SBA, Seoul Metropolitan Government Open Applications For 2026 Unicorn Startup Challenge

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have officially opened applications for the "Try Everything 2026: Seoul Unicorn Challenge", a startup competition aimed at supporting international companies seeking expansion into the South Korean market.

Applications are open until June 30, with startups less than 10 years old led by founders without South Korean citizenship eligible to apply, according to a statement.

The finalists will compete for a total prize pool of 120 million South Korean won (approximately US$82,000) and will also receive the Seoul Metropolitan Government Mayor’s Award. (US$1 = RM3.97)

Beyond financial rewards, finalists will be provided the opportunity to pitch at the Try Everything 2026 main stage and receive promotional support through media and public relations channels.

The selected startups will also be eligible for linkage with the Naver Cloud Greenhouse support programme.

Further details and application submissions are available through the official application platform.

-- BERNAMA

​B2C2 and Solidus Labs Partner to Bolster Institutional-Grade Crypto-Native Market Integrity

LONDON & NEW YORK, May 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- B2C2, a leading global digital asset market maker, today announced a partnership with Solidus Labs, the gold standard for crypto-native trade surveillance. Under the collaboration, B2C2 will deploy Solidus Labs' HALO platform to provide multidimensional Trade Surveillance across its global operations, including the UK, USA, France, Luxembourg, Singapore and the Cayman Islands.

As the digital asset ecosystem continues to mature, institutional participants increasingly prioritize robust governance, oversight, and market conduct standards. The Solidus HALO platform helps B2C2 strengthen its surveillance framework, assisting in the detection and review of potentially manipulative trading activity across digital asset markets. 

"As a leading digital assets market maker, B2C2 has always prioritized the integrity of the markets in which we operate," said Thomas Restout, CEO of B2C2. "Solidus Labs brings significant digital asset market expertise and specialized surveillance technology that we believe will further strengthen our market oversight capabilities globally." 

“This long-term commitment is a testament to B2C2’s leadership and our shared belief that robust market integrity standards are the foundation of institutional trust,” said Asaf Meir, Founder and CEO of Solidus Labs. “B2C2’s adoption of HALO underscores a critical market shift: institutional leaders are moving towards Solidus as a platform that truly understands crypto-market structures.” 

The partnership takes effect immediately and reflects B2C2's continued investment in compliance and market oversight capabilities across global jurisdictions.

About B2C2
B2C2 is a global leader in institutional liquidity for digital assets. Founded in 2015, we are trusted by blue chip hedge funds, institutional managers, brokers, crypto exchanges, and crypto foundations. We provide deep, reliable liquidity and pricing in crypto, delivering seamless execution 24/7/365. Majority owned and backed by Japanese financial conglomerate, SBI, B2C2 Ltd is headquartered in the UK, with offices in the US, Japan, Singapore, France and Luxembourg. B2C2 Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 07995888 with its registered office at 41 Lothbury, London, EC2R 7HF. B2C2 Ltd is the parent company of the B2C2 group of companies. Visit: www.b2c2.com. 

Important Information: This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any digital assets or to enter into any transaction or trading relationship. Any products and services described are provided by relevant group entities only where permitted, and are subject to applicable laws, regulations, and client eligibility requirements. Certain statements may be forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ materially. 

About Solidus Labs
Solidus Labs is the category-definer for multidimensional market integrity. Founded by Goldman Sachs veterans, Solidus merges Wall Street rigor with advanced AI to reinvent compliance through its flagship platform, HALO, providing the gold standard for Agentic-Based Compliance. Visit: www.soliduslabs.com

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260521755513/en/ 

Contact
Media contact
Bernardo Soriano
bsoriano@gregoryagency.com
914-656-3880

SOURCE: Solidus Labs 

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 

ICHAM UNVEILS SINGAPORE VCC FUND TARGETING US EQUITIES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- ICHAM Pte Ltd, a regional multi-family office and alternative asset manager, has launched a new open-ended Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) fund that invests in selected sectors of United States (US) equities and incorporates option-based strategies.

The fund aims to provide periodic income generation potential and total returns for investors and is available exclusively to accredited and institutional investors, according to ICHAM in a statement.

ICHAM Chief Executive Officer, Archan Chamapun said the investment strategy combines a value-orientated approach with an income-focused overlay within US equities to enhance income generation potential and total returns.

“The fund is designed to offer a sector rotation approach to US large-cap equities beyond traditional market cap weights,” he said.

Meanwhile, the fund’s lead Portfolio Manager, Felix Chew said the investment approach is designed to balance participation in equity markets while targeting periodic income distribution objectives across different market conditions.

With US equity valuations near historic highs and interest rates remaining volatile, the fund may appeal to accredited and institutional investors seeking income-orientated strategies in the current market environment.

Backed by academic research, the fund adopts a rules-based institutional investment framework focused on long-term risk management within a systematic investment framework for investors in the long term.

ICHAM has been serving accredited and institutional investors with tailored investment solutions since 2019 and is recognised for its expertise in alternative asset classes and structured products.

-- BERNAMA

INSTRUQT POWERS LARGE-SCALE AGENTIC AI TRAINING AT GOOGLE NEXT 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Instruqt, the hands-on product experience platform, announced that Google Cloud Security used its platform to train more than 150 practitioners on Agentic artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities during Google Next 2026.

The session, branded the Agentic SOC Experience, was described as one of the largest hands-on Agentic AI training workshops held at a major industry conference this year, according to Instruqt in a statement.

Using Instruqt’s platform, participants created dedicated Google Cloud Vertex AI environments, enabling them to build and test AI agents in isolated sandbox settings instead of relying on slide-based demonstrations.

Instruqt Vice President of Marketing, Tyler Crumpler said companies developing AI products must focus on enabling customers to use the technologies effectively through real-world environments and practical applications.

Meanwhile, Google Cloud Security pre-sales engineer, Keith Manville said the platform enabled participants to gain practical understanding of agentic AI tools and workflows through interactive learning.

The initiative reflects broader industry efforts to narrow the gap between AI product launches and customer adoption, as enterprises seek more practical and scalable training methods.

Citing the 2026 State of Developer Adoption Report by SlashData, the company said 92 per cent of practitioners face at least one major adoption challenge, including technology complexity, team misalignment and outdated content.

-- BERNAMA

STONESHIELD CAPITAL TO INCREASE STAKE IN EXOLUM TO 20 PCT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Stoneshield Capital, a European real assets investment firm, has signed an agreement to acquire a 15 per cent stake in Exolum from OMERS, building on its existing investment in the company.

According to a statement, the firm acquired a 4.93 per cent stake in January this year, and once the transaction closes in the third quarter of 2026, its total holding in Exolum will rise to approximately 20 per cent.

The remaining 10 per cent of OMERS’ approximately 25 per cent stake is being separately acquired by a leading global investment firm. OMERS, together with its investment partners, has been invested in Exolum since 2016.

Stoneshield Capital co-founders, Felipe Morenés Botín and Juan Pepa said the firm has followed Exolum’s progress closely as an existing shareholder, including its international expansion, operational performance and growing role in the energy transition.

“Increasing our investment and taking active board representation reflects our conviction in Exolum’s distinctive combination of real assets quality, geographic reach and strategic relevance, and our commitment to supporting management as the company continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading energy logistics platforms,” said the co-founders.

Meanwhile, OMERS Infrastructure Senior Managing Director and Head of Europe, Luca Lupo said the transaction reflects the quality of the business and the firm’s disciplined approach to portfolio management and capital rotation.

Exolum is a Spanish-headquartered global energy logistics company specialising in the transportation, storage and distribution of refined products, bulk liquids and aviation fuels, while also supporting the energy transition.

The company operates a 4,000-kilometre (km) pipeline network in Spain and a further 2,000 km network in the United Kingdom, alongside 68 storage terminals with more than 11 million cubic metres of capacity serving over 48 airports globally.

Following completion, Stoneshield Capital will assume three of OMERS’ board seats, while the second investor will take the remaining two.

-- BERNAMA

ABAXX LAUNCHES SILVER SINGAPORE FUTURES TRADING

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc (Abaxx), a financial software and market infrastructure company, announced that trading has commenced in Silver Singapore (SSP) futures, expanding Abaxx Exchange’s precious metals product suite.

The contract is designed to address the gap between global silver price formation and the physical requirements of Asia’s industrial silver market, where demand for higher-purity material is increasing across solar and advanced electronics supply chains.

By establishing a physically deliverable four-nines silver benchmark in Singapore, Abaxx SSP futures are intended to support more direct price discovery and hedging for commercial participants managing physical silver exposure in the region.

According to a statement, the Abaxx SSP futures contract is a United States dollar-denominated, 1,000-troy-ounce, physically deliverable product of 0.9999 fineness, with delivery into approved vaults in Singapore, including Brink’s Singapore.

Silver Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Michael DiRienzo said the launch marks a meaningful step forward for the global silver market, adding that Abaxx is addressing a long-standing gap in price discovery for Asia’s industrial silver users.

“The Silver Institute welcomes innovations that strengthen market infrastructure and give commercial participants better tools to manage their physical silver exposure,” he said.

SSP futures are available for trading from 10 am for 14 hours on weekdays, except Singapore public holidays.

-- BERNAMA

EIG’s MidOcean Energy Announces $120m Investment from The Arab Energy Fund as Part of Equity Raise

EIG’s MidOcean Energy Announces $120m Investment from The Arab Energy Fund as Part of Equity Raise 

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- MidOcean Energy (“MidOcean” or the “Company”), a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company formed and managed by EIG, today announced a $120 million equity investment from The Arab Energy Fund (‘’TAEF’’), a leading multilateral impact financial institution, as part of its current equity capital raise. 
 
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520063539/en/  
 

TAEF’s investment further strengthens MidOcean’s high-quality investor base and underscores continued strong interest in the Company’s strategy to build a diversified, resilient and long-life global LNG business. 

There is significant further momentum from additional investors currently in documentation, and MidOcean will continue to raise capital, with a cumulative target of up to $2 billion from new investors. 

R. Blair Thomas, MidOcean Chairman and EIG CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Arab Energy Fund as a shareholder in MidOcean. Their significant expertise in energy investments is a strong validation of MidOcean’s strategy to build a leading global LNG business. In parallel, EIG and TAEF are seeking collaboration opportunities across energy infrastructure in the Middle East, with the aim of further deepening our relationship.” 

De la Rey Venter, CEO of MidOcean, said: “This investment supports our strategy of building a diversified LNG portfolio and positions us well to execute on our identified growth opportunities. We welcome TAEF with its more than 50 years of experience in energy investing and focus on energy security and sustainability.” 

Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, CEO of The Arab Energy Fund, said: “Our investment in MidOcean Energy reflects the Fund’s commitment to supporting strategic energy platforms that contribute to global energy security and a more sustainable energy mix. LNG continues to play a critical role as a reliable and flexible energy source, and MidOcean’s disciplined approach and high-quality asset base align well with our long-term investment strategy. EIG is a great partner and we look forward to unlocking further value through collaboration across energy infrastructure, particularly in the Middle East.” 

Important Notice 

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities. Any offering will be made only pursuant to applicable offering documents and in compliance with applicable securities laws. 

About EIG 

EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $25.9 billion assets under management as of March 31, 2026. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 44-year history, EIG has committed - $53.9 billion to the energy sector through 426 projects or companies in 44 countries on six continents. EIG’s clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. For additional information, please visit www.eigpartners.com. 

About MidOcean 

MidOcean Energy, an LNG company formed and managed by EIG, seeks to build a diversified, resilient, cost- and carbon-competitive global LNG portfolio. It reflects EIG’s belief in LNG as a critical element of a lower carbon, competitive and more secure global energy system. MidOcean Energy has diverse LNG interests, including in LNG Canada, Gorgon LNG, Pluto LNG, QCLNG and Peru LNG. The company is headed by De la Rey Venter, a 30-year industry veteran who has held a variety of senior executive roles, including Global Head of LNG for Shell Plc. For additional information, please visit www.midoceanenergy.com. 

About The Arab Energy Fund 

The Arab Energy Fund (The Fund) is a multilateral impact financial institution focused on the MENA energy and utility sectors, established in 1974 by ten Arab oil-exporting countries. The Fund’s mission is to support the energy ecosystem with debt and equity solutions to enable energy security and sustainability and to develop local value chains and services in the MENA region. The Arab Energy Fund creates impact by contributing to economic prosperity and enabling local communities via talent development and knowledge creation. The Fund offers a comprehensive range of funding solutions across the entire energy value chain to leading public and private sector business partners in over 35 markets. The Arab Energy Fund applies best-practice ESG principles across all operations, with environmental and socially linked projects comprising c.20% of its USD 5.8bn loan portfolio. The Arab Energy Fund is the only energy-focused financial institution in the MENA region rated ‘Aa2’ by Moody’s, ‘AA+’ by Fitch and ‘AA-’ by S&P.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260520063539/en/ 

Contact 

EIG/MidOcean Contact Information
FGS Global
Kelly Kimberly / Brandon Messina
+1 212-687-8080
EIG@fgsglobal.com 

The Arab Energy Fund Contact Information
Communications Department
Yasa Ahmad
Yasa.Ahmad@edelmansmithfield.com 

Source : EIG 

--BERNAMA

EMGA arranges USD 15m financing for Asia Alliance Bank from OeEB

LONDON, May 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP is delighted to announce yet another closing in Uzbekistan having secured funding from OeEB, the Development Bank of Austria, to support Asia Alliance Bank.

Commenting on the transaction, Asia Alliance Bank’s CEO, Mr. Umidjon Abduazimov, said: “This new USD 15 million facility represents an important step in the Bank’s ongoing development and will support the further expansion of financing for SMEs, women entrepreneurship, and green projects in Uzbekistan, which are becoming increasingly important across the country’s economy. The transaction also reflects the Bank’s continued growth, diversification of international funding sources, and commitment to supporting sustainable private sector development in Uzbekistan. At the same time, this cooperation demonstrates the growing confidence of international development finance institutions in both Asia Alliance Bank and Uzbekistan’s banking sector and economic potential overall.

Also commenting on the transaction, Sabine Gaber, CEO and Member of OeEB’s Executive Board, said “Our partnership with Asia Alliance Bank is a strong fit for us, as it combines three key priorities of our strategy: expanding access to finance for underserved MSMEs, advancing gender equality through support for women-owned businesses, and promoting green finance investments that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Through this investment, we aim to support long-term economic inclusion, resilience and job creation across Uzbekistan.”

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA)’s Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking Sajeev Chakkalakal said “It was a pleasure to work together on an initial transaction with AAB and enable this innovative financing for the MSME and green sectors within the Uzbek economy. Furthermore, we relished the opportunity to cooperate again with OeEB, who as a leading DFI have been a long-term repeat investor in our transactions globally.”

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA)’s Managing Director and Head of Operations, Jeremy Dobson commented “AAB is a fast-rising player in the highly competitive Uzbek banking sector, and we are proud to have enabled another step in their growth curve.”

Asia Alliance Bank (AAB) is a leading private commercial bank in Uzbekistan, providing a broad range of corporate, SME, trade finance, treasury, and retail banking services. Established in 2009, the bank has built a strong reputation for supporting entrepreneurship, international trade, and private sector development across the country. Asia Alliance Bank has received multiple international awards for SME financing and innovation and continues to expand its digital banking capabilities and international partnerships.

OeEB was founded in March 2008 as the development bank of the Republic of Austria. With a public mandate OeEB works for better living conditions in developing countries. OeEB is present in markets in which companies often have no or limited access to urgently needed capital, both credit and equity. Investments in these projects create jobs; these projects increase tax revenues and bring foreign currency into the country. OeEB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oesterreichische Kontrollbank (OeKB).

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA), is an emerging markets investment banking boutique with offices in New York and London. It helps financial institutions and corporates as well as project finance sponsors that seek new debt or equity capital. EMGA provides its services, to clients within many of the world’s rapidly developing economies, including Uzbekistan which remains a key market. With a proven track record in capital formation and strategic advisory throughout diverse economic cycles, EMGA continues to expand its geographic reach and service offering, as it solidifies its place in the market as one of the industry’s preeminent emerging markets focused investment banks.

Contact info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com

SOURCE: Emerging Markets Global Advisory

--BERNAMA

Kays + Kins Announces Grand Opening of First Flagship Store in Malaysia

(L-R) Mr Adrian Cheah, General Manager of Marketing, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Mr. Lee Jia Wei, Founder of GAIAS Home, Mr. Tan Kien Yow and Ms. Karine Low, Founders of Kays + Kins, Ms. Katie Tan, Kays + Kins’ advisor, Ms. Irene Ong, Head of Retail of Kays + Kins

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Kays + Kins, the comfort-driven, design-led lifestyle brand for modern families, has officially announced the opening of its first physical flagship store in Malaysia. Located at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, the new boutique marks an exciting milestone for the homegrown brand, previously only available online, offering customers a warm and personal space to experience its thoughtfully designed baby essentials firsthand.

Known for its elevated essentials made for practical baby wear, Kays + Kins has built a loyal following through its signature approach to comfort, quality and timeless design. Designed with South East Asia’s warm and humid climate in mind, the brand’s collections feature relaxed, non-body-hugging silhouettes and soft, breathable fabrics that support ease of movement and all-day comfort for babies and toddlers.

The opening of its first physical store brings the Kays + Kins experience to life beyond the digital space, giving customers the opportunity to feel the softness of its fabrics in person, discover the details behind its hand-painted prints, and shop in an environment that reflects the brand’s calm and intentional aesthetic.

“As we grew our brand in Malaysia, our community has always asked for a space where they can experience our fabrics in person and discover for themselves the details that make each piece special, such as the softness of our bamboo muslins and the hand-painted details of our prints,” says Karine Low, Founder of Kays + Kins.

“So with the opening of this physical store, we wanted to go beyond retail to create more personal experiences of the brand. We wanted a space where parents and gift-givers can take their time, feel the quality of our pieces, and find something that is both practical and beautiful for everyday family life,” she added.

At the heart of Kays + Kins is a comfort-first design philosophy. Each piece is created to feel gentle, breathable and easy to wear, especially in tropical weather. The brand’s fabric choices are selected not just for softness on first touch, but for how they continue to feel over time, remaining soft and comfortable even after repeated washes, making them especially suited for daily use.

This focus on thoughtful design also extends to the brand’s visual identity. Kays + Kins is known for its limited, hand-painted prints that are intentionally designed to feel timeless and distinctive, rather than mass-produced. Together with its understated colour palette and refined product styling, the brand offers a lifestyle sensibility that resonates with modern parents looking for baby essentials that are as beautiful as they are functional.

Beyond everyday wear, gifting plays a key part of the Kays + Kins brand experience. The flagship store is designed to support meaningful and even last-minute gifting moments, with a curated range of newborn gift sets, Bamboo Muslin Swaddles, signature two-way zipper Growsuits and Sleepsuits, customisable wooden keepsake boxes with personalised engraving services, and the exclusive Heritage Collection available only in-store. The ideal go-to place for baby showers, full-moon celebrations or simply welcoming a newborn, the store offers customers a thoughtful and convenient destination for gifts that feel personal and memorable.

The boutique itself features a minimalist, earthy-luxe interior inspired by nature, creating a calm and inviting environment for families and gift-givers alike.

While comfort, design and experience remain central to the brand, Kays + Kins also maintains a strong commitment to quality and responsible production. Its collections include GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX certified garments, providing parents with added assurance that every piece meets recognised standards for safety and care.

To celebrate its opening, Kays + Kins is offering 20% off the purchase of three items as part of its Grand Opening promotion. Running till 30 April 2026, the promotion is applicable to all products except Bundle Deals.

For further information about Kays + Kins and its product offerings, please visit kaysandkins.com.

About Kays + Kins
At Kays + Kins, comfort always comes first. We design everyday babywear to feel as good as it looks — gentle on delicate skin, breathable, and made to support real parenting moments.

Functionality is thoughtfully built into every detail, from easy-to-wear silhouettes to durable fabrics that move with your baby. Beyond clothing, we extend this same care to gifting — creating beautiful newborn gifts that are meaningful, practical, and made for everyday comfort.

Each season features unique, limited-edition prints, hand-illustrated and released in small quantities, making every piece quietly special and distinctive.

Made with GOTS-certified organic fabrics, Kays + Kins pieces prioritise softness, safety, and sustainability — offering babies comfort, beauty, and care from the very beginning.

Issued on behalf of Kays + Kins by GO Communications Sdn Bhd.

SOURCE: Kays + Kins Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Tel: +603-2711 9566
Email: hello@kaysandkins.com

GO Communications Sdn Bhd
Name: Amanda Yee
Senior Brand Executive
Tel: +6016 319 2629
Email: amandayee@gocomm.com.my

Name: Choulyin Tan
Chief Operating Officer
Tel: +6016 856 7286
Eamil: choulyin@gocomm.com.my

--BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Union Insurance Company Limited

 

HONG KONG, May 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Union Insurance Company Limited (Union) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Union’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Union’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which was at the strongest level as of year-end 2025. AM Best expects Union’s risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain at the strongest level over the intermediate term, supported by partial retention of positive operating earnings. Union’s regulatory solvency capital is expected to maintain a healthy capital buffer above the minimum requirements. Other supporting factors include a comprehensive reinsurance programme, favourable financial flexibility, and a consistent investment strategy.

Union reported stable operating results in 2025, with a return on adjusted capital and surplus of 11.8%, based on AM Best’s calculations. The company’s top-line performance has remained stable, despite posting a slightly lower-than-average premium growth rate in its voluntary motor segment. Union has refined its underwriting strategy to improve profitability and actively expanded its business offerings including accident and health (A&H) and commercial liability. Underwriting profitability has improved consistently, with a record low net combined ratio of 91.1% in 2025, as calculated by AM Best. The company recorded a net investment yield of 3.0% (including capital gains and losses) last year, which was impacted moderately by foreign exchange volatility. Going forward, AM Best expects Union to maintain its asset allocation strategy with a focus on domestic fixed-income and equity investments to generate stable investment returns.

Union is a medium-sized insurer in Taiwan’s non-life market and ranked eighth in 2025, based on direct premiums written. Similar to other companies in the market, Union’s underwriting portfolio is diversified moderately but slightly skewed toward motor insurance, with its other key business lines being the commercial fire, liability, and A&H segments. The company has maintained a well-diversified distribution mix, with major business contributors being car dealers, the direct channel, and brokers. Union’s ERM is considered appropriate to support its risk profile.

Negative rating actions could occur if there is a material deterioration in Union’s operating performance. Positive rating actions may occur due to a sustained improvement in the company’s operating performance. While deemed unlikely over the near term, positive rating actions could arise if Union’s balance sheet strength fundamentals improve favourably.

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 © 2026 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/20260520635907/en/

Contact

Madison Fan
Senior Financial Analyst
+852 2827 3416
madison.fan@ambest.com

James Chan
Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3418
james.chan@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

Source : AM Best

Bitget Launches “Gold Fast or Go Home Challenge” for Gold CFD Trading

VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 21 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has launched the “Gold Fast or Go Home Challenge,” a global campaign built around faster access to gold CFD trading on the Bitget app. The campaign follows Bitget’s recent product update that moved TradFi products, including gold, forex, commodities, and indices, to a first-level homepage tab, reducing the number of steps required to access these markets directly from the homepage.

The challenge invites users to record themselves by opening the Bitget app, entering the TradFi section, and completing an XAUUSD gold CFD trade as quickly as possible. Participants will publish their attempts across social platforms as part of a global speed-based trading challenge designed around accessibility, execution flow, and real-time market participation. The campaign combines trading culture with short-form social content, turning product speed into a visible user experience.

The campaign reflects Bitget’s broader direction of bringing traditional financial assets closer to crypto-native trading environments through a unified interface. Users can move between crypto assets, tokenized products, forex pairs, commodities, and gold CFD markets from a single account structure without switching across multiple platforms, wallets, or trading systems.

“Users increasingly move between crypto and traditional financial markets within the same trading cycle, especially during periods shaped by macro volatility,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget. “We have designed the platform to make these markets more directly accessible inside the app. The challenge turns that trading flow into a public and community-driven experience that shows how multi-asset trading behavior is evolving.”

Gold trading activity has continued gaining traction globally as investors monitor interest rate expectations, central bank accumulation trends, inflation risks, and geopolitical uncertainty. Across digital asset platforms, gold CFDs have become one of the most actively monitored TradFi products during periods of elevated volatility, particularly as users look for faster access to macro-sensitive assets without leaving crypto-native trading environments.

The homepage TradFi integration forms part of Bitget’s wider Universal Exchange strategy focused on reducing fragmentation between digital assets and traditional financial markets. As more users diversify across asset classes, trading platforms are increasingly expected to support crypto, commodities, equities, FX, and tokenized assets within a single interface and collateral system. Bitget’s TradFi expansion reflects growing market demand for unified multi-asset access and faster capital movement between trading categories.

The launch also follows Bitget’s continued expansion of its TradFi offering across global markets. The platform currently provides access to crypto markets alongside tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex pairs, and precious metals such as gold within one trading ecosystem. In 2026, Bitget repositioned its TradFi section to the app homepage as part of a broader effort to simplify market access and improve execution efficiency across multi-asset trading activity.

For more information, visit here.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 100+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships with LALIGA and MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry’s lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3484ccd0-5df8-4c93-91cb-c0bdf7495349

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

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--BERNAMA

PRIMER SECURES US$100 MLN FUNDING FOR AI, US EXPANSION

Primer leadership team pictured left to right. Top row: Pierre-Edouard Jumel (CFO), Gabriel Le Roux (Co-Founder and CEO), Sam Elgar (VP Merchant Experience) and Theo Spyrides (VP Product). Bottom row: Caitriona Staunton (VP People), Alex Mallet (CTO), Jade Maitland (VP Marketing) and Mikael Minvielle (COO).

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Primer, the unified infrastructure for global payments, has secured a US$100 million Series C funding round as it expands its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled operating layer for global payments and finance. (US$1=RM3.97)

The funding round was led by Sofina, with participation from Peak XV Partners and continued backing from existing investors, including Balderton Capital, Accel, ICONIQ Capital, Tencent, and Speedinvest.

In a statement, Primer said the new funding will support expanded investment in AI capabilities, including the development of its proprietary AI agent, Primer Companion.

The company said Primer Companion is already being used by merchants to address payment-related queries and generate contextual insights, with future capabilities expected to include autonomous experimentation, performance optimisation, and execution within merchant-defined parameters.

Primer said fragmented payment data across processors, acquirers, and fraud tools remains a major challenge for businesses seeking to deploy AI-driven payment systems effectively.

Founded in 2020, the company said its unified payments infrastructure captures more than 400 data points per transaction and manages more than 95 per cent of customer payment volume on average.

According to Primer, the United States (US) currently accounts for around one-fifth of company revenue, with annual recurring revenue in the region doubling year-on-year.

The company plans to increase US revenue to more than one-third of its business by 2028 and expects to hire up to 50 employees in the region to support its expansion strategy.

-- BERNAMA

SAMSUNG BIOEPIS LAUNCHES FIRST PRODUCT IN JAPAN UNDER NIPRO PARTNERSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Samsung Bioepis Co Ltd has launched Ustekinumab BS 45 mg Syringe for S.C. Injection「 NIPRO」, a biosimilar referencing Stelara (ustekinumab), marking its first product launch in Japan with NIPRO Corporation (NIPRO).

According to Samsung Bioepis in a statement, the launch follows the product’s listing under Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Drug Price Standard, which became effective following an Official Gazette announcement on May 19.

“Together with our partner NIPRO, we look forward to supporting patients living with autoimmune diseases and contributing to the sustainability of Japan's healthcare system by providing quality-assured, safe and effective biosimilar options,” said Samsung Bioepis Vice President and Head of Commercial Strategy for International Markets, Jinhan Chung.

Ustekinumab is a human immunoglobulin G1 kappa monoclonal antibody designed to prevent abnormal regulation of IL-12 and IL-23 associated with immune-mediated diseases.

Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency granted marketing authorisation for the product in December 2025 for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Samsung Bioepis said it formed a strategic partnership with NIPRO in June 2025 to develop and commercialise multiple biosimilar candidates in Japan, including ustekinumab.

The company added that its ustekinumab biosimilar is already available under different brand names across the European Union, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDFLARE, ANTHROPIC TO PROVIDE SECURE, SCALABLE FOUNDATION FOR AUTONOMOUS AI

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Cloudflare Inc, the leading connectivity cloud company, is collaborating with Anthropic to launch Cloudflare Environments for Claude Managed Agents, aimed at providing a secure and scalable foundation for autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents.

The integration enables organisations to run core agent loops on Anthropic’s Claude platform while leveraging Cloudflare’s global network and Workers developer platform to execute code, secure private connections, and equip agents with specialised tools.

Cloudflare in a statement said the platform is designed to help developers build next-generation AI assistants quickly and securely at a global scale.

Cloudflare co-founder and chief executive officer, Matthew Prince said the partnership would enable businesses to securely execute code and access private data using Cloudflare’s network infrastructure.

“Now, businesses can focus on building the most innovative AI applications on the planet,” he said.

According to Cloudflare, the platform provides secure sandboxes for every AI agent session through a Workers-based control plane, while security and compliance controls are automatically applied.

The company said the infrastructure allows organisations to maintain strict security standards while scaling AI initiatives from prototypes to large-scale deployments without infrastructure bottlenecks.

Cloudflare Environments for Claude Managed Agents also enables developers to scale globally with diverse runtimes, secure sensitive data through Zero-Trust connectivity, audit agent behaviour using native observability tools, and extend agent capabilities through customisable frameworks.

The launch of Cloudflare Environments marks the latest milestone in its ongoing collaboration with Anthropic to strengthen AI connectivity and infrastructure capabilities.

-- BERNAMA

HACK THE BOX HIGHLIGHTS AI CYBERSECURITY SKILLS SHIFT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Hack The Box, the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity readiness, has released its Cybersecurity Workforce Intelligence Report, highlighting how AI is reshaping cybersecurity skills, career paths, and team structures globally.

Based on anonymised data from more than 702,000 cybersecurity professionals across 251 countries and territories, the report found growing demand for advanced AI-related skills and more integrated cybersecurity team models.

The findings suggest that as AI transforms both cyberattacks and defence strategies, the effectiveness of organisations will increasingly depend on workforce adaptability, readiness, and cross-functional expertise rather than technology alone.

According to Hack The Box in a statement, organisations are accelerating investments in AI security capabilities, with AI penetration testing emerging as a leading global training priority.

Cybersecurity practitioners are also placing greater focus on risks such as prompt injection, model exploitation, and agentic AI attacks, reflecting changing approaches to workforce preparation.

The report noted that traditional role boundaries are becoming less rigid, with growing overlap between offensive and defensive cybersecurity training supporting a more collaborative “purple-team” model.

Structured hands-on training programmes are accelerating this transition, with AI-focused training completion rates reaching 64 per cent, reinforcing the role of organisation-led learning in building advanced cybersecurity capabilities.

To remain effective in an AI-driven environment, the report said security leaders should prioritise AI security skills, expand global talent pipelines, invest in integrated training models, and commit to continuous workforce upskilling.

-- BERNAMA

T&E Report Ranks Singapore Changi Among Most Carbon-Intensive Airports

 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Transport & Environment (T&E) and ODI Global announced that Singapore Changi Airport ranked ninth among the world’s most carbon-intensive airports in 2023, generating 14.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

The findings were published in the 2026 Airport Tracker, which analysed 1,300 airports globally using data from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

T&E Regional Policy and Program Director, APAC, Jude Lee said transparent disclosure of aviation emissions would become increasingly important as Singapore positions itself as a hub for sustainable finance and future aviation fuels.

"The race among global aviation hubs is no longer just about passenger volumes. It is increasingly about who can demonstrate the most credible, MRV-backed decarbonisation pathway," said Lee in a statement.

Meanwhile, ODI Global Research Associate, Sam Pickard said aviation emissions had continued to rise since the Paris Agreement despite decarbonisation efforts in other sectors.

According to the report, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region became the world’s largest contributor to aviation emissions, accounting for 32 per cent of global aviation-related CO₂ emissions — more than Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa combined.

The report also stated that the world’s top 100 airports were responsible for about two-thirds of total passenger flight emissions, while fewer than 2.3 per cent of airports had credible net-zero Scope 3 emissions plans.

The report comes as the European Union considers extending carbon pricing to all departing international flights, a move the organisations said could increase pressure on aviation hubs to strengthen decarbonisation measures.

-- BERNAMA

Gradiant Delivers HyperSolved, Its AI Data Center Solution, to Leading Global Hyperscalers

HyperSolved™ is Gradiant’s fully integrated AI data center water infrastructure platform that manages the entire cooling water lifecycle, from sourcing to discharge, to eliminate water constraints and accelerate hyperscale deployment.

 

End-to-end platform eliminates water as a constraint to data center growth, replacing legacy, fragmented approaches with a fully integrated infrastructure solution. 

BOSTON, May 14 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Gradiant today announced that HyperSolved™, its end-to-end cooling water solution for AI data centers, is now deployed with several of the world’s largest hyperscale operators, supporting mission-critical infrastructure across major global markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512006086/en/ 
 

AI infrastructure is expanding at unprecedented speed, with global data center capacity projected to increase six-fold between 2025 and 2035. These next-generation facilities demand significantly more power and cooling than traditional computing, driving a sharp increase in water consumption. A single 100MW hyperscale campus can require water equivalent to a city of 80,000 people each day. 

In many regions, growth is increasingly constrained not only by power and land, but by water availability, permitting complexity, and discharge limits. While compute and energy systems have matured, water infrastructure remains fragmented, forcing operators to manage multiple vendors and disconnected systems, introducing risk and slowing deployment. 

HyperSolved replaces this model by integrating the full cooling water lifecycle, from sourcing to discharge, into a single platform delivered by one accountable partner. Purpose-built for hyperscale environments, it reduces complexity, improves reliability, and accelerates deployment. 

“Water is one of the least integrated and most fragmented layers of data center infrastructure,” said Prakash Govindan, CEO of Gradiant. “We are in the middle of a once-in-a-generation build-out of AI infrastructure, comparable in scale to historic expansions like the railroads in the 1800’s, which connected regions and transformed entire economies. That level of growth demands a new approach. Today, water is still managed through a patchwork of vendors and solutions that were never designed for hyperscale. HyperSolved changes that by treating water as critical infrastructure, designed, delivered, and operated as one integrated system.” 

HyperSolved expands access to alternative water sources, including municipal reuse and other impaired supplies, reducing reliance on freshwater and increasing site flexibility. It protects cooling performance through integrated treatment, CURE Chemicals, and SmartOps AI, and minimizes discharge through high-recovery concentration and reuse, improving environmental performance and easing regulatory constraints. 

“You run the data center. We manage the water layer,” said Sankar Natarajan, Head of Special Projects at Gradiant. “By integrating water into a single system, it performs with the same reliability and accountability as power or cooling. HyperSolved gives operators a clear path to scale with less risk and fewer constraints.” 

Engineered for the pace of AI development, HyperSolved supports rapid deployment through containerized systems, enabling immediate or temporary capacity to support rapid build timelines, and delivers optimized long-term performance through permanent infrastructure. Gradiant also provides end-to-end lifecycle support, from commissioning through operations, ensuring continuity as facilities scale. 

Gradiant is seeing strong commercial adoption of HyperSolved among the world’s leading hyperscale operators, reflecting growing demand for integrated water infrastructure. The company expects data centers to represent approximately 25% of its global business by 2027, as water becomes a defining factor in where and how AI infrastructure can be built. 

HyperSolved is available globally, supporting hyperscalers, data center developers and operators, and engineering partners across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. 

About Gradiant 

Gradiant is a Different Kind of Water Company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant's innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,400 employees worldwide. Discover us at gradiant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512006086/en/ 

Contact 

Corporate Contact
Felix Wang
Gradiant, Global Head of Marketing
fwang@gradiant.com 

Source : Gradiant 

--BERNAMA 

Holafly and TeleSemana.com launch the Holafly Global eSIM Index 2026, the first comprehensive benchmark measuring eSIM readiness across 50 markets

DUBLIN, May 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holafly, the global leader in travel eSIMs, today announced the launch of the Holafly Global eSIM Index 2026—a first-of-its-kind study that evaluates the commercial readiness of eSIM technology across 50 markets and 168 mobile network operators worldwide. 

Developed in collaboration with TeleSemana.com, one of Latin America’s leading telecommunications industry publications, the Index offers a structured, data-driven view of how eSIM is deployed, experienced, and constrained across regions. It brings together operator-level data, country-level variables, qualitative assessment, and a regulatory penalty mechanism into a single 0–100 scoring framework.

The findings clearly demonstrate a decisive shift in the industry: eSIM is no longer a technology in development, but a globally deployed capability. What differentiates markets today is not technical readiness, but the structural conditions that enable or limit adoption, including device availability, regulatory frameworks, and the quality of the user experience.

The United States ranks first globally with a score of 90.2, followed by Estonia and the United Kingdom, while markets such as Sudan, India, and Liberia reflect the structural barriers that continue to limit adoption. Notably, the Index identifies regulatory intervention as a decisive factor, with specific markets applying restrictions that materially impact the scalability of eSIM services.

The central conclusion is that eSIM adoption is no longer constrained by technology, but by market design. Where regulation enables digital activation, devices are widely available, and operators deliver seamless experiences, adoption scales rapidly. Where these conditions are not aligned, growth remains structurally limited.

“eSIM has already moved beyond being an emerging technology. What will shape the next phase of adoption is how effectively markets enable seamless digital access for users. The countries leading this transition are not necessarily those with the largest telecom infrastructure, but those creating frictionless experiences that match the expectations of today’s global travelers,” said Chris Hills, VP of Carriers & Operations at Holafly.

From a methodology standpoint, the Index evaluates five core dimensions: market readiness, activation and support, adoption and competition, regulatory environment, and expert assessment. A dedicated penalty mechanism captures the impact of markets that restrict access to international eSIM providers, ensuring that the Index reflects not only operator capability but also real user accessibility.

As travelers demand more flexible, borderless, and immediate ways to stay online, travel eSIM providers are becoming a key driver of change across the industry. By removing many of the traditional barriers associated with physical SIM cards and complex activation processes, eSIM solutions are redefining how people access mobile services abroad and accelerating the transition toward a more seamless global travel experience.

The Holafly Global eSIM Index 2026 sets a new reference framework for operators, regulators, and industry stakeholders, delivering a consistent benchmark that clarifies where adoption is already tangible, where it remains constrained, and where future growth is most likely to surface.

The full report is available at:
https://www.telesemana.com/holafly-global-esim-index-2026/ 

Media contact: press@holafly.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b9bb5ff-dee3-4e51-8987-0146ee89c8d3 

SOURCE: Holafly

--BERNAMA 

MOBIX LABS TARGETS CRITICAL MINERALS SUPPLY CHAIN WITH SPD DEAL

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Mobix Labs has unveiled plans to expand into the strategic rare earth and critical minerals sector through a proposed acquisition of Special Project Delivery LLC (SPD), a United States (US)-based supply chain platform.

According to a statement, the proposed acquisition would expand Mobix Labs’ national security operations into the supply chain supporting modern defence, aerospace, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Mobix Labs currently supplies technologies for US and allied fighter jets, missiles, submarines, and satellites.

The company said the Letter of Intent is non-binding, and there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed or the proposed transaction completed.

-- BERNAMA

MARY KAY LAUNCHES GLOBAL SOCIAL SQUAD PILOT PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

 

The Global Social Squad ignites a diverse and talented group of 73 Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants with representation across 15 markets in four regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Europe. These digital leaders create engaging, high-quality content, participate in global campaign activations, and share practical social media strategies with their communities and other Independent Beauty Consultants, fuelling both brand relevance and business growth. (Image Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Mary Kay Inc has launched its Global Social Squad (GSS) Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening digital engagement by empowering Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) as brand advocates and social media content creators.

The programme, which will be introduced in selected markets worldwide in 2026, is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its presence in an increasingly social-first business environment and enhance engagement with consumers across digital platforms.

According to Mary Kay, the GSS brings together IBCs who are recognised for their creativity, authenticity and social media capabilities to produce digital content, participate in global campaigns, and share social media strategies with their communities and fellow consultants.

Mary Kay Chief Opportunity and Sales Officer, Tara Eustace said the programme is intended to help consultants strengthen digital storytelling and consumer engagement in a social-first business environment.

In a statement, the company said the initiative is also expected to support brand visibility, increase product discovery through user-generated content, and strengthen peer-to-peer learning within the Mary Kay community.

A total of 73 members have been selected for the pilot programme, representing 15 markets across North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe.

Participants will receive exclusive merchandise, take part in content-based challenges, and gain access to training and development opportunities throughout the year.

Mary Kay said the pilot programme will allow the company to evaluate and refine the initiative ahead of a potential wider rollout beginning in 2027 and beyond.

The global leader in beauty and entrepreneurship added that the programme forms part of its efforts to develop a scalable business model that combines entrepreneurship, creativity, and personal connection.

-- BERNAMA