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2026 ESMO GC | Mabwell to Present Latest Clinical Data on 9MW2821 for Cervical Cancer in Oral and Poster Presentations

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SHANGHAI, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with a fully integrated industry chain, today announced that two latest clinical study results of its novel Nectin‑4 targeting ADC (R&D code: 9MW2821) in cervical cancer will be presented respectively as an oral presentation and a poster presentation, at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology Gynaecological Cancers (ESMO GC) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 17–19, 2026.

Oral Presentation

Title:
Bulumtatug Fuvedotin (BFv, 9MW2821), a nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: Updated results from a phase I/II study.
Abstract No.: 28RO
Presenter: Prof. Yang Huijuan, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Session Date and Time: 6/17/2026 2:45PM-4:10PM (local time)

Poster Presentation

Title:
Preliminary results of Bulumtatug Fuvedotin (BFv, 9MW2821) in combined with Toripalimab in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: A cohort from a Phase Ib/II Clinical Study.

Abstract No.: 36P
Principal Investigator: 
Prof. Lou Hanmei, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital
Prof. Wang Yudong, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute
Session Date and Time:  6/18/2026 12:45PM-1:30PM (local time)

About Mabwell

Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with capabilities spanning the entire pharmaceutical value chain. The company is committed to providing more effective and accessible therapies to meet global medical needs, with a focus on oncology and aging-related diseases. Mabwell’s mission is “Explore Life, Benefit Health” and its vision is “Innovation, from Ideas to Reality.” For more information, please visit www.mabwell.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the potential safety, efficacy, regulatory review or approval and commercial success of our product candidates and those relating to the Company’s product development, clinical studies, clinical and regulatory milestones and timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. “Forward-looking statements” are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to: environment; politic; economy; society; legislation; our dependence on our product candidates, most of which are still in preclinical or various stages of clinical development; our reliance on third-party vendors, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; our ability to complete required clinical trials for our product candidates and obtain approval from regulatory authorities for our product candidates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel. In case one or more of these risks or uncertainties deteriorate, or any assumptions are incorrect, the actual results may be seriously inconsistent with the stated results.

The Company cautions all the persons not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the applicable Stock authority to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking descriptions, figures and assumptions in this press release are applicable to this statement.

Expanding infrastructure for the age of AI commerce: Ant International connects over 150 million merchants with more than 2 billion consumers

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  • New strategy highlights synergy among Global Payment, Global Account and Inclusive and Embedded Finance services built on progress in AI and interoperability.
  • As a foundation to the business, Ant International’s global payment services support over 300 payment methods, including more than 10 national QR systems and 50 digital wallets and bank apps, and exceed 20 million daily transactions on average.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Ant International now connects over 150 million global merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts globally, the company disclosed at its flagship MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company's global strategy for the era of AI commerce
Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company’s global strategy for the era of AI commerce

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. The company now supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, 50 mobile payment partners and more than 10 national QR systems, including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s DuitNow, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Thailand’s PromptPay, Indonesia’s QRIS, Sri Lanka’s LankaPay, and more. It recently onboarded more leading global e-wallets and bank apps such as iFAST Global Bank from the UK, KBank and SCB from Thailand, barq from Saudi Arabia and ShopeePay from Southeast Asia.

With an average of over 20 million transactions daily, Ant International is building broader market reach through new licenses and partnerships in Asia, Latin America and EMEA. In Vietnam, it partners with NAPAS and Vietcombank to roll out cross-border QR payment service, and is also working with the Ho Chi Minh City government on the development of an international financial centre. In Latin America, it formed a strategic partnership with Mexican fintech company R2 in late 2025, supporting the expansion of SME lending across the region. In the Middle East, Ant International collaborates with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and national payment network mada, with plans to introduce Alipay+ cross-border QR payments in 2026. Its recent initiatives also include plans to roll out Islamic finance programs in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.

While serving businesses in their global expansion, Ant International also ranks in first place in terms of the number of global accounts it has been managing for businesses, particularly SMEs, engaged in cross-border commerce.

“New models of financial interoperability and AI commerce give us powerful tools to help global giants as well as mom-and-pop shops to increase resilience and expand revenue streams,” said Peng Yang, CEO, Ant International. “A broader and deeper network means we can work with more partners on more levels to deliver more innovative, trusted, and high ROI fintech solutions in the world’s fastest growing markets.”

Layered solutions for enterprises, SMEs and emerging markets to achieve inclusive growth

Yang underlined a strategy to combine the forces of its four main businesses – Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst – to offer more connected growth solutions for businesses of all sizes.

  • Global payment: Making payments a growth engine for businesses of all sizes to thrive in the global digital economy.
  • Global account: Enabling AI-powered borderless global accounts for businesses of all sizes, and serving as the ticket to digital trade and commerce. This makes ‘born global’ a reality for all businesses from day one.
  • Strategic value boosters: Leveraging innovation and technology to deliver embedded financing, credit and treasury solutions that power inclusive growth.
  • Innovation and technology leadership: Grounded in extensive expertise in supporting global payments and businesses of all sizes, Ant International’s leading AI and blockchain solutions are co-developed with customers, partners and regulators to deliver real impact while ensuring security and compliance.

Go-to-market FinAI solutions for real-world problem solving

Working with top LLMs, card schemes and other fintechs, Ant International builds out FinAI capacities and solutions for merchants and financial institutions to tackle real-world growth and security challenges. Key examples include:

Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP)

At MoMents 2026, Ant International has introduced the open-sourced AMP – the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces – to help drive AI commerce. The protocol enables secure, AIOps-native agentic payment connection to mobile services including digital wallets, banking apps, super apps, and mobile portals from phones to wearable devices.

AI-as-a-Service Platform

Ant International’s AI-as-a-Service platform GenAI Cockpit equips fintech partners with tools to build a wide range of agentic solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots. Malaysia’s leading e-wallet TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan’s first digital bank, are using the platform to deliver better customer experiences with AI.

AI SHIELD

Ant International’s 3-in-1 risk management transformer maintains trust in the ecosystem by providing a robust security layer underpinning all transactions processed by the company. The model is supported by over 7 billion parameters, and combines graph, sequential and tabular data to identify high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while improving payment success rates by up to 13.5%.

Falcon TST AI FX model

The industry-first MoE-based AI FX model makes long-term forecasts with prediction accuracy of up to 93%, leveraging over 8.5 billion parameters. Deployed internally at Ant International to manage cashflow and FX exposure on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, Falcon TST has helped to cut the company’s FX costs by up to 60%. The model was open-sourced in 2025 to expand access to its capabilities and invite collaboration to advance time-series learning.

EPOS360

A pioneering AI-powered SME app, EPOS360 integrates practical AI tools with POS system, payments, banking, financing and growth operations for small businesses. The suite of AI-powered tools and payment capabilities was launched in Singapore, and is also available to merchants in Malaysia as a mini-programme via TNG eWallet.

Antom Copilot

Antom Copilot provides automation and assistance for merchants based on learnings from real-world cases, improving efficiency of services such as chargeback dispute handling by up to 46%. Within a year of its launch, 72% of Antom-onboarded merchants completed self-service payment integration with the copilot.

At the MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, executives from global payment networks, banks, fintechs, tech companies, and governors came together to discuss the future of financial services in the era of AI commerce. Conversations focused on new forms of payment transformation, multi-layer global interoperability, super app evolution with AI-native tech, innovation of Islamic financing and initiatives around trust and security.

Ant International launched its Digital Business Center in Kuala Lumpur in 2024.
Hashtag: #AntInternational

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

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit

Traveloka Data: Southeast Asia Travelers Book 25% More on Double-Digit Dates, Even Without Sales

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SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Traveloka data across five markets reveals that double-digit dates have become a self-organizing travel calendar, with organic booking lifts recorded even when no campaign was running. The platform’s biggest sale of the year is a direct response.

A date to remember

From March 2025 to December 2025, Traveloka tracked booking behavior across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Traffic rose more than 20% and transactions climbed close to 25% on double-digit dates such as 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 11.11, and 12.12, compared to surrounding days.

The more telling finding is what happened when no sale was running. Indonesia and Malaysia each recorded organic spikes of close to 10% in traffic and transactions on non-promotional double-digit dates. Singapore saw a more modest but consistent 5% lift. The takeaway is clear: sale or not, travelers see these dates as ideal days to plan their travel.

This is testament to the fact that travelers are increasingly attributing value to these dates, stemming from China’s “Singles’ Day”, which has since been popularized by e-commerce giants.

Maximizing value

Armed with these insights, Traveloka’s 2026 marketing calendar was shaped to keep up its end of the unspoken appointment, introducing a greater amount of “smaller” numbered sales (e.g. 1.1, 2.2) in Q1 2026. Traveloka customers responded in force, with Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam customer bases showing large growth of up to 70% in overall transaction value. March 2026 also saw Vietnam hitting a historical high in transactions during its 3.3 sale.

“Our users have shown that they want to plan their journeys around these numerically‑significant days, and we want to show up when they do. By aligning our marketing calendar with this behaviour, we not only meet consumer expectations but also create tangible value for them,” said Alex Jung, Head of Marketing, Traveloka.

Where is Southeast Asia heading to?

Travel interest in the early part of the year sees East Asia as the predominant destination for SEA travelers. For Singapore, 2.2 saw a lot of interest in trips to Japan, Taiwan, Mainland China and the broader Southeast‑Asian region – especially for Sakura‑season and Chinese‑New‑Year travel. During 3.3, Singapore’s outbound demand expanded internationally to include South Korea, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, in addition to the core Mainland China ‑ Japan‑Taiwan corridor.

Malaysia’s 2.2 sale saw strong outbound flows to Indonesia, China, Japan and Thailand, alongside its own domestic market, with 3.3 seeing even stronger performances by the domestic market and Indonesia as destinations. Thailand’s 2.2 and 3.3 sales both centred on Japan, with Thailand itself remaining a key source. Similarly, Vietnam’s travel profile consistently highlights Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam as principal outbound destinations.

Travel windows

The data from Q1 2026 reflects a wider trend of SEA travelers prioritizing booking travel to East Asia in the March – June window, but destination preferences shift noticeably towards the end of the year. From October to December, Singapore’s outbound mix widens, with a clear uptick in European bookings alongside its usual Asian traffic. Malaysia also sees a broader spread extending to longer‑haul corridors such as Australia, India, Europe, and the Middle East. Thailand’s share of non‑Southeast‑Asian destinations rose, although domestic travel still remains the dominant component.

Traveloka 5.5 EPIC Sale: 4 to 8 May 2026

The 5.5 EPIC Sale is the largest Traveloka sale of the year and a direct response to the behavioral patterns above. Running 4 to 8 May 2026, the sale offers discounts of up to 80% on flights, accommodations, and attractions across the region.

Full details and market-specific offers are available at www.traveloka.com.

ILIFE A30 Pro: Smart Cleaning Power That Rivals Premium Models Without the Premium Price

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SHENZHEN, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ILIFE A30 Pro continues to stand out in 2026 as a highly competitive robot vacuum offering flagship-level features at an accessible price. At its current price, it combines laser navigation mapping with a self-emptying station typically found in higher-end models, making it more cost-effective than conventional vacuums with similar functions. It delivers strong performance and value for households seeking an affordable upgrade.

7 Weeks of Minimal Maintenance with Self-Emptying Station

Designed for convenience, the A30 Pro features a self-emptying station with a 2.5L dust bag that can store up to seven weeks of debris, significantly reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Compared to conventional robot vacuums that require regular dustbin emptying, this design saves time and helps lower long-term upkeep costs, making it a more practical and economical choice for everyday households. Paired with the ILIFE mobile app, users can schedule cleaning sessions, set customized zones, and control the device remotely for added flexibility.

Long Runtime for Fewer Interruptions

With up to 180 minutes of runtime, the A30 Pro supports extended cleaning sessions without the need for frequent recharging—ideal for busy households and warm-climate regions where daily cleaning is often needed. Covering up to 120㎡ per charge, it ensures consistent, uninterrupted performance across apartments and medium-sized homes.

Precision LDS Navigation for Smarter Home Coverage

A30 Pro uses advanced Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) navigation to map home layouts in real time, and follows structured cleaning paths for more efficient coverage and improved obstacle awareness, compared to basic random-navigation models.

Pet-Friendly Cleaning Performance

Its strong suction is particularly effective at lifting embedded hair, fine dust, and everyday debris from both hard floors and carpets, helping reduce buildup in hard-to-reach areas. This makes it especially well suited for pet-owning households, where consistent removal of fur, dander, and scattered mess is essential for maintaining a cleaner and more comfortable living environment.

Explore More

The ILIFE A30 Pro is available now for users ready to upgrade to smarter, hands-free cleaning.

Learn more & shop: https://s.shopee.com.my/10vzL7WQ0L

NETMARBLE TO HOST CHARACTER NAME RESERVATION EVENT FOR GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD ON MAY 8

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SEOUL, South Korea, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, announced that it will host a character name reservation event for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad starting May 8 at 05:00 AM(UTC).

SOURCE: NETMARBLE
SOURCE: NETMARBLE

The event will be held through the game’s official website, where players can log in and participate via the name reservation feature, allowing them to secure their own unique in-game character name in advance.

In addition, Netmarble will release a special video featuring Hyun Il Jang, Executive Producer at Netmarble Neo on May 7 at 11:00 AM(UTC) via the official Game of Thrones: Kingsroad YouTube channel. The video will include a message of appreciation following the recent showcase and Closed Beta Test, along with a brief overview of the results. It will also introduce key topics based on player feedback.

Meanwhile, pre-registration for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is currently underway. Players who pre-register can receive a range of platform-specific rewards designed to support early progression and customization, including Northern Outfit and more. Netmarble is also hosting a subscription event across its official channels, offering additional rewards such as the launch special title “Harbinger of Westeros” and 100,000 Copper.

Meanwhile, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is scheduled for an initial PC launch on May 14, followed by a Grand Launch on May 21 with support for mobile platforms.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is an open-world RPG based on HBO®‘s iconic Emmy®– and Golden Globe®-winning original drama series, Game of Thrones. The game is officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of HBO.

GAME OF THRONES: KINGSROAD, GAME OF THRONES, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON and all related characters and elements © & ™ HOME BOX OFFICE, INC. (s26) All rights reserved. ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s26)

About Netmarble Corporation
Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin.

Yunji Technology 2025 Revenue Rises 23% to RMB301 Million, AI Agent Revenue Jumps 194%

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HONG KONG, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beijing Yunji Technology Co., Ltd. (2670.HK), the fourth specialty technology company listed under Hong Kong’s Chapter 18C rules, today reported its 2025 annual results.

Total revenue rose 23.1% year-on-year to RMB 301 million. AI agent application revenue jumped 194.1% to RMB 33.9 million, increasing its share of total revenue from 4.7% to 11.3%. Subscriptions for the company’s Hotel Digital Operating System (HDOS) surged 925%, underscoring its pivot from hardware vendor to intelligent service infrastructure provider.

By vertical: Hotel scenario revenue reached RMB 244 million (+20.1%), technology scenario revenue grew 160.4% to RMB 29.6 million, and factory scenario revenue soared 393% to RMB 15.1 million. Overseas revenue rose 92.1% to RMB 19.1 million, now accounting for 6.3% of total revenue, with Japan, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as priority markets for 2026.

R&D spending was RMB 62.2 million, or 20.6% of revenue. As of year-end, the company held 997 patents and contributed to 11 national and industry standards. Its AI agent intelligent diagnostic system (HQAS) supports 23 languages and has been deployed in thousands of hotels.

According to Frost & Sullivan, Yunji ranked first in China’s hotel-scenario robot service agent market with a 13.9% revenue share.

“We will continue to increase R&D investment, promote industry standards, and attract global talent,” said Zhi Tao, Founder, Chairman and President of Yunji Technology.

Visa Launches Agentic Ready Programme in Singapore with 13 Banks and Fintech Partners

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SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of Visa Agentic Ready in Singapore with 13 issuers, spanning across banks and fintechs. This global programme is designed to support the payments ecosystem in the era of agentic commerce.

Powered by Visa’s trust layer, which includes tokens, identity, risk and controls, the first phase of Visa Agentic Ready is focused on issuer readiness. It gives them a clear, structured path to test and validate agent-initiated transactions inside a controlled, production-grade environment so that consumers remain in control as decision-making becomes increasingly automated. 

From Readiness to Real‑World Scale

Bringing agentic commerce at scale requires coordination with different partners across the payments ecosystem, and Visa will work with its existing issuing clients in Singapore for the Agentic Ready programme. These partners include Bank of China Singapore, CIMB Singapore, DBS Bank, DCS, GXS Bank, HSBC Singapore, Maybank Singapore, OCBC, Standard Chartered, StraitsX, Trust Bank, UQPay and UOB, with additional partners expected to join this year as the programme expands.

Adeline Kim, Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei at Visa said: “Singapore is an innovation hub where ideas move quickly from concept to real-world impact, making it the ideal market to progress agentic commerce. A Visa-commissioned study underscores strong consumer readiness, where close to 77 per cent of Singapore residents already use generative AI tools in their daily lives, and eight in 10 rely on AI assistance when shopping online. We want to ensure that in this early phase, we work with as many partners as possible to ensure they have the right technology to prepare for this next phase of commerce, where AI agents can discover, decide and pay on behalf of consumers.”

“Visa Agentic Ready builds on Visa Intelligent Commerce, which is Visa’s portfolio of initiatives and solutions for enabling trusted, AI-driven commerce experiences at scale. As we roll out agentic commerce, we’re also working with merchants and ecosystem partners to identify the use cases that matter most to consumers. Trust and control must be embedded across the payments ecosystem so these new commerce experiences can scale securely and transparently,” added Adeline.

This follows Visa’s announcement in March on early pilot testing with DBS, focused on everyday use cases.

Partner Quotes:

Mr Sonny Tan, Deputy General Manager and Deputy Country Head at Bank of China Limited, Singapore Branch, “Bank of China Singapore is pleased to partner with Visa on the Agentic Ready pilot in Asia Pacific. This initiative enables us to evaluate agent- initiated payments within a secure and controlled environment. Such collaboration is vital as digital commerce continues to evolve, helping ensure innovation is delivered in a way that is secure, scalable, and aligned with real client needs.”

Ms Merlyn Tsai, Head of Consumer Banking and Digital at CIMB Singapore and Regional Head of Digital Strategy, “CIMB Singapore is pleased to collaborate with Visa on the Agentic Ready pilot in Asia Pacific. The pilot enables us to explore agent-initiated payments within a controlled and secure environment. Partnerships like this are critical as digital commerce continues to evolve, ensuring innovation is introduced in a way that is secure, scalable, and aligned with genuine client needs.”

Ms. Chan Sow Han, Head of Payments & Unsecured Lending, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank, “Our journey as the first bank in Asia Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce highlights DBS’ pioneering role in AI innovation for payments. Joining the Visa Agentic Ready programme is a natural evolution of this expertise, allowing us to collaboratively drive the secure and widespread adoption of AI-driven commerce, and deliver exceptional convenience and control to our customers”

Ms. Karen Low, Chief Executive Officer, DCS, “Agentic commerce is a vital evolution that will fundamentally transform the way we transact in a digital-first world. DCS is built on a foundation of innovation, and our collaboration with Visa centres on architecting more frictionless, efficient, and scalable customer experiences securely.”

Ms Jenn Ong, Group Head of Retail at GXS Bank, “Our collaboration with Visa to design and test the Agentic Payments Framework marks a step forward in GXS Bank’s journey to further AI-powered tokenised transactions. This initiative will enable us to drive innovation that makes digital payments easier and more secure for our customers.”

Mr. Nadeesha Senaratne, Head of Retail Products, HSBC Singapore, “While emerging AI-driven commerce presents new opportunities, it is important that these experiences can be delivered securely and at scale. Initiatives like Visa Agentic Ready provide a structured environment to test future payment journeys and assess the safeguards needed to ensure that our customers can transact safely and with confidence.”

Ms. Tessa Er, Head, Cards & Personal Loans, Maybank Singapore,” Maybank is pleased to partner with Visa on the Agentic Ready Programme as we evolve our cards proposition in step with changing consumer behaviours. We see significant opportunity to deliver more seamless, secure and personalised payment experiences for our cardmembers, reinforcing our focus on everyday relevance, flexibility and trust.”

Ms. Regina Lim, Head of Card Payments and Personal Loans, OCBC, “This initiative aligns with our strategy to leverage AI, digital and data to power customer centricity, with the promise of AI transforming payments for consumers now closer at hand. We will work closely with Visa to test new payment technologies and design the right product for the right customer, delivered at the right time.”

Ms. Grace Chan, Managing Director, Personal Banking & Credit Cards and Personal Loans, Singapore, at Standard Chartered, “As AI-driven commerce models evolve, payments infrastructure will need to evolve with them. Visa Agentic Ready provides a valuable opportunity to test and validate how agent-initiated transactions may operate in a controlled setting before wider adoption. That practical understanding will be important in helping us prepare for changing customer expectations and the next phase of digital payments.”

Mr. Liu Tianwei, CEO & Co-Founder, StraitsX, “At StraitsX, we’re focused on the real-world usage of stablecoins and see X402 and Machine Payments Protocol (MPP) as key to a more agent-centric future. Through Visa Agentic Ready, we’re excited to help bring agent-driven payments to Visa’s network of 175 million merchants in a secure and scalable way.”

Mr. Dwaipayan Sadhu, CEO, Trust Bank Singapore, “At Trust Bank, we’re delighted to partner with Visa to design and test an agentic payments framework. This collaboration reflects our commitment to continuously improving how customers pay – making payments more seamless, secure and intuitive – while building robust, reliable infrastructure for the future of digital commerce.”

Mr. Jack Li, Founder and CEO at UQPAY, “As commerce shifts toward agent-initiated interactions, trust, security, and user control remain essential. At UQPAY, we are building infrastructure that enables secure, policy-driven, and programmable payment execution within intelligent workflows. This ensures businesses are ready for a future where AI agents can transact seamlessly on behalf of users.”

Ms. Jacquelyn Tan, Head, Group Personal Financial Services, UOB, “UOB is proud to take part in the Visa Agentic Ready programme, which will enable us to further explore the potential and opportunities presented by agent-initiated transactions in a safe, controlled yet realistic environment. Through this programme, we continue to forge ahead in utilising advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a responsible manner, to innovate and elevate the retail experience for our customers.”

Globally, Visa is expanding its Visa Intelligent Commerce portfolio to help businesses participate in AI-driven shopping. Visa recently unveiled Intelligent Commerce Connect, designed to provide an on-ramp to agentic commerce through a single integration via the Visa Acceptance Platform, supporting secure payment initiation, tokenisation, authentication and spend controls, and helping merchants make their catalogues discoverable within AI shopping experiences.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

Agoda’s Top Picks for Trending Coastal Destinations Across Asia for Early Summer Travel

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SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has identified a group of coastal destinations across Asia gaining traction among travelers in the early summer period. Based on domestic accommodation searches for May check-ins, these destinations have recorded an increase compared to previous year, signaling rising interest in seaside getaways that are easy to plan and fit within shorter travel windows.

What distinguishes these coastal destinations is the range of experiences they offer within a compact footprint. Beyond the coastline, travelers are drawn to food scenes, local markets, cultural landmarks, and nearby natural attractions that can be explored without extensive planning.

These destinations stand out for their balance of experiences, where time by the sea can be easily paired with dining, sightseeing, and downtime, making them well suited to flexible, unhurried travel.

Da Nang, Vietnam: Da Nang recorded a 72% rise in interest compared to last year as per domestic accommodation searches. Its appeal lies in the combination of My Khe Beach’s long, swimmable shoreline with easy access to nearby landmarks such as Marble Mountains and the heritage streets of Hoi An Ancient Town. The city’s growing café and seafood dining scene also adds to its suitability for well-rounded stays.

Nha Trang, Vietnam:  Known for its wide bay and island-dotted coastline, Nha Trang continues to attract travelers seeking a classic seaside escape. Travel interest rose by 36% this year compared to the last for this serene destination. Visitors often pair time on the main beach with boat trips to nearby islands for snorkeling, alongside visits to cultural landmarks such as Po Nagar Cham Towers, creating a balanced mix of leisure and local exploration.

Bali, Indonesia:  Bali recorded a 13% increase, reflecting continued domestic demand across different parts of the island. Beach areas such as Canggu attract surfers and café-driven lifestyles, while Uluwatu offers dramatic coastal views and temple settings. Inland, Ubud provides a contrast with rice terraces, wellness retreats, and arts-focused experiences.

Goa, India: Long regarded as one of India’s most established beach destinations, Goa continues to attract travelers with its varied coastline, where quieter stretches in the south contrast with the more active beaches in the north. The destination also offers Portuguese-influenced architecture, a strong seafood culture, and markets such as Anjuna Flea Market. Interest in the destination rose by 13% compared to last year, reflecting its continued relevance for coastal getaways in the country.

Pattaya, Thailand:  Easily accessible from Bangkok, Pattaya continues to attract travelers, with interest increasing by 11% as per domestic accommodation searches compared to last year. While the main beachfront remains lively, nearby islands such as Koh Larn offer clearer water and quieter settings for day trips, complemented by a wide range of dining, entertainment, and short-stay accommodation options.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda, “Coastal destinations continue to resonate among travelers because they offer simplicity and flexibility. Travelers are looking for places where they can switch off quickly, settle into a slower pace, and still have enough variety around them, whether that is food, local culture, or nearby experiences, to shape the trip as they go. At Agoda, we enable travelers to curate such trips seamlessly by bringing a wide range of accommodations, flights and activities on one platform with great value deals.”

Agoda’s extensive offerings, including over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, make it easy for travelers to plan their next adventure, including coastal destinations. For the best deals, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app.

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