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CDNetworks Selected as Strategic Partner by Petrolimex Aviation to Bolster Cybersecurity with AI-Powered Cloud Platform


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2025 – CDNetworks, the APAC-leading network to deliver edge as a service, today announced that Petrolimex Aviation, a major provider of aviation fuel services in Vietnam, has selected CDNetworks’ AI-powered cloud security platform to strengthen its digital defenses and ensure the reliable delivery of its web-based services.

The strategic partnership marks a significant shift in Petrolimex Aviation’s security strategy, empowering the company to address emerging threats in a rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape proactively. It also allows Petrolimex Aviation to optimize both the speed and safety of its service delivery, supporting its commitment to operational excellence and customer trust.

Key results:

  • Reliable performance and service delivery throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
  • Adaptive, AI-powered defense that continuously evolves to counter new threats.
  • Comprehensive protection that touches every key phase of its defense journey.
  • Professional, responsive technical assistance from a dedicated local expert team.

“CDNetworks has proven to be a partner we can count on across the board, from solutions and services to local presence,” said Mr. Tran Minh Thang, CIO at Petrolimex Aviation. “Their integrated solution and dependable support offer peace of mind that is essential to maintaining our operational resilience.”

“We’re pleased to see our partnership enabling Petrolimex Aviation to maintain high service reliability while proactively defending against emerging risks,” said Antony Li, APAC Head of Sales at CDNetworks. “This reflects our broader commitment to enabling Southeast Asian enterprises with a cohesive strategy to unify security, performance, and business objectives.”
Hashtag: #CDNetworks #PetrolimexAviation #Security #Performance #CaseStudy




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

CDNetworks Co. Ltd

As the APAC-leading network with over 2,800 global PoPs and more than 20 years of technology experience, CDNetworks delivers the fastest and most secure digital experiences to end users. Our diverse products and services encompass web performance, media delivery, cloud security, zero-trust security, and colocation services — all designed to drive business innovation.

To learn more, visit and follow us on .

Trade Crypto Without Purchasing It: Octa Broker About Crypto-CFDs


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2025 – Crypto volatility poses both potentially spectacular possibilities and enormous risks. For example, by investing in crypto assets on the spot market, traders buy the crypto and, hence, risk their budget if the price drops and never returns to the initial position. Instruments like crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference) provide more opportunities for flexible capital management and allow traders to expand their financial horizons. Octa Broker, a broker with globally recognised licenses, explains how one can trade crypto without actually buying the asset with the help of crypto CFDs.

Octa Broker

Understanding Crypto CFDs and Their Mechanism
A crypto CFD is an agreement between a client and a broker where a client profits (or loses funds) based on the variation of price. This financial instrument allows investors to use price movements of cryptocurrencies to their benefit without holding the underlying asset. This gives them more flexibility, security, and convenience, compared to spot trading where asset purchase is a must.

7 Reasons to Trade Crypto CFDs Instead of Buying Crypto on the Spot Market

1. Trading in Any Market Direction
In traditional crypto trading, profits are made only when prices rise. With CFDs, if the price is expected to increase, traders go long (buy). If they believe the price may decrease, they go short (sell). This two-way direction trading creates more strategic avenues than storing cryptocurrencies in a wallet with the expectation for prices to escalate.

2. No Need for Crypto Wallets or Exchange Accounts
One of the biggest direct hazards of crypto ownership is security. Hackers consistently target exchanges, and personal wallet management can lead to missing funds. Over $1.7 billion in digital assets has been pilfered from crypto websites using cyberattacks since 2024. Private keys, seed words, and exchange security risks are no more relevant with crypto CFDs since everything is safely handled by licensed brokers.

3. Simplified Access Without KYC Delays
Crypto exchanges tend to have inconvenient identity verification (KYC) processes that could take a number of days or even weeks. CFD brokers, on the other hand, offer faster account opening so traders can get on the market quickly and enjoy price action without bureaucratic delays.

4. Diversified Portfolios

Volatility is inherent to crypto markets, and trading solely in crypto can increase vulnerability. Investors can hedge their exposure by trading a number of other asset classes with crypto CFDs, such as major currency pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD), stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq 100), and commodities (gold, oil, natural gas).

This reduces dependence on a single asset class and provides greater options for traders to hedge losses in times of market decline. For example, if Bitcoin is falling due to regulatory uncertainty, a trader can hedge loss by buying gold CFDs, which typically perform better with financial uncertainty.

5. Advanced Trading Tools for Enhanced Risk Management

One of the best features of CFD trading is the built-in risk management options that enable traders to protect their capital. Unlike crypto spot trading, where prices can destroy whole portfolios overnight, CFDs offer:

  • Stop-loss and take-profit orders to automatically close trades at pre-set levels.
  • Negative balance protection, ensuring traders never lose more than their deposit.
  • Advanced charting and technical indicators to identify trading opportunities.

With these features, traders have greater control over their strategies, making crypto CFDs a more precise tool for managing risk compared to traditional crypto exchanges.

6. Enhanced Security

Crypto exchanges have a long history of security breaches, regulatory shutdowns, and liquidity issues. With CFDs, traders avoid risks like:

  • Exchange collapses (e.g., the high-profile FTX bankruptcy in 2022).
  • Withdrawal freezes due to liquidity shortages.
  • Unexpected delistings of assets, leaving traders unable to exit positions.

Unlike exchanges, where withdrawals can take days or even weeks, regulated brokers offer transparent deposit and withdrawal processes. Funds are typically withdrawn using the same method they were deposited with, ensuring fast, secure, and predictable transactions.

7. Lower Entry Barriers & Greater Trading Flexibility

Not all traders have the funds to buy whole units of Bitcoin or Ethereum. With CFDs, though, traders access these instruments with fractional deposits, leveraging their market exposure.

Additionally, CFDs allow quick exits and re-entries, which is far more versatile than actually buying crypto, where price execution and liquidity delays can result in unnecessary losses.

Cryptocurrency trading has developed more diverse, secure, and trustworthy substitutes to simple buying and holding cryptocurrencies. Crypto CFDs present traders with a choice to make a profit from price differences without security risks, slow payments, or considerable capital outlay associated with spot trading on crypto exchanges. By offering greater risk management, diversification, and trading flexibility, crypto CFDs have become an effective tool for traders today in the volatile world of digital assets.

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Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences.
Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.
In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Gorilla Announces Closing of $105 Million Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock

  • The offering was led by a $100 million investment from a single new fundamental institutional investor and included additional participation from a large existing shareholder
  • The proceeds will be used to establish performance guarantees and bid bonds, meeting requirements in connection with bids for projects, and in relation to previously announced acquisitions

London, United Kingdom–(Newsfile Corp. – July 2, 2025) – Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GRRR) (“Gorilla” or the “Company”), a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology, today announced the closing of its previously announced registered direct offering of 6,000,000 of its ordinary shares (or pre-funded warrants in lieu therof) at an offering price of $17.50 per ordinary share. The offering closed on July 2, 2025.

The gross proceeds to the Company from the offering are expected to be approximately $105 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. Gorilla intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to meet working capital needs, particularly to establish performance guarantees or bid bonds; establish statutory capital reserves and meet other requirements in connection with bids for various projects; continue business growth in relation to previously announced acquisitions; and for other general corporate purposes.

“The addition of an institutional balance sheet partner is a significant milestone for Gorilla,” said Jay Chandan, Chairman & CEO of Gorilla Technology. “This capital not only reflects investor confidence in our vision but also positions us to accelerate our project pipeline.”

Titan Partners Group, a division of American Capital Partners, acted as the sole placement agent for the offering.

The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-274053) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 17, 2023, and declared effective on August 29, 2023. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus that form a part of the registration statement. A final prospectus supplement relating to the offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relating to the offering, may be obtained by contacting Titan Partners Group LLC, a division of American Capital Partners, LLC, 4 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007, by phone at (929) 833-1246 or by email at prospectus@titanpartnersgrp.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.
Headquartered in London U.K., Gorilla is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. We provide a wide range of solutions, including Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT, across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education, by using AI and Deep Learning Technologies.

Our expertise lies in revolutionizing urban operations, bolstering security and enhancing resilience. We deliver pioneering products that harness the power of AI in intelligent video surveillance, facial recognition, license plate recognition, edge computing, post-event analytics and advanced cybersecurity technologies. By integrating these AI-driven technologies, we empower Smart Cities to enhance efficiency, safety and cybersecurity measures, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.

For more information, please visit our website: Gorilla-Technology.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Gorilla’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s intended use of proceeds from the offering, Gorilla’s ability to win additional projects and execute definitive contracts related thereto, along with those other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Form 20-F Gorilla filed with the SEC on April 30, 2025 and those that are included in any of Gorilla’s future filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of Gorilla and are difficult to predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Gorilla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

Public Relations Contact:
Samantha Dowd
Prosek Partners
GRRR@prosek.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies, Inc.
1-407-644-4256
GRRR@redchip.com

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

Central Europe Technologies recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Romania for 2025


BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2025 – Central Europe Technologies has been officially recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Romania for 2025. Central Europe Technologies is a Shared Service Center for BNP Paribas Group, providing IT, Operations and Risk expertise to BNP Paribas Personal Finance entities and beyond, reaching millions of users worldwide. This prestigious certification reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace environment.

Commenting on the achievement, Brigitte Doguet, CEO of Central Europe Technologies, said:
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Best Places to Work certification. This is a significant milestone for Central Europe Technologies as it reflects our deep commitment to fostering a culture where employees feel engaged, valued, and empowered to grow. This recognition reinforces our position as an employer of choice and directly supports our commitment to delivering meaningful value and consistent excellence to our clients, because engaged teams deliver exceptional results.”

Florenta Hamzu, HR Director at Central Europe Technologies, added:
“At Central Europe Technologies, our greatest strength lies in our people: their passion, creativity, and drive are what shape our culture every day. Being named one of the Best Places to Work is more than a recognition—it’s a celebration of the environment we’ve built together, where individuals are encouraged to grow, contribute meaningfully, and bring their whole selves to work. Our people are the foundation of our success, and we remain deeply committed to creating a workplace where they feel inspired and supported every step of the way.”

The Best Places to Work certification is a highly sought-after achievement that recognizes organizations demonstrating excellence in employee experience and workplace culture. By earning this distinction, Central Europe Technologies reinforces its position as an employer of choice within the Romanian market.

For more information about Central Europe Technologies, please visit: https://personal-finance.bnpparibas/en/

For more information about the certification program, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-places-to-work-program/
Twitter: http://www.twitter/bptw4
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bptw4all/
Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork

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

Intrepid Metals Secures Additional Mineral Rights Adjacent to Rio Tinto at Corral Copper

Vancouver, British Columbia – Newsfile Corp. – July 2, 2025 – Intrepid Metals Corp. (TSXV: INTR) (OTCQB: IMTCF) (“Intrepid” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the strategic expansion of its Corral Copper Property (“Corral” or the “Property”) in Cochise County, Arizona through the acquisition of an additional four state leases from the Arizona State Land Department (“ASLD”) and another patented mining claim (the Emmet Claim) from Silver Nickle Mining Company. These new claims, located on the eastern border of Intrepid’s existing land package (see Figure 1 below), significantly enhance the Company’s regional footprint. Notably, several of the newly acquired state leases bridge the southern gap between Intrepid’s holdings and recently acquired claims by Rio Tinto. The property acquisition by Rio Tinto followed Intrepid’s successful 2024 drill program, which highlighted the Property’s potential and drew significant regional interest. Please refer to Intrepid News Release dated January 15, 2025 for further details.

The new claims increase Corral’s total land package by approximately 2,195 acres (888 hectares), bringing the Company’s consolidated holdings to 11,715 acres (4,741 hectares). This positions Intrepid to further capitalize on the district’s exploration upside and reinforces its presence in one of Arizona’s most prospective copper belts.

“The expansion of our land position at Corral reflects our continued confidence in the district’s potential and our commitment to building a meaningful copper asset in a tier-one jurisdiction,” stated Ken Engquist, Chief Executive Officer of Intrepid. “By securing these strategically located state leases, we’ve strengthened our competitive position alongside a major industry player and set the stage for further value creation through exploration.”

About Corral Copper
The Corral Copper Property, located near historical mining areas, is an advanced exploration and development opportunity in Cochise County, Arizona. Corral is located 15 miles east of the famous mining town of Tombstone and 22 miles north of the historic Bisbee mining camp which has produced more than 8 billion pounds of copper1. Production from the Bisbee mining camp, or within the district as disclosed in the next paragraph, is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at Corral.

The district has a mining history dating back to the late 1800s, with several small mines extracting copper from the area in the early 1900s, producing several thousand tons. Between 1950 and 2008, various companies explored parts of the district, but the effort was uncoordinated, non-synergistic and focused on discrete land positions and commodities due to the fragmented ownership. There is over 50,000m of historical drilling at Corral mainly centered on the Ringo, Earp and Holliday Zones and although this core has been destroyed, Intrepid has a historical digital drill hole archive database which the Company uses for the purposes of exploration targeting and drill hole planning. Intrepid, through ongoing exploration drilling and surface geological mapping, sampling and prospecting is increasing confidence in the validity of these data.

Figure 1: Simplified Land Position Showing Newly Staked Intrepid Claims Relative to Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Electric Based on Publicly Available Information. Map does not account for internal fractions.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6187/257374_7d1dfe61945dca16_001full.jpg

The Corral Copper Property is comprised of the Excelsior Property, the CCCI Properties, the Sara Claim Group and the MAN Property. The Company has completed the acquisition of the Excelsior Property and Sara Claim Group through purchase and sale agreements. The Company has the right to acquire the corporate group that holds the CCCI Properties through an option agreement. The Company has the right to acquire the MAN Property through an option agreement. See the “Commitments” section of the Company’s most recently filed Management Discussion and Analysis for further details.

Intrepid is confident that by combining modern exploration techniques with historical data and with a clear focus on responsible development, the Corral Copper Property can quickly become an advanced exploration stage project and move towards development studies.

About Intrepid Metals Corp.
Intrepid Metals Corp. is a Canadian company focused on exploring for high-grade essential metals such as copper, silver, and zinc mineral projects in proximity to established mining jurisdictions in southeastern Arizona, USA. The Company has acquired or has agreements to acquire several drill ready projects, including the Corral Copper Project (a district scale advanced exploration and development opportunity with significant shallow historical drill results), the Tombstone South Project (within the historical Tombstone mining district with geological similarities to the Taylor Deposit, which was purchased for $1.3B in 20182, though mineralization at the Taylor Deposit is not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential at the Tombstone South Project) both of which are located in Cochise County, Arizona and the Mesa Well Project (located in the Laramide Copper Porphyry Belt in Arizona). Intrepid has assembled an exceptional team with considerable experience with exploration, developing, and permitting new projects within North America. Intrepid is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol “INTR” and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol “IMTCF”. For more information, visit www.intrepidmetals.com.

INTREPID METALS CORP.
On behalf of the Company
“Ken Engquist”
CEO

For further information regarding this news release, please contact:
Ken Engquist, CEO
604-681-8030
invest@intrepidmetals.com

Notes
1 Information disclosed in this news release regarding the historic Bisbee Camp can be found on the Copper Queen Mine website and on the City of Bisbee website (www.bisbeeaz.gov/2174/Bisbee-History).

2 Details regarding the sale of the Taylor Deposit can be found in South32 News Release dated October 8, 2018 (South32 completes acquisition of Arizona Mining).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to: the potential of the property; positioning Intrepid to further capitalize on the district’s exploration upside; Intrepid’s presence in one of Arizona’s most prospective copper belts; continued confidence in the district’s potential; Intrepid’s commitment to building a meaningful copper asset in a tier-one jurisdiction; further value creation through exploration; that the Corral Copper Property can quickly become an advanced exploration stage project and move towards development studies; the interpretation of drills results; details about potential mineralization; the exploration potential of the Corral Copper Property and the Company’s other mineral projects; and potential future production.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved” suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Company can raise additional financing to continue operations; the results of exploration activities, commodity prices, the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures, the availability of labour and materials, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to the failure to access financing, risks relating to changes in commodity prices, risk related to unanticipated geological or structural formations and characteristics risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions and the impact of any future global pandemic on the Company’s business, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of exploration and development activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes and cave-ins, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

OneMagnify India earns Best Place to Work certification for the fourth consecutive year


CHENNAI, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2025 – OneMagnify, a global leader in marketing, data, and technology solutions, has once again been recognized as a Best Place to Work in India for 2025 — marking our fourth consecutive year of being certified. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the culture of trust, collaboration, and excellence that our teams continue to nurture and elevate year after year.

The certification is based on a comprehensive assessment of workplace culture, employee engagement, and organizational practices. OneMagnify India scored significantly above the market average in key areas such as purpose, belonging, leadership, and opportunities for growth.

Daniel Raj, Managing Director of OneMagnify India, shared:

“It is truly humbling and energizing to see OneMagnify India named a Best Place to Work for the fourth year in a row. This recognition belongs to each and every member of our team, past and present, whose passion, integrity, and commitment to excellence fuel our progress.

As we continue to scale, transform, and evolve as a global capability center, we remain grounded in what matters most: our people. I am proud of what we have built, and even more excited about what we will create together in the years ahead. Congratulations to our team, and thank you for making OneMagnify not just a workplace, but a place where people thrive.”

The Best Places to Work certification is a highly coveted achievement that reflects consistent and intentional dedication to enhancing the employee experience. By earning this recognition, OneMagnify India stands out as one of the top employers in the country, providing a positive and engaging workplace for all its employees.

Each year, the Best Places to Work program partners with leading organizations across India and various other countries to help them measure, benchmark, and improve their HR practices. Through this certification, organizations gain access to insights, tools, and expertise needed to drive meaningful and sustainable change in their workplace culture.

For more information, visit www.onemagnify.com

For more information about the certification program, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org.

Hashtag: #BestPlacesToWork



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

Octa broker’s take on the upcoming NFP report


KUALA LUMPUR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2025 – This Thursday at 12:30 p.m. UTC, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its highly anticipated Nonfarm Payroll (NFP) report. While typically issued on the first Friday of each month, this week’s release has been brought forward due to the upcoming U.S. Independence Day holiday. The NFP report is traditionally considered to be the most significant piece of macro statistics and tends to generate considerable market impact.

Octa Broker

The report offers critical insights into the health of the U.S. labour market, detailing job creation in the non-agricultural sector, unveiling the latest unemployment figures, and tracking changes in average hourly earnings. This data release has the potential to reshape U.S. interest rate expectations and steer investor sentiment, which is why the report is closely watched by market participants. The report will almost certainly affect the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar (USD) and trigger volatility across various financial instruments, including equity indices and commodities.

Previous report
The previous NFP report (published on 6 June) presented a somewhat mixed picture. While the headline figure, showing the number of jobs created, was above the market consensus, the preceding report was revised downward. At the same time, average hourly earnings grew faster than expected. Overall, the market interpreted the report as bullish for the DXY, which ended the day higher by 0.50%, while XAUUSD and EURUSD were down 1.22% and 0.45%, respectively.

Market Expectations
The NFP release arrives against a backdrop of heightened uncertainty and amplified volatility. Financial markets remain gripped by the persistent geopolitical instability, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, alongside ongoing trade tensions between the United States and global partners. Indeed, despite the NFP’s significance, the ongoing focus on global trade tariffs could partly limit its influence on market movements.

Current market positioning strongly suggests a widespread expectation for a weak report that would ostensibly provide further justification for a Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut later this year. This sentiment is clearly reflected in both consensus surveys and recent price action in the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY). Thus, according to Reuters, analysts expect to see only a modest increase of approximately 110,000 jobs, the lowest projected figure since November 2024. Concurrently, the DXY is hovering near a two-year low, just shy of the 97.00 mark. The primary reason for the greenback’s recent weakness has been the prevailing dovish monetary policy expectations. In fact, the latest interest rate swaps market data implies almost a 75% chance of a 25-basis point (bps) rate cut by the Fed in September. Looking further ahead, the market currently prices in around 30% probability of a full percentage point reduction in the Fed’s benchmark rate by July of next year.

Potential Outcomes
Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa broker, offers a perceptive outlook: ‘Several factors, such as a weak dollar, dovish monetary policy expectations, and a rather pessimistic consensus for tomorrow’s labour market report suggest that higher-than-expected NFP figures will likely have a disproportionately stronger impact on gold [XAUUSD] and EURUSD vs lower-than-expected figures. In other words, a bullish NFP report’s upward pressure on the U.S. dollar will likely outweigh the bearish impact of a weaker-than-expected release’.

On balance, in case the NFP report reveals stronger-than-expected results—indicating a larger increase in payrolls and/or higher growth in average hourly earnings—the greenback could experience a substantial rebound, leading to sharp downside corrections for XAUUSD and EURUSD. Conversely, should the NFP report come out weaker than expected, gold and the euro may receive only a minor boost.

‘I would treat any correction in gold as a buying opportunity’, says Kar Yong Ang. ‘XAUUSD remains in a structural uptrend due to strong fundamental reasons, so it is recommended to look for buying opportunities. Consider placing pending buy-limit orders on XAUUSD, particularly near the $3,280 level, in the event of a bearish reaction to the U.S. NFP report. Should a bullish reaction unfold, consider placing pending buy-stop orders on XAUUSD, specifically near $3,360’.

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Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences.
Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.
In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Hong Kong banks showed moderate balance sheet growth amid global uncertainty in 2024, KPMG report finds

Disciplined cost management, risk vigilance, and digital innovation underpin sector resilience


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 July 2025 – Hong Kong’s banking sector demonstrated steady growth and operational resilience in 2024, despite ongoing global economic headwinds. This is according to the newly launched KPMG Hong Kong Banking Report, which provides an in-depth analysis of the city’s banking performance in 2024 and explores the major trends shaping its future, ranging from geopolitical and credit risk to digital asset innovation and AI transformation.

The report reveals that the total assets of all surveyed licensed banks in Hong Kong rose by 4.5% to HK$24 trillion in 2024. Operating profit before impairment charges increased 7.8% to HK$318 billion, as banks continued to prioritise cost discipline and operational efficiency in the face of subdued loan demand and stable, but slightly compressed, net interest margins.

Paul McSheaffrey, Senior Banking Partner, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, commented: “Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment and the impact of US-China trade tensions, Hong Kong’s banks have remained resilient. The sector’s long-standing focus on prudent risk management, capital discipline, and ongoing investment in digital transformation has helped it adapt to volatility and maintain international competitiveness.”

While total loans and advances reduced by 2.3% in 2024, total customer deposits increased by 4.1%. Asset quality came under pressure, with the sector’s impaired loan ratio rising from 1.65% to 2.15%, reflecting the ongoing challenges in commercial real estate and the broader property sector. However, most banks have continued to exercise proactive risk management, including portfolio diversification and the adoption of digital tools to strengthen early risk detection.

In line with KPMG’s prediction in its 2024 Hong Kong Banking Report, the banking sector continued to navigate a challenging environment shaped by US monetary policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and economic strains in the Chinese Mainland.

Terence Fong, Head of Chinese Banks, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “While Hong Kong’s economy showed resilience in 2024, recent developments highlight the importance of continued vigilance. The escalation of reciprocal tariffs between the US and China since April 2025 has heightened downside risks for Hong Kong’s trade-oriented economy and clouded the economic outlook. Continued vigilance will be crucial as banks navigate ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic challenges. Prudent capital management, agile pricing, and a renewed focus on emerging opportunities in Asia will be key to supporting sustainable growth.”

The report also highlights the sector’s progress in digital innovation. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has been at the forefront of applications of blockchain technology for banks, with Project Ensemble serving as a landmark initiative exploring the use of wholesale CBDC (wCBDC) to facilitate the settlement of tokenised assets. On the retail side, the e-HKD initiative is progressing into its second phase, with the HKMA testing real-world applications of a retail CBDC. The HKMA has also finalised a regulatory framework for stablecoins which will provide better protection for the general public and investors.

Banks in Hong Kong are also accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, particularly agentic AI, to enhance efficiency, risk management, and compliance.

Angel Mok, Partner, Financial Services Technology Consulting, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “Agentic AI solutions have evolved faster than expected. While banks in Hong Kong remain cautious about potential risks, they are generally enthusiastic about Agentic AI and are adopting it at an increasing pace. Banks that take a strategic, data-driven approach to implementation will be well-positioned to lead in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

Jia Ning Song, Head of Banking and Capital Markets, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says, “AI is already delivering tangible value for Hong Kong banks with quantifiable benefits. However, it is imperative that banks adequately address concerns around governance, risk, and trust. Building trusted AI systems is now essential for maintaining public confidence and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Hong Kong’s banking system. Institutions further along in their digital journeys may be better positioned, while others may need to address foundational gaps first before scaling their AI initiatives.”

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About KPMG

KPMG in China has offices located in 31 cities with over 14, 000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. It started operations in Hong Kong in 1945. In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. In 2012, KPMG became the first among the “Big Four” in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership.

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KPMG firms operate in 142 countries and territories with more than 275,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.

Celebrating 80 years in Hong Kong

In 2025, KPMG marks “80 Years of Trust” in Hong Kong. Established in 1945, we were the first international accounting firm to set up operations in the city. Over the past eight decades, we’ve woven ourselves into the fabric of Hong Kong, working closely with the government, regulators, and the business community to help establish Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading business and financial centres. This close collaboration has enabled us to build lasting trust with our clients and the local community – a core value celebrated in our anniversary theme: “80 Years of Trust”.