by | Jun 25, 2025 | Business
Watsons turned up the excitement last June 24 with the official launch of its Shop Now for EXTRA-mazing Surprises Campaign at the Watsons Mall of Asia store, treating shoppers, fans, and guests to a high-energy experience complete with brand showcases, exclusive product perks, and limited-time surprises that lived up to the campaign’s name.
The event was packed with music, exclusive perks and activities, and a preview of the new offers lined up for the quarter. Headlining the program were two of today’s fast-rising OPM acts—1st.One and Amiel Sol.
“Today’s event isn’t just about new promos or exciting performances—it’s a celebration of our continued commitment to creating experiences that go the extra mile for our customers. Our goal at Watsons has always been to go beyond just offering a wide range of products. We want to give our customers an experience that’s EXTRA —from the way they shop, to the rewards they receive,” said Joweeh Liao, Health Business Unit, Finance, Property, and Store Development Director of Watsons.
As part of the rollout, Watsons introduced its two EXTRA-mazing promos to reward loyal Watsons Club members:
1 Million Watsons Club Points to be given away:
Until August 20, Watsons Club Members who spend a minimum of P1,000 in a single receipt are eligible to join the e-raffle for a chance to win Watsons Club points—with a total of 1 million points up for grabs on Watsons’ biggest e-raffle to date.
Get Instant Viu Rewards and a chance to Win a Year-Long Subscription:
Members can also earn a raffle entry for a chance to win a one-year Viu subscription with every P1,000 purchase that includes participating health and beauty products. Meanwhile, those who shop online with a minimum spend of P1,500 will receive a one-month Viu subscription instantly.
“These promos are more than just incentives—they’re an invitation to experience the Watsons’ difference, and to feel valued every step of the way,” added Liao. “We want to make every visit to Watsons feel like a celebration—and with these promos, we’re making that happen.”
Beyond the promotions, the event underscored Watsons’ commitment to helping Filipinos look good, do good, and feel great. With over 1,100 stores nationwide, an extensive range of health, wellness and beauty products, and services like Express Delivery and Click & Collect via the Watsons App, the brand continues to make it easier for Filipinos to stay healthy and confident.
Going EXTRA, Watsons also reinforced its mission of creating a positive impact through accessible healthcare, sustainability efforts, and programs that uplift communities and support the planet.
“Because our customers deserve more than just great deals, they also deserve moments that are rewarding, delightful, and truly memorable,” said Liao. “That’s why we also invite everyone to sign up as Watsons Club members to enjoy even more exclusive benefits.”
To learn more about Watsons’ EXTRA-mazing promos and updates, follow @WatsonsPH on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, or download the Watsons App.
by | Jun 25, 2025 | Business
The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (based in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. Chairman: Hiroshi Mizohata) and KDDI Corporation (based in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. President and CEO: Hiromichi Matsuda) have announced the addition of new options for “Osaka eSIM” starting June 25, 2025, and will launch new data add-ons for long-term visitors, including 30 GB (30 Days) and 15 GB (15 Days) options.
■ “Osaka eSIM” toppings
[For foreign visitors]
[NEW] 30 GB (30 Days)
Price: JPY 2,780
Duration: June 25, 2025 – End date undetermined
[NEW] 15 GB (15 Days)
Price: JPY 1,670
Duration: June 25, 2025 – End date undetermined
Unlimited Data (3 Days) (Note 1)
Price: JPY 790
Duration: April 13, 2025 – End date undetermined
Unlimited Data (24 Hours) (Note 1)
Price: JPY 330
Duration: April 13, 2025 – End date undetermined
Unlimited Data (6 Hours) (Note 1)
Price: JPY 250
Duration: April 13, 2025 – End date undetermined
Unlimited Data (2 Hours) (Note 1)
Price: JPY 180
Duration: April 13, 2025 – End date undetermined
(Notes)
■About Osaka eSIM
Osaka eSIM is a mobile communications service offered by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau in collaboration with the KDDI Group. They utilize “povo SDK,” which allows the company to incorporate povo’s communication services into their own, allowing consumers to use the quality and safety of au’s network.
Customers purchase plans online and customize them via “toppings” to suit their needs in terms of data usage and length of stay, in as little as three minutes. (note 2)
■”Osaka eSIM” first-time user special
Osaka eSIM is offering a “first-time user special” in which customers can receive “Unlimited Data (24 Hours)” (note 1) to commemorate the start of service.
Eligibility: Foreign visitors
Special details: Input a promo code after registration to receive “Unlimited Data (24 Hours)” (note 1)
Duration: April 13, 2025 – End date undetermined
■How to use “Osaka eSIM”
■About communication services for foreign travelers offered by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
In January 2014, the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau began offering free public Wi-Fi (Osaka Free Wi-Fi, or OFW) for people visiting Osaka, especially tourists from overseas.
In addition, the Bureau worked with Wire and Wireless Co., Ltd. to offer “Osaka Free Wi-Fi OpenRoaming” from October 2024, which is compatible with “OpenRoaming” (note 3), an international standard of authentication which is being increasingly adopted in Europe, the United States, and Japan, with the goal of expanding OFW and making it more comfortable to use.
In addition to OFW, which can only be used in specific places, the Bureau also offers “Osaka eSIM,” which covers a wide area and can be used easily during transit. A large number of tourists are expected to visit Osaka for Expo 2025, and the Bureau is striving to provide a comfortable and seamless communications environment and increase the satisfaction of visitors.
■About povo SDK
Povo SDK is an open communications service that allows companies to incorporate povo’s communication service and offer their own plans. Music and video subscription services, e-tickets, and smart phone payments have become increasingly more widespread, amplifying the need for an internet connection in people’s daily lives.
This allows companies to offer unlimited data for specific services or original toppings that other companies don’t carry. The duration and data amount can also be customized, allowing the company to provide appropriate toppings to suit the customer’s needs.
povo SDK site: https://povo.jp/open-telecom-sdk/
(note 1) Network speed may be limited during network congestion.(note 2) Time until the user begins using the service as calculated by KDDI. This may differ based on the customer’s situation.
(note 3) An international wireless LAN roaming infrastructure developed by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and their group companies, a global association of telecommunication carriers and public wireless LAN providers. Wire and Wireless is working with Cityroam, a member of the WBA that operates the roaming infrastructure in Japan, to provide services compatible with OpenRoaming.
*Prices displayed include tax unless stated otherwise.
For Media Inquiries
KDDI Digital Life Corporation
PR: pr***********@***********fe.com
by | Jun 24, 2025 | Business
Over 70 Australian artists, producers and composers will undertake career-defining activities around the world, backed by investment through Music Australia’s Export Development Fund.
The fifth round of the Export Development Fund sees $997,787.95 invested in 78 projects, involving a range of artists; from solo acts to bands, producers, composers and songwriters to support headline tours, debut showcase performances, artist residencies, publicity campaigns and more.
The Export Development Fund is a matched funding initiative, designed to elevate emerging, breakthrough, and established acts into the international market, whilst fostering sustainable and thriving careers. The program focuses on three key pathways: Performance and Touring, Professional and Artistic Development and Market and Audience Development.
This announcement follows the launch of The Bass Line, Music Australia’s landmark study into the economic contribution of Australia’s music industry. The analysis revealed strong international demand for Australian music, with music export contributing an estimated $975 million to the total Australian music industry revenue.
Since its launch, the Export Development Fund has successfully supported over 400 projects to date highlighting the importance of a dedicated contemporary music export program in Australia.
Among the highlights of the 78 supported projects:
- Lutruwita/Tasmania-based artist, activist, author and proud Warnindhi lyagwa woman Emily Wurrumara will be bringing her ARIA-award winning albumNarato international audiences on her Canadian Folk Festival run.
- Fast rising hip-hop artist LEE. will travel to Los Angeles to strengthen his creative development, expand his professional network and enhance his commercial prospects.
- African Australian producer Chandler Jewelswill travel to Toronto, Canada to work with multi-platinum GRAMMY-award nominated producer WondaGurl, following his participation in the inaugural ARIA Collab program.
- Not-for-profit record label Music in Exilewill undertake a global press campaign to support the release ofJutna, a full-length album with an accompanying short film created by musicians with lived experience of migration and displacement working in the Australian music industry.
- R&B neo-soul artist Anieszkawill engage in extensive co-writing sessions with producers and artists in the UK and Germany to diversify her personal sound.
-
Harpist and composer Paul Nicolaouwill undertake an intensive weeklong workshop, “Writing and Recording for Video Games” in Vienna, mentored by 3x GRAMMY-nominated and BAFTA-winning composer Austin Wintory.
-
DJ-producer DAWSwill undertake production and co-writing sessions with international producers across Europe.
-
Female-fronted heavy band Full Flower Moon Bandwill return to Europe and UK for their headline tour and a debut showcase at Reeperbahn Festival.
Applications for the next round of the Export Development Fund close on Tuesday 8 July.
by | Jun 24, 2025 | Business
Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has entered a three-year partnership with UNICEF Luxembourg to advance digital skills and blockchain literacy among young people .
The partnership enrolls Bitget into the Game Changers Coalition (GCC) led by UNICEF Office of Innovation (OOI). Support from Bitget will help reach 300,000 people – including adolescent girls, parents, mentors and teachers with blockchain skills- across eight countries; Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, and South Africa.
Through the partnership, Bitget Academy, the educational arm of Bitget, will help develop UNICEF’s first interactive, online and in-person blockchain training module based on video games creation skills development for teachers and young people. This is a welcome inclusion to a curriculum already reaching hundreds of thousands of people. Support from Bitget will also help expand the Coalition’s reach to a ninth country.
“This partnership reflects our shared belief that digital skills are a powerful driver of opportunity and inclusion,” said Sandra Visscher, Executive Director of UNICEF Luxembourg.“By collaborating with Bitget, we want to provide adolescents and young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape their own futures. Innovation should be a force for inclusion, opening doors, broadening horizons, and ensuring that technology works for everyone, everywhere.”
In a move to extend the ecosystem’s reach, Bitget will also aim to introduce UNICEF to leading blockchain protocols and developers from across the Web3 landscape to participate in the educational initiative. These contributors could serve as mentors and partners, offering diverse perspectives and possibilities for blockchain technologies.
“Emerging technologies should not be reserved for the privileged few—they must be introduced early and equitably. Blockchain, with its real-world use case and potential for social good, is one of the most powerful tools we can give to our younger generation to build products that change the way we look at modern society. With Blockchain4Her, what began as a mission to empower hundreds of women has scaled into a global movement to educate thousands of girls. This is the kind of scale and impact blockchain was built for,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.
Every year, adolescent girls and young women in low and middle-income countries miss out on USD 15 billion in economic opportunities due to a gap in internet access and digital skills relative to their male peers. With 90 per cent of jobs today requiring digital competencies, the Game Changers Coalition responds to the urgency of closing the gender digital skills gap.
Together, Bitget and UNICEF are working to build a scalable, inclusive model that equips young women with the tools to navigate and shape the digital economy of tomorrow.
As part of the Game Changers Coalition, Bitget joins the Global Video Game Coalition, Micron Foundation and ecosystem builders – Women in Games in a shared ambition to reach 1.1 million girls by 2027, with learning and skills-building opportunities.
With the help of Bitget Academy, and support from the $10M initiative Blockchain4Her, Bitget plans to enhance digital literacy and financial independence among women taught to them at a young age.
Bitget’s Blockchain4Her initiative has previously supported women through mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and educational resources.
Together, Bitget and UNICEF Luxembourg aim to empower a new generation of girls with the knowledge and skills they need to participate actively in the evolving crypto economy.
by | Jun 24, 2025 | Business
Karaoke Manekineko was honored to sponsor Lantern Matsuri 2025 at UCSI University! Held on 28 June, this festive evening celebrated Japanese culture with fireworks, food stalls, and traditional games. As a proud sponsor, Karaoke Manekineko joined the excitement and shared our love for music with the amazing UCSI community.
Karaoke Manekineko Malaysia was
honoured to be one of the official sponsors for the highly anticipated Lantern
Matsuri 2025, held at the UCSI Campsite from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Organized by the UCSI Japanese Cultural Society (JCS) and supported by UCSI
University and Student Affairs & Alumni, this vibrant Japanese
cultural event brought together students, families, and culture lovers for a
night of unforgettable memories.
As a brand that shares deep roots in Japanese entertainment culture, we
at Karaoke Manekineko were truly honoured to take part in this meaningful celebration. The
event featured a rich lineup of food and game stalls, cultural
performances, open karaoke sessions, a lively cosplay competition,
and a spectacular fireworks display—offering attendees an immersive
experience of a traditional Japanese summer matsuri.
Our team was
thrilled to contribute to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere by showing our
support and engaging with the crowd. We set up a dedicated booth where visitors
could interact with our team, enjoy casual conversations, and experience the
friendly spirit of our brand. This engagement reflects one of our core mottos—to
revitalize local community and the world—as we continue to embrace
opportunities that bring joy and cultural exchange to local communities.
We extend our
heartfelt appreciation to the UCSI JCS team for inviting us to be part
of such a well-organized and energetic festival. It was a valuable chance to
connect with fans of Japanese culture and music, and we look forward to more
meaningful collaborations in the future.
by | Jun 23, 2025 | Business
A UNSW academic’s innovative research uses ocean currents to optimise shipping routes and reduce the environmental impact of sea transport.
Each day more than 50,000 cargo ships ply the world’s oceans, carrying about 90% of all the goods that are traded worldwide.
Global shipping is an enormous industry – and it’s responsible for 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions: if the shipping industry were a country, it would rank as the sixth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
To find more efficient routes for cargo ships, Associate Professor Shane Keating, a researcher in oceanography and applied mathematics at UNSW Sydney, has developed an algorithm using state-of-the-art ocean models and artificial intelligence (AI).
“With better ocean forecasts, ships can use the power of currents as they travel, reducing fuel use and cutting emissions,” says A/Prof. Keating.
His innovation will deliver ocean forecasts to the shipping industry under UNSW Sydney spinout company, CounterCurrent.
The company is built on 15 years of research studying ocean currents with a focus on forecasting, satellite remote sensing and data science.
“The algorithm is like a Google Maps for the sea, giving the most efficient route in real time based on the behaviour of ocean eddies.”
Mapping the ocean
A/Prof. Keating is an expert in a type of ocean current called eddies, swirling circular currents that are the oceanic equivalent of atmospheric storms.
Eddies are found in every ocean basin and make up 90% of the kinetic energy of the ocean, but they aren’t well represented in existing ocean current forecasts.
By better incorporating ocean eddies in forecasts, Keating says that commercial ships can harness these currents to find more efficient routes across the ocean.
Most ships travel the shortest distance between two points on the Earth’s surface. It’s known as a great circle route.
But that route, although it’s the shortest distance, is not the most fuel efficient route because ocean currents are constantly moving the ship off that perfect geometrical line. The ship has to use its engines and therefore burn more fuel to stay on the line.
By going with ocean currents, ships will travel slightly longer distances over the surface of the Earth, but they’ll travel more efficiently because they’re moving with ocean currents rather than against them.
You can do this in real time if you know where those ocean currents are.
Empowered by satellite images
One of the reasons this is possible is due to improved satellite technology, which now provides images that allow eddies to be tracked.
A/Prof. Keating began to look at how satellites could be used to measure the ocean from space after completing his doctoral degree in astrophysics at the University of California San Diego.
“In the past few decades, satellite technology has completely revolutionised the way we look at the ocean,” he says.
“Before the satellite era, our picture of the ocean was of a giant bathtub of seawater with just a few large ocean currents – like the Gulf Stream and the East Australian Current.
“Thanks to satellites, we now know that the ocean is highly turbulent and chaotic, like our atmosphere, and is filled with thousands of ocean eddies that can range in diameter from ten to 300 kilometres and depths of up to 2000 metres.”
Although eddies rotate slowly, with current speeds of up to two metres per second, the fact that seawater is 800 times denser than air means that each of these eddies has more momentum than a tropical cyclone.
Our view of ocean currents got a major upgrade in December 2022 with the launch of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite.
SWOT is a joint US-French satellite mission capable of mapping ocean currents with ten times the resolution of existing satellite technology.
A/Prof. Keating is a member of the international science team for the SWOT satellite and leads the Australian SWOT working group (AUSWOT), a consortium of researchers and stakeholders working to support the SWOT mission in the Asia-Pacific region.
To make the most of observations from satellites such as SWOT, researchers need to compare them with measurements taken at the surface.
In October 2023, A/Prof. Keating and a team of UNSW oceanographers boarded the state-of-the-art CSIRO research vessel RV Investigator to gather essential ocean data under the satellite’s path as it orbits Earth.
Data collected from commercial vessels also plays an important part in helping improve our understanding of ocean currents and how they might be changing in a warming world.
In April 2024, A/Prof. Keating participated in a voyage on board a 140 metre-long cargo vessel travelling from the Port of Newcastle to Auckland, as part of the Ships of Opportunity Program (SOOP), a global partnership between the maritime industry and research scientists that uses commercial vessels to gather ocean observations for marine weather forecasts.
“It was amazing,” says A/Prof. Keating. “You are travelling across the ocean at the speed of a golf cart, so you can really see the impact of ocean currents on the vessel.”
Putting the puzzle together
A/Prof. Keating’s voyage onboard the cargo vessel gave him an inside look at a virtually invisible industry.
“Shipping is the lifeblood of the global economy, worth a staggering $20 trillion per year,” A/Prof. Keating says, “but we almost never hear about it unless something goes wrong.
“All of that shipping has a huge carbon footprint – over a billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year is emitted by the shipping industry.”
The International Maritime Organisation – the UN body that regulates the global shipping industry – has set a target of zero shipping emissions by 2050, with mandatory uptake of zero emission fuels such as green hydrogen and green methanol.
However, it will take time to replace the existing merchant vessel fleet with ships that can use alternative fuels, and, even then, these fuels will be 6–10 times more expensive than traditional bunker fuel.
A/Prof. Keating’s ship routing technology allows vessels to cut costs and emissions by making small adjustments to the ship’s route to take advantage of natural currents.
Having tested his technology on more than a hundred vessels, A/Prof. Keating has been able to demonstrate consistent fuel savings of up to 20%.
He is now engaging with several shipping companies and ship builders to commercialise the technology and make it accessible to the wider industry quickly.
“It’s a win-win for shipping companies,” says A/Prof. Keating. “They can save money and meet their emissions reductions targets right now, without any modification to the vessel or change in the vessel transit time.
“My hope is that, within the next 5 years, this research will change the way that ships cross the ocean so that shipping companies can meet their emissions targets.”
A/Prof Keating’s research is supported by a grant of sea time on RV Investigator from the CSIRO Marine National Facility, the Ships of Opportunity Program, the Australian Research Council Linkage scheme, the Australian Economic Accelerator Seed Grant and the TRaCE Enterprise Academic Fellowship.
by | Jun 23, 2025 | Business
SINGAPORE, June 23, 2025 — In a heartfelt initiative that bridges creativity and compassion, a groundbreaking cross-sector collaboration between Creativeans, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) 3D Design students, and Apex Harmony Lodge brought together social care, education, and design consultancy to empower the next generation of designers to make a meaningful impact through design for dementia care. This rare partnership unfolded over 14 weeks from January to April 2025, culminating in a moving showcase of empathy-led care objects designed by NAFA 3D Design students for the residents of Apex Harmony Lodge.
When Creativity Meets Compassion
Apex Harmony Lodge, Singapore’s first and only purpose-built lodge for people living with dementia, opened its doors to NAFA 3D Design students for a rare, immersive opportunity to design for real needs. Under the guidance of Kimming Yap, Managing Director of Creativeans and Adjunct Lecturer at NAFA, students were introduced to the daily realities faced by residents, caregivers, and social workers at the lodge. These firsthand experiences offered a critical foundation for students to understand the emotional, physical, and relational challenges of dementia care.
Designing with Purpose
What followed was more than a classroom project. Students applied human-centred design and design thinking methodologies to create caring objects that promote dignity, connection, and comfort. From empathetic interviews to iterative prototyping, students transformed insights into tangible innovations that reflect both creativity and respect for the lived experiences of the dementia community.
“Design education too often happens in a vacuum, detached from the real people it’s meant to serve. With this project, we challenged that norm by bringing students directly into the world of dementia care, where empathy isn’t a concept, but a necessity,” said Kimming Yap, Managing Director of Creativeans. “Through deep engagement with the residents and caregivers at Apex Harmony Lodge, students began to understand that design isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about being present, listening, and co-creating with purpose. Our hope is that this collaboration becomes a model for how design education can bridge generations, industries, and communities to create impact where it truly matters.
A Showcase of Empathy in Action
During the final presentation, students unveiled their prototypes to the residents and staff of Apex Harmony Lodge. Their work included a range of supportive caring objects, each informed by deep user insights and feedback gathered through iterative co-design sessions. The showcase was not only a presentation of ideas but a celebration of shared humanity and collaborative innovation.
Designing for Dignity and Impact
This project exemplifies the profound impact design can have when empathy meets cross-sector collaboration. It highlights the value of real-world learning for young creatives and reinforces how partnerships between social care, education, and consultancy can enable design to become a force for good.
“The students demonstrated genuine curiosity and empathy during their visit, taking time to understand the lived experiences of persons with dementia (PWDs) and the principles behind our person-centred care approach. Their thoughtful designs reflected a deep sensitivity to the needs of our residents,” said Amirah Sulaiman, Senior Executive from Apex Harmony Lodge “I truly appreciated their initiative to seek input from our staff and residents, from testing their ideas with us to refining their concepts based on real-life feedback. The final presentations were not only creative but also practical, offering fresh ideas to enhance daily living and engagement for both residents and staff.”
Empowering the Next Generation
This initiative is a testament to the power of collaborative action between sectors not commonly seen working together, non-profit care, education, and design consultancy. It brought together diverse expertise to guide students through a human-centred process rooted in empathy, real-world insight, and creative innovation.
“A heartfelt thank you to Apex Harmony Lodge for the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with them. This experience prepared me for real-world design challenges and taught me how to approach design with empathy. With the residents in mind, I discovered that nostalgic products can be powerful tools to encourage communication and alleviate feelings of boredom and depression. This insight led to the creation of my design, Coinabox, inspired by the Coinafon devices popular in the 1970s,” said Arlena, reflecting on the experience.
“The resident I interacted with was excited about the butterfly sewing toys, which help with hand coordination skills. They tried their best to test the toy using the needle and string, even though the sewing hole was too small. I had a fruitful experience, as the resident shared how she liked to sew during her younger days, and I learned a lot from them.” added Crystal, one of the participating students.
For NAFA 3D Design students, the experience offered a deeply meaningful opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world, human-focused context. Through strategic guidance and support, students developed creative confidence, honed transferable skills, and discovered the role of design in fostering dignity and connection. For Apex Harmony Lodge, the collaboration provided new avenues to reimagine care through design thinking, transforming insights into solutions that support daily life with compassion and purpose.
by | Jun 23, 2025 | Business
Manila, Philippines — June 23, 2025 — Taxumo, the trusted online tax filing platform, has partnered with Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the Philippines’ largest and leading microfinancial services provider, to empower Filipino entrepreneurs through accessible business loans and empower MSMEs with simplified tax compliance.
A Partnership Rooted in Empowerment
“Filipino entrepreneurs face unique challenges, from complex tax regulations to limited access to financing. This partnership brings together the strengths of Taxumo’s seamless tax filing system and Cebuana Lhuillier’s trusted loan offerings to provide a holistic support system,” said Geraldine Arboleda, CEO at Taxumo.
For Cebuana Lhuillier, the partnership is an extension of its long-standing mission to uplift underserved sectors. “For over 35 years, we’ve helped Filipinos access financial tools once out of their reach. This collaboration with Taxumo is a powerful next step—connecting the dots between financial access and responsible business growth. It’s about fueling ambition, and backing that ambition with real, timely support,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
Taxumo subscribers can now apply for Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microbusiness Loan directly through the Taxumo platform, allowing for a streamlined process that integrates income verification and loan application in one place.
Loan Offerings Tailored to Entrepreneurs’ Needs
Cebuana Lhuillier’s Microbusiness Loan caters to diverse business needs, including working capital, inventory financing, equipment purchases, and short-term cash flow support. Key features include:
Exclusive benefits for Taxumo users include priority loan processing and reduced documentation requirements, recognizing their commitment to responsible business management.
Driving Real Growth for Filipino Entrepreneurs
This partnership is already making an impact for many, from sari-sari store owners to ride-hailing drivers, providing timely access to capital that helps businesses restock, upgrade equipment, and manage cash flow gaps.
Cebuana Lhuillier guarantees strict data privacy, transparency in lending terms, and ethical collection practices, with ongoing financial education through their Kanegosyo Center —a dedicated hub that offers free training, resources, and mentorship to help micro and small business owners grow and sustain their enterprises. Taxumo subscribers are encouraged to explore this opportunity to unlock the financing they need to elevate their businesses.
For more information, visit www.taxumo.com or Taxumo’s Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok Pages.
by | Jun 22, 2025 | Business
Ethereum teeters near $2,500 amid rising sell pressure, DeFi outflows, and geopolitical chaos. With options expiry looming and ETH/BTC at a critical level, is a breakout, or breakdown, inevitable?
Ethereum (ETH) has returned to a pivotal support level around $2,500, following a convergence of bearish catalysts, ranging from declining investor activity and rising technical resistance to geopolitical instability and market-wide liquidations.
As the market braces for continued volatility, analysts are watching both the ETH/BTC ratio and global risk factors for signs of what’s next.
Options Expiry Spurs Volatility Ahead of Key Price Decisions
One of the most immediate sources of price tension is Ethereum’s upcoming options expiry. With more than 56,000 ETH contracts set to expire on June 21, split between approximately 33,000 call options and 23,500 puts, traders are positioned for significant price action.
According to data from Laevitas, much of the open interest is concentrated near current price levels. This alignment raises the likelihood of ETH gravitating toward the “max pain” point, where the highest number of options expire worthless, amplifying short-term volatility.
Investor Confidence Wanes as DeFi Outflows Accelerate
Ethereum’s Total Value Locked (TVL) in decentralized finance (DeFi) has dropped from 28 million ETH in early May to just over 25 million, representing a 10% contraction in six weeks.
The rapid outflow, highlighted by DefiLlama, signals either profit-taking behavior or a shift in capital to other chains or assets.
This cooling enthusiasm across DeFi platforms suggests speculative capital is retreating, with investor sentiment shifting from growth to caution.
Technical Headwinds Limit Recovery Attempts
ETH’s price has struggled to breach the $2,565 resistance, which coincides with the intersection of the 100-day and 200-day Simple Moving Averages (SMA). After a brief attempt to rally, ETH was rejected and fell back below $2,500, prompting fears of a deeper correction.
Heightened trading volume during the recent decline further supports a sell-off narrative. Analysts are now watching key levels:
- Support: $2,475 and $2,385
- Resistance: $2,525 and $2,700
A confirmed break below support could trigger a slide toward $2,385, while a push above $2,525 might renew bullish momentum.
ETH/BTC Ratio at Crucial Turning Point
The ETH/BTC ratio is another crucial metric. Analyst M-log1 noted the ratio has approached a long-tested support line, with bulls defending it eight times in recent weeks. With seller momentum fading, there’s an 80% probability of a breakout to the upside, M-log1 estimates.
If ETH begins outperforming BTC, this could usher in a broader altcoin rally, a sentiment echoed by analyst Daan, who pinpoints 0.026 BTC as a breakout threshold for Ethereum dominance.
Macro Risks: Middle East Tensions and U.S. Policy Add Fuel to the Fire
Ethereum’s price weakness is also unfolding against a backdrop of mounting geopolitical tension and restrictive monetary policy. Bitcoin has already plunged below $100,000 (a psychological and technical threshold) after the U.S. and Israel bombed Iran, with fears the conflict could expand regionally.
Compounding this, Iran’s parliament has reportedly approved closing the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of global oil traffic. A complete shutdown would not only spike oil prices but also dent global risk appetite, historically bad news for crypto assets.
ETH Exchange Activity Suggests Bearish Tilt — But Long-Term Accumulation Grows
Ethereum has seen four straight days of net inflows to centralized exchanges, totaling 285,000 ETH, according to CryptoQuant.
This trend indicates sustained sell-side pressure. Meanwhile, futures open interest surged by 720,000 ETH, likely driven by short positions, contributing to over $163 million in ETH liquidations in just 24 hours.
Still, structural signs remain encouraging:
- Accumulation addresses (wallets with no history of selling) have grown by 5 million ETH in June.
-
Staked ETH has reached a record high of 35.1 million, with 500,000 ETH added in just two weeks.
-
New Ethereum addresses are rising, hitting 800K–1M weekly.
These trends suggest long-term confidence remains intact, even as short-term traders adjust to volatile conditions.
Chart Watch: ETH Poised at Triangle Apex
ETH is approaching the apex of a symmetrical triangle, bounded above by the 200-day SMA and below by the 50-day EMA. A decisive breakout could define Ethereum’s next leg:
- Bullish breakout: Targets $2,850 and possibly $3,000.
-
Bearish breakdown: Risks retesting support near the 100-day SMA.
Technical indicators like the RSI and Stochastic Oscillator lean bearish, but neither is deeply oversold, suggesting room for further downside before a rebound.
Conclusion: Ethereum at a Crossroads
Ethereum stands at a defining moment. Despite clear signs of short-term bearish momentum, critical support at $2,400 has not yet broken. Meanwhile, ETH’s correlation to Bitcoin and global risk sentiment remains high, with the ETH/BTC ratio potentially triggering a larger altcoin recovery, or collapse.
In the days ahead, traders and investors should closely monitor:
- Options expiry outcomes
- $2,400 support and $2,700 resistance
- ETH/BTC ratio movement
-
Geopolitical developments and oil prices
If Ethereum can hold its ground and break above $2,700, the path toward $3,000 remains viable. But failure to do so, especially in a risk-off environment, could spark a deeper retracement.
by | Jun 22, 2025 | Business
Europe takes the lead in the global crypto market with MiCA regulation, as U.S. retail activity declines and Trump’s high-stakes crypto deals raise questions. Discover how EU clarity is beating American uncertainty.
Europe is quietly winning the global crypto war. With the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation at the start of 2025, the European Union has taken a commanding lead over the United States, despite President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of crypto.
As American retail activity slows and legal uncertainty drags on, Europe’s unified framework is unleashing a new wave of institutional and retail investment.
MiCA Triggers a Surge in EU Trading Volumes
According to Paybis co-founder Konstantins Vasilenko, trading volumes from European Union customers jumped an astonishing 70% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2025, right after MiCA officially took effect on January 1.
This spike wasn’t about frequency, it was about volume. “The number of trades hardly moved,” Vasilenko said, suggesting larger and more deliberate investments from newly confident investors.
Meanwhile, crypto activity in the U.S. moved in the opposite direction. Platforms like Robinhood reported a 35% drop in crypto trading, and Coinbase saw retail participation shrink to just 18% of total spot trading volume, down from 40% in 2021.
“The timing is hard to ignore,” Vasilenko added.
What MiCA Gets Right: Clarity, Consistency, and Confidence
The MiCA framework introduces a single licensing regime across all 27 EU member states. Once licensed in one country, crypto firms can operate across the entire bloc, giving companies scalability and investors peace of mind.
Several major platforms have already secured MiCA licenses.
Beyond licensing, MiCA implements a series of investor protections modeled on Europe’s financial instruments directive (MiFID), including:
- Clear disclosures
- Cooling-off periods
- Transparent fee structures
-
Full-reserve requirements for stablecoins
-
Independent audits and asset segregation
These policies have significantly reduced regulatory ambiguity and restored investor confidence in the EU crypto market.
France Leads, Germany Builds, Netherlands Connects
France has emerged as a clear standout within Europe, thanks to its early 2019 PACTE law, which laid the groundwork for MiCA. Paybis reported a 175% increase in crypto activity in France in Q1 2025.
Fintech hubs like Station F and the proactive approach by France’s financial regulator AMF are helping crypto adoption soar, with national crypto usage expected to reach 24% penetration this year.
Elsewhere:
- Germany is building institutional infrastructure, with Deutsche Boerse’s Clearstream preparing to offer crypto settlement.
-
The Netherlands stands out for its robust payment systems and strong connectivity in the digital asset space.
As Vasilenko notes, “Liquidity pools in Frankfurt or Paris, customer support in Dublin, and compliance ops in Vilnius — all under the single MiCA umbrella.” The idea of a single “crypto hub” is becoming obsolete.
U.S. Falls Behind Despite Trump’s Rhetoric and High-Profile Crypto Ventures
While Europe builds, the U.S. dithers. Despite vocal support from Donald Trump and select members of Congress, the country still lacks cohesive federal crypto legislation. Regulatory uncertainty has paralyzed both investors and institutions.
As Vasilenko puts it: “State-by-state money-service licenses, unresolved SEC lawsuits, and sudden delistings mean ordinary users still can’t tell which coins, or even which staking products, will be available next month.”
Even Trump’s own crypto dealings appear mired in opacity.
Trump’s Crypto Empire: Bold Moves, Quiet Sales
Trump launched World Liberty Financial in September 2024, promising a “financial revolution.” The venture sold tokens with controversial terms, tokens couldn’t be resold, and 75% of proceeds after the first $30 million reportedly went to Trump and his family.
By early 2025, the Trumps and their partners had sold over $750 million worth of tokens. A new stablecoin, pegged to the U.S. dollar, attracted a $2 billion investment from a UAE firm. Yet behind the scenes, the Trumps began quietly divesting:
Their stake in World Liberty fell from 75% to 60% in January, then down to 40% by mid-June, according to subtle changes on the company’s website.
If World Liberty is valued similarly to Circle, whose stock tripled after going public, Trump’s divestments could have netted $135 million personally.
This aligns with Trump’s renewed focus on monetary policy. He recently attacked Fed Chair Jerome Powell, calling him a “moron” and a “numbskull,” and hinted he may fire him if interest rates don’t come down. His criticism comes amid a record $37 trillion U.S. debt load and rising interest payments.
Glimmers of Hope: The GENIUS Act and Stablecoin Reform
There may still be hope for the U.S. crypto scene. The GENIUS Act, now moving through Congress, could create a federal licensing regime and clear definitions for stablecoins, potentially echoing Europe’s MiCA.
If passed before the end of 2025, Vasilenko believes the law “would do for U.S. retail what MiCA just did for Europeans.”
Meanwhile, Circle’s successful public debut has reignited interest in crypto’s mainstream potential. The Senate recently passed a stablecoin regulatory bill, and markets are now eyeing Federal Reserve action in July, which could trigger a fresh Bitcoin rally.
Bitcoin Holds Strong Above $100K Amid Macro Uncertainty
Bitcoin has remained resilient, trading above $100,000, despite geopolitical risks and volatility. Analysts say its performance underscores its growing status as a safe-haven asset, similar to gold.
As Elliot Johnson of Bitcoin Treasury Corporation puts it, “Bitcoin’s recent strength… is a testament to its growing appeal as a long-term treasury asset.”
David Hernandez of 21Shares agrees: “Bitcoin’s fundamental properties—its scarcity, decentralization, and neutrality, make it an increasingly relevant asset for navigating an uncertain future.”
Conclusion: The Regulatory Divide Is Reshaping the Global Crypto Map
As Europe pushes forward with MiCA, and the U.S. grapples with internal divisions and politically charged ventures, the crypto balance of power is shifting.
While Trump’s brand may still move markets, it is Europe’s clarity, coordination, and consumer protections that are winning investor trust.
For now, Europe has the edge. But if Washington can unify around a framework like GENIUS, the race may soon become competitive again.
You must be logged in to post a comment.