AM BEST KEEPS CHINA NON-LIFE INSURANCE OUTLOOK STABLE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- AM Best has maintained a stable outlook on China’s non-life insurance segment, supported by sustained premium growth driven by new energy vehicles (NEVs), health reforms and emerging product developments, alongside supportive regulatory policies and market development initiatives.

In its latest report titled “Market Segment Outlook: China Non-Life Insurance”, the global credit rating agency noted that concerns about China’s economic momentum have emerged amid slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts through 2030, weaker credit and export growth, and a prolonged property sector downturn.

Despite these headwinds, the non-life insurance segment has shown resilience, though it has recorded a moderate slowdown in direct premiums written growth in recent years.

Growth in non-motor lines has generally outpaced the motor segment as insurers diversify portfolios, but the gap is narrowing as higher NEV sales boost motor insurance demand.

AM Best senior financial analyst, Lucie Huang in a statement said the higher loss frequency is linked to driver inexperience, while greater loss severity stems from higher repair and replacement costs, contributing to overall insurance losses in 2024.

Meanwhile, its director of analytics, James Chan said: “Over the long term, non-life insurers with refined business-line management and a strong focus on efficiency are more likely to sustain their market position.”

The report also noted that non-life insurers are also expanding into emerging sectors such as green energy, the low-altitude economy—including drone-related coverage—and high-tech manufacturing. Growing sustainability efforts have further spurred demand for liability products such as safety production and environmental pollution insurance.

China’s rapid adoption of digitalisation, automation and domestically developed artificial intelligence tools has enhanced operations across client servicing, underwriting, claims handling, fraud detection and back-office functions. These technologies have improved efficiency but also introduce new operational and cyber risks.

-- BERNAMA

BENDING SPOONS TO ACQUIRE AOL FROM YAHOO, EXPANDING ITS DIGITAL EMPIRE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Technology company Bending Spoons has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AOL from Yahoo, marking another bold move in its rapid expansion into the digital services space.

In a statement, Bending Spoons said the deal is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions.

“AOL is an iconic, beloved business that is in good health, has stood the test of time, and has unexpressed potential,” said Bending Spoons chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder, Luca Ferrari.

Ferrari highlighted AOL’s strong engagement metrics, noting around eight million daily and 30 million monthly active users, making it one of the world’s top 10 email providers, adding: “We intend to invest significantly to help the product and the business flourish.”

Meanwhile, Yahoo CEO, Jim Lanzone said the sale allows Yahoo to sharpen its focus on its core products and artificial intelligence-driven roadmap.

“AOL and Yahoo share a great deal of history, and this transaction ensures AOL continues to thrive under new ownership.” Lanzone noted.

To fuel its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy, Bending Spoons secured a US$2.8 billion debt financing package—including Term Loan A, Term Loan B, and Revolving Credit Facility commitments—from major global banks such as BNP Paribas, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan.

Ferrari called the financing “an endorsement of our strategy” and said it strengthens Bending Spoons’ ability to “acquire and transform digital businesses worldwide with a long-term view.”

Advisors on the deal include Greenhill, Wells Fargo, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for Bending Spoons, while Yahoo was advised by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Allen & Company LLC, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

-- BERNAMA

Principal: Global Financial Inclusion Hits A Plateau In 2025 Amid Rising Uncertainty

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Global progress on financial inclusion has plateaued in 2025 after steady gains in recent years, according to the latest Global Financial Inclusion Index released by Principal Financial Group.

The report, now in its fourth year and produced in collaboration with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), found that shifting trade dynamics and geopolitical tensions have led companies to scale back financial support initiatives such as flexible pay and employee benefits.

In response, governments and financial systems have intensified efforts to sustain inclusion, according to the group in a statement.

The Index evaluates how governments, financial systems and employers enable greater levels of financial inclusion across 42 markets, ranking them both comparatively and by absolute score. Singapore has retained its position as the world’s most financially inclusive market since the Index’s inception.

The report recorded a global financial inclusion score of 49.4 out of 100—a slight dip of 0.2 points from 2024, though significantly higher than 41.7 in 2022. Of the 42 markets assessed, 20 showed improvement, while 19 saw declines.

Employer support slowed globally, with scores falling 0.6 points and 83 per cent of markets reporting declines. This reflects the impact of geopolitical risks on business confidence, prompting firms to adopt more conservative approaches toward employee benefits.

Conversely, government support rose by 0.6 points, increasing in all major regions. Financial systems in North America, Europe and the Middle East also strengthened, with 35 markets showing year-over-year gains in one or both pillars.

Modelling within the Index shows that a one per cent rise in financial literacy corresponds with a 2.8 per cent reduction in household loan defaults and a 6.7 per cent drop in debt-to-income ratios, contributing to long-term gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Markets that have advanced digital financial infrastructure, including Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, Thailand and Singapore, recorded the most significant inclusion gains.

The Middle East experienced the sharpest improvement in the financial system pillar, driven by fintech adoption. The United Arab Emirates rose five positions and 3.9 points, while Saudi Arabia advanced four spots and 1.8 points.

In the United States, financial inclusion edged higher, maintaining its global ranking at seventh. Gains were supported by improvements in fintech presence, credit access and borrower protections, though economic headwinds and reduced small-business funding limited stronger progress.

 -- BERNAMA

Sumang To Boost R&D On Functional Biomaterials From Jeju’s Natural Resources

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Clean Jeju Green Tea Cooperative ‘Sumang’, a processor of agricultural, marine, and herbal materials from Jeju Island, has announced its plans to expand research and development (R&D) activities of functional biomaterials derived from the island’s natural resources.

As a specialist in raw materials processing for food and cosmetics, Sumang explained that it will actively pursue joint R&D projects with various organisations to discover and commercialise new, competitive bio-based materials.

In addition to R&D projects, the cooperative participates in two to three major international exhibitions in Korea each year, holding consultation sessions with pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food companies. 

Despite the current economic slowdown, enquiries related to the development of differentiated new materials based on Jeju’s clean natural ingredients are increasing, according to Sumang in a statement.

As demand for functional and natural raw materials continues to grow, Sumang remains committed to developing unique ingredients sourced from Jeju’s pure ecosystem to meet market demands and will continue its efforts to develop competitive new materials that highlight the value and purity of Jeju’s natural resources.

Abiding by the strict rules of the Clean Jeju Green Tea Agricultural Cooperative, Sumang offers products that promote both health and environmental sustainability. It has produced Jeju green tea of the highest quality since 2007.

-- BERNAMA

MONEYHERO ATTRACTS 3,800 AT PERSONAL FINANCE FESTIVAL IN SINGAPORE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- MoneyHero Limited, a personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, has successfully concluded the Seedly x SingSaver Personal Finance Festival (PFF) 2025, which drew more than 3,800 participants at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

Now in its sixth year, the event combined the strengths of Seedly and SingSaver to deliver an expanded and interactive experience under the theme “Explore Singapore!”, reflecting on the nation’s achievements while encouraging participants to plan confidently for their financial futures.

The festival focused on three core priorities, namely financial resilience, strategic wealth building, and adapting to a changing global economy. Across 16 hours of sessions, over 65 speakers and panellists shared practical strategies on navigating today’s economic challenges and building long-term financial stability.

Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, Jeffrey Siow headlined a fireside chat with MoneyHero Group Chief Executive Officer, Rohith Murthy, where he highlighted the importance of long-term financial discipline, prudent planning and skills investment to prepare for global uncertainties.

Murthy in a statement said the event underscored the strong demand for financial knowledge and collaborative innovation.

He reaffirmed MoneyHero’s commitment to using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the digital experience for users, offering personalised insights while supporting financial institution partners with improved conversion and operational efficiency.

Nineteen sponsors and partners took part in the event, providing immersive brand experiences and direct engagement opportunities to help participants deepen their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions.

The festival coincided with MoneyHero’s second anniversary as a Nasdaq-listed company and reinforced its vision of guiding individuals toward financial resilience through innovation, partnership and a growing ecosystem of trusted financial tools.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST JOINS 2025 SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE CONFERENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best is joining a panel discussion at the 2025 Shanghai International Reinsurance Conference, taking place for four days ending Oct 24, in Shanghai, China.


AM Best’s Singapore operations managing director and chief executive officer, Rob Curtis, will join a global reinsurance advisory panel in a closed-door meeting with the theme “Consensus and Mechanisms for Contract Performance Management in the Reinsurance Market”.


In a statement, AM Best said Curtis has been with the company since 2022 and has years of experience in Asia’s insurance markets, with key roles held previously with Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors.


The conference, which has become one of the largest annual meetings for reinsurers worldwide, will take place at the Lingang Xinchen International Conference Center in Shanghai's Lingang Special Area, attracting over 1,300 participants from about two dozen countries and regions.


Headquartered in the United States, AM Best does business in more than 100 countries, with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mexico City.


-- BERNAMA

Datavault AI (NASDAQ: DVLT) Partners with Max International AG to Launch Swiss Digital RWA Exchange, Overcoming Barriers to Institutional Tokenization

Landmark Collaboration Harnesses Patented AI, Swiss Regulatory Fortress, and Fiduciary Expertise to Tokenize $1 Trillion1 + Global RWA Market, Anchored in Zurich’s Gold Hub

BEAVERTON, Ore., Oct 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- Datavault AI Inc. (NASDAQ: DVLT), a pioneer in patented AI-driven blockchain for secure data and asset monetization, today announces a strategic partnership with Max International AG as its licensed partner. This collaboration will deploy and manage a Switzerland-based Swiss Digital RWA Exchange aimed at maximizing the advantages presented by Switzerland’s robust digital regulatory frameworks. Switzerland is the home of SIX Digital Exchange (SDX)—NASDAQ’s longstanding technological ally for digital asset infrastructure, the world’s leading exchange for digital assets.

The partnership targets institutional adoption of Real World Assets (RWAs) by resolving three critical barriers: regulatory uncertainty, technological scalability, and fiduciary trust. It forms the foundation for Datavault AI’s International Elements Exchange—tokenizing commodities like unmined gold and copper—and the International NIL Exchange for name, image, and likeness rights.

Zurich, Switzerland’s financial powerhouse amplifies the platform’s scale: Handling over 70% of global gold refining and trading², it provides an ideal gateway for RWA tokenization. Datavault AI’s global patent portfolio—covering secure data tokenization, digital twins, and automated compliance across U.S., Europe, and Asia—ensures proprietary enforcement within this regulated ecosystem, enabling tamper-proof, scalable trades.

Key competitive edges include:

• AI-Driven Market Efficiency: Datavault AI’s DataValue® and DataScore® systems deliver transparent, algorithmic valuations for illiquid assets, boosting liquidity and reducing opacity risks.

• Regulatory Fortress: Max International AG supplies Swiss domicile and networks for regulated ledger-based securities issuance and exchange.

• Fiduciary Trust via Human Capital: Featuring a team of experienced financial services personnel and licensed “Fit and Proper” experts, ensuring governance meets Swiss private wealth standards for de-risked institutional capital.

This synergy merges Datavault AI’s patents and NYIAX-derived NASDAQ rigor with Max International AG’s Swiss pedigree, which we believe positions the exchange as a leader in high-value asset tokenization. The immediate milestone is the first regulatory-compliant trade on stablecoin platforms, independent of global shifts like the U.S. Genius Act, thanks to Switzerland’s robust DLT framework.

With tokenized assets projected to surpass $1 trillion¹ by 2030, we believe this venture underscores Datavault AI’s global enterprise value through compliant, automated solutions for complex RWA and NIL monetization.

“We are excited to collaborate with Datavault AI on this institutionally targeted initiative,” said Joachim Wegmann, Managing Director of Max International AG. “By integrating patented technology with our Swiss regulatory anchor and fiduciary expertise, we are creating a platform that resolves adoption barriers and sets the standard for sustainable, long-term tokenization of the world’s most significant assets.”

Nathaniel Bradley, CEO of Datavault AI, stated: “We have been approached by large corporations and governments to address growing demand for blockchain-driven solutions to RWA and NIL monetization—making the complex consumable and giving way to a simple tokenized, automated, fail-proof compliant scale. This partnership with Max International AG propels our exchanges into a trusted Swiss hub, unlocking massive global value.”

About Datavault AI Inc.

Datavault AI Inc. (Nasdaq: DVLT) is leading the way in with proprietary solutions in the visualization, valuation, and monetization of assets in the Web 3.0 environment. Leveraging data sciences and acoustic sciences, the cloud-based platform provides comprehensive solutions serving multiple industries, including HPC software licensing for sports & entertainment, events & venues, biotech, education, fintech, real estate, healthcare, energy and more. The Information Data Exchange® (IDE) enables Digital Twins, licensing of name, image, and likeness (NIL) by securely attaching physical real-world objects to immutable metadata or blockchain objects, fostering responsible AI with integrity. The company's solutions ensure privacy and credential protection. They are completely customizable and offer AI and Machine Learning (ML) automation, third-party integration, detailed analytics and data, marketing automation and advertising monitoring. The company is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. Learn more about Datavault AI at www.dvlt.ai.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other securities laws. Words such as “expect,” “will,” “anticipates,” “continues” and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements herein regarding our partnership and exchange initiatives, business opportunities and prospects, strategy, and patent initiatives, as well as the successful implementation of our patented technologies, are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: risks regarding our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the partnership specified herein; regulatory and other risks surrounding our ability to establish the RWA exchange; our ability to successfully utilize all intellectual property that has been issued and granted Notices of Allowance; risks regarding our ability to utilize the assets we acquire to successfully grow our market share; risks regarding our ability to open up new revenue streams; our current liquidity position and the need to obtain additional financing to support ongoing operations; general market, economic and other conditions; our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq; our ability to manage costs and execute on our operational and budget plans; our ability to achieve our financial goals; the degree to which our licensees implement our technologies into their products, if at all; the timeline to any such implementation; risks related to technology innovation and intellectual property, and other risks as more fully described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this press release is provided only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this communication based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

1. https://capitalmarketsblog.accenture.com/a-78-trillion-growth-opportunity-for-wealth-managers

2. https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/switzerland-gold-market-role-2025-exports/

Media Contact:

marketing@dvlt.ai

SOURCE: Datavault AI Inc.

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

Brothers, 19 and 20, Stanford dropouts, raise $4.1M in oversubscribed seed round to build Golpo AI and reimagine AI video generation

 

Golpo AI secures oversubscribed seed round to transform communication through interactive AI videos


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct  21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golpo, the AI-powered platform that transforms documents and prompts into interactive explainer videos, announced today it has raised $4.1 million in a heavily oversubscribed seed round led by BNVT Capital (spin out from the Gates Foundation and Hedosophia), alongside Emergence Capital, Y Combinator, Afore Capital and others. The raise attracted overwhelming investor demand, forcing the founders to turn away significant additional capital.

Golpo was founded by brothers Shraman Kar (19) and Shreyas Kar (20) who dropped out of their computer science degrees at Stanford to realise their vision of making AI video communication practical, scalable, and accessible to everyone.

“One year ago, I was sitting in my final high school class, thrilled to be heading to Stanford,” said Shraman Kar, co-founder of Golpo. “If you told me then that I’d drop out a year later to build a company with my brother, I’d have laughed. But some problems are too important to ignore.”

The brothers saw a fundamental gap in the AI video landscape. Current generation models like Sora and VEO 3 excel at short, cinematic, and flashy videos (“a dog dancing on the moon”), but fail at practical communication tasks like explaining a 10-step onboarding workflow or teaching multivariable calculus. Their reliance on scaling compute-heavy approaches is both unsustainable and misaligned with real-world use cases.

Golpo AI takes a different path. It is purpose-built for explainer videos:

• Up to 30 minutes of coherent, interactive video (vs. <10 seconds in other models)
• World’s first customisable AI video platform with frame-by-frame editing, turning one-shot AI generations into controllable, reliable workflows. For the first time, AI videos can actually be reliable
• 45x cheaper than existing AI video models like VEO
• Technically accurate (able to handle spelling, diagrams, workflows)
• Best-in-class for education, training, and enterprise communication

“Veo and Sora can generate cinematic spectacle, but they cannot even spell words correctly, let alone support technical or instructional content,” said Shreyas Kar, co-founder of Golpo. “Golpo is designed from the ground up for clarity, not just wow.”

Since launching, Golpo has proven to be a game-changer for customers across a variety of use cases and industries:

• Education – School districts are adopting Golpo to transform lessons into interactive videos.
• Corporate Learning & Development (L&D) – Companies use Golpo to create personalized training modules and onboarding workflows.
• Sales & Marketing – Teams turn pitch decks and documents into engaging explainer videos.
• Internal Communications – Organizations convert memos and policies into clear, interactive video formats.

“What once took months can now be done in seconds, and Golpo got there faster than any other AI startup working on the same problem. This new video technology has the potential to open access to the world’s knowledge on a scale never seen before,” said Chris Corbishley, Managing Partner at BNVT Capital, following a major breakthrough that came with Golpo’s release of frame-by-frame editing, the first ever in AI video. This feature moves AI video generation from a one-shot, unpredictable process into a controllable, reliable workflow, where users can adjust and regenerate individual moments simply without redoing the entire video.

The funding will be used to expand the team, enhance AI product capabilities, and deepen integrations with enterprise customers.

About Golpo AI 

Golpo (video.golpoai.com) is the leading AI platform for creating explainer videos from prompts, documents, and enterprise workflows. Founded in 2025 by brothers Shraman (19) and Shreyas (20) Kar, Golpo’s mission is to unlock the world’s knowledge by making AI video practical, accessible and sustainable.

Shraman Kar
+15024326863
founders@golpoai.com 


SOURCE: Golpo

APF CANADA PLANTS FLAG IN INDO-PACIFIC WITH NEW SINGAPORE OFFICE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) has officially opened its Asia Regional Office in Singapore, located in the Manulife Tower at 8 Cross Street in the city’s Central Business District.

APF Canada in a statement said the new office establishes a physical presence for the foundation in the Indo-Pacific and reflects its commitment to deepening Canada’s engagement across the wider region.

“This is a moment 40 years in the making. Our new office will be a place where Canadians can tell the story of today’s and tomorrow’s Canada, refresh perceptions, and build meaningful partnerships across the Pacific,” said APF Canada President & Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Nankivell.

Meanwhile, APF Canada Asia Regional Director, Barrett Bingley said: “We are here to be a force multiplier for the entire Canadian ecosystem. This space will enable collaboration with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partners, driving innovation and opportunity for both sides of the Pacific.”

The establishment of the office is a core component of APF Canada’s Indo-Pacific Initiative, a comprehensive suite of new programmes and activities supported by the Government of Canada through its 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The office will enable APF Canada to support Canadians, their institutions, and firms in making a greater impression and establishing new partnerships in Asia, providing an accessible, multipurpose venue for collaborative events and high-level networking for stakeholders across business, government, academia, and the media.

For Canadian and Asian partners, the office offers opportunities to host presentations and events in its flexible convening space; participate in business networking events, industry workshops, expert panels, and training sessions hosted by APF Canada; and engage with high-quality research and analysis, among others.

With its head office in Vancouver and offices in Toronto and Singapore, APF Canada continues to advance its mission to strengthen Canada’s strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties with Asia.

-- BERNAMA

BREAK KINGS & SLUMP VICTIMS: CITY, LIVERPOOL SOAR AS EVERTON FLOUNDER POST-INTERNATIONALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- As the Premier League snaps back into gear, a new Squawka study reveals which clubs hit the ground running and which stumble after international breaks.

“Post-international fixtures are a litmus test for squad depth and coaching preparation. Our ranking validates what fans sense—but with five seasons of data to back it,” said Squawka Head of Content, Tom Dutton in a statement.

Covering data from October 2020 to the present, the findings underline how top sides like Manchester City and Liverpool excel in these restart fixtures, while others, notably Everton and Crystal Palace, consistently falter.

Manchester City have turned post-break consistency into an art form, losing just once in 17 such matches over five seasons.

Not far behind, Liverpool boast the league’s longest active winning run after international duty—four straight wins—and will aim to extend that when Manchester United visit Anfield on Oct 20.

Arsenal, too, are trending upward, with three consecutive post-break victories since a blip at Bournemouth in October 2024. Aston Villa remain quietly impressive, unbeaten in their last 10 restart fixtures since the 2022 World Cup.

On the flip side, Everton are languishing. With just one win in their last 11 post-international matches, they now face the daunting task of a trip to the Etihad. Crystal Palace's nine-match winless streak after breaks marks the league’s worst, highlighting persistent struggles with squad reintegration.

Squawka’s ranking evaluates the 2025/26 Premier League cohort and includes relevant EFL (League One/Championship) results for promoted clubs. Metrics tracked include win/loss records, goals scored/conceded, and points accrued—shedding light on which teams best manage the transition from international to domestic action.

-- BERNAMA

UPDATE: SINTX Strengthens Infection-Prevention Portfolio with Newly Allowed U.S. Patent Covering $30 Billion Antipathogenic Addressable Market

 

New U.S. Patent reinforces competitive advantage and enables broader licensing and product opportunities across key markets


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) (“SINTX” or the “Company”), an advanced ceramics innovator specializing in biomedical applications of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent application containing method claims covering the Company’s antipathogenic fabric technology.

This development builds upon SINTX’s previously announced patent allowance for its Antipathogenic Fibrous Materials composition patent, expanding the Company’s Intellectual Property (IP) to protect both the material itself and the processes that bring it to market. This dual coverage strengthens the Company’s competitive advantage, enhances licensing and partnership opportunities, and broadens potential applications across medical textiles, filtration media, and other infection-prone surfaces.

These two patent families create a comprehensive IP competitive barrier around SINTX’s surface-level pathogen-inactivation technology, covering applications in wound dressings, surgical drapes and gowns, filtration media, personal protective equipment (PPE), and high-touch clinical surfaces.

“We are excited to announce the allowance of our Method Patent for Antipathogenic Fibrous Materials, marking a significant milestone that strengthens and broadens the protection of our proprietary silicon nitride technology platform.” said Eric K. Olson, Chairman and CEO of SINTX Technologies. “This newly allowed patent complements the recently issued U.S. Patent No. 12,433,356, granted on October 7, 2025, which covers the composition of silicon nitride for antipathogenic fibrous materials. Together, these patents reinforce SINTX’s leadership in infection-resistant material innovation and expand the Company’s IP protection to cover both the composition of its fabrics and methods by which they are produced and applied. We believe this dual-layer IP foundation significantly enhances the licensing and commercialization potential of our platform.”

Lisa Marie, Del Re, Chief Commercial Officer, added, “With method claims, we can now defend and license the manufacturing and application pathways that unlock silicon nitride’s antipathogenic performance in textiles and surfaces. This is crucial as we engage with potential wound-care, filtration, and medical-textile partners.”

Scientific foundation and external validation
“Peer-reviewed work has repeatedly shown rapid inactivation of coronaviruses and broad antimicrobial activity associated with silicon nitride, including recent data reporting up to ~99.97% reduction of infectious SARS-CoV-2 within minutes under lab conditions,” said Dr. Ryan Bock, Chief Technology Officer. “Non-woven fabrics containing optimized Si₃N₄ powder have also provided significant viral reduction, demonstrating again that our silicon nitride platform is suitable for unlocking antipathogenic properties in a wide range of products.”

Note: Laboratory antiviral/antimicrobial results support the materials platform and are distinct from any cleared device indications.

Market context
Infection-prevention remains a large, multi-segment opportunity. SINTX previously characterized the accessible market for its platform as ~$30B across medical textiles, wound management, filtration/PPE, and healthcare infrastructure—an opportunity now underpinned by composition + method coverage. 

At the care-delivery level, ~1 in 31 U.S. hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) on any given day, with substantial economic burden—reinforcing demand for passive, surface-level solutions that work continuously at the point of contact. (CDC data; cost ranges widely across HAI types.)

SINTX plans to pursue licensing and co-development partnerships with textile, wound care , and filtration/PPE partners. The dual-patent estate allows SINTX to license both materials embodiments and process methods, enabling flexible deal structures including upfronts, milestones, and royalties across multiple points in the supply-chain node.

For more information, visit www.sintx.com.

About SINTX Technologies, Inc.
Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, SINTX Technologies is an advanced ceramics company that develops and commercializes materials, components, and technologies for medical and agribiotech applications. SINTX is a global leader in the research, development, and manufacturing of silicon nitride, and its products have been implanted in humans since 2008. Through innovation and strategic partnerships, SINTX continues to expand its portfolio across multiple markets.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” and similar expressions. Examples in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated commercial, licensing, and partnership potential of SINTX’s intellectual property (including newly allowed claims), the Company’s plans to pursue licensing, co-development, or other commercialization arrangements, expectations about market opportunities and expansion into new markets, and the Company’s competitive positioning. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including SINTX’s ability to execute its business strategy; protect and enforce its intellectual property; successfully enter into and perform under licensing and partner relationships; obtain necessary regulatory approvals; achieve market acceptance of new technologies; general economic and industry conditions; and other risks described in SINTX’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” sections of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, SINTX undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Jack Perkins or Maria Hocut
KCSA Strategic Communications
Sintx@kcsa.com 

SINTX Technologies, Inc.
801.839.3502
IR@sintx.com 

SOURCE: SiNtx Technologies, Inc.

DEEL SECURES US$300 MLN INVESTMENT, VALUED AT US$17.3 BLN

 

Deel reached $1bn revenue faster than many high-growth tech industry peers due to its impressive organic growth engine and ability to scale at speed. Source: S-1 Filings, GS Research, FactSet.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Deel, the global human resources (HR) and payroll platform, has secured a US$300 million strategic investment led by Ribbit Capital, with continued backing from existing investors Andreessen Horowitz and Coatue Management, with participation from General Catalyst, Green Bay Ventures and others. (US$1=RM4.21)

According to the company in a statement, the raise pushes Deel’s valuation to US$17.3 billion.

The investment follows a record year of performance for the company, which achieved its three consecutive years of profitability, and recorded its first US$100 million revenue month in September. Earlier this year, Deel also surpassed US$1 billion in annual recurring revenue.

Currently, the company serves over 37,000 businesses and 1.5 million workers across more than 150 countries, processing US$22 billion in payroll annually.

Deel co-founder and chief executive officer, Alex Bouaziz said the new capital will support the company’s mission to redefine global payroll infrastructure and strengthen its position as a single platform for companies to build, manage and pay their teams worldwide.

“This round is about doubling down on the global payroll infrastructure we have built from the ground up. We are reimagining how payroll should work for the next century—fluid, real-time and truly borderless,” he said.

Proceeds from the investment will be used to accelerate strategic acquisitions, expand product capabilities and enhance global reach. Deel also plans to invest in artificial intelligence innovation and the continued development of its owned systems, aiming to deliver native payroll in over 100 countries by 2029.

The company reported strong growth across all product segments, including a 1,500 per cent increase in United States (US) payroll services, 600 per cent growth in HR products and 450 per cent expansion in global payroll.

Other notable achievements include a 220 per cent increase in its immigration product, 410 per cent growth in information technology (IT) services, and a 1,200 per cent surge in customers using four or more products.

-- BERNAMA

CGTN HIGHLIGHTS CHINA'S PUSH TO EMPOWER WOMEN THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- China has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women and girls through technology, according to a recent article by the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The article highlighted remarks by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for the advancement of girls’ and women’s education, who attended an exhibition in Beijing focused on digital empowerment for women and girls.

Peng, together with UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, toured the exhibition, held as a side event of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.

In a statement, CGTN said the event showcased China's progress in promoting gender equality through digital and intelligent technologies.

"China's push to develop digital and intelligent technologies is reshaping the lifestyles of women and girls, creating broader development opportunities for them in the era of digital intelligence," said Peng.

Meanwhile, Bahous commended China’s achievements in closing the digital gender gap and promoting women's rights, calling for continued international collaboration to support women's full development in the digital age.

China has introduced a range of initiatives to enhance women’s digital literacy and participation in the digital economy, with many rural women trained in e-commerce contributing to poverty alleviation and rural revitalisation. Women now account for more than half of entrepreneurs in China’s internet sector and over 40 per cent of its workforce.

In May, Professor Wang Xiaoyun of Tsinghua University was named one of five laureates of the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards for her pioneering research in cryptography, inspiring more women to pursue careers in mathematics and cybersecurity.

China has also extended support for global women’s development by training over 200,000 women from more than 180 countries, contributing US$20 million to UN Women, and implementing women-focused projects worth over US$40 million through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. (US$1=RM4.22)

-- BERNAMA

Bitget Wallet Launches Crypto Card in Asia-Pacific

 

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Oct 16 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget Wallet has officially launched Bitget Wallet Card in selected Asia-Pacific markets, expanding its crypto payment offering to one of the world's most dynamic regions.

Bitget Wallet Card is designed to make crypto spendable in daily life by connecting self-custodied digital assets directly to Mastercard's over 150 million merchants and Visa's network of more than 200 countries. Users can apply for the card through the Bitget Wallet app, receive instant approval via fully digital onboarding, and add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for global acceptance. Transactions are funded instantly through onchain swaps and deposits into USDT and USDC, while top-ups are free of charge.

"Launching the Bitget Wallet Card in Asia-Pacific is a pivotal milestone in our strategy," said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. "It strengthens our vision of combining self-custody, compliance, and real-world utility, giving users a single gateway to spend, save, and earn with digital assets."

The launch comes as Asia-Pacific has emerged as the fastest-growing crypto market globally, with onchain activity rising 69% year-over-year to US $2.36 trillion. The region has become a hub for both institutional stablecoin adoption and retail payments, with Southeast Asia driving remittance flows and developed markets like Japan and Australia demanding transparent, cost-efficient payment solutions. By combining Bitget Wallet's self-custodial reach and global partner payment rails, the Bitget Wallet Card is positioned to bridge blockchain-native assets with mainstream finance across the region.

For more information, visit https://web3.bitget.com/card and Bitget Wallet blog.

About Bitget Wallet

Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple, seamless and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, a DApp browser, and crypto payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and a million tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users' assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.
For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3a8a304-4471-4a79-a095-b7a061b2d2a2 

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

INNIO, INFRA DAYA POWER UP BATAM WITH 80 MW DEAL

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- INNIO Group has signed an agreement with PT MPower Daya Energia, a subsidiary of Infra Daya Group, to deliver 80 megawatts (MW) of power to support grid stabilisation in Batam, Indonesia.

The signing ceremony, held in Batam, marks an important milestone in strengthening the city’s power infrastructure amid surging energy demand driven by rapid data centre development.

Under the agreement, PT MPower Daya Energia will supply INNIO’s Jenbacher gas engines to its customers, ensuring reliable energy delivery to key areas across the region.

“INNIO can be found where it matters most. We deliver flexible and secure energy solutions to regions all over the world with rapidly rising energy demands,” said INNIO Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Olaf Berlien in a statement.

Meanwhile, Infra Daya Group CEO, Fazil Erwin Alfitri said the company remains committed to providing reliable and efficient power solutions across Southeast Asia, including remote areas.

“Our long-standing collaboration with INNIO reinforces our shared vision of supporting the region’s growing energy needs with sustainable and dependable technology,” he said.

Infra Daya Group, a leading energy solutions provider in Southeast Asia, currently operates in Indonesia and Myanmar with a total installed INNIO capacity of 335 MW.

Both parties are also planning a multi-year maintenance programme to enhance operational reliability. The five-year cooperation will cover both existing and new plants operated by Infra Daya Group, and it is expected to secure long-term energy supply for the region while reinforcing the partnership between INNIO and Infra Daya Group.

INNIO’s Jenbacher energy solutions provide high operational flexibility for prime, peaking and backup applications and are designed to maintain performance under tropical conditions, even during grid fluctuations or instability.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDFLARE SUPERCHARGES CHANNEL STRATEGY WITH NEW PARTNER SOLUTION BUNDLES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Cloudflare Inc, a leading connectivity cloud company, has announced the expansion of its channel business through the introduction of new solution bundles under its PowerUP Partner Program.

The initiative aims to support partners in helping businesses secure and manage applications more efficiently through a single, unified platform.

By consolidating multiple services, the solution bundles are designed to reduce complexity, enhance security, and streamline operations.

“Partners are at the core of Cloudflare’s go-to-market strategy. Over the past year, we have introduced new tools, incentives and enablement efforts to help our partners equip more businesses with the security, performance and reliability of Cloudflare’s platform,” said its Chief Partner Officer, Tom Evans.

In a statement, Cloudflare said with the growing use of enterprise applications and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, businesses face increased challenges in managing and securing their digital environments.

The PowerUP Partner Program now offers solution bundles that allow partners a simplified approach to deliver end-to-end security, improved multi-cloud connectivity, and cost savings. Discounts on the solution bundles are available based on partner tiers and selected services, enabling greater flexibility and scalability.

Cloudflare continues to expand partnerships with global service integrators, managed security service providers, resellers and distributors, including IBM Cloud, Kyndryl, Rakuten Mobile, GuidePoint Security and Presidio.

In 2025, Cloudflare’s PowerUP Partner Program received the highest five-star ranking in the CRN Partner Program Guide and was listed among the top four cloud security vendors. The company also earned recognition in CRN’s AI 100, Cloud 100, Security 100 and Top 100 Executives lists.

-- BERNAMA

NATURAL NINE TO DEBUT LEOCLEAN FEMININE CLEANSER IN GLOBAL PUSH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Korean women’s wellness brand Natural Nine has announced plans to launch its new feminine cleanser, Leoclean, in the first half of 2026, marking its official expansion into both domestic and international markets.

Guided by the philosophy of “pure beauty from nature”, Natural Nine offers a range of skincare and body care products tailored for modern women, moving into the feminine hygiene segment and responding to rising demand for Y-zone care solutions.

Leoclean is formulated with naturally derived ingredients to help maintain pH balance while minimising irritation, in line with the brand’s clean and natural concept.

A Natural Nine spokesperson in a statement said the current feminine cleanser market requires not only functional efficacy but also emotional connection and brand identity.

“Our goal is to go beyond basic cleansing products and position Leoclean as part of a wider lifestyle care category,” the spokesperson added.

Natural Nine plans to enter global markets beginning with Singapore and Malaysia through existing distribution partnerships.

The company aims to roll out exports in stages starting from the first half of 2026, supported by localised marketing initiatives and collaborations with regional influencers to strengthen its K-beauty presence.

In addition to feminine hygiene, Natural Nine is developing a functional skincare line for women as part of its strategy to evolve into a total care brand promoting women’s health and confidence.

Natural Nine mission goes beyond product sales, focusing instead on empowering women to care for their own bodies and well-being. With the trust associated with K-beauty and the authenticity of its brand, it aims to grow as a reliable global name in women’s wellness.

-- BERNAMA

HCLTECH JOINS MIT MEDIA LAB TO ACCELERATE AI INNOVATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- HCLTech, a global technology company, has joined the MIT Media Lab, a world-renowned research and innovation ecosystem at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that brings together pioneering research and forward-thinking enterprises.

HCLTech Chief Technology Officer and Head of Ecosystems, Vijay Guntur said the company is thrilled to collaborate with the MIT Media Lab at the forefront of applied artificial intelligence (AI) research.

“By engaging with MIT Media Lab’s world-class faculty and researchers, we aim to explore co-development of AI innovations that create real-world impact,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, MIT Media Lab Executive Director, Jessica Rosenworcel said: “HCLTech’s commitment to exploring applied AI aligns with our mission to design technologies that empower humanity. We look forward to dynamic collaboration that may advance responsible, human-centred innovation in AI and beyond.”

This new engagement reflects HCLTech’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of AI and accelerating breakthroughs in emerging technology areas, such as quantum computing, through collaborative innovation.

HCLTech will have access to MIT Media Lab’s research and networks, enabling it to deepen engagement with faculty, researchers and innovators in next-generation technologies, particularly AI, while also being able to co-develop projects that could translate meaningful AI innovation into impactful and scalable solutions.

Home to more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, HCLTech delivers industry-leading capabilities in digital, engineering, cloud, and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products.

-- BERNAMA

EARLYHEALTH BUYS INTO CYBER POWERHOUSE CYB3R IN CROSS-INDUSTRY EXPANSION

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- EarlyHealth Group, a global pharmaceutical services and life sciences solutions company, has acquired a 50 per cent equity stake in CYB3R Limited, one of the Gulf’s fastest-growing cybersecurity firms.

This strategic diversification and cross-industry investment positions CYB3R to have a global footprint while expanding its delivery of turnkey solutions to the life sciences industry and government organisations.

According to EarlyHealth in a statement, CYB3R’s leadership team will remain in place post-acquisition, ensuring continuity in managing the current customer base while expanding its capabilities to serve new global markets.

CYB3R Chief Executive Officer, Alex Halsall said the partnership with EarlyHealth marked the next step in scaling CYB3R’s capabilities globally and delivering tailored cybersecurity solutions to its core sectors.

Headquartered in Dubai, CYB3R, owned by tech entrepreneurs Alex Halsall and Jack Tupper, has rapidly gained prominence by securing critical infrastructure and sensitive data in regulated industries across the Middle East and Europe.

By embedding CYB3R’s capabilities on EarlyHealth’s global platform, the partnership will scale operations internationally and deliver turnkey solutions that safeguard clinical studies, institutional programmes, and government initiatives.

EarlyHealth’s third acquisition this year underlines its drive to build a global conglomerate at the intersection of healthcare and digital transformation, delivering innovative solutions that expand access for patients, empower industry, and strengthen government capabilities worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

Antalpha Anchors $150 Million Financing in Aurelion Treasury; Initiating NASDAQ’s First Tether Gold Treasury

Prestige Wealth Inc. (NASDAQ: PWM) Plans to be Renamed to Aurelion Inc. (NASDAQ: AURE) Subject to Approvals$100 Million Private Placement & $50 Million Senior Debt Facility
Antalpha Anchors Aurelion Treasury, Exclusively in Tether Gold (XAU₮) for Resilience and Transparency

SINGAPORE, Oct 13 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Antalpha Platform Holding Company (NASDAQ: ANTA) ("Antalpha"), a leading institutional digital asset financing platform, today announced that it has invested approximately $43 million as lead investor and acquired controlling voting rights in Prestige Wealth Inc. (NASDAQ: PWM; AURE) (“Aurelion” or the “Company”) through participation in a committed private investment in public equity (“PIPE”), alongside accredited investors including TG Commodities S.A. de C.V. (“Tether”) and Kiara Capital Holding Limited (“Kiara Capital”), invested by Antalpha’s management. The Company (NASDAQ: PWM) is expected to be renamed as “Aurelion Inc.”, subject to approvals, and will trade under the new ticker (NASDAQ: AURE) beginning Monday, October 13, 2025.

"We are excited to collaborate with Tether, the largest stablecoin company in the world, to expand the trusted digital gold ecosystem. Digital assets will be more tangible to many when one can walk into a jewelry store and redeem a gold bar with Tether Gold (XAU₮). Through Antalpha RWA Hub, we hope to deliver new capabilities and services like this that will increase the liquidity and product offerings of Tether Gold (XAU₮)," said Paul Liang, CFO of Antalpha.

“Adding to Antalpha RWA Hub, we are excited to anchor Aurelion Treasury, the first pure-play NASDAQ Tether Gold (XAU₮) Treasury, to increase access to tokenized gold, which has strategic importance in the digital asset world. People and institutions need a safe haven to safeguard against inflation, fiat currency devaluation and crypto volatility. As a leading digital asset financing platform, Antalpha has common interest to fortify our own balance sheet with a significant gold reserve through Tether Gold (XAU₮) to improve collateral resilience,” continued Paul Liang.

Strategic Rationale
Antalpha Reserve 2.0 builds on Antalpha’s pilot program earlier this year when it acquired $20 million of Tether Gold (XAU₮). In early October, we announced a collaboration with Tether to launch Antalpha RWA Hub to increase access to Tether Gold (XAU₮). The $43 million PIPE lead investment in Aurelion Treasury represents the next phase of Reserve 2.0: scaling Antalpha’s Tether Gold (XAU₮) reserve with institutional infrastructure, governance and transparency.

Gold has served as the ultimate benchmark of value for more than 5,000 years, consistently providing a natural hedge amid macroeconomic volatility and political uncertainty. Its negative correlation to the U.S. dollar index (DXY) amidst global crises and inflationary cycles as well as serving as a safe haven to crypto volatility highlight the value of gold on the blockchain.

Tether Gold (XAU₮) addresses these vulnerabilities by being 100% physically backed and redeemable for LBMA-standard bullions stored in Switzerland. Since launching in 2020, approximately 7 tons of gold have been acquired to back Tether Gold (XAU₮), providing institutional-grade transparency, verifiability and liquidity. By committing to Tether Gold (XAU₮) as Aurelion’s sole treasury reserve, Antalpha aims to smooth volatility, preserve liquidity and increase collateral resilience, which supports Antalpha’s management philosophy of risk management first.

Transaction Highlights
Antalpha invested approximately $43 million in Aurelion’s approximately $100 million PIPE, along with accredited investors, including Kiara Capital for $6 million and Tether for $15 million. Following this transaction, Antalpha holds a stake of approximately 32.4% (or approximately 73.1% of the voting rights) and Kiara Capital holds a stake of approximately 8.6% (or approximately 18.9% of the voting rights) in Aurelion, based on the Company’s outstanding shares and assuming no exercise of PIPE warrants. With plans to continue fundraising to purchase additional Tether Gold (XAU₮), Aurelion believes its concentrated shareholding can provide more stability and ensure smoother operations.

Conference Call Information
Antalpha leadership will host a conference call at 8:30 am U.S. Eastern Standard Time on October 14, 2025 to discuss the transaction.

To attend, please register in advance at: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIdf5d33a26d64454da01f41f3d6c9610e. Upon registration, you will receive the dial-in number, passcode, and your unique access PIN, as well as an email with a calendar invite.

A live webcast can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/bt67nb59.

A replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.antalpha.com.

About Antalpha
Antalpha is a leading fintech company specializing in providing financing, technology, and risk management solutions to institutions in the digital asset industry. Antalpha offers Bitcoin supply chain and margin loans through the Antalpha Prime technology platform, which allows customers to originate and manage their digital assets loans, as well as monitor collateral positions with near real-time data.

About Aurelion
Aurelion is NASDAQ’s first Tether Gold (XAU₮) treasury. It combines the stability of physical gold with the efficiency of blockchain, providing investors access to tokenized gold reserve that could serve as a safe haven to inflation, currency devaluation and crypto volatility. In parallel, Aurelion will continue its wealth management and asset management services.

About Tether Gold (XAU₮)
Tether Gold (XAU₮) is a digital asset offered by TG Commodities S.A. de C.V. One full XAU₮ token represents one troy fine ounce of gold on a London Good Delivery bar. XAU₮ is available as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain. The token can be traded or moved easily 24/7. XAU₮ allocated gold is identifiable with a unique serial number, purity, and weight, and is redeemable.

About Antalpha RWA Hub
Antalpha RWA Hub is Antalpha's dedicated Real-World Assets (“RWA”) infrastructure platform, currently focused on providing liquidity and services for gold-based RWAs.

Contacts
Investor Contact: ir@antalpha.com

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as: “anticipate,” “aspire,” “intend,” “plan,” “offer,” “goal,” “objective,” “potential,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “assume,” “strategy,” “target,” “trend,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. These statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the relevant business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions, including the anticipated performance of gold, Tether Gold (XAU₮), and any other Gold-related product, and Antalpha and Aurelion’s intention to purchase additional XAU₮. These statements are not historical facts nor assurance of future performance, and include, among others, statements regarding Antalpha’s investment in the Company through the PIPE financing, integration plans, anticipated benefits of the transaction, and Antalpha’s Reserve 2.0 digital treasury strategy. Forward-looking statements also include expectations regarding the purchase, holding, and management of XAU₮, and potential future capital deployment.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including regulatory review, integration challenges, market price volatility of XAU₮, liquidity risks, counterparty and custodial risks, technological and regulatory developments, accounting treatment, and other factors described in Antalpha’s filings with the SEC. All information in this press release is provided as of the date hereof, and Antalpha undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE: Antalpha Platform Holding Company

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines

 

SINGAPORE, Oct 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good), the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) and the Philippines National Scale Rating of aa+.PH (Superior) of National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines (Nat Re) (Philippines). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Nat Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM B.est assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Nat Re’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which was at the strongest level at year-end 2024, and good financial flexibility. AM Best views the company’s investment portfolio as having moderate risk with the majority of assets allocated to fixed-income securities issued by the Philippines government. Additionally, Nat Re’s balance sheet remains sensitive to outsized natural catastrophe events, although this risk is mitigated partially by the company’s retrocession programme.

AM Best assesses Nat Re’s operating performance as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 4.8% (2020-2024). Underwriting performance improved in recent years, driven by an improved expense ratio resulting from lower net acquisition costs and management expenses relative to earned premiums. However, in 2024, the loss ratio was impacted negatively by an increase in experience refund to cedents due to better than anticipated loss experience, and unfavourable prior year claims development stemming from the company’s life portfolio. Investment income, arising mainly from interest and dividend income, continues to contribute positively to operating earnings. Prospective underwriting performance is expected to be supported by portfolio remediation measures in its non-life reinsurance segment, as well as business growth in its profitable life reinsurance segment and other specialty lines.

AM Best assesses Nat Re’s business profile as neutral. The company is the sole domestic reinsurer in the Philippines, benefiting from strong relationships with local cedants and access to business through mandatory local cessions. Nat Re is well-positioned for business opportunities emanating from local government initiatives and new service offerings, which include its engagement in the design and launch of underwriting facilities in the Philippine market, enabling it to write greater business volumes in excess of the level stipulated by the mandatory cessions. The company writes non-life and life reinsurance and its underwriting portfolio is viewed to be diversified moderately by geography.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251009488030/en/

Contact

Susan Tan
Senior Financial Analyst
+65 6303 5023
susan.tan@ambest.com

Victoria Ohorodnyk
Director, Analytics
+65 6303 5020
victoria.ohorodnyk@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
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Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
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Source : AM Best