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Standing Stones in Houaphanh Recognized as National Heritage

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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A picture of Hintang Archeological Park (Standing Stones) showing the tall and narrow stone pillars in Houaphanh Province. (Photo by World Monuments Fund)

A group of ancient standing stones in Houaphanh Province has been officially recognised as a national cultural heritage site, drawing attention to one of Laos’ most puzzling historical locations.

Known as Hintang Archeological Park (Standing Stones), the site is located in Houameuang District, about 64 kilometers from the provincial center. The area contains more than 1,500 stone pillars and over 150 large stone discs spread across hills and forest.

The stones are believed to date back around 2,500 to 3,000 years, possibly to the Iron Age. However, experts still do not know who built them or why.

The stones are tall and narrow, often placed in groups with larger stones at the centre. There is no clear pattern in how they are arranged, which adds to the mystery.

The Secrets Beneath the Surface

Beneath some of the stones, archeologists have discovered underground chambers. These chambers are large and covered with heavy stone slabs, some over 2 metres wide.

Inside, the chambers are divided into smaller sections and may have been used for burials. However, very few human remains have been found, leaving many questions unanswered.

The site was first studied in 1931 by French archeologist Madeleine Colani, who uncovered clay jars and bronze bracelets during early excavations.

Despite decades of research, the true purpose of the stones remains unclear. Some believe they were linked to burial practices, while others suggest they may have spiritual or ceremonial meaning.

In recent years, authorities have carried out surveys and mapping of the area to better understand and protect the site. Key groups of stones have been identified in 2 villages, where conservation zones have now been established.

To Achieve Global Recognition

Officials say the new national heritage status will help protect the site and support further research. It may also help promote tourism in the future.

The government has also indicated plans to propose the site for UNESCO World Heritage status in the coming years. The push is part of a broader 2026-2030 national strategy, aimed at protecting Lao landmarks alongside cultural staples like ‘Laap’ and the ‘Baci’ ceremony.

For now, Hintang could become the second National Heritage site in Houaphanh, following the recognition of Viengxay’s historic caves, while remaining the most puzzling historical site, raising questions about the people who once lived there.

State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company: Safe Spring Inspection Safeguards Power Grid

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Advertorial Desk
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JINCHANG, China, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On March 19, State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company launched detailed inspections on urban distribution lines in Jinchang, the “Nickel Capital”, to ensure grid safety during the Spring Equinox. Adopting a three-dimensional patrol mode of manual foot patrol, drone inspection and infrared temperature measurement, the company focuses on rectifying spring hazards and implements closed-loop hidden danger elimination. It also strengthens joint prevention and control against mountain fires and public publicity, upgrades grid equipment, and lays a solid foundation for summer peak-load supply with optimal grid performance.

Zhong Baoshen Attends Boao Forum for Asia 2026, LONGi’s “Solar-Storage-Hydrogen” Strategy Empowers China-Australia Green Cooperation

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Advertorial Desk
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QIONGHAI, China, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From March 24 to 27, the much-anticipated Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 commenced in Hainan. Within the forum’s framework, the high-profile China-Australia Entrepreneur Dialogue, themed “Promoting Win-Win Cooperation for Green Development,” was held on March 25th. Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi, was invited as a representative of China’s new energy enterprises to engage in in-depth discussions with political and business leaders and academic experts from both countries, focusing on deepening economic and trade cooperation within the RCEP framework and the green transition.

Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi, speaks at the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference.
Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi, speaks at the Boao Forum for Asia 2026 Annual Conference.

During the dialogue, Mr. Zhong Baoshen noted that with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Deepening Cooperation in the Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between China and Australia in June 2024, bilateral economic and trade relations have entered a new phase. “This has directly reduced equipment and construction costs for Australian solar projects, accelerating the deployment of photovoltaic applications,” Mr. Zhong Baoshen stated. He added that LONGi is fully supporting Australia’s target of achieving 82% renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030 through its high-efficiency Back Contact (BC) modules and Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) products. Data shows that in 2024, renewables already accounted for 46% of Australia’s electricity supply, with solar power contributing 19.6% (46.7 TWh), a role in which Chinese PV companies have played a key part.

In his remarks at the Boao Forum, Mr. Zhong Baoshen, systematically elaborated on LONGi’s latest integrated “Solar-Storage-Hydrogen” strategy to Australian partners. He emphasized that facing the challenges of grid integration in Australia and the systemic nature of the energy transition, single photovoltaic products alone cannot meet future demands. To address this, LONGi has constructed a “stable triangle” energy architecture centered on photovoltaics, energy storage, and hydrogen.

Mr. Zhong Baoshen explained that within this system, photovoltaics act as the “creator” of clean energy, lowering the levelized cost of electricity through high-efficiency technology; energy storage serves as the “stabilizer” for the power system, coordinating with green power trading to support stable grid operation and address solar intermittency; hydrogen functions as the “regulator” for long-duration, cross-seasonal energy storage and industrial decarbonization, capable of extending into hard-to-abate sectors where Australia has traditional advantages, such as shipping and mining smelting.

“LONGi has completed its strategic upgrade from a global photovoltaic leader to an integrated ‘Solar-Storage-Hydrogen’ comprehensive energy solution provider,” Mr. Zhong Baoshen stated. He noted that just this month, leveraging its exceptional bankability, LONGi was simultaneously included in BloombergNEF’s (BNEF) Tier 1 list for both PV and Energy Storage for the first time. This signifies that its energy storage business has entered the global top tier from the outset, and its ‘Solar-Storage-Hydrogen’ synergistic strategy has gained significant recognition from international markets.

Regarding China-Australia cooperation in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sphere, Mr. Zhong Baoshen expressed support for establishing unified green standards between the two countries and advocated for jointly promoting the implementation of ESG financial instruments, such as green bonds and carbon credit mechanisms, to provide long-term financial support for renewable energy projects.

Technological innovation remains the key link in LONGi’s deep engagement with Australia. Mr. Zhong Baoshen emphasized LONGi’s long-standing collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW). As early as 2018, both parties signed a strategic cooperation agreement to conduct in-depth research in areas like high-efficiency PV technology and renewable energy system optimization. The “Solar Cell Efficiency Tables,” led by Professor Martin Green, often called the ‘father of solar power,’ have repeatedly included world records set by LONGi. Looking ahead, LONGi will continue to deepen this technical cooperation and explore combining photovoltaics with Australia’s significant green hydrogen resource potential.

Australia is currently advancing towards its 2030 target of 82% renewable energy, requiring an estimated annual addition of 7.2 gigawatts of new renewable and gas-fired generation capacity. Mr. Zhong Baoshen stated that LONGi will not only support local utility-scale and distributed market growth with high-efficiency products but also, leveraging its full-value-chain “Solar-Storage-Hydrogen” strategy, provide the Australian market with full-scene solutions covering power generation, storage, and consumption. This aims to assist Australia’s strategic transition from traditional energy sources to green energy, injecting robust green momentum into the construction of a regional open economy.

Jollibee Advances to Top 5 in Global Brand Strength Rankings, Signaling Continued Momentum

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Advertorial Desk
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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – Jollibee, the flagship brand of the Jollibee Group, has been ranked the fifth-strongest restaurant brand worldwide in the Brand Finance Restaurants 25 2026 report, reinforcing the brand’s growing global competitiveness and resonance across markets.

Jollibee Global Rank

The 2026 ranking marks a significant rise from ninth place in 2025, reflecting a measurable strengthening of Jollibee’s global brand equity. Its Brand Strength Index (BSI) improved to 87.9/100 from 83.9 the previous year—one of the most notable gains among ranked restaurant brands—indicating increased consumer familiarity, preference, and advocacy across both established and emerging markets.

In the same report, Brand Finance also noted that Jollibee remains the Philippines’ sole representative among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands, and the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand included in the global ranking.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group, said the recognition underscores the brand’s rising global competitiveness and equity.

“Being ranked among the world’s strongest restaurant brands by Brand Finance signals that Jollibee is winning in superior taste and strengthening consumer preference across markets. It reflects the trust we have built, the disciplined execution of our teams, and the growing power of our brand as we continue to deliver joyful experiences to customers worldwide,” Tanmantiong said.

Strengthened global equity

Brand Finance reported that Jollibee’s brand value rose by 32% to USD 3.3 billion in 2026, placing it 18th among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands. As part of its brand strength assessment, Brand Finance cited Jollibee’s AAA brand strength rating, reflecting strong customer trust, emotional connection, and price acceptance in its home market and other key markets, including Singapore and Vietnam.

The year-on-year improvement in brand strength signals that Jollibee is not only expanding its footprint but also deepening its ability to influence customer choice—an important driver of long-term earnings quality, pricing resilience, and franchise attractiveness. This progression positions the brand alongside more established global players in terms of consumer affinity, despite differences in scale.

Brand Finance noted that as the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand in the global ranking, Jollibee’s performance underscores the ability of home-grown brands to compete internationally through disciplined execution while sustaining strong brand equity and expectations for future earnings. Its continued expansion across Asia, North America, and the Middle East has strengthened long-term growth visibility while preserving brand leadership in its core market.

“We remain focused on building scalable operating systems, reinforcing brand fundamentals, and delivering consistent, superior taste across markets. With disciplined expansion, we are positioning our brands to grow sustainably, compete globally, and create long-term value for our stakeholders, including investors and franchise partners,” Tanmantiong added.

Jollibee’s growing global recognition is reinforced by recent accolades across key international markets. In the United States, the brand was named among the best fast-food fried chicken chains by USA Today, while Eater spotlighted it as a must-visit destination for its iconic Chickenjoy and distinctly Filipino flavors. The brand has also earned recognition in Hong Kong and Singapore, and in Kuwait, where Jollibee was ranked among the top 10 brands for best customer service—underscoring its growing consumer preference and consistent delivery of superior taste and joyful service across markets.

Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup

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

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio which includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit

Jollibee Group Earns Gallup’s Highest Workplace Honor, Wins Engagement Award for Fifth Year

By
Advertorial Desk
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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – The Jollibee Group has earned the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards (GEWA) with Distinction—the highest honor given by Gallup to organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to employee engagement and workplace culture.

GEWA Top Honor

In the same recognition cycle, the Jollibee Group also received the Gallup Engagement Award for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting the consistency of its people-first approach and reinforcing its standing among organizations that prioritize building highly engaged workplaces.

Notably, the Jollibee Group remains the only Philippine-based company to have received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, underscoring how a Filipino brand can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global organizations in creating a high-engagement workplace culture.

Highest Top Employer Honors

“Being recognized by Gallup at this level affirms the kind of workplace we are building at the Jollibee Group—one where our people can grow, thrive, and do their best work every day. It also shows that a Filipino company can stand alongside the world’s best workplaces,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and CEO, Jollibee Group.

“As we continue to expand globally, we remain committed to building a culture that enables our teams and partners to find joy in their work, succeed together, and bring the joy of our brands to more communities around the world,” he added.

The GEWA with Distinction recognition is awarded to a select group of organizations chosen by Gallup’s review panel for the impact of their strategic initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and help team members perform at their best.

Bringing Choose Joy! EVP to Life

The recognition marks a milestone for the Jollibee Group and reflects the company’s commitment to bringing its Choose Joy! Employer Value Proposition (EVP) to life—creating an environment where employees find purpose in their work, grow their capabilities, and experience genuine care and belonging.

“At the Jollibee Group, engagement is something we build intentionally every day through strong leadership, continuous listening, and meaningful people programs,” said Arsenio Sabado, Global Chief Human Resources Officer of the Jollibee Group.

“At the heart of Choose Joy is our commitment to create an environment where our team members feel a strong sense of purpose, have opportunities to grow their careers, and experience real belonging as part of our organization.”

By embedding employee engagement into its operating model, the Jollibee Group demonstrates that choosing joy at work can drive stronger performance and deeper commitment across teams. The Group views engagement not only as a people initiative but also as a strategic advantage that strengthens execution and supports sustainable long-term growth.

For employees, this approach translates into a workplace where they can build meaningful careers and thrive both professionally and personally. Guided by our Choose Joy! EVP, team members are supported by leadership that values listening, development opportunities that build capability, and a culture that recognizes and cares for its people.

The Gallup recognition adds to a growing list of global and regional honors that affirm the Jollibee Group’s commitment to being a world-class employer. The Group has been included in Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list, recognized among TIME’s World’s Best Companies, and named Employer of the Year by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP)—recognitions that highlight its continued efforts to build a workplace where people can thrive and grow.

As it continues to expand its global footprint, the Jollibee Group remains committed to strengthening its people-first culture, ensuring that engagement, leadership, and meaningful work remain central to its growth and delivery on its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste.

Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup

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

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit

SetupHK Launches Free Corporate Tax Diagnosis Service — Limited to 20 Slots — Helping Hong Kong SMEs Navigate Tax Filing Season

By
Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – Professional accounting services firm SetupHK(朗峰會計) today announced the immediate launch of its “One-Hour Free Corporate Tax Diagnosis” service, designed exclusively for Hong Kong small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Available to the first 20 applicants only, the service covers account health assessment, tax filing arrangement clarification, and tax risk analysis. Appointments are now open via WhatsApp.

The service launches in alignment with Hong Kong’s annual tax filing season, during which the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) begins issuing Profits Tax returns to businesses from April onwards. SetupHK stated that the initiative aims to help SME owners gain a clear picture of their financial records before formally engaging tax filing services, reducing the risk of missed deadlines and unnecessary tax complications.

Service Details

The free corporate tax diagnosis is conducted on a one-to-one basis by SetupHK’s professional advisors. Each session runs approximately one hour and covers three key areas:

Account Health Assessment — A review of the completeness and accuracy of the company’s existing financial records, identifying potential issues that require attention.

Tax Filing Arrangement Clarification — Based on the company’s structure and financial year-end, advisors will outline the required filing steps and timeline.

Tax Risk Analysis — A preliminary identification of tax-related risks, including late submission exposure, discrepancies in financial records, and common filing errors.

Availability is strictly limited to the first 20 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. To book an appointment: WhatsApp 852-9248-5734.

Background

Under the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Ordinance, limited companies are required to submit an annual Profits Tax return (BIR51) together with audited financial statements prepared by a certified public accountant. Late submission may result in a fine of up to HK$10,000 plus a penalty of three times the tax assessed. Based on SetupHK’s experience serving SMEs, a significant number of business owners do not begin preparing their financial records until after receiving their tax return, leaving insufficient time to complete the mandatory audit process before the filing deadline.

Marx Chan, Director of SetupHK, commented: “Many business owners have little visibility into the actual state of their company’s accounts. By the time they receive their tax return and realise there are problems, they are already under pressure. The purpose of this free diagnosis is to give owners a clear picture of where they stand — what needs to be done and how much time they have — so they can respond with confidence rather than scramble at the last minute.”

Hashtag: #SetupHK

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

About SetupHK

has been providing comprehensive business support services to companies in Hong Kong and overseas since 2014. Its service offering includes company incorporation (Hong Kong and Taiwan), bookkeeping, auditing, tax filing, company secretarial services, bank account opening, and company dissolution. Operating from its office in Mong Kok, the firm serves hundreds of clients annually and is a trusted one-stop business partner for local SMEs, startups, and cross-border business owners.

  • Website: setuphk.com
  • Tel: 852-3845-2888
  • WhatsApp: 852-9248-5734
  • Office: Room 17B, Silvercord Tower, 707-713 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
  • Facebook: facebook.com/setuphk

For media enquiries, please contact SetupHK’s Marketing Department at 852-3845-2888.

Redefining Creative Boundaries with Monport’s Laser Engraving Machines This Easter Holiday

By
Advertorial Desk
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NEW YORK, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This Easter season, Monport Laser invites creators, makers, and businesses to elevate their craftsmanship with its highly anticipated Easter Holiday Sale. Running from March 25, 2026 through April 8, 2026, the promotion delivers exclusive savings, limited-time laser machine discounts, and value-packed bundles across Monport’s full range of advanced laser engraving machines.

As demand grows for efficient and versatile production tools, laser technology continues to play a critical role across industries—from customization and prototyping to full-scale manufacturing.

Understanding Modern Laser Technologies

Monport offers a diverse range of laser systems, each designed for specific applications:

  • CO2 laser machines are widely used for cutting and engraving non-metal materials such as wood, acrylic, leather, and glass. Known for their versatility, they are ideal for both small businesses and industrial workshops.
  • Fiber laser systems are optimized for marking and engraving on metals, delivering high speed and long-term durability with minimal maintenance.
  • UV laser marking systems provide ultra-fine, low-heat processing, making them suitable for delicate materials like plastics, glass, and electronics.
  • Diode laser engravers, often found in portable or compact units, offer an accessible solution for light engraving and DIY projects, combining convenience with efficiency.

Together, these technologies enable users to select the right tool for their specific creative or production needs.

Sitewide Savings for Easter Creativity

As part of the Easter promotion, customers can enjoy:

This limited-time offer provides an accessible entry point for those looking to invest in high-performance laser engraving technology or upgrade their current setup.

Limited-Time Laser Machine Price Drops

Monport is also introducing significant discounts on some of its most sought-after machines:

Exclusive Bundles and Value-Added Offers

In addition to discounted pricing, Monport is enhancing its Easter deals with exclusive bundles:

For select CO2 laser engraving machine models, customers will also receive:

These laser engraving machines are designed for multi-material compatibility, plug-and-play convenience, and high-speed performance, making them ideal for businesses seeking efficiency and scalability this Easter Holiday.

Industrial Performance Meets Creative Freedom

Monport’s CO2 laser engraver with autofocus (60W–90W range) delivers industrial-grade results with consistent accuracy, enabling users to handle complex designs across wood, acrylic, leather, glass, and more. Meanwhile, its fiber laser engraving machine and UV laser marking system solutions cater to metal marking and high-precision cold marking applications.

Laser Engraving Accessories Promotion

To complement its laser machines, Monport is also offering:

  • 5% OFF all laser engraver accessories
  • Mega Conveyor: $100 OFF

These laser engraver accessories are designed to enhance workflow automation and productivity for both small workshops and large-scale operations.

About Monport Laser

Monport Laser provides laser engraving and cutting solutions for small businesses, creators, and industrial users. Its product portfolio includes CO2 laser, fiber laser, UV laser, and diode laser engravers designed for precision, reliability, and ease of use.

For more information about the Easter Holiday Sale and Monport’s full product lineup, visit the official Monport Laser website.

Media Contact:
Monport Laser
Email: official@monportlaser.com 
Website: https://monportlaser.com/

 

MetaComp unveils Web2.5 VisionX Engine and AgentX, Advancing the StableX Network as the Compliance Layer for Agentic Payment and Wealth (1)

By
Advertorial Desk
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With Web2.5 VisionX Engine and AgentX, StableX Network becomes the compliance and execution layer that institutional AI runs on for financial services

  • Web2.5 VisionX Engine: A three-layer AML/CFT compliance intelligence architecture covering identity, behaviour, and network risks across fiat and digital asset ecosystems. Among the first compliance engines from a Singapore-based firm to operationalise more than four blockchain analytics vendors in parallel with a proprietary algorithm validated across tens of billions of dollars in real-world transaction volume, it reduces false clean rates for high-risk transactions from up to 25 per cent to near-zero. Available from March 2026.
  • AgentX: MetaComp’s AI architecture packages regulated financial capabilities as downloadable financial Skills for any compatible AI platforms. The first Skill — VisionX as the agentic KYT tool — is available today at www.metacomp.ai. 
  • Know Your Agent (KYA): A governance standard in development, aligned with IMDA’s Singapore Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI, and organised around four pillars – Assess & Bound Risks, Human Accountability, Technical Controls and Adaptive Controls. The goal of KYA is to define agent-to-agent communications, onboarding standards and supervisory oversight for agent-related financial transactions. MetaComp announces development of KYA today and invites industry partners to co-create the framework.

SINGAPORE, March 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MetaComp Pte. Ltd. (MetaComp), Asia’s pioneer in unified Web2.5 digital financial solutions bridging fiat and stablecoin capabilities across payments, treasury, and wealth[1] management through a group-level platform, today announced three advances:

  1. The unveiling of the Web2.5 VisionX Engine, a major upgrade to the StableX Network’s AML/CFT compliance intelligence layer, covering identity, behaviour and network risk across fiat and digital-asset ecosystems;
  2. The introduction of AgentX, the AI deployment layer with the first roll-out Skill of Agentic KYT (AML/CFT), making MetaComp’s regulated financial capabilities accessible as downloadable Skills for any compatible AI platform; and
  3. The announcement of KYA, a governance standard MetaComp is developing in alignment with Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) “Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI”, tailored for payments and wealth[1] services, to govern agent-related financial action on MetaComp’s StableX Network.

MetaComp today deepened its compliance foundation for the age of agentic finance, unveiled the Web2.5 VisionX Engine, a compliance intelligence layer closing compliance blind spots across fiat and digital asset networks, introduced AgentX, with the first downloadable financial services Skill (available on Claude) for agentic KYT (www.metacomp.ai), and announced development of Know Your Agent (KYA), its governance standard for AI-initiated financial action. These advances are part of a progressive rollout through 2026 and 2027, backed by US$35 million raised across two pre-A funding rounds.
MetaComp today deepened its compliance foundation for the age of agentic finance, unveiled the Web2.5 VisionX Engine, a compliance intelligence layer closing compliance blind spots across fiat and digital asset networks, introduced AgentX, with the first downloadable financial services Skill (available on Claude) for agentic KYT (www.metacomp.ai), and announced development of Know Your Agent (KYA), its governance standard for AI-initiated financial action. These advances are part of a progressive rollout through 2026 and 2027, backed by US$35 million raised across two pre-A funding rounds.

The launch event took place earlier today at the office of Alpha Ladder Group, MetaComp’s parent company, attended by senior executives and compliance leaders from across the financial services and fintech industry, alongside representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA), and technology/database partners including LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

The Gap No Single Tool Was Built to Close

Cross-border finance today is inherently hybrid. Traditional finance provides strong identity through names, KYC records, KYT, counterparty data, correspondent banking relationships — but transaction flows are often opaque. Blockchain offers the inverse: deep transparency into transaction activity, with participants who may remain pseudonymous. The result is fragmented visibility across the end-to-end transaction lifecycle that no single compliance tool was built to address.

The regulatory environment reflects this urgency. In 2023, 54 per cent of jurisdictions had taken no steps toward Travel Rule compliance, according to a FATF survey. By 2024, that figure had reversed — 70 per cent had passed Travel Rule legislation, rising to 73 per cent of jurisdictions in 2025. Yet even as regulatory coverage expands, enforcement remains uneven across corridors, and the tools institutions rely on were not built to handle the hybrid transaction flows that now dominate cross-border capital movement.

MetaComp’s KYT report that was released in July 2025 underscores the stakes. An analysis of over 7,000 transactions found that relying on a single blockchain analytics tool results in a false clean rate of up to 24.55 per cent under MetaComp’s testing methodology — meaning institutions using a single compliance provider may inadvertently fail to identify certain high-risk transactions or exposure indicators, including links to sanctioned entities, stolen assets, and darknet activity.

As a result, MetaComp recommended that institutions adopt at least three KYT compliance providers simultaneously for each transaction. This finding, combined with a proprietary aggregation algorithm validated across tens of billions of dollars in real-world transaction volume, led to the development of the Web2.5 VisionX Engine.

Web2.5 VisionX Engine: A Three-Layer Architecture Strengthening Compliance across Hybrid Finance

Web2.5 VisionX EngineTM, a patent-pending proprietary tool developed by MetaComp, addresses this through a three-layer architecture: The first layer is identity — integrating Web2 KYC records and Web3 wallet data into unified, dynamic risk profiles. The second is behaviour — analysing transaction patterns over time to surface anomalies and reconstruct risk context that point-in-time screening misses. The third is network — mapping indirect counterparty relationships to identify hidden exposure beyond the immediate transaction. Across all three layers, parallel screening across more than four independent blockchain analytics vendors, aggregated through MetaComp’s in-house algorithm, reduces the false clean rate to ≤0.24 per cent.

MetaComp is the only Singapore-based firm to operationalise multiple (>4) blockchain analytics vendors in parallel, with in-house proprietary algorithm to standardise and aggregate the results, bridging traditional finance (Web2) and digital-asset ecosystems (Web3) through a unified Web2.5 risk engine.

AgentX: AI-Native Financial Execution for Institutions

The StableX Network operates through two core engines. The Web2.5 VisionX Engine provides compliance intelligence across fiat and digital asset rails. The StableX Engine handles FX routing and liquidity for compliant conversion and settlement. Together they power PayX for cross-border payment execution and WealthX for treasury and wealth[1] management — the full suite of services that StableX Network delivers to institutional clients today.

AgentX extends that infrastructure into the AI agent era. As payment service providers and financial institutions deploy AI agents to initiate payments, manage treasury, and conduct compliance workflows autonomously, new risks arise. These include expanded attack surfaces, unpredictable behaviours from autonomous agent interactions, data protection concerns, oversight decay, and legal and compliance liabilities that existing frameworks were not designed to address. For agentic finance to function at institutional scale, responsible deployment is a must.

MetaComp’s response is the KYA framework and Agentic KYT. While traditional Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verifies humans and KYT monitors transactions, KYA governs agents and agentic KYT with Skills that enable AI-native AML/CFT capability. Aligned with IMDA’s Singapore Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI, KYA is tailored specifically for payments and wealth services.

At its core, the KYA framework is being developed to define agent-to-agent communication and onboarding standards for financial services, account for multi-agent patterns, and provide supervisory oversight of agent-powered payment and wealth services. MetaComp announces development of the KYA framework today and invites industry partners to co-create.

Through AgentX, MetaComp’s regulated financial capabilities — including the Web2.5 VisionX Engine for AML/CFT — are packaged as downloadable financial Skills (initially for Claude, with other models to follow) for any compatible AI platform. When the agent acts, the action is governed, auditable, and compliant from the ground up. The first Skill is available today at www.metacomp.ai.

Ms Tin Pei Ling, Co-President, MetaComp, said: “The StableX Network has always been a compliance-first network for Web2.5 payments and wealth[1] —transactions are processed through VisionX before settlement. The Web2.5 VisionX Engine and our first AI-native VisionX Skill built on this engine deepen that foundation. An equally significant step for us today is KYA. As AI agents begin to execute financial actions autonomously, institutions need to know not just whether the transaction is clean but whether the agent initiating it is authorised to act within the compliance rules and regulatory bounds. We are building that governance framework for payments and wealth[1] as we remain committed to deploying technology responsibly.”

Ms Summer Yu, Group Chief Compliance Officer, Alpha Ladder Group, said: “Systemic risk in hybrid finance has always lived at the handoff between traditional banking and the blockchain, and for years, that gap went unmonitored because no single tool was built to see both sides simultaneously. The Web2.5 VisionX Engine closes it through three layers: identity, behaviour and network. Parallel screening across more than four independent blockchain analytics vendors, aggregated through our in-house algorithm, operates across all three layers — reducing false clean rates from up to 25 per cent to near-zero. For institutions moving capital across borders, this is the difference between compliance as a bottleneck and compliance as intelligence.”

The unveiling marks the first major product deployment following MetaComp’s cumulative US$35 million raised across two Pre-A funding rounds completed within three months, which includes investors such as Alibaba, Spark Ventures, Eastern Bell Capital, Noah, Sky9 Capital, Freshwave Fund, and Beingboom Capital.

The capital is being deployed to deepen product capabilities across the StableX Network and expand MetaComp’s regulated payment corridors across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

[1]All products and/or services in relation to securities and capital market products are offered and operated solely by Alpha Ladder Finance Pte. Ltd.

About MetaComp

MetaComp is Asia’s pioneer in unified Web2.5 digital financial solutions, bridging fiat and stablecoin capabilities across payments, treasury, and wealth1 management on an institutional, group-level platform. Licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Major Payment Institution to provide Digital Payment Token (DPT) and Cross-border Money Transfer (CBMT) services, MetaComp serves more than 1,000 institutional and accredited clients across major financial hubs globally.

In 2025, the group-level platform processed over US$10 billion in payment and OTC volume across 13+ stablecoins, operating at a monthly run rate exceeding US$1 billion. Through the StableX Network, institutions move, convert and manage capital across fiat and stablecoin rails within a compliant, unified Web2.5 financial architecture. Treasury and investment services are provided through Alpha Ladder Finance Pte. Ltd., MetaComp’s MAS-licensed affiliate holding Capital Markets Services (CMS) and Recognised Market Operator (RMO) licences, with wealth AUM surpassing US$500 million across its solutions.

MetaComp has raised US$35 million in its Pre-A funding rounds to date and achieved full-year net profitability in 2025, reflecting strong institutional demand for regulated Web2.5 financial solutions.

Learn more at www.mce.sg, or follow MetaComp on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/metacompsg) and X @MetaCompHQ.

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