a) Cryptocurrencies
i) Structure and definitions

Tier 1: Industry Changes
The industry groups remain unchanged with 5 industries.
1) Payment (110),
2) Infrastructure (120),
3) Financial services (130),
4) Tech & Data (140) and
5) Media & Entertainment (150).

Tier 2: Sector Changes
The number of sectors remain unchanged with 16 sectors. There is modification in Sector name under Media & Entertainment (150)/ Social Media & Community Sector. The definition of Social Community sector remains unchanged.

Modification in sector name.
Before
Social Media (15010)
After
Social Media & Community (15010)

ii) Classification Changes
VeChain (VET)
Before
Industry: Tech & Data (140)
Sector: Storage & Sharing (14010)
After
Industry: Infrastructure (120)
Sector: Application Development Protocol & Smart Contract (12010)

iii) Green coins label
There are 9 Greens coins in this review:

iv) Coverage of DAICS^®
DAICS^® coin coverage: top 50 coins by market capitalization
DAICS^® market capitalization coverage: 87.493%*
The % coverage of market capitalization of the 50th ranked coin: 0.092%
Member changes within the TOP 50 coins in DAICS^® : 6 coins in and 7 coins out

(For more details about the industry weighting and the 6 changes, please see Appendix 4).

*As of 22^nd May 2024, based on past 90 days market capitalization ranking including all coins* (exclude stable coins and pure DAO governance tokens)
Note: G as ‘Green‘ labelling for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability

* * (For details on Industry & Sector definitions under DAICS^®, please refer to Appendix 2 & 3)

b) Asset Backed Tokens (ABT)
i) Structure and definitions
Tier 1: Asset Types Changes
The asset types remain unchanged at 6
1) Culture (205),
2) Real Estate (215),
3) Financials (235),
4) Entertainment (255),
5) Natural Resources (265), and
6) Green Economy (275).

Tier 2: Branch Changes
The branches remain unchanged at 31.
(For details on Asset types and Branches, please refer to Appendix 3).

ii) Classification Changes
Nil

iii) Coverage of DAICS^®
IX Asia Indexes has not started to classify any ABT. ABTs will be added to DAICS^® in the next stage when a fair amount of popular asset-backed tokens are available in the market. A new ABT registry will be made available to the public. Although there has been an increase in the number of ABTs, ABTs only comprised 0.106% of the total market capitalization of digital assets. A classification summary and definition table are available at Appendix 5 & 6.

For further information regarding the methodology of the DAICS^®, please refer to the “IX Digital Asset Industry Classification System”- principle and guiding methodology on the company website https://ix-index.com/daics.html.

All classification changes including the ixCrypto Infrastructure Index and ixCrypto Stablecoin index will take effect on 19^th July, 2024.

For more details on our DAICS^® qualification criteria, please email daics@ix-index.com.

For a full version of the appendixes 1-3, please refer to ix-index official website.

Appendix 4
In and out in DAICS^® Top 50 cryptos

Sector Weighting of the Classification System**

*Special Currency Treatment of DAICS^® applies
**Based on 22^nd May 2024

G: Green Label
Appendix 5

Classification of top 50 coins by Market Capitalization

Note: G as ‘Green‘ labelling for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability
^(**) labelling for change in sector name in this review

Appendix 6

IX Digital Asset Industry and Sector Classification System (“DAICS^®“)

DAICS^® Asset Type Definitions

² United Nations 17 sustainable development goals covering 1) No Poverty 2) Zero Hunger 3) Good Health and Well-Being 4) Quality Education 5) Gender Equality 6) Clean Water and Sanitation 7) Affordable And Clean Energy 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10) Reduced inequalities 11) Sustainable Cities and Communities 12) Responsible Consumption and Production 13) Climate Action 14) Life Below Water 15) Life on Land 16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17) Partnerships for the Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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

About DAICS®

DAICS^® covers both cryptocurrencies and asset-backed tokens (“ABT”), to be reviewed semi-annually at the end of June and December. On cryptocurrencies side, it is a three-tier system that groups cryptocurrencies into 5 main industries: 1) Payment, 2) Infrastructure, 3) Financial services, 4) Technology & Data and 5) Media & Entertainment. These industries are further divided into 16 sectors and sub-sectors to be introduced in the future. Under asset-backed tokens, there are 6 asset types: 1) Culture, 2) Real Estate, 3) Financials, 4) Entertainment, 5) Natural Resources, 6) Green Economy. These asset types are further divided into 31 branches and sub-branches to be introduced in the future.

About IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee and Working Group

The establishment of the IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee (“Advisory Committee”) is to pursue the goal and vision to formulate a standard for global tokenization framework in a compliant and transparent way. The key role of the Advisory Committee is to formulate the guideline and reference for tokenization in terms of infrastructure, business financial stability, sustainability, internal control and classification. The Advisory Committee is comprised of industry recognised leaders from blockchain consultancy, sustainable projects and field in Art industry.

The establishment of the Working Group is to identify, evaluate and recommend key directions and founding principles according to their specific industry knowledge and expertise in relating to the creation of the specified token. It will examine and propose improvements to the guidelines and references for tokenization. The working group is formed of a diverse group of market experts representing relevant sectors and markets, to provide input and discuss case studies for creation of tokenization framework, best practices and development of real-world projects.

For more information about IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee & Working Group, please visit https://ix-index.com/tokenization-committee.html .

Hashtag: #Salmon

https://salmon.ph
https://www.linkedin.com/company/87080380/admin/feed/posts/
https://www.facebook.com/salmonphilippines
https://www.tiktok.com/@salmonphilippines

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About Asian Banking & Finance (ABF)

Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) is the premier magazine dedicated to Asia’s dynamic financial services sector. As the leading source of news, features, profiles, and sector analyses, ABF caters to commercial, retail, and investment banking professionals across the region.

About the Salmon Group Ltd

TVBS “Insight People“ with Jensen Huang hailed as 2024’s must-watch interview in Taiwan

Beyond the COMPUTEX keynote, Huang sat down for an all-English interview with Fang Nien-hwa on TVBS “Insight People.” The discussion, which delved into AI-driven innovations, earned high marks for its depth and professionalism. Huang himself became an immediate admirer of Fang, commending the quality of their exchange. The interview has already drawn over 200,000 views online, with audiences praising it as the “must-watch interview of 2024” in Taiwan. Broadcast also on TVBS ASIA, the program reached a global Chinese-speaking audience, further enhancing Huang’s appeal. The interview’s highlights, shared on social platform X, ignited international conversations, attracting attention from figures like Elon Musk, who commented on the potential ubiquity of AI, likening its proliferation to that of automobiles.

TVBS spearheads digital transformation in tech media, exploring AI’s boundless potential with NVIDIA

Under the guidance of TVBS General Manager Sheena Liu, the broadcaster is intensifying its focus on digital transformation. The network has garnered numerous international accolades for its digital initiatives and is deepening its partnership with NVIDIA to explore the vast potential of AI. Liu emphasized that AI has boosted global innovation, prompting TVBS to further invest in its digital evolution and adopt a multi-faceted approach to business transformation. As TVBS continues to blend technology with media, its goal remains to provide high-quality content to Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide, striving to be a visionary and diverse content provider in the AI era.
Hashtag: #TVBS

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

Octa

Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 42 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Forex Broker Malaysia 2022’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Global Banking and Finance Review and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

According to Essence, the international rating agency S&P Global Ratings issued a rating report in late May, maintaining its “stable” outlook on Fosun International’s long-term issuer and issue credit ratings. Essence pointed out that Fosun has pursued a solid development of syndicated loan financing channels, coupled with a more favorable macroeconomic environment in China, Fosun’s credit quality has been stabilized and its refinancing conditions have improved. At the same time, Fosun has stepped up its efforts in divesting its non-core assets to facilitate its fund recovery as well as concentrating its resources on core industries, thereby reducing debt ratio and maintaining a sound financial position. In addition, Fosun’s global business presence helps it to hedge risks and balance revenue streams. With the stabilization of the macroeconomic environment, Fosun’s fundamentals are poised for continued recovery.

Essence further pointed out that looking ahead, Fosun will focus on its three core businesses in health, consumption and finance. In the health sector, Fosun will strengthen its global presence and optimize capital allocation. In the consumption sector, Fosun will continue to build upon its existing businesses and increase investments in the operations of jewelry, catering, resort, and baijiu. In the finance sector, Fosun will continue to restructure assets and divest some heavy assets.

Previously, securities firms such as Founder Securities and Kaiyuan Securities also published reports expressing optimism about Fosun International’s focus on core businesses, increased investment in advantageous industries, and steady profit growth, maintaining a “Recommended” or “Buy” rating on Fosun International.

Founder Securities believed that Fosun’s credit quality has further stabilized over the past year, and the asset quality of Fosun’s investment portfolio is expected to remain generally stable in the next 6 to 12 months. Fosun’s sound credit standing will help offset the impact of the downturn in the real estate industry and other unfavorable macroeconomic factors. As Fosun gradually adjusts and optimizes its various business segments, alongside the gradual economic recovery, the revenue and profits across these segments are expected to gradually improve. Founder Securities maintained a “Recommended” rating on Fosun International and raised the target price to HKD7.0.

Kaiyuan Securities also expressed optimism about Fosun’s ongoing investment in businesses with stable cash flows and profit growth potential. In addition, Kaiyuan Securities recognized the diversity and predictability of Fosun’s sustainable cash dividend income and maintained a “Buy” rating on Fosun International.

Hashtag: #Essence #EssenceInternationalSecurities

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

Beyond Trading: UbitEx’s Complete Product Ecosystem

At the core of UbitEx’s success is its cutting-edge FlyLeopard AI technology. This intelligent aggregator processes real-time news, analyzes on-chain transaction strategies, and gauges market sentiment, providing traders with all the AI-driven insights they need to make the best decisions swiftly.

UbitEx is not only the world’s leading intelligent compliance financial service platform and the largest automated market-making comprehensive derivatives trading platform, but it also holds compliance licenses in the US, Canada, Australia, and more, with users from over 40 countries worldwide. UbitEx aims to exceed ten million platform users by the first quarter of next year. Additionally, UbitEx is actively expanding its ecosystem, including plans for the UB crypto bank card, RAW application public chain, AI quantitative fund, ETF fund, blockchain project incubation, customer service, and social systems, continually innovating to better serve its users.

Dual Token Staking: Exclusive Opportunities for UB Token Holders

UbitEx’s platform token, UB, is already listed on MEXC and Hotcoin. One of the most notable platform feature is dual token staking, a powerful tool for maximizing user returns.

Unlocks Lucrative Reward System and Launchpad Section

UbitEx has designed an exclusive Launchpad section for UB token holders, allowing users to participate in each new project launched on the platform, providing an excellent first-hand opportunity to profit.

By integrating innovative AI technology and providing UB token holders with exclusive opportunities, diverse financial products, and additional reward systems. For more information, please visit the UbitEx official website.

Hashtag: #UbitEx

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

About UbitEx

UbitEx is the world’s leading intelligent compliance financial service platform and the largest automated market-making comprehensive derivatives trading platform. Utilizing its patented FlyLeopard AI technology, UbitEx can analyze real-time news and market strategies to lower investment thresholds and maximize returns. As the first AI-friendly exchange, UbitEx focuses on enhancing every trader’s user experience with cutting-edge AI services. One of the platform’s most notable products is dual token staking, a powerful tool for maximizing user returns.

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The surprise snap elections, called by President Macron after his centrist Renaissance party was crushed by Marine Le Pen’s far-right anti-immigration and eurosceptic party Rassemblement National (RN) in the European Parliament elections in May, have sent ripples of concern throughout Europe.

Macron’s controversial decision to dissolve the National Assembly, France’s lower house, betting that citizens would reject the prospect of a far-right government at home, backfired after RN captured 34 per cent of the vote during first round on June 30. A win by RN on July 7 would hand power to a far-right-wing party for the first time since Nazi Germany occupied France during the Second World War.

Now, with all efforts focused on creating a “Republican Front” to prevent Le Pen’s handpicked 28-year-old Jordan Bardella from becoming prime minister, researchers behind a new Berggruen Governance Index (BGI) report say that France’s current turmoil can be traced to unresolved issues bubbling beneath the surface.

In fact, the report says that despite recent missteps, Macron and France’s woes began long before the latest ballots were cast.

According to their report titled “When the Center Cannot Hold: Governance Performance and Political Backlash in France”, the researchers say the initial election outcome reflects an “alarming trend” of right-wing assurgency seen across Europe.

“France’s swing to the right reflects many characteristics of similar developments in other European countries, but also stems from some national particularities that reach back decades,” write the researchers from the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), the Los Angeles-based Berggruen Institute and the Hertie School, a university in Berlin, Germany.

Indeed, France’s current predicament is certainly not evident when looking at BGI’s 2024 global assessment, which shows that France has “extremely high living standards by both global and European standards.” But its high ranking has helped mask deeply rooted social challenges that are feeding resentment and being expressed at the polls.

Economics, inequality, and migration

The researchers say that although France is very well positioned in terms of the quality of its democracy, government, and quality of life, a closer look reveals how the country’s “sluggish economic performance, persistent inequalities, and tensions around migration” have fuelled the right-wing’s assent. Should Marine Le Pen’s party prevail on Sunday and potentially take the presidency in 2027, the report says France’s governance rating would be threatened.

Although the report draws comparisons to similar developments seen in other European countries, it shows that some of France’s challenges are not new. Researchers point to how regional issues stemming from centralisation, ranging from extensive financial insecurity, the dominant political and economic power of Paris, and a struggle to achieve social upward mobility have led to increased right-wing support especially among 18-25-year-old youth.

The report refers to France’s longstanding tradition of protest to make a connection to the current political crisis. Looking to recent events, such as the year-long “yellow vest” movement in 2018-2019, which was sparked by the EU’s increased carbon price and led to widespread opposition to inequality, and the protests that grew out of Macron’s pension reforms, the French have never been shy to revolt against government action. However, the legislative elections show that the public’s calls for change remain unanswered.

A regional and economic focus must take shape

Beyond the second-round results, and the potential political fallout, there remains an Olympic-sized effort required to heal the problems that ill France. The report says that stemming the far-right tide is dependent on the French government taking seriously economic and social issues that drive regional inequalities. The report suggests that improving rural infrastructure and increasing regional decision-making autonomy are important steps needed to close the inequality gap.

When it comes to migrant communities, many of which are impoverished and cut-off from mainstream French society, not to mention the target of right-wing vitriol, the report states that more must be done to foster social integration and boost employment.

Forty years of industrial decline has shed over two-million jobs in concentrated regions, which has led to an economic spiral that has exasperated France’s wealth gap, the researchers say. According to the report, in 2021 10 per cent of households in France held 47 per cent of all wealth. And despite a strong welfare state, the poverty rate stubbornly remained at 13.3 per cent.

Even if Sunday’s vote does not result in a RN win, but rather a hung parliament, as many analysts are predicting, France will find itself mired in political deadlock. If that becomes the case, the ramifications threaten to spread beyond France’s borders, potentially affecting Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russia’s invasion and upend decisions at the EU level.

But BGI’s researchers point to longer-term concerns for France if action is not taken to address underlying inequalities.

They warn that if the growing equality gap is not properly addressed, France faces a vicious cycle of an emboldened far right that feeds on economic insecurity and social resentment but lacks the ability to solve them.

On July 7, the voters get to decide.

The report in full will be published online at https://governance.luskin.ucla.edu/publications-2/.

Further coverage by the Democracy News Alliance can be found in the DNA digital newsroom at https://www.presseportal.de/en/nr/174021

Hashtag: #France

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

Two Named in Future Tech 100, Driving AI application and Global Opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2024 – The “2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference” (WAIC 2024) kicked off today at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre. Cyberport participated in the mega event for the second consecutive year, leading eight start-ups to showcase a diverse range of AI-driven solutions, spanning across IoT systems, large language models, image generators, virtual chatbots, sales intelligence and lead generation platform, as well as platforms for child development and Special Education Needs (SEN). Among them, two Cyberport incubated start-ups: Votee AI and YouToo Robot have been selected as the “WAIC 2024 Future Tech 100”, highlighting Hong Kong’s innovative strength and international competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence.

The WAIC 2024, themed “Governing AI for Good and for All”, is held in Shanghai from July 4 to July 7. The conference aims to showcase the achievements of cutting-edge technologies, explore new opportunities for the development of artificial intelligence, and strive to create the world’s largest industrial ecological cluster. Cyberport is participating in the “Hong Kong Pavilion” set up by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, providing a platform for local AI-related companies to showcase their innovative achievements to international markets, allowing companies to connect to the world and demonstrate Hong Kong’s strategic position as a global innovation hub.

Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, said: “Artificial intelligence has become a global priority for business, and Hong Kong is no exception. As a leading AI hub in Hong Kong, Cyberport is now home to around 200 start-ups and technology companies dedicated to AI and data science R&D and application. We are proud to have led eight outstanding companies to participate in the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, two of which were successfully selected into the ‘Future Tech 100’ to fully demonstrate the innovative strength and international competitiveness of Hong Kong and Cyberport companies in the AI field. Cyberport will remain committed to collaborating with the Government and industry to build a thriving AI ecosystem, foster technological exchange and bridge industry collaboration, and drive the adoption of AI technologies to create greater economic and social benefits for Hong Kong.”

To promote comprehensive exchanges and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, this year’s WAIC specially set up the “Future Tech 100 Innovation Incubation Exhibition Special Zone” to select innovative projects with practical applications or potential for industrialization in the near future. Four Hong Kong companies have been selected into the “WAIC 2024 Future Tech 100” in recognition of their forward-looking solutions, potential growth and commercial value, two of which are Cyberport incubated start-ups: Votee AI and YouToo Robot.

Votee AI, specializing in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies for marketing research, launched a self-developed Cantonese Large Language Model in June this year to help organizations integrate generative AI with Cantonese capabilities. Additionally, the company offers solutions including Business-to-Consumer (B2C) market research, plug-in Software Development Kit (SDK), social listening and beyond for enterprises.

As for Youtoo Robot, it has developed application software for smart industrial robots to break through the technical threshold in the related fields, enabling customers without professional coding backgrounds to control the operation of robotic production line themselves. Through the use of 3D model libraries and smart templates, it allows enterprises to master automation with the ability to reprogram robots independently, rectify the robotic production lines and extend the life cycle of smart production lines to cater to the iterations of products, and foster smart transformation in the manufacturing industry.

The WAIC 2024 is co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the China Association for Science and Technology and the Shanghai Municipal Government from July 4 to July 7 in Shanghai. This year, Cyberport leads eight Cyberport community enterprises engaging in artificial intelligence-related businesses to participate, presenting Hong Kong’s potential start-ups and their achievements in innovation to the world. (Please refer to the attached table for details of participating startups).

As a leading artificial intelligence hub in Hong Kong, Cyberport is fully committed to establishing Hong Kong’s first large-scale AI Supercomputing Centre (AISC), with the first phase facility expected to start operating within this year. The computing power of the supercomputing facility is expected to reach 3,000 petaFLOPS when fully operational, equivalent to processing nearly 10 billion images in one hour.

The HKSAR Government announced the allocation of HK$3 billion in the latest Budget to support universities, research institutions and enterprises to leverage the computing power of Cyberport’s AISC. The relevant facility will enhance Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities in various area such as life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing, and new energy technology. It will attract start-ups and research talents from the Mainland and abroad, adding to Hong Kong’s strengths in basic research and internationalization.

Additionally, Cyberport is committed to building a comprehensive ecosystem of AI technology, including computing infrastructure, basic/vertical/specialized large-scale model construction etc., and introducing System Integrator. With more than 200 start-ups specialising in the R&D of AI and big data, and with successively signed MoUs with leading companies, including Cisco, Baidu, Huawei, etc., Cyberport helps propel research, innovation and application of artificial intelligence across industries and create a comprehensive ecosystem for the development of AI technology and industries.

Hashtag: #Cyberport #AI #WAIC2024

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About Cyberport

Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship and incubator for entrepreneurship with over 2,000 members including over 900 onsite and over 1,100 offsite start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. With a vision to be the hub for digital technology, thereby creating a new economic driver for Hong Kong, Cyberport is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talent, promoting entrepreneurship among youth, supporting start-ups, fostering industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.cyberport.hk.