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16 Years of PT SMI, Driving Growth Through Impactful Development

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (“Persero”) (“PT SMI”) continues to maintain its existence to provide impacts through support for equitable development throughout Indonesia. PT SMI was born out of the urgency to accelerate infrastructure development, which is sometimes hindered by financing issues. Now, at its 16th anniversary, PT SMI is ready to take on a bigger role to provide a more optimal impact in accelerating development.

Management and employees of PT SMI celebrated the company's 16th anniversary with the theme
Management and employees of PT SMI celebrated the company’s 16th anniversary with the theme “Delivering Development through Resilience”.

In his speech at the 16th anniversary celebration of PT SMI with employees, the President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, mentioned that there is a spirit of perseverance that the Company is promoting this year. “On our 16th anniversary on February 26, 2025, PT SMI carries the theme ‘Delivering Development through Resilience’. These words are not just a slogan, but a philosophy that will accompany the Company’s business and operational activities. This philosophy focuses on how PT SMI will deploy all its capabilities, continuously innovate to deliver equitable development. However, in this context, “resilience” encompasses the ability to face and rise from difficulties, failures, pressures, and the ability to adapt to existing challenges,” said Reynaldi.

“Resilience” itself is one of the 6 corporate values of PT SMI, which has indeed been integrated into the very essence of all PT SMI employees, commonly known as SMIers. Other corporate values of the company include “Integrity”, “Service Excellence”, “Partnership”, “Trust” and also “Innovation”. SMIers are expected to embody the spirit of resilience to contribute to long-term national development in order to build a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Since its establishment on February 26, 2009, PT SMI has played a central role as a Special Mission Vehicle (SMV) under the Ministry of Finance. PT SMI is able to provide alternative solutions for infrastructure development financing through innovative loan products. PT SMI has become a catalyst for infrastructure development in Indonesia while also addressing the Market Mismatch in Financing and Project Readiness in the infrastructure sector.

PT SMI has grown very rapidly since its first financing in the irrigation sector amounting to IDR 248 billion. The Company has recorded active financing commitments until December 2024 amounting to Rp 148.9 trillion and an outstanding amount of Rp 96.3 trillion. The total project value from PT SMI’s financing reached Rp 1,153 trillion. From the total project financing, PT SMI has generated a multiplier effect of 7.75 times against the total commitment, and 37.79 times against the paid-up capital.

The three largest sectors financed by PT SMI are the road and toll road sector, the electricity sector, and the transportation sector. PT SMI’s financing in the road sector has resulted in 4,511 kilometers of toll roads. Meanwhile, in the electricity sector, PT SMI helped increase electricity production by 7.7 Gigawatts, lighting up 5.9 million households. In the transportation sector, the output and outcome of PT SMI’s financing are more diverse depending on the mode being financed. For example, PT SMI helped finance the construction of 646 train carriages and 242.1 kilometers of railway. This increased the number of passengers by 109.6 million people per year.

“In its support for domestic projects, PT SMI has recorded several achievements in financing various sectors, including the connectivity sector and the renewable energy sector. The top 3 sectors financed by PT SMI, have generated impact on economic output amounting to Rp 1,696.5 trillion,” explained Reynaldi.

Since 2016, PT SMI has also become a strategic partner of the Regional Government through regional loan facilities. As of December 2024, PT SMI has disbursed regional loans amounting to IDR 36.66 trillion in the form of commitments, and IDR 21.19 trillion outstanding. Some examples of projects that received regional loan support from PT SMI include road construction in Tabalong Regency, the Konaweha Bridge in Kolaka Regency, the Bersehati Market in Manado City, the Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) in Solok Regency, the NTB Provincial RSUD, the Teratai Tower in Banyumas Regency, and the RSUD in Bangli Regency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, PT SMI also assisted the Government in performing a countercyclical role by distributing National Economic Recovery (PEN) loans to Regional Governments and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). The PEN loans disbursed provided a positive contribution by mitigating economic contraction, encouraging national economic growth, increasing household income, and creating jobs.

To further accelerate public financing, PT SMI is now in the early stages of transforming into Development Finance Institution (DFI). “We recognize the importance of regional loans to drive development, as well as the increasing need for public services. As a DFI, PT SMI will not only focus on financing large-scale infrastructure projects but also strengthen support for local governments to align economic growth and inclusive development. PT SMI will function like a “Mini World Bank” that more actively provides access to financing, but not at the national level, rather to local governments, with the aim of generating a greater impact on the economy and society in the regions,” said Reynaldi.

One of the pillars in realizing transformation process as a DFI is by establishing SMI Institute (SMII) in 2023. The presence of SMII is utilized to conduct studies in the regions related to the sectors needed, regional clustering studies based on socio-economic conditions and the fiscal capacity of the regions, as well as the socio-economic impact of the programs that will be funded by PT SMI. In the end, PT SMI’s public financing programs will become more targeted and focused on the sectors that were indeed needed by the local governments in Indonesia.

PT SMI also plays a strategic role in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving net zero carbon. By focusing on research-based soft loans and aligning activities with the principles of People, Planet, Profit, and Prosperity, PT SMI aims to maximize its impact on sustainable development.

The momentum of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022 also serves as an opportunity for PT SMI to demonstrate its capability in supporting the government to address global challenges, particularly the impact of climate change. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Finance, has appointed PT SMI as the Country Platform Manager to oversee the transition from fossil energy to environmentally friendly energy.

The Indonesia ETM Country Platform will mobilize funding support from international partners, including multilateral, bilateral, philanthropic, and private sector entities, to facilitate the government in preparing energy transition investment plans and climate investment funding to accelerate the operational period of fossil fuel energy sources, specifically coal-fired power plants (PLTU). Until now, PT SMI has received support from 18 partners, which consist of grant partners, financing partners, knowledge & technical partners, and investment partners.

Since 2018, PT SMI has stopped financing fossil fuel power plant projects and shifted its focus to renewable energy power plants such as hydro, mini-hydro, solar, geothermal, biomass, and wind power plants. As of December 2024, PT SMI has financed 94 climate-related projects with a cumulative commitment of IDR 33.45 trillion and project value of IDR 174.8 trillion. 49 projects have been calculated and resulted in a potential avoided Greenhouse Gas of 6.8 million tons of CO2e and a potential Carbon Credit Equivalent of 25 million USD.

PT SMI also manages the SDG Indonesia One (SIO) platform, which is a platform that supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This platform combines public and private funds through blended finance to be allocated for infrastructure projects related to the SDGs. This blended finance scheme has successfully supported several strategic projects, including the Jawa-1 Gas-Fired Power Plant (PLTGU) project and support for the Tembesi Solar Power Plant (PLTS), which is the second-largest floating solar power plant in Indonesia with a capacity of 46 MWp.

Happy 16th Anniversary PT SMI. May we continue to ignite the spirit of building the nation.

About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”)

PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (“Persero”) (“PT SMI”), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Project Development and Advisory Services.

PT SMI has various functions and unique products / features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme, involving various financial institutions both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products.

CoinW Elevates Security Standards and Unveils High-Yield Crypto Earnings

HONG KONG, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In the wake of the recent industrial security breach, which exposed vulnerabilities in centralized exchange UI frameworks, CoinW is taking a bold stance to fortify its platform’s defenses. As a testament to its unwavering commitment to user security, CoinW has introduced a series of enhanced security measures, complemented by the launch of the Security Week Earn Campaign, where users can earn up to 50% APY on ETH, BTC, and USDT deposits while reinforcing trust in exchange security.

CoinW Elevates Security Standards and Unveils High-Yield Crypto Earnings
CoinW Elevates Security Standards and Unveils High-Yield Crypto Earnings

Stronger Security with FIM Technology 

To proactively counteract unauthorized UI modifications and system intrusions, CoinW has integrated File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) technology, an advanced defense mechanism that continuously scans and safeguards critical system files and UI frameworks in real time. This innovation ensures that any unauthorized change is instantly detected and swiftly mitigated, preventing potential exploits. 

Key security reinforcements include: 

  • Unparalleled Asset Protection: With a multi-layered security framework, CoinW ensures the highest level of asset safety through cold-hot wallet separation, multi-signature authentication, MFA, and a stringent asset isolation policy. 
  • FIM Technology Deployment: Proactive and real-time UI integrity monitoring to pre-empt unauthorized changes and mitigate security threats. 
  • Swift Incident Response: An optimized monitoring and emergency resolution framework that promptly detects anomalies while maintaining seamless user communication. 

Additionally, CipherBC’s latest breakthrough, Flexify 1.3.0, is redefining enterprise-level crypto wallet security and liquidity management. By integrating customizable transfer limits, real-time push notifications for asset movements, and seamless DApp connectivity, this cutting-edge update enhances both security and liquidity oversight, empowering businesses with unprecedented control over their digital assets in the evolving DeFi landscape.

Security Week Earn Campaign: Unlock High-Yield Rewards 

To celebrate these critical security advancements, CoinW proudly presents the #W Security Earn Week campaign, a unique opportunity for users to enhance their earnings while enjoying top-tier security protocols. 

Campaign Details (February 24, 14:00 – March 11, 15:59 UTC

  • Invite Friends & Earn Exclusive 3% APY Boost Vouchers 

Encourage friends to register and deposit at least 0.03 ETH—both inviter and invitee will receive a 3% APY boost voucher. Limited to 3,000 vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis! 

  • Referral Rewards: Share up to 10,000 USDT 

Earn 0.1% of your referrals’ ETH Earn subscriptions, up to 10 USDT per referral, with no cap on invitations! 

  • Earn Up to 50% APY on ETH, BTC, and USDT- Take advantage of CoinW’s exclusive high-yield staking options. 

CoinW: Merging Security with Profitability 

CoinW’s rapid implementation of FIM technology marks a significant leap forward in safeguarding user assets. Simultaneously, the Security Week Earn Campaign not only rewards users but also encourages secure trading.

Take charge of your crypto assets with CoinW—where security meets opportunity. 

Join us today, invite your friends, and enjoy unparalleled earnings under the highest security standards in the industry. 

About CoinW 

CoinW is a globally recognized cryptocurrency exchange known for its secure, user-friendly platform and innovative trading products. Operating in over 200 countries and regions, CoinW remains committed to empowering the crypto community with advanced tools and accessible trading experiences. 

Website: https://www.coinw.com/ 

Twitter Official: https://twitter.com/CoinWOfficial 

Telegram: https://t.me/coinwoff 

YouTube Official: https://www.youtube.com/@CoinWOfficial 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coinwofficial/ 

 

Budget by Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unveiled his 2025-26 Budget today (February 26). He noted that while geopolitical situation might bring risks, technology reform and artificial intelligence (AI) development are remoulding the global landscape, leading to the emergence of new industries, new forms of business, new products and new services. He stressed that Hong Kong must seize the opportunity to make the most out of this critical window to speed up development, establishing the new before abolishing the old. He also emphasised that transformation and innovation will lead the way into the future, and the Government is poised to fast-track the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s economy.

The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces. On innovation and technology (I&T), the Government will promote Hong Kong into an international exchange and co-operation hub for the AI industry. Through frontier research and real-world application, the Government will endeavour to develop AI as a core industry and empower traditional industries in their upgrading and transformation. To spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative research and development as well as industrial application of AI, the Government will establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute and launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme (Manufacturing+). On finance, the Government will continue to take forward reforms to the listing regime, host the Hong Kong Global Financial and Industry Summit, and formulate a plan this year on promoting gold market development.

Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the 2025-26 Budget in the Legislative Council.
Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the 2025-26 Budget in the Legislative Council.

To seize the opportunities brought about by the rapid advancement of innovation and technology, the Budget highlights the need to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, which is an investment in Hong Kong’s future. The Government will continue to accord priority to providing resources for this initiative, which primarily includes providing large tracts of I&T land at the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, together with San Tin Technopole; adopting an innovative mindset in piloting “large-scale land disposal”; developing a data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge; as well as identifying suitable sites in the Northern Metropolis for the construction of conference and exhibition facilities.

On the promotion of tourism, funding will be allocated to pursue the concept of “tourism is everywhere” and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0. A study will be conducted on the development of the waterfront and former sites to the south of the Hung Hom Station in Kowloon into a new harbourfront landmark in Kowloon, including a yacht club.

Regarding land supply, Mr Chan announced that the Government will not roll out any commercial site for sale in the coming year in view of the high vacancy rates of offices in recent years to allow the market to absorb the existing supply. The Government will also consider rezoning some of the commercial sites into residential use and allowing greater flexibility of land use.

The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces.
The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces.

Mr Chan proposed a reinforced version of the fiscal consolidation programme to focus on strictly controlling government expenditure, supplemented by increasing revenue, to restore fiscal balance in the Operating Account, in a planned and progressive manner, within the current term of the Government. The Government will also deliver more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology, streamlining processes and driving the digital transformation of public services. Mr Chan said he will uphold the “user pays” and the “affordable users pay” principles as far as practicable while increasing revenue, including increasing the air passenger departure tax, and reviewing the tolls of government tunnels and trunk roads. The Government will suitably expand the size of bond issuance on the premise of maintaining healthy public finances and use the funds raised on infrastructure works in a proper and flexible manner to invest in Hong Kong’s future and create value for society.

More information about the 2025-26 Budget is available from www.budget.gov.hk.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #budget





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

OMO Partners With Saudi Henna Artists to Educate Women on Female Stain Removal

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New research from Omo reveals that whilst 63% of women in Saudi Arabia believe the attitude towards menstruation has positively changed across generations, it remains a taboo topic for 72% of women who believe that period care and stains still cannot be openly discussed.

 

The three henna designs follow the three-step process for effectively removing period stains: soften with cold water, wash with OMO, rinse in cold water.
The three henna designs follow the three-step process for effectively removing period stains: soften with cold water, wash with OMO, rinse in cold water.

 

This absence of conversation can lead to a lack of knowledge and misinformation around how to effectively manage period stains. According to the research 70% of women have thrown away clothes or bed sheets due to period stains that could not be removed.

Understanding the need for a safe and comfortable space for women to be confident enough to have open discussions and share experiences, OMO has launched an innovative education campaign to bring period care to the heart of Saudi Arabia’s female traditions: henna and beauty salons. These spaces are more than just places for self-care; they serve as sacred havens where women share personal stories, seek advice, and discuss life’s most intimate topics.

By partnering with henna artists to weave essential period care tips into their beautifully intricate designs, Omo aims to educate and empower women to be open about their periods. The washing instructions and stain-removal techniques are skillfully embedded directly into traditional henna artwork to transform women’s hands into a creative canvas for communication, turning tradition into a powerful vehicle for education and empowerment.

Sarah Qazi, Arabia Home Care Business Lead, Unilever commented: “Every great idea is not just relatable but solves a problem. And this idea was no different. The challenge was to reach the millions of women who experience periods every single day and address the lack of conversation and knowledge around period care. We knew we needed a medium that felt organic, familiar, and deeply personal. That’s when we looked at henna, not just as an art form, but as a storytelling tradition that has existed for generations.”

OMO’s strong formulation enriched with enzymes targets tough stains like blood and removes them effectively. The three henna designs follow the three-step process for effectively removing period stains: soften with cold water, wash with OMO, rinse in cold water.

As part of its commitment to breaking period taboos, OMO pledges to educate Saudi women by providing custom-made henna design kits for artists across the country. The kits are also downloadable at https://www.unileverdigital.com/arabia/omo-art-of-stains/index.html.

Join the movement as OMO turns tradition into transformation.

High-res images can be viewed here

 

 

Cushman & Wakefield responses to the Budget 2025/26

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2025 –

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by KK Chiu, International Director, Chief Executive, Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield:

Large-scale land disposal for Northern Metropolis

We are pleased to see the government continue to facilitate the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and optimize the industrial and spatial layout. We believe that

the “large-scale land disposal” model can accelerate the completion of residential, industrial, and public facilities. The Development Bureau estimates that the engineering costs for each district will be from HK$10 billion to HK$20 billion. Compared to traditional models, the “large-scale land disposal” model can save more than HK$1 billion in public funds.

Historically, construction costs in Hong Kong are two to three times higher than in neighbouring locations such as Shenzhen. We recommend that the government can reduce costs by introducing foreign labor, similar to the approach taken by the Singaporean government, and to plan effective transportation. connections to enhance investor confidence and attract more developers for sustainable growth.

Compared to traditional land sale models, the large-scale land disposal model features a larger scale, longer development period, and extended payback time. This approach shifts high upfront costs and risks to developers, testing their financial sustainability and capacity to manage these burdens. However, during land levelling, developers can also plan and design, which compresses project timelines and increases their autonomy in design and construction. This flexibility enables them to respond effectively to market demands and create diverse residential or commercial projects.

We recommend that the government effectively plan and utilize transportation facilities in new development areas and those connecting to external regions, such as the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the planned Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway. Enhancing transportation connectivity will improve convenience, boost investor confidence, attract more developers, and ensure the district’s sustainability.

The government’s plan to prepare land for approximately 80,000 private housing units over the next five years

We are pleased to see the proactive efforts by the government to stabilize future private housing supply. However, since more than 65% of the new land will come from new development areas, such as the Northern Metropolis and Tung Chung, it is crucial to prioritize infrastructure development.

We recommend the government to ensure that infrastructure facilities are in place in these areas before the residential projects are completed, to avoid inconvenience for residents upon moving in.

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by John Siu, Managing Director, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield:

Development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge

We urge the government to announce the development details of the data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge as soon as possible, simplify the land approval process, and offer favorable terms to attract developers and data center operators to set up operations in the area.

Rezoning Some Commercial Sites

We are pleased to see the government temporarily suspend the sale of commercial land parcels, allowing the market to gradually absorb current vacant space and new projects under construction. We suggest that the government regularly review market conditions for a well-timed restart to the sale of commercial land parcels.

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by KB Wong, Executive Director, Head of Valuation and Advisory Services, Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

The government stated that there will be eight residential sites for sale next year, which can help maintain a stable land supply. We suggest that the government make development conditions in the tender document as clear as possible and avoid putting excessive obligations on the developers as to provision of social or similar facilities, in order to invigorate market activity and to attract more small and medium-sized developers and new entrants to participate in the bidding.

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by Rosanna Tang, Executive Director, Head of Research, Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

We are pleased to see the government’s emphasis on attracting high-caliber talent and students, and that initiatives such as the Northern Metropolis University Town and the Belt and Road Scholarship will play a crucial role in attracting diverse global talent and students to Hong Kong in the long term. This influx will bolster demand in the local rental apartment sector and stimulate growth in the residential leasing market.

However, there is currently a significant shortage of student accommodation in the market. Our latest estimates indicate that, on average, three university students are competing for a single bed across Hong Kong, with projected future demand for student beds potentially exceeding 50,000. This shortage has led some students who are unable to secure dormitory housing to seek alternative arrangements in private residential units.

Therefore, we welcome the government’s consideration of rezoning certain commercial sites for residential use. Additionally, we recommend that the government consider permitting the conversion of existing suitable commercial buildings and hotels into student accommodation, and to advocate for the removal of barriers and relaxation of restrictions in the approval process, thereby providing greater flexibility in land use. We anticipate that these measures will increase housing options, alleviate rental pressures, and effectively address the challenges associated with the student bed supply and demand situation.

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by Edgar Lai, Senior Director, Valuation and Consultancy Services, Hong Kong, Cushman & Wakefield:

We applaud the government’s decision to raise the maximum value of properties chargeable to stamp duty of $100 from HK$3 million to HK$4 million. This adjustment should attract a larger pool of buyers and investors to the market, consequently expediting transactions for small and medium-sized properties. As per data from the Land Registry, in 2024, there were 7,623 residential transactions valued between HK$3 million and HK$4 million, constituting approximately 14% of total residential transactions. We anticipate that this modification will invigorate the property exchange chain, surpassing the government’s estimated 15% and potentially reaching 20% in the number of property transactions benefiting from this initiative.

Response to the Budget 2025/2026 by Tom Ko, Executive Director, Head of Capital Markets, Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

The Government has stated that it will introduce a series of optimization measures under the “New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.” We look forward to the Government announcing the details as soon as possible.

We urge the government to lower the investment threshold for residential properties to HKD10 million and to remove the cap on property investments. This will attract small and medium-sized investors, enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international financial center and drawing more talent and capital.

Click here for high-res pictures

Hashtag: #CushmanandWakefield

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

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2023, the firm reported revenue of $9.5 billion across its core services of valuation, consulting, project & development services, capital markets, project & occupier services, industrial & logistics, retail and others. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability and more. For additional information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn ().

Yardi Acquires Visual Media Technology Company LCP Media

Evolved partnership brings innovative services to multifamily clients

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Yardi® has acquired LCP Media, a visual media technology company that creates virtual tours, photography and other media for the rental housing industry. The partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to marketing technology innovations, with LCP bringing visual media expertise to the Yardi multifamily suite of offerings.

Yardi has acquired LCP Media, a visual media technology company that creates virtual tours, photography and other media for the rental housing industry.
Yardi has acquired LCP Media, a visual media technology company that creates virtual tours, photography and other media for the rental housing industry.

LCP Media’s skills, creativity and cutting-edge technology will provide tremendous benefit to multifamily clients with RentCafe® websites. The implementation of LCP Media’s visual media services across websites and apartment listings will greatly enhance the renter experience while saving time for marketing and leasing teams.  

“We’re excited to share that LCP Media has been acquired by Yardi,” said Wojciech Kalembasa, CEO of LCP Media. “This collaboration means greater resources, enhanced innovation and a continued focus on improving the client and resident experience. Together, we’re well positioned to help our clients achieve their leasing and marketing goals. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead and remain dedicated to delivering the best digital tools and technology in the industry.”

With the acquisition, Yardi and LCP Media can provide more comprehensive and integrated functionality surrounding digital media, allowing clients to better showcase their communities.

“Yardi looks forward to growing our marketing services alongside LCP Media,” shared Esther Bonardi, vice president at Yardi, representing REACH by RentCafe. “This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to helping renters find their next home and properties find their next renter — advancing our solutions to make that journey easier and more efficient.”

Ready to learn more about the partnership and its benefits for multifamily providers? Get in touch.

About LCP Media
LCP Media (Lights Camera Pixels) is a national visual media and digital marketing technology company. We provide a full menu of content and services, including our innovative TourBuilder virtual tours, professional and drone photography, 3D renderings, video animations, virtual staging and floor plans. LCP Media is a forward-thinking leader in creating unforgettable virtual real estate experiences by combining exceptional technology solutions with our dedicated customer service.

Simply put, we deliver an unreal experience from start to finish. So real, it’s Unreal! For more information, please visit LCPMedia.com.

Raymond James acted as financial adviser to LCP Media in connection with the transaction.

About Yardi 
Yardi® develops industry-leading software for all types and sizes of real estate companies across the world. With over 9,500 employees, Yardi is working with our clients to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com

Bybit and Solana Summit’s Livestreams Cites Community Power and SVM Use Cases as Ultimate Growth Catalysts in 2025

Exclusive Livestreams Unpacked Infinite Liquidity and DeFi’s Next Wave

DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit Web3 , the Web3 division of Bybit, proudly served as the exclusive livestream partner for Solana Summit 2025. This collaboration marked a significant milestone for Bybit, which had previously been Solana’s first-ever ecosystem livestream partner. Years later, Bybit reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Web3 by amplifying one of the most highly anticipated blockchain events of the year.

Bybit Web3 exclusively broadcasted two key panel discussions, featuring Stephy Shi, Head of Operations at Bybit Web3, as a panelist. The event brought together leading voices in blockchain and Web3. The Memecoins & Infinite Liquidity panel revealed that financial incentives alone are no longer enough to build sustainable communities – successful projects now focus on giving their communities a voice in governance and decision-making. Meanwhile, the SVM Round Table tackled Solana’s scalability challenges, with industry experts agreeing that as Solana adoption grows, SVM-powered dApps will be critical in solving congestion and enabling seamless trading experiences.

Memecoins: Beyond Financial Rewards – The Power of Community

The Memecoins & Infinite Liquidity panel explored how memecoins have evolved from simple speculative assets to community-driven movements with strong cultural significance. While financial incentives like airdrops and staking still play a role, industry leaders agreed that long-term success depends on giving communities a real voice and influence.

Christina, Core Contributor at MEW, emphasized that projects must make their early supporters feel like part of the journey. “The key point for us to build community is to make our early supporters be part of this. We really make them make decisions, like from merch making to the offline meetings, events, and the corporation brand.”

Similarly, Nom, CEO of Bonk, highlighted that the strongest memecoins today are those that foster deep community connections. “The strongest memecoins today aren’t the ones with the biggest airdrops — they’re the ones where people feel like they truly belong.”

Bybit Web3’s Stephy Shi reinforced this point, explaining that true engagement goes beyond just giveaways. “We keep thinking about how to engage the community because a lot of projects probably just do an airdrop. But how can we actually truly involve the community? So for us, what we do is we actually try to empower the community.”

The panel made it clear: memecoins thrive not because of financial incentives alone, but because of the emotional and cultural bonds they create. Projects that involve their communities in branding, governance, and decision-making are far more likely to succeed.

Solana’s Growth: How SVM-Powered dApps Can Solve Congestion

The SVM Round Table tackled one of Solana’s biggest challenges – scalability. With its fast and low-cost transactions, Solana has become a hub for DeFi, memecoins, and high-frequency trading. However, during peak activity, congestion can slow down transactions and disrupt user experience.

Panelists debated whether Solana needs Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions or if improvements to its existing infrastructure would be enough.

Jason, Co-Founder of Solayer, pointed out that congestion became a real problem during the recent memecoin trading surge: “During the meme coin trade season, users could see not only Solana’s high trading volume but also encountered issues. For example, some transactions were not getting confirmed.”

Chris, CEO of SONIC, explained that as Solana’s ecosystem expands, the need for SVM-powered applications will grow. “When we build a rollup for the chain extension ecosystem, we think about verticalizing the operations to focus on distribution and the ecosystem that’s always needed for all of the applications on top of Solana. And as application numbers grow, you actually have more needs for very verticalized operations and distribution.”

For traders, these issues have direct consequences. Bybit Web3’s Stephy Shi shared how congestion impacts users in real-time. “Everyone traded on-chain, traded Solana on the weekend, right? Crazy weekend. I think probably a lot of people also have problems during the weekend to successfully execute a trade because of congestion. That’s a typical case study because users would only notice that they will need a faster, better execution layer only once they could not actually execute a trade.”

The discussion highlighted that as Solana scales, SVM-powered dApps will play a critical role in reducing congestion, improving transaction speeds, and ensuring a seamless trading experience for users.

Bybit Web3: Powering the Next Wave of Web3 Innovation

With DeFi, AI, and blockchain gaming shaping the digital economy, 2025 marks a pivotal year for Web3 adoption. Solana Summit 2025 provided an in-depth look at the evolving landscape, and Bybit Web3’s role as the exclusive livestream partner showcased its commitment to expanding decentralized finance and empowering global blockchain communities.

As the Solana ecosystem continues to grow, Bybit Web3 remains at the forefront – bridging users, developers, and liquidity into the future of Web3 and decentralized trading.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitWeb3

About Bybit Web3
Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over 130 million wallet addresses across over 30 major ecosystem partners, and counting. 

Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, trusted by over 60 million users globally.

Join the revolution now and open the door to your Web3 future with Bybit.
For more details about Bybit Web3, please visit Bybit Web3.

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
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SquaredFinancial leads the way with outstanding growth, market expansion, and top industry talent in 2024

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SquaredFinancial, a global leader in fintech and trading solutions, is proud to announce another year of record-breaking performance, marked by significant profit growth, rapid client growth, and top-tier leadership hires.

SquaredFinancial leads the way with outstanding growth, market expansion, and top industry talent in 2024
SquaredFinancial leads the way with outstanding growth, market expansion, and top industry talent in 2024

Although 2024 was a challenging year for global markets, SquaredFinancial capitalized on opportunities to support traders and investors worldwide. The company recorded a 66.46% increase in PnL and a 45.65% surge in new accounts, underscoring its position as a reliable financial partner.

As part of its commitment to excellence and innovation, SquaredFinancial continued to welcome top industry executives and financial experts. These strategic hires bring unmatched know-how, rooting the company’s position in the fintech fabric.

“Attracting the best talent in the industry stands at the core of our strategy”, said Philippe Ghanem, Founder and CEO of SquaredFinancial. “By bringing in high-calibre professionals, we continue to elevate our capabilities, ensuring our clients receive the most innovative and steadfast financial solutions.”

SquaredFinancial owes its success to its dedication to cutting-edge technology and delivering to its clients a seamless trading experience. Over the past year, the company has introduced enhanced trading conditions with more competitive pricing and increased leverage, giving traders greater flexibility to seize market opportunities. Additionally, it upgraded its proprietary mobile app, “SquaredFinancial”, with a focus on user experience, cross-channel integration, and major system enhancements. It also expanded its product offerings with advanced solutions, catering to both retail and institutional investors.

Looking ahead to 2025, SquaredFinancial envisions strategic plans to tailor new financial products that cater for traders’ evolving needs. It aims to expand its presences globally, conquering new markets, and further develop AI-driven trading tools to enhance clients’ efficiency.

About SquaredFinancial

SquaredFinancial is a well-capitalized FinTech firm founded in 2005. It aims to become a one-stop shop that meets investors’ financial needs. With around two decades of experience in financial technology and trading, it offers global solutions to traders of different generations and backgrounds, who are looking for an intuitive and sophisticated investment gateway. It is led by market experts and leadership veterans who share a passion for trading and a vision to reshape the industry landscape. As a regulated firm, it provides investors with an online platform backed by cutting-edge technology that offers the opportunity to trade a wide range of instruments from different asset classes. SquaredFinancial has recently launched its proprietary mobile trading app and its innovative fixed-time deposit account.