• SOL Arena, the Web3 multiplayer battle game developed by Chillchat, will launch its $CHILL token at end-March 2025, following its sold-out Challengers NFT mint on Magic Eden on February 6, 2025.
  
• Delivering a fresh take on snake-like gameplay on the Solana blockchain, SOL Arena has attracted 80,000+ global players since its Open Beta launch in September 2024.
• Backed by Solana Ventures, Crypto.com Capital, and Big Brain Holdings, Chillchat aims to pioneer innovation in Web3 gaming by marrying casual gameplay with high-stakes crypto wagering in massive real-time battles.

BANGKOK, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SOL Arena, a high-stake multiplayer battle game powered by Solana and now live in Open Beta, will launch its $CHILL token at end-March 2025, which will allow players to wager $CHILL in real-time crypto battles, or stake for in-game and ecosystem rewards. After welcoming more than 80,000 players worldwide since its Open Beta began on September 20, 2024, SOL Arena’s highly anticipated $CHILL token launch follows a sold-out Challengers NFT mint on Magic Eden last month.

Developed by Chillchat, a Bangkok-based Web3 gaming studio, SOL Arena unites casual snake-style gameplay with massive real-time battles and large-scale crypto wagering. By pairing the simplicity of casual gaming with the thrill of real crypto stakes, SOL Arena delivers a fresh take on Web3 gaming on Solana — appealing to both casual gamers and competitive enthusiasts.

To support its continued growth and development, Chillchat previously secured US$8.69M in seed funding, led by Solana Ventures, Crypto.com Capital, and Big Brain Holdings. Matt Beck, Head of Investments at Solana Ventures said: “SOL Arena is introducing a new way to engage with crypto gaming — where every match matters because there’s something real at stake. This is exactly the kind of innovation that will drive Web3 gaming forward.”

SOL Big Brain of Big Brain Holdings said: “I’m hyped to see how SOL Arena evolves over time. Its approach to merging casual gaming with real-time wagering is already making waves in the Solana community.”

A New Era of Web3 Gaming: Real-Time Crypto Wagering at Scale
SOL Arena merges the simplicity of popular multiplayer snake games with intense extraction gameplay, allowing up to 50 players to compete in real-time battles to collect noCHILL, outmaneuver opponents, and strategically withdraw their winnings. The upcoming High Roller Mode will introduce crypto wagering with $CHILL, raising the stakes for both casual players and high-level competitors. SOL Arena integrates the dynamic, community-driven Solana ecosystem directly into the game, where memecoin projects, NFT communities, and token holders unite under shared teams.

“Our vision is to merge casual gaming with degenerate memecoin activity and crypto network effects,” said James Au, CEO and Game Director of Chillchat, “to deliver an exciting new player experience that redefines the thrill of ‘winning’.”

What’s Next? Token Launch and Mobile Play
Following the Challengers NFT mint in February 2025, SOL Arena’s next significant milestone is the launch of its ecosystem token, $CHILL, at the end of March.

The $CHILL token fuels SOL Arena’s in-game economy, allowing players to wager it in High Roller mode, or stake it to earn in-game rewards. Players can qualify for a $CHILL airdrop by playing the game and extracting noCHILL, or by holding Chillchat Origin or SOL Arena Challengers’ NFTs.

The official launch of the SOL Arena game, which will introduce new features such as Seasons, will include mobile versions for both iOS and Android available in mid-2025.

Join the SOL Arena Battles Now
SOL Arena is free to play now at solarena.io. Jump in, collect and extract noCHILL, and start climbing the leaderboards to secure your spot in the upcoming $CHILL airdrop.

For more on SOL Arena:
Website
Discord
X (Twitter)
Telegram

About Chillchat
Chillchat is a Bangkok-based Web3 gaming studio dedicated to creating fun, accessible, and innovative blockchain-powered experiences. SOL Arena is the studio’s flagship title, merging traditional gaming fundamentals with real crypto stakes, all secured by Solana’s lightning-fast network. With an aim to pioneer the next generation of Web3 gaming, Chillchat invests in bold ideas that blend community engagement, financial incentives, and immersive gameplay.

~ Launching New Insurance Experience Integrating Payments and Insurance in Summer 2025

TOKYO, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Smartpay Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Sam Pemberton-Ahmed, CEO and Founder of Smartpay; hereinafter “the Company”), provider of the “Smartpay” Buy Now Pay Later service, announces the launch of embedded insurance products in the Japanese market, following one year of partnership with Chubb Insurance Japan (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Edward Kopp; hereinafter “Chubb Japan”), the Japanese subsidiary of Chubb Group, a world leader in insurance.

Current Challenges in the Insurance Industry

The traditional insurance industry faces challenges in meeting the evolving needs of modern consumers. Insurance contracting still largely relies on paper-based analog processes, leaving significant room for improvement in digitalization, personalization, real-time capabilities, and security.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry survey^[1], cashless payments now account for approximately 50% of consumer monthly spending, with widespread adoption of diverse payment methods including credit cards and electronic money. The insurance industry has an opportunity to enhance consumer experience by embracing digitalization to capitalize on this trend.

Changes in the insurance industry are becoming evident across various sectors. For example, Japan’s travel insurance market reached $678 million (approximately ¥101.7 billion) in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1.523 billion (approximately ¥228.5 billion) by 2028^[2]. Furthermore, post-pandemic surveys indicate that 47% of Japanese travelers are seeking new ways to purchase travel insurance that differ from traditional methods^[3].

Additionally, Generation Z consumers tend to prioritize convenience and speed in payment experiences and dislike complicated procedures^[4]. These changes in young consumers’ behavior are driving the demand for embedded insurance that can be completed with simple operations.

What is Embedded Insurance?

Embedded insurance is a mechanism that provides insurance seamlessly integrated into the payment process when consumers purchase products or services. For example, this includes options to purchase travel insurance simultaneously when buying airline tickets online. This method simplifies the insurance application process and enables appropriate coverage to be provided at the optimal timing for consumers.

Through its partnership with Chubb Japan, Smartpay is bringing innovation to the insurance industry. By providing solutions at the moment of need, we are transforming the nature of insurance. Our embedded insurance technology is seamlessly integrated into the payment process, providing appropriate coverage instantly when customers need it.

Growth Outlook for the Embedded Insurance Market

The global embedded insurance market size is projected to grow CAGR of 11.6% from 2024 to 2030, reaching approximately $175.25 billion (about ¥26.3 trillion) by 2030^[5]. Another report predicts the embedded insurance market will grow at an annual rate of 4.8% from 2025 to 2032^[6].

By region, the Asia-Pacific region is the largest market, accounting for approximately 39% of share. This is followed by Europe at 32% and North America at 21%. By product type, life insurance is the largest segment, accounting for 51% of share. By application, the automotive sector is the largest, accounting for approximately 26% of share.

These data suggest that the embedded insurance market will continue to show steady growth.

Fusion of Technological Innovation and Customer-Centric Design

Embedded insurance goes beyond simply incorporating insurance at the point of payment, achieving comprehensive fintech innovation. It combines the following:

Real-time Risk Assessment and Dynamic Pricing – A system that provides optimal coverage and pricing for each customer, often making it possible to keep insurance premiums lower

Highly Secure Complex Infrastructure – Integration of Smartpay’s payment system and Chubb’s insurance infrastructure

Seamless Customer Experience – Eliminating complicated procedures, enabling appropriate insurance enrollment at the time of purchase with intuitive and user-friendly experience.

Strategic Partnership with Chubb

Chubb is a global company with a track record of successful partnerships with major financial institutions worldwide. In 2018, it partnered with Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest super app, to provide insurance products to millions of Grab users. Additionally, it has led digital transformation and technological innovation in the insurance industry, such as partnering with Nubank, Brazil’s largest digital bank, to provide fully digitalized life insurance.

In this context, Chubb’s selection of Smartpay as its first embedded insurance business partner in Japan demonstrates strong confidence in our innovative approach, technological capabilities, and market potential.

Smartpay to Launch First Embedded Insurance Product in Summer 2025

Smartpay and Chubb Japan plan to provide their first embedded insurance product in BNPL in partnership with Fútbol Opción, a soccer cultural exchange program provider operated by Actif LLC, in summer 2025.

While soccer cultural exchange programs represent a significant investment for families, Smartpay’s installment payment option makes it possible to realize children’s dreams while reducing the burden on household finances. Additionally, having insurance coverage during international travel is a crucial element for parents’ peace of mind. Through this partnership, families can now handle both program fee installments and insurance enrollment in one process, making soccer exchange opportunities accessible to more young people.

Additionally, Smartpay announced details of this initiative at the “Global Financial Technology Network Forum” held in March 2025.

About Smartpay

Smartpay is a fintech company that develops and provides smart solutions to help consumers manage their daily expenses and improve their financial well-being. In addition to realizing Japan’s first one-click credit card-based BNPL solution, Smartpay was the first in Japan to introduce “Smartpay Bank Direct” enabling immediate withdrawals from bank accounts^[8].

Through Smartpay Bank Direct, developed in partnership with the Japan Electronic Payment Promotion Organization (JEPPO), we provide payment services accessible to 90% of the population with bank accounts, partnering with 20 major banks including megabanks and over 200 credit unions in Japan. For more information, please visit https://smartpay.co/.

In addition, Smartpay is also focusing on unprecedented initiatives, such as being the first BNPL solution in Japan to establish processor agreements with both Adyen and Stripe^[9], in order to pursue convenience for both businesses and consumers.

About Chubb Japan

Chubb Japan provides innovative property and casualty insurance products to both individuals and corporations, based on innovative thinking and Chubb Group’s global network. With a history in Japan reaching its 100th anniversary in 2020, it has the longest presence among foreign property and casualty insurance companies. It has received an “AA-” rating for both insurance financial strength and issuer credit rating from U.S. rating agency Standard & Poor’s (as of March 2025).

About Chubb Group and Chubb Limited

Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb employs approximately 43,000 people worldwide.

BARCELONA, Spain, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 6D Technologies announces the successful deployment of Ventas, its advanced Sales & Distribution solution, for Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the wireless unit of PLDT Inc. (PLDT), the Philippines’ largest integrated telco. This implementation optimizes the supply chain, vendor purchases, and channel distribution, ensuring efficiency and scalability.

Empowering Sales Transformation: 6D Technologies Fuels Growth for Smart, the Leading Filipino Mobile Provider

Ventas modernizes Smart’s legacy system with advanced automation, reducing sales costs, accelerating time-to-market, and streamlining operations. Key components include Sales Partner Management, Order Management, Logistics Tracking, Advanced Commissions Management, and Sell-Through Capabilities.

Gilbert Gaw, FVP Head of IT for PLDT and Smart, said: “Our collaboration with 6D Technologies is vital to our Sales and Distribution transformation. Their seamless execution and innovation have enabled us to begin migrating partners from legacy systems to Ventas, with completion targeted early this year. This transition will enhance efficiency, accelerate time-to-market, and position us for future growth, reinforcing our commitment to agility, innovation, and excellence.”

Howard Atienza, IT AVP for Application Delivery of PLDT and Smart, added: “Transforming our legacy trade systems to an all-in-one modern system was a big task and we are happy to work hand-in-hand with 6D Technologies in this initiative. Our Sales and Key-Account partners will greatly benefit from the automation and modernized tools that this new system brings.

Manish Arora, Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer of 6D Technologies, stated, ”The ‘Digital-First’ partnership between Smart and 6D Technologies leverages intelligent technology to drive innovation and growth. Ventas enhances operational excellence by optimizing supply chains, improving distribution, and increasing business visibility. We remain committed to helping our partners unlock their full potential.”

Kunal Nidhi, Vice President Sales of 6D Technologies added, “We are thrilled to see the successful deployment of Ventas, our Sales & Distribution solution, a testament to our commitment to empowering businesses with Smart PLDT.

About Smart:

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLDT, the Philippines’ largest integrated telco. Covering 97% of the population, Smart delivers 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G services, providing mobile connectivity, high-speed internet, and digital access to support the country’s growing digital economy and enhance customer experience.

About 6D Technologies:

6D Technologies is a global leader in telecom, digital transformation, and sales & distribution solutions. It empowers businesses with innovative, tailor-made solutions to drive operational excellence, enhance customer experiences, and foster sustainable growth in an evolving digital landscape. For more information, visit https://www.6dtechnologies.com/

LONDON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Farmlore in Bengaluru has been honoured as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious American Express One To Watch Award. Selected by the 50 Best team based on the votes of its Academy and specific editorial criteria, this award highlights dining establishments that showcase exceptional culinary talent, creativity and the potential to secure a spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list over the coming years.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants announces Bengaluru-based restaurant Farmlore as the recipient of the American Express One To Watch Award 2025

Farmlore, an 18-seater dining experience on a 37-acre farm near Bengaluru, India, is the brainchild of chef Johnson Ebenezer and entrepreneur Kaushik Raju. The restaurant embodies a farm-to-table ethos, driven by seasonality, sustainability and local produce. Its name cleverly combines ‘folklore’ and ‘locavore,’ reflecting its dedication to celebrating regional ingredients and cultural narratives.

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “Amid the restaurants with a ‘farm-to-table’ philosophy, Farmlore stands apart with its immersive experience, nestled within an actual working farm. We congratulate chef Johnson and the teams behind the kitchens and farms at Farmlore, on this very well-earned accolade.”

The restaurant’s menus, shaped by the freshest harvests from its farm, consistently highlight core themes, including a strong South Indian influence. Here they prioritise ethical, organic farming principles passed down through generations that also preserve soil health while creating nutrient-rich produce. The design harmonises with its natural surroundings, featuring earthy tones, open spaces and a minimalist aesthetic that fosters an intimate yet direct connection to nature.

On winning, Chef Johnson says, “We are truly humbled to be recognised by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to doing things the right way while staying true to our values and prioritising ethics over expediency. It’s also a testament to the younger generation of chefs who dare to stick to their strengths and roots.”

Farmlore will be further celebrated at the in-person awards ceremony held on 25 March 2025 in Seoul in collaboration with host destination partner, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The awards ceremony will be streamed live via the link here. The announcement of the list and individual awards can be followed via the 50 Best social media channels, with the livestream beginning at 20:00 Korea time.

Media Centre:
https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com/

SEOUL, South Korea, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SK keyfoundry, an 8-inch pure-play foundry in Korea, announced today that it offers a new 3D Hall-effect sensor technology that can measure speed and direction through three-dimensional magnetic field detection for its foundry customers.

The Hall-effect sensor is a device that measures the strength of a magnetic field using the Hall-effect, which detects the voltage difference generated when a conductor or semiconductor passes through a magnetic field. The measured magnetic field is utilized in applications that leverage the position, speed, rotation, direction, and current of devices.

SK keyfoundry has provided a variety of products using existing 1D (one-dimensional) and 2D (two-dimensional) Hall-effect sensors, and this new 3D Hall-effect sensor integrates both Vertical and Planar Hall-effect sensors on a single chip. It features enhanced sensitivity beyond that of existing 2D products, enabling real-time measurement of minute three-dimensional direction and speed changes with rapid response times.

Another important feature of the 3D Hall-effect sensor provided by SK keyfounrdry is that it can be designed to easily integrate into customer products by adding masks to existing processes. Additionally, the integration of the 3D Hall-effect sensor is offered across multiple nodes in the range of 0.13μm to 0.18μm while maintaining electrical characteristics.

The new 3D Hall-effect sensor is expected to be utilized in various fields. In particular, it can be applied in the automotive sector for safe driving assistance and autonomous driving systems, in consumer electronics for smart appliances and gaming consoles, and in industrial automation for robot control, drones, virtual reality, augmented reality, and wearable devices.

Derek D. Lee, the CEO of SK keyfoundry, stated, “The newly launched 3D Hall-effect sensor technology is expected to be utilized in the design of products across various industries, including home appliances, automotive, robotics, and drones, due to its high sensitivity and ability to detect minute three-dimensional movements.” He added, “We plan to support our customers in integrating more diverse functions into a single semiconductor through ongoing technology openness.”

About SK keyfoundry

Headquartered in Korea, SK keyfoundry provides specialty Analog and Mixed-Signal foundry services for semiconductor companies to serve a wide range of applications in the consumer, communications, computing, automotive and industrial industries. With a broad range of technology portfolios and process nodes, SK keyfoundry has the flexibility and capability to meet the ever-evolving needs of semiconductor companies across the globe. Please visit https://www.skkeyfoundry.com for more information.

BOSTON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a strategic partnership with Raydium Solutions, Apollo Group TV is making premium streaming more accessible by introducing credit card payments for the first time. Previously limited to Bitcoin transactions, this major shift allows more users to enjoy secure, high-quality streaming with greater flexibility. As a leading provider of IPTV services, Apollo Group TV continues to redefine home entertainment with a vast selection of content, cutting-edge streaming technology, and customer-focused innovations.

Unmatched Variety of Live TV and On-Demand Content

Apollo Group TV offers an impressive catalog of 24,000+ live channels and 95,000+ Video-on-Demand (VOD) titles, spanning movies, TV series, news, sports, and international programming. With access to premium channels across multiple genres, subscribers can enjoy the best in live television, blockbuster films, and exclusive series all in one place.

Designed to meet the needs of a diverse audience, Apollo Group TV ensures that viewers always have access to the latest Hollywood hits, classic films, trending TV shows, and live sports events without limitations.

Expanding Payment Options: Now Accepting Credit Cards

Through its collaboration with Raydium Solutions, Apollo Group TV has expanded its payment options, now accepting credit cards alongside cryptocurrency payments. This move reflects Apollo TV’s commitment to making its premium IPTV service more accessible to a wider audience.

“With consumer demand for seamless and secure transactions rising, expanding payment methods was a natural step,” said a spokesperson from Raydium Solutions, the technology partner supporting this transition. “This collaboration ensures that more users can access Apollo TV’s premium streaming service with ease.”

High-Definition Streaming with Advanced Technology

Apollo Group TV delivers an unparalleled viewing experience, offering crystal-clear HD and 4K resolution for a cinematic feel at home. The platform utilizes anti-freeze technology to eliminate buffering, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted playback.

With a 99.9% uptime guarantee, Apollo TV users can rely on a stable, high-performance streaming service at any time—whether watching live TV, sports, or on-demand content.

Seamless User Experience & Smart Device Compatibility

Apollo Group TV enhances navigation with an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) TV Guide, making it easy to browse and manage content. The intuitive interface allows users to switch between channels effortlessly and discover new content.

The platform is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming boxes, mobile devices, and tablets, ensuring maximum flexibility for subscribers.

Reliable Customer Support and Lifetime Assistance

Apollo Group TV is dedicated to customer satisfaction, offering 24/7 live chat support to assist with technical issues, account management, and content recommendations.

Through its strategic technology partnership with Raydium Solutions, Apollo TV ensures that its platform remains highly secure, accessible, and future-ready, continuously improving the user experience.

Join the Future of Streaming with Apollo Group TV

With its expansive content library, advanced streaming technology, and newly expanded payment options, Apollo Group TV is setting new standards in digital entertainment.

For more details on subscription plans and the latest updates, visit ApolloTVsGroup.com.

About Apollo Group TV

Apollo Group TV is a leading IPTV streaming service, providing access to thousands of live TV channels, movies, and series in high-definition quality. With a commitment to innovation, top-tier customer support, and a seamless viewing experience, Apollo Group TV continues to revolutionize premium home entertainment.