SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SUNRATE, the global payment and treasury management platform, today announced that international e-commerce sellers can collect payments from Walmart Marketplace directly into their SUNRATE Accounts. This launch unlocks fast, and cost-effective cross-border growth opportunities for sellers worldwide.

Through this partnership, global sellers can access a streamlined collection service powered by SUNRATE’s decade of expertise in cross-border payments. Key benefits include:

Cost Efficiency with FX Protection: Sellers enjoy transparent FX rates and protection against adverse currency fluctuations. A nominal fee applies only for withdrawals and transfers, ensuring affordability and predictability.

Faster Onboarding: SUNRATE’s Aurora Program helps sellers accelerate Walmart Marketplace store applications, with approvals possible in as little as one business day—allowing them to start selling across borders sooner.

“This launch with Walmart is a milestone in our mission to empower e-commerce sellers worldwide,” said Joshua Bao, Co-founder at SUNRATE. “By combining SUNRATE’s expertise in cross-border payments with Walmart’s global reach, we are enabling sellers to expand faster, and more cost-effectively.”

This collaboration further strengthens SUNRATE’s global ecosystem. Today, SUNRATE empowers businesses to send payments to over 190 countries and regions, transact in more than 130 currencies, and settle commercial card spend in over 15 currencies. Its global collection services cover more than 30 currencies, allowing companies to collect locally in over 10 major global currencies.

With Walmart now integrated into its platform, SUNRATE continues to simplify global payments and empower international e-commerce at scale.

About SUNRATE

SUNRATE is a global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2016, SUNRATE has been recognised as a leading solution provider and has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge proprietary platform, extensive global network, and robust APIs.

With its global business headquarters in Singapore and offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, and Shanghai, SUNRATE partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan. SUNRATE is also the principal member of Mastercard, Visa, and UPI. To learn more about SUNRATE, visit https://www.sunrate.com/. 

HA NOI, Viet Nam, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Indonesia’s investment in public sector capability has improved several areas of government performance, according to the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). The findings were discussed yesterday at a regional knowledge-sharing forum in Ha Noi, hosted by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) and the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), where practitioners and policymakers examined regional governance developments.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/chandler-institute-of-governance/9372451-en-chandler-good-government-index-2025 

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI measures government capabilities and outcomes in 120 countries. It benchmarks seven pillars, covering Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People Rise.

Watch the Forum Recording: https://bit.ly/4pDMwcX
Explore the CGGI Reports and Data: https://chandlergovernmentindex.com/ 
Download the Presentation Here 

Indonesia: meaningful improvements in key governance areas

Over five years, Indonesia shows stability and targeted improvements. After 2021–2024 fluctuations, Indonesia ranks 47^th globally in 2025. The Index highlights meaningful gains in areas tied to long-term vision, strategic prioritisation, and institutional strengthening.

Since 2021, Indonesia’s strongest improvements are in the Leadership and Foresight and Strong Institutions pillars:

• Indonesia ranks 26^th globally in the Leadership and Foresight pillar, up 9 places since 2021. Within this pillar, Strategic Prioritisation rose 25 places from 44^th in 2024 to 19^th in 2025.
• Under Strong Institutions, the Coordination indicator improved 27 places between 2024 and 2025 (75^th to 48^th), reflecting the maturing role of the Coordinating Ministries system in streamlining communications and policy implementation across the public sector.

As Indonesia moves toward its 2045 “Golden Indonesia” vision, the CGGI findings reflect the impact of reforms in public administration: modernised planning, stronger regulatory governance, and adoption of digital tools to improve administrative processes. These ongoing initiatives have already contributed measurable improvements in state capability.

Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at CIG, noted that Indonesia’s trajectory reflects the value of sustained reforms. “Indonesia’s progress shows that capability building is an investment that pays off. The most consistent gains come in areas where the government has strengthened coordination, improved institutions and systems, and enhanced long-term planning. These foundations matter because they enable better delivery over time,” he said.

Asia Pacific: diverse trajectories with strong performers

Asia Pacific remains one of the most diverse governance regions in the Index. In 2025, Singapore (1), Australia (12), New Zealand (13), South Korea (17) and Japan (19) were the region’s top five performers, demonstrating multi-year consistency rooted in strong institutions and long-term planning.

Among emerging economies, Mongolia stands out for its upward trajectory, rising from 88^th in 2021 to 76^th in 2025, with gains in Leadership and Foresight and improvements to digital service delivery under its Vision 2050 strategy.

These developments reflect a broader global trend: governments that invest in capability see tangible progress relative to their peers. This dynamic is part of what the Index refers to as “governance competition”, where advances in one country raise expectations for others. “The CGGI shows that capability building matters. As countries improve faster, they raise the bar and set new benchmarks for everyone else. Standing still is no longer an option,” Naidu said.

A practical tool for governments

Designed by practitioners for practitioners, the CGGI offers governments practical benchmarks and insights to support long-term capability development. Countries use the Index to understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and learn from peers across the region.

“The Index is intended to support governments that are committed to long-term improvement,” Naidu added. “We hope today’s discussions contribute to a stronger, more capable, and future-ready Asia Pacific.”

The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We focus on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.  

Partnership integrates StableChain into MetaComp’s StableX™ Network to deliver faster, more transparent, and compliant global fund flows.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Building on the recent launch of its StableX Network at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025 and its partnership announcement with USDT0, MetaComp Pte. Ltd. (“MetaComp”), a Major Payment Institution and Digital Payment Token service provider licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has entered into a strategic collaboration with Stable, a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain optimised for stablecoin adoption and cross-border payments.

Stable operates a high-throughput “StableChain” network powered by USDT that offers sub-second block finality, full EVM compatibility, and native integration with LayerZero-based tokens such as USDT0. By adopting USDT as its native gas token, StableChain enables seamless, cost-efficient settlement, laying the foundation for programmable payments and tokenised financial infrastructure at scale. This stablecoin-native design helps unify fragmented payment rails, enabling businesses to operate with the speed, certainty, and cost consistency required in modern global commerce.

Through this collaboration, MetaComp will integrate StableChain into its StableX™ Network, powered by a proprietary cross-border FX and liquidity-routing platform, the StableX Engine, and a real-time compliance and crypto/fiat integrated web 2.5 AML/CFT risk engine, the VisionX Engine. This integration will enable MetaComp’s StableX™ Network to further expand its reach and support real-world payments across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe, and South America. By combining the speed and efficiency of Stable with the compliance-first design of MetaComp’s StableX infrastructure, the partnership will simplify global fund flows, enhance transparency, and reduce costs for businesses.

The partnership also introduces new capabilities for asset conversion and institutional-grade liquidity. Users within MetaComp’s ecosystem will be able to convert seamlessly between USDT0 and XAUt0 tokens on StableChain, supporting both payments and inflation-hedging wealth management. The latter will be delivered through Alpha Ladder Finance Pte Ltd (ALFin), MetaComp’s affiliated company and a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licensee and Recognised Market Operator (RMO) under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This integration strengthens MetaComp’s StableX Network proposition by bridging regulated fiat infrastructure with compliant digital asset flows.

In parallel, the collaboration enhances the compliance and risk-management layer across the network. MetaComp’s VisionX Engine — a real-time, AI-driven KYT and behavioural risk-intelligence system — will be extended via API to interoperate with Stable’s monitoring infrastructure. This enables end-to-end AML/CFT traceability, ensuring that stablecoin-based fund flows meet institutional and regulatory standards across multiple jurisdictions. Both organisations will co-develop advanced on-chain AML/CFT controls, further strengthening industry standards for compliant stablecoin adoption.

As part of the agreement, both USDT0 and XAUt0 will be listed on MetaComp’s Client Asset Management Platform (CAMP), providing institutional clients with broadened access to tokenised assets under a regulated framework. Stable will also be added to the StableX Engine’s smart routing platform, where USDT0 may serve as a regional or corridor-specific intermediary asset to enhance settlement efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure, MetaComp and Stable will collaborate to promote the adoption of USDT0 and XAUt0 for cross-border payments, institutional liquidity management, and wealth solutions. Joint initiatives will focus on accelerating the shift from traditional settlement methods toward faster, transparent, and programmable digital fund flows.

Tin Pei Ling, Co-President of MetaComp, commented:
“Stablecoins are progressing from speculative tools to becoming increasingly integral to the backbone of global financial infrastructure. With the launch of the StableX Network and this new collaboration with Stable, we are building a regulated, interoperable ecosystem that delivers instant, transparent, and fully compliant settlement for businesses worldwide.”

Brian Mehler, CEO of Stable, added:
“MetaComp’s regulated infrastructure and institutional reach complement Stable’s high-performance blockchain network. By integrating with the MetaComp’s StableX platform, we are demonstrating how stablecoin-native systems can power programmable payments, efficient FX settlement, and compliant digital asset adoption at global scale.”

About Stable

Stable is a Layer 1 blockchain designed for seamless financial transactions, powered by USDT as the native gas token. Its design prioritizes usability, reducing friction for end users by eliminating the need for volatile tokens for transaction fees. Ideal for global digital payments, remittances, and cross-border transactions, Stable enables virtually instant settlement, enhances capital efficiency, and creates a user-friendly ecosystem for developers and users alike.

Learn more at www.stable.xyz or follow us on Twitter @Stable

About MetaComp

MetaComp is a leading Singapore-headquartered Major Payment Institution (MPI) and Digital Payment Token (DPT) service provider licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act 2019. Operating on a P2B2C (platform-to-business/partners-to-clients) model, MetaComp provides regulated cross-border payments, FX and digital assets solutions to institutions, payment service providers, fintechs, and global enterprises. MetaComp is a subsidiary of Alpha Ladder Finance Pte. Ltd. (ALFin), which holds Capital Markets Services (CMS) and Recognised Market Operator (RMO) licences from MAS.

With a strong emphasis on compliance, security, and institutional-grade infrastructure, MetaComp delivers an end-to-end suite of digital finance solutions through its Client Asset Management Platform (CAMP), providing OTC and exchange trading, fiat payment rails, on/off-ramp settlement, custody of digital tokens, and brokerage activities relating to DPTs. Its latest innovation, the StableX Network, is powered by the StableX Engine for FX and liquidity routing and the VisionX Engine, MetaComp’s real-time AML/CFT and KYT intelligence system, enabling instant, transparent, and compliant multi-currency settlement.

Learn more at www.mce.sg or follow us on Twitter @MetaCompHQ

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The “Show Stopper Collection” from ZEELOOL, a top eyewear company, was finally released in December 2025. With all the amazing glasses in this collection, you’re sure to brighten up your holidays and stand out anywhere you go.

The Show Stopper Glasses Collection features frames with glitter, bright colors, and different materials. These glasses are made to be noticed and add a little more glam to any look. These glasses are a great way to make your look better for holiday parties, family get-togethers, or wintertime city outings.

ZEELOOL‘s CEO Fiona says, “We’re so happy to show our customers our new Show Stopper Glasses Collection.” We wanted to make a collection that would give our customers the chance to show who they are and how they feel through their choice of high-quality glitter glasses. If you want to add some shine and style to your holidays, these glasses are just the thing.

Starting in December 2025, ZEELOOL’s website let customers buy the Show Stopper Glasses Collection. This collection has a lot of different styles, including women’s glasses and men’s glasses, so there is something for everyone. So, whether you’re going away for the holidays or just spending a weekend in the city, be sure to wear your Show Stopper Glasses and light up the room.

ZEELOOL’s Show Stopper Glasses will make you shine this holiday season—get ready!

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As branded residences gain momentum, Dewan Architects + Engineers has emerged as a leading partner for developments requiring both global design intelligence and local cultural fluency. With over four decades of experience across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, the firm has built a reputation for translating the identity and operational expectations of international brands into architecture that resonates with its surroundings.

Dewan’s expertise is evident in projects such as La Mer by ELIE SAAB and the award-winning Oceano—developments where brand DNA, lifestyle programming, and architectural quality merge seamlessly. With longstanding involvement in Asia, strengthened by its Vietnam branch, the firm is equipped with the cultural insight and on-the-ground experience needed to navigate the region’s evolving luxury landscape.

Bridging Global Brands with Local Design

Vietnam, Thailand and its Southeast Asian neighbors are witnessing a pronounced rise in branded residential developments – homes closely aligned with global hospitality and lifestyle brands. This shift is driven by affluent buyers who increasingly seek a refined, five-star living experience rather than traditional property ownership. Across the Asia-Pacific region, branded residences have grown 230% in the past decade, with Vietnam alone recording 210% growth, demonstrating the region’s appetite for elevated living concepts.

Global luxury hotel operators are accelerating this movement. Nearly 80% of branded residences worldwide are associated with leading hotel brands, and Southeast Asia has become a significant destination for them. From Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, groups such as The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, and Four Seasons are collaborating with local developers to introduce internationally recognized design standards and hospitality-led living to fast-growing cities. This model combines the comfort of a home with the curated experience of staying in a luxury resort.

“Asia’s emerging luxury scene demands much more than aesthetic excellence—it requires cultural understanding and a deep sensitivity to how people truly want to live. Our Vietnam base enables us to interpret these lifestyle nuances while delivering the global standards associated with high-end branded living,” says Mohammed Adib, Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects + Engineers.

Expanding into Asia’s High-End Markets

Dewan’s engagement in Southeast Asia dates back well before the formal establishment of its Vietnam studio. Beginning in 2018, the firm collaborated extensively with Asian developers, resulting in notable early works such as Solforest, EcoRivers, and the nearly complete TUI Blue Han River. With the Vietnam studio now fully operational and integrated into the firm’s wider global network, Dewan is well-positioned to lead new opportunities across Southeast Asia.

“Vietnam and Southeast Asia are rapidly evolving markets with an increasing demand for international-level design capabilities. Our teams in Dubai and Vietnam operate as one unified studio, ensuring every project benefits from our collective expertise,” says Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects + Engineers.

This synergy is reflected in new commissions across Vietnam, Thailand, and the wider region. Among them is the upcoming Maia Ho Tram development, where Dewan’s architectural and interior design introduce a wellness-driven hospitality and residential experience to Vietnam’s southern coastline.

With Vietnam now ranked among the top six global markets for branded residences—ahead of both China and India—Dewan’s established presence makes it a central contributor to the country’s evolving luxury residential identity.

Flagship Highlight: Layan Verde, Phuket – Resort Living Redefined

Layan Verde in Phuket—one of the island’s most extensive branded residential developments—showcases Dewan’s capabilities in delivering integrated, resort-style living environments. Spanning 78,000 square meters, the development unites a five-star hotel, a four-star hotel, branded condominiums, residential units, and a lifestyle-oriented commercial axis within one cohesive master plan.

Slated for completion in 2028 and operated by Dusit International, Layan Verde represents the future of branded resort living. With its curated wellness offering, elevated dining experiences, and family-oriented amenities, the project exemplifies Dewan’s holistic approach to designing lifestyle-driven residential communities.

Mastering Brand Collaboration and Global Standards

Dewan has become a trusted partner for branded residence developments due to its deep familiarity with the stringent requirements of global hotel operators and luxury brands. Each brand brings unique design guidelines, operational standards, and service expectations. Dewan’s teams navigate these frameworks with precision, ensuring that every development authentically reflects the brand’s values while remaining rooted in its local context.

Whether interpreting the refined expectations of Marriott or the wellness-forward ethos of Dusit, Dewan expertly balances operational needs with architectural expression. This ability to integrate brand identity into the built environment strengthens the partnership between developer, operator, and end-user—resulting in developments that deliver both experience and long-term value.

The Future of Luxury Living in Asia

Dewan sees branded residences as a defining frontier for luxury living across Southeast Asia. These developments merge hospitality, lifestyle, and residential architecture into a single offering—introducing new expectations for comfort, community, and personalized service.

“Branded residences are reshaping what luxury living means. They combine identity, aspiration, and experience in a way that resonates strongly with today’s buyers, particularly in Southeast Asia,” says Mohammed Adib.

With a strong Southeast Asia presence and unified collaboration between the Dubai headquarters and regional teams, Dewan Architects + Engineers is positioned to lead this next chapter in luxury living—designing meaningful spaces that embrace global standards while celebrating local culture.

For high-resolution photos, please download the media kit here.

Visa Consulting & Analytics combines advanced payments strategy and expert crypto knowledge to help clients innovate and grow with stablecoins technology in Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of its Stablecoins Advisory Practice. The new value-added service offering by Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) provides actionable insights and recommendations to guide banks, fintechs, merchants, and businesses of all sizes on market fit, strategy, and implementation.

As the stablecoin market cap surpasses $250 billion, Visa’s settlement volume has accelerated, reaching a $3.5 billion annualised run rate as of November 30. Businesses are turning to Visa’s new Stablecoins Advisory Practice to unlock growth opportunities. 

“Visa Consulting & Analytics brings together Visa’s scale, expertise and specialized consultants to offer a unique service, and Pathward appreciates the invitation to be one of the first banks to explore this work with them,” said Anthony Sharett, president of Pathward. “Stablecoins could provide innovative solutions for the financial services sector, and Visa’s team delivered impressive work, insights and actionable recommendations for businesses exploring them.”

The Stablecoins Advisory Practice offers a suite of services designed to guide strategy and implementation amid the growing prevalence and stability of stablecoins infrastructure and emerging regulatory standards.

“The stablecoin ecosystem is evolving rapidly, driven by crypto-native innovators,” said Prateek Sanghi, Head of Visa Consulting & Analytics Asia Pacific, Visa. “Financial institutions have a unique opportunity to leverage their trust and scale – but only if they act decisively and without delay. At Visa Consulting & Analytics, we help turn this disruption into a growth engine by partnering with clients to think like crypto natives while delivering practical strategies and execution that position them ahead of the curve.”

Tapping into VCA’s global network of thousands of consultants, data scientists, and product experts, the practice provides:

• Stablecoin training and market trend programmes, including a new Visa University course
• Stablecoin strategy development and market entry planning
• Use case sizing and go-to-market planning
• Technology enablement for stablecoins integration

“Working with Visa Consulting & Analytics gave VyStar access to Visa’s scale, crypto expertise, and specialized consulting talent—a combination that is hard to match in the consulting world,” said Lauren Morrison, vice president, Payments Products, VyStar. “The VCA team provided practical insights and tailored recommendations that helped us deepen our understanding of the stablecoin landscape and its potential relevance to our members. This engagement allowed us to explore opportunities thoughtfully and shape an informed strategy.”

The services are part of Visa’s longstanding leadership in modernising global payments through blockchain and stablecoin technology. In 2023, Visa became one of the first major payments networks to pilot stablecoin settlement using USDC. Now, Visa has more than 130 stablecoin-linked card issuing programmes in over 40 countries and territories. Additionally, Visa Direct’s latest pilots will enable qualified businesses in certain jurisdictions to pre-fund cross-border payments using stablecoins and send direct payouts to individuals’ stablecoin wallets.

To learn more about how Visa Consulting & Analytics can help clients design and grow their stablecoins business, click here.

About Visa

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