DUBAI, UAE, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced the launch of the Global Assets Trading Fest, a trading competition that will reward participants with a share of a $202,000 USDT prize pool across traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto asset markets.

The event starts now until July 16, 2026. Participants can compete on two separate leaderboards based on their individual trading volume, with each leaderboard offering a prize pool of up to $101,000. The highest-ranked trader on each leaderboard can earn up to $20,000 in USDT.

Global Assets Trading Fest provides traders with opportunities to engage across a broad range of global asset classes available on Bybit, including precious metals, commodities, oil, forex, indices, stocks CFDs and selected crypto real-world asset (RWA) markets.

The competition features two distinct categories. The TradFi Leaderboard will count trading volume generated from eligible traditional finance pairs, including precious metals, commodities, oil, forex, indices and stocks CFDs. The Crypto (Spot & Futures) Leaderboard will count volume from eligible crypto spot and perpetual futures markets. Eligible spot markets include xStocks and RWA trading pairs, while eligible perpetual futures markets include stock, commodity and RWA perpetual contracts. Trading volume from zero-fee pairs will not be included in leaderboard calculations.

To participate, users must register through the event page, complete Identity Verification Level 1 or higher and trade eligible assets during the campaign period. Trading activity from Bybit Trading Bots and Copy Trading strategies will also contribute to leaderboard rankings within their respective categories.

Eligible TradFi instruments include products such as XAUUSD and XAGUSD, alongside commodities, oil, forex, indices and stock CFDs. Eligible crypto spot markets include xStock pairs such as NVDAX/USDT, SPCXX/USDT and TSLAX/USDT, as well as RWA pairs including XAUT/USDT and ONDO/USDT. Eligible crypto futures markets include stock, commodity and RWA perpetual contracts such as NVDAUSDT, SPCXUSDT, XAUTUSDT and ONDOUSDT.

Rewards will be distributed in USDT to winners’ Spot Accounts within 20 working days following the conclusion of the event.

The promotion is open to eligible Bybit users who register for the event and trade through Unified Trading Accounts. Institutional users, market makers and affiliates are not eligible to participate. Trading volume generated by subaccounts will be aggregated under the corresponding main account for ranking purposes.

In the event of a tie, the participant who first reaches the tied trading volume will receive the higher ranking. Bybit stated that it reserves the right to disqualify participants found to be engaging in wash trading, market manipulation or other abusive activities.

Terms and conditions apply. For details on eligibility and potential restrictions, users may visit: Global Assets Trading Fest: Trade US stocks & more to share 202,000 USDT

Disclaimer:
Bybit TradFi is powered by Infra Capital (Mauritius FSC licensed). The service is now available to eligible users through the official Bybit app and website. Bybit TradFi is not available to residents of the European Economic Area, among other restrictions. For details of regional limitations, terms and conditions, and user eligibility, users may visit Bybit TradFi. Trading comes with risk.

#Bybit / #NewFinancialPlatform

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

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New Venture Climate Alliance guide details how Singapore anchors climate technology commercialization across Southeast Asia — a practical resource for companies, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders, produced through the philanthropic HSBC-supported Innovation Scaling Initiative

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today the Venture Climate Alliance (VCA) has launched the Singapore Climate Technology Ecosystem Guide, a practical resource designed to help climate technology companies, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders navigate one of the world’s most important growth markets for climate innovation and regional expansion.

Developed through VCA’s Innovation Scaling Initiative and supported by HSBC, the guide provides insights into Singapore’s climate technology ecosystem, including the capital stack, policy and regulatory frameworks, corporate landscape, and pathways for expansion across Southeast Asia.

As climate technologies move beyond innovation toward commercial deployment, founders and investors increasingly face questions about where to establish regional operations, access customers, attract capital, and scale solutions. The guide aims to address these questions by providing practical intelligence on Singapore’s role as a platform for climate technology commercialization and regional growth.

The research draws on more than 200 publicly available sources, interviews, and insights from ecosystem leaders across government, investment, corporate, and startup communities.

“HSBC is proud to support the Venture Climate Alliance’s practical guide for climate tech start-ups and investors entering the Singapore market and beyond. Too often progress is slowed by market complexity—policy nuance, fragmented demand, partnership dependencies, access to capital and perceived and actual risk —rather than technology. This report turns ecosystem insight into actionable guidance to reduce friction and help innovators scale from pilots to deployment.”

Kiran Sura, Global Head of Sustainability Partnerships, HSBC

“Climate technology is at an inflection point; the solutions exist but scaling them into new markets remains one of the sector’s greatest challenges. Southeast Asia is a standout global growth opportunity combining urgent need, rising demand, and an increasingly sophisticated capital ecosystem. Singapore sits at the heart of this, offering the stability, connectivity, and financial infrastructure innovators need to move from validation to large-scale deployment. Guides like this help turn ecosystem complexity into actionable insight, helping founders and investors to make faster, better-informed decisions about where and how to grow.”

Thomas Miles, Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance & Transition, Climate Tech, HSBC

“Across the ecosystem, we heard a common challenge: companies don’t just need capital. They need the partners, policy support, corporate demand, and regional connections that must come together for a solution to scale. Singapore’s strength lies in how it brings these elements together within a highly connected ecosystem. This guide was developed to help founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders better understand that landscape and identify practical pathways for commercialization and regional expansion across Southeast Asia.”

Kate Costaris, Venture Climate Alliance

The guide identifies four key strengths that position Singapore at the center of climate technology commercialization across Southeast Asia:

• Access to capital through a deep ecosystem of venture capital, growth investors, institutional capital, blended finance vehicles, and government-supported funding programs. Singapore accounts for over half of ASEAN’s green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bond and loan issuance.
• A coordinated policy environment that provides regulatory clarity and long-term support for climate innovation and deployment
• Dense corporate networks that create opportunities for pilot projects, commercial partnerships, and customer acquisition
• Strategic regional connectivity that enables companies to coordinate growth and deployment across Southeast Asia

The release marks the first in a planned series of Innovation Scaling Initiative market guides exploring key growth climate technology markets globally.

The full guide is available here: https://ventureclimatealliance.org/resources/singapore-guide

About Venture Climate Alliance

The Venture Climate Alliance (VCA) is a global non-profit network of leading venture capital firms that provides general partners and portfolio companies with practical tools, market intelligence, support, and connections to help identify opportunities arising from the transition to a low-carbon economy and navigate climate-related risks. Founded by VCs for VCs, the VCA membership represents more than US$60 billion in assets under management. The VCA helps its members shape best practices, address ecosystem-wide challenges, and embed commercially relevant, climate-aligned strategies within portfolios from day one.

About the Innovation Scaling Initiative

The Innovation Scaling Initiative (ISI) is a two-year program designed to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of climate technologies. Philanthropically sponsored by HSBC and delivered by Venture Climate Alliance in close collaboration with its members, ecosystem partners, and Node, the initiative works to address critical scaling barriers facing climate technology companies through research, ecosystem engagement, market intelligence, and strategic convening.

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,306bn at 31 March 2026, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

New Venture Climate Alliance guide details how Singapore anchors climate technology commercialization across Southeast Asia — a practical resource for companies, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders, produced through the philanthropic HSBC-supported Innovation Scaling Initiative

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today the Venture Climate Alliance (VCA) has launched the Singapore Climate Technology Ecosystem Guide, a practical resource designed to help climate technology companies, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders navigate one of the world’s most important growth markets for climate innovation and regional expansion.

Developed through VCA’s Innovation Scaling Initiative and supported by HSBC, the guide provides insights into Singapore’s climate technology ecosystem, including the capital stack, policy and regulatory frameworks, corporate landscape, and pathways for expansion across Southeast Asia.

As climate technologies move beyond innovation toward commercial deployment, founders and investors increasingly face questions about where to establish regional operations, access customers, attract capital, and scale solutions. The guide aims to address these questions by providing practical intelligence on Singapore’s role as a platform for climate technology commercialization and regional growth.

The research draws on more than 200 publicly available sources, interviews, and insights from ecosystem leaders across government, investment, corporate, and startup communities.

“HSBC is proud to support the Venture Climate Alliance’s practical guide for climate tech start-ups and investors entering the Singapore market and beyond. Too often progress is slowed by market complexity—policy nuance, fragmented demand, partnership dependencies, access to capital and perceived and actual risk —rather than technology. This report turns ecosystem insight into actionable guidance to reduce friction and help innovators scale from pilots to deployment.”

Kiran Sura, Global Head of Sustainability Partnerships, HSBC

“Climate technology is at an inflection point; the solutions exist but scaling them into new markets remains one of the sector’s greatest challenges. Southeast Asia is a standout global growth opportunity combining urgent need, rising demand, and an increasingly sophisticated capital ecosystem. Singapore sits at the heart of this, offering the stability, connectivity, and financial infrastructure innovators need to move from validation to large-scale deployment. Guides like this help turn ecosystem complexity into actionable insight, helping founders and investors to make faster, better-informed decisions about where and how to grow.”

Thomas Miles, Senior Manager, Sustainable Finance & Transition, Climate Tech, HSBC

“Across the ecosystem, we heard a common challenge: companies don’t just need capital. They need the partners, policy support, corporate demand, and regional connections that must come together for a solution to scale. Singapore’s strength lies in how it brings these elements together within a highly connected ecosystem. This guide was developed to help founders, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders better understand that landscape and identify practical pathways for commercialization and regional expansion across Southeast Asia.”

Kate Costaris, Venture Climate Alliance

The guide identifies four key strengths that position Singapore at the center of climate technology commercialization across Southeast Asia:

• Access to capital through a deep ecosystem of venture capital, growth investors, institutional capital, blended finance vehicles, and government-supported funding programs. Singapore accounts for over half of ASEAN’s green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked bond and loan issuance.
• A coordinated policy environment that provides regulatory clarity and long-term support for climate innovation and deployment
• Dense corporate networks that create opportunities for pilot projects, commercial partnerships, and customer acquisition
• Strategic regional connectivity that enables companies to coordinate growth and deployment across Southeast Asia

The release marks the first in a planned series of Innovation Scaling Initiative market guides exploring key growth climate technology markets globally.

The full guide is available here: https://ventureclimatealliance.org/resources/singapore-guide

About Venture Climate Alliance

The Venture Climate Alliance (VCA) is a global non-profit network of leading venture capital firms that provides general partners and portfolio companies with practical tools, market intelligence, support, and connections to help identify opportunities arising from the transition to a low-carbon economy and navigate climate-related risks. Founded by VCs for VCs, the VCA membership represents more than US$60 billion in assets under management. The VCA helps its members shape best practices, address ecosystem-wide challenges, and embed commercially relevant, climate-aligned strategies within portfolios from day one.

About the Innovation Scaling Initiative

The Innovation Scaling Initiative (ISI) is a two-year program designed to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of climate technologies. Philanthropically sponsored by HSBC and delivered by Venture Climate Alliance in close collaboration with its members, ecosystem partners, and Node, the initiative works to address critical scaling barriers facing climate technology companies through research, ecosystem engagement, market intelligence, and strategic convening.

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,306bn at 31 March 2026, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

DUBAI, UAE, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, launched the second report in its 2026 Future of Finance series.

DIFC

The Changing Face of Banking: Building Resilience Through Change report underscores that resilience, rather than size or legacy, will define long-term success for banks navigating disruption. It examines how global banks must adapt their operating models to absorb disruption, evolve, and remain resilient amid AI, digital-native challengers, and shifting global demand.

Built on AI-driven, cloud first and asset light models, challenger banks are setting new standards for speed, personalisation and cost efficiency, exposing the limitations of traditional operating models. Their rapid growth pressurises established institutions to innovate faster to remain competitive. Without decisive transformation, industry profit pools could fall by USD 170bn by 2030, pushing many institutions below their cost of capital.

H.E Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Authority, commented: “As the global banking industry undergoes its most significant transformation in nearly two decades, institutions must embrace innovation, resilience and adaptability to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape shaped by AI, digital assets and shifting global markets. In Dubai and DIFC, we are committed to enabling this transformation through a future-focused ecosystem that connects global institutions to high-growth opportunities across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, while supporting banks in building the agility and resilience needed for the future.”

The report identifies that banks moving early and decisively will not only defend profitability but unlock new client groups, new regions and frontier asset classes. In doing so, they position themselves to capture a larger share of global finance.

As a bridge between the East and the West, Dubai’s geographical location enables banks to connect emerging FinTech innovation with global capital and reach high growth markets across Asia, the Gulf and Africa.

Banks are likely to use jurisdictions with supportive regulation to pilot new services and test model accuracy and governance in controlled environments before scaling regionally. As the world’s first AI-native financial centre, DIFC is integrating intelligence into regulatory processes and market infrastructure, enabling firms to build, test and scale AI-driven financial services.

The report reveals entrepreneurs, family offices, and women represent influential banking clients whose distinct and evolving financial needs remain underserved.

GUANGZHOU, China, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global momentum of the AION UT continued to build in May 2026, with monthly sales reaching 3,331 units – a 60% increase month-on-month – making it the fastest-growing Chinese-brand electric hatchback in its segment.

Since its global debut in 2025, the AION UT has rapidly expanded across Southeast Asia, South America, Oceania, and Europe. From Thailand and Indonesia to Singapore and Uruguay, from Australia to Milan, its global footprint has steadily grown in just over a year, with the model consistently ranking among the top sellers in multiple markets.

This success is rooted in exceptional product strength. Designed by GAC’s Milan Design Center, the AION UT combines Digital Magic Cube aesthetics with a stylish fastback silhouette that defines a new trendsetting identity. Its class-leading 2,750mm wheelbase delivers spacious interior room, while the Magazine Battery 2.0 technology maintains an impeccable “Zero-Spontaneous-Combustion” safety record. With 24‑minute fast charging and V2L functionality, the UT covers all usage scenarios from urban commuting to outdoor adventures. These all-around capabilities have earned it prestigious accolades including “The Most Valuable EV Award” at the Bangkok International Motor Show, “Best Compact Electric Vehicle Award” at Mexico and “BEST SUBCOMPACT HATCHBACK 5 Dr.EV” at Thailand’s CAR OF THE YEAR 2026, along with widespread praise from global media and customers.

Beyond product excellence, the AION UT has made its mark through cross-industry collaborations in sports and entertainment. Partnering with football star Luis Suárez and Hong Kong singer Vic Teo, among others, the UT has deepened its connection with younger users, reinforcing its positioning as a global trendsetter and cementing its reputation as a “Chinese global bestseller.”

The rapid rise of the AION UT carries significant strategic weight, reflecting the accelerated rollout of GAC’s “One GAC 2.0” strategy. From product exports to full ecosystem globalization, the UT is driving Chinese high-quality new energy vehicles onto the world stage. As GAC approaches the major milestone of its 30-millionth vehicle rollout, the AION UT – as the fastest-growing model – adds a powerful chapter to GAC’s globalization journey.

For further information about GAC, please visit: https://www.gacgroup.com/en or follow us on social media.

The next generation of designers showcase purposeful and innovative solutions for the modern home.

MANILA, Philippines, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — American Standard, an industry leader in bathroom solutions and part of LIXIL, announced the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Grand Prize winner for the fourth edition of the American Standard Design Award (ASDA) 2026. The final round of the competition saw first-placed national winners from across the APAC region showcasing multigenerational bathroom designs with fresh perspectives that embodies the theme of ‘Inspiring Everyday Living.’

The competition theme challenged future designers to thoughtfully rethink how residential bathrooms of the future can adapt to shifting everyday living needs. This focus on evolving everyday living inspired strong participation from emerging designers, attracting over 2000 registrants from six countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Entries were judged and advanced through national and regional competition rounds, by a panel of over 20 experts from the architecture, design and sanitary ware industry.

The ASDA Exhibition and Awarding Ceremony, held at the Ayala Museum in Manila, Philippines, brought together the APAC finalists and esteemed judges. As the major highlight, a dedicated exhibition of the winning entries gave guests the exclusive opportunity to view and explore the innovative concepts firsthand. The national winners were immersed in a holistic learning experience by participating in curated cultural heritage and architecture tours, networking with industry pioneers, and attending the exclusive ASDA MasterClass led by Cathy Saldana, Principal and Managing Director of PDP Architects, alongside other esteemed ASDA judges—all underscoring a shared commitment to mentorship and shaping the future of the design industry.

Patricia Danielle Malijan, an undergraduate design student from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Taft) in the Philippines, emerged as the ASDA 2026 APAC Grand Prize Winner with the exceptional entry titled “The Humble Home: Quiet Simplicity“. Inspired by Filipino multi-generational family living, her project utilized thoughtful, intuitive zoning to allow simultaneous use and ease of movement for all age groups. The layout seamlessly integrates essential American Standard solutions—including the EasySet auto temperature mixer—to deliver an inclusive space centered around safety, fluid movement, and everyday ease.”

Sharing her personal journey, Patricia Danielle Malijan stated, “I’m incredibly honored to win the ASDA 2026 APAC Grand Prize, with the incredible support of my ASDA mentors, family, and friends around me. I was inspired to design ‘The Humble Home’ with the American Standard range to create a space for the entire family, from young to old, to enjoy their bathroom me-time in dignity, safety, and convenience. The competition has been personally meaningful as the design process taught me to think out of the box, be persistent and adaptable, and articulate how design relates to real life.”

Antoine Besseyre des Horts, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Asia, commented, “The ASDA continues to impress the judging panel with the caliber and breadth of regional talent applying their perspectives, to inspire everyday living. We congratulate all the ASDA 2026 winners and finalists, who thoughtfully balanced macro trends like urbanization and well-being with real-life constraints. Their entries demonstrated how to address local customs and sensitivities while embracing inclusiveness to ensure a special sense of belonging for everyone in the household—concretely bringing our belief in life, love, and home to reality. We are proud to support an enriching experience for all ASDA winners and participants through four editions of the ASDA, and look forward to further elevating lifestyles through design.”

The ASDA 2026 regional finalists and first-placed National Winners are:

• Patricia Danielle Malijan – APAC Grand Prize Winner & Philippines National Winner from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Taft)
• Bounpaserth Mienglavanh – Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar (CLM) National Winner from National University of Laos
• Gabriel Procellia – Indonesia National Winner from Ciputra University
• Jinjuta Chomputsa – Thailand National Winner from Chulalongkorn University
• Nguyen Ngoc Chung – Vietnam National Winner from Hanoi University of Civil Engineering

Each national winner won a cash prize of USD 2,000, and were mentored by their national ASDA judges in their advance to the APAC regional final. The APAC Grand Prize winner was awarded a total cash prize of USD 5,000.

For more information about the ASDA competition and to view the groundbreaking winning designs, please visit the official website at https://asda.americanstandard-apac.com/winners-2026/.

About American Standard

American Standard is the industry leader in bathroom and kitchen products, providing an unmatched legacy of quality and innovation for more than 150 years. American Standard is passionate about improving daily living in ways big and small. From toilet seat innovations to best in class kitchen faucets, American Standard seeks to inspire people to create a home they will love every day. Learn more at americanstandard-apac.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About LIXIL

LIXIL  (TSE  Code  5938)  makes  pioneering  water  and housing  products  that  solve  every  day,  real-life  challenges,  making better homes  a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products  that  transform  homes.  But  the  LIXIL  difference  is  how  we  do  this;  through  meaningful  design,  an  entrepreneurial  spirit,  a dedication to improving accessibility for all and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including  INAX,  GROHE,  American  Standard  and  TOSTEM.  Approximately  53,000  colleagues  operating  in  more  than  150  countries  are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day. Learn more at www.lixil.com.