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The Mineral Boutique Limited Welcomes CCS Clarification and Reaffirms Asia Growth Strategy

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Advertorial Desk
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The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore clarified that The Mineral Boutique Limited was not part of the DNA Brands investigation, as the Hong Kong beauty and wellness company looks to its next phase of growth across Asia


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2026 – The Mineral Boutique Limited, the Hong Kong-registered owner of The Mineral Boutique brand and trademarks, welcomes the clarification issued by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCS”) concerning its investigation into DNA Brands Co Pte Ltd.

The Mineral Boutique Limited Welcomes CCS Clarification and Reaffirms Asia Growth Strategy

In its clarification of 11 August 2026, CCS confirmed that references to The Mineral Boutique concerned specific Singapore outlets operated by DNA Brands, and that The Mineral Boutique Limited was not subject to the investigation. This distinction has subsequently been reflected in updated media reporting.

CCS stated:

“The Mineral Boutique Limited, and any outlets other than those named above trading under The Mineral Boutique brand trademarks, were not subject to this investigation.”

The distinction is important: operating particular retail outlets under a brand name is separate from ownership or management of the underlying brand.

Because the relevant Singapore outlets traded under The Mineral Boutique name, earlier public reporting sometimes conflated operation of those particular outlets with ownership or management of the underlying brand. The CCS clarification allows that distinction to be reflected accurately in the continuing public record.

The Mineral Boutique Limited supports the continued identification of the relevant Singapore outlets where necessary to assist consumers and the CCS refund process. The company has asked publishers only to ensure that the continuing public record accurately distinguishes those DNA Brands-operated outlets from The Mineral Boutique Limited and its wider business.

CCS’s refund scheme identifies the relevant Singapore outlets at Jewel Changi Airport, NEX and Wheelock Place among the outlets operated by DNA Brands. Consumers who may be eligible for the refund scheme can continue to contact the Consumers Association of Singapore (“CASE”) directly.

Building the Next Phase of The Mineral Boutique

With this distinction now reflected in the official record, The Mineral Boutique is focused on its next stage of development.

The Mineral Boutique is a beauty and wellness concept with an established retail and spa presence across Hong Kong and Macau. Its approach brings together mineral-powered skincare, professional treatments, advanced beauty technology and wellness within an integrated customer experience.

The brand has received consecutive recognition from Vogue Hong Kong, including Best Beauty Flash at the 2025 Vogue Hong Kong Beauty Awards and Best Anti-Aging Mask at the 2026 awards.

Kimmy Lee, Chief Commercial Officer of The Mineral Boutique Limited, said:

“The Mineral Boutique will continue to grow across Asia through a more holistic approach that connects skincare, advanced beauty technology, professional treatments and wellness.

“An upcoming collaboration with Paris-based 48 Collagen Café is one example of how we are extending the customer experience beyond traditional beauty retail.

“We remain focused on innovation, trusted partnerships and consistently high standards of service as we build the next chapter of The Mineral Boutique across the region.”

The Mineral Boutique Limited will continue working constructively with media, partners and other stakeholders to ensure the public record remains accurate while advancing its long-term growth strategy across Asia.

Hashtag: #TheMineralBoutique




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

About The Mineral Boutique Limited

The Mineral Boutique Limited is a Hong Kong-registered company and owner of The Mineral Boutique brand and trademarks.

The Mineral Boutique combines premium skincare, professional treatments, advanced beauty technology and wellness experiences, with an established retail and spa presence across Hong Kong and Macau.

Thongloun Pushes Multilateralism at SCO Summit, Deepens India, Kyrgyzstan Ties

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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President Thongloun Sisoulith called for stronger multilateral cooperation at the SCO Plus Meeting while advancing Laos’ ties with India and Kyrgyzstan.
A picture of President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026. (Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos)

President Thongloun Sisoulith attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September, calling for stronger multilateral cooperation and a fairer international order while advancing Laos’ ties with India and Kyrgyzstan.

The summit focused on the contribution of SCO Plus countries to building a multipolar world.

During the meeting, Thongloun reaffirmed Laos’ support for multilateral cooperation and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. He said international cooperation should be based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Laos identified four priority areas for potential cooperation: agriculture and food security, digital transformation, transport and connectivity, and banking and finance.

The government said these areas are interconnected and could support sustainable development. Laos also expressed its readiness to make a constructive contribution as an SCO Dialogue Partner after receiving the status in this July, including by strengthening links between Southeast Asia and Eurasia.

Bilateral Talks

On the sidelines of the summit, Thongloun met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between India and Laos.

He also held his first bilateral meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov since Laos and Kyrgyzstan established diplomatic relations in 1995. The two leaders agreed to deepen political, economic, trade and transport cooperation, share experiences in developing landlocked economies, and strengthen Laos’ engagement as an SCO Dialogue Partner.

A separate analysis by CGTN’s Liu Yuanhui said SCO participation could give smaller countries another platform to expand international partnerships without having to choose between competing geopolitical camps.

For Laos, the analysis described the SCO as “another route to cooperation” while allowing the country to maintain its strategic independence.

Starjoy strives to optimise management portfolio and explore transformational opportunities

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Advertorial Desk
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Declares its first interim dividend

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2026 – Starjoy (3662) announced its interim results for the first half of 2026. The Company’s net profit was RMB23.1 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 10%. Core net profit amounted to RMB43.7 million. Basic earnings per share was RMB2.87 cents. The Company declared its first interim dividend, implying an annualized dividend yield of approximately 4.8%. It will continue to strive to enhance corporate value, foster sustainable development, and deliver long‑term returns and value to shareholders.

In recent years, the macro‑economic environment and real estate sector have remained uncertain, and market pressures persist. However, the Company has proactively adjusted its strategy, taking “long-term sustainability” as the core of its development and actively withdrawn from projects with risks, persistently low collection rates, and sustained cash flow losses, while actively improving service quality, focusing on management, rigorously controlling costs, and optimising supplier payment terms. As a result, the Company is well‑positioned to navigate market volatility, with greater focus on managing competitive projects so as to stabilise and mitigate adverse financial impacts. The Company anticipates that these strategic adjustments will yield results, financial impacts will stabilise and the strategy will deliver tangible outcomes going forward.

Looking ahead, the Company will continue to implement its prudent strategy and proactively respond to the challenges of the external economic environment and markets through resilient operational management. In terms of development strategies, the Company will break conventional mindsets, strive to optimise and adjust its management portfolio, and actively pursue new business areas. These include overseas property management projects, real estate and property management-related industries, as well as proactive transformation into new areas such as smart communities and artificial intelligence (AI).

It will also actively advance technology implementation and focus on applied research for smart communities and AI, to foster the digital transformation of traditional property management. Meanwhile, aligned with national strategics and seizing the opportunities of the times, the Company will conduct in‑depth research across sectors including intelligence-driven development, China’s silver economy, the elderly-care industry and community-based elderly care renovation. This will help build new competitive strengths and growth inflection points, while the Company remains committed to enhancing long‑term value for shareholders and the enterprise.

Moreover, the Company has declared its first interim dividend, demonstrating management’s resolve to proactively reward shareholders. The Company looks forward to sharing the business progress and returns with all shareholders and investors, as it continues to optimise its business portfolio and pursue transformational development.

Hashtag: #Starjoy

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

Agile Robots Brings Physical AI into the Real World – From Industrial Automation to Robot Training Data

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Advertorial Desk
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From intelligent robotic automation in Zurich to bimanual robot training data in Bremen, Agile Robots and its subsidiary Franka Robotics demonstrated how Physical AI empowers human from research into real-world applications.

ZURICH and BREMEN, Germany, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This August, at two leading European events Agile Robots and its subsidiary Franka Robotics presented one connected vision: Let intelligent robots that can sense, learn and perform – bring Physical AI to the real world.

all about automation Zurich, Switzerland | 26-27 August

Among 300 exhibitors at Messe Zürich, Agile Robots showcased two advanced automation solutions for manufacturers and integrators:

  • Diana 7 – force-controlled assembly. Diana 7’s torque sensors in all seven joints monitored engine head insertion forces in real time, helping confirm correct position while reducing the risk of jamming and component damage.
  • Thor 12– flexible robotic welding. With drag-and-drop teaching and low-code control, users can quickly create and flexibly adjust welding paths while achieving stable seams across corner, vertical and inclined welds—even with gaps as narrow as 1 mm.


Diana 7: https://www.agile-robots.com/en/solutions/diana-7/

Thor Series: https://www.agile-robots.com/en/solutions/thor-series/

Robot Training Data at IJCAI-ECAI 2026

Bremen, Germany | 15 – 21 August

As a Silver Sponsor of IJCAI-ECAI 2026, Franka Robotics demonstrated how AI developers can turn human expertise into structured data for training intelligent robot behaviors.

Visitors used Franka GELLO Duo to teleoperate the FR3 Duo, while LABS captured each demonstration as training data for bimanual manipulation skills. By connecting intuitive teleoperation, high-performance robotic hardware and data capture in one integrated workflow, the solution enables AI teams to collect repeatable demonstrations and build scalable robot-learning datasets.

Explore LABS: franka.de/labs

Explore Franka Robotics: franka.de


Together, the two events in Switzerland and Germany highlighted Agile Robots’ competitive strength: bridging advanced AI research, reliable robotic platforms and real-world deployment such as industrial automation. For manufacturers, system integrators and AI researchers across APAC, the Group’s portfolio provides a scalable pathway from experimentation and development to practical deployment.

About Agile Robots  agile-robots.com
Founded in Munich, Germany in 2018, Agile Robots combines AI and robotics for automotive, electronics, healthcare and service applications. Its 3,500+ employees have installed more than 20,000 robotic solutions worldwide.

About Franka Robotics franka.de
Part of Agile Robots since 2023, Franka Robotics develops reference robotic platforms for robotics researchers and embodied AI professionals worldwide.

APAC contact: apac-sales@agile-robots.com

Armstrong Intelligent Solutions Drive Energy-Efficient Building Design

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Advertorial Desk
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Armstrong Fluid Technology Highlights ‘Intelligent Design and Energy-Efficient Technology’ at BEX Asia 2026

SINGAPORE, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Armstrong Fluid Technology, a global leader in intelligent, energy-saving fluid-flow and whole-building mechanical solutions, is showcasing its latest HVAC solutions for the Asia-Pacific building sector at BEX Asia, the region’s leading green building and sustainability exhibition, this week at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This year’s booth experience centers on a clear, customer-driven theme: intelligent design and energy-efficient technology. Visitors can explore Armstrong solutions at the Canada National Pavilion throughout the show.

Attendees engage with Armstrong Fluid Technology representatives at the Ontario Canada Pavilion during BEX Asia 2026 in Singapore.
Attendees engage with Armstrong Fluid Technology representatives at the Ontario Canada Pavilion during BEX Asia 2026 in Singapore.

As buildings across Asia face increasing performance, efficiency, and decarbonization demands, Armstrong is demonstrating how intelligent design and system-level optimization empower architects, consulting engineers, contractors, and specifiers to deliver more efficient, better-performing HVAC systems.

Intelligent Design

Integrated Designer, a powerful capability within Armstrong’s ADEPT selection tool, anchors the Intelligent Design experience, simplifying the selection and sizing of systems and related equipment from a single interface. Visitors will see how integrated selection and system design in one workflow, real-time system performance estimates, and one-click export of equipment schedules and submittal packages reduce manual calculations and support faster, more confident decisions.

Energy-Efficient Technology

Design Envelope Permanent Magnet (DEPM) IVS4380 pumps, Armstrong’s system-level optimization technology, anchors the Energy-Efficient Technology experience. HVAC systems spend roughly 90 percent of their operating hours at part load, yet many buildings are still designed around peak-demand assumptions. Design Envelope optimizes entire systems rather than individual components, using sensorless parallel pumping to keep equipment within its preferred operating region as demand shifts through the day. Performance Envelopes with best-efficiency staging versus traditional duty-standby configurations show how redundancy can be right-sized to each building — aligned with ASHRAE guidance, from around 70 percent for typical commercial buildings to up to 100 percent for mission-critical facilities such as data centres. A 3D-printed model of the Design Envelope 4300 will bring the technology to life at the booth.

“Buildings don’t run at full load, and systems for them shouldn’t be designed as if they do,” said Ashok Joshi, Managing Director, India & APAC, Armstrong Fluid Technology. “Integrated Designer and Design Envelope give engineers and building owners a way to right-size their systems from day one, cutting energy use and equipment costs without compromising redundancy or reliability.”

Together, these experiences demonstrate how Armstrong’s intelligent design and energy-efficient technologies deliver measurable value for architects, consulting engineers, contractors, and building owners across the region. BEX Asia attendees are invited to meet with Armstrong experts for technical discussions, solution demonstrations, and one-to-one performance consultations at the Canada National Pavilion.

About Armstrong Fluid Technology:

Armstrong Fluid Technology is a global leader in intelligent, energy-efficient fluid-flow and whole-building mechanical solutions. With operations worldwide, Armstrong helps organizations eliminate inefficiency, improve system reliability, and reduce operating costs through innovative products and digital solutions. Serving multiple industries, the company is committed to sustainability and aims for net-zero carbon operations by 2030. Learn more at www.armstrongfluidtechnology.com.

Vientiane Province Court Sentences 14 in Drug Trafficking, Murder Cases, Up to Life Imprisonment

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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A Vientiane Province court has sentenced 14 people in drug trafficking and murder cases, with prison terms ranging from two years to life. 27 August 2026. (Photo: Viengchan Police news)

On 27 August, the Vientiane Province People’s Court sentenced 14 people for drug trafficking and murder, with punishments ranging from two years to life in prison.

The court gave its toughest sentence to a 27 year old laborer from Mai village, Phonhong district. The judges sentenced him to life in prison and a LAK 500 million (USD 22,270) fine for trafficking 500 grams of ecstasy, according to Vientiane Province Police. The Laotian Times could not independently verify further details on this case.

In the only murder case, the court sentenced Cheuyang, 43, an unemployed man from Vangheua village, Thoulakhom district, to 20 years in prison and a LAK 100 million (USD 4,455) fine.

The court also ruled on several amphetamine trafficking cases across Phonhong, Hinheup, Feuang, Meun, Thoulakhom, and Keo Oudom districts. Most of these defendants were farmers or laborers caught with anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred tablets.

As a result, the court gave most of them five years in prison and fines of about LAK 10 million (USD 445)each. Among them were Xay, 19, of Meun district; Kongchai, 26, and Douathor, 31, both of Feuang district; Bounthavy, 41, of Thoulakhom district; and Phoutthason, 21, of Keo Oudom district.

The court handed Yout, 27, of Hinheup district, and Ali, 40, of Feuang district, slightly longer terms of five years and three months each for trafficking amphetamine tablets together. 

Meanwhile, the two youngest defendants, 19 and 20 years old, both of Phonhong district, received a standard five-year term. 

The same ruling reduced the sentence for their co-defendant, Teuy, 44, to two years with a smaller fine.

In a second Thoulakhom district case, the court sentenced a 45 woman to  seven years in prison and a bigger fine of LAK 46 million (USD 2,049). Her co-defendant, Khanseng, 21, received five years. The two had trafficked a larger haul of amphetamine tablets.

Police arrested the defendants between June 2024 and October 2025, with most arrests happening in the second half of 2025 after tip-offs and routine anti-drug operations across the province.

ZS Robotics Launches 5.5m Low-Height Warehouse Solution, Overcoming Height Constraints with Four-Way Shuttle Technology

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Advertorial Desk
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Three-level pallet storage combined with a single-position lift unlocks greater storage value within limited building height

TOKYO, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As land costs continue to rise and demand for warehouse automation grows, making better use of limited building height has become an increasingly important consideration for warehouse operators.

Three-level pallet storage solution in 5.5 m-high warehouses
Three-level pallet storage solution in 5.5 m-high warehouses

ZS Robotics, a smart warehousing robotics company, introduces a high-density storage solution designed for warehouses with a building height of approximately 5.5 meters in Japan. Through space optimization, safety-focused engineering and local service support, the solution is designed to help existing warehouses overcome the constraints of limited vertical space.

Three-Level Storage: Unlocking More Potential from Limited Height

Many existing warehouses in Japan operate within building heights of around 5.5 meters. Under such height constraints, conventional configurations may allow only one or two levels of pallet storage, making higher storage density a key challenge for warehouse upgrades.

To address this, ZS Robotics has optimized its core equipment and rack-level configuration to enable three-level pallet storage, maximizing the use of available vertical space. The solution also incorporates seismic-resistant racking to meet the requirements of the Japanese market.

At the core of the solution are two pieces of equipment working together.

The first is the ZS-H125 four-way pallet shuttle, which features an ultra-low 125 mm profile for height-constrained warehouses. Its 15 sensing elements support precise positioning, proactive alerts and dynamic obstacle avoidance, while the 20-wheel drive system reduces rack-rail stress by 30% and improves stability across rail transitions. A 50 Ah battery provides 10–12 hours of continuous operation, with reliable performance in temperatures down to -25°C.

The second is the single-position lift, which occupies just one pallet position per level and can save approximately eight pallet positions per level compared with conventional lift configurations. The lift supports no-pit installation, reducing the first-level height requirement by more than 100 mm. Its self-developed mechanical blocking module prevents the shuttle from falling even in the event of a power or network failure.

Both pieces of equipment feature a 90% modular design, allowing core components to be replaced in as little as five minutes. This enables on-site personnel to carry out routine maintenance without relying on specialized engineers. ZS Robotics has also established a local spare-parts warehouse and professional service team in Japan, providing standard SLA-based response services and after-sales support of up to 10 years.

Japan Market: 10 Projects Completed and Nearly 80 Units Deployed

To date, ZS Robotics has completed 10 projects in Japan, deploying nearly 80 units of equipment across Honshu and Kyushu, with a total operating area exceeding 7,565 square meters. These deployments span industries including automotive, food and seasonings, printed products, cleaning supplies and daily consumer goods, making Japan one of ZS Robotics’ most established overseas markets.

Globally, ZS Robotics has completed more than 250 projects across Asia, South America, North America and Oceania, with over 1,000 four-way pallet shuttles deployed. Since the beginning of 2026, overseas projects have accounted for 50% of the company’s total projects.

LTT 2026: Three Core Products Make Their Joint Debut

At Logis-Tech Tokyo 2026, taking place from September 8 to 11, ZS Robotics will showcase its latest technologies at Booth E7-W23. The exhibition will feature the global debut of the single-position lift and the complete high-density storage solution for 5.5m-high warehouses, alongside the Asia debut of the ZS-H125 four-way pallet shuttle.

The ZSmart intelligent software platform will also be on display, demonstrating how hardware and software work together to support high-density automation in height-constrained warehouses.

 

Binance Introduces Agent OS to Connect AI Applications to Financial Infrastructure

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Advertorial Desk
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New developer platform connects AI applications to Binance trading, market data, wallets, payments and on-chain tools across crypto

ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Binance today introduced Agent OS, a developer platform and standardized access layer connecting AI applications to Binance’s trading, market data, wallet, payment and on-chain capabilities across crypto.

Binance Introduces Agent OS to Connect AI Applications to Financial Infrastructure.
Binance Introduces Agent OS to Connect AI Applications to Financial Infrastructure.

Built as part of Binance Intelligence, the largest cryptocurrency exchange’s strategic initiative for AI-powered products and experiences, Agent OS gives AI builders, fintech developers and quantitative trading teams a controlled foundation for creating applications and agents that interact with Binance’s financial infrastructure. The platform supports both ready-made integrations and users’ own AI agents.

Through supported AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex and Cursor, users can authorize agents to access market data, view account information and perform supported trading activities, subject to the permissions and limits they configure. Users can also assign each agent to a dedicated subaccount to segregate funds and trading activity. 

“Binance Agent OS addresses the fragmentation developers face when building agentic finance applications across crypto and traditional markets,” said Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance. “It gives everyone from developers to quantitative traders the reliable data, low–latency infrastructure, and standardized interfaces they need to deploy AI–driven strategies.”

A standardized developer layer

Agent OS brings together Binance APIs, Binance Wallet Agentic Hub, Binance x402 (programmable payments), Binance Skill Hub and newly introduced support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Together, these capabilities give developers the components they need to build connected financial applications and AI agents.

MCP is an open standard that enables compatible AI applications to connect to and use external tools. Its integration into Agent OS gives developers and partners a standardized way to connect their applications and agents to Binance, reducing the need to create separate integrations for each product or use case.

User-controlled access

User-controlled permissions determine the Binance data and trading capabilities available to an AI agent. Binance can monitor resulting trading activity, including orders, but not the agent’s broader workflow or reasoning, which runs within the user’s selected AI application.

Binance’s initial MCP implementation lets compatible AI applications access market data, view read-only account information and place trades. Through the MCP server, users can assign an agent to a dedicated subaccount, configure its permissions, and revoke access at any time.

Agents can view balances, portfolio information and transaction history of a designated subaccount, as well as balance and portfolio information for the user’s main account. They cannot access non-trading personal account information, including email address or KYC data.

Binance monitors and applies applicable controls to trading activity initiated through the platform, including the resulting orders. The agent’s external information sources, interpretation and decision-making are managed within the user’s selected AI application and are not visible to Binance.

Find out more about Agent OS here: https://binance.com/agent-os

Compatible clients that support MCP over Streamable HTTP can connect using:

https://agent.binance.com/mcp/agentic 

Detailed setup instructions are available in the Binance MCP Server documentation:

https://developers.binance.com/en/docs/agent-native/mcp-server 

Disclaimer: Your use of Binance AI, including any Binance AI Service, is at your own risk. It is provided to you on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without representation or warranty of any kind. You are solely responsible for all of your Prompts. Prompts may be used for training purposes. AI Inputs may include various unvetted third party sourced content. Any sourced content is provided “as is” without any guarantee. Binance may restrict or alter sourced content based on various compliance safety filters, however this is not absolute. Binance does not endorse or guarantee any AI Outputs. AI Outputs may include or reflect content, positions, views and opinions of third parties unknown to Binance, which may also include errors, biases, synthetic data and or outdated information. Any AI Output should not be solely relied on for decision making. AI Outputs do not constitute any kind of advice by Binance nor any other intermediary services. Binance AI may use or make available third party AI Tools without any guarantee and subject to third party terms. Where AI Tools are configured by yourself or a third-party, you indemnify Binance against all liability. Binance does not guarantee any AI Tools. Binance AI may respond to your requests, but without any guarantee that your request will be fulfilled satisfactorily or at all. Digital asset prices can be volatile. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses. Digital asset prices can be volatile. DYOR. Use of Binance AI may be subject to additional Binance Product Terms, where applicable. For more information, see our Terms of Use, Risk Warning and AI Policy and Terms.

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