Bitget’s July Proof-of-Reserves Report Shows 45% Increase in User Holdings for Bitcoin (BTC)

by Ferry Bayu | Aug 19, 2025 | Business

Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has released its latest Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) data reveals a sharp increase in user-held Bitcoin, with BTC balances surging over 45% month-on-month in July. This marks the strongest growth across all major assets tracked on the platform.

According to the PoR public figures published, BTC held by users grew from 6,594 BTC in June to 9,531 BTC in July. USDT holdings also experienced a notable increase of 21%, climbing from approximately 1.61 billion to nearly 1.95 billion. ETH balances rose by 31% month-on-month, from 148,754 ETH to 195,466 ETH, while USDC holdings grew by 14%.

The substantial surge in user asset holdings follows ongoing efforts across the industry to promote transparent reserve practices. Bitget continues to publish real-time reserve data via Merkle Tree infrastructure and open-source verification tools. As of July 23, the platform maintains a reserve ratio of over 200% across major assets, double the industry benchmark of 100%.

“This increase in on-platform user assets, especially Bitcoin, shows a bit of the broader trend in user behavior, where traders and institutions increasingly may favor exchanges that allow independent asset verification,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget. “Our priority will always be to keep maintaining Bitget as one of the largest most secure platforms for crypto trading,” she added.

The POR growth in July also corresponds with improved market sentiment and heightened institutional interest in digital assets, particularly following the recent price stabilization of Bitcoin above the $110,000 threshold.

Bitget’s PoR methodology includes monthly snapshots and daily updates of asset balances, matched against liabilities through publicly auditable cryptographic proofs. The platform’s reserve transparency continues to be a key differentiator as global regulators intensify demands for accountability from centralized exchanges.

For July, all reserve figures exceed the 100% mark across BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC, and the exchange remains one of the few top-tier platforms to continuously publish real-time snapshots for user review. This consistent transparency is increasingly valued by both retail and institutional users seeking safeguards against mismanagement or opaque balance sheet practices.

To know more about Proof of Reserves, please visit here.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Banwa Private Island – Multi-Award-Winning Experience Receives Latest International Recognition

by Ferry Bayu | Aug 19, 2025 | Business

Manila, Philippines (15 August 2025) – Banwa Private Island, the ultra-exclusive private island in Palawan, Philippines, continues to solidify its standing among the world’s most exceptional destinations with its third consecutive inclusion in Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth for 2025.

Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth, established in 2023, celebrates the pinnacle of global hospitality. Published by Robb Report, a leading authority on luxury lifestyle since 1976, the list is meticulously curated by 26 Travel Masters—globally respected luxury travel specialists renowned for crafting extraordinary journeys for an elite international clientele. Each expert nominates their top five exceptional properties, encompassing both new openings and timeless icons across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Among them is Henry Cookson, founder of Cookson Adventures, who lauded Banwa Private Island for its extraordinary marine setting and ecological significance:

“This is one of the world’s most exclusive private islands. It’s set in a marine-protected sanctuary, and we love it for its incredible diving—it’s possible to scuba alongside whale sharks as well as encounter the rare Hawksbill turtle and black tip reef shark.”

This latest recognition adds to Banwa Private Island’s growing list of international accolades, including the Editor’s Choice Award in The Gallivanter’s Guide 2024; being named “Private Island of the Year” by Destination Deluxe for three non-consecutive years (2020, 2022, and 2023); “Best Beach, Island or Upcountry Resort in the Philippines” by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific in 2023;  “Best of the Best in Travel” by Robb Report Hong Kong in 2024; and “World’s Leading Luxury Private Island” by the World Travel Awards in 2019.

Banwa Private Island has become a preferred retreat for celebrities, heads of state, and private families seeking more than just privacy. With only six contemporary beachfront villas—each with expansive interiors, private terraces and gardens, and a full-sized spring water pool—Banwa Private Island offers an experience defined by space, serenity, and sustainability. Among the largest and most luxurious in the world, the villas provide rare comfort and complete seclusion, with discreet service staff available at a moment’s notice but never in view. Whether reserved individually or through a full island charter, each stay is designed to feel effortless, private, and deeply personalized.

Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Banwa Private Island is surrounded by one of the Philippines’ most biodiverse marine corridors. Each guest stay contributes to vital conservation efforts through the Aquos Foundation, which supports habitat protection and scientific research—including in one of the country’s 10 Important Sharks and Rays Areas (ISRAs). Endangered species such as the Hawksbill turtle, blacktip reef shark, and whale shark thrive in these protected waters.

Sustainability is woven into daily island life. Banwa Private Island operates its own organic farm that supplies fresh produce to its kitchens. A self-replenishing artesian well provides natural water for drinking, bathing, and pools. The island is also uniquely mosquito-free, maintained through an entomologist-designed trapping system that eliminates the need for chemical sprays while safeguarding the delicate ecosystem.

Dining at Banwa Private Island is entirely bespoke—there are no menus to browse, no decisions to make. Each meal is thoughtfully crafted by the island’s chef, who takes time to understand every guest’s preferences and dietary needs. Using the freshest ingredients from Banwa Private Island’s organic farm and surrounding seas, the chef designs personalized menus that surprise and delight. Meals are served in stunning locations chosen to suit the moment—whether it’s a romantic dinner at Bantigue sandbar, sunset dining at the Platform, or an alfresco lunch by the pool.

Guests enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive island journey that extends to curated excursions, wellness treatments, and private aviation coordination. From snorkeling the vibrant house reef to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, each itinerary is crafted to inspire discovery and connection with nature.

As The Gallivanter’s Guide noted in its 2024 review: “The meticulous attention to detail is what makes Banwa Private Island truly special. The presence of vibrant flower bouquets that are refreshed every other day, the discreet room servicing during breakfast times, and the continuous replenishment of ice buckets and welcome treats—all without having to reach for the phone.”

“Today’s luxury traveler seeks more than privacy—they seek purpose,” said Simon Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Banwa Private Island. “Banwa Private Island delivers that rare combination of meaningful travel, uncompromising comfort, and untouched natural beauty.”

Villa rates begin at USD 3,050 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. Full island buyouts are available upon request.

For more information, visit www.banwaprivateisland.com

About Banwa Private Island
Banwa Private Island is an intimate all-villa destination for discerning guests wanting to experience privacy and seamless service in a marine and land nature reserve. Nestled in one the world’s last frontiers of natural biodiversity, north-eastern Palawan in Philippines, the island sanctuary boasts of breath-taking views, verdant landscape, pristine beach and turquoise waters. Banwa Private Island’s beachfront villas are designed to soak our guests in the natural beauty of the island. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the outside to flood in, the beach and garden terraces are mere bare-footsteps away and an infinity pool melts into the ocean. For a quintessential island escape, guests can choose to stay in a contemporary-designed villa or exclusively charter the whole island for family, friends and colleagues. Central to Banwa Private Island’s ethos, the Aquos Foundation was established to support, nurture and protect delicate ecosystems. Among its pioneering programs is the protection and restoration of habitats of the critically endangered Mantanani Scops Owl, Hawksbill Turtle and the Tabon Bird (Philippine Megapode).

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

People pay the price as Plastics Treaty talks end in deadlock

by Ferry Bayu | Aug 19, 2025 | Business

15 August 2025, Geneva, Switzerland/Quezon City, Philippines—After two years of negotiations, governments in Geneva once again failed to agree on a Global Plastics Treaty strong enough to end the plastic crisis—choosing delay and division over decisive action to protect people and the planet.

Greenpeace Philippines’ Zero Waste Campaigner Marian Ledesma, who is in Geneva attending the talks, said:

“This is not progress; it’s paralysis. Governments left Geneva empty-handed again, while unchecked plastic production—the real driver of this crisis—keeps accelerating. What the world needs is a reset, not another replay of failure. Every day of delay lets the fossil fuel and plastic industry escape accountability, while communities like ours are left to pick up the pieces and pay the price.

“Let’s call it what it is: the heavy hand of fossil fuel and plastics lobbyists is setting these negotiations up for failure. Their presence at the table is not about solutions but sabotage, undermining the calls of most governments—including the Philippines—for a strong, legally binding treaty that cuts plastic production, protects human health, provides just and equitable financing, and addresses the full lifecycle of plastics from extraction to disposal. A few bad actors must not be allowed to dictate the future of the planet.

“Too much is at stake. The Philippines cannot afford to sit still while waiting for the treaty to be finalized when Filipinos have been unjustly enduring the health, social, and environmental costs of plastic pollution for decades. National action can—and must—begin now. By holding plastic-polluting corporations accountable, passing laws consistent with our strong positions in the negotiations, phasing out single-use plastics, and scaling up reuse and refill systems, we can confront the full lifecycle of plastic and protect Filipinos from its impacts. Anything less is surrendering our future to plastic.”

About Greenpeace Philippines

Greenpeace is a community united by a mission to protect the planet and ensure a green, peaceful future. They’ve led the fight against environmental destruction, advocating for the planet’s rights as part of a global movement that challenges power with courage.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Master Asset Management – Join ISO 55000 with PetroSync

by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2025 | Business

Learn how PetroSync’s ISO 55000 Training empowers businesses to master asset management, enhance team productivity, boost operational efficiency, and cut costs to stay ahead of competitors.

When Your Competitors Outpace You in Asset Management

Picture this: your biggest competitor just announced a major expansion. They’re handling more projects, attracting high-value clients, and delivering faster results. Meanwhile, your team is stuck firefighting daily issues—broken equipment, unclear asset tracking, and delayed maintenance schedules.

This isn’t because your team isn’t working hard. The truth is, they simply don’t have the right framework to manage assets efficiently. In today’s fast-moving market, poor asset management isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s an open invitation for your competitors to win over your customers.

The Hidden Cost of Inefficient Operations

Inefficiency has a way of hiding in plain sight. You might not notice it in a single day, but over weeks and months, the damage adds up:

Lost productivity as your team spends hours locating equipment or fixing repeated breakdowns.

Higher operational costs from unplanned repairs and emergency outsourcing.

Missed opportunities when delays cause clients to turn elsewhere.

Here’s the hard truth: without a robust system like ISO 55000, your business risks becoming less competitive—slowly but surely.

Transforming Your Team into a High-Performance Machine

Imagine your operations running like clockwork—assets tracked in real-time, maintenance scheduled proactively, and decisions backed by accurate data. That’s the power of adopting ISO 55000 Training.

By implementing this internationally recognized standard, companies have seen:

Up to 25% increase in team productivity through better task coordination and asset visibility.

15–20% boost in operational efficiency, reducing waste and downtime.

Significant cost savings by integrating AI-powered chatbots for asset-related queries, cutting administrative workload and allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.

Your team stops working harder—and starts working smarter.

Seizing the Competitive Edge with PetroSync

Some businesses wait until it’s too late—until the market shifts and their loyal clients leave for faster, more reliable competitors. But forward-thinking leaders take action now.

With PetroSync, you don’t just get theory—you get hands-on, practical knowledge from industry experts who understand the challenges you face. Their ISO 55000 Training is designed to equip you with tools, processes, and strategies that immediately impact your bottom line.

Don’t wait until inefficiency costs you your biggest client. Take control, master asset management, and stay ahead of the competition.

About PetroSync Global Internasional

PetroSync was established in Singapore in 2010 and began its expansion into Indonesia in 2013. To this day, PetroSync has become a leading oil and gas training provider, with a participant passing rate as high as 90%.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES