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A New Japanese Cultural Experience by Isetan Shinjuku

Experience Japanese Culture with All Five Senses at the “JAPAN SENSES” Campaign – A Limited-Time Event

Showcasing works that embody a uniquely Japanese sensibility, we aim to highlight the charm of both traditional and contemporary culture.

TOKYO, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Founded in 1886, Isetan offers a special experience to all visitors through a diverse products,  including fashion, foods, arts and offers a wide selection of traditional coming Japanese brands.

JAPAN SENSES
JAPAN SENSES

Isetan Shinjuku Store will hold the “JAPAN SENSES” campaign from February 19 (Wed.) to 25 (Tue.), 2025.

JAPAN SENSES” is a campaign designed to showcase Japanese culture with the world,  highlighting the essence of Japanese sensibility and craftsmanship, while offering visitors the opportunity to experience both traditional techniques and modern pop culture.

Each floor of Isetan Shinjuku will feature unique attractions, including a special 30th-anniversary pop-up store by fashion designer Keita Maruyama, the 30th-anniversary event by Fukagawa Porcelain, exclusive bento boxes and curries celebrating the essence of Japanese dashi (broth), a collaboration with the JRPG “Persona” series, and an exhibition of works by popular plush toy artists.

JAPAN SENSES” Campaign

Dates: February 19 (Wed) – 25 (Tue), 2025

Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Building and Men’s Building

URL:

https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/shinjuku/special/japansenses.html

KEITA MARUYAMA 30th Anniversary SPECIAL POP UP FINALLY in Isetan Shinjuku

KEITA MARUYAMA 30th Anniversary SPECIAL POP UP FINALLY in Isetan Shinjuku
KEITA MARUYAMA 30th Anniversary SPECIAL POP UP FINALLY in Isetan Shinjuku

The Isetan Shinjuku store will host the finale of KEITA MARUYAMA’s 30th-anniversary pop-up, celebrating one of Japan’s leading fashion designers. The pop-up will showcase a variety of exclusive items, including collaboration sneakers with “Maison Mihara Yasuhiro“, eco-bags by Ball & Chain, and unique interior goods.

Main Bldg. 1F Promotion
sneakers will be available for pre-order and will be delivered in May.

Ukiyoe and Contemporary Culture Fusion, Taichi Solo Exhibition “Boku no Kotoba” (My Words)

Taichi: Manga Culture, 55,000 yen (15 x 9.5 cm)
Taichi: Manga Culture, 55,000 yen (15 x 9.5 cm)

Born in 2005, Taichi is a 19-year-old artist who has been passionate about drawing since childhood. He gained recognition for his ability to depict mystical worlds, coming into the spotlight after appearing on a TV program during his junior high school years. Now a university student, he continues to be active in the art scene.

This solo exhibition showcases works that pay homage to Ukiyo-e, blending its traditional elements with contemporary cultural influences from manga and anime to create a unique artistic expression.
Art Gallery, 6F, Main Bldg.
One original artwork per person is limited to purchase.

Fukagawa Porcelain: Craftsmanship in Every Detail, 130th Anniversary “Crafts Created by Time Immemorial

Large bowl, camellia design in ancient celadon glaze, 880,000 yen (diameter 28cm)
Large bowl, camellia design in ancient celadon glaze, 880,000 yen (diameter 28cm)

To commemorate its 130th anniversary, Fukagawa Porcelain will host a special event at Isetan Shinjuku. The “Ancient Celadon Glazed Bowl with Camellia Design”, which was created by Shoka Baba, a traditional craftsman, using a celadon glaze with a deep olive green color developed independently and dyed by him, and other collectible works will be on display. Additionally, new works from the Tani Kiln, a historic climbing kiln that operates only once a year, will be unveiled. This is an event where visitors can experience the skills and spirit of the craftsmen who have passed down the art of pottery making since its founding.
Main Bldg. 5F Kitchen Dining/Artist Piece

Discover the essence of Japanese cuisine with dashi (broth) and umami, the foundational flavors of Japanese culinary tradition, at Isetan Shinjuku!
The “Traditional Japanese Foods for the Future – JAPAN SENSES” will be held to introduce traditional Japanese food culture, techniques, and ingredients such as “dashi” and “umami”. Kyoto-based Kurama Tsujii, renowned for preserving the traditional Kyoto tsukudani craft, will present an exclusive bento box available only at Isetan Shinjuku.
Food Collection, B1F, Main Bldg.

Isetan Shinjuku
Isetan Shinjuku

Isetan Shinjuku
Isetan Shinjuku Store, the top-selling department store in Japan, welcomes domestic and international customers with its high level of hospitality and highly sensitive product lineup, and attracts approximately 25 million visitors a year.

Business hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“Eat Paradise” restaurant on the 7th floor of the main building
Business hours: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Address: 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
HP https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/shinjuku.html 

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Leads the Zero-Carbon Era with ‘SMR-Powered Ship’

– Received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for nuclear-powered container ship

– Unveiled model at U.S. New Nuclear for Maritime Summit – showcasing economic efficiency, performance, and safety

– “Developing a business model by 2030 to accelerate the commercialization of marine nuclear technology”

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), an intermediary holding company for HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding sector, has unveiled a nuclear-powered container ship model utilizing Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, accelerating the development of nuclear-powered vessels.

A rendering of a 15,000 TEU-class SMR-powered containership unveiled by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering
A rendering of a 15,000 TEU-class SMR-powered containership unveiled by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering

On the 12th(Wednesday), HD KSOE announced that it had revealed its nuclear-powered container ship design model for the first time at the New Nuclear for Maritime Houston Summit, held at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, USA.

Previously, HD KSOE had obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a 15,000 TEU-class container ship design model applying SMR technology.

The newly unveiled design model features enhanced economic efficiency and safety by incorporating actual equipment and safety design concepts.

Unlike conventional ships, nuclear-powered vessels do not require engine exhaust systems or fuel tanks. HD KSOE has optimized the space previously occupied by large engine room equipment to accommodate additional containers, enhancing economic efficiency. The company has also applied a marine radiation shielding system using a double-tank method with stainless steel and *light water to ensure safety.

Furthermore, HD KSOE, in collaboration with global energy technology company Baker Hughes, has applied a *supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system, improving thermal efficiency by approximately 5% compared to existing steam-based propulsion systems.

HD KSOE plans to establish a marine nuclear demonstration facility at its Future Technology Test Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to verify safety designs.

“Nuclear-powered vessels can be a game-changer in the current shipbuilding market, where carbon neutrality is emerging,” said Patrick Ryan, Chief Technology Officer of ABS. “ABS and HD KSOE will contribute to accelerating the commercialization of marine nuclear technology in the global shipbuilding market.”

Meanwhile, at the summit, a discussion on ‘Maritime Civil Nuclear Propulsion for Large Ships’ was held, featuring Park Sangmin, Head of HD KSOE’s Green Energy Research Lab; Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President, and CEO of ABS; and John Michael Richardson, former U.S. Chief of Naval Operations.

“HD KSOE is strengthening cooperation not only with major classification societies but also with international regulatory bodies to establish international regulations necessary for the commercialization of nuclear-powered vessels,” said Park Sangmin. “Starting with the land-based SMR reactor manufacturing project, we aim to develop a marine nuclear business model by 2030.”

Since February last year, HD KSOE has been accelerating related technology development through joint research on next-generation SMRs with TerraPower. In December of the same year, the company secured an order to manufacture the main equipment for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, which is being constructed in Wyoming, USA.

*Light water: Water used as a coolant and neutron moderator in reactors.

*Supercritical carbon dioxide-based propulsion system: A technology that generates energy by heating carbon dioxide in a supercritical state. It enables high-efficiency power generation even at low temperatures and pressures, making it a next-generation power generation technology.

Akeso Announced Enrollment of First Patient in Phase 3 Trial of Cadonilimab for Consolidation Therapy After Concurrent or Sequential Chemoradiotherapy in NSCLC

HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akeso, Inc. (9926. HK) (“Akeso” or the “Company”) announced the recent completion of the first patient enrollment in the Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial (COMPASSION-30/AK104-309) for its independently developed PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, cadonilimab. This study is evaluating the efficacy of cadonilimab compared to sugemalimab (PD-L1) as a consolidation therapy for patients with locally advanced, non-resectable, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not experienced disease progression following concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy.

The COMPASSION-30/AK104-309 study is led by Prof. Jinming Yu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Oncology Hospital at Shandong First Medical University.

Currently, consolidation therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors following concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care for patients with unresectable NSCLC. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors as consolidation therapy has demonstrated a modest improvement in overall survival for patients. However, despite these advancements, there continues to be a significant unmet clinical need within this patient population, underscoring the urgent demand for more effective treatment options.

As a global first-in-class bispecific antibody targeting both PD-1 and CTLA-4, cadonilimab is anticipated to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy compared to PD-1/PD-L1 single-target antibodies. Cadonilimab exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms that contribute to the “normalization” of the tumor microenvironment. Its unique tetravalent symmetric structure, combined with Fc modifications, facilitates targeted accumulation in tumor tissues. These distinctive features enable cadonilimab to potentially improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.

About Cadonilimab
Cadonilimab is a novel global first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bi-specific immuno-therapy drug independently developed by Akeso. In June 2022, cadonilimab was granted marketing approval by the NMPA for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer patients who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy, and became the world’s first approved PD-1/CTLA-4 bi-specific antibody. In September 2024, cadonilimab as a first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic G/GEJ adenocarcinoma was approved in China. Currently, the Company is conducting more than 23 clinical trials of cadonilimab combination therapies covering 16 indications including but not limited to cervical cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer.

About Akeso
Akeso (HKEX: 9926.HK) is a leading biopharmaceutical company committed to the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of the world’s first or best-in-class innovative biological medicines. Founded in 2012, the company has created a unique integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the core, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode, and has gradually developed into a globally competitive biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative solutions. With fully integrated multi-functional platform, Akeso is internally working on a robust pipeline of over 50 innovative assets in the fields of cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease and other major diseases. Among them, 22 candidates have entered clinical trials (including 11 bispecific/multispecific antibodies and bispecific antibody-drug conjugates). Additionally, 5 new drugs are commercially available, and 5 new drugs across 7 indications are currently under regulatory review for approval. Through efficient and breakthrough R&D innovation, Akeso always integrates superior global resources, develops the first-in-class and best-in-class new drugs, provides affordable therapeutic antibodies for patients worldwide, and continuously creates more commercial and social values to become a global leading biopharmaceutical enterprise.

For more information, please visit https://www.akesobio.com/en/about-us/corporate-profile/ and follow us on Linkedin, and X .

KALiNA Power and Crusoe Sign Framework Agreement for Joint Development of Multiple Co-Sited AI Data Centre Projects in Alberta

  • Framework for joint development of multiple Crusoe AI focused data centres co-sited with KALiNA’s near-zero-emissions natural gas-fired power plants using carbon capture and sequestration (Power-CCS)
  • Anticipates Crusoe to own and operate its AI Data Centres contracting for affordable power with KALiNA’s owned and operated Power-CCS plants via power purchase agreements with an investment grade or otherwise credit worthy counterparty of at least 15 years providing KALiNA with stable, long-term cash flow with which to finance each project
  • All sites located with access to critical infrastructure – electricity transmission, gas pipelines, fibre optic cables and carbon sequestration hubs
  • Parties commit to use reasonable commercial efforts to complete a Project Development Agreement. Each PDA will include an indicative long-term tolling Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) as well as provisions for the funding by Crusoe of certain electrical interconnection and gas supply interconnection security payments for each related project.

CALGARY, Canada, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KALiNA Power Limited (ASX: KPO) announces that its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, KALiNA Distributed Power Limited (“KDP“) has entered into a multi-year Framework Agreement with Crusoe for the joint development of Crusoe’s AI Data Centre Projects co-sited with KDP’s 170 MW near-zero-emissions natural gas power plants using carbon capture and sequestration (“Power-CCS“) in Alberta, Canada (the “Co-Sited Projects”). 

The Framework Agreement supports the establishment of Crusoe’s Data Centre footprint in Alberta in a sustainable and commercially scalable manner by utilizing KDP’s near-zero-emissions power under a contracting arrangement which complies with Alberta’s self-supply requirements.  Each potential co-sited project is to be developed under a separate Project Development Agreement (PDA) between KDP and Crusoe (or their affiliates) as a Crusoe owned and operated AI Data Centre contracting for affordable power with an adjacent, co-sited KALiNA owned and operated Power-CCS plant.  It is anticipated that power will be supplied from each Power-CCS Plant to the adjacent AI focused Data Centre pursuant to a power purchase agreement (PPA) with an investment grade or otherwise credit worthy counterparty of at least 15 years which will provide KALiNA with stable, long-term cash flows with which to finance each Power-CCS project. 

Each of KALiNA’s 170 MW Power-CCS plant represents gross unlevered capex of ~CAD$1 billion which is ~CAD$640 million net of cash rebate incentives.

Each of KDP’s current potential project locations are strategically located sites near electrical transmission, gas pipeline infrastructure, carbon sequestration hubs and fibre optic lines.  The initial three project locations are presently comprised of KDP’s Myers Energy Park, the Alsike Energy Park and the newly secured Crossfield Energy Park location. 

The Framework Agreement commits KDP and Crusoe to use reasonable commercial efforts to complete a Project Development Agreement.  Each PDA will include an indicative long-term tolling PPA as well as provisions for the funding by Crusoe of certain electrical interconnection and gas supply interconnection security payments for each related project.  

Environmental desktop and biophysical studies have been completed at the Myers Energy Park and the Alsike Energy Park and is planned to be completed at the Crossfield Energy Park in 2025.   KDP has already filed self-supply and export System Access Service Requests (SASRs) with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) for all three sites. In addition to the initial three current potential co-sited projects, KDP is continuing to develop the Gilby Power Park, for which site control and environmental desktop and biophysical studies have been completed.  KDP has filed generation only SASR’s for Gilby and a new location in the Clairmont area. The business models for Gilby and Clairmont projects are more applicable to virtual power purchase agreements and/or natural gas tolling contracting arrangements and the terms of the Framework Agreement have accordingly been expanded to include the opportunity for Crusoe to contract for power via Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (“VPPAs”) from KDP power projects which are not co-sited. 

Comments

KALiNA Managing Director Ross MacLachlan said

“Our team has worked closely with Crusoe to develop a commercial path forward to keep pace with AI data centre market demand while capitalizing on the unique characteristics of the Alberta market to deliver reliable, affordable natural gas-fired power configured with CO₂ capture and sequestration.  Our negotiations have resulted in a significantly expanded scope that reflects the enormous market opportunity both our companies are seeking to address. This agreement establishes a framework under which up to three projects can be initially developed.  It also provides the potential for additional power plants at all three locations as well as provisions for the parties to jointly develop future prospective sites.  Furthermore, it outlines the potential for Crusoe to contract via virtual power purchase agreements on KDP projects which are not co-sited with Crusoe.

 The Framework Agreement clearly demonstrates a willingness by both parties to capitalise on the pipeline of quality projects that KDP has assembled in Alberta that have all the necessary characteristics and infrastructure to develop multiple co-sited AI data centres powered by our near-zero-emissions natural gas power plants.  Our focus now is to establish project development agreements for each site with an initial focus on the Myers, Alsike and Crossfield projects.” 

– ENDS   –

This announcement was approved and authorised for release by: Ross MacLachlan, CEO.

For further information please contact:

KALiNA Power Limited

Tim Horgan

Executive Director

thorgan@KALiNApower.com

+61 3 9236 2800

+61 449 279 880

Ben Jarvis

Six Degrees Investor Relations

ben.jarvis@sdir.com.au

+61 413 150 448

 

72% of executives plan to embrace AI in 2025, with a quarter targeting AI for specialized tasks like translation

New report from DeepL dives into the state of enterprise AI adoption worldwide and the game-changing potential of Language AI for global businesses

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DeepL, a leading global Language AI company, today unveiled its latest white paper, “The language revolution: how AI improves the way businesses communicate.” Based on findings from a new DeepL survey of EMEA and US business leaders, as well as external sources, the report explores the intersection of language and AI in business, covering critical topics ranging from global corporate AI adoption trends, to the financial impact of poor communication on international businesses, and the real-world impact and value of Language AI tools.

“English has become the go-to language for international business, but the reality is that only about 20% of the world’s population speaks it fluently,” said Jarek Kutylowski, CEO and Founder, DeepL. “This has a significant impact on global businesses and professionals – over half of C-level leaders spend more than an hour each day dealing with ineffective communication, a challenge that also extends to other management and leadership levels. To address this, what we’re seeing through our research is that businesses are increasingly turning to AI solutions – 72% are planning to integrate AI into daily operations, with 25% targeting specific tasks such as translation in 2025.”

Report highlights include:

  • Businesses are budgeting for AI integration: In 2025, businesses will be looking more closely into how AI is bringing ROI-positive value to their organization. Across every region, top AI budgeting allocations include business operations (28%), workplace tools (19%) and specialized tasks such as translation (25%). The Netherlands shows the highest AI spending commitment, with 30% of businesses in the nation planning to integrate AI into all operations, closely followed by Germany (29%), Belgium (28%), France (26%) and the United States (25%).
  • Communication barriers are a significant issue facing global companies: As businesses expand globally and scale into new markets, language barriers are emerging as a key challenge. Market expansion (35%), engaging customers across borders (32%), and customer service (24%) are cited as the top language obstacles faced in their business while navigating this global landscape. In particular, expanding into new markets is a significant challenge for European companies operating in geographies with multiple official languages or export-driven economies – including Belgium (45%), Germany (41%), and the UK (44%) – followed by the US (37%), which represents the world’s second-largest export economy. Of the markets surveyed, France (42%), the US (38%) and Belgium (38%) also reported the most significant challenges while serving customers from other markets; emphasizing the importance of robust multilingual capabilities in those regions.
  • Specialized AI tools like DeepL are combatting top business communication challenges: Language AI is unlocking significant growth and efficiency for global businesses, enabling them to harness language as a strategic asset to better tap into the power of communication and collaboration both internally and externally – all while driving deeper connections and expanding global reach. Businesses are merging Language AI solutions with human expertise and oversight to solve their urgent communication issues and minimize the challenges associated with cross-cultural communication – particularly in highly regulated industries with high-stakes communications, like legal and manufacturing. This includes utilizing Language AI alongside external translation agencies (32%) and supporting in-house translation teams with AI (31%), to embedding AI into key products (26%).
  • Internal communication is a growing priority in European markets: Internal language barriers are leaving global companies struggling to effectively and efficiently move business forward. In particular, The Netherlands (31%) and France (25%) report the highest pressure to support communication between teams speaking different languages, highlighting how linguistic diversity impacts both customer engagement and workplace collaboration. DeepL’s findings are aligned with a 2024 Forbes study that found half of all knowledge workers say they are hampered by communication challenges.

“In order to communicate with people from other countries, naturally, we have to use English, and it’s always urgent. It used to take staff up to half a day to translate a document created in Japanese into English. Now that we are using DeepL, we can do this task very fast,” said Shoji Otsubo, Senior Manager, Panasonic Connect.

Since its inception in 2017, DeepL has become the go-to Language AI provider for businesses around the world, offering cutting-edge translation and writing solutions that are a critical investment for international business growth, addressing communication challenges across various domains. DeepL’s rapid growth and demand worldwide are also reflected by its rapidly-expanding customer network, which now includes over 100,000+ businesses, governments and other organizations worldwide including 50% of the Fortune 500.

Access the full report here. To try out DeepL’s industry-leading AI translation and writing tools for your business, visit www.deepl.com.

Methodology
As a part of DeepL’s ongoing effort to analyze industry-specific and regional trends in AI adoption, Infuse Media conducted a survey in October 2024 on behalf of DeepL. The research targeted 780 decision makers with senior titles (Head, Director, VP, C-level) in key leadership roles in Marketing, Product, IT, Finance, and more from industries such as retail, manufacturing, professional services, and legal. The participants were located in EMEA and the US.

About DeepL

DeepL is on a mission to break down language barriers for businesses everywhere. Over 100,000 businesses and governments and millions of individuals across 228 global markets trust DeepL’s Language AI platform for human-like translation in both written and spoken formats, as well as natural, improved writing. Designed with enterprise security in mind, companies around the world leverage DeepL’s AI solutions that are specifically tuned for language to transform business communications, expand markets and improve productivity. Founded in 2017 by CEO Jaroslaw (Jarek) Kutylowski, DeepL today has over 1,000 passionate employees and is supported by world-renowned investors including Benchmark, IVP and Index Ventures.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/deepl_logo.jpg

CoinW Announces 4 Block Sponsorship at Consensus Hong Kong 2025

HONG KONG, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CoinW, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is set to make a bold statement at Consensus 2025 as an official 4 Block sponsor, showcasing its dedication to Web3 innovation and blockchain adoption. Attendees can visit booth #3811 to explore CoinW’s latest developments and connect with industry experts.

Consensus Hong Kong 2025
Consensus Hong Kong 2025

Beyond the main event, CoinW is hosting an exclusive afterparty at The Henderson – Cloud 39. It will bring together industry pioneers and investors for a night of networking, music, and celebration. With a live DJ and a lineup of performers, the event will mark the official launch of two groundbreaking initiatives: DeriW and WConnect.

Transforming Decentralized Trading 

Built on the DeriW Chain and powered by Arbitrum Orbit L3 and Rollup technology, DeriW is set to redefine perpetual trading with:

  • Zero Gas Fees: Advanced Layer 3 technology enables ultra-fast, cost-efficient transactions.
  • Self-Custodial Wallets: Empowering traders with full control over their funds.
  • Dynamic Liquidity Pools: Real-time market adjustments for seamless, high-volume trading.
  • Referral Rebates: A decentralized rewards system offering up to 50% in rebates.

With the capability to process 7,000 transactions per second, DeriW delivers a secure, scalable, and efficient trading experience.

A Global Hub for Blockchain Innovation 

Next is WConnect, a premier online forum series designed to connect developers, traders, and blockchain communities through in-depth discussions, expert insights, and knowledge sharing. 

  • AI, RWA & DeFi Trends: Exploring the latest innovations shaping the industry.
  • Pro Trading Strategies: Unlocking hidden opportunities and market insights.
  • Layer 1 Ecosystems: Showcasing top blockchain projects and their impact.
  • Project Development Challenges: Lessons from industry-leading builders.
  • Web3 Growth Projections: Analyzing adoption trends and the future of blockchain technology.

WConnect events will be streamed globally on Twitter Spaces, YouTube, and CoinW’s Spot Streaming channel, ensuring accessibility to a worldwide audience.

Join CoinW at Consensus Hong Kong 2025 

As a 4 Block sponsor, CoinW is excited to participate in Consensus Hong Kong 2025, a leading event that unites global leaders in crypto, blockchain, and Web3. This elite annual gathering offers a unique opportunity to engage in pivotal conversations and shape the future of decentralized finance and digital assets.

About CoinW 

Founded in 2017, CoinW is a globally trusted cryptocurrency exchange serving over 13 million users in 14 countries. With cutting-edge technology, advanced security, and a focus on empowering blockchain innovation, CoinW supports communities worldwide in realizing the transformative power of digital assets.

Twitter Official:https://twitter.com/CoinWOfficial
Research Institute Telegram: https://t.me/CoinW_Research
Telegram EN: https://t.me/coinwoff
Telegram Announcement Official: https://t.me/coinwofficialchannel
YouTube Official: https://www.youtube.com/@CoinWOfficial

Mastercard Launches Anti-Money Laundering Service “TRACE” to Combat Financial Crime in Asia Pacific

The groundbreaking crime-fighting solution has been implemented in the Philippines’ Real-Time Payment network, making it the second market in the world to offer the service after the United Kingdom

SINGAPORE, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mastercard today officially announced the launch of TRACE (Trace Financial Crime) in Asia Pacific, a sophisticated network-level solution that harnesses artificial intelligence to identify and prevent money laundering and financial crime. Powered by timely and large-scale payments data from multiple financial institutions, TRACE provides holistic intelligence beyond an individual financial institution’s siloed view, enabling tracing of financial crime across a payments network. 

In recent years, Real-Time Payments (RTP) have seen a rapid rise in use among individuals and businesses across Asia Pacific, allowing transactions to be settled between accounts at different financial institutions within seconds—something which in the past often took a matter of days. However, this speed has also made it a target for money launderers and “mules”, who try to evade detection by moving funds rapidly between multiple accounts. Oftentimes, criminals also involve the accounts of unwitting civilians through methods such as romance and investment scams. 

Financial institutions have largely relied on semi-manual methods or in-house AI solutions to detect these illicit patterns, but these typically rely on their own data and lack the holistic, network-level perspective needed to trace such far-reaching criminal activity. Oftentimes, investigations take weeks to complete. To address this, Mastercard developed TRACE, which uses cutting-edge data science techniques to trace potentially fraudulent transaction patterns across a payments network, as well as providing proactive alerts to banks about suspicious accounts.  TRACE incorporates critical data points across an entire domestic network to identify money mules involved in financial crime (such as frauds, scams, etc.), giving financial institutions a network-level perspective they wouldn’t otherwise have.  

Mastercard’s first Asia Pacific rollout of TRACE was in the Philippines in collaboration with local interbank network BancNet (the switch operator of local RTP service InstaPay), with BancNet having already onboarded 36 domestic banks. The solution allows participating financial institutions to quickly and extensively trace dispersed illicit funds across the RTP system, identify money mule activity throughout the network, and proactively highlight suspected money laundering accounts—all of which will allow them to better adhere to the country’s new Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).

“The launch of TRACE in Asia Pacific marks a transformative step toward safeguarding the integrity of Real-Time Payments while combatting the corrosive effects of financial crime,” said Matthew Driver, Executive Vice President, Services, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.  “By ensuring that transactions remain secure and compliant, TRACE helps to protect consumers and financial institutions, while also fostering trust in the digital economy—which will be critical for the region’s economic growth. Mastercard is proud to have collaborated with BancNet on its pilot rollout in the Philippines and is ready to collaborate with other stakeholders across the region to implement TRACE to create a stronger, more resilient global financial system.” 

“As scams grow more sophisticated, advanced tech-powered prevention and monitoring capabilities are critical. Our partnership with Mastercard and leveraging TRACE gives us and the network participants the intelligence to help detect fraud faster, making scam prevention sharper and more effective,” said Emmie Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, BancNet. 

TRACE is the first network-level solution for RTP systems developed to proactively identify money mules and trace the dispersion of funds. TRACE is network-agnostic and can be quickly and effectively implemented within the payment networks across the region, helping to protect customers from fraud and scams as well as supporting regulatory obligations. 

The United Kingdom is the only other market in the world to have implemented TRACE. Launched by Mastercard in 2018, the solution is now being used by 21 financial institutions and tier-one banks, covering 90 percent of the United Kingdom’s Faster Payments Service network. Since its launch, TRACE has helped identified thousands of mule accounts and is continuing to aid uncover hundreds of new money mule accounts every month. 

About Mastercard 

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. 

www.mastercard.com   

 

LG Chem Accelerates Commercial Production of 100% Plant-Based Acrylic Acid

  • LG Chem has launched prototype production of 100% bio-acrylic acid, which has received USDA Certified Biobased Product (BIOPREFERRED®) label.
  • The product is derived from 3HP made through a microbial fermentation process, offering the same properties as conventional acrylic acid and providing a sustainable solution for cosmetics and diaper raw materials
  • With an initial production capacity of 100 metric tons per year, LG Chem plans to scale up production if demand for eco-friendly raw materials increases

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Chem is entering the global market with eco-friendly raw materials derived from vegetable oils. The company announced that it will commence the production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. Production capacity shall ramp up to 100 metric tons (MT) of prototype annually.

Bio-acrylic acid can be applied to various materials, including cosmetic ingredients that directly contact the skin, super absorbent polymers (SAP) for diapers, adhesives for electronics and vehicles, coating materials, and eco-friendly paints. Although attempts to develop bio-acrylic acid technology have been made worldwide, none have reached commercialization until now.

LG Chem’s bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials. The product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid while being entirely plant-based.

LG Chem developed its 3HP strain and fermentation technology in-house, earning the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, confirming it as 100% bio-based last year.

Starting with prototype production, the company plans to actively promote the product to sustainability-driven companies in North America and Europe. The cosmetics industry, which increasingly demands plant-based and naturally derived ingredients without compromising functionality, is expected to be a key market for bio-acrylic acid.

LG Chem plans to operate a customized bio-acrylic acid production system that can respond immediately to customer needs and is considering expanding production facilities if market demand increases.

“We expect bio-acrylic acid to be an innovative product that meets the sustainability needs of our customers and the market. We will continue leading the development of eco-friendly technologies,” said Song Byung-Keun, Senior Vice President and Head of Acrylates/SAP Business Unit at LG Chem.

About LG Chem
LG Chem is a leading global chemical company with a diversified business portfolio in the key areas of petrochemicals, advanced materials, and life sciences. The company manufactures a wide range of products from high-value added petrochemicals to renewable plastics, specializing in cutting-edge electronic and battery materials, as well as drugs and vaccines to deliver differentiated solutions for its customers. LG Chem is committed to reaching carbon-neutral growth by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 by managing the impacts of climate change and making positive contributions to society through renewable energy and responsible supply chains. Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, LG Chem has multiple operation sites worldwide and generated consolidated revenue of KRW 48.9 trillion (USD 33.6 billion) in 2024. For more information, please visit www.lgchem.com.

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