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1inch launches Aqua to the public, introducing the first shared liquidity layer for DeFi

  • Following its developer launch in November 2025, Aqua now offers a risk-controlled alternative to DeFi’s pool-based model.
  • 1inch unveils a Merkl-powered liquidity incentive program for Aqua, funded with 10 million 1INCH by the 1inch Foundation and 500k USDC from 1inch DAO.
  • Aqua goes live across 13 EVM chains from day one.

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 1inch, the leading DeFi ecosystem, announces the full public launch of Aqua, a self-custodial shared liquidity layer that enables liquidity providers to use the same wallet balance across multiple positions without locking assets in liquidity pools.


Following its developer launch in November 2025, Aqua today offers one of the first risk-controlled alternatives to DeFi’s traditional pool-based model, enabling more capital-efficient liquidity provisioning.

1inch Aqua works as a registry: a user connects their wallet to approve a token balance and create liquidity positions that can access that balance. The Aqua protocol tracks that balance, and when it receives a swap order that meets the criteria of the position, it pulls the requested tokens from the wallet and pushes back received tokens and fees in a single atomic transaction. Otherwise, the user’s tokens remain in their wallet and completely under their control.

“The liquidity provisioning space is broken, but you only see how broken once there’s an alternative. Today, that alternative has arrived. With Aqua, liquidity providers no longer have to accept the inefficient pool structure they’ve put up with for years,” said Sergej Kunz, 1inch co-founder. “DeFi doesn’t just need more liquidity. It needs more useful liquidity, active wherever demand appears. We built Aqua so providers get that reach without giving up custody: your tokens stay in your wallet until the moment a swap fills.”

Alongside the product launch, 1inch Network Incentives goes live — a liquidity reward program for Aqua, led by Degensoft Ltd (BVI) and delivered through Merkl. The 1inch Foundation has committed 10 million 1INCH in provider rewards, and a further 500,000 USDC boost from the 1inch DAO. The initiative is designed to accelerate liquidity growth and swap activity across supported pairs. As a result, liquidity providers not only benefit from Aqua’s improved experience but also have the opportunity to earn additional rewards. Program terms, markets and safeguards are set out in the published campaign configuration.

According to 1inch, the current pool based system is a major limiting factor on DeFi’s ability to scale and bring TradFi capital on chain. For liquidity providers, the current model of depositing into pools means handing over custody, while active capital gets spread thin across protocols, pairs and price ranges. The scale of the problem is stark: per on-chain research by Dune commissioned by 1inch, 85% of concentrated liquidity across major DEXs was underutilized in H1 2026, roughly $1.6 billion of the $1.84 billion tracked. That includes about $542 million sitting fully out of range in an average week, resulting in an estimated $150 million in fees foregone per year.

Through Aqua, 1inch is showcasing a more efficient model for shared liquidity, allowing the same wallet balance to back multiple positions simultaneously. Unlike the traditional model, where liquidity must be split across multiple pools and positions, Aqua enables a single balance to support multiple quotes at once. For example, a $100,000 balance can support three positions collectively quoting $300,000 of liquidity, with the potential to quote more. The underlying tokens remain available to every position at all times; nothing is borrowed, and any swap can only execute against the assets actually held in the wallet.

A position on Aqua can be full range, concentrated or pegged, depending on the selected pair and position type. A user can open and close positions themselves, with no lock-up. Their exposure is capped by the tokens they actually hold, not by the theoretical combined size of every position they create. If their wallet cannot cover a swap, Aqua simply does not call on their tokens.

From today, users can create positions across 13 EVM chains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Robinhood Chain and BNB Chain. Aqua also launches with a number of additional functionalities, including a liquidity leaderboard, an incentives screen, liquidity map visualizations, batch position creation, provider profiles with cross-chain positions, sub-wallets, and an AI-assisted liquidity provisioning flow via the 1inch Business MCP with safe batch deployment, coming soon.

Aqua has undergone eight independent security audits conducted by OpenZeppelin, Bailsec, Hashlock, Hexens, MixBytes, Nethermind, Theori, and Decurity. Combined with its fully self-custodial design, which never holds user tokens, a swap can only move assets that are actually in the provider’s wallet at the moment it fills. Revocation stops new fills as soon as it confirms on-chain. Aqua is also protected from JIT fee sniping by design, as each position has a single owner, thus there is no shared fee moment bots can capitalize on. While Aqua’s design keeps exposure bounded and providers in control of their own tokens, swap fees are not guaranteed, prices can move against a position (impermanent loss), and providers bear market and smart-contract risk.

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About 1inch

1inch accelerates decentralized finance with a seamless crypto trading experience for 27M users. Beyond being the top platform for low-cost, efficient token swaps with $100M+ in daily trades, 1inch offers a range of innovative tools, including a secure self-custodial wallet, a portfolio tracker for managing digital assets, a dedicated business portal giving access to its cutting-edge technology, and even a debit card for easy crypto spending. By continuously innovating, 1inch is simplifying DeFi for everyone.

Website | 1inch Business | 1inch Network | Follow on X | Explore Blog

Aqua involves risk, including loss of funds. It’s built for experienced users — do your own research. Not financial advice. Incentive rewards are variable, not guaranteed, and subject to the program’s published terms.

Iridium and SKYWAVE™, an ORBCOMM® company, Partner to Advance Global Industrial IoT for Heavy Equipment OEMs

Partnership combines SKYWAVE’s intelligent network orchestration solution with Iridium’s pole-to-pole LEO satellite network to help equipment manufacturers modernize connected operations and extend connectivity worldwide.

MCLEAN, Va., July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, aircraft surveillance, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced a strategic partnership with SKYWAVE, a global leader in industrial IoT connectivity, devices and enablement solutions for mission-critical assets, to help heavy equipment manufacturers build and scale more resilient connected equipment services across global operating environments.

Iridium and SKYWAVE, an Orbcomm company
Iridium and SKYWAVE, an Orbcomm company

As heavy equipment manufacturers expand connected services, they face growing pressure to improve equipment uptime, modernize legacy deployments, and deliver a consistent customer experience across fleets operating in remote and often disconnected locations. Many deployments rely on fragmented communications infrastructure that limits asset visibility, delays service response, and constrains the rollout of new digital capabilities.

Together, Iridium and SKYWAVE are addressing these challenges by combining Iridium’s truly global, weather-resilient low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and proven Short Burst Data® (SBD®) services with SKYWAVE’s intelligent multi-network management solution and award-winning OGx IoT platform. The integration is underway, with Iridium SBD being embedded directly into SKYWAVE satellite IoT terminals, giving SKYWAVE’s heavy equipment OEM customers the option to access Iridium’s LEO satellite network. The combined solution will give OEMs a flexible platform that seamlessly extends connected services across satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi networks, helping ensure reliable connectivity wherever equipment operates.

The integrated solution supports a wide range of connected equipment applications for OEMs, including remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance, service support, and the modernization of existing connected equipment fleets. The partnership initially focuses on heavy equipment manufacturers, with the underlying architecture designed to support additional industrial verticals where assets operate globally, remotely, or beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

“For more than two decades, Iridium has provided the only pole-to-pole mobile satellite network, delivering the coverage, resiliency, and reliability that mission-critical operations demand,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “We look forward to partnering with SKYWAVE to bring Iridium’s global LEO capabilities to industrial IoT customers operating in even the most demanding environments.”

“This partnership is an important step in SKYWAVE’s mission to become the intelligent networking layer for industrial IoT,” said Sameer Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM. “Heavy equipment OEMs are looking for ways to modernize legacy deployments, expand connected service capabilities and deliver reliable digital experiences wherever their equipment operates. By combining Iridium’s global LEO capabilities with SKYWAVE’s platform, we are enabling OEMs to build and scale those capabilities across multiple networks.”

The partnership builds on the long-standing satellite IoT leadership of Iridium and SKYWAVE, bringing Iridium’s global LEO network together with SKYWAVE’s intelligent multi-network platform. Together, the companies are creating a more resilient foundation for the next generation of industrial IoT applications, helping equipment manufacturers extend connected operations wherever their assets are deployed.

For more information about Iridium, visit www.iridium.com 

For more information about SKYWAVE, visit www.skywave.com 

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world’s only truly global mobile satellite network. It serves as a platform for innovation, enabling voice, data, and messaging, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and aircraft surveillance services anywhere on Earth. Through its satellite constellation and integrated capabilities like Aireon, the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, Iridium delivers services that support safety-focused operations across aviation, maritime, government, industrial, and consumer markets. The company is a leader in satellite Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and is advancing direct-to-device (D2D) communications based on open standards to expand access to satellite services.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium innovates through an ecosystem of more than 500 technology and distribution partners, serving millions of customers worldwide. For more information visit www.iridium.com.

About SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company

SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM company, is a global provider of IoT solution enablement technology. We empower solution providers, system integrators and OEMs to serve their customers through satellite and cellular managed IoT networks and a complete application enablement platform. We provide a fully integrated ecosystem of purpose-built devices, data automation and connectivity services for high-reliability, low-data solutions. SKYWAVE is where IoT powers mission-critical applications for the transportation, agriculture, oil and gas, and maritime industries. For more information, visit www.skywave.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Iridium (the “company”) has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the expected capabilities and benefits of combining the Iridium satellite network and SBD services with SKYWAVE’s management solution and platform, the availability of the combined solution, and Iridium’s expected relationship with SKYWAVE. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “to be” and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the timing of commercial availability of the combined solution for SKYWAVE’s heavy equipment OEMs, the company’s ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 12, 2026, and the company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, filed with the SEC on July 22, 2026, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium’s expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium’s underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Press Contact:
Jordan Hassin
Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7421
X: @Iridiumcomm

Investor Contact:
Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7570

800,000 More Daily Journeys: Copenhagen’s Next Mobility Challenge


COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – There is something remarkable about Copenhagen.Stand in the city centre during rush hour and you will still hear bicycle bells, conversations spilling out from cafés and children walking to school. It is not because the city has fewer people or less traffic. On the contrary, Copenhagen is one of Northern Europe’s most dynamic capitals. What makes it different is that its mobility system is organised so well that it almost disappears into everyday life.

Green SM can help make thousands of daily journeys more convenient, safer and more reliable

That success has never been built around a single mode of transport. Copenhagen is not simply a cycling city, nor is it defined by its metro or buses. It is an integrated mobility ecosystem where every mode serves a distinct purpose. Bicycles are ideal for short trips. Public transport moves large numbers of people efficiently across the city. Walking remains part of daily life. Taxis fill the journeys that other options do not always serve well, whether it is an early morning airport transfer, an elderly passenger travelling home, a family carrying luggage or visitors arriving in the city for the first time. Rather than competing with one another, each mode strengthens the overall system.

Yet even one of the world’s most successful mobility systems now faces a new challenge.

According to a joint mobility analysis by the Capital Region of Denmark and the City of Copenhagen, the Greater Copenhagen area is expected to generate around 800,000 additional journeys every day by 2035. That growth will be shared across every mode of transport, including approximately 290,000 additional walking trips, 110,000 cycling trips, 80,000 public transport journeys and 310,000 car trips each day.

These figures reveal an important reality. Copenhagen is not expecting people to abandon bicycles for cars, nor is it attempting to replace one mode of transport with another. As the population grows, tourism expands and economic activity increases, demand will rise across the entire mobility system.

The real challenge is therefore not deciding which mode of transport should dominate. It is finding ways to accommodate hundreds of thousands of additional journeys while preserving the quiet streets, public spaces and quality of life that have made Copenhagen one of the world’s most liveable cities.

This philosophy is increasingly reflected in the city’s approach to mobility. Walking, cycling, public transport, cars and taxis are no longer viewed as competing alternatives, but as complementary parts of the same transport ecosystem, each serving different travel needs.

The challenge is not unique to Copenhagen.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), road traffic remains Europe’s largest source of environmental noise, affecting around 92 million people. The report concludes that electrification alone will not solve the problem. Cleaner vehicles are essential, but so are better urban planning and a more balanced transport system.

In other words, the future of urban mobility will not be determined by how many electric vehicles a city puts on its streets. It will depend on whether every journey is served by the right mode, at the right time and in the right place.

Even the best transport systems leave certain journeys uncovered.

Not everyone can cycle to the airport before sunrise. Elderly passengers may struggle with luggage on public transport. Visitors arriving in Copenhagen for the first time may not feel confident combining several transport options simply to reach their hotel. These journeys represent only a small proportion of daily travel, but they will always exist. This is where ride-hailing finds its place within the mobility ecosystem. It complements public transport and cycling rather than competing with them.

The quality of that service, however, depends on far more than the vehicle itself.

Ultimately, every journey is shaped by the person behind the wheel. A safe drive, professional conduct, punctuality, a warm greeting or a helping hand with a suitcase all contribute to the passenger’s experience. In a city like Copenhagen, these small moments help shape the city’s reputation just as much as its infrastructure.

This is the context in which Green SM enters Copenhagen.

Over the past three years, Green SM has accumulated experience from millions of journeys every day and billions of kilometres travelled in fully electric vehicles across Asia. Yet in Copenhagen, scale alone means very little. The more important question is whether a mobility service can integrate seamlessly into an already successful transport system and make it work even better.

For that reason, Green SM invests not only in an all-electric fleet, but also in rigorous driver recruitment and training covering safety, customer service, operational excellence and local cultural understanding. The objective is not simply to move passengers from one destination to another, but to deliver journeys that reflect the standards Copenhagen has spent decades building.

Perhaps that is why Copenhagen became Green SM’s first destination in Europe.

The ambition is not to introduce a new model of urban mobility. It is to become a trusted addition to one that already works exceptionally well.

Ultimately, success in Copenhagen will never be measured by the number of vehicles on the road. The city does not need more cars simply to fill its streets. It needs mobility services that are available when people need them, complement the existing transport network and quietly step back once their role is complete, leaving the city every bit as liveable as before.

If Green SM can help make thousands of daily journeys more convenient, safer and more reliable, while preserving the rhythm of life that makes Copenhagen unique, that may be success enough.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

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

Centriq PR Champions Purposeful Communication Through Social Impact Initiative

We.R.Wira Season 4 Equips Youth with Industry Ready Skills Aligned with UN SDGs


SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – Centriq PR, independent Malaysian public relations consultancy, marked another milestone in its commitment to purposeful communication as Season 4 of its social impact initiative, We.R.Wira, culminated in the Golden Wira Awards Ceremony at Tan Yew Sing Auditorium, INTI International College Subang.

We.R.Wira Season 4 recorded its strongest participation to date, receiving 41 submissions from four institutions. (Below stage, from left): Director of Strategic Communications, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Mr. Frank Chan, Managing Director, EVD Berhad, Mr. Norhizam Abdul Kadir, Head of Community Outreach & Collaborations, United Nations Association Malaysia, Ms. Loke Pak-Yen, Managing Director, Centriq PR, Ms. Jacqueline Arnold, Head of Programme, Mass Communications, Centre for University of Hertfordshire Programmes, INTI International College Subang, Mr. Roberto Calleja Fernandez, Dean, Centre of University of Hertfordshire Programmes, INTI International College Subang, Mr. Lai Mun Loon.
We.R.Wira Season 4 recorded its strongest participation to date, receiving 41 submissions from four institutions. (Below stage, from left): Director of Strategic Communications, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Mr. Frank Chan, Managing Director, EVD Berhad, Mr. Norhizam Abdul Kadir, Head of Community Outreach & Collaborations, United Nations Association Malaysia, Ms. Loke Pak-Yen, Managing Director, Centriq PR, Ms. Jacqueline Arnold, Head of Programme, Mass Communications, Centre for University of Hertfordshire Programmes, INTI International College Subang, Mr. Roberto Calleja Fernandez, Dean, Centre of University of Hertfordshire Programmes, INTI International College Subang, Mr. Lai Mun Loon.

At its core, We.R.Wira reflects Centriq PR’s belief that heroism lives in ordinary individuals—the everyday heroes (“Wira” ) who choose to act with passion and purpose for causes they believe in. By empowering youth to uncover and tell these stories, Centriq PR aims to nurture purposeful storytellers and future changemakers.

Equipping Youth with Industry‑Ready Skills
As the communication industry evolves, Centriq PR recognises that practitioners need more than creativity. They must develop a deeper understanding of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), communicate their relevance to different audiences and connect with collaborators across sectors. We.R.Wira equips students with these industry‑relevant skills by combining real‑world storytelling, SDG alignment and academia‑industry partnerships.

In her opening remarks, Managing Director of Centriq PR, Jacqueline Arnold, shared, “At Centriq PR, we believe storytelling has the power to educate, inspire and bring people together. Storytelling is more than creative expression; it is practice for life. Beyond learning to craft authentic narratives, students gain the ability to identify stakeholders with shared values, build meaningful collaborations and amplify stories across multiple platforms to inspire real impact. This is what PR is all about. Through We.R.Wira, we encourage young communicators to listen with empathy and give voice to everyday heroes who create positive change in their communities.”

Season 4 recorded its strongest participation to date, receiving 41 submissions from four institutions: UOW Malaysia Glenmarie, UTAR Kampar, UiTM Shah Alam, and newcomer INTI International College Subang, which proudly hosted the ceremony. Collectively, participants explored 12 of the 17 UN SDGs, with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) most represented.

Building Skills Through Workshops and Resources
Centriq PR also led a workshop at INTI International College Subang, supported by a video series and workshop deck, to introduce strategic communications, SDG alignment and ESG‑focused narratives. These resources gave students practical skills to connect their stories to sustainability goals and prepare to collaborate with stakeholders as future communicators.

Celebrating Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change
Entries were evaluated by a panel comprising Loke Pak‑Yen (United Nations Association Malaysia), Frank Chan (MDEC), Norhizam Abdul Kadir (EVD Berhad), and Arnold.

The event brought together students, educators and industry leaders to celebrate storytelling as a catalyst for positive change, demonstrating how strategic communications can help advance the UN SDGs.

Academic Dean of INTI International College Subang, Mr. Eric Lee, noted, “This semester, INTI International College Subang aligned its Mass Communication module assessments with the We.R.Wira campaign, encouraging students to submit their coursework to the national competition.”

Honouring Champions and Outstanding Stories
For its compelling storytelling and lasting community impact, the submission titled Anak Pulau: Below the Surface by UiTM Shah Alam emerged champion. Another submission by UiTM Shah Alam, Where Heart Meets: The Story of Tender Hearts Cafe secured the first runner‑up spot, while Beyond the Sirens by UOW Glenmarie took second runner‑up position.

For demonstrating exceptional merit and strong performance, four Honourable Mentions were presented to Colouring Lives (UOW Glenmarie) and Keep Wildlife Wild: Animal Neighbours Project, Sixteen Pillars, One Heritage, and Invisible Citizens: The Fight For A Name, all submitted by UiTM Shah Alam.

In the new Outstanding SDG Alignment category, the submissions titled Invisible Citizens: The Fight For a Name (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) and The Lost Food Project: More Than Leftovers (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 2: Zero Hunger), UiTM Shah Alam emerged as winners for their powerful alignment with selected SDGs and ability to inspire awareness and action.

Looking Ahead to Season 5
Through We.R.Wira, Centriq PR is cultivating the next generation of communicators by equipping students with practical experience in strategic storytelling, SDG alignment, stakeholder engagement, and industry collaboration—skills essential in today’s PR profession.

Season 4 leaves a resounding message: Change begins when those who care enough, dare to act. Looking ahead, We.R.Wira will return for Season 5, reaffirming Centriq PR’s long‑term commitment to nurturing future communicators through meaningful storytelling, collaboration and social impact initiatives.

Hashtag: #WeRWira #WeRWiraS4 #SocialImpact #SDG #BeTheChange #SustainableDevelopmentGoals





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

About Centriq PR

Centriq PR is a Malaysian independent public relations consultancy, recognised for its expertise in strategic content development, corporate communications, media relations, reputation management, ESG communications, and crisis response.

The consultancy focuses on human intelligence, ethical guidance, and trust-building to provide strategic communications counsel, partnering with organisations across industries to build trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and deliver measurable outcomes.

Beyond client work, Centriq PR champions communications as a force for social impact. Its flagship youth initiative, We.R.Wira, equips students with practical storytelling skills and amplifies inspiring stories aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), showing how communication can drive lasting positive change.

ECARX to Report Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results on August 11, 2026

LONDON, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ECARX Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ECX) (“ECARX” or the “Company”), a leading global automotive intelligence company, today announced it will host a conference call and live webcast on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. E.T to report its financial results and business highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

To join the live conference call, please register at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIe8abcb76ec1e4761a1002346ff30cd05 to receive the conference call details as well as international access numbers.

Please join at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call and webcast.

The live audio webcast will be accessible on the investor relations section of the Company’s website (ir.ecarxgroup.com) where a replay will also be available approximately two hours after the event.

About ECARX

ECARX (Nasdaq: ECX), headquartered in London, is a leading global automotive intelligence company. ECARX provides the intelligent brain that powers the next generation of software-defined and AI defined vehicles. The company delivers end-to-end, full-stack solutions spanning advanced system-on-chip hardware, high-performance central computing platforms, intelligent cockpit technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, cloud connectivity and physical AI, alongside bespoke vehicle software and intelligent operating systems.

As automakers transition to software-first and AI-first vehicle architectures, ECARX empowers automakers to streamline integration, reduce systemic complexity and optimize long-term cost efficiency. ECARX’s proven technology is deployed across over 11 million vehicles worldwide, and is currently partnered with 18 global automakers and 28 vehicle brands to shape the future of automotive intelligence.

Founded in 2017 and listed on Nasdaq in 2022, ECARX operates from 13 major international locations across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with a global team of over 1,400 employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, amongst other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. The use of words “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “believes”, “should”, “potential”, “may”, “preliminary”, “forecast”, “objective”, “plan”, or “target”, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, and the markets in which we operate.

For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, see ECARX’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ECARX undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival Takes Place in Daofu County


DAOFU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – On July 24, the 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival opened at Yuke Grassland in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.

Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival
Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival

Featuring a diverse range of activities, including nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, this year’s festival showcases the region’s unique nomadic culture with modern cultural tourism development. The event has attracted numerous visitors eager to experience the charm of grassland culture.

The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage. Local herders drove cattle across the vast grasslands, carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes used by Tibetan herders for livestock management. The scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities, who have long followed seasonal migration routes in search of water and pasture.

Behind them came a grand procession of heavy cavalry and the legendary Gesar riders. Riders in traditional attire galloped across the grassland, valiant and heroic in bearing. A vibrant parade of ethnic costumes then took the stage, showcasing pulu—a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile—alongside modern tailoring designs, highlighting the blending of ancient culture and modern fashion.

Riders Galloped at Full Speed on the Racecourse
Riders Galloped at Full Speed on the Racecourse

“As the scenes of nomadic migration gradually unfolded before my eyes, a long-lost yearning for a simpler pastoral life suddenly welled up within me,” said Mr. Zhang, a visitor who traveled from Beijing especially for the event. “My whole family loves the grassland lifestyle in Daofu. It is something you cannot experience in the city.”

The Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival has been successfully held for seven editions to date. Running through July 26, this year’s festival features eight major events, including the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and the fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Moreover, a range of grassland market activities—including ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings—are being held in parallel, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.

Daofu County, where this event took place, is situated in northwestern Sichuan Province, with an average summer temperature of around 24°C. The county boasts a remarkable blend of natural landscapes—including Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake—and cultural heritage, such as Kham traditions and the Highland Silk Road. From July 2021 to June 2026, Daofu County received a cumulative total of 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue.

Hashtag: #SichuanGanziMountainCultureTourismFestival #DaofuCounty #NomadicCulture

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

HKT unveils self-developed AI platform HKT.AI  One-stop hub for global AI resources, advancing “AI for All” in Hong Kong


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – HKT announces the launch of HKT.AI, a one-stop, integrated AI platform that enables businesses and individual customers to access a broad suite of prominent global AI resources through a single and intuitive interface. The platform aims to accelerate the mass adoption of AI in Hong Kong, especially in empowering SMEs in their digital transformation, and advance the vision of “AI for All.”

HKT.AI_photo_EN.png

HKT.AI aggregates a wide range of Chinese Mainland-based and global AI resources, enabling businesses and individuals to seamlessly access and switch across specialised applications and tools on a single platform to meet diverse work and everyday needs. At initial launch, HKT.AI offers four key features, including Image Studio, Writing Studio, Social Content Studio, and an AI Arena that help users select the suitable model. The platform also provides secure dedicated storage that automatically preserves chat histories, eliminating the need for users to search across different apps and facilitating future reference and reuse. This is reinforced by enterprise-grade security that safeguards customers’ uploaded data.

HKT.AI initially comes with around 20 preconfigured AI agents to facilitate an easy start. Addressing the needs of SMEs, HKT.AI offers a collection of Hong Kong-focused business AI agents that take on routine tasks, such as company filing and documents generation for assisting tax-related matters, to drive greater efficiency and competitiveness among SMEs. Designed for supporting a variety of business scenarios, the AI agents are categorised by job function to help users locate the appropriate tools, including auto roster planner and complaint response assistant, at ease.

For consumers, the platform features engaging and educational AI agents such as a personal fitness trainer, a star‑chef cooking coach, and a creative naming tool. New features will be added on gradually, including PowerPoint and video generating tools.

HKT will offer businesses and individual users with a dedicated, round‑the‑clock hotline dedicated for AI support, along with a range of training sessions and workshops, ensuring users can master the applications and receive assistance in a timely manner. Designated specialists will also be provided to assist businesses with platform setup as needed.

Starting today, HKT will invite selected businesses and 1O1O customers to trial HKT.AI for free, with plans to gradually enrich the range of AI resources and agents and make it available to more customers.

Susanna Hui, HKT Group Managing Director, said, “HKT has been proactively capitalising the opportunities arising from the rapid advancement of AI, while accelerating its transformation from a traditional telecommunications service provider into an integrated data and intelligent technology enabler serving both enterprise and individual customers. We are committed to leveraging our network infrastructure, cross-industry ecosystem, diverse partner network, and extensive customer base to build an end-to-end innovation value chain spanning connectivity, data and intelligence, leading customers in embracing new technologies, empowering every step of their journey, as well as accelerating the broad adoption of AI. To advance this commitment, we are introducing HKT.AI, our self-developed, purpose-driven platform that transforms cutting-edge AI capabilities into intuitive, secure and reliable tools, all accessible through a single gateway designed to serve and empower businesses and consumers. Our goal is to support Hong Kong’s “AI for All” vision and proactively align with the nation’s “AI+” initiative, fostering the growth of the digital economy and a smart society.”

Recently, HKT has introduced other AI-driven services, including the AI CMO marketing solution, which can rapidly generate marketing videos incorporating local language and scenarios based on social listening insights together with data analytics from The Club ecosystem for merchants’ use on The Club and their platforms. Tap & Go has also launched Hong Kong’s first Single Use Card for consumers, enabling users to manage the risks associated with Agentic AI in transactional workflows and merchant data breaches.

Hashtag: #HKT

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

About HKT

HKT is a technology, media, and telecommunications leader with more than 150 years of history in Hong Kong. As the city’s true 5G provider, HKT connects businesses and people locally and globally. Our end-to-end enterprise solutions make us a market-leading digital transformation partner of choice for businesses, whereas our comprehensive connectivity and smart living offerings enrich people’s lives and cater for their diverse needs for work, entertainment, education, well-being, and even a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle. Together with our digital ventures which support digital economy development and help connect Hong Kong to the world as an international financial centre, HKT endeavours to contribute to smart city development and help our community tech forward.

For more information, please visit .

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Issued by HKT Limited.
HKT Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability.

Focus Graphite Achieves up to 98.7% Carbon Concentrate Through Mechanical Processing and Activates Downstream Qualification Platform

Eight-tonne pilot produces approximately 850 kg of high-grade graphite concentrate for customer testing, advanced product development and potential strategic partnerships and offtake


Highlights

  • Premium Mechanical Concentrate: Eight tonnes of Lac Knife ore were processed into approximately 850 kg of concentrate grading up to 98.7% carbon using conventional mechanical concentration methods alone, without chemical or thermal purification.
  • High-Grade Pilot Feed: The pilot feed had an average head grade of 18.9% total carbon, demonstrating the naturally high-grade character Lac Knife material.
  • Flowsheet Confirmed: The pilot program confirmed the previously developed Lac Knife process flowsheet, with optimization focused on increasing concentrate grade within the finer fractions while preserving the integrity and value of the larger flake fractions.
  • Qualification Platform Activated: Qualification-scale material has been produced and is now being allocated to purification, battery-material and specialty graphite programs intended to support customer evaluation, product validation and potential partnership and offtake pathways across unmanned systems, defence, energy storage and industrial markets.

Ottawa, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – July 28, 2026) – Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) (“Focus” or the “Company“), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence and industrial applications, is pleased to announce the completion of its eight-tonne Pilot Processing Program (the “Program“) using ore from its 100%-owned Lac Knife Graphite Project (“Lac Knife” or the “Project“), located near Fermont, Quebec. The Program was completed by SGS Canada Inc. (“SGS“) and was previously announced by the Company (see March 3, 2026 Press Release). To further support downstream product development and customer evaluation demand, the Company expanded the Program from the originally planned six tonnes to approximately eight tonnes of Lac Knife ore.

The pilot feed had an average head grade of 18.9% total carbon (C), as determined by LECO analysis. Preliminary results from the Program produced approximately 850 kilograms of premium graphite concentrate grading between 95.0% and 98.7% C by Loss on Ignition (“LOI“) across the concentrate size fractions. These results were achieved using mechanical concentration methods alone, without chemical or thermal purification.

The preliminary results are consistent with, and further validate, the conventional process flowsheet developed through the Company’s earlier SGS pilot program, which formed the basis of the 2023 Feasibility Study Update. That work demonstrated an average graphite concentrate grade of 97.8% carbon at 90.7% total graphite recovery, providing the technical foundation for the Lac Knife Project’s planned commercial operation.

The Program also produced a qualification-scale inventory of representative graphite concentrate for downstream product development and customer evaluation while confirming the previously developed Lac Knife process flowsheet. Mechanical optimization remains ongoing to further improve concentrate grades within the finer fractions while preserving the integrity and value of the larger flake fractions.

High Grade Changes the Processing Equation

Producing concentrate grading up to 98.7% C through mechanical concentration alone provides Focus with a premium starting material before purification. The Company believes these results reflect the inherent grade, mineralogy and quality of Lac Knife ore.

A higher-grade starting material has the potential to reduce downstream processing requirements while expanding the range of high-value graphite products that can be economically pursued.

The results reinforce Lac Knife as the upstream foundation of Focus’s broader mine-to-market graphite platform.

Material in Hand Unlocks Qualification

The approximately 850 kilograms of concentrate produced through the Program is now being prepared and shipped for value-added testing, product development and customer evaluation.

Representative material is the foundation of commercialization. Customers cannot qualify products, optimize processes or evaluate performance without sufficient material for testing. Completion of the Program removes that constraint by providing representative, qualification-scale material for customer evaluation across multiple downstream workstreams.

Lac Knife concentrate is now being allocated to:

  • High-Purity Graphite: Thermal purification targeting 99.99% C by LOI and chemical purification targeting greater than 99.95% C by LOI.
  • Battery Anode Materials: Purified micronized graphite powders, spheroidized purified graphite (“SPG“) and coated spheroidized purified graphite (“cSPG“), targeting greater than 99.95% C by LOI.
  • Industrial & Specialty Graphite: Expandable and expanded graphite targeting greater than 97% C by LOI.

These programs are intended to generate specification-driven graphite materials for customer evaluation, product validation and commercial development.

A systematic battery materials qualification program is also underway to evaluate Lac Knife-derived materials for conventional battery systems and higher-value lithium-ion applications, including unmanned systems across air, land and maritime domains, electric vehicles and stationary energy storage. The qualification-scale material produced through the Program will support ongoing development initiatives with U.S.-based technology partners, including Charge CCCV LLC (“C4V“) and Forge Nano Inc. (“Forge Nano“), as Focus advances battery anode materials and other high-value graphite products.

Successful downstream testing may support future strategic partnerships, product sales and potential offtake opportunities. There can be no assurance that current testing or evaluation programs will result in commercial agreements.

“The exceptional result is not simply that we achieved a concentrate grading up to 98.7% carbon-it is that we achieved it through a conventional mechanical flowsheet, before chemical or thermal purification even begins,” said Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite. “Producing a concentrate of this quality through normal processing is unusual and demonstrates the inherent grade, liberation characteristics and mineral quality of Lac Knife. It gives us a premium starting material that may materially improve the downstream processing equation.”

“Commercially, our biggest barrier has never been demand-it was material,” said Jason Latkowcer, Vice President of Corporate Development. “Customers can’t qualify products they can’t test. This Program changes that. We now have approximately 850 kilograms of representative Lac Knife concentrate moving through purification, battery-material development and customer evaluation programs. That’s how resources become products, products become qualified, and qualification creates the opportunity for strategic partnerships and potential offtake. Over the coming months, representative Lac Knife material will be shipped to customers, laboratories and technology partners across multiple international markets, marking an important step in our commercialization strategy.”

As previously announced on December 8, 2025, the Company formalized a funding agreement for up to $14.1 million in non-repayable contributions under Natural Resources Canada’s (“NRCan“) Global Partnerships Initiative (“GPI“). The funding supports Focus’s electrothermal purification demonstration system, which is intended to produce ultra-high-purity graphite and advanced graphite materials in Canada. Representative Lac Knife concentrate produced through the Program will provide feedstock for this government-supported initiative while also supporting the Company’s broader downstream product development and customer evaluation programs.

It should be noted that while results are consistent with expectations, they may not fully represent the variability of the entire deposit. Focus intends to conduct larger scale testing in the future.

The Company will provide further updates as sample shipments, downstream testing and product development activities progress.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, PE, President of Brasil Insight Capital LLC., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI 43-101.

About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.

Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining – we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.

Our commitment to innovation ensures an eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals – reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.

For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusgraphite
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite

Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060

Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things: the interpretation of the preliminary results of the Company’s Pilot Processing Program; the continued optimization of the Lac Knife process flowsheet; the anticipated performance and characteristics of graphite concentrate produced from the Lac Knife Graphite Project; the production of high-purity graphite and value-added graphite materials; the allocation and use of representative graphite concentrate for purification, battery-material development, specialty graphite applications, customer evaluation and product validation programs; the anticipated shipment of representative material to customers, laboratories and technology partners; the advancement of downstream product development initiatives, including collaborations with Charge CCCV LLC (“C4V”), Forge Nano Inc. and other technology partners; the potential development of strategic partnerships, commercial agreements and offtake arrangements; the anticipated benefits of the Company’s electrothermal purification demonstration system supported under Natural Resources Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative; the future development, construction and operation of the Lac Knife Graphite Project; the Company’s mine-to-market strategy; and the Company’s ability to advance the commercialization of graphite materials and secure the funding, regulatory approvals, permits and commercial arrangements necessary to support its business objectives.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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