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Revolutionizing SQL Optimization: SQLFlash Launches Globally This Week

HONG KONG, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This Monday marks the global launch of SQLFlash, an AI-powered SQL optimization tool designed to help developers and database administrators tackle one of their biggest challenges: slow queries. By leveraging smart analysis and optimization, our product rewrites inefficient SQL statements, provides actionable index recommendations, and visualizes execution plans in an intuitive tree format—all automatically.

Key Features of SQLFlash:

  • AI-Driven Query Optimization: Rewrites slow SQL queries for improved performance.
  • Actionable Index Recommendations: Offers targeted suggestions to speed up your database.
  • Execution Plan Visualization: Displays execution plans in an intuitive tree format for easy understanding.
  • Multi-Database Support: Compatible with MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and ORM-generated queries from frameworks like MyBatis and Hibernate.
  • Non-Invasive Design: Ensures sensitive data never leaves your system.

Built for Developers and Database Administrators

Unlike traditional tools, SQLFlash is praised for its ease of use and educational value. “It’s like having a personal SQL tutor,” says one early adopter. With performance improvements averaging over 50%, SQLFlash is already being called a game-changer in database management.

Launch Offer

To celebrate its launch, SQLFlash is offering the first 100 registrants free access to its enterprise-grade features. Whether you’re optimizing simple queries or tackling complex SQL challenges, SQLFlash promises to save time, reduce costs, and enhance your skills.

Get Started Today

Experience the future of SQL optimization. Visit SQLFlash to claim your free access and revolutionize your database management workflow.

Visit SQLFlash now! 
The first 100 registrants can get one month of free membership:
https://sqlflash.chatdba.com/?utm_source=partner_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=productannouncement&utm_content=visit_link

CONTACT: service.sqlflash@chatdba.com

Aspire launches Visa Corporate Card for Hong Kong Small Businesses

Aspire collaborates with Visa to streamline business finance for 360,000 small businesses in Hong Kong.


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 February 2025 – Aspire, a leading fintech headquartered in Singapore, has announced the launch of its Visa corporate card tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses in Hong Kong. By providing access to powerful, user-friendly financial tools, Aspire and Visa are setting the stage for a new era of growth and efficiency in Hong Kong’s business landscape.

Aspire Launches Visa Corporate Card for Hong Kong Small Businesses
Aspire Launches Visa Corporate Card for Hong Kong Small Businesses

Hong Kong’s SMBs, the backbone of its economy, often struggle with limited access to financial tools like corporate cards. Many Hong Kong business owners rely on personal accounts due to low limits, high fees, and poor expense visibility. Aspire’s new Visa card solves this by providing a user-friendly, cost-effective solution.

As growth remains the top priority for SMBs, nearly 79% are focused on expanding through cross-border transactions. Aspire’s Visa card empowers Hong Kong SMBs to thrive in the modern global economy by offering access to multi-currency and seamless cross-border payments. By combining Aspire’s innovative technology with Visa’s global network, businesses can manage their funds with one account, ensuring reliable, secure, and fast transactions that are widely accepted worldwide.

“Our partnership with Visa represents a significant leap forward in our mission to empower entrepreneurs and SMBs across the world,” said Andrea Baronchelli, Co-founder and CEO of Aspire. “This collaboration with Visa will enable businesses to grow, move money effortlessly across borders, and expand with confidence.”

“By bringing Visa’s global network together with Aspire’s all-in-one financial platform, the Aspire Visa corporate card offers a comprehensive financial solution for SMBs to thrive in today’s dynamic and interconnected business environment,” said Paulina Leong, General Manager of Visa Hong Kong and Macau. “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to equipping SMBs with world-class payment methods that will help drive Hong Kong’s digital economy forward.”

To celebrate the launch, all new clients who sign up at https://aspireapp.com/hk/lp/cashback-promo before February 28th will get 8% cash-back on the first HKD18,888 spend.

To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay!
Terms and conditions apply: https://hs.aspireapp.com/hk-jan-2025-card-cashback.
Hashtag: #Aspire


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

Aspire

is the all-in-one finance platform for modern businesses globally, helping over 50,000 companies save time and money with international payments, treasury, expense, payable, and receivable management solutions – accessible via a single, user-friendly account.

Headquartered in Singapore, Aspire has 600+ employees across nine countries, clients in 30+ markets and is backed by global top tier VCs, including Sequoia, Lightspeed, Y-Combinator, Tencent and Paypal. In 2023, Aspire closed an oversubscribed US$100M Series C round and announced that it has achieved profitability.

Hong Kong SMEs face rising business costs and rapidly evolving cyber risks, while AI is thought to significantly impact business productivity, finds QBE Hong Kong annual SME survey

  • Almost 60% of survey respondents say increased costs and reduced profitability is a challenge, with about half finding cash flow and access to funding a challenge.
  • To counter these issues, many continue to implement a wide range of measures, including the use of AI to support business productivity.
  • While AI is having a positive impact on Hong Kong SMEs, risks loom, with the proportion of respondents concerned about AI-associated threats increasing.
  • Fortunately, awareness of cyber risks is on the rise, as is the proportion of Hong Kong SMEs purchasing insurance as a means of protecting their businesses from these threats.

HONG KONG, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — QBE Insurance today announced the findings from this year’s QBE Hong Kong SME Survey. Conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, 600 decision-makers gave their views on a wide range of business risks and opportunities, including the impact of artificial intelligence and cyber risks, and their appetite for insurance digitalisation.

Notably, today’s business challenges are being felt by many more Hong Kong SMEs than in the past. The percentage of businesses experiencing increased costs and lower profitability dramatically rose from 40% last year to almost 60% this year. Similarly, about half are challenged with both talent and labour shortages, as well as financial issues such as cash flow shortfalls and limited access to funding, compared to 39% and 34% respectively last year. The proportion of respondents experiencing such challenges rose across eight different categories year-on-year.

Echoing these findings, the economic outlook for the next 12 months is less positive than a year ago. Some 64% of respondents believe this year will be better economically than the past 12 months, versus 70% last year. Among several drivers of this viewpoint, 74% of today’s SMEs are experiencing deteriorating investor and customer confidence, up from just 63% last year. Survey respondents are equally as pessimistic about the performance of their respective companies: in the 2024 survey, 70% of respondents believed sales during the ensuing year would be better, compared to 65% in this year’s edition.

“Despite today’s difficult conditions, businesses are rising to the challenge,” observed Andex Fung, Head of SME Segment, Asia at QBE. “Over the past few years, Hong Kong SMEs have become more resilient to the myriad of challenges ahead of them, and continue to roll out measures designed to meet these. Three-quarters of Hong Kong SMEs have taken cost control measures, while 45% of respondents have streamlined their operations, and 42% have diversified their offerings. We believe these actions underscore the ability of local businesses to respond and adapt.”

AI adopted in business productivity, despite looming cyber risks

Increasingly, Hong Kong SMEs are leveraging AI when it comes to business productivity. This year, 57% of respondents said they were using the technology, up from 55% 12 months ago. Despite this, 57% also don’t believe AI will replace jobs in their respective companies any time soon.

While SMEs are upbeat about the current and future trajectory of AI, they are also wary of the future risks the technology poses. Some 47% said it presents a threat to business activity, up from 31% last year. The top AI risks include privacy issues and loss of jobs, cited by 69% of respondents; with 52% of SMEs having security concerns. Regarding the likelihood of AI replacing human roles, the majority of respondents only expect to see this in three areas — customer service, human resources, and sales and marketing — but not until after 2031.

Awareness of cyber risks overall is notably on the rise. Over half of SMEs say they are now fully informed of these, with 43% saying they are somewhat informed, up from 48% and 41% respectively. Despite this, the proportion of businesses experiencing a cyber event rose from 30% in 2024 to 33% this year. This increase might be the result of Hong Kong SMEs retracting on cyber protection activities. This year’s survey saw a fall in the proportion of businesses using cyber security solutions and software (down from 62% to 60%), staff training (45% to 43%), and cyber resilience consultants (42% to 36%).

While businesses may be reducing investment in these areas, they are however spending in other areas. The percentage of Hong Kong SMEs hiring dedicated cyber security staff rose from 43% to 49% over the past year, while those purchasing cyber insurance also rose, from 39% to 43%. The top three drivers for purchasing coverage this year include paying for legal services, hiring security or forensics experts, and covering the costs associated data breaches.

Of the 62% of respondents who do not have any form of cyber insurance, 63% would consider purchasing it, while 11% would categorically not consider it. Potential reasons include cost; the fact that their business doesn’t store data; and the perceived low impact of such events on their businesses.

“It’s heartening to see Hong Kong SMEs heighten both their knowledge as well as protection measures against cyber-attacks. The interdependency across sectors and businesses makes such risks unavoidable and the increased awareness of local SMEs demonstrates the role insurers like us can play in furthering their know-how and supporting their risk management in the current cyber risk landscape,” added Mr. Fung.

Insurance digitalisation sees a shift back towards offline channels

When purchasing insurance, whether cyber or any other form of coverage, customers prefer an experience that combines in-person and digital touchpoints. Overall, 68% of Hong Kong SMEs prefer offline channels (2024: 57%), versus 32% who prefer online (2024: 43%).

85% of SMEs prefer an insurance package tailored to their unique needs, covering multiple business risks, while 15% want individual products that cover specific business risks. “Although SMEs’ preference for online insurance channels has declined, our survey shows that a higher percentage of SMEs are using digital platforms for key touchpoints such as research, payment, inquiries, and claims,” noted Lei Yu, CEO for North Asia.

A notable finding from this year’s survey is a shift away from online towards offline channels, with a decline in preference for both online aggregators (2025: 16%; 2024: 22%) and direct online platforms (2025: 16%; 2024: 21%). While reliance on offline, in-person channels among brokers (2025: 30%; 2024: 22%) and banks (2025: 18% ; 2024: 14%) is up 8% and 4% respectively.

“Through a combination of various digital initiatives, combined with the high servicing levels of our intermediaries, we offer an omnichannel purchasing experience that leverages the best of both worlds — creating a highly personalised buying experience that enables customers to acquire holistic insurance solutions that meets their unique needs,” said Ms. Yu.

Appendix: Hong Kong SAR-Singapore SME survey: Business outlook summary

For results of a similar survey conducted with Singapore SMEs, please visit this link.

2025 vs. 2024 results

Hong Kong SAR

Singapore

Top 5 business challenges

(2025: 2024)

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (59% : 40%)

2)      Staff acquisition and retention / labour shortage (50% : 39%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (49% : 34%)

4)      Economic uncertainty and financial resilience / economic downturn (47% : 30%)

5)      Shortage of orders / business decline / closing down (46% : 33%)

 

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (66% : 50%)

2)      Sales growth / reduced customer spending (56% : 40%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (51% : 36%)

4)      Growing the business (50% : 36%)

5)      Increasing competition (50% : 39%)

Top 5 business concerns

(2025: 2024)

1)      Cost of running the business (46% : 35%)

2)      Possible economic downturns in Hong Kong or other countries (41% : 27%)

3)      Long-term profitability (39% : 30%)

4)      Shifting to a sustainable business model (39% : 30%)

5)      Consolidating services (39% : 33%)

1)      Cost of running the business (62% : 39%)

2)      Getting new customers / keeping customers (55% : 37%)

3)      Long-term profitability (53% : 34%)

4)      Cost of staff (48% : 33%)

5)      Possible economic downturns in Singapore or other countries (48% : 29%)

Business outlook

(2025 : 2024)

Economic confidence

•         Better (64% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (19% : 14%)

•         Worse (17% : 16%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (65% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (21% : 20%)

•         Decrease (14% : 10%)

Economic confidence

•         Better (52% : 60%)

•         Unchanged (26% : 22%)

•         Worse (22% : 18%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (55% : 62%)

•         Unchanged (29% : 25%)

•         Decrease (17% : 13%)

About QBE Hong Kong

QBE Hong Kong is part of QBE Insurance Group and has been serving Hong Kong for more than a century. Today, QBE Hong Kong operations include QBE Hongkong & Shanghai Insurance Limited, QBE General Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited, and QBE Mortgage Insurance (Asia) Limited. As a leading general insurer, QBE Hong Kong provides a comprehensive range of non-life insurance solutions for both business and personal customers. QBE Hong Kong operates through an extensive network of professional insurance agents and brokers.

To learn more about QBE Hong Kong, please visit www.qbe.com/hk

Singapore SMEs expect to face multiple business challenges in 2025, with over half expecting AI to significantly impact business productivity, finds QBE Singapore annual SME survey

  • Two-thirds of survey respondents say increased costs and reduced profitability is a challenge, with over half seeing reduced customer spending and financial challenges.
  • To meet these issues, most are rolling out a variety of measures, including the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster business productivity.
  • While AI is having a positive impact, risks loom, say one-third of respondents. Exacerbating these concerns, Singapore SMEs are less informed about cyber risks, with knowledge in this area declining over the past year.
  • SMEs are spending less on cyber insurance despite a rise in the number of cyber events experienced by these businesses.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — QBE Insurance today announced key findings from its annual QBE Singapore SME Survey. Conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, 600 decision-makers gave their views on a wide range of business risks and opportunities, including the impact of artificial intelligence and cyber risks, and their readiness for insurance digitalisation.

Foremost among this year’s findings is how today’s top business challenges are being acutely felt by many more Singapore SMEs than before. This year, two-thirds (66%) of survey respondents find increased costs and reduced profitability their number one business challenge, versus just half last year. Likewise, 56% are concerned with growing sales and reduced customer spending today, compared to 40% 12 months ago. Regarding company finances in areas like managing cash flow and access to funding, 51% are experiencing difficulties, in comparison to 36% found in 2024’s survey.

Accordingly, the economic outlook for the next 12 months is less positive than a year ago. Only 52% of respondents believe this year will be better than the past 12 months, versus 60% last year. Some 70% feel that increasing operating costs will impact the economy negatively, while 60% feel rising inflation and a GST increase will also impact the economy. SME executives are similarly downbeat about the performance of their respective businesses: in the 2024 survey, 62% of respondents believed sales during the ensuing year would be better, compared to 55% this year.

“While there is much concern over the state of the economy and their own prospects in the future, businesses aren’t standing still,” said Shun Quan Goh, Head, Underwriting, Retail & SME, QBE Singapore. “The proportion of respondents taking action to tackle today’s conditions has increased. This is notably the case with cost control, diversification of customer base, and business streamlining — some 70%, 49%, and 40% of respondents having acted on these fronts to ensure business viability.”

SMEs adopting AI in business productivity drive

Over half (52%) of respondents said AI has a significant impact on business productivity, up from 49% a year earlier. Of note, 55% of survey respondents don’t believe AI will replace jobs in their respective companies.  

While SMEs are upbeat about the current and future trajectory of AI, they are also wary of the risks the technology poses. Some 34% said it presents a threat to business activity — up from 30% last year.

Concern for the top AI risks among SME professionals is significantly more widespread than in previous years. The threat of AI replacing jobs was cited by 68% of respondents, versus just 17% last year — around 25% of Singapore SMEs foresee jobs in customer service, finance and accounting to be fully replaced by AI within three years, while 22% expect roles in routine manual work and labour-intensive tasks to be fully replaced after six years. In addition, 66% of SME leaders have AI-related privacy concerns in contrast just 10% in 2024; and 51% are anxious about AI-linked security breaches, compared to 15% a year earlier.

While awareness of the pitfalls of AI is on the rise, knowledge of cyber risks is declining: just 40% of Singaporean SMEs believe they are fully informed of the risks, down from 47% a year earlier. This may be one reason behind the proportion of businesses experiencing a slight increase in cyber events, from 25% to 27% year-on-year.

SMEs are actively seeking solutions to meet cyber threats across a wide range of measures. However, these don’t include insurance, where the proportion of businesses covered has dropped from 38% to 36%. Of the 68% of respondents who do not have any form of cyber insurance, 51% would consider purchasing it, while 15% would categorically not consider it. The top reasons behind this stance include cost; the fact that their business doesn’t store data; and the perceived low impact of such events on their businesses.

“While local SMEs are aware of their knowledge gap on cyber risks, they are still not compelled to purchase insurance, on the basis of cost control. Though a worrying trend, given increased technology dependencies, we believe insurers like us can still add value to the SME community by providing tools that assist them with risk mitigation in the current cyber risk landscape,” added Mr. Goh.

An omnichannel customer experience is still preferred

Despite cyber concerns, an omnichannel customer journey that fuses offline and online touchpoints remains the preferred purchasing option by Singapore SMEs. In line with last year’s survey findings, some 65% prefer buying offline (2024: 66%), while 35% prefer online (2024: 34%). In the offline space, use of agents as the preferred channel is up (2025: 29%; 2024: 27%), while the use of broker (2025: 13%; 2024: 16%) and bank (2025: 10%; 2024: 14%) channels are both down. In the online area, online-direct is up (2025: 22%; 2024: 18%), yet the online-aggregator channel is down (2025: 13%; 2024: 16%).

Notably, reliance on agents and brokers across the end-to-end insurance buying journey has increased across all touch points, except when asking questions. As such, 73% of SMEs prefer an insurance package tailored to their unique needs, covering multiple business risks — while 27% want individual products that cover specific business risks.

“Businesses that are able to successfully upskill their current workforces with the abilities to operate and oversee AI will reap the many rewards the technology offers now and in the future. The proliferation of AI is not about replacing people with machines, but rather, about adapting our workforces to meet this new paradigm,” said Ronak Shah, CEO of QBE Singapore. “That SMEs continue to embrace an omnichannel buying experience underscores how policyholders acknowledge that the future of conducting business is humans harnessing technology – transforming both insurance and customer experiences, and the risks as well as benefits associated with its usage.”

Appendix: Singapore-Hong Kong SAR SME survey: Business outlook summary

For results of a similar survey conducted with Hong Kong SMEs, please visit this link.

2025 vs. 2024 results

Singapore

Hong Kong SAR

Top 5 business challenges

(2025: 2024)

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (66% : 50%)

2)      Sales growth / reduced customer spending (56% : 40%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (51% : 36%)

4)      Growing the business (50% : 36%)

5)      Increasing competition (50% : 39%)

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (59% : 40%)

2)      Staff acquisition and retention / labour shortage (50% : 39%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (49% : 34%)

4)      Economic uncertainty and financial resilience / economic downturn (47% : 30%)

5)      Shortage of orders / business decline / closing down (46% : 33%)

 

Top 5 business concerns

(2025: 2024)

1)      Cost of running the business (62% : 39%)

2)      Getting new customers / keeping customers (55% : 37%)

3)      Long-term profitability (53% : 34%)

4)      Cost of staff (48% : 33%)

5)      Possible economic downturns in Singapore or other countries (48% : 29%)

1)      Cost of running the business (46% : 35%)

2)      Possible economic downturns in Hong Kong or other countries (41% : 27%)

3)      Long-term profitability (39% : 30%)

4)      Shifting to a sustainable business model (39% : 30%)

5)      Consolidating services (39% : 33%)

Business outlook

(2025 : 2024)

Economic confidence

•         Better (52% : 60%)

•         Unchanged (26% : 22%)

•         Worse (22% : 18%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (55% : 62%)

•         Unchanged (29% : 25%)

•         Decrease (17% : 13%)

Economic confidence

•         Better (64% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (19% : 14%)

•         Worse (17% : 16%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (65% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (21% : 20%)

•         Decrease (14% : 10%)

About QBE Singapore

Present in Singapore for more than a century, QBE Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a general insurance and reinsurance company, is the Republic’s oldest registered Australian company.

Established in 1891, QBE Singapore is a trusted provider of specialist expertise and professional insurance services. Our insurance specialists develop leading-edge products that are client-focused, delivering cover tailored to deal with everything from complex risks to more simple and straightforward insurance needs.

QBE Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd is part of the QBE Insurance Group which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and headquartered in Sydney. To learn more about QBE Singapore, please visit www.qbe.com/sg

Ricoh selected as a member of the Sustainability Yearbook 2025 by S&P Global

TOKYO, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh today announced it has been selected as a member of the Sustainability Yearbook 2025, with a score within the top 10%* in its industry, by S&P Global, an American company and one of the world’s leaders in corporate ratings.

Ricoh has been recognised in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2025, ranking in the top 10% of over 7,690 assessed companies for corporate sustainability.
Ricoh has been recognised in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2025, ranking in the top 10% of over 7,690 assessed companies for corporate sustainability.

Each year, S&P Global assesses major companies’ sustainability in the three areas of Economic, Environment, and Society. Companies with outstanding sustainability efforts in each industry group are selected and awarded as members of the Sustainability Yearbook. S&P Global evaluated over 7,690 companies in 60 industries worldwide this year, and 780 companies were selected for this year’s Yearbook.

Ricoh’s approach to sustainability is to pursue a sustainable society through a Three Ps Balance—Prosperity (economic), People (society), and Planet (environment). To realise this desired society, Ricoh has identified seven material issues in two areas, “Resolving social issues through business” and “Robust management infrastructure,” and set 16 ESG targets in linkage with the material to work toward solving these issues. Ricoh will continue to align ESG and business growth to fulfil our responsibility for enhancing global sustainability.

*As of February 11, 2025

Relevant Information

Related Links

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support the digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimise business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organisational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2024, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,348 billion yen (approx. 15.5 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find ‘Fulfillment through Work’ by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

© 2025 RICOH ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

HTX Soars to 50 Million Users in January, Kicking Off a Strong 2025

SINGAPORE, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HTX kicked off 2025 with a strong performance, driven by the broader crypto market’s recovery and renewed investor confidence. The exchange achieved significant growth in user base, asset performance, and product innovation, solidifying its position as a leading global cryptocurrency platform.

Record User Growth and Industry Recognition

January witnessed explosive growth for HTX, surpassing 50 million total registered users and achieving a remarkable 105% MoM growth, setting a new company record. Aligning with its mission of “Building the Metaverse Free Port” and vision of “Achieving Financial Freedom for 8 Billion People on Earth,” HTX continues its global expansion, providing high quality service to Web3 enthusiasts worldwide.

This growth was mirrored by a surge in platform popularity. From January 17 to 20, HTX search clicks reached an all-time high, increasing by 350% compared to December 2024. Platform exposure also rose by 520%, indicating growing user interest and recognition.

This exceptional performance garnered industry-wide acclaim:

  • PANews PARTY AWARD 2025:
    • Awarded “Best Exchange of the Year”.
    • HTX Ventures honored as “Best Investment Institution of the Year”.
  • Forbes: Recognized as one of the “Top 25 World’s Most Trustworthy Crypto Exchanges”.

Forbes, a leading financial media outlet, evaluated cryptocurrency exchanges based on trading volume, regulation, cost, and other key factors. HTX excelled in BTC & ETH holdings, spot trading volume, and product offerings, securing a 6th-place ranking in spot market share among all listed exchanges.

Trade New Cryptos Only on HTX! 25 New Assets Listed, Featuring Prominent AI and Celebrity-Themed Tokens

HTX listed 25 new assets in January, including notable AI and celebrity-themed tokens. AI projects like ELIZA (up 204%), ARCSOL (up 172%), GAME (up 159%), and GRIFT (up 225%) demonstrated strong performance. The platform was an early mover in listing the highly anticipated  $TRUMP token, which surged by 431% post-launch. $MELANIA also experienced a 60% increase. HTX remains committed to offering users diverse investment opportunities and identifying promising early-stage projects.

To further inform investors, HTX Ventures published a key research report, “A New Era for DeFi with Crypto Compliance and New Opportunities in RWA-Fi and Stablecoin Payments“. This report analyzes emerging market trends, focusing on compliance, DeFi growth, and the future of stablecoin payments, providing valuable investment insights for users.

Product Innovations and Community Growth Drive Enhanced User Experience

HTX continued to prioritize user experience with several product enhancements in  January, including Crypto Radar, HTX 2024 RECAP, Surprise Gifts, and a redesigned NewListing section. These features empower users to identify investment opportunities, optimize financial planning, and engage more effectively with the community. The platform also introduced an AI-powered FAQ product to streamline information access and improve customer service.

On January 15, 2025, HTX DAO completed  its Q4 2024 $HTX token burn, destroying 9,982,673,247,009.8082 $HTX tokens worth over $22.47 million.

Enhanced Security and Transparency for User Confidence

In January, HTX prioritized platform security by implementing robust measures to safeguard users accounts, transactions and assets.

Account Security: HTX sent out 380,003 security reminders (339,480 emails and 40,523 SMS) to users, empowering them to proactively address to potential threats. The platform also successfully shut down 6 phishing websites and fake app download sites to prevent users from falling victim to scams.

Transaction Security: HTX focused on blocking abnormal transactions, successfully intercepted 3 withdrawal attempts to scam addresses and  recovering 72,962 USDT for users. Furthermore, the platform resolved 7 incidents involving stolen assets flowing into the platform and assisting in freezing 193,702 USDT in stolen funds.

Asset Security: HTX added 189 new addresses to its blacklist, effectively preventing the inflow of illicit funds by intercepting 4 deposits from these addresses, totaling 624,190 USDT.

HTX has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency. The platform updated its Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves for February 2025, revealing that its reserve ratio for major assets (BTC 101%, ETH 100%, TRX 105%, USDT 101%, HTX 104%, XRP 101%, DOGE 100%, SOL 102%) consistently exceeds 100%. This marks the 28th consecutive month of public disclosure of reserve data, readily accessible for users on the “Assets – PoR Reports” page of the HTX official website.

Throughout January, HTX’s customer service team provided exceptional support, assisting 38,642 users and effectively addressing 78,931 inquiries across various areas such as P2P trading, on-chain transactions, 2FA, asset management, and KYC verification. The team’s dedication to providing professional and timely solutions resulted in an 80% user satisfaction rating, fostering a positive and loyal user base.

HTX’s strong January performance demonstrated its ambition and potential for continued success. This success was driven by its strong growth momentum, continuous product optimization, and a vibrant and engaged community. Moving forward, HTX remains committed to enhancing the user experience, driving product innovation, and providing safer, more convenient, and diverse trading services to users worldwide.

About HTX

Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

As a world-leading gateway to Web3, we harbor global capabilities that enable us to provide users with safe and reliable services. Our growth strategy – “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance”, underpins our commitment to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com

 

EBANX secures In-Principle Approval for Major Payment Institution license from Monetary Authority of Singapore, amplifying global payments reach

The Payment Service Provider strengthens its global operations and accelerates APAC expansion after obtaining In-Principle Approval for a Singapore Major Payment Institution license. The APAC region represents 39% of the fintech’s total processed volume.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EBANX, a leading global Payment Service Provider (PSP) specializing in emerging markets, today announced that EBANX Pte. Ltd. has been granted In-Principle Approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This license supports two types of payment services in Singapore (namely, cross-border money transfers and merchant acquisition services), enabling EBANX to strengthen its offerings within its global settlement hub, benefiting its network of over 500 global enterprise merchants.

The MPI license will also further reinforce EBANX’s strong footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. EBANX serves leading enterprise merchants from APAC, with 39% of its total processed volume in 2024 coming from the region. EBANX maintains offices in Shanghai, China, and Singapore, and has recently established payment operations in India.

Receiving In-Principle Approval for an MPI license in Singapore, one of the most robust ecosystems for international payments, is a testament to EBANX’s priority to meet the highest regulatory standards and provide exceptional value to our clients globally, who will now have even more capabilities enabled within our payments services,” said João Del Valle, CEO and Co-founder of EBANX, who was in Singapore last week.

EBANX’s story in Asia-Pacific dates back to the company’s foundation in 2012: The fintech’s operational hub has always been in Singapore, and when obtained, the MPI license would replace the current authorisation provided by the MAS for the company’s cross-border operations in the country. The In-Principle Approval follows a series of strategic moves by EBANX in Asia, including the partnership with YES BANK and the appointment of a Country Director for its operations in India. 

EBANX has been the payments partner of choice for APAC merchants in emerging economies for 12 years now, supporting their growth through various generations of the Asian e-commerce industry, across multiple markets in Latin America and Africa,” said Del Valle. The successful partnerships continued, going beyond China and beyond online retail. EBANX serves multiple verticals from different Asian countries, and adding new industries to the portfolio: Australian Canva (SaaS), South Korean Gravity Game Vision (gaming), besides the Chinese giants XTransfer (financial services) and Alibaba (B2B trade) are some examples.  Forbes China has also recognized EBANX as one of the 30 pioneering brands in international expansion.

This moment marks another chapter of EBANX’s successful story in the APAC region and a significant step forward in our global expansion strategy. It will build upon our powerful operations in LatAm, Africa, and India and solidify our position as a trusted partner for businesses operating in emerging markets,” Del Valle added.

EBANX office in Singapore

To further drive strategic growth initiatives in APAC, EBANX is pleased to announce the relocation of Fernanda De Fino, Global Director of Risk and Compliance, to Singapore. In addition to her current global responsibilities, De Fino will also serve as the Executive Director of EBANX in Singapore. This appointment strengthens EBANX’s physical footprint in the APAC region, which includes a multi-functional team of 25 in Shanghai.

Singapore’s robust regulatory framework and strategic location make it the ideal hub to connect EBANX’s global operations in 29 countries. We are excited to contribute to its leading fintech ecosystem,” said De Fino. The office in Singapore and the executive relocation are statements of EBANX’s commitment to APAC, as the company plans to continue expanding its team across the region.

About the IPA from MAS

An In-Principle Approval (IPA) reflects MAS’ view that a license may be issued to the applicant upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. An IPA does not constitute a license at this juncture. MAS reserves the right to rescind the IPA in circumstances where it considers appropriate.

About EBANX

EBANX is the leading payments platform connecting global businesses to the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. Founded in 2012 in Brazil, EBANX was built with a mission to expand access to international digital commerce. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep market expertise, and robust infrastructure, EBANX enables global companies to offer hundreds of local payment methods across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. More than just payments, EBANX drives growth, enhances sales, and delivers seamless purchase experiences for businesses and consumers alike.

For further information, please visit:
Website: https://www.ebanx.com/en/    
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx    

Media Contact:
Shan Huang
shan.huang@ahgstrategies.com 

APP Group Introduces Foopak Bio Natura: Revolutionizing Sustainability in Singapore’s Fast Food Industry

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Singapore food service market is on a remarkable growth trajectory. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market size is projected to reach USD 24.88 billion by 2024 and grow to USD 55.93 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.58% during the forecast period (2024–2029). Within this booming industry, the fast food sector generates over SGD 1.49 billion annually, making it a pivotal part of Singapore’s food and beverage landscape.

Data from Statista, Singaporean consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainable products and services, prompting many local businesses to integrate environmental and sustainability initiatives into their offerings. In response to these evolving consumer preferences, some fast-food chains in Singapore have taken significant steps to reduce their environmental impact. These efforts include replacing traditional plastic straws with strawless lids, eliminating single-use sauce packets in favor of self-service condiment bars, and adopting recycled paper for napkins, bags, cups, and cartons.

This shift underscores the growing focus on sustainability as businesses adapt to meet the demands of environmentally conscious consumers. Addressing this need, APP Group’s Foopak Bio Natura offers biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions, including paper straws and food containers, designed to replace plastic packaging. These products enable quick-service restaurants to align with global sustainability trends and reinforce Singapore’s leadership in eco-friendly practices.

Kin Keung Christopher Wong, Senior Vice President and Global Business Unit Head Industrial White at APP Group, said, “As Singapore’s fast-food industry continues to grow, so does the responsibility to innovate sustainable solutions. Foopak Bio Natura is designed to help solve some of our most profound environmental challenges and other harmful materials from our surroundings.”

APP Group’s mission is to transform industries through sustainable innovation. By introducing Foopak Bio Natura to the Singapore market, the company is enabling businesses to achieve their sustainability goals and positioning Singapore as a leader in environmentally responsible practices within the global food service industry.

About APP Group

APP is a leading pulp, paper, and forestry company based in Indonesia, supplying high-quality tissue, packaging, and paper to over 150 countries. With operations in Indonesia and China, we prioritize sustainability, ethical practices, and the well-being of our employees, society, and the environment. Our Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030, aligned with ESG principles, guides our efforts in environmental protection, community support, biodiversity preservation, and carbon neutrality.