Connect with us

Technology

WeBank Technology Services Launches Value Exchange Infrastructure to Boost Hong Kong’s Web3 Ecosystem

Published

on

HONG KONG, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At the Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025, Henry Ma, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of WeBank, as well as Director of WeBank Technology Services, unveiled a blockchain-based inter-institutional “value exchange infrastructure” solution aimed at supporting the prosperity of Hong Kong’s Web3 ecosystem. As Hong Kong actively integrate Web3 into its traditional financial system, this solution, with a balance among efficiency, security, and compliance, strives to accelerate the implementation of innovative and regulated use cases such as stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization (RWA).

In recent years, Hong Kong has introduced a series of policies to guide the compliant development of Web3 and to attract global fintech institutions to actively engage in the Hong Kong Web3 ecosystem. As institutional trading models continue to evolve, the expanding market scale has begun to expose limitations in the current Web3 trading framework, making it increasingly difficult to meet the diverse needs of value exchange between institutions.

Ma analyzed the pain points of four existing models: (1) A single Layer 1 blockchain cannot support virtual assets other than its native cryptocurrency. (2) Over-the-counter (OTC) trading heavily relies on the credibility of counterparties. (3) Decentralized exchanges require assets wrapped from multiple chains onto a single chain, which reduces asset liquidity. (4) Centralized exchanges require users to relinquish control of their private keys, while user experience has to compromise with the complex trading processes.

Is there a feasible solution that balances the needs for efficiency, security, and compliance? Ma suggested the necessity of a common infrastructure to support the access of different types of assets, ensure transaction and asset security through an “atomic swap[1]” mechanism, and establish access protocols to ensure that both parties involved in transactions are compliant, licensed institutions within a regulated framework.

To implement this vision, blockchain technology serves as the backbone. Ma advocates that by returning to the core principles of blockchain technology, we can fully leverage its role as a trust machine and build a secure and reliable infrastructure for value exchange.

At the conference, WeBank Technology Services officially launched POTOS (Portal of the Orient Symposium for Web3), a blockchain infrastructure designed for Hong Kong’s Web3 ecosystem. At its initial stage, POTOS focuses on a “value exchange infrastructure” solution that provides three layers of assurance for institutional value exchange: (1) a high-performance underlying chain is built to connect different types of assets. (2) Trusted cross-chain protocols and smart contracts are introduced to enable atomic exchanges of assets across multiple chains between institutions. (3) Technologies such as multi-group structures and zero-knowledge proofs are integrated to create “value exchange group,” ensuring transaction security and regulatory compliance.

“We hope that this value exchange evolution, driven by the ‘trust machine,’ can truly solidify the foundation of trust for the advancement of Hong Kong’s Web3 ecosystem,” said Ma. He emphasized that WeBank Technology Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WeBank in Hong Kong, will continue to leverage WeBank’s extensive experience in the blockchain sector to support Hong Kong in upgrading its value exchange infrastructure. This effort aims to attract more institutions to position Hong Kong as a hub for compliant and innovative Web3 practices.

The technical foundation of POTOS comes from the FISCO BCOS blockchain platform, an open-source initiative led by WeBank. POTOS inherits its financial-grade performance and openness that define its core capabilities. Since its full open-sourcing in 2017, the platform has demonstrated a single-chain processing capacity of up to 200,000 TPS while supporting horizontal scalability. It has been successfully applied in over 500 digital transformation projects, including the “Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cross-border Data Verification Platform,” establishing an open-source community that includes more than 5,000 institutions and over 100,000 individuals. FISCO BCOS has become a de facto standard for blockchain technology.

About WeBank Technology Services

Launched in Hong Kong in June 2024, WeBank Technology Services sets out to leverage WeBank’s cutting-edge fintech capabilities and digital finance best practice to deliver a variety of superior digital finance and digital infrastructure solutions to digital banks, financial institutions, government agencies, and industry partners worldwide. In October 2024, WeBank Technology Services joined the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Ensemble framework working group, offering blockchain technology support to drive innovation and development in Hong Kong’s tokenization market.

About WeBank

Launched in 2014, WeBank Co., Ltd. (“WeBank”) is the first digital bank in China. WeBank provides convenient financial services to micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the public, and continuously improves the quality of services in response to customers’ specific needs. WeBank has served over 420 million retail customers and 5.8 million enterprises. As a digital bank, WeBank focuses on innovation and technology, and leads the industry in core technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing, and big data.

[1] Atomic Swap is an asset exchange mechanism based on blockchain technology. It ensures that cross-chain asset exchanges are completed simultaneously, akin to a face-to-face cash-and-goods exchange, effectively eliminating the risk of counterparty default.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/webank-technology-services-launches-value-exchange-infrastructure-to-boost-hong-kongs-web3-ecosystem-302421861.html

SOURCE WeBank Technology Services

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Sinch Becomes the Only Cloud Communications Provider with Direct 10DLC SMS Connections to All Tier 1 U.S. Carriers

Published

on

By

STOCKHOLM and ATLANTA, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) – (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Digital Customer Communications Cloud, today announced that it has become the only Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider with direct connections to all Tier 1 U.S. carriers specifically for 10-digit long-code (10DLC) SMS. Sinch leads the market as the only CPaaS provider offering this level of direct connectivity, marking a significant achievement that further strengthens Sinch’s global leadership and underscores its position as a trusted partner for the future of digital customer communications.

This breakthrough specifically applies to 10DLC SMS, where Sinch leads with unmatched direct carrier access. While connectivity for short code and toll-free SMS follows separate models, no other provider can claim direct 10DLC SMS connection to all Tier 1 U.S. carriers.

By eliminating third-party aggregators and unnecessary routing, Sinch controls the full delivery path for 10DLC SMS from start to finish – ensuring faster message delivery, real-time feedback, stronger security, and full visibility into communications. This gives enterprises a critical advantage in today’s competitive and compliance-driven landscape, delivering the highest levels of reliability, transparency, and performance.

“At Sinch, we’re pioneering what best-in-class messaging should look like,” said Robert Gerstmann, Co-founder, Chief Evangelist, and interim Chief Product Officer at Sinch. “We’re building on a strong foundation of innovation and trust to deliver faster, more transparent, and more reliable messaging experiences. By connecting directly to every major U.S. carrier for 10DLC SMS, we’re giving businesses the confidence and control they need to meet today’s customer expectations across every mobile channel.”

With Sinch’s 10DLC solution, businesses can expect:

Direct-to-carrier routing that minimizes delays, maximizes throughput, and reduces riskUnmatched flexibility, with options to bring your own Number, Brand, Campaign, or (Number Network Identifier) NNiDSeamless onboarding, powered by AI/ML-driven registration via API or dashboardScalable, carrier-grade infrastructure that handles high-volume messaging with zero compromise on qualityFewer hops, reduced latency, faster issue resolution, and greater control over campaign onboarding and management

With proven reliability, global reach, and a strong foundation in innovation, Sinch gives businesses the tools to communicate with speed, transparency, and control. As the need for secure real-time communication grows, Sinch helps enterprises meet rising expectations and drive better outcomes across every digital channel. To learn more about Sinch and its CPaaS solutions visit www.sinch.com

For more information, please contact:
Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications
janet.lennon@sinch.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sinch-becomes-the-only-cloud-communications-provider-with-direct-10dlc-sms-connections-to-all-tier-1-us-carriers-302456380.html

Continue Reading

Technology

91% of European commercial drivers say work-related stress negatively impacts driving, Geotab survey finds

Published

on

By

Geotab conducts survey of 3,501 European truck and van drivers across seven European markets; a massive 95% say the risk of accidents has increased over the last five years90% say work-related stress negatively impacts their driving; 70% believe stress is a contributing factor to increased dangers on road, highlighting the need for driver supportAlmost half of respondents (47%) have considered quitting their jobs in past 12 months55% of those surveyed feel uncomfortable approaching their employer with stress or mental health concerns; 37% say their employer offers only a low level of support or no support at allOver two thirds (69%) of the drivers surveyed would support new technology that helps improve overall driving performance

LONDON, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The vast majority (91%) of Europe’s commercial vehicle drivers say that work-related stress has a negative impact on their driving, while 70% say that stress is a contributing factor to increased dangers on the road. These are the findings of a new pan-European survey*, titled “The Unseen Toll: Driver Stress and Road Safety“, commissioned by Geotab, the global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions.

Geotab surveyed 3,501 commercial vehicle drivers across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK in April. Nearly all of them (95%) consider the risk of accidents to have increased over the last five years, with 61% reporting this increase as ‘very’ or ‘quite significant’.

Significant work pressures appear to contribute to stress. Half of the drivers surveyed (50% average) admitted feeling the need to regularly break speed limits to complete jobs on time. This was reported most often in Ireland (64%), the Netherlands (62%), and Germany (59%). Furthermore, nearly two-thirds (64% average) stated that excessive traffic or roadworks make completing their jobs difficult, a challenge acutely felt in Spain (78%).

When asked about the most regularly noticed dangerous behaviours, distractions caused by other drivers using mobile phones were frequently cited (42%), peaking in Italy (59%) and Spain (53%). Other commonly observed issues included generally poor driving by others (37%) and excessive speeding by other vehicles (36%).

Against the backdrop of increased work pressures, many drivers feel unsupported by their employers. Over half (55%) feel uncomfortable approaching their employer for support with stress and other mental health concerns, rising to 66% in Ireland and 60% in Germany. This is also reflected in over a third (37%) reporting their employer offering only a low or non-existent level of support, notably in Spain (50%) and Italy (44%). The effects of these pressures are clear: Nearly half of respondents (47%) have considered quitting their jobs in the past 12 months (rising to 66% in Ireland and 58% in the Netherlands). This comes at a time when more than 200,000 truck driving jobs are unfilled in Europe, and that number is likely to rise to 745,000 by 2028, according to McKinsey.

“These results are a stark reminder of the pressures faced by commercial drivers, impacting road safety for everyone. Europe’s economy relies heavily on commercial vehicle drivers, yet stress is pushing them out of the industry and putting road safety at risk,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President, Geotab EMEA.  

“Drivers face significant work-related stress, observe dangerous behaviours daily, and are often pressured by schedules, yet many feel unsupported or uncomfortable seeking help. These challenges aren’t unique to Europe, echoing findings from our recent North American driver survey. With nearly half thinking about quitting – and that amidst a driver shortage –  it is crucial for employers to provide better mental health support now.”

Using technology for good

Looking forward, over two-thirds (69%) of drivers support adopting technology to enhance driving performance. Geotab’s findings clearly illustrate the necessity for increased investment in driver support, stress management, and promoting a culture of safety.

“As an industry, we must prioritise driver wellbeing, employing data and technology not just for efficiency, but to proactively create safer, less stressful environments. A real commitment is needed to keep roads safe and supply chains moving,” Kulperger added.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for driver wellbeing and fleet efficiency. Prioritising safety helps reduce accidents, lowering insurance, repair, and downtime costs. Implementing robust safety programmes, supported by telematics data and cutting-edge AI models, allows proactive interventions. By pinpointing risks, coaching safer behaviours, and monitoring wellbeing indicators, fleets can enhance safety, improve productivity, and achieve significant cost savings, leveraging the technology drivers are willing to adopt

Full research findings are available via: https://insights.geotab.com/view/279177405/ 

* Methodology
Geotab commissioned Opinion Matters to survey 3,501 professional lorry and van drivers (aged 18+) across the United Kingdom (500), Germany (500), France (500), Netherlands (500), Ireland (500), Italy (501), and Spain (500) to examine the state of driver stress, job satisfaction, perceived road safety, and technology adoption in the commercial vehicle sector. The data was collected online between 8 April 2025 and 14 April 2025.

About Geotab:

Geotab is a global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions, empowering fleet efficiency and management. We leverage advanced data analytics and AI to transform fleet performance, safety, and sustainability, reducing cost and driving efficiency. Backed by top data scientists and engineers, we serve over 55,000 global customers, processing 80 billion data points daily from more than 4.7 million vehicle subscriptions. Geotab is trusted by Fortune 500 organisations, mid-sized fleets, and the largest public sector fleets in the world, including the US Federal Government. Committed to data security and privacy, we hold FIPS 140-3 and FedRAMP authorisations. Our open platform, ecosystem of outstanding partners, and Marketplace deliver hundreds of fleet-ready third-party solutions. This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of innovation. Learn more at www.geotab.com and follow us on LinkedIn or visit our blog.

Media contact: Romina Dashghachian, Strategic Communications Lead EMEA, Geotab, rominadashghachian@geotab.com 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687419/Geotab_Inc__Almost_half_of_UK_lorry_and_van_drivers_consider_qui.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687417/Geotab_Inc__Almost_half_of_UK_lorry_and_van_drivers_consider_qui.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/91-of-european-commercial-drivers-say-work-related-stress-negatively-impacts-driving-geotab-survey-finds-302455723.html

Continue Reading

Technology

Inari Grows Greenhouse Operations in Ghent, Belgium

Published

on

By

GHENT, Belgium, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inari, the SEEDesign™ company, today marked the grand opening of a state-of-the-art controlled environment facility in Ghent, Belgium. With more than 2,000 square meters of new greenhouse space, the site triples the company’s indoor plant growth capacity in the region – further accelerating research and development of step-change seed products.

The new building contains multiple greenhouse compartments and walk-in growth chambers, providing a cutting-edge environment to test and advance novel product designs within fine-tuned customizable conditions. In line with the company’s commitment to embed sustainable practices at all levels of the organization, the facility includes advanced features like energy-efficient LED lighting, shading systems to optimize growing conditions, and water recycling for the growth chambers.

“This investment reflects Inari’s commitment to Europe and highlights our confidence in the exceptional talent of our Ghent team,” said Fred Van Ex, Inari Head of Europe, Africa and Middle East, as well as the Ghent site’s managing director. “As the European Union progresses toward adopting its proposal for new genomic techniques, this greenhouse space further ensures that we are well-positioned to quickly develop crops tailored for the region.”

Through its SEEDesign™ technology platform, Inari combines AI-enabled predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to unlock the full potential of seed in support of a thriving planet, food security and farmer well-being.

Learn more at Inari.com.

About Inari

Inari, the SEEDesign™ company, develops seeds that address the world’s needs, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a more sustainable, nature-positive food system. Through a combination of AI-enabled predictive design and a pioneered multiplex gene editing toolbox, the company is unlocking the full potential of seed to bring step-change soybean, corn and wheat products to market. Founded by Flagship Pioneering in 2016, Inari is based in Cambridge, Mass., with additional sites in West Lafayette, Ind., and Ghent, Belgium. Inari is a growing team of more than 300 employees working to solve the critical issues of food security and sustainability. To learn more, visit Inari.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687537/Inari_Ghent_GH_Opening_May_14_2025.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/728566/inarilogo_new.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inari-grows-greenhouse-operations-in-ghent-belgium-302455759.html

Continue Reading

Trending