Graid Technology announced an agreement with Intel Corporation to enter into a license agreement granting Graid Technology the rights to develop, market, sell, and support Intel® Virtual RAID on CPU (Intel® VROC) globally. This strategic agreement is expected to accelerate innovation in the enterprise RAID market and deliver transformative outcomes for data center customers worldwide.
Graid Technology and Intel Announce Strategic License Agreement
In today’s digital economy, data is the most valuable asset for every organization, and ensuring it is both resilient and readily available is critical to unlocking its full value. Through this agreement, Graid Technology will combine the proven enterprise performance of Intel® VROC with the breakthrough innovation of its own SupremeRAID™ portfolio, the industry’s first GPU-based RAID architecture for high-performance workloads such as AI and HPC.
By bringing together CPU-based and GPU-based RAID architectures, Graid Technology will deliver an unmatched range of high-performance options, providing the low latency and high throughput needed to power next-generation data infrastructure.
Leander Yu, CEO of Graid Technology, said:
“We’re proud to partner with Intel and carry forward the VROC legacy with fresh energy and vision. At Graid Technology, our mission is to deliver uncompromising data resilience and performance for our customers. The combination of Intel® VROC and SupremeRAID™ gives customers the ultimate choice-CPU-based or GPU-based RAID-both designed to unlock the full potential of their data for faster insights, greater productivity, and a stronger return on infrastructure investments.”
Bryan Jorgensen, Vice President in Intel’s Data Center Group, added:
“This agreement with Graid Technology marks an exciting new chapter for Intel® VROC and the customers we serve. Graid Technology’s deep RAID expertise and commitment to innovation will help drive new value for customers, eliminating the bottlenecks of traditional RAID and unlocking higher performance than ever before.”
At close, which is expected by the end of the year, Graid Technology will assume responsibility for all Intel® VROC customer support and future development. Both Intel and Graid Technology are committed to ensuring a seamless transition with regular updates and transparent communication throughout the process.
For more information, contact your Intel or Graid Technology representative, or visit www.graidtech.com.
Contact Information Andrea Eaken Senior Director of Marketing, Americas & EMEA andrea.eaken@graidtech.com 949-742-9928
Travel Commerce Innovation Winner delivers New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo Destination Marketplaces and Bucket List Experience Packages in 103 currencies.
TripGift®, the international multi-award-winning leader in multi-brand, multi-currency closed-loop travel gift cards and digital experience redemption marketplace, today announced the launch of a new line of Bucket List Destination Gift Cards and Marketplaces. Featuring the world’s most sought-after cities-New York, London, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and many more -these gift cards, promo vouchers and marketplaces deliver a unique, flexible and personalized value proposition and destination-themed closed-loop gifting and redemption experience.
TripGift Destination Gift Cards Destination Gift cards from TripGift®
Leveraging TripGift’s recent ‘Travel Commerce Innovation of the Year Award’ and its robust technology, these personalized gift cards provide truly targeted travel opportunities, all managed within TripGift’s unique travel experience redemption marketplace, which operates seamlessly across an industry-first, market leading 103 currencies.
The expansion is strategically rolling out with key global strategic partners, designed to unlock global marketing reach, drive targeted and personalized travel experience spend, and stimulate in-destination economic activity. This initiative is powered by the company’s proprietary micro-services and innovative closed-loop marketplace ecosystem, which continues to supercharge the global market with accessible, multi-currency travel gifting and redemption.
“The demand for experiential and ‘bucket list’ travel remains robust, and we are perfectly positioned to capitalize on this global desire with our new destination and bucket list experience-focused gift cards,” said Cary George, CEO of TripGift®. “By personalizing the gift of travel to iconic cities like New York, Dubai, London, and Tokyo, and supporting it with the power of our 103-currency redemption platform, we are making global travel dreams more accessible and easier to achieve for everyone, everywhere. This strategic expansion is a testament to the strength and unique scalability of the TripGift® infrastructure and closed-loop ecosystem.”
The new destination gift cards are designed for self-use or 3rd party gifting locally or cross-border with maximum flexibility, allowing recipients to redeem them for hotels, car rentals, tours, and bucket list experiences all in the named city, leveraging the full technological capability of the TripGift® marketplace exclusively for redemption online.
“Our continuous innovation, particularly within our micro-services and flywheel model, is what allows us to rapidly introduce highly relevant, meaningful products and marketplaces, driving economic stimulus in these key global destinations,” added George.
About TripGift® TripGift® is the international multi-award-winning market leader in multi-brand, multi-currency travel ‘anywhere’ closed-loop digital gift cards and a digital self-serve online travel booking redemption marketplace. Headquartered in London, UK, operating globally, the company is debt-free and profitable, operating a portfolio of ‘hero brand’ gift cards including AirlineGift, BucketlistGift, HotelsGift, eLearnGift, FlystayGift, RentacarGift, ToursGift and TripGift opening doors to over 1.5 million bookable travel experiences exclusively in its online marketplace. The platform encompasses major airlines, hotels, and car rentals, as well as extraordinary local and global bucket list experiences, VIP sporting events, and cultural and music events.
TripGift® B2B solutions, offers an industry-first, security-minded, 103 transactional currency closed-loop gift card processor, gift card API and global experiential redemption marketplace, with split-tender for travel anywhere, its retail digital travel gift cards, are ideal for local, regional and global travel gifting, travel rewards, loyalty rewards, employee rewards, promotions, incentives, wedding gifts, destination marketing, bundles, cash back and sweepstake prizes.
Building Understanding to Support a Resilient Food System
Kate Blaszak, Director, Protein Transition at Asia Research & Engagement (ARE), said, “Food and agriculture are increasingly material to financial stability, sector resilience, and humane and sustainable outcomes across Asia. This benchmark provides a constructive starting point for banks to build understanding of intersectional risks in this critical sector, strengthen capacity for responsible lending, and engage clients on emerging opportunities in sustainable food systems.”
Regional Snapshot: Early Signs of Momentum
Although maturity varies by market, the benchmark finds that banks across the region are starting to recognise food-and agriculture-related risks and the importance of more resilient, lower-impact food systems.
Singaporean banks have responsible-lending frameworks in place, and DBS, UOB, and OCBC have all adopted deforestation-exclusion principles. The next steps are to enhance transparency, demonstrating deforestation and cage-free lending, and boost sustainable finance for this sector.
Malaysia’s CIMB and Maybank already support sustainable palm production. They can enhance leadership across their livestock exposure through strengthening nature protection by adding feed-related deforestation exclusions and adding responsible antibiotic use and animal welfare principles to their lending criteria.
Thailand’s Kasikornbank, Krung Thai, and SCB reflect early alignment with the country’s expanding plant-based and future-food sector, supporting “Kitchen of the World” ambitions with a clear opportunity to demonstrate leadership in alternative proteins and humane production methods.
Indonesia and the Philippines face significant exposure to climate, nature and other agricultural risks. Banks such as BCA, Mandiri, and BDO Unibank are at an early stage of integrating sustainability frameworks for this sector. They can strengthen understanding of the need for more sustainable and resilient agri-finance approaches.
India’s ICICI is taking early steps by disclosing climate-risk scenario analyses for the sector. Indian banks overall have yet to include deforestation, animal welfare, or antibiotic-use in their lending criteria, but with food and agriculture identified as a “Priority Lending Sector,” there is a clear case for strengthening lending frameworks to underpin nutritional security and climate resilience.
Early Signals Emerging, Yet Gaps Remain Across Climate, Nature, and Protein Themes
Climate: Two banks have begun incorporating food and agriculture into their net-zero strategies — an important early signal in a sector where disclosure of decarbonisation pathways is still emerging. Yet, food and agriculture are significant contributors to climate change as well as being severely impacted by climate change.
Animal Welfare: Three banks now reference animal welfare in their responsible lending frameworks, marking the first indications of awareness in this area. The development of measurable standards and sustainable finance for cage-free presents a roadmap for practical progress.
Antibiotic Use: Singapore’s UOB has taken an initial step by acknowledging antibiotic stewardship. Expanding this into clear principles for lending evaluation could strengthen risk management, and support food safety.
Nature & Biodiversity: DBS, UOB, and CIMB have begun aligning with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. High-impact next steps include extending this alignment to food-agri lending and incorporating verification of deforestation exclusions.
Plant-Based Proteins: DBS, Maybank, and Krung Thai are among the early movers incorporating plant-based and alternative proteins within sustainable and transition-finance frameworks — signaling recognition of SE Asia’s fast-growing future-food markets.
Looking Ahead: Financing Asia’s Protein Transition
ARE highlights the importance of food and agriculture to Asian economies and the imperative for banks to establish a roadmap for reducing risk and capturing transitional funding opportunities such as plant proteins, deforestation-free feed, humane and nature-based solutions. By learning from leadership among peers and looking towards the models set by some regionally active international banks, Asia’s lenders could help drive sustainable food production with climate, health, animal, and nature protective benefits via more comprehensive responsible lending frameworks and transition finance targets.
“The next wave of sustainable finance will be defined by nutrition, nature, compassion, and resilience,” Blaszak said. “Banks that act early can reduce systemic risks and unlock new sources of value.”
About Asia Research & Engagement (ARE)
ARE brings leading investors into dialogue with Asian-listed companies to address sustainable development challenges and help companies align with investor priorities. With decades of Asia experience, our cross-cultural team understands the region’s unique needs. Our high-quality independent research, robust investor network, and engagement expertise provide corporate leaders and financial decision makers with insights leading to concrete action.
– The partnership will equip Laser Digital with Solidus Labs’ advanced detection capabilities to monitor trading behavior across exchanges, OTC markets, and DeFi venues – Backed by Nomura, Laser Digital was recently licensed by VARA under its Pilot Framework to offer OTC crypto derivatives
Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary of Nomura Group, and Solidus Labs, the category-definer for crypto-native trade surveillance and risk monitoring, today announced a partnership to deliver crypto-native on-chain and off-chain market surveillance.
Under this partnership, Solidus Labs will equip Laser Digital with advanced detection capabilities that monitor trading behavior across exchanges, OTC markets, and DeFi venues – reinforcing Laser Digital’s risk and compliance operations and supporting evolving regulatory expectations across jurisdictions.
Backed by Nomura, one of the world’s largest financial institutions, Laser Digital was established as a full-service digital asset firm to bring TradFi practices to crypto markets. The firm combines higher governance standards and risk management with crypto-native expertise, to manage institutional exposure to the digital asset ecosystem.
Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Jez Mohideen, Co-founder and CEO of Laser Digital, said, “Solidus Labs emerged as a suitable partner for us given their expertise in trade surveillance and deep understanding of digital assets. Their on-and off-chain detection capabilities, combined with an intelligence-driven platform, offer advanced safeguards that are critical to enabling secure institutional access to the on-chain ecosystem.”
Asaf Meir, Founder & CEO of Solidus Labs, added, “We are proud to partner with Laser Digital, a firm that is laser-focused on redefining the frontier of digital finance. 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year, bridging traditional finance and digital assets – and Laser Digital is at the forefront of that evolution. Solidus is the only provider able to support the advanced DeFi activities Laser is pursuing, and together we are helping set the gold standard for crypto-native market integrity.”
In August 2025, Laser Digital announced that it had become the first regulated entity under Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority’s (VARA) Pilot Framework to offer OTC crypto options, underscoring its commitment to offering structured solutions in regulated markets.
About Solidus Labs Solidus Labs is the category-definer for Agentic-Based Compliance in trade surveillance and risk monitoring. Founded in 2018 by Goldman Sachs veterans, the company merges Wall Street rigor, crypto-native innovation, and cybersecurity principles to reinvent compliance for the modern financial era. At the core is HALO, an AI-powered risk-based platform trusted by financial institutions, crypto firms, and regulators globally to drive proactive, intelligence-led oversight – across any product, venue, or asset class. www.soliduslabs.com
Contact: Trevor Davis Gregory FCA for Solidus Labs 443.248.0359 trevor@gregoryfca.com
About Laser Digital Laser Digital is a full-service digital asset firm specializing in Trading, Asset Management, Solutions, and Early-Stage Investing. Nomura established Laser Digital to provide new value in digital assets to its clients, bridging traditional and crypto markets. We are positioned uniquely in the market, combining institutional- grade framework and risk management. For more information, please visit: www.laserdigital.com For partnership inquiries: inquiries@laserdigital.com For media inquiries: media@laserdigital.com
Legal Disclaimer This is a marketing communication intended for professional investors in eligible jurisdictions only. It does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Forecasts are not reliable indicators of future performance. Capital is at risk. Please consult the relevant offering documentation before making any investment decisions.
BlackBerry Limited (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB) today announced the expansion of BlackBerry® SecuSUITE® to Windows® devices, extending sovereign-grade secure communications trusted by governments and critical enterprises to include laptops and workstations. This expansion will enable secure voice, messaging, and file sharing across mobile devices, laptops, and desktops, delivering the same assured protection through a consistent, adoptable workflow.
For end users, this means they will be able to collaborate securely from whichever device best suits their task – on the move, at a primary workstation, or working from a laptop – without changing the way they operate. They can review documents on a larger screen, compose detailed messages with a keyboard, or coordinate quickly in the field verbally, with all forms of communication working together to support a continuous flow from decision to action. SecuSUITE keeps workflows simple while helping to ensure every exchange stays protected.
For organizations, extending the SecuSUITE solution’s independently certified architecture to include Windows laptops and workstations enables mission-critical communications to remain secure as teams move between endpoints and networks. Communications will be shielded from eavesdropping, identity spoofing, and metadata exploitation, while deployment flexibility (on-premises, private cloud, or hosted) will allow agencies to retain full sovereignty and control over their data.
“Critical conversations don’t strictly happen in the field,” said Dr. Christoph Erdmann, Senior Vice President, BlackBerry. “By expanding SecuSUITE to include Windows devices, we’re giving users the same sovereign-grade protection they rely on during mobile operations, now extended to their primary workstation or laptop. This helps ensure critical communications stay protected and keep moving, fitting naturally into everyday operations and encouraging adoption without adding complexity.”
SecuSUITE is independently and vastly certified, with validations from NIAP, NATO Restricted, BSI, and CSfC, and is trusted by governments and critical enterprises worldwide to protect their most sensitive communications. As a core pillar of BlackBerry® Secure Communications, SecuSUITE extends this assurance to secure voice, messaging, file sharing, and crisis coordination – providing full sovereign control over how and where systems are deployed. BlackBerry Secure Communications is trusted by governments, defense agencies, and critical industries worldwide, including all G7 governments, 18 of the G20 members and 8 of the top 10 global banks, to protect sensitive conversations and large-scale coordination.
Availability The Windows expansion of SecuSUITE will be generally available in November 2025 as BlackBerry® SecuSUITE® for Windows Desktop.
About BlackBerry BlackBerry (NYSE:BB)(TSX:BB) provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company’s high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management.
Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design, are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.
Doubleview Gold Corp. (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: A1W038) (FSE: 1D4) (“Doubleview” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce positive first-phase pre-optimization results from its two-year, novel scandium-focused metallurgical test program. These results confirm the technical viability of recovering high-purity scandium oxide alongside copper, gold, cobalt, and other metals from the Company’s 100%-owned flagship HAT polymetallic deposit in northern British Columbia.
This breakthrough development marks a global first: The successful recovery of scandium from copper porphyry flotation tailings to a scandium oxide product.
The primary objective of this extensive test program, conducted at SGS Canada Inc., was to establish a viable proprietary flowsheet enabling scandium to be included in the upcoming, updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment, potentially as measured, indicated, or inferred resources. The Company’s maiden resource estimate (July 25, 2024) highlighted a scandium potential of 300 to 500 million tonnes grading approximately 40 ppm Sc2O3.
“The scandium resource potential is based on the drill holes on the property drilled for (July 25, 2024) maiden resource estimate for other metal content than scandium. The potential quantity and grade are conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.”
Early metallurgical test work demonstrated that scandium could be extracted from copper flotation tailings. Subsequently, through an innovative robust test work programme at SGS Canada Inc., it has been successfully demonstrated that scandium in flotation tailings can be recovered to a high purity di-scandium tri-oxide product (Sc2O3).
Key metallurgical results include:
Primary scandium extraction (leach): 82%
Overall scandium recovery to high-purity Sc2O3 product: 88%
Future work to advance the Hat project will focus on continuous pilot plant testing and further optimization to improve primary extraction and enhance final product purity.
Farshad Shirvani, President and CEO of Doubleview Gold Corp., stated:
“Today’s results are a game-changer for the HAT project and potentially for the entire scandium industry on the world stage. World scandium supply is severely limited although there are several scandium projects currently being considered for development. Our metallurgy program shows that at HAT, we can recover high-value scandium directly from the tailings of a standard copper flotation circuit, using acid produced from internally generated pyrite. If the HAT project advances to production, scandium could become a high-margin bonus on top of a potential world-class copper-gold-cobalt operation.
Now that we’ve established the technical viability of scandium recovery, the next steps will focus on pushing extraction and overall recovery as high as possible through continued optimization and pilot-scale testing. I could not be more excited about what the future holds for Doubleview shareholders and all our stakeholders.”
The pictures below show the first Scandium Oxide (Sc2O3) produced from the Hat Deposit in the lab. Doubleview now plans to continue its metallurgical optimization program to enhance the recovery of scandium and other metals, including copper, cobalt, gold, and silver, which are critical for the upcoming prefeasibility study.
Photo 1: Scandium Oxide (Sc2O3) from the Hat deposit
EUR ING Andrew Carter B.Sc., CEng., MIMMM (QMR), MSAIMM, SME, Doubleview’s Qualified Person with respect to the HAT Project metallurgical studies as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release and is independent of the Company.
What is Scandium?
Scandium (Sc) , (atomic weight 45.10, density 2.5), a close relative of the Rare Earth elements, possesses exceptional properties when alloyed with other metals, particularly aluminum. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and as an alloy is capable of dramatically improving strength, heat resistance, and weldability without adding significant weight. When combined with aluminum, scandium forms alloys that achieve the strength of steel while maintaining the light weight of aluminum, enabling revolutionary applications in transportation, aerospace, and clean energy. Scandium’s scarcity, produced in limited quantities globally, primarily as a byproduct, makes it a high-value critical mineral, with prices often exceeding $5,000 per kilogram. Its applications span aerospace, defense, and increasingly, the clean energy sector, where it plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable technologies. Global scandium resources are dominated by projects in Australia and northern Europe. Canadian deposits potentially can allow diversity of supply within a stable and mature mining jurisdiction.
About Doubleview Gold Corp
Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) is a Canadian resource company advancing the 100%-owned Hat Polymetallic Project, located in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The Hat hosts a large copper-gold-cobalt-scandium porphyry system with significant critical metal potential. Doubleview is dedicated to responsible exploration, Indigenous engagement, and sustainable development that benefits both shareholders and local communities.
Doubleview’s success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support of its long-term shareholders, supporters, and institutional investors. Their ongoing commitment has been instrumental in advancing the company’s strategic initiatives. Doubleview looks forward to further collaborative growth and development and continues to welcome active participation from its valued stakeholders as the company expands its portfolio and strengthens its position in the critical minerals sector.
The Hat Deposit, located in northwestern British Columbia, is a polymetallic porphyry project with major resources of copper, gold, cobalt, and the potential for scandium. As one of the region’s significant sources of critical minerals, the Hat deposit has undergone targeted exploration and development. The 0.2% CuEq cut-off resource estimate, as of the recently completed Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company’s July 25, 2024, news release, is summarized below:
Open Pit Model Hat
Average Grade
Metal Content
Resource Category
Tonnage
CuEq
Cu
Co
Au
Ag
CuEq
Cu
Co
Au
Ag
Mt
%
%
%
g/t
g/t
million lb
million lb
million lb
thousand oz
thousand oz
In Pit
Indicated
150
0.408
0.221
0.008
0.19
0.42
1,353
733
28
929
2,045
Inferred
477
0.344
0.185
0.009
0.15
0.49
3,619
1,945
91
2,328
7,575
Scandium potential for the Hat Deposit is estimated to be 300 to 500 million tonnes at an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc2O3.
For further details of the MRE, please refer to the Company’s July 25, 2024 news release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Farshad Shirvani, President & Chief Executive Officer
For further information please contact:
Doubleview Gold Corp Vancouver, BC Farshad Shirvani President & CEO
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
The information contained herein contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives and assumptions made as of the date of this news release, including without limitation: the size of the Private Placement and other statements concerning the Private Placement; the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement; the renunciation to the purchasers of FT Shares and timing thereof; the tax treatment of the FT Shares and the Company’s plans regarding exploring its mineral exploration properties; anticipated results of geophysical drilling programs, geological interpretations and potential mineral recovery. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate funding on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company’s expectations; risks related to the gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company’s disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty or reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law, to reflect new information, events or circumstances, or changes in management’s estimates, projections or opinions. Actual events or results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements or from the Company’s expectations or projections.
EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd (“EdgePoint”) – part of EdgePoint Infrastructure, a leading ASEAN-based independent telecommunications infrastructure company – announced the successful deployment of its first-of-its-kind Connectivity for Conservation project at the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Ulu Tembeling, Jerantut, Pahang. The project was implemented in partnership with the Pahang State Parks Corporation (Perbadanan Taman Negeri Pahang, PTNP), and The Habitat Foundation (THF).
By connecting manned guard posts and camp sites via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology, the solution enables real-time coordination and communication for rangers and research staff operating in remote and dense rainforests. It also supports incident reporting, navigation and location tagging for emergency communication and response protocols.
Muniff Kamaruddin, Chief Executive Officer of EdgePoint Towers, said, “As part of our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitment, we are proud to contribute to tiger conservation efforts through the use of technology. Protecting biodiversity is a crucial component of sustainable development, and by leveraging our expertise in connectivity and infrastructure, we aim to strengthen monitoring and protection of Malaysia’s endangered tigers. Through this partnership, we have worked closely with stakeholders to understand and address the complex challenges posed by difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, and wildlife-specific needs”.
“Operational constraints such as limited fuel supply and power access require robust solutions and detailed contingency planning to ensure optimal equipment performance with minimal on-site intervention. By integrating off-grid solar and battery systems, these installations will enhance the efficiency of rangers and researchers, providing reliable access to critical data in real time and enabling faster response to tiger sightings and anti-poaching efforts. This initiative also demonstrates how technology-driven insights can shape more effective, data-informed wildlife protection policies” he added.
Encik Zainal Abidin bin Othman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PTNP said, “The Malayan Tiger is listed as critically endangered, with an estimated 150 remaining in the wild in Malaysia. This alarming scarcity highlights the urgent need for innovative and technology-driven approaches to safeguard the species. Through the enhanced connectivity provided by EdgePoint’s solution, PTNP together with the service operator of Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve, Enggang Management Services (EMS) Sdn. Bhd. and implementing partners can now benefit with better communications in the deep forest, instead of depending on satellite phones only. This is also one of the risk mitigation plans for the park alongside patrolling and monitoring. Ultimately, this improves the safety for the patrollers while enhancing park management.
Justine Vaz, Executive Director from The Habitat Foundation added, “This pioneering initiative highlights the power of collaboration in driving meaningful conservation outcomes. It demonstrates the synergistic potential of partnerships between corporations, government agencies, and NGOs in addressing real-world challenges. The enhanced connectivity will improve coordination and data sharing among conservation stakeholders operating in remote landscapes. It will also be instrumental in reinforcing enforcement coordination and strengthening efforts to protect Malaysia’s endangered tigers. We look forward to seeing the results and insights from this program, which we hope will inform future policy decisions within the reserve and the wider conservation community. Through this partnership, we remain hopeful that we can contribute to the population recovery of this iconic Malaysian species”
The Connectivity for Tiger Conservation project marks a pioneering collaboration between technology and conservation, demonstrating how digital infrastructure and connectivity can be powerful in safeguarding Malaysia’s rich natural heritage, supporting biodiversity conservation and ensuring the survival of its critically endangered wildlife.
About EdgePoint Infrastructure
EdgePoint Infrastructure is an ASEAN based independent telecommunications infrastructure company that aspires towards Building a Connected, Digital ASEAN. With operations in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, through EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd, PT Centratama Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk and EdgePoint Towers Inc. respectively, the company is focused on providing sharable and leading-edge telecom structures, small cells and in-building systems. EdgePoint aims to be an industry leader through scale and innovation, driving operational efficiencies through the adoption of analytics and digital technologies.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), in partnership with Feedzai, has released the Global State of Scams 2025 Report. Based on a survey of 46,000 adults across 42 markets, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence, impact, and policy challenges of scams worldwide.
GASA’s Global State of Scams
In the past 12 months, 57 percent of adults worldwide experienced a scam and 23 percent lost money. Shopping scams affected 54 percent of victims, while investment scams and unexpected money scams each impacted 48 percent. Scam encounters were most frequent in South America, Africa, and Oceania, where up to one in four adults lost money in the last year.
The research also highlights the emotional toll of scams. 69 percent of victims reported (huge) stress as a result, while 17 percent reported a loss of confidence and 14 percent said scams created heightened tension within their family unit. Despite this, many scams remain unreported, with uncertainty over where to report being the main barrier.
93% of adults globally claim to take at least one step to verify if an offer is legitimate or not. However, many often rely on methods that are less effective such as checking for spelling and grammar errors (27%); looking for reviews on the same website (24%) and checking if the company is on social media (21%).
Despite nearly three quarters of adults globally feeling confident in their ability to recognise a scam, scams remain prevalent, with many scam victims losing money and a significant proportion never reporting their encounters.
Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, comments: “We have a huge challenge, 73 percent of people worldwide feel confident they can recognize scams, however, nearly a quarter still lost money in the past year. Scams are not only draining finances but also eroding trust and creating significant stress within families. We are learning that scam awareness campaigns alone are not enough. We need to continuously educate consumers, build better solutions to recognize and block (AI) scams and work internationally closer to get to catch the scammers.
“Fraud isn’t just about transactions anymore. It’s about intent. Criminals are exploiting trust, behavior, and technology in real time. Stopping them takes more than spotting anomalies; it takes understanding human patterns. No single bank or payment provider can do that alone. The only way forward is collaboration across financial institutions and cybersecurity teams. That’s how we protect consumers everywhere.” adds Nuno Sebastião, CEO, Feedzai
The Global State of Scams 2025 Report emphasizes that scams are no longer isolated crimes but a global threat to consumer safety, financial stability, and trust in digital economies. GASA and Feedzai call for stronger international collaboration, better scam prevention tools, and accountability across platforms, governments, and industries.
Uniting the strength of Visa’s trusted infrastructure with HotelRunner’s deep presence in hospitality, this strategic preferred partnership sets the foundation for a new era of embedded finance in travel. By bringing Visa’s products directly into HotelRunner’s platform, this collaboration will enable seamless, secure, and scalable cross-border payments and settlements for thousands of travel businesses worldwide.
HotelRunner, a leading travel and hospitality technology platform, and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, have announced a global strategic preferred partnership to empower businesses of all sizes across the travel and hospitality industry. The collaboration brings together Visa’s trusted global infrastructure and secure cross-border payments capabilities with HotelRunner’s deep presence and extensive reach in hospitality technology. Solving the “last-mile” challenge in tourism and democratizing financial access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, HotelRunner is collaborating with Visa to provide robust technology infrastructure and B2B connectivity that enables accommodation providers, from boutique hotels in Morocco to guesthouses in Bali, to get paid quickly and securely across borders.
By uniting their strengths, the two companies aim to accelerate economic growth across the global travel and hospitality ecosystem while delivering seamless, secure, and scalable financial solutions. This partnership sets the foundation for a new era of embedded finance with a specific focus on independent hotels by providing access to global payment rails.
“Travel runs on trust, and trust depends on secure, reliable infrastructure,” said Ali Beklen, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner. “By combining HotelRunner’s global hospitality network with Visa’s unmatched expertise, we are building the autonomous financial infrastructure of travel. This is not only about payments; it is about building the financial rails that will power the next decade of global tourism. We are reshaping the future of cross-border travel commerce, making it safer, smarter, and more inclusive for businesses worldwide.”
On this partnership, Arden Agopyan, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner, said, “HotelRunner has spent more than a decade building the digital backbone of hospitality. For too long, small and independent accommodations and travel agencies have been excluded from global financial flows and the payments economy. Together with Visa, we’re changing that. We’re combining our reach and reliable platform with one of the world’s most trusted networks to create a new standard for autonomous, secure, seamless, and scalable travel payments.”
“Our collaboration with HotelRunner demonstrates how together we can drive innovation across the B2B travel ecosystem. By combining Visa’s trusted global payments network with HotelRunner’s hospitality platform, we’re enabling travel businesses to connect, transact, and grow more seamlessly and securely. Together, we’re helping to unlock new opportunities, and strengthen the global travel ecosystem” Tania Platt, Global Head of B2B Travel, Visa.
Operating globally, this collaboration will bring Visa and HotelRunner together with key travel companies in Europe, APAC, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. This partnership is set to deliver innovative embedded and autonomous finance services supporting millions of travel businesses worldwide.
Contact Information Suheyla van Taarling Director of Marketing & Growth suheyla@hotelrunner.com
FinTech Forward 2025 (FF25), the region’s premier strategic financial technology event, today announced that two globally renowned innovators will headline this year’s edition as title speakers: Changpeng Zhao (CZ), former CEO of Binance and Dhiraj Mukherjee, Cofounder of Shazam. Their participation reflects the flagship event’s growing role as a global stage for innovation, convening leaders who have transformed industries and reshaped how millions around the world engage with technology and financial services.
Zhao, widely recognised as CZ, is the founder and former CEO of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. Under his leadership, Binance grew to serve more than 235 million users across 180 countries, offering access to over 350 digital assets. From its founding in 2017 to becoming a global leader in less than a decade, Binance’s journey highlights both the scale and speed of transformation in financial technology. His insights will provide unique relevance to FF25’s exploration of the future of money, markets, and global financial innovation.
Mukherjee co-founded Shazam, the revolutionary app that revolutionised how people discover and connect with music. Launched in 2002, Shazam was among the first mobile applications to harness artificial intelligence at scale, ultimately achieving more than two billion downloads worldwide. The company was acquired by Apple in 2018. Mukherjee is now widely recognised as a thought leader on responsible innovation and the future of digital ecosystems. His career highlights the power of technology to shape human experiences, making his perspective particularly valuable to FF25’s conversations on creativity, disruption, and impact.
Their presence further strengthens the event’s ability to convene diverse perspectives on the forces shaping the future of finance. Both will be speaking at fireside chats, CZ in a session titled “Crypto in transition: legitimacy, trust and the future of modern finance”, and Dhiraj’s fireside chat is set to tackle how to strategically plan for the long-term success and achieve durable, sustainable impact.
Taking place on the 8th and 9th of October 2025 at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), FF25 is hosted by Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), leveraging the Kingdom’s position as a regional financial hub and gateway to the USD 2.15 trillion GCC market. Bahrain is recognised for its agile and forward-looking regulatory framework, pioneering initiatives in areas such as open banking, digital assets, and cloud adoption. Combined with a highly skilled bilingual workforce and advanced tech infrastructure, the Kingdom has become a launchpad for fintechs and international firms expanding into the Middle East.
By welcoming visionaries such as CZ and Dhiraj Mukherjee, FinTech Forward 2025 reaffirms its status as the Middle East’s leading fintech forum and highlights Bahrain’s unique role as a hub for global business and a catalyst for the future of finance. For more information about FinTech Forward 2025 and to register, please click here.
For more information, please contact: Abdulelah Abdulla Communications Department Economic Development Board Phone: +973-39798919 E-mail: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com
