Fintech PR
Arcadis supports “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Arcadis, the leading global Design & Consultancy organization for natural and built assets, welcomes the initiatives recently outlined in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address”, which aim to sustain efforts in land creation and boosting housing supply by simplifying procedures and reducing construction costs. Arcadis will fully support the implementation of these initiatives.
Create Land for New Developments and Streamline Procedures
The Government will continue to expedite land production to solve the land supply conundrum, not only for housing but for other uses. Land development procedures will be streamlined.
The Government will expedite the implementation of economic and housing-related projects in the Northern Metropolis. This year, land will be reserved for developing the Northern Metropolis University Town, the third medical school, and an integrated teaching hospital.
The Government will release four quality logistics sites in the Hung Shui Kiu/ha Tsuen NDA to expand high value-added logistics services. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park in the Loop will be developed in two phases, starting at the end of this year. The Government will seek funding for the first-stage of San Tin Technopoles’ infrastructure and begin construction works this year. The target is to deliver 20 hectares of new I&T sites in phases, beginning in 2026-27, for the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s development and operation.
Adopting a Multi-Pronged Approach to Lower Construction Costs
The Project Strategy and Governance Office under the Development Bureau has been entrusted with leading a strategic study to identify major factors contributing to high construction costs and to devise improvement measures by drawing on experiences from Mainland China and internationally. Arcadis appreciates the study as an important step toward optimizing the use of public resources for infrastructure development and enhancing long-term competitiveness.
In response, William Fong, Head of Cost and Commercial Management for Hong Kong & Macau at Arcadis, said:
“The Government has been examining the factors influencing project costs while also assessing the respective impact of each factor. The dedicated efforts invested in this study demonstrate the Government’s commitment to improving the efficiency of project delivery.
“In addition to streamlining land development procedures, we recognize the importance of promoting the adoption of innovative construction technologies and materials, implementing smart procurement strategies, and reassessing building design standards to enhance speed and efficiency. The effective execution of these measures will require collaboration from the Government, developers, consultants, contractors, and suppliers.”
Align Hong Kong Building Design Standards with Guobiao
As Hong Kong reviews and potentially updates its building standards, we should consider aligning them with best practices and industry standards in Mainland China (Guobiao) and other prominent international cities. Hong Kong can play a key role in establishing unified construction design standards for the Greater Bay Area and promoting the use of high-quality and cost-effective construction materials. Leveraging its robust business presence, Arcadis is prepared to engage in this initiative and support to Building Technology Research Institute.
Enhancing Transport Infrastructure in the Northern Metropolis
With construction of Hung Shui Kiu Station and the Northern Link Main Line commencing, Arcadis is eager to advance to the next phase of preparations for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and initiate the detailed planning and design of the Northern Link Spur Line.
William Fong added: “As we witness progress of the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy and the enhanced connectivity between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the industry can seize opportunities in areas such as cost and project management, sustainability, and business advisory.”
Continue to Promote Waste Reduction and Recycling
In 2025, Hong Kong will inaugurate the commissioning of I•PARK1, the city’s first waste-to-energy facility with the capacity to process 3,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily.
The I•PARK1 project not only contributes to achieving the “Zero Landfill” goal but also spreadheads the adoption of innovative construction methods, including Modular Integrated Construction and the prefabrication of main electrical and mechanical equipment modules in Zhuhai.
William Fong concluded: “This construction approach has elevated both the quality and efficiency standards, setting a new benchmark in excellence and operational effectiveness.”
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arcadis-supports-the-chief-executives-2024-policy-address-in-hong-kong-302281724.html
Fintech PR
BingX Introduces ALTCOIN Index Futures Trading: One Click, Countless Trends
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BingX, a global leading cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to announce the launch of ALTCOIN Index, the first futures trading pair involving top altcoins. This innovative trading product offers users a one-click solution to efficiently track and trade major cryptocurrency trends with ease.
Traditionally used in stock markets, a futures index is a financial derivative that tracks the performance of a group of assets, such as stocks of commodities. These instruments were first introduced to simplify trading by allowing investors to speculate on or hedge against the collective movements of selected market sectors. Instead of purchasing individual stocks, traders are able to access broad market exposure in a single transaction, saving time and reducing costs.
In the cryptocurrency market, this new ALTCOIN/USDT futures trading pair works similarly by bundling the performance of the top mainstream cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, excluding Bitcoin (BTC) and stablecoins. The current index includes ETH, XRP, SOL, BNB, DOGE, ADA, TRX, AVAX, and SHIB. This approach is more efficient compared to buying individual cryptocurrencies or ETFs as this allows for direct speculation using tiered leverage options without the need to manage multiple positions, effectively diversifying trading risks associated with individual asset volatility.
Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer of BingX, commented on the new offering: “By aggregating a range of leading cryptocurrencies into a single trading instrument, we’re giving users a practical and efficient way to better capture market trends. This index trading pair should help our less experienced users with their trading goals more easily, particularly when they are unsure which asset to trade and just want to trade major altcoins in general with leverage.”
BingX users can take advantage of tiered leverage options and competitive rates consistent with the platform’s perpetual futures terms, simplifying open order management and enhancing trading efficiency. The platform also ensures that the index composition remains current, with regular quarterly adjustments and temporary updates in response to market conditions.
About BingX
Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange, serving over 10 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management – all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became the official crypto exchange partner of Chelsea Football Club, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.
For more information please visit: https://bingx.com/
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bingx-introduces-altcoin-index-futures-trading-one-click-countless-trends-302339486.html
Fintech PR
Nodepay Raises $7M Total Funding To Power AI Growth with Real-Time Data Infrastructure
SINGAPORE, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nodepay, a decentralized AI platform transforming unused internet bandwidth into real-time data pipelines for AI training, today announced it has raised a second round of funding, bringing its total to $7 million.
The latest funding round welcomed new strategic investors IDG Capital ($23 Billion AUM), Mythos, Elevate Ventures, IBC, Optic Capital, Funders.VC, Matthew Tan (Etherscan founder) and Yusho Liu (CoinHako Co-founder & CEO) as notable angels. They join an impressive roster of previous backers that includes Animoca Brands, Mirana, OKX Ventures, JUMP Crypto, Tokenbay Capital and more.
Nodepay’s network taps into a global community of users running privacy-protected nodes. By sharing their spare internet bandwidth, these participants earn rewards for creating a real-time data source that improves AI inference with accurate, timely information—an approach known as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).
Darren Nguyen, co-founder of Nodepay commented: “Our mission is to develop solutions that create tangible value for both AI developers and its end users. We give contributors a share in the AI ecosystem they help fundamentally build.”
Nodepay’s infrastructure platform integrates real-time data retrieval, a Web3-focused decentralized answer engine, reinforcement learning for more accurate model output, and gamified human verification. Together, these components combine to create a fair, collaborative, and innovative AI ecosystem.
Eric Le, investment director of IDG Capital, said, “The team at Nodepay is democratizing the AI economy by providing a platform that allows users to share directly in the value they create. We’re proud to support their vision of making AI more accessible and beneficial to all.”
With this funding, Nodepay will continue to commercialize its infrastructure to benefit both its community and partner AI labs. As it prepares to launch on Solana, Nodepay stands ready to lead the next era of decentralized AI development and training.
Already serving over 1.5 million active users worldwide, Nodepay continues to expand its reach, solidifying its role as a leader in the integration of AI and blockchain technology. Users can expect further updates and new announcements through their social channels and official website.
About Nodepay
Nodepay is a decentralized AI platform dedicated to democratizing AI training through real-time data retrieval. By turning idle internet bandwidth into a valuable resource, Nodepay fuels the next generation of AI models and stands at the forefront of AI decentralization.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nodepay-raises-7m-total-funding-to-power-ai-growth-with-real-time-data-infrastructure-302339478.html
Fintech PR
SM approaches 2025 with cautious optimism
PASAY CITY, Philippines, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The SM Group is approaching the coming year with cautious optimism, encouraged by the continued growth of the Philippine economy.
SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said that despite ongoing challenges of peso volatility and higher inflation, the business sector has adapted well.
Consistent demand sustained household spending in the third quarter, with Household Final Consumption Expenditure posting a year-on-year growth of 5.1%, maintaining the same level in the same quarter last year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.
“Any moderation in inflation should trigger a strong confidence rebound. This could create opportunities in consumer-focused sectors in the country and we are poised to cater to these evolving demands,” Mr. DyBuncio said.
To cater to growing demand, SM continues to expand into more underserved areas, contributing to sustainable economic development and collaborating with government stakeholders to enhance access to modern retail, financial services, and integrated property developments.
“By investing and expanding to more areas nationwide, SM creates new markets and improves access to these essential sectors, serving more communities and helping stimulate sustained economic activities,” he said.
Mr. DyBuncio also said SM continues to invest in promising ventures such as renewable energy and logistics, that foster economic activity.
SM has invested in the clean energy industry through Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) which produces 300 Megawatts of geothermal steam supply. SM aims to continue to develop geothermal concessions through PGPC in support of the Department of Energy’s goal of reaching 50% renewable energy supply by 2040.
To encourage circularity towards green energy production, SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings partnered with GUUN Co. Ltd. (GUUN) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel.
SM’s banking arm, BDO Unibank is one of the largest funders of renewable energy projects. BDO has funded PHP898 billion in sustainable finance, including loans to 59 renewable energy projects as of December 2023.
In logistics and tourism, the improvement of transport networks across the country’s archipelago connects tourist and industrial areas that will help create inclusive growth. SM though its subsidiary 2GO launched MV Masigla and MV Masikap in 2024 to help better connect goods to 19 ports across the country including Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Manila, further supporting the government’s push for medium term growth through an upgraded tourism infrastructure and ecosystem.
“Our focus for 2025 will be to drive purposeful growth, empowering communities and partners through our investments towards a sustainable future,” Mr. DyBuncio said.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sm-approaches-2025-with-cautious-optimism-302339452.html
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