand Award, and the prestigious Best of the Best Award.
A professional jury panel comprised of esteemed first-round judges—Prof Anthony Kong (Assistant Professor, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Mr. Kirin Leung (Founder, Kirin+lab), Mr. Joe Wong (Founder, Joe Wong Design), Mr. Kenny Li (Founder, FM+ Concepts & FAVEbyKennyLi), and Mr. Jay Leung (Founder, Starz Group) as well as final-round judges—Ms. Mui Kinoshita (Chairman, HKDA), Prof. Viveca Chan (Founder and Chairman, WE Marketing Group), Ms. Hilda Chan (Chief Marketing Officer, HKSTP), Mr. Bosco Leung (Social Responsibility Lead, MTR Corporation Limited), and Mr. Jimmy Li (Head of Brand Partnership, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong). The judges meticulously assessed submissions through a rigorous process, including an initial online evaluation and live presentations.
From a pool of 150 exceptional brand entries, the jury evaluated each brand’s overall excellence, market impact, and alignment with the selection criteria in their respective fields. It is with great pleasure that we announce Sino Group「GoCircular」as the winner of the Best of the Best Award and fwah! as the winner of the Best of the Best Award (Startups). These brands have demonstrated unparalleled excellence, and their selection as winners is a testament to their outstanding achievements.
Additionally, 14 outstanding brands have been recognized with the Grand Award, including (in alphabetical order)
1. a²CIRCLE x TENKA TAIHEI
2. Bone Studio骨子裡
3. BrainX
4. Cohere Design柏納遨天
5. DCH Living 大昌行生活
6. Gridword Communications Ltd
7. HKUST International Summer Campus
8. ISABELLE.C 伊裳
9. Leo Paper Group 利奧紙品集團
10. LOUDER
11. Mini Greeny Heroes
12. Jumbo Kingdom – Tai Pak Floating Restaurant 珍寶王國 – 太白海鮮舫
13. The Living Art
14. Tiger Circle
The full winner list of BDA Brand Award 2026 is listed on Appendix A.
Fostering Strategic Synergies and Future Growth
The 2026 Summit reinforces HKDA’s commitment to elevating design as a core commercial driver while empowering the next generation of designers through AI-driven education and regional integration. Through structured business matching, strategic academia-industry partnerships, and award recognition, the event continues to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a premier global hub for commercial design innovation.
For more details on the event and program updates, please visit the official website at https://www.hkda.hk/
Appendix A – BDA Brand Award 2026 Winners (*in Alphabetical order)
3. ESG VISA – The Global Passport for Sustainable Business
4. PARTYDAY
5. Silver Innovation
6. Starry Learning
7. Xinera by FoodTrack
Startups – Best ESG Award
1. ESG Visa
Startups – Best Cultural & Heritage Award
1. Tu by Tu
Startups – Best Branding Image Award
1. Excelsior interior design limited
2. EyeComfi
3. LegalOne Global Limited
4. 非遺美食 INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE FOOD
5. Renovation Guide Consultant Limited
6. Ripple & Co.
Hashtag: #HKDA #BDABrandAward #BDA品牌大獎
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA)
Established in 1972, the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and is a founding member of the Hong Kong Design Centre. Its core mission is to promote design’s public interest, cultivate young designers, and elevate the professional status of practising designers across sectors.
HKDA’s flagship programmes include the Global Design Award (GDA) (formerly known as Asia Design Awards), which has been celebrating outstanding global designs biennially since 1975; the Hong Kong International Poster Triennial (HKIPT), which has been documented the development of local and international poster design through competition, exhibition and symposium since 2000; the Sponsorship for International Design Awards (SIDA), a distinguished funding scheme for local designers and design-applying enterprises who are winners of international design awards, which has been running since 2011; Design X Technology (DXT), a progressive programme that integrates design and technology as core components in business strategy to drive innovation and competitive advantage since 2020; and BDA Brand Award (BDA) (formerly known as BDA Brand Design Awards), this award evaluates outstanding brand performance through a professional design lens, honoring long-term strategic commitment to design excellence, and was debuted in 2023, also other strategic initiatives including the Hong Kong Design Summit and the DesignMatch business matching programme connect design professionals directly with market demand across government, commercial, and industrial sectors.
With over 1,300 individuals and corporations in its diverse membership base, HKDA offers a wide range of membership options for professionals, associates, affiliates, students, and corporations that cover six design disciplines: Graphics, Spatial, Product, Digital, Fashion, and Education. Prioritising design excellence, education, technology integration, sustainability, business support, diversity, and inclusivity, HKDA has established itself as a vital platform for its members, as well as designers, businesses, and organisations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Through its commitment to advancing these key areas, HKDA provides valuable resources, networking opportunities, and expert guidance to its members while also serving as a hub for innovation and collaboration in the design industry.
HKDA is committed to raising public awareness of the value and importance of design in society. It partners and collaborates with other design organisations and institutions worldwide, such as the World Design Organization (WDO) and International Council of Design (ico-D), to promote global design excellence, cultural diversity, and international design exchanges. By working with other design organisations on a global scale, HKDA aims to contribute to the development and advancement of the design industry, both locally and internationally.
Taiwan’s leading telecom provider is recognized for advancing 5G innovation, AI-driven digital transformation, and resilient digital infrastructure.
SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan is pleased to recognize Chunghwa Telecom with the 2026 Taiwanese Telecoms Company of the Year Recognition in the telecom industry and the 2026 Taiwanese 5G Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition for its strong performance in 5G innovation, commercialization, strategic execution, and customer impact.
The recognitions highlight Chunghwa Telecom’s continued leadership in Taiwan’s telecommunications market and its evolution from a traditional mobile operator into an end-to-end digital transformation partner. Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Chunghwa Telecom demonstrated strength across both dimensions through sustained investment in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise solutions, resilient digital infrastructure, and customer-centric innovation.
“As Taiwan’s premier 5G service provider, Chunghwa Telecom is proactively translating technological innovation into practical 5G services and solutions, raising the benchmark for connectivity and enterprise applications in the market,” said Mei Lee Quah, Senior Director, ICT Research at Frost & Sullivan.
Chunghwa Telecom’s growth strategy is anchored in 5G-Advanced, AI, enterprise solutions, and network expansion. Its integration of 5G, multi-access edge computing, and AI enables localized data processing with millisecond-level latency, supporting private 5G networks, smart applications, and stronger security resilience. The company is also advancing network slicing, edge computing, autonomous networks, and AI-RAN capabilities to strengthen 5G monetization and create new enterprise use cases.
Commercialization remains a key strength. Chunghwa Telecom is developing tailored private 5G and campus networks for manufacturing, logistics, and universities while combining connectivity with AI and advanced computing. Its 5G AIoT solution export project demonstrates how these capabilities can support smart transportation and smart environments in international markets. The company has also expanded into smart healthcare, smart buildings, AI data centers, and enterprise AI applications.
The company’s technology portfolio supports diverse applications across smart manufacturing, smart cities, transportation, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and enterprise AI. Its 5G private network service revenue grew 88% year over year in 2025, while recurring ICT revenue increased 15%. Chunghwa Telecom is also expanding its AI Factory platform, which brings together computing power, AI models, intelligent agents, and applications to accelerate enterprise AI adoption.
Chunghwa Telecom’s growth momentum is reinforced by strong market performance. In 2025, revenue reached TWD 236.11 billion, representing 2.7% year-over-year growth, while operating income increased 3.6% and net income attributable to shareholders increased 4%. Mobile revenue and subscriber market share reached 40.8% and 39.7%, respectively, reflecting continued strength in Taiwan’s telecommunications market.
Frost & Sullivan commends Chunghwa Telecom for combining technological innovation with disciplined execution and customer-focused growth. Investments in 5G, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, satellite connectivity, and resilient digital infrastructure position the company to address emerging enterprise and consumer needs while strengthening Taiwan’s digital ecosystem.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents its Best Practices Recognitions to organizations demonstrating exceptional strategy development and execution, technological innovation, customer value, and market leadership. The recognitions are based on comprehensive benchmarking and analysis conducted by Frost & Sullivan industry experts.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Classys Inc. (KOSDAQ: 214150) expects device sales worldwide to surpass 50,000 units this year.
As of the end of June, Classys had a cumulative global installed base of more than 22,000 units for its flagship HIFU line and more than 4,000 units for its MRF line. Its MNRF and dermabrasion product lines have also each surpassed 6,000 cumulative global installations. Classys plans to leverage this established footprint to introduce next-generation platforms and create additional avenues for growth through the global rollout of Quadessy and the planned European launch of Viclara later this year.
A well-established sales infrastructure underpins this global expansion. The domestic Korean market, which accounts for approximately 25% of total revenue, serves as a key test market for validating new products and clinical treatment protocols while strengthening the company’s global brand competitiveness. The ability to introduce next-generation devices through this existing distribution infrastructure is expected to serve as a key driver of future growth.
This expanding commercial foundation continues to translate into strong financial performance. Classys reported consolidated revenue of KRW 192.7 billion for the first half of the year, representing a 20% year-over-year increase. Even excluding the impact of consolidating its Brazilian subsidiary, growth across existing international markets remained robust. Excluding shipments from Classys headquarters to its Brazilian subsidiary, 1H26 export sales increased 29% year over year, demonstrating that demand for Classys products continues to grow across its existing global markets beyond the impact of the transition to direct sales in Brazil.
In Europe, market diversification delivered tangible results, driven by expansion into new countries—including the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, and Bulgaria—as well as sales growth in existing European markets. Despite continued investments in global commercialization and market expansion, Classys maintained strong profitability, achieving a standalone operating margin of 50.8% in the first half of the year.
The expansion of the installed base is also significant, as it supports recurring consumables revenue and the adoption of multi-device combination treatments. In the first half of the year, consumables revenue reached KRW 80.2 billion, up 5.3% year over year and 52.7% from the first half of 2024. As cumulative global device installations continue to grow, the foundation for stable, recurring consumables revenue is expanding accordingly.
Power Modules Evolve for the Era of Ultra-Fast Charging
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As 800V platforms, electric heavy-duty vehicles, and megawatt charging technologies accelerate, EV charging infrastructure is evolving toward higher power, greater efficiency, and enhanced reliability. To meet the growing demand for commercial fleets, and future megawatt-scale applications, Kehua has launched its new-generation 40kW power module and 80kW VPFC high-power module.
New-Generation 40kW Module: Higher Efficiency, Greater Power Density
As a core power conversion unit in DC fast chargers, the 40kW module is widely used in public charging stations and commercial charging sites. The upgraded Kehua 40kW module delivers up to 97.5% peak efficiency and 97% weighted charging efficiency, reducing conversion losses and improving energy utilization. Its volume is approximately 7.5% smaller than the previous generation, enabling higher power density and more flexible system integration. Standby power consumption is reduced from 7.5W to 0W, with zero reactive power consumption, minimizing idle energy losses and improving overall system efficiency.
All-New 80kW VPFC Module: Built for High-Power and Megawatt Charging
Designed for ultra-fast and megawatt-scale charging applications, the all-new 80kW VPFC module features SiC devices, achieving up to 97.5% peak efficiency and 97% weighted charging efficiency. It supports 0W standby and zero reactive power consumption, while VPFC technology helps optimize power quality. The module operates from -40°C to +75°C and maintains full-power output at 55°C without derating. It also meets EMC Class B and IEC 61851-23:2023, making it suitable for highway fast-charging stations, commercial charging hubs, and fleet charging depots. With dual-side potting and silent operation down to 55dB, it delivers reliable performance in demanding environments.
Powering the Next Generation of EV Infrastructure
Backed by 38 years of power electronics expertise, Kehua offers a comprehensive portfolio spanning power modules, DC chargers, high-power charging systems, megawatt charging solutions, and integrated PV-ESS-charging solutions. Kehua continues to advance high-efficiency, high-power-density, and high-reliability technologies to support the global transition to electric mobility.
10 of 15 perpetual futures on Binance are TradFi perpetuals ranging from equities to commodities
ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance’s push to bring traditional finance (TradFi) assets onto its crypto-native platform is showing clear signs of traction, according to real-time derivatives data. A snapshot of the top 15 perpetual contracts on Binance by 24-hour volume shows that roughly two-thirds are now linked to traditional assets (equities, ETFs, and commodities) with the crypto perpetuals led by BTC, ETH and SOL.
Binance TradFi Perpetuals Gain Greater Traction as Multi-Asset Strategy Takes Hold
The top 15 list is led by SANDUSDT (SanDisk) perpetual contract with ~$6.87 bn 24-hour trading volume on Binance as of 19 August, 9:00am UTC. This was approximately 22% of the 24-hour SanDisk trading volume on Nasdaq.[1]
The other top perpetual contracts by current trading volume includes other single-name equities, equity-linked products, and commodity contracts such as XAGUSDT (Silver) (~$826 mil trading vol on Binance), alongside established crypto perps.
“The shift validates Binance’s stated mission to make its platform a multi-asset financial super app where users can access crypto and traditional asset classes within a single account. By offering USDT-margined perpetual contracts on ETFs, commodities and more, Binance has effectively extended crypto-style round-the-clock trading to assets that were previously confined to traditional market hours,” said Shunyet Jan, Head of Exchange and Trading at Binance.
Recent industry data supports this trend. Weekly stock-linked perpetual volume on centralized exchanges has surged roughly 79x since the start of 2026, with Binance identified as the dominant venue for equity perps. In July alone, Binance accounted for about 76% of equity perpetual volume across tracked exchanges, highlighting its central role in the convergence of crypto and TradFi trading.
Disclaimer: Products and services referred to here may not be available in your region. Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. TradFi Perps are subject to high market risk and price volatility (particularly outside traditional market hours). You may be called upon at short notice to make additional margin deposits or interest payments. If the required margin deposits or interest payments are not made within the prescribed time, your collateral may be liquidated. Moreover, you will remain liable for any resulting deficit in your account and interest charged on your account. All of your margin balance may be liquidated in the event of adverse price movement. Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future performance. TradFi Perps do not represent ownership of the relevant underlying asset. Before trading, you should make an independent assessment of the appropriateness of the transaction in light of your own objectives and circumstances, including the risks and potential benefits. Consult your own advisers, where appropriate. This information should not be construed as financial or investment advice. TradFi Perps are not associated or affiliated with, or sponsored or endorsed by, the issuer of the relevant underlying shares or the exchange on which they are listed. Futures trading is restricted in certain countries and to certain users. This content is not intended for users/countries to which restrictions apply. To learn more about how to protect yourself, visit our Responsible Trading page. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Clearing Rules, Clearing Procedures, Contract Specifications and Risk Warning.
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.
This photo is used for representational purpose only.
Laos’ economy expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2026, helped by a strong tourism season and growth in services, but slowed in the second quarter as the government works to meet its 6 percent target for the year.
Growth reached 5.5 percent in the first quarter before easing to 4.6 percent in the second, according to figures released by the Ministry of Finance at its mid-year review meeting on 24 August.
Tourism has been one of the brighter spots. Nearly 2.6 million international visitors arrived in Laos during the first six months of the year, a 9.9 percent increase from the same period in 2025. The government is hoping to attract between 5 million and 6 million visitors by the end of the year.
The services sector is expected to grow 7.1 percent this year, making it the fastest-growing part of the economy, followed by industry at 5.7 percent and agriculture at 4.1 percent.
The government collected LAK 44,956 billion (USD 2.01 billion) in revenue during the first half, up 19 percent from the same period last year and putting it more than halfway toward its annual target.
For Laos, however, the 6 percent growth goal is about more than this year’s economic performance. The country is preparing to graduate from the United Nations’ Least Developed Country category at the end of 2026, while the government has set a broader goal of maintaining at least 6 percent annual growth through 2030.
Officials project that GDP per capita will reach USD 3,104 and gross national income per capita USD 2,914 by 2030.
The first-half figures put Laos behind several of its regional neighbors.
Vietnam’s economy grew 8.2 percent during the same period, while Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia recorded growth of 6.1 percent, 5.7 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. Thailand and the Philippines grew more slowly, at 2.4 percent and 2.6 percent.
The Finance Ministry said the economy generated LAK 199,987 billion (USD 8.92 billion) in the first six months, equivalent to 48 percent of the government’s full-year output target of LAK 417,523 billion (USD 18.62 billion).
