HashKey Holdings Limited (referred to as HashKey) formally passed the HKEX hearing to become the leading digital asset company to undergo IPO in the Hong Kong capital market. This is a significant milestone for HashKey’s compliance-focused development from day one but also represents a pioneer for Asia’s digital asset industry entry into the mainstream capital markets.
Amid a global trend towards regulatory maturity and rapid institutional adoption for digital assets, the Hong Kong-based HashKey has grown from a regional compliance-focused exchange into a global gateway between traditional finance and the Web3 ecosystem. The company has also become a valuable bridge connecting financial infrastructures across multiple regions.
I. Building Asia’s Leading Digital Asset Ecosystem with Three Core Pillars HashKey’s disclosure of its prospectus has three core pillars: transaction facilitation, on-chain services and asset management services. Together, it forms an integrated business ecosystem covering the entire digital asset lifecycle putting the company in a leading position in Asia.
1. Transaction Facilitation: Asia’s Leading Onshore Digital Asset Platform According to analytics research firm Frost & Sullivan, HashKey holds a market share exceeding 75% in the local Hong Kong market based on 2024 trading volume. This leading position is a testament to the company’s long-term investment in compliance, stringent governance, and institutional-grade security standards. The cohesiveness is crucial in a highly regulated onshore market.
2. On-Chain Services: leading among global competitors The company leads in Asia and ranks in top eight globally for on-chain businesses such as node operations, staking, and infrastructure support. HashKey participates in the transaction side of the ecosystem and also engage deeply in the entire on-chain ecosystem.
3. Asset Management: becoming a leading platform in Asia Leveraging an established trust and risk control system, HashKey’s asset management business maintains steady growth and also creates synergy with its transaction facilitation and on-chain services. It has become a platform with comprehensive capabilities.
II. Compliance Becomes A Decisive Competitive Edge Under Maturing Global Regulatory Frameworks As regulatory frameworks for digital assets become clearer for governments globally, the “Wild West” era of the industry is long gone. In the current cycle, compliance capability and regulatory adaptation have become the backbone for survival and expansion.
The current trend is for companies to adopt a regulatory-native approach like what HashKey has done to gain market attention and favorability.
The prospectus indicates that HashKey has already obtained 13 licenses and registrations across different jurisdictions and has completed security and internal control certifications under international standards including SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO27001, and ISO27701. The company’s record of no major security incidents, loss of customer funds, and on-chain slashing reflects the maturity of its governance system and risk framework.
As a leading gateway within Asia’s digital asset domain, HashKey has built a strategic position with solid institutional foundation for the growing integration between global capital, on-chain ecosystems, and traditional finance in the coming decade.
III. Linking the East and West: Asia’s Leading Gateway In Digital Assets Industry Is Shaping It’s Global Role From a long-term perspective, HashKey’s IPO is a starting point rather than the finish line. In recent years, the company has been actively expanding into offshore markets along with the continuous development of its onshore exchange business. This is a trend as the industry enters a phase of institutionalization.
With growing institutional demand, traditional financial institutions need compliant gateways while on-chain ecosystems need mature infrastructure support. Capital flows will need to establish new channels of connections between East and West.
HashKey’s multi-jurisdictional license portfolio, mature risk management system, and transparent governance structure allow traditional institutions to enter the Web3 ecosystem within a controlled regulatory framework. HashKey’s capability as an institutional gateway is further amplified with the launch of its CaaS (Crypto-as-a-Service) platform, which makes it a vital bridge connecting on-chain service with real-world finance.
As Asia’s most mature international financial center, Hong Kong has a compatibility advantage because its regulatory system is on par with other leading global financial systems. HashKey’s IPO in Hong Kong will allow the company to simultaneously serve as the gateway for Western institutions entering the Asian digital asset markets and Asian capitals aiming for global allocation. As regional regulations increasingly align, the value of HashKey’s function as a gateway for digital assets in Asia is rapidly amplified.
It is a reflection of the digital asset industry advancing into a new stage led by institutions and infrastructure. In this cycle, transformation is encouraged by institutions capable of connecting traditional finance, on-chain ecosystems, and cross-regional markets. Hence, HashKey has positioned itself precisely to assume this role.
Crypto Blockchain Industries (CBI; Euronext Growth Paris: FR0014007LW0, ALCBI; OTCQB: CBIPF)) announces that it has been granted an option to purchase up to $10 million in convertible notes issued by Blockware Solutions, offering a 10% discount on the price of Blockware potential future initial public offering (“IPO”). A first tranche of USD 1,000,000 has already been raised and paid in CBI shares, which are only transferable on the OTCQB market up to a limit of 10% of the daily volume. CBI and Blockware aim to grow CBI’s U.S. shareholder base, in which case CBI will exercise a phased share of the call option and increase its equity stake in Blockware.
Blockware is a recognized player in the blockchain infrastructure and cryptocurrency mining industry. The company stands out for its ability to operate large-scale installations, provide state-of-the-art hosting services, and develop innovative technology solutions, making it a natural partner for CBI.
CBI’s mining activities recorded a return on investment of more than 40% in August 2025 thanks to this partnership.
CBI has the option to acquire up to $10 million of convertible notes issued by Blockware. The convertible notes issued by Blockware have a maturity of two years and bear an interest rate of 5% per annum. They offer a 10% discount on the price of a potential future IPO and, if this IPO does not take place before maturity, the convertible notes are redeemed in cash. They also benefit from a liquidation preference in the event of an asset distribution or bankruptcy.
This transaction paves the way for a strategic partnership to strengthen CBI’s presence in the U.S. market and gradually increase its stake in Blockware.
A first tranche of USD 1,000,000 has already been raised by CBI and paid for in shares, which can only be resold on the OTCQB market up to a limit of 10% of the trading volume.
CBI and Blockware aim to develop the size and visibility of CBI’s American shareholding, based in particular on the listing of the share on the OTCQB market, which is a privileged gateway for institutional and individual investors in the United States. The gradual increase in liquidity and trading volume in this market will broaden the investor base and strengthen CBI’s reputation. CBI plans to gradually exercise its option to purchase convertible notes, within the limit of 10% of the trading volume of the OTCQB market.
This mechanism is part of CBI’s ACE (Acquire, Create, Earn) strategy, strengthening its ability to seize international growth opportunities and helping to position CBI as a leading player in the blockchain ecosystem, while maximizing its exposure to the US market.
For the period ending September 30, 2025, CBI has invoiced consulting fees to Blockware solutions for an amount of $1 million, paid through the remittance by Blockware of a convertible note for that amount.
Disclaimers
The completion of CBI’s projects, as well as their operating budget and financing plan, remain fundamentally subject to major uncertainties, and failure to achieve the underlying assumptions may have a material and adverse impact on the value of CBI’s assets and liabilities.
In addition, investing in crypto-assets involves risks related in particular to their intrinsic volatility that could have an impact on CBI’s financial performance. CBI considers it useful to remember that the past performance of crypto-assets is not a guarantee of future performance.
A detailed description of the risks associated with an investment in CBI securities can be found in the Company’s financial reports available on CBI’s website.
About Crypto Blockchain Industries SA
Crypto Blockchain Industries (“CBI”) is a French company listed on Euronext Growth (compartment E2), whose objective is to build the largest possible portfolio of Bitcoins and other crypto-assets by buying them at a below-market price by applying the ACE strategy: ACQUIRE, the purchase mainly of Bitcoins on the market; CREATE, the creation of its own utility tokens in the field of the metaverse (AlphaVerse, Football at AlphaVerse) or that of digital assets backed by real goods (Gemplay, diamonds); EARN, the acquisition of Bitcoin at a reduced cost via mining operations, as part of a long-term strategic partnership with Blockchain Solutions, one of the first Bitcoin miners in the United States. To learn more, visit www.cbicorp.io and www.alphaverse.com.
About Blockware
Blockware Solutions, LLC (“BWS”) is an American company specializing in blockchain infrastructure and cryptocurrency mining services. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Blockware Solutions provides comprehensive solutions, including mining hardware sales, secure data center hosting, and blockchain investment advisory services. The company also operates a large-scale network of mining farms and contributes to the decentralization of the Bitcoin network. Leveraging its technical expertise and commitment to transparency, Blockware helps individuals and institutions grow their digital asset businesses. For more information, visit www.blockwaresolutions.com.
Contacts
Issuer – CBI info@cbicorp.io
Listing sponsor on Euronext – Atout Capital info@atoutcapital.com
OTCQB sponsor – Aldebaran Global Advisors hello@aldebaran-advisors.com
Recently, Hong Kong officially released the Policy Statement 2.0 on the Development of Digital Assets in Hong Kong, which explicitly listed RWA as a key development direction, actively explored its integration with local advantageous industries, and intended to inject new vitality into the traditional industry with the help of blockchain technology. Tianci international (CIIT) has long focused on the cutting-edge trends in the industry and quickly captured the huge potential behind this policy signal. Tianci is well aware that the integration of blockchain technology and shipping logistics is expected to bring more innovation opportunities to the company and open up a brand-new growth track.
In order to explore this innovative integration model, Tianci has recently organized several seminars on ‘RWA and Shipping Logistics Business’. The conference gathered senior experts and industry elites from shipping, finance, blockchain technology and other fields to discuss the prospect of blockchain technology and token issuance application, implementation path and challenges in shipping logistics.
In terms of shipping enterprises issuing token, Tianci has clarified the feasibility and key processes of digital token issuance for core assets such as ships and warehousing facilities. Experts emphasizes the need to establish a rigorous asset valuation system and compliance framework to ensure that the issuance process is transparent, fair and legal. Experts also made an in-depth analysis of blockchain technology, the organic combination of RWA and shipping logistics, and the underlying operation logic.
Talking about the opportunities and challenges brought by blockchain technology and token issuance to the shipping logistics industry, experts agreed that Hong Kong is expected to create a vibrant RWA logistics ecosystem in the future, which will bring new growth momentum to the whole industry; however, at the same time, experts think it is also facing a lot of challenges such as complicated regulatory compliance and technical safety and security, which are urgently needed to be tackled by all parties in the industry.
The success of this seminar has provided Tianci with valuable ideas and directions for exploring the integration of RWA and shipping logistics, and has strengthened the company’s determination to continue to plough into this innovative field. Tianci will take this seminar as an opportunity to explore the implementation path of blockchain technology in shipping logistics together with its industry partners, and strive to be at the forefront of token issuance application practice in the industry.
Tianci firmly believes that, with the continuous maturity of the technology, the in-depth fusion of blockchain technology and RWA and shipping logistics will bring about a brand-new change in the industry development, and create a broader market space and value growth.
Media contact Brand Name: Tianci International Contact Person: Marketing Team Email: ir@rqscapital.com Website: tianci-ciit.com
Xeleb debuts misscharm.io with Miss Charm 2024 on 21 December in Ho Chi Minh, marking the first-ever use of blockchain in a beauty pageant.
Contestant-issued MEME coins allow fans to directly support their favorite beauty queens, with a portion of proceeds benefiting charitable causes
Xeleb plans a Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025, with listings already secured on global top 5 crypto exchanges.
Miss Charm’s contestants
Xeleb, an online voting and judging platform for global talent contests has launched through an exclusive partnership with Miss Charm, an international beauty pageant. From global beauty pageants to song and model contests, Xeleb leverages decentralization and digital assets to reward fan participation and amplify audience interaction.
Xeleb has launched with a mission to increase and monetize fan and viewer engagement for these contests. The global audience for talent contests is enormous, as evidenced by the 243 million total engagements for the 2024 Miss Universe live broadcast on Telemundo(1), and the 163 million viewers of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest(2). Xeleb taps into this unparalleled engagement potential by creating an ecosystem where fans can vote, judge, and earn rewards through a decentralized platform powered by blockchain technology.
This year’s edition of the Miss Charm global finals will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on December 21, featuring contestants from 38 countries.
Xeleb has developed misscharm.io as the official digital hub for Miss Charm fans. Fans can access two innovative features:
Telegram Game Powered by TON: Fans can cast votes and judge contestants, earning rewards in return.
Miss Charm MEME Coins: Fans can purchase unique MEME coins issued by contestants, allowing direct support for their favorite beauty queens. A portion of any gains from these coins will benefit charities chosen by the respective contestants.
The Miss Charm advisory team includes key players from global franchises such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Elite Models, and Ford Models. They are joined by experts in regulated global crypto platforms and token listing strategies on major exchanges. CEO Paul Vinciano, former owner of Elite Models Vietnam and Miss Vietnam, and his team also operate one of Vietnam’s leading crypto technology development firms.
Paul Vinciano, CEO of Xeleb said “Xeleb is set to revolutionize fan and audience engagement in global talent contests through our blockchain-powered, tokenized voting and judging platform. By integrating decentralization and digital assets, we are creating an ecosystem that not only enhances interactivity but also empowers fans to play an active role in the success of their favorite contestants.”
Xeleb’s launch is backed by strategic seed investment from tech investor Calvin Cheng, a former Singapore Parliamentarian, and current Honorary Consul of Serbia in Singapore. Calvin was also Head of Elite Models Asia and owned the franchise for Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore, Malaysia and China. He is also currently Chairman & Founder at Paymonade, one of the largest European digital asset on-off ramps, which counts Binance as a major client. He is also the founder of AEUR, one of the world’s largest listed Euro-backed stable coins.
In conjunction with this launch, Xeleb is excited to announce the completion of a major funding round led by HashKey Capital. Other prominent investors include Amber Group, MEXC Ventures, Foresight Ventures, and Mirana Ventures. Notably, MEXC Ventures is the investment arm of MEXC Crypto Exchange, Foresight Ventures represents the investment division of Bitget, and Mirana Ventures serves as the investment arm of Bybit.
“The team combines both world-class track records in entertainment as well as digital assets. I am honored to invest in Xeleb alongside crypto investment titans like HashKey, Amber, Mirana, Foresight and MEXC,” said Calvin Cheng.
Looking ahead, Xeleb plans a Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q1 2025, with listings already secured on global top 5 crypto exchanges.
Xeleb (xeleb.io) is a cutting-edge online voting and judging platform designed to revolutionize global talent contests by leveraging blockchain technology. Launched in partnership with Miss Charm on misscharm.io, Xeleb empowers fans to engage more deeply in their favorite contests while earning rewards.
Xeleb is backed by an experienced team of industry experts, including veterans from global beauty franchises and regulated crypto platforms. Strategic investments from industry leaders such as HashKey Capital, Amber Group, and Calvin Cheng have further solidified Xeleb’s position as a trailblazer in the intersection of entertainment and blockchain.
About Miss Charm
Miss Charm 2024 is a global-scale beauty pageant, which aims to search for the most exceptional female representatives from different countries all around the world, to appreciate their beauty as well as their cultures and educational backgrounds. The judging criteria for the pageant will involve beauty, physique, intellect as well as the ability to captivate the audience with the appeal.
For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact: Lee Ke Wei (Financial PR) (T) 6438-2990 (E) kewei@financialpr.com.sg
As the digital world is increasingly threatened by advanced cyberattacks and looming quantum computing challenges, Naoris Protocol unveils groundbreaking technology that revolutionizes digital security through the world’s first Post-Quantum powered Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) for cybersecurity and digital trust.
Backed by prominent figures including DNS designer David Holtzman, former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and Shanfari & Partners Chairman H.E. Sheikh Thamer Said Ahmed al-Shanfari, this innovative protocol transforms traditional untrusted devices into a decentralized security layer of cyber-trusted validator nodes, eliminating single points of failure that plague centralized security systems.
Decentralized Security: A Necessary Shift Amidst Rising Centralized Failures
The launch comes at a critical time, following the CrowdStrike outages in July 2024 that demonstrated the vulnerabilities of centralized security frameworks. These incidents disrupted global services across aviation, banking, and media sectors, highlighting the urgent need for decentralized security solutions.
“Current centralized models are vulnerable by design,” states David Carvalho, CEO & Founder of Naoris Protocol.”Our protocol decentralizes digital security, where every device becomes a secure validator node as part of a trusted, incentivized layer that uses post-quantum cryptography to create a real time, decentralized validation brain.”
The protocol introduces four key innovations:
Post-Quantum Security: Designed to withstand quantum computing, ensuring sensitive data and blockchain infrastructures are protected from next-generation cyber threats.
Decentralized Security Layer: Devices actively validate and prove their trusted state in real time, creating a self-reinforcing security layer that scales without weakening.
Incentivized Security Model: Devices are rewarded for maintaining security validations across the network to continually reinforce cyber defenses.
Real-Time Validation: Continuous verification of node integrity mitigates risks of compromise or collusion, a stark contrast to static and reactive centralized systems.
Impact on Expanding DePIN Ecosystems
With the DePIN market projected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2028, Naoris Protocol positions itself as the critical security DePIN for both Web2 and Web3 infrastructures. As DePIN expands into various industrial applications, the protocol provides essential infrastructure for DePIN ecosystems across cloud computing, storage, wireless and energy, offering unprecedented cyber resilience for community compute network models.
DNS pioneer David Holtzman, serving as Chief Strategy Officer, emphasizes: “Naoris Protocol is not just another blockchain project; it’s the security backbone that enables the entire DePIN sector to thrive safely. This could be the catalyst that propels decentralized infrastructures into mainstream adoption.”
Incentivized Testnet Launch
The upcoming Testnet launch will allow users to participate in stress-testing this revolutionary system. Validating and maintaining security standards, while counteracting threats like phishing and network breaches, the testnet will lay the groundwork to seed a global post-quantum cybersecurity DePIN.
For more information, visit https://www.naorisprotocol.com/ Naoris Protocol is available for interviews and technical demonstrations of their groundbreaking DePIN solution for cybersecurity and digital trust.
Since its inception in 2017, the World Blockchain Summit (WBS) has grown into the world’s longest-running and most prestigious blockchain and Web3 event series, hosting 29 successful editions across 16 countries. Over the years, WBS has established itself as a key platform that unites global innovators, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of decentralised technology. Today, Trescon proudly announces the evolution of this iconic event with a bold rebranding to HODL, a name that embodies resilience, progress, and the limitless potential of blockchain and Web3 ecosystems.
HODL will make its highly anticipated debut at the 30th global edition of the summit in Dubai, UAE, on April 28-29, 2025. This rebranding marks a significant shift toward positioning the event as a premier platform for serious business, innovation, and deal-making in the blockchain space.
Why the Rebrand
The transition from WBS to HODL reflects the evolution of the event from a conference series to a strategic platform driving real business outcomes. HODL now embraces not only blockchain but also the broader horizons of innovation and collaboration within Web3, crypto, and emerging decentralised systems. The focus is on creating meaningful connections between ground-breaking blockchain projects, pre-qualified investors, enterprise leaders, and government regulators. This shift reflects a commitment to facilitating collaborations that will shape the future of the blockchain industry.
What to Expect at HODL 2025 in Dubai
Trailblazing Thought Leaders: Hear from top blockchain innovators, industry pioneers, and government representatives shaping the future of blockchain and decentralised ecosystems.
Deal-Making Opportunities: Engage with pre-qualified investors actively seeking the next big blockchain projects.
Enterprise & Government Collaborations: Dive into discussions on regulatory frameworks, public-private partnerships, and enterprise adoption strategies for blockchain.
Cutting-Edge Innovations: Witness live showcases of groundbreaking blockchain use cases, crypto solutions, and Web3 technologies from around the world.
Dubai, known for its progressive blockchain policies and visionary leadership, is the perfect launchpad for the HODL brand. With Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global hub for blockchain and Web3 innovation, HODL is poised to make an unprecedented impact on the world of blockchain.
Quotes
Mohammed Saleem, Founder and Chairman, Trescon, commented:
“The rebranding of World Blockchain Summit to HODL marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we move beyond simply hosting events to becoming a true enabler of blockchain and Web3 innovation. With HODL, we aim to create a future-focused, results-driven platform that empowers projects, investors, and governments to collaborate meaningfully and shape the next era of decentralized technology.”
Anil Kumar, COO, Trescon, added:
“HODL isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a redefinition of what a blockchain event should be. It is a testament to our vision of facilitating real outcomes through deal-making, partnerships, and showcasing transformative blockchain solutions to the world. Dubai, with its ambitious blockchain agenda, is the perfect stage for this transition.”
The Legacy of WBS
For nearly a decade, the World Blockchain Summit has led the way in blockchain adoption, creating a legacy as the longest-running Web3 event. The rebrand to HODL builds on this legacy, signalling a more strategic, business-centric approach to blockchain’s integration into industries and society.
Join Us at HODL 2025 in Dubai
Mark your calendars for April 28-29, 2025, and join us in Dubai for HODL – The Vanguard of Blockchain and Beyond, where innovation meets opportunity.
HODL is an event by Trescon that supports the growth of the blockchain, crypto and Web3 ecosystem globally. It is the world’s longest-running blockchain, crypto, and web 3-focused summit series. Since its inception in 2017, it has hosted more than 20 editions in 11 countries and strives to create the ultimate networking and deal flow platform for the Web3 ecosystem. Each edition brings together global leaders and emerging start-ups in the space, including investors, developers, IT leaders, entrepreneurs, government authorities, and others.
About Trescon
Trescon is a global leader in business events, focusing on the adoption of emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. With a portfolio of industry-leading events, including HODL (formerly WBS), Trescon is dedicated to creating platforms that foster innovation, collaboration, and economic growth.
Media Contact: Shadi Dawi Senior Director PR, Comms., and Partnerships, Global & MEA E: shadi@tresconglobal.com | M: +971 55 498 4989
Focusing on Eight Major Steps to build a connected, innovative and green Belt and Road
The ninth Belt and Road Summit, co-organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council(HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The theme is Building a Connected, Innovative and Green Belt and Road. As one of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Summit brings together over 90 policymakers and business leaders from Belt and Road countries and regions. It centres on the eight major steps President Xi Jinping announced last year to support the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and explores cooperation opportunities for the next golden decade of the BRI.
The Opening Session featured opening remarks by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and welcome remarks by Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC. Special addresses were delivered by Li Yongjie, Deputy China International Trade Representative of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; Gou Ping, Vice Chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China; and Xiao Weiming, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China. A keynote address was delivered by H.E. Nguyen Hoa Binh, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam.
John Lee said during his opening remarks: “Green development is increasingly important in Belt and Road collaboration. Hong Kong contributes to the cause of sustainability by not only developing green tech, but also by leveraging our expertise in financial services and driving the development of green finance. Earlier this year, we launched the world’s first multi-currency, tokenised green bond, part of our commitment to Hong Kong’s rise as a green finance hub.”
Dr Lam said: “Innovation and sustainability are key drivers of growth today. We will discuss how we can work more closely together to create a more innovative and greener Belt and Road. With its unique strengths and advantages, Hong Kong is ideally placed to foster collaboration. As the most international city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and gateway to the vast Mainland China market, Hong Kong can facilitate many opportunities across Asia and beyond. ASEAN – our second-largest trading partner – will be a market highlight at this year’s Summit, following the recent mission we organised to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam led by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee.”
In her remarks, Li Yongjie said: “Under the framework of The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) supports Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international financial, shipping and trading centre, and to play the role of a hub and platform in the Belt and Road Initiative. The MOFCOM will support Hong Kong in signing free trade agreements and investment protection agreements with more countries and regions, and to join Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as soon as possible. The MOFCOM will also support mainland and Hong Kong enterprises to strengthen information exchange, deepen cooperation on Belt and Road projects, enhance Hong Kong’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre.”
H.E. Nguyen Hoa Binh said during his speech: “The global economy is experiencing significant transformations in its structure and growth model, requiring both governments and the business community to collaborate in promoting initiatives on economic cooperation and integration that support peace, cooperation and development at regional and global levels. I am confident that with the commitment and sound policies of our governments, along with the support and active engagement of the business community and by embracing a spirit of equality, openness and mutual benefit while upholding international law, the Belt and Road Initiative will continue to flourish.”
Deepening multilateral cooperation for a win-win future Following the successful outcomes of Chief Executive John Lee’s ASEAN visit in July, organised by the HKTDC, the Summit aims to further deepen relations between Hong Kong and ASEAN as well as other emerging markets along the Belt and Road.
The Policy Dialogue, hosted by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR, focused on Multilateral Cooperation for an Interconnected World. Invited ministerial-level officials from ASEAN and Central Asia who explored opportunities for multilateral cooperation include: H.E. Lim Lork Piseth, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia; Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy Coordinating Minister, Maritime Affairs and Investment in Infrastructure and Transportation, Indonesia; Arman Kassenov, Vice-Minister of National Economy, the Republic of Kazakhstan.
One highlight of the first day was the Business Plenary chaired by Professor KC Chan, Chairman of WeLab Bank. This session featured Ding Yanzhang, Chairman of Power Construction Corporation of China; Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Lee Kee Group; Dato’ Seri Cheah Cheng Hye, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Value Partners Group; Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Chief Executive Officer of Sintesa Group. They discussed Hong Kong’s role in promoting multilateral business cooperation as well as strategies that global companies are adopting in response to the latest international situation. In the evening, a cocktail reception took place with welcoming and opening remarks from Dr Peter K N Lam, and Sun Yu, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Bank of China (HK) Limited. Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR, also delivered special remarks.
The Keynote Luncheon featured a welcome address by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, opening remarks by Chen Liang, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Management Committee of China International Capital Corporation Limited, and a keynote speech by Dilma Rousseff, President of New Development Bank.
Comprehensive analyses of topical issues on the first day of the thematic breakout session As the Belt and Road Initiative enters its next golden decade, there is increasing demand for efficient, one-stop legal and dispute resolution services. A thematic breakout session titled Building a Green, Sustainable and Innovative Silk Road through Hong Kong’s Legal and Dispute Resolution Services was co-hosted with the Department of Justice of the HKSAR. The session began with welcome remarks from Paul TK Lam, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government, featuring business leaders from the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and law firms. Another thematic breakout session on the first day was co-hosted with the Insurance Authority, titled Role of Captive Insurance in Supporting Belt and Road Initiative.
Additionally, the Summit co-hosted the Mainland-Hong Kong Trade In Services Symposium with the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM). This symposium analysed the latest developments across various sectors, driving service innovation along the Belt and Road, with representatives from leading companies in telecommunications, AI and professional services. The Symposium also features a pavilion brought by MOFCOM, which brings together exhibitors in the fields of green technology, business services and cultural trade to showcase China’s achievements in trade in services to global buyers, and to build a platform for collaboratively exploring the international market.
Debut Green Chapter highlights Hong Kong’s green advantages This year’s Summit introduces a new Green Chapter, featuring a series of thematic breakout sessions related to green construction, innovation and finance, allowing participants to explore ways of developing green businesses leveraging Hong Kong as a platform.
The Charting Green Development for a Connected World session discussed strategies for optimising green infrastructure development. It was co-hosted by the China International Contractors Association. The speakers at this session were: Chen Zhong, Vice General Manager of China Communications Construction Group Limited; Harry Lai, Executive Director of Hong Kong Green Building Council; Wu Yun, Deputy General Manager of China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd; Rex Wong, CEO of Kam Shing Group; and Mi Zhihui, Vice President of Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd.
Second Business Plenary to explore opportunities in the Middle East Tomorrow’s Business Plenary will be chaired by Ronnie C. Chan, Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Properties Limited. The business plenary, which will explore opportunities in the Middle East and other Belt and Road markets, will feature: Mohamed Abduljabbar Alkoheji, Second Vice-Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Bonnie Y Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Peter Fekete, Group CEO of 4iG from Hungary; Eric Ip, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Port Holdings Limited from Hong Kong; Iqbal Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Fajr Capital from UAE; and Bui Kim Thuy, Deputy CEO of VinFast from Vietnam.
Two new thematic breakout sessions will also take place tomorrow – Multi-dimensional Connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative and People-to-people Exchanges through Business and Cultural Collaboration – discussing progress in transport connectivity and ways in which economic and cultural exchanges can enhance mutual understanding. The Green Chapter will also have two sessions tomorrow on Smart and Green Silk Road and Developing Viable Sustainable Infrastructure Projects. Two sessions from the Finance Chapter will discuss how businesses can seize financial services opportunities in the Belt and Road via Hong Kong to expand in ASEAN and the Middle East and the impact of financial innovation and technology on BRI development. A Youth Chapter session brings together young business leaders to talk about the ways in which youth can harness opportunities presented by the BRI.
19 MoUs signed on Day 1 19 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed on the first day of the Summit. Signatories of the 4 G2G MoUs and 15 B2B MoUs comprised government and businesses from the Middle East and ASEAN, including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam as well as Australia. Areas covered include infrastructure, energy and sustainable development. This year’s Summit continues to offer investment and business matching services, including one-to-one project matching meetings and project investment sessions. The business matching service provides a full range of options, in both physical form on 11-12 September and online on 16-17 September, with more than 280 investment projects expected to be matched and more than 800 one-to-one project matching meetings taking place.
The Summit continues to feature an exhibition area showcasing more than 100 exhibitors across three distinct zones: the Hong Kong Zone, Global Investment Zone and InnoTech Zone. The Hong Kong Zone highlights the services and business advantages of Hong Kong service providers. The Global Investment Zone presents large-scale investment projects, cultural and technological developments as well as global investment opportunities. The InnoTech Zone showcases cutting-edge innovations, AI, digital technologies and solutions from around the world.
The Strategic Partner for the 9th Belt and Road Summit is Bank of China International Capital Corporation Ltd. The Banking Partner is Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. The Global Connectivity Partner is the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. The New Economy Partner is Standard Chartered. The Diamond Sponsor is Huatai International Financial Holdings Company, while China Mobile International Limited, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Telecom Global and China Unicom Global Limited are Platinum Sponsors.
About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.
Verofax Limited, a Web3 services company, today announced closing a $3M bridge round led by international investors Plug & Play Tech Center, Navig8 Group, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, Trove Capital UK follow-on investment, Jawa Brothers Advisory, with Alzamil Pedco CVC and Tracecore CVC completing the list of investors.
Verofax applies patented Web3 technologies such as Blockchain, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to provide ‘Elevated tourist, shopper and brand marketing experiences’, enabling destinations, retailers and sports stadiums to turn their experiences interactive and drive conversion and social virality. Brands can reach customers directly, thereby increasing consumer intimacy with direct engagement and leveraging gamification for unmatched results from AI & AR experiences. Verofax has won many awards for the application of artificial intelligence for tourism and retail and has achieved sales to date of over $3M for Fortune 100 companies across 50 markets globally.
The funds will be used to execute the Company’s pipeline of projects in the Middle East and EU, notably AI-powered guides in GCC and Sports fan guides in the EU and North America. Verofax solutions apply to various industries (Retail, Tourism and Sports) and are already used by leading brands such as Anheuser Busch Inc and Emirates Airlines. Verofax is a Microsoft Native partner and has secured a global network of distributors and resellers, co-selling on enterprise solution platforms such as Microsoft Azure Marketplace, Amazon AWS, and other platforms.
Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, said, “Our solution helps Tourists elevate their experiences, unlock personalized discounts and Offer gamified ‘Explore to win’ sponsored games in Augmented reality. This allows enterprises and brands to sponsor and elevate their marketing efficiency, power direct-to-consumer communication and deliver amazing experiences to drive growth and boost loyalty. We are thrilled to be joined by strategic investors that will help us accelerate our AI guide solution and AR gamified experiences and grow through their collective network and with their advice.”
Abdullah Alakeel, Country Director of Plug & Play Saudi, said: “Our recent investment in Verofax demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the most promising startups within the Kingdom and the broader region. As one of the world’s most active and successful early-stage tech investors, we are fully dedicated to nurturing the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are thrilled to witness the transformative impact that Verofax will continue to make within the Tourism industry.”
Mr Ian Campbell, Vice President of the National Transformation Institute (NTI), said, “KAUST is mandated to accelerate the digital economy in the Kingdom as part of the University’s forward vision, leveraging KAUST science and innovation to make an impact beyond the walls of the campus itself and to create collaborations and identify opportunities where KAUST can contribute by convening minds and resources together to deliver solutions to benefit the wider Kingdom and beyond. The application of AI in tourism, customer service and beyond are applications that fall within our investment mandate.”
Jamal Jawa, Managing Partner of Brothers Advisory, said, “Our investment thesis is to support growth startups that leverage the latest technologies such as AI / AR and Web3, setting new service categories. We have been incredibly impressed by Wassim and the whole Verofax team and are thrilled to be making this our first investment in a Pre-Series A startup in the GCC region”.
About Verofax Verofax is a Web3 Asset Digitization and mixed-reality experience solution provider with a presence across North America, Europe, Asia and MEA regions. The Verofax solution is available across multiple cloud marketplaces, such as AWS & Microsoft Azure, to power tourism and retail personalized, immersive experiences with ease to boost customer loyalty and repurchase rates. Verofax boasts investment and support from 500 startups, including Sanabil Investments (PIF), and has received government grants to develop its IP globally. For technical matters, visit Verofax at https://www.verofax.com or contact info@verofax.com.
About Plug & Play Tech Center Plug & Play Tech Center is the most significant innovation platform in the world, supercharging innovation of over 500 industry-leading corporations by keeping them at the forefront of industry trends through PnPTC corporate Accelerator programs. Plug & Play runs over 100 industry-focused accelerator programs in over 50 locations globally and invests in over 250 companies a year alongside the world’s best VCs. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com.
About KAUST KAUST is an international graduate-level science and technology research university located on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Home to world-class faculty, scientists, engineers, and students from around the globe, the campus’s 10 research centers focus on solving problems related to water, food, energy, and the environment. Students can access state-of-the-art labs and our eminent faculty while obtaining a diverse graduate study experience. Visit https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/ or #KAUSTPortfolio for more information.
About Jawa Brothers Advisory Jawa Brothers Advisory, Owned and Managed by the Jawa Family, has been an Active Investor in the field of Private Equity for more than three decades. The group invests primarily through interests in limited partnership positions, Leveraged Buyout (MBO and LBO), Growth and Expansion Capital Private Equity Funds and Late Stage Venture Capital Funds. Funds are selected based on a clearly defined set of criteria. The company’s disciplined and discerning investment professionals perform exceptional due diligence, studying the industry to identify specific opportunities and trends. Jawa Brothers Advisory is part of Starling Group. Visit https://www.starlinggroup.com/ for more information.
In a landmark initiative to combat climate change, Verofax, a leader in blockchain traceability and AI technologies, has partnered with climate tech startup NetGreen to activate retail channels to lead the change in re-greening our planet with trust and transparency.
Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, with Nisreen Shadad, CEO & Co-founder of Netgreen.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Verofax’ advanced technological solutions and NetGreen’s platform comes at a crucial time as businesses and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability.
In fact, 88% of consumers want to make an environmental impact, but lack a trusted platform that is easy and affordable. NetGreen’s platform meets an urgent market need where individuals can purchase a plant-a-tree service from validated reforestation projects to combat climate change.
NetGreen’s unique approach enables participants to directly engage in reforestation through everyday transactions, such as converting loyalty points into tree plantings. This model not only supports carbon sequestration but also enhances biodiversity and fosters a deeper connection between communities and their natural environments.
Preventing Double Counting & Ensuring Validation of Reforestation Projects With Verofax validating, reforestation projects becomes seamless using Verofax’ Tree Chain technology for identifying, tracking and measuring the carbon capture from trees using computer vision, AI drone feeds, geolocation, and an immutable ledger.
These technologies will automate operations to prevent double counting and ensure their alignment with the latest international standards, including Verra and UNFCCC CDM.
Nisreen Shadad, CEO and Co-Founder of NetGreen, stated, “Partnering with Verofax propels us towards our vision of a greener planet by enhancing the reach and effectiveness of our reforestation projects. Their advanced technology solutions will allow us to provide undeniable proof of impact to our participants, increasing trust and participation rates. This is a game-changer for environmental engagement.”
Wassim Merheby, CEO of Verofax, said, “This partnership is an excellent opportunity to showcase how innovative technology can be harnessed to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges. By supporting NetGreen, we are not only contributing to scaling reforestation but also demonstrating the potential for technology to create significant positive change.”
The MOU between Verofax and NetGreen is poised to set a benchmark for how technology can facilitate more sustainable practices across industries and communities worldwide. It underscores both companies’ commitment to leveraging strengths in promoting an environmental stewardship and global sustainability.
About Verofax Verofax specializes in providing sustainable solutions with advanced track and trace capabilities through product serialization and blockchain technology. Their solutions enhance compliance and transparency across industries, promoting environmentally responsible practices. For further details, visit https://www.verofax.com.
About NetGreen NetGreen is a climate action application that empowers individuals and businesses to participate actively in tree-planting projects aimed at re-greening the planet, expediting the journey Net Zero. Led by CEO Nisreen Shadad, the platform enables effective afforestation participation, enhancing biodiversity and fostering community connections to natural habitats. For more information, please visit https://netgreen.live.
RD Technologies announced today that its subsidiary, RD InnoTech Limited, has been admitted to the stablecoin issuer sandbox of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Among the first batch of entities to join the sandbox, RD Technologies will conduct testing for various use cases of its proprietary Hong Kong Dollar stablecoin, “HKDR”, such as digital asset trading and cross-border trade payments.
Today’s announcement represents a major milestone for RD Technologies mission to help develop the financial infrastructure for the Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong through the issuance of reliable and trustworthy stablecoins compliant with high regulatory standards.
“We are honoured to be amongst the first batch of entities to participate in the HKMA sandbox,” said Norman Chan, Chairman of RD Technologies. “RD Technologies remains committed to the mission of offering innovative solutions to help enrich the financial infrastructure that is essential in building Hong Kong as the Web3 hub of the world.”
“We are excited to be participating in the HKMA’s sandbox arrangement. My team at RD Technologies is fully ready to communicate with the HKMA closely and demonstrate our superior technical capability, robust risk management and user friendly stablecoin solutions that are in compliance with high regulatory standards. RD Technologies will continue to contribute to the development of the Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong.” said Rita Liu, CEO of RD Technologies.
About RD Technologies: RD Technologies Group (“RD Technologies”) deploys innovative Fintech solutions to connect the business world by trust. RD Technologies is a unique financial platform that connects the Web2 and Web3 world and market participants through the provision of an HKMA licensed B2B digital wallet for fiat money, which was launched in November 2023, and Hong Kong Dollar stablecoins to be tested shortly under the HKMA sandbox. Based in Hong Kong and facing the world, RD Technologies’ mission is to facilitate cross-border trade and financial transactions through the provision of efficient, safe, and innovative payment solutions for businesses, thereby contributing to the development of Hong Kong as a trade and financial hub in Asia.
The world of Web3 holds great promise for the future, and stablecoins play a crucial role in this evolving landscape. RD Technologies plans to engage regulated exchanges globally as well as payment partners to enable more cost and time-efficient cross-border payments and settlements. By leveraging our strong partnerships with licensed financial institutions, RD Technologies aims to drive the mainstream adoption of HKDR. Additionally, RD will develop innovative use cases that showcase the benefits of compliance, ensuring the safety and security of HKDR to all its users.
For details: https://rd.group
About HKD Stablecoin (HKDR): HKDR is the Hong Kong dollar stablecoin that RD Technologies is exploring to launch. HKDR’s value will be 1:1 in Hong Kong dollars, and its backing reserves will be made up of high-quality, highly liquid assets safe-kept in a segregated custody account with licensed financial institutions. Details of the reserves will be available to the public through independent third-party attestation reports published on a regular basis.
