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Nucleus Software Advances ASEAN Financial Innovation at IDC’s 20th Asian Financial Services Congress & Awards 2025

Showcasing AI-Powered Lending, Payments, and Digital Services for a Rapidly Transforming Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —  At the 20th edition of the IDC Asian Financial Services Congress and Awards, held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore, Nucleus Software showcased its AI-driven digital banking solutions, reinforcing its commitment to enabling transformation across Southeast Asia’s financial ecosystem. The event brought together over 120 CIOs and senior technology leaders from across the region—including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Congress explored high-impact themes across AI transformation, regional payment modernization, and CBDC readiness—paving the way for a resilient and interoperable financial ecosystem in the region.

Team Nucleus Software at IDC’s 20th Asian Financial Services Congress 2025 in Singapore
Team Nucleus Software at IDC’s 20th Asian Financial Services Congress 2025 in Singapore

“What makes IDC’s Asian Financial Services Congress & Awards unique is that it is built as a community,” said Dr. Ashish Kakar, Research Director, Asia/Pacific, IDC. “Our attendees become members of an exclusive, thriving network of decision-makers and change agents who will design the future of banking in ASEAN. Through roundtables and analyst-led discussions, we actively facilitate interaction across borders, industries, and ideas.” 

Transformation in Motion: A Pragmatic Path for Heritage BFSIs

One of the most compelling conversations at the Congress was the fireside chat titled:

“Changing the Engine While the Bus Is Running: A Pragmatic Path to Transformation for Heritage BFSIs”. The session featured Chandima Cooray, Chief Information Officer, Hatton National Bank, and Aabhinna Suresh Khare, Chief Marketing Officer, Nucleus Software, who discussed the realities of transforming legacy financial institutions in dynamic, real-time environments.

“The ASEAN region is unique-diverse in infrastructure, yet united in ambition. Our partnership with Nucleus allows us to remain adaptive and innovative, while continuing to build trust through secure, scalable systems,” shared Chandima Cooray, speaking on Hatton National Bank’s digital transformation journey.

The dialogue emphasized that for heritage BFSIs, transformation must strike a balance between regulatory trust, operational continuity, and digital agility-making the shift both strategic and sustainable.

Nucleus Software’s presence at the Congress reflected its broader mission to enable AI-enabled, purpose-driven transformation for financial institutions across Southeast Asia. Through its integrated suite-FinnOne Neo® for lending, FinnAxia® for transaction banking, and Nucleus Digital Services for cloud-ready innovation-the company continues to enable banks accelerate digitization across both retail and corporate segments.

Whether it’s supporting credit inclusion for MSMEs in rural Indonesia, enhancing cash visibility for regional corporates in Malaysia, or enabling faster digital onboarding in Vietnam, Nucleus Software’s platforms are driving measurable impact.

AI as a Strategic Enabler: Future-Forward Vision from Nucleus Software

Closing the session, Aabhinna Suresh Khare offered a bold outlook on the evolving role of AI in banking:

“AI is a mindset shift-reshaping how banks think, decide, and deliver. For Southeast Asia, with its young digital population and progressive regulatory landscape, AI is a game-changer in delivering speed, personalization, and proactive risk management. At Nucleus Software, we view AI as a strategic enabler-empowering institutions to move from reactive to predictive, from rule-based processes to intelligent, adaptive systems. Whether it’s smarter underwriting, dynamic collections, or hyper-personalised engagement, AI is opening doors to possibilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago.” 

As Southeast Asia accelerates toward a digital-first financial future, Nucleus Software remains committed to enabling banks to lead with intelligence, operate with agility, and grow with purpose. The company’s presence at the 20th IDC Asian Financial Services Congress reaffirms its role not just as a technology provider, but as a trusted transformation partner-empowering financial institutions across the region to rewire legacy systems, embrace AI responsibly, and deliver banking that is inclusive, interoperable, and future-ready.

 

 

Celebrate SG60 with Jollibee Singapore and Coca-Cola®: Exclusive Limited-Edition Co-Branded Charms.

This National Day, two global icons come together in a one-of-a-kind collaboration.

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In celebration of Singapore’s 60th National Day, Jollibee Singapore is launching a limited-edition Jollibee x Coca-Cola keychain charm on 21st July.                 

Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Collectible Keychain Charms Gift with Purchase
Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Collectible Keychain Charms Gift with Purchase

Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Keychain Charms
Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Keychain Charms

Celebrating SG60: Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Collectible Keychain Charms.

This year marks a significant milestone for Singapore and Jollibee Singapore is honoured to be part of this momentous occasion. This exclusive partnership with Coca-Cola®, a brand equally known for spreading joy and happiness across generations, adds extra sparkle to this year’s celebration. These Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ keychain charmsfeature beloved elements from both brands, making them a perfect keepsake for fans and collectors alike.

How to Redeem – While Stocks Last

Customers will receive ONE (1) Limited Edition SG60 Exclusive Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ Keychain Charms with a purchase of Jollibee’s SG60 Exclusive Meal at $24.50.

Jollibee SG60 Meal
Jollibee SG60 Meal

Each SG60 Exclusive Meal includes:

  • Two Sets of 3 pieces Chickenjoy (Spicy / Original) with 2 Sides
  • Two Large Coca-Cola® Beverages

Redemption is limited to ONE (1) Jollibee x Coca-Cola™Keychain Charms per receipt, while stocks last. Available only for dine-in and takeaway at across all Jollibee Singapore stores, including:

  • Jollibee Lucky Plaza #B1-19
  • Jollibee Novena Square 2 #01-07
  • Jollibee Jurong Point #01-32
  • Jollibee Paya Lebar Square #01-05/06/07
  • Jollibee Woodlands MRT #01-19/20/21
  • Jollibee Suntec City #B1-123/124
  • Jollibee Vivo City #02-50
  • Jollibee Punggol Digital District #01-118
  • Jollibee City Square Mall #B1-07
  • Jollibee NUS #01-06
  • Jollibee Bugis Village #165/166
  • Jollibee Anchorvale Village #01-04
  • Jollibee Waterway Point #B2-06
  • Jollibee NEX Mall #B1-28/29
  • Jollibee Woodlands North Coast #01-08
  • Jollibee Pasir Ris Mall #B2-27
  • Jollibee Bedok Mall #B2-06/33
  • Jollibee Century Square #01-09/10
  • Jollibee Caltex Jurong
  • Jollibee Caltex Yishun
  • Jollibee AMK Hub #B1-51

Share Your #SG60Joy Moments

Join us in celebrating this joyful occasion! Jollibee Singapore invites customers to share their SG60 dining experience with the hashtag #SG60Joy. Whether you are enjoying Chickenjoy with loved ones or showing off your new Jollibee x Coca-Cola™ keychain charm, snap a pic and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok using #SG60Joy and @jollibeesingapore.

First Page Digital Elevates Traditional SEO with NexSEO, Empowering Brands To Be Visible Beyond Just Google

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — First Page Digital, Singapore’s leading digital marketing and SEO agency, has unveiled NexSEO – a cutting-edge solution designed to help brands optimise for the next generation of AI-powered answer engines.

Redefining search with NexSEO
Redefining search with NexSEO

With the rapid rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini, the way we search for and consume information is undergoing a drastic transformation. Recent reports indicate that over a billion users interact with ChatGPT on a monthly basis, underscoring the profound shift in search habits. No longer do users want to browse through a collection of potential answers – instead, they want direct, immediate, and reliable answers. The adoption rate of AI-driven search tools too is growing exponentially, with industry experts predicting that LLM traffic will surpass that of organic search by 2028. In other words, traditional search engines are no longer the sole gateway to information and the landscape of search is evolving.

Source: https://www.semrush.com/blog/ai-search-seo-traffic-study/

First Page Digital stands at the forefront of this industry shift. Known for its forward-thinking approach and innovative, results-driven strategies, the agency was recently awarded back-to-back MARKies wins for “Most Effective Use – Artificial Intelligence“. First Page Digital combines proven SEO practices – across both on-domain and off-domain channels – with advanced AI optimisation, to ensure brands stay ahead in an increasingly saturated digital space.

The Shift from Traditional Search to AI-Driven Results

In response to this shift in search behaviour, Google previously launched Google AI Overviews, a feature designed to give users instant AI-generated summaries and answers at the top of search results. As one of the first platforms to integrate AI into traditional search, Google is also accelerating the global rollout of AI Mode, which marks a fundamental departure from the traditional blue link layout.

Source: Google

Perplexity and OpenAI are quickly following Google’s lead, launching AI-powered browsers to rival Google Chrome. These key players recognise that LLMs and answer engines are the future of search, and they are racing to become the go-to AI search platform for users.

The Same Game, Just Different Rules

For years, the goal for digital marketers has always been clear: secure a “Rank One” position on Google. But in today’s AI-driven world, that goal is no longer enough.

The massive pivot in search behaviour, supported by AI and LLMs, are disrupting traditional search engines and reshaping the dynamics of online visibility. Brands that rely solely on securing high Google ranks may soon find themselves overshadowed by AI answers.

This risk is further compounded by recent announcements that Google will begin indexing content from Instagram – a move that not only reflects changing user behaviour, but also aligns Google with the change in user intent and behaviour, but also signals the growing importance of AI and user-generated content within the dynamic search ecosystem. Ultimately, it’s clear that brands must optimise not only for traditional SEO but for the ever-changing rules of modern search.

Getting An Edge Over AI with NexSEO

So, the question remains: how can your brand stay visible?

The launch of NexSEO addresses the growing need for brands to secure visibility in the AI SEO space – not just within traditional search results, but within answer engines too. NexSEO integrates proven SEO practices with advanced content strategies, ensuring visibility not just in traditional search results but in high-traffic AI platforms like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity.

“People don’t just Google things anymore – they chat, ask, scroll, and swipe across platforms. If your brand isn’t showing up in those AI-powered touchpoints, you’re invisible to the most valuable searchers out there”, said Eugen Kim, Chief Strategy Officer at First Page Digital.

“Ten years ago, the question was: ‘Should I optimise for Google?’ Today, the question to ask is ‘Are you optimising for Answer Engines?’ With NexSEO, we’re staying ahead of the curve and helping brands remain top-of-mind with their audience – while boosting their digital presence above traditional search results.”

Discover how NexSEO is redefining search strategy at https://www.firstpagedigital.sg/ai-seo/

First Page Digital is a performance marketing agency built for a new era of search and growth. We help brands scale with precision through SEO, paid media, content, social, and web, all engineered for measurable business impact.

We lead the charge in AI-powered SEO: using artificial intelligence to streamline content production, sharpen insights, and drive faster outcomes. But we don’t stop there. As search evolves with SGE and generative AI, we help brands adapt their strategies to stay discoverable, credible, and competitive.

With a global presence and deep expertise across platforms and markets, First Page Digital turns complexity into clarity – and marketing into a true engine for growth.

CONTACT: Judy Tay, judy@firstpagedigital.sg

MFDS Clears DeepQure’s HyperQure™ for Clinical Trial in Atrial Fibrillation

SEOUL, South Korea, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DeepQure announced today that South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has approved a clinical trial of HyperQure™ RDM System, the company’s novel laparoscopic renal denervation (RDN) system, for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

The trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic RDN in patients with recurrent AF following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and resistant hypertension. It will be conducted as a multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label exploratory study.

HyperQure™ is a next-generation laparoscopic RDN device developed over the past decade under the leadership of Professor Chang-Wook Jeong at Seoul National University Hospital. By adopting an extravascular approach, HyperQure™ addresses key limitations of conventional intravascular RDN, offering direct anatomical access to renal nerves with the potential for improved precision and outcomes.

DeepQure is also conducting RDN clinical trials for resistant hypertension in both South Korea and the United States. Patient enrollment is nearing completion domestically, while trials are actively underway at five major academic medical centers across the U.S.

The MFDS’s approval for this new indication marks an important milestone, expanding HyperQure™’s potential from hypertension to atrial fibrillation and reinforcing its technical scalability and multi-disease therapeutic potential.

HyperQure™ is ISO 13485–certified, GMP-compliant, and was designated as Innovative Medical Device No. 36 by the MFDS, underscoring its clinical relevance and breakthrough innovation.

“This approval validates HyperQure™ as a next-generation solution that overcomes the limitations of traditional RDN techniques,” said a DeepQure spokesperson. “With parallel trials in resistant hypertension and now atrial fibrillation, we are accelerating our push into the global cardiovascular market with a truly differentiated solution.”

About DeepQure
DeepQure is a medical technology company pioneering minimally invasive therapies for cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system disorders. Founded by experts in clinical medicine, engineering, and global healthcare, the company is focused on developing breakthrough solutions that address unmet needs in cardiovascular diseases. DeepQure is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with clinical programs active in both Korea and the United States.

About HyperQure™ RDN System
HyperQure™ is DeepQure’s proprietary laparoscopic renal denervation (RDN) system designed to treat conditions such as resistant hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Unlike conventional intravascular approaches, HyperQure™ utilizes an extravascular route to access and ablate renal nerves with enhanced precision. The system has been designated as an Innovative Medical Device by the Korean MFDS and has obtained ISO 13485 and GMP certifications, enabling global clinical deployment.

WSPN’s WUSD Stablecoin Now Available on Coins.ph with PHP Trading Pair

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN), a leading stablecoin infrastructure provider, announced that its USD-backed stablecoin WUSD has officially listed on Coins.ph, the Philippines’ leading crypto exchange platform. The new WUSD/PHP trading pair enables Filipino users to seamlessly convert Philippine Pesos directly into WUSD, providing a trusted fiat gateway to the global stablecoin ecosystem.

The listing on Coins.ph represents a significant milestone in WUSD’s expansion across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where digital asset adoption continues to accelerate. As the country’s most trusted cryptocurrency platform serving millions of Filipino users, Coins.ph provides an ideal entry point for WUSD into this strategic market.

Given the Philippines’ position as a major remittance destination, the integration provides users with direct WUSD/PHP conversion capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple currency conversions and offering 24/7 availability for cross-border transactions and stable value storage.

As WSPN continues to deepen its collaboration with leading regional exchanges, it remains dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and accessible financial ecosystem for users across Southeast Asia and beyond.

About WSPN
WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Their flagship product, WUSD stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar and aims to optimize secure digital payments for Web3 users. WSPN’s Stablecoin 2.0 approach prioritizes user-centricity, community governance, and accessibility, paving the way for widespread stablecoin adoption.
Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn

About Coins.ph
Coins.ph is on a mission to power the new internet with easy access to digital assets and web3 products. Launched in 2014, Coins.ph is the most established crypto brand in the Philippines and has gained the trust of more than 18 million users. Through the easy-to-use mobile app, users can buy and sell a variety of different cryptocurrencies and access a wide range of financial services. Coins.ph is fully regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and is the first ever crypto-based company in Asia to hold both Virtual Currency and Electronic Money Issuer licenses from a central bank.

Citi and Ant International pilot AI-enabled forecasting solution to enhance FX risk management for airline customers

  • Ant International’s Falcon TST Model will give Citi’s clients an improved FX risk management solution when selling through e-commerce channels.
  • Pilot airline customer of the jointly-developed solution has already seen a cost reduction in their Fixed FX Rates hedging programme for online ticket sales.

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Citi and Ant International announced today that they are piloting the use of Ant International’s Falcon Time-Series Transformer (TST) Model to deliver an enhanced FX risk management solution for their customers.

Developed with aviation clients as an initial use case, the solution aims to offer greater payment solutions for the airline industry, which processes billions of payment transactions annually. With airline travel set to continue growing, the joint solution combines Ant International’s experience with airline payments and Citi’s robust FX solutions to help the bank’s clients manage their FX costs more efficiently. 

Ant International’s Falcon TST Model is a transformer architecture-based big data model with close to 2 billion parameters. By integrating the latest time series forecasting algorithms, the TST Model predicts future data points by learning complex patterns from large historical data sets using AI technology, the model helps businesses improve the efficiency and accuracy of their cashflow and FX exposure forecasts, allowing them to reduce hedging and overall FX costs.

By pairing the Falcon TST Model with Citi’s Fixed FX Rates solution, an award-winning solution that simplifies the FX risk management process for businesses selling online in multiple currencies, the combined solution helps businesses mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations by securing FX rates for a defined period. FX rates are locked-in and agreed upon, giving businesses greater predictability in budgeting, pricing and profitability. Citi’s Fixed FX Rates solution supports over 70 currencies and is widely used by clients in various sectors including Airlines, Travel and e-Commerce.

With Ant International’s AI-enabled forecasting capability, businesses may utilise Citi’s enhanced solution to improve the accuracy of their sales and FX exposure forecasts. Ant International has already achieved an accuracy rate of more than 90% in the company’s own use cases and expects the solution to help the airline industry reduce its overall FX hedging costs as forecast accuracy continues to improve.

By combining Ant International’s Falcon TST model with Citi’s Fixed FX Rates solution, Citi has successfully completed FX transactions for one of the leading carriers in Asia, reducing the carrier’s FX hedging costs in initial live transactions.

Sam Hewson, Global Head of FX Sales at Citi, said: “We are constantly evolving our products and solutions to support new use cases built on our clients’ priorities. Citi’s Fixed FX Rates solution supports some of the world’s largest e-Commerce and Travel names and this innovative solution sees us leveraging best-in-class technology capabilities in the broader ecosystem to accelerate go-to-market use cases.”

Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, said: “This is the first industry-tailored solution developed from our Falcon TST Model with a bank partner to serve their customers. It’s an important milestone in our journey to leverage AI for FX management for our businesses, partners, and also merchants. The 30% hedging cost savings Ant International has achieved for the pilot airline customer shows the cost efficiency that can be achieved with AI-enabled FX hedging. We are excited to expand the solution with Citi to serve more businesses and industries.”

About Citi

Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi

About Ant International

With headquarters in Singapore and main operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, 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 https://www.ant-intl.com/

 

Lao Government to Renegotiate Hydropower Deals Amid Public Outcry Over Electricity Prices

The Lao government has announced plans to renegotiate electricity purchasing agreements with hydropower companies in response to growing public anger over rising power bills.

The Lao government has announced plans to renegotiate electricity purchasing agreements with hydropower companies in response to growing public anger over rising power bills. 

This decision comes after widespread backlash following the introduction of a new tiered electricity pricing system set to take effect from 2025 to 2029. 

The revised pricing, introduced by Electricité du Laos (EDL) in February, significantly raised electricity costs for all households. 

Even low-use households have seen their monthly bills nearly double in recent months. For instance, a household using 25 kilowatt-hours would pay approximately LAK 8,900 in January this year. By July, that cost had doubled, with further increases expected by the end of the year. 

High-usage households have been hit even harder. A household using 1,600 kilowatt-hours now faces a monthly bill of nearly LAK 2.5 million, a figure that could rise to over LAK 3.5 million by 2029 if no changes are implemented.

The updated electricity tariffs for the period 2025–2029 were released by Électricité du Laos (EDL) under the Ministry of Energy and Mines on 28 February 2025.( (Photo credit: Électricité du Laos)

The Lao electricity company said the higher rates are needed to fund expansion of the service’s access to remote areas, where construction and service costs are high but commercial returns are low. According to EDL, these investments have contributed to the utility’s growing debt, prompting a shift in pricing strategy.

The issue became a major topic at a recent government cabinet meeting with provincial governors, held in mid-July. 

Government spokesperson Sonexay Sithphaxay reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to reviewing the tariff policy and easing the burden on consumers.

The cabinet has now endorsed a plan to reopen talks with hydropower developers in the second half of 2025. Officials hope to secure more affordable electricity rates that reflect both the country’s economic realities and public concerns.

The updated electricity tariffs for the period 2025–2029 were released by Électricité du Laos (EDL) under the Ministry of Energy and Mines on 28 February 2025.( (Photo credit: Électricité du Laos)
The updated electricity tariffs for the period 2025–2029 were released by Électricité du Laos (EDL) under the Ministry of Energy and Mines on 28 February 2025.( (Photo credit: Électricité du Laos)

Vientiane Steps Up Efforts to Re-pay Longstanding Public Investment Debts

Victory Monument of Laos, Patuxay. (Photo: Oulayvanh Sisounonth)

Vientiane Capital has reaffirmed its commitment to settling longstanding public investment debts, starting with those incurred before 2015, which currently total LAK 307.92 billion (USD 14 million).