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ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASED OR ACQUIRED IMPACT THEORY FOUNDER’S KEYS BETWEEN OCTOBER 13, 2021, AND DECEMBER 6, 2021

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The following statement is being issued by Simpluris, Inc., Fund Administrator for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, regarding the Impact Theory Fair Fund and Plan of Distribution.

NOTICE OF FAIR FUND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
In the Matter of Impact Theory, Inc.
Administrative Proceeding File No. 3-21585

For more information, visit www.ImpactTheoryFairFund.com

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has settled administrative proceedings (the “Order”) against Impact Theory (the “Respondent”). In the Order, the SEC found that from October 13, 2021, to December 6, 2021, Impact Theory violated Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act by offering and selling crypto asset securities known as Founder’s Keys without having a registered statement filed or in effect with the SEC or qualifying for an exemption from registration.

The SEC ordered the Respondent to pay $5,120,718.27 in disgorgement, $483,195.90 in prejudgment interest, and a $500,000.00 civil money penalty, for a total of $6,103,914.17, to the SEC. The SEC also created a Fair Fund, pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, so the penalty collected, along with the disgorgement and interest collected, could be distributed to harmed investors (the “Fair Fund”).

The Fair Fund will be paid out according to the Plan of Distribution (“Plan”).

A summary of the eligibility criteria and claims process is below. Full details are available at www.ImpactTheoryFairFund.com. You may also request a copy of the Plan from the Fund Administrator via email at info@ImpactTheoryFairFund.com or by calling 833-285-3401.

Who is eligible to receive a payment from the Fair Fund? To receive a payment, you must have:

  1. purchased or acquired Founder’s Keys between October 13, 2021, and December 6, 2021;
  2. submitted a timely Claim Form;
  3. suffered a Recognized Loss as calculated under the Plan; and
  4. not been an Excluded Party under the Plan.

How do I submit a Claim? The easiest way to submit a claim is online at the Impact Theory Fair Fund website: www.ImpactTheoryFairFund.com. Claim Forms completed online must be submitted on or before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on August 15, 2025.

If you are unable to submit a Claim Form online and/or you have lost relevant credentials associated with wallets and/or exchanges required as part of an online claim, you may request a copy of the paper Claim Form from the Fund Administrator via email at info@ImpactTheoryFairFund.com or by calling 833-285-3401. You may also download a copy of the Claim Form to print at: www.ImpactTheoryFairFund.com. Claim Forms submitted via mail must be sent to the address provided on the Claim Form and postmarked (or if not sent by U.S. Mail, then received) by August 15, 2025.

The Fund Administrator will send a Determination Notice advising each claimant who timely submitted a Claim Form of their eligibility determination and will provide a calculation of Recognized Loss to those determined to be Eligible Claimants. The Fund Administrator may consider disputes of an Eligible Claimant’s Recognized Loss calculation if timely submitted in accordance with the Plan.

This notice is a summary. For more information, visit
www.ImpactTheoryFairFund.com

LANZAJET TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT ADVANCES IN JAPAN AS COSMO OIL SECURES GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SIGNIFICANT ETHANOL-TO-SAF PRODUCTION PROJECT

Government Subsidy Will Advance SAF Production in Japan Planning to Use LanzaJet’s Next-Gen Technology

CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LanzaJet, a leading sustainable fuels technology company and sustainable fuels producer, today announced that Cosmo Oil Co. Ltd (Cosmo Oil) has been selected for a FY2024 subsidy from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to support a project developed with Mitsui & Co. (Mitsui) that will plan to utilize LanzaJet technology. This funding marks a significant milestone for large-scale domestic SAF production in Japan and increasing SAF supply for the aviation industry.

“Today’s announcement signifies an important milestone for SAF production and scaling of the industry in Japan. LanzaJet’s proprietary alcohol-to-jet technology is helping governments worldwide as well as the global aviation industry meet ambitious demands for sustainable growth and alternative fuels goals,” said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet. “In support of Cosmo Oil, Mitsui & Co., and the Japanese government, we look forward to accelerating the development of domestic SAF and advancing an energy-diverse aviation sector.”

Global demand for SAF is expected to grow rapidly, and Japan has set a goal to diversify 10% of petroleum-based fuels with alternatives by 2030. Planning on utilizing LanzaJet’s proprietary ethanol to SAF technology, Cosmo Oil intends to leverage the company’s expertise in plant operations, fuel quality control, and logistics with Mitsui’s capabilities in ethanol procurement to develop the project, which will establish a large-scale SAF production facility and create new business opportunities within Japan’s growing biofuels sector.

Upon completion, the project will produce approximately 150,000 kiloliters of SAF and 17,000 kiloliters of renewable diesel annually at the Sakaide Logistics Base starting in 2029.

ABOUT LANZAJET

LanzaJet is a leading alternative fuels technology provider and producer with patented ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology which includes the use of Technip Energies ethanol-to-ethylene solution. LanzaJet is creating an opportunity for future generations by accelerating the production and deployment of SAF and other alternative fuel technologies critical to transform the global economy. LanzaJet has received many global accolades and was recently named TIME100 Most Influential Companies for 2024 and a Rising Star Company of the Year by S&P Global. Further information is available at https://www.lanzajet.com/.

 

NYSE CONTENT ADVISORY: PRE-MARKET UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 24TH

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is proud to offer a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. 

 

NYSE CONTENT ADVISORY: PRE-MARKET UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 24TH

Trinity Chavez delivers the pre-market update on February 24th

  • Home Depot (NYSE: HD) & Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) to report earnings this week
  • Nvidia to report earnings on Wednesday
  • Investors anticipate a new week of key economic and inflation data

Watch NYSE TV Live every weekday 9:00-10:00am ET 

Video – https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2626180/NYSE_Feb_24_Market_Update.mp4

Fully Backed Within 72 hours: Bybit Maintains 1:1 Customer Assets Ratio in Latest Proof of Reserves Audited Report by Hacken

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has completed a fresh round of audit on Feb. 23, 2025 conducted by leading cybersecurity firm Hacken. The independent third-party report is published after Bybit restored reserves levels to a 1:1 ratio for in-scope digital assets within 72 hours following a major incident on Friday, Feb. 21.

A full audit of all relevant wallets containing 40 asset types,  by way of proof of liabilities and ownership, verified that Bybit possesses sufficient reserves to cover user assets 1:1 across the board. Key assets including BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT and USDC exceed 100% collateral ratios on Bybit. Held to high standards of transparency and prudence, Bybit reaffirms its commitment to fiscal vigilance and customer protection under all circumstances.

“Bybit fully backs all customer assets entrusted to our platform, maintaining a dynamic ratio of over 1:1,” said Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “We are fortunate to have all-weather friends in a cut-throat industry—our peers and even competitors stood with us during challenging times, and our customers deserve the same level of commitment,” he added.

Key Highlights of Bybit’s 19th PoR Audit:

  • Comprehensive Audit Process: Hacken conducted an extensive audit of Bybit’s liabilities, utilizing the Merkle tree to verify the integrity of the assets reported.
  • User Address Verification: Hacken obtained information from Bybit management regarding all public key addresses holding in-scope assets and verified expected blockchain transactions to confirm control and ownership.
  • Rigorous Validation Procedures: The validation process included a thorough review using the official Merkle proof validation methods, ensuring the accuracy of the reported liabilities.

“Bybit’s focus on transparency through regular Proof of Reserves audits and independent assessments sets a strong standard within the industry. We appreciate being part of this important initiative during this critical period,” said Yevheniia Broshevan, Co-Founder & CBDO at Hacken.

As of Feb. 24, Bybit fully closed the ETH gap of client assets within 72 hours. This was achieved through strategic partnerships with firms like Galaxy Digital, FalconX, and Wintermute, along with support from Bitget, MEXC and DWF Labs, who helped Bybit replenish the reserves in record time. The rapid execution of these funding strategies underscores Bybit’s robust industry relationships and its capability to maintain platform stability during challenging times, reflecting the industry’s shared vision of a new era of reliable financial system.

By prioritizing independent verification and comprehensive audits, Bybit reinforces its commitment to user trust and transparency. The exchange regularly reviews best practices, emergency responses, and security infrastructure to meet the rising challenges and demands in the digital asset industry.

Bybit’s Proof of Reserves: https://www.bybit.com/app/user/audit-report 

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #ProofofReserves / #PoR

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

 

SMU GRADUATES REMAIN HIGHLY EMPLOYABLE AMID CHANGING JOB MARKET

Higher Salaries, Strong Internship-to-Employment Pipeline, and Industry Demand Drive Graduate Success

SINGAPORE, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The latest Graduate Employment Survey (GES) 2024 underscores Singapore Management University’s (SMU) enduring appeal to employers, amidst lower hiring demand. With an 89.8% overall employment rate, SMU graduates remain in high demand, with their salaries continuing an upward trajectory across key industries. The results were revealed in the annual Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES), jointly conducted by SMU and the other Autonomous Universities. Of the 2,300-strong graduating cohort, 1,742 students (75.7%) participated in the survey, offering a snapshot of employment trends that reflect both resilience and adaptation in an evolving economic landscape.

SMU GRADUATES REMAIN HIGHLY EMPLOYABLE_GES2024
SMU GRADUATES REMAIN HIGHLY EMPLOYABLE_GES2024

Strong Graduate Employability

SMU continues to achieve strong overall employment rates (89.8%) and full-time permanent employment rates (83.4%).

Graduates Command Higher Salaries

SMU graduates are also commanding higher wages, with the average gross monthly salary rising to $5,057, a 3.4% increase from last year. The median gross salary of SMU graduates also increased from $4,500 to $4,600 (see Annex A for more details)

Internships Cement Career Pathways

A hallmark of SMU’s industry-centric education, the university’s mandatory internship programme has played a pivotal role in preparing students for the workforce.

  • 79.9% of graduates completed more than one internship, with an average of 2.8 internships per student, ensuring they enter the job market with real-world experience.
  • 31.6% of graduates who found full-time permanent employment had secured roles at the companies they interned with, underscoring SMU’s strong industry linkages.

SMU graduates remain highly sought after in Finance & Insurance, Legal, Accounting & Auditing, and Information & Communication, reflecting sustained employer demand across key industries. More than 60% secured employment before graduation, demonstrating the strong market confidence in SMU’s talent pipeline and the university’s emphasis on experiential learning and industry-aligned education, where students are challenged to use their disciplinary knowledge to tackle real world issues through interdisciplinary approaches.

Through collaborations within the SMU community and with external stakeholders, opportunities are provided for students to establish valuable new contacts for securing future internships and/or employment locally and globally.

SMU Graduates Credit University for Personal and Professional Growth 98% of graduates reported that their time at SMU had a positive influence on their personal growth. Beyond academics, SMU’s distinctive education approach has equipped graduates with essential life and career skills. A strong 97.1% credited the university with enhancing their interpersonal and collaboration skills, while 97.5% felt they had significantly improved in communication and engagement. Additionally, 96% of graduates stated that SMU had effectively prepared them with critical thinking capabilities and a strong sense of personal development ownership.

These findings underscore SMU’s commitment to developing well-rounded, future-ready leaders equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 

SMU’s Commitment to Future-Ready Education

SMU’s high employment rates stem from its distinctive experiential learning model, which integrates academia with real-world application. The SMU-X programme connects students with industry leaders to tackle live business challenges, while its mandatory internships, community service and global exposure requirements ensure graduates develop adaptability, cross-cultural fluency, and a sense of social responsibility—attributes highly valued in today’s evolving job market.

SMU Provost, Professor Timothy Clark, remarked: SMU’s graduate success is no accident—it is the result of an education model designed for relevance and lifelong impact. Our emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, experiential internships, and close industry collaboration ensures our graduates are not just job-ready, but future-ready. The strong employment outcomes reaffirm SMU’s role as a university that produces distinctive, adaptable, purpose-driven, high-calibre talent, well-prepared to navigate a rapidly evolving global economy.”

As Singapore navigates a rapidly transforming economic landscape, SMU remains committed to equipping students with the skills, agility, and industry experience to lead and succeed.

About SMU’s Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC)

DKHMCC offers a range of comprehensive services, programmes, and resources for SMU students to chart their career directions and empowers them with the necessary skills to realise their potential and goals.

Each student is assigned a career coach upon matriculation to support him/her in career planning through his/her four-year journey at SMU. These certified coaches from DKHMCC come from diverse backgrounds and are in tune with industry developments and trends. They administer personality/career profiling tools, critique cover letters and resumes, facilitate job searches, and hone students’ interview skills.

In addition, DKHMCC offers a suite of internship readiness modules and career readiness workshops from the freshman year as part of SMU’s pioneering Finishing Touch programme. The programme equips SMU undergraduates with career planning and transferable skills, geared towards enhancing their employment prospects and fulfilling their career goals progressively throughout the four-year course of study. Every year, DKHMCC organises more than 400 events which include career and industry talks, employability clinics, career fairs, as well as networking events, for our students.

Recognising the importance and value of having real-world and career-relevant work experience for its students, SMU is the first university in Singapore to make internships compulsory for all students. Students are provided opportunities via DKHMCC, which works closely with industry to ensure successful placements in internships and jobs. The DKHMCC’s close and regular contact with employers is vital in helping SMU students be market-relevant and career-ready. Students also have access to a 24/7 web-based portal (OnTRAC) to search for internships and career opportunities.

DKHMCC also continues to support graduates up to three years after their graduation, with continued access to the jobs portal, employability clinics and personalised assistance by individual career coaches, should they require further guidance.

About SMU

A premier university in Asia, SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.

Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community. www.smu.edu.sg

SMU celebrates its 25 years of meaningful impact this year, and remains committed to its vision of driving innovation, transcending boundaries and transforming lives.

ANNEX 

SMU’s 2024 graduates across all eight of the University degree programmes enjoyed competitive monthly salaries

Computer Science graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $6,245, as compared to the 2023 cohort’s $6,120. The median gross monthly salary is $6,000 as compared to $5,800 in 2023. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a higher median gross monthly salary of $6,400 as compared to $6,250.

Economics graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,069, up from $4,937 in 2023. The median gross monthly salary was $4,753, an increase from $4,500 in 2023. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,523, while the median gross monthly salary was $5,000, an increase in the previous year’s $4,833.

Business Management graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,007, as compared to last year’s $4,795. The median gross monthly salary was $4,500, up from $4,436 in 2023. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a higher mean gross monthly salary of $5,323, while the median gross monthly salary was $4,825.

Accountancy graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $4,755 as compared to $4,463 in 2023. The median gross monthly salary is $4,350, up from $3,900 in 2023. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,074 while the median gross monthly salary was $4,500.

Social Sciences graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $4,553 as compared to $4,330 in 2023. The median gross monthly salary is $4,334, an increase from last year’s $4,000. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a mean gross monthly salary of $4,823, higher than last year’s $4,547. The median gross monthly salary was $4,500.

Information Systems graduates earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,362, as compared to the 2023 cohort’s $5,530. The median gross monthly salary is $5,000. Those with Cum Laude or better earned a mean gross monthly salary of $5,954 and a median gross monthly salary of $5,549.

The follow-up survey[1] on SMU Law graduates showed that overall employment rate stood at 97.6%. The mean and median gross monthly salaries of Law graduates in full-time permanent employment were $6,585 and $7,000 respectively. Those who attained a Cum Laude and above had a mean gross monthly salary of $6,775 and median gross monthly salary of $7,000.

Please refer to attached table ANNEX A for the detailed figures.

Explanatory Note: Cum Laude and Merit Awards 

SMU uses the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria to identify degree candidates with academic excellence in the following award categories: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude. These are Latin awards adopted from the American system, and can be translated as with Highest Distinction, with High Distinction and with Distinction, respectively.

They do not equate to the various classes of degree honours conferred by universities that follow the British system of academic honours. A graduate needs a GPA of at least 3.40 out of 4.00 to be awarded Cum Laude. All SMU bachelor degrees are four-year full-time programmes.

Cumulative GPA

Awards

≥ 3.80

Summa Cum Laude

3.60 to 3.79

Magna Cum Laude

3.40 to 3.59

Cum Laude

3.20 to 3.39

High Merit

3.00 to 3.19

Merit

 

[1] SMU’s Law graduates Class of 2023 were surveyed in JAUGES 2024 to allow for those who choose to continue with pupillage in the first six months after their graduation to complete their practical training.

 

Jiu Zhang Holding Releases First Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Report: Led by “Technological Innovation + Green Development”

SHANGHAI, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jiu Zhang Holding Limited (“Jiu Zhang Holding” or the “Company”), a leading company specializing in global online audio marketing services, released its first annual “Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Report”(“Report”), marking an important step in practicing its commitment to sustainable development. The Report demonstrates Jiu Zhang Holding‘ practical path and achievements in environmental protection, social responsibility and corporate governance, and is fully in line with the company’s ESG strategy of “Taking the right path and the broad path”.

For decades, Jiu Zhang Holding has always adhered to the corporate mission of “creating a full-scene digital marketing decision-making platform”, upheld the corporate vision of “driving industry with technology, empowering marketing with intelligence”, guided by the values of “honesty and integrity, cooperation and innovation, customer first and embracing change”, implemented the concept of sustainable development in the whole chain of its operation and management, and strives to build an ESG system with the characteristics of Jiu Zhang, this report presents the important milestones in its sustainable development journey.

Practicing green development and contributing to the dual-carbon goal

Jiu Zhang Holding applies the concept of green development to all aspects of the company’s operations, strictly abides by the international environmental protection legal system such as “International Environmental Law” and “International Environmental Protection Convention”,  formulates the company’s “Environmental Protection Responsibility System and Program”, sets clear environmental goals, and organize employees to carry out a series of environmental protection activities in office and life.

Help reduce carbon and consumption, advocate all staff to save electricity, develop the habit of green and low-carbon production methods; call on employees to reduce business trip, hold online teleconferences, and encourage environmentally friendly office commuting; implement paperless office, adopt Office Automation System for the management of digital electronic invoices, bills and other electronic documents to reduce paper consumption and express delivery; all departments comply with management duties, and have never been any major environmental violations and penalties…Jiu Zhang Holding has made great efforts and achieved remarkable results in practicing green operation and development.

Innovative research and development take the lead, explore barrier-free construction

Jiu Zhang Holding has been deeply engaged in the digital marketing industry for 17 years. With its experience and resource advantages in the field of big data and artificial intelligence, it has taken the lead in using “AI Digital Marketing Algorithm Model” in the field of advertising marketing. Its core product “iVoice Digital Audio Intelligent Marketing Decision-making Platform” has developed into the largest digital audio advertising platform in China. The company invests tens of millions of RMB in research and development every year, with over 80% of research and development staff, and assist employees’ career development, invests more than 500,000 RMB and total over 400 hours for employee training.

Jiu Zhang Holding is a member of China Software Industry Association and Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Industry Association. Ms. Yang Xuying, the Founder & CEO, as the vice president and review expert of Shanghai Advertising Association, led the team to actively participate in the formulation of a number of industry standards such as “Digital Audio Advertising Content Technical Specification”, which has helped the industry to standardize and develop in a healthy and orderly manner.

The company joins hands with Shanghai University and other renowned universities to explore research, solutions, forum activities and other barrier-free information dissemination for the vulnerable groups of the visually impaired and hearing impaired, and promotes the integration of industry-academia-research with the construction of barrier-free environment.

Based on the industry leader, benefits to stakeholders

Jiu Zhang Holding attaches great importance to product development and quality assurance, and is firmly committed to providing users with comprehensive information and data security and privacy protection. Through ISO 9001, ISO 56005, GB/T 29490 and other system certifications, more than one hundred software copyrights and technical invention patents have been authorized by the end of 2024, and dozens of other intellectual property rights in the stage of substantive review,  laying a solid foundation for continued leadership in the field of online audio marketing services.

The Company has always taken into account the needs of shareholders such as shareholders, customers, employees, universities and the public, adhered to compliant operations, maintained good business performance and continuously optimized the governance structure, proactively participated in the ranks of green, low-carbon and sustainable business models, actively participated in domestic and international information technology industry exchange activities,  and sustainable development research institutions related training, to enhancement of corporate ESG management, respond to the market’s expectations for the high-quality development of Jiu Zhang Holding.

Accelerating the transformation and upgrading of “digitalization and intelligence”, with wisdom and green as the core driving forces of change, Jiu Zhang Holding focuses on several major dimensions: technology for good on the ground, abide by the compliance and steady operation, high-quality products and services to lead, people-oriented integration and symbiosis, barrier-free construction for win-win cooperation. After more than ten years of unremitting persistence and practice, Jiu Zhang Holding continues to build new quality productivity. In the future, Jiu Zhang Holding will continue to create greater value for the industry through “technological innovation + green development”, work hand in hand with partners to jointly promote the construction of an open, collaborative, and win-win green low-carbon economic ecology.

WeBank Wins Three Awards at The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Finance Services Awards Ceremony 2025

TOKYO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WeBank  was honored with three prestigious awards at The Asian Banker’s 2025 Banking Innovation Annual Meeting and Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards Ceremony recently held in Tokyo, Japan. The accolades include “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific“, “Best Digital Bank in China” and “Best AI/Gen AI Application in SME Marketing Initiative in Asia Pacific“, recognizing WeBank’s outstanding achievements in inclusive finance and innovative application of financial technology in MSME finance.

The Asian Banker Awards are among the most authoritative and influential in the global financial industry. WeBank’s multiple international awards underscore the recognition among leading international institutions of its accomplishments in inclusive and digital finance practices.

At the ceremony, Fang Zhenyu, Vice President of WeBank, addressed, “In just ten years since our establishment, WeBank has served over 400 million customers, all made possible by the innovative business model and digital technology. The rapid development of cutting-edge technologies and the application of AI model tools are starting to make an impact across the industry. We believe this impact will lead to transformative breakthroughs in the financial industry and its models. At WeBank, we embrace collaboration with partners around the world to unleash the power of finance and technology. I believe we can strive to drive change together and create sustainable value for society.”

Recognized for the Inclusive Finance Practice with Six Wins of “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific

Since 2021, The Asian Banker has evaluated over 160 digital banks from 42 markets in five key areas: customer base, market/product coverage, profitability, asset and deposit growth, and funding. The annual “Global Top 100 Digital-only Banks Ranking” recognizes market leadership among digital banks, and has become a global benchmark for measuring the success of the industry, on local, regional, and global levels.

At the awards ceremony, WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific” and “Best Digital Bank in China” in the 2025 Global Top 100 Digital-only Banks ranking. This marks the sixth time WeBank received the “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific” award from The Asian Banker.

WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific”
WeBank was named “Best Digital Bank in Asia Pacific”

The Asian Banker noted that WeBank, with the largest customer base globally, has served a broad range of individual customers and MSMEs, with excellent profitability and operational efficiency. Leveraging AI, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain, WeBank provides scalable, secure, and efficient services. 

WeBank remains committed to its technology-driven core strategy and continues to deepen its efforts in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain. With over 4,000 patent applications and 38 open-source projects, WeBank has established a comprehensive technology capacity and embraces collaboration with global partners.

Since its establishment, WeBank has built its distributed core banking system, which is capable of supporting hundreds of millions of customers and high-concurrency transactions. This system has reduced the bank’s annual IT O&M cost per account to below 0.3 USD, less than one-tenth of that of its domestic and international peers, with a peak daily transaction volume exceeding 1.4 billion. This has laid a solid foundation for the bank to practice inclusive finance and serving MSMEs.

WeBank has explored a sustainable approach of digital banking and contributes to the development of digital inclusive finance. WeBank has continuously enhanced its financial product offerings for the individual customers and MSMEs, such as “Weilidai”, “Weiyedai” and WeBank Wealth+, actively optimizing fundamental financial services, including credit, wealth management, deposits, and account services. As of the end of June 2024, WeBank has served over 400 million individual customers and more than 5 million MSMEs have applied for loans.

Deepening AI Model Applications to Empower Intelligent Marketing

In The Asian Banker’s “Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards”, WeBank is recognized as the “Best AI/Gen AI Application in SME Marketing Initiative in Asia Pacific” for 2025.

The Asian Banker stated, “By deploying hundreds of domain-trained generative AI models, the bank enables precise product recommendations, such as seasonal credit extensions tailored to business cycles, ensuring SMEs receive customized financial solutions. Beyond financing, the initiative enhances customer service through AI-powered platforms, significantly improving issue resolution rates and reducing turnaround time. This data-driven approach has resulted in a substantial increase in marketing, reinforcing the bank’s leadership in SME-focused digital banking.”

According to the Asian Banker, WeBank has demonstrated excellence in understanding and meeting evolving customer needs, customer journey and experience, as well as excellence in digitalization and application of AI and digital ecosystems that drive efficiency and engagement, embedding finance in the customer experience, outperforming regional and local peers.

WeBank has applied innovative achievements of generative AI technology to its inclusive finance business. As WeBank’s MSME finance business rapidly develops, corporate customers are demanding higher levels of refinement, digitization, and intelligence in their operations. To address this, WeBank’s MSME finance has developed a “Data + Generative AI” dual-driven approach to upgrade its intelligent marketing capabilities, improving MSME coverage, product matching accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

About WeBank

Launched in 2014, WeBank Co., Ltd. (“WeBank”) is the first digital bank in China. WeBank provides convenient financial services to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the public, and continuously improves the quality of services in response to customers’ specific needs. WeBank ranks No. 1 in The Asian Banker’s Global Top 100 Digital Banks in 2025. By June 2024, WeBank has served over 400 million retail customers and 5 million MSMEs.

WeBank focuses on innovation and technology. WeBank has maintained its proportion of technical personnel above 50% since its establishment, while its research and development expenses have accounted for around 10% of its revenue. WeBank is now at the top of the industry in core technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing and big data.

 

Cheche Group’s Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model Recognized Among Top 100 AI Products of 2024

BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cheche Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CCG) (“Cheche” or the “Company”), China’s leading auto insurance technology platform, today announced that its innovative Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model has been recognized in the prestigious Top 100 AI Products of 2024 list, released by Internet Weekly in collaboration with eNET Research Institute and Deben Consulting.

This accolade highlights Cheche’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology in the insurance industry. The award-winning Tianmu Model integrates advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and biometrics to construct an intelligent anti-fraud and risk control system. By utilizing sophisticated data and image recognition methods, the model significantly enhances the ability to identify and prevent insurance fraud risks.

“Being named among the Top 100 AI Products of 2024 is a significant achievement for us,” said Mr. Lei Zhang, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Cheche. “Our Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model exemplifies our dedication to revolutionizing the Insurtech landscape. We are focused on driving digital and intelligent innovation that empowers the insurance industry in China to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and effectiveness.”

The Tianmu Model employs an AI-based image recognition system that conducts deep analysis of extensive image datasets, evaluating the validity, authenticity, and uniqueness of images. This capability not only mitigates fraudulent risks such as duplicate claims but also adapts to regional market characteristics, tailoring risk management solutions for local insurers.

In practice, the Tianmu Insurance Anti-Fraud and Risk Control Model can accurately identify potential insurance fraud risks, providing robust support for risk reduction to both automakers and insurers. This functionality helps lower operational risks within the insurance industry while contributes to enhancing overall competitiveness.

“As Cheche continues its mission to lead in Insurtech innovation, this recognition reinforces our position as a key player in transforming the insurance landscape through advanced technology,” said Mr. Lei Zhang.

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About Cheche Group Inc.

Established in 2014 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Cheche is a leading auto insurance technology platform with a nationwide network of around 108 branches licensed to distribute insurance policies across 25 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. Capitalizing on its leading position in auto insurance transaction services, Cheche has evolved into a comprehensive, data-driven technology platform that offers a full suite of services and products for digital insurance transactions and insurance SaaS solutions in China. Learn more at https://www.chechegroup.com/en.

About Internet Weekly

Internet Weekly, founded in 1998 and supervised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is one of the most successful mainstream business magazines in China’s internet and IT industries. With its in-depth reporting and professional analysis, it provides business leaders and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge development trends and technological innovations. Learn more at http://51www.ciweek.com/.

Cheche Group Inc.:
IR@chechegroup.com

Crocker Coulson
crocker.coulson@aummedia.org
(646) 652-7185