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Nielsen: Virtual Banks to Become a Real Game Changer to Banking Industry Landscape

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With the rapid development of Financial Technology (FinTech), the idea of virtual banking has been widely discussed and is gaining more traction among the local banking population. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) first issued the Guideline on the Authorization of Virtual Banks under the Banking Ordinance back in 2000. However, the concept remained at an inception stage until 2018 when HKMA started to receive license applications. So far, out of the 30 applications, only eight had been approved and it was not until March 2020 that the first virtual bank was launched, 20 years after the first issuance of the Guideline.

It has been a long journey for virtual banking to be officially in place in town. To explore the dynamics of virtual banking in Hong Kong, Nielsen has conducted a Personal Finance Monitor to study customer perspective towards virtual banking. This yearly syndicated study aims to provide a holistic view on consumers’ personal financial status and identifying the impact virtual banking brings to the financial industry.

INCREASED AWARENESS AND ADOPTION OF VIRTUAL BANKING

According to the Nielsen Personal Finance Monitor 2020, more banking consumers have heard of the term “virtual bank”, with the corresponding awareness level rocketing from 67% in 2018 to 93% in 2020. However, 42% of them have heard of this term but do not have a strong understanding of it and 38% of them are unable to correctly cite any virtual bank’s name.

Around 7% of the banking customers claim that they are currently using virtual banking services, which is an encouraging figure as the first virtual bank has become fully operational just three months before the survey took place. Moreover, the survey shows that there has been a spike of intention to use virtual banking services,  from 20% in 2018 to 37% this year.

“While virtual banks gain popularity among the public, consumers lack a clear understanding of the services and nature. It is imperative for corresponding financial organizations to dedicate more efforts to promote the virtual banking concept and educate the public about this innovative initiative,” recommends Eddie Au, Senior Director, Financial Services, Nielsen.

MOBILE WALLET USERS ARE MORE RECEPTIVE TO VIRTUAL BANK

The study also observed the relationship between virtual bank usage intention and mobile wallet usage. Over half (51%) of active mobile wallet users who use it on a weekly basis express their intention to use virtual banking services in the future, compared with remarkably lower rates of 27% among inactive mobile wallet users and 16% among non-users. The result is not surprising as frequent mobile wallet users are more tech-savvy and have already adopted technology for financial management. In addition, the decision of using virtual banking for customers who are not active peer-to-peer (P2P) service users could be hindered by their unfamiliarity with FinTech, such as making cash deposits or withdrawals through Fast Payment System (FPS).

“Given the positive relationship between virtual bank usage intention and mobile wallet usage, partnering with various Stored Value Facility (SVF) providers could help boost virtual bank usage. Alternatively, the feasibility of facilitating SVF issuance should also be explored,” advised Eddie.

ISSUING CREDIT CARDS AS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO LURE VIRTUAL BANKING CUSTOMERS      

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When it comes to popular virtual banking services, the survey reveals that around 75% of potential virtual bank customers prefer to start using virtual banks by opening a deposit account. Meanwhile, credit card services are also on demand, with over half of respondents (54%) showing interests in virtual bank credit card applications. Nonetheless, customers are less excited about virtual personal loan services, which are regarded as one of the popular market entry products for virtual banks. Only 18% of the customers claim they would consider applying for the loans in the future.

“Virtual bank has become a prominent and irreversible trend. Continuous growth is expected in virtual bank usage in the coming years along with the opening of more virtual banks. Still, facing competition from not only their peers but also traditional banks, virtual banks are recommended to fight for market share by putting their focuses on the most demanded services and offering competitive deposit interest rates to trigger trial usage,” said Eddie.

Virtual banks are expected to disrupt the financial industry by offering innovative and extraordinary products and services which are attractive and competitive, likely to force traditional banks to upgrade and improve their offerings and make better use of technology. In the end, banking customers would benefit from the competition.

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CCTV+: From Silk Road Gateway to Global Innovation Hub: Xi’an Advances Industrial Upgrades and International Cooperation

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XI’AN, China, Nov. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Xi’an, an ancient capital and starting point of the Silk Road, is growing rapidly into a cosmopolis of technological innovation, industrial transformation and international cooperation. The city is becoming a global hub for innovation and economic cooperation and a destination that converges historical heritage with modern creativity. By leveraging initiatives in New Quality Productivity, the Internet of Things, high-tech industries, culture, and international business services, Xi’an showcases its dynamic blend of past and future.

Industrial Development: Technology and Innovation Drive Emerging Industry Clusters

Aiming to establish itself as an international hub with rapid scientific and technological innovation, Xi’an is now building a comprehensive national science center and a center for science and technology innovation.

The Silk Road Technology City is now home to more than 4,000 companies and has fostered two major industry clusters, in optoelectronics and automobiles, each worth tens of billions. Leading industry giants like BYD and Samsung have established themselves here, taking advantage of Xi’an’s robust policy support for innovation-led growth. LONGi, a world leader in solar technology, is actively building Shaanxi’s 100-billion-grade silicon-based solar PV industry innovation cluster, driving industry-wide growth through R&D and supply chain expansion; while BYD’s comprehensive new energy vehicle industry chain has also positioned Xi’an as a key base for new energy technology and electric vehicles.

Belt and Road Hub: Connecting Development Across Borders

As a central hub along the Belt and Road, Xi’an recently hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Think Tank Cooperation, fostering collaboration and advancing connected, networked development through the trans-Eurasian transport corridor. With growing trade opportunities, Xi’an is also expanding its reach into international markets, particularly in Central Asia, exporting specialty agricultural products like kiwi fruit.

Through conventions and conferences, Xi’an has demonstrated its significant potential for international economic cooperation, establishing stronger ties in Central Asia and Belt and Road countries.

New Quality Productivity: Smart Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing Fuel Growth

New Quality Productivity is driving Xi’an’s high-quality development leveraging smart technologies and intelligent manufacturing. Local enterprises like SUNNYIT are promoting innovative applications of IoT technologies to tackle industry bottlenecks, Xi’an Chinastar M&C Limited is supporting real-time urban management with products including smart manhole covers and parking monitoring systems to support urban safety and municipal services.

Industrial robots and intelligent manufacturing are also accelerating Xi’an’s industry transformation. Xi’an Aerospace Automation’s 4,000-kilogram robot, designed for warehouse logistics, highlights the city’s advancements in high-load, high-precision applications.

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High-Quality Development: Digital Technology Empowers Xi’an’s Smart City Ambitions

Xi’an is progressing in smart city development, enabling companies to utilize big data and AI for comprehensive traffic analysis, enhancing traffic management efficiency, and establishing a “transportation+” multi-scenario service system to improve travel experiences.

Xi’an looks to cooperate with more companies and research institutions in fields of environmental protection, water-related affairs, education, and urban management with the goal of promoting technological breakthroughs in areas such as intelligent video analysis and large-scale AI models, empowering city management and services through digital technologies and support the development and innovation of companies in the city.

Opening Up to the World: Xi’an Shares Its Story and Strengthens Business Environment

The newly established Xi’an International Communication Center shares Xi’an’s story in multiple languages, promoting Chinese culture and positioning Xi’an as a major platform for cultural exchange. Additionally, a legal service center in Xi’an Chanba International Port now offers comprehensive legal support, fostering a fair and just international business environment.

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KuCoin Shines at The Gateway Event, Advocating for Blockchain Innovation Through TON

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a global leader in the cryptocurrency exchange arena, is thrilled to announce its active participation at this year’s premier TON community event, The Gateway. The annual conference, renowned for uniting key players in the TON ecosystem, aligns perfectly with KuCoin’s mission to democratize cryptocurrency and expand its reach across the globe.

Representing KuCoin at the event was Alicia, who took part in the insightful panel discussion on “Perspective Sectors on TON for VCs and Exchanges.” Her presence underscored the vibrant potential of the venture capital market within emerging blockchain technologies, particularly the TON ecosystem. Alicia’s discussion highlighted how TON’s seamless integration with Telegram presents unique opportunities for innovation and user engagement, resonating with KuCoin’s strategic initiatives to bridge social connectivity with financial transactions.

“TON’s integration with Telegram not only simplifies the user experience but also amplifies it, making it a gateway for millions to engage with Web3 technologies,” Alicia stated. She emphasized KuCoin’s commitment to leveraging this synergy to enhance secure, user-friendly trading experiences, thus furthering its mission of putting crypto in every pocket.

KuCoin’s participation in The Gateway event reinforces its dedication to fostering a secure, robust, and accessible trading environment, paving the way for a new era of crypto and blockchain integration.

About KuCoin

Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a leading cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community engagement. It offers over 800 digital assets across Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P Fiat trading, Futures trading, and Staking to its 36 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. KuCoin ranks as one of the top 6 crypto exchanges. KuCoin was acclaimed as “One of the Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of June 2024” by Forbes Advisor and has been included as one of the top 50 companies in the “2024 Hurun Global Unicorn List”. Learn more at https://www.kucoin.com/

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UBS Asset Management launches its first tokenised Money Market Fund, available through DigiFT

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — UBS Asset Management, launches its first tokenized investment fund “uMINT”, made available through authorized distribution partner, DigiFT.

With DigiFT, investors can subscribe to uMINT using their preferred custody wallet solution, gaining access to real-time redemption capabilities via DigiFT’s platform. uMINT, a Money Market investment underpinned by high quality money market instruments based on a conservative, risk-managed framework, is built on Ethereum distributed ledger technology and issued under UBS Tokenize, UBS’s in-house tokenization service, a full service offering for digital asset services, that seeks to open the door to the world of decentralized finance to a broader range of market participants.

“We’re honoured to be an authorized distribution partner for UBS Asset Management in launching their first tokenized money market fund. This is a significant milestone in the world of Web3, and a testament of our ability to transform capital markets. Not only does this partnership bridge traditional finance with digital and decentralized technologies, it also demonstrates our ability to deliver next-generation investment solutions on an open network – for a new generation of global investors,” said Henry Zhang, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of DigiFT.

As part of the partnership, DigiFT will provide infrastructure for managing and monitoring on-chain distribution activities and transactions for the new tokenized money market fund. Enabled by blockchain technology, DigiFT’s best-in-class, open infrastructure ensures all transactions are stored and recorded on an immutable ledger, providing real-time operational and audit visibility. Beyond streamlining administrative processes, DigiFT is able to leverage smart contracts and facilitate automated compliance and operational efficiencies, further allowing investors to invest and explore new financial Web3 use cases.

DigiFT is the first exchange deploying smart contract methods and processes, with an automatic market-making mechanism, to be recognized as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) and awarded the Capital Markets Services (CMS) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Disclaimer: This article is not an advertisement making an offer or calling attention to an offer or intended offer

About DigiFT

DigiFT is the first exchange for on-chain real-world assets to be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Find out more www.digift.sg

For media enquiries, please contact [email protected]

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