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RSM ramps up Asia Hub capabilities with new RSM Hong Kong Advisory firm

SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — RSM Hong Kong Advisory is pleased to announce the official opening of its office on 15 January 2025.

This is in line with RSM’s aim to ramp up its Asia Hub capabilities to tap into the increasing growth potential in Asia.

RSM Hong Kong Advisory, together with RSM Singapore, will lead the Asia Hub charge, with the respective firms covering East Asia and SEA/ASEAN, working in concert with RSM firms in the region and internationally.

“We believe in the long-term prospects of Hong Kong as a thriving and key international business and financial centre. As the key window to the China markets, we are bullish on Hong Kong’s role which will only grow in importance,” said Mr. Chio Kian Huat, CEO of RSM Hong Kong Advisory and RSM Singapore.

Mr Chio added that work on the new Hong Kong Advisory office began a year ago, and various services in Tax, Corporate Advisory, and Managed Services have since become fully operational. Currently headed by six partners, the firm is committed to continuing its investment in Hong Kong and growing the practice to be the preferred firm for international businesses.

Hong Kong remains attractive to businesses in the long term. In 2024, the number of start-ups and companies in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside the region reportedly reached record highs (Source: Census and Statistics Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region). The China + One strategy has also driven an influx of Chinese and global companies exploring opportunities in Asian countries.

RSM is well poised to serve these companies with its Asia Hub capabilities, offering seamless, one-stop advisory across borders. We support companies through various stages of their development, from setup to mergers and acquisitions, fund raising, and restructuring for growth or overcoming business challenges. Our experts are experienced in helping businesses within and outside Asia establish themselves and flourish in this region.

Intra-Asian trade is also expected to rise.  According to the International Monetary Fund, intra-Asian trade will constitute approximately 40% of global trade by 2030.  Asia is now the world’s second-most integrated trade region, after the European Union.

The increased trade activity bodes well for professional services firms in Asia, and RSM Hong Kong Advisory, supported by RSM International and RSM Singapore, will serve as an important bridge between China and the world.

About RSM Hong Kong Advisory

As Asia’s premier full-service professional firm, we deliver best-in-class practices and in-depth knowledge in incorporation, accounting, tax, finance, HR, payroll, advisory, and compliance for your business.

As a member of RSM International, the sixth largest professional services network globally, our team of dedicated specialists focuses on supporting internationally active businesses with operations in mainland China and/or Hong Kong SAR in managing their compliance and other critical functions in Hong Kong through every stage of their business lifecycle, from the time they start, build their business, and finally, when they scale up and go global.

Media Contacts:

SingaporeIrene Yap
HP: +65 6594 7813
IreneYapBL@RSMSingapore.sg

Hong KongAgnes Cheung
HP: +852 2746 7602
AgnesCheung@RSMHKAdvisory.com

2024 China-ASEAN College Students’ AI Application Innovation, Recruitment is starting now!

Free registration with generous rewards!
High winning rate, and professional project guidance throughout the entire process!

All participating contestants will receive free training opportunities, and winning projects will be granted entrepreneurial support as well as generous creative rewards! The entry requirements, competition process, and various other matters have already been prepared for you. So, come and sign up with your creative ideas !

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ —

2024 China-ASEAN College Students' AI Application Innovation, Recruitment is starting now!
2024 China-ASEAN College Students’ AI Application Innovation, Recruitment is starting now!

Competition Introduction

2024 China-ASEAN College Students’ AI Application Innovation, co-organized by Guangxi Tus Innovation Cross-Border E-commerce Co., Ltd & Brunsfield TusStar Sdn. Bhd. (TusStar Malaysia), aims to provide a platform for university students from China and ASEAN countries to exchange ideas and learn from each other, focusing on innovative elements such as artificial intelligence, vocational education, and the digital economy. It is dedicated to nurturing a new generation of youth who can adapt to the digital era, drive educational transformation through technology, and promote innovative cooperation and development of AI technology within the digital economy. We sincerely invite outstanding young talents to participate and jointly realize our innovative dreams from around the world!

Participants

It is face to Full-time college and undergraduate students from China and ASEAN countries (including international participating teams).

Competition Process and Schedule

  1. Pre-registration and Preliminary Selection: November 29, 2024, 00:00 – February 14, 2025, 12:00
    Online registration and submission of entry materials, preliminary screening of projects
  2. Pre-competition Coaching: December 1, 2024February 14, 2025
    Industry mentors’ sharing sessions, systematic understanding of AI applications, development of creative proposals
  3. Project Coaching: February 19March 10, 2025
    AI technology training, mentor guidance on projects
  4. Final Road Show: Early March 2025
    Onsite Final Road Show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (combining online and offline elements)
  5. Award Ceremony: Early March 2025
    Award ceremony, expert and scholar symposium, sharing cutting-edge knowledge on the digital economy.

Award Settings

Gold Award*1  The prize of 4000 RMB/team
Silver Award*2  The prize of 3000 RMB/team
Bronze Award*3  The prize of 2000 RMB/team
And Most Creative Award 、Most Potential Award、Merit Award
You can get honor certificate, incubation support, internship opportunities, inclusion in domestic and international project databases.

Registration Channel

Competition Official Website:www.innoai-cnaseanhub.com

Contact: Teacher Luo 13263715689

UCI Pro Cycling Team, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini Partners with Elitewheels for 2025

Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini (PRNewsfoto/Elitewheels)

PISTOIA, Italy, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Starting in January 2025, Elitewheels, a leading Chinese manufacturer of carbon fiber bicycle wheels, is excited to announce the commencement of its partnership with the UCI road cycling ProTeam, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini.

Team Solution Tech - Vini Fantini
Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini

“We are looking forward to partnering with Toscana Factory Team – Vini Fantini, who competes at the highest level of road cycling” said Tony Tong, CEO of Elitewheels.

Founded as an OEM in 2013 and established as a brand by 2015, Elitewheels has rapidly gained recognition within the cycling industry. They are also the official wheel partner of GCN, the largest cycling YouTube channel, boasting over three million subscribers.

When it comes to products, their focus is not only on innovation, but also on quality, reliability, and performance. They produce their own carbon fiber, rims, wheels, and wheel hubs in-house, saving significantly on costs that it passes on to its consumers. Cyclists can get pro-level wheelsets for a fraction of the price of those from other brands. Elitewheels’ carbon road, gravel, triathlon, and mountain bike wheels are among the lightest available, starting at just 1260 grams for the pair.

The ProTeam, Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini, competes in pro cycling’s most prestigious events, including the Giro d’Italia, which is one of the three Grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France. The team chose to cooperate with Elitewheels because of their dedication to making quality cycling products as well as to research and development.

Two of Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini’s most accomplished riders, Valerio Conti and Kristian Sbaragli, former World Tour race stage winners from the Vuelta Espana and the Giro d’Italia, tested the wheels to determine if they were up to the ProTeam’s standards.

“We can compare Elitewheels for sure with top brands at the moment, and we are looking forward to using it in the races,” said Conti after testing the wheels.

Sbaragli stated, “From the team’s perspective, we believe we can help the brand improve by giving feedback throughout the season.”

The team will provide useful feedback that will go towards the development of new wheelsets. In addition, they will be ridden in the ultimate proving ground, World Tour races.

Thai Cabinet Approves Controversial Casino Bill

Thai Cabinet Approves Controversial Casino Bill
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo credit: Stock Cake)

Bangkok, THA/AFP – Thailand’s cabinet approved a controversial bill on Monday to legalize gambling in designated “entertainment complexes” to boost tourism and create jobs.

Vantage Markets Wins “Best Range of Markets” Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage Markets has been honored with Best Range of Marketsaward for 2025 by Compare Forex Brokers, a leading authority in evaluating trading platforms. This accolade reflects Vantage’s commitment to offering an unparalleled range of tradable instruments, leverage options and suitability for diverse trading strategies while maintaining transparency, trust, and innovation.

Vantage Markets Wins "Best Range of Markets" Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025
Vantage Markets Wins “Best Range of Markets” Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025

Justin Grossbard, CEO and Head of Research at Compare Forex Brokers, commended Vantage for setting industry benchmarks, “Your commitment to providing a seamless trading experience, supported by innovative technology and a customer-focused approach, is truly commendable. Trust is at the heart of our industry, and Vantage Markets has continually set the benchmark for integrity and professionalism.”

The recognition celebrates Vantage’s dedication to offering a wide array of CFD markets, empowering traders with flexibility and choice.  This includes forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and bonds CFDs, ensuring clients have access to diverse trading opportunities supported by cutting-edge tools and a robust platform.

Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy & Trading Officer at Vantage, expressed gratitude for the award, “Winning the ‘Best Range of Markets’ award from Compare Forex Brokers is a proud moment for us. It underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional trading experiences through innovation and trust. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our clients place in us. We remain committed to pushing boundaries and providing our global community with unparalleled opportunities.”

As Vantage continues to evolve, the company is focused on maintaining its position as a leader in the trading industry by expanding its offerings, advancing technology, and fostering transparency.

For more information about Vantage Markets and its award-winning services, visit Vantage Markets.

About Vantage

Vantage Markets (or Vantage) is a multi-asset CFD broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) products, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 15 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that empowers clients to seize trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

trade smarter @vantage

RISK WARNING: CFD trading carries significant risks. You could lose more than your initial investment.

Thunes and Hyperwallet, a PayPal Service, Expand Payout Access for Merchants Across Asia-Pacific

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, today welcomes Hyperwallet, a PayPal service for global payouts, as a Member of Thunes’ Direct Global Network. As part of this network, Hyperwallet customers can quickly and reliably send money in real-time to more than 450 million mobile wallets and bank accounts across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam[i].

According to a 2024 report by Deloitte on cross-border payments, the Asia Pacific region makes up nearly 70% of global digital wallet spend. With this new alliance, Hyperwallet can help its expansive global merchant base, including some of the world’s best-known ride-hailing super apps, marketplaces and social media platforms, offer customers their preferred method of access to funds.

Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, said: “Welcoming PayPal’s Hyperwallet into our Direct Global Network underscores our ability to provide powerful new capabilities to top-tier fintechs. With our extensive network that directly, transparently and dependably connects to over 7 billion bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, combined with our SmartX Treasury System and our Fortress Compliance Platform, Thunes is uniquely positioned to support Hyperwallet to increase its reach in fast growing geographies to enhance its cross-border payment services.”

Payout preferences for consumers vary widely across the APAC region depending on banking penetration, the proliferation of real-time payment schemes and the usage of digital wallets in each market. Thunes recently released “From Cash to QR Codes: Unpacking Southeast Asia’s Diverse Payments Culture,” exploring the region’s evolving payment landscape and showcasing digital wallet payment adoption rates of over 30% in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.

[i] To date, this is currently live in Korea, with additional markets to light up in 2025.

Media Contact: Sylvia McKaige 
EMAIL: sylvia.mckaige@salweengroup.com
Contact Number: +65 9476 2581

A New Chapter for Books: AI Revolution for Hong Kong Publishers

Harnessing AI to Revolutionize Hong Kong’s Publishing Industry: Innovation, Efficiency, and Global Reach

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves in Hong Kong’s publishing industry, ushering in a new era where technology and creativity merge to redefine editorial, publishing, marketing, and reader engagement. As the digital revolution continues to disrupt industries across the globe, Hong Kong stands at the forefront of this transformation, thanks to a thriving tech ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and its position as a global cultural and business hub.

AI Transforming Hong Kong’s Publishing Industry

Hong Kong’s publishing industry is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and content delivery. A 2023 study by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) indicates that 41% of companies are utilizing AI, with 32% applying it across various functions, including marketing and customer service.

AI adoption is particularly beneficial for automating labor-intensive tasks such as proofreading, translation, illustration and social media marketing. AI-powered tools can significantly reduce the time required for these editorial processes, which is especially advantageous in Hong Kong’s bilingual environment, hence delivering savings for labor cost for publishers in a highly competitive landscape.

Additionally, AI tools are being employed to improve content creation and editing, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity. This technological integration enables publishers to meet the growing demand for faster turnaround times and personalized content.

These advancements underscore the pivotal role of AI in transforming Hong Kong’s publishing sector, aligning with the industry’s need for efficiency and innovation in a competitive global market.

2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference
2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference

Leading the Charge

A pivotal case in Hong Kong’s AI – driven publishing landscape is DCG Mirage, a subsidiary of the China tech giant DCG. At the 2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference, the company showcased its latest AI tool suite “WhatsBook”, which combines advanced AIGC tools for proofreading, audiobook, social media marketing, and KOL video production.

DCG has been actively exploring the application of AI in the publishing field. Last year, DCG launched a proprietary large language model (LLM) “BooksGPT” which supports a series of AIGC products to successfully empower content production and marketing for the publishing industry in China.

Shi Qiming, CEO of DCG, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on the publishing industry. “New productive forces, characterized by high technology, high efficiency, and high quality, are at the core of our innovation strategy. By leveraging AI, we aim to enhance operational efficiency and content delivery, enabling publishers to meet the growing demand for personalized and rapidly produced content.” he said.

The AI Proofreading service is a game-changer for the Hong Kong publishing industry, released by DCG at the 2025 Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference, offers advanced capabilities for both traditional and simplified Chinese, as well as English, making it a world leader in AI proofreading services. It significantly reduces the time and effort required for proofreading, a traditionally labor-intensive task, by achieving a high accuracy rate of over 70% in detecting grammatical errors in both English and traditional and simplified Chinese texts.

The Key to Reader Engagement

AI is not only reshaping content production but also transforming how books are marketed and sold. In Hong Kong, where a tech-savvy and media-conscious public demands personalized recommendations, AI has become an indispensable tool in creating targeted marketing campaigns.

According to a 2024 survey by Nielsen Book, AI-driven recommendations account for approximately 35% of online book sales. Publishers are now using AI to analyze vast amounts of reader data, enabling them to customize content and promotional materials for specific audience segments.

The AI-driven short video service on WhatsBook allows users to create videos that resonate with audiences on social media platforms. With the rise of video content consumption on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, AI-generated book trailers and promotional videos have become powerful marketing tools.

Balancing Innovation with Ethical Challenges

While the potential of AI in publishing is undeniable, it also brings with it significant challenges. One of the key concerns voiced at the Greater Bay Area Publishing Conference was the ethical implications of AI-generated content. As AI tools become more advanced, there is growing concern about the authenticity of AI-created works and the potential for biased or inaccurate content interpretation.

Moreover, the rise of AI has raised questions about the job future of human editors and writers. AI may be able to automate many tasks, but can it truly replace the creative judgments and nuanced understanding that human professionals bring to the table? Industry experts, including Professor Hao Zhensheng of the China Editors Association, emphasized the importance of balancing AI efficiency with human creativity.

The Future of Publishing: Technology Meets Tradition

Despite these challenges, the future of AI in Hong Kong’s publishing industry looks bright. As AI tools continue to evolve and improve, publishers will be able to harness more powerful technologies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance reader experience. The integration of AI into publishing workflows is not just a passing trend but a fundamental shift that will shape the industry for years to come.

The next few years will likely see more widespread AI adoption across Hong Kong’s publishing sector, as companies explore new ways to combine technology and creativity. From content creation and marketing to reader engagement and distribution, AI will continue to reshape every aspect of the publishing process.

As Hong Kong moves forward to this AI-powered future, the city is poised to maintain its position as a key player in the global publishing industry, with cutting-edge technologies driving the next chapter of the publishing revolution.

Contact:
qi an
anqi@dcrays.cn

Sygnum Completes USD 58m Strategic Growth Round, AchievesUnicorn Status with 1bn valuation

ZURICH and SINGAPORE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global digital asset banking group Sygnum announces it has raised a total of USD 58 million in its oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round, giving it a post-money valuation of more than 1 billion.

  • Final close cornerstone investor Fulgur Ventures, a Bitcoin-focused venture capital firm, is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members
  • Banking group has USD >5 billion[i] in total client assets, with completed Strategic Growth Round bolstering its robust balance sheet and CET1 capital to support future growth
  • Proceeds to drive multi-region market entry, expand product portfolio with focus on Bitcoin-technology, enable strategic acquisitions and further strengthen organisational resilience

Fulgur Ventures, cornerstone investor[ii] in the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, is a venture capital firm focusing on Bitcoin technologies, infrastructure and applications that drive Bitcoin adoption. Fulgur is joined by new and existing strategic and financial investors, as well as Sygnum team members again participating on equal terms. The Co-Founders, board and team members continue to hold Sygnum majority ownership.

Proceeds from the completed Strategic Growth Round will be put to work to drive Sygnum’s 2025 expanded EU/EEA market entry and to launch its regulated presence in Hong Kong. Sygnum also intends to use the funds to broaden its institutional infrastructure, expand its product portfolio with a focus on Bitcoin-technology, and enable opportunities for strategic acquisitions as the market develops. As the industry’s trend towards regulatory compliance gathers pace, additional investments will be made to further strengthen Sygnum’s organisational and operational resilience, compliance teams and state-of-the-art risk management.

A key driver of the oversubscribed Strategic Growth Round was Sygnum’s multi-year core business growth. 2024  revenues for all trading products, including crypto spot, derivatives, FX and traditional securities, surpassed the previous year’s total in Q3 for the second year running. Total annual trades in 2024 increased by more than 1,000% YoY, propelled by PostFinance and the 20+ banks on its B2B platform providing regulated crypto services to more than a third of the Swiss population.

Sygnum’s core business growth was matched by its industry-shaping product launches. In July 2024, Sygnum launched Sygnum Connect, a 24/7 multi-asset settlement network, with members at launch including digital asset exchange AsiaNext and prime broker Hidden Road. A few months earlier, Sygnum also opened up a second new platform, Sygnum Protect, exclusively to its global institutional client base. This platform enables them to continue trading on major crypto exchanges while holding their flexible choice of collateral in secure, bank-grade and bankruptcy-remote custody with Sygnum.

Mathias Imbach, Sygnum Co-Founder and Group CEO, comments that: “Sygnum reaching Unicorn status is a strong validation by the market of our business model, strategy and team. While it is an achievement we are very proud of, it won’t alter the values of integrity and humility, and the importance of displaying confidence without attitude at all times, which have acted as our true-north since day one. As Switzerland is currently losing ground to other jurisdictions as a preferred digital asset hub, it is also our obligation to highlight the need for Switzerland to not ignore the importance of continuous innovation in the financial sector and to continue to attract talent and capital to remain relevant in the long-term. In that way, Sygnum’s mission is only at the very beginning.”

Gerald Goh, Co-Founder and CEO APAC, says: “The successful completion of our Strategic Growth Round is proof of Sygnum’s strong and unique position as a leading regulated financial institution in the global digital asset industry. Offering trusted institutional infrastructure and regulated services for digital assets will continue to be the foundation for Sygnum’s future growth strategy.”

Oleg Mikhalsky, Partner of Fulgur Ventures, adds: Fulgur is a venture capital firm that continues to drive investment into the accelerating convergence of Bitcoin and institutional financial markets. Sygnum’s market-tested infrastructure, digital asset-native team and global ecosystem makes them the ideal partner to co-develop innovative Bitcoin-related financial products and technologies – as well as for future collaborations with other Fulgur portfolio companies. We are proud to be the cornerstone investor for the final close of Sygnum’s Strategic Growth Round, which coincides with a potential inflection point for Bitcoin’s institutional adoption and regulatory clarity.”

In FY 2024, Sygnum achieved operational profitability and continued to grow its 2,000-strong institutional client base domiciled in over 70 countries, serviced through its regulated operations in Switzerland, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hub of Luxembourg and was recently registered in Liechtenstein.

About Sygnum

Sygnum is a global digital asset banking group, founded on Swiss and Singapore heritage. We empower professional and institutional investors, banks, corporates and DLT foundations to invest in digital assets with complete trust. Our team enables this through our institutional-grade security, expert personal service and portfolio of regulated digital asset banking, asset management, tokenization and B2B services.

In Switzerland, Sygnum holds a banking licence and has CMS and Major Payment Institution licences in Singapore. The group is also regulated in the established global financial hubs of Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg and is registered in Liechtenstein.

We believe that the future has heritage. Our crypto-native team of banking, investment and digital asset technology professionals are building a trusted gateway between the traditional and digital asset economies that we call Future Finance. To learn more about how Sygnum’s mission and values are shaping this digital asset ecosystem, please visit sygnum.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Disclaimer: The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. Sygnum expressly disclaims all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal, investment advice, recommendation, offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets.

About Fulgur Ventures

Fulgur Ventures was founded in 2019 as one of the first venture firms focused on startups in the Bitcoin and the Lightning Network ecosystems and today provides early stage, follow-on and growth capital for startups driving adoption of bitcoin and bitcoin scaling technologies, such as Lightning and Liquid networks in consumer and enterprise markets and financial institutions. For more information, please visit the Fulgur Ventures website.

[i] As at 31.12.24

[ii] Via a related investment entity