JUNIPER RESEARCH: BUY NOW PAY LATER USERS TO REACH OVER 900 MILLION GLOBALLY BY 2027, DRIVEN BY LOW COST OF CREDIT

 

BASINGSTOKE, England, Aug 8 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A new study from Juniper Research has predicted that the number of BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) users will surpass 900 million globally by 2027; increasing from 360 million in 2022. This substantial growth of 157% will be driven by the anticipated economic downturn, which will increase the demand for low-cost credit solutions.

BNPL schemes enable consumers to spread the cost of their purchases without interest charges; making them a highly attractive alternative to credit cards. Additionally, BNPL services do not require hard credit checks and an increasing number of merchants are accepting this payment method; making it easier to access for consumers than traditional credit.

• To find out more, see the new report: Buy Now Pay Later: Regulatory Frameworks, Competitor Leaderboard & Market Forecasts 2022-2027

• Download the free whitepaper: Buy Now Pay Later: Reshaping the Payments Market

India to Experience High User Growth

The research identified India as having potential for rapid growth in BNPL, with users predicted to grow from 25 million in 2022 to 116 million by 2027. This is due to rising eCommerce usage and growing interest in international goods available through online retailers. In turn, it recommends that vendors build strategic partnerships with vendors in developing markets with established consumer bases, to successfully capitalise on this user growth and associated revenue.

Virtual Cards to Further Boost Usage

The research predicts that the adoption of virtual cards, where digital only cards are used for purchases, will increase the usage of BNPL solutions, as they only require merchants to accept card payments - overcoming previous limitations on growth. The advancement of virtual cards allows BNPL schemes to compete with credit cards; particularly in-store, where single use BNPL cards can be used within a digital wallet to complete contactless transactions.

Juniper Research recommends that in order to compete in this highly competitive landscape, BNPL vendors must differentiate their services: including offering virtual cards, browser extensions that automatically facilitate BNPL payment services, and digital loyalty schemes.

Buy Now Pay Later market research: https://www.juniperresearch.com/researchstore/fintech-payments/buy-now-pay-later-research-report

Download the whitepaper: https://www.juniperresearch.com/whitepapers/bnpl-reshaping-the-payments-landscape

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
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Contact

For further details contact Sam Smith, Press Relations
T: +44(0)1256 830002
E: sam.smith@juniperresearch.com

Source : Juniper Research

AM Best assigns 'A' to Generali Life Hong Kong's Financial Strength Rating

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best, has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a+” (Excellent) to Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited (Generali Hong Kong). 

According to a statement, the outlook assigned to these credit ratings is stable.

The ratings reflect Generali Hong Kong’s inclusion as a member of the lead rating unit of Italy’s Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (Generali), which has a balance sheet strength that AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, very favourable business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Since its establishment in 2016, Generali Hong Kong, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Generali, has been adding to the latter's life insurance portfolio in the region, initially via a diversified broker channel, and more recently, through a combination of broker and online-to-offline digital distribution channels.

The addition of Generali Hong Kong to the Generali rating unit reflects its contribution to Generali’s growth and diversification strategy. 

In addition, Generali provides various implicit and explicit support to Generali Hong Kong, including capital commitment, parental guarantee, operation and reinsurance support, as well as risk management. 

Hence, AM Best views Generali to be strongly committed to Generali Hong Kong’s development and long-term success and will provide necessary financial support if needed.

More details at www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

OKX introduces new-and-improved P2P Trading platform

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- World-leading cryptocurrency platform OKX has introduced its new-and-improved P2P (peer-to-peer) Trading platform.

The service not only allows users to trade seamlessly between one another, but makes safe, reliable P2P trading available to a far broader range of users.

“P2P Trading on OKX empowers users to trade on their own terms. But more importantly, it makes secure person-to-person trading accessible to far more people, including those around the world who lack access to traditional banking services.

“This is one of the ways in which OKX is empowering users the world over to liberate themselves from traditional financial systems and strive to attain financial independence,” said Director of Financial Markets at OKX, Lennix Lai, in a statement.

OKX’s P2P Trading platform not only offers more than 900 payment methods from across 40 different currencies, but is offered to users free of fees.

OKX’s overhaul of its P2P Trading platform includes a new-and-improved homepage UI, and an easy-to-use navigation bar that makes it easy to switch seamlessly between the marketplace, orders and ads.

The revamp also provides streamlined access to P2P guides, FAQs and tutorials to help users learn how to get the best out of the platform.

-- BERNAMA

PHANTOM BLADE: EXECUTIONERS GETS READY FOR THE 2ND CLOSED BETA TEST, SIGN-UP STARTING ON JULY 29

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HONG KONG, Aug 5 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Hong Kong Independent developer S-GAME announces the second Closed Beta test (CBT2) of its creation Phantom Blade: Executioners (PBEX) will commence on August 18, 2022. The sign-up window starts on July 29, and ends by August 11.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220729005178/en/

 

CBT2 covers PC, Android, and iOS (through TestFlight) with cross-platform play enabled. Android users will have access to microtransactions. All in-game currencies you’ve purchased and spent during closed beta tests will be refunded upon the game’s final release, twice as much.

”Kungfupunk”, a unique blend of kungfu action, steampunk machinery, and stylish art.

PBEX is an action game that highlights noir fantasy, skill-driven combat, and art style inspired by traditional Chinese painting. In CBT2, players will find four story chapters unfolding in over a hundred stages of diverse level design.

Three playable characters for different play styles

This time PBEX offers three playable characters, each representing a different play style.

First and foremost is Soul, the long-time protagonist in the Phantom Blade franchise. There are two advanced career paths, prioritizing dexterity and raw power respectively, adding more variables to the formula.

Mu Xiaokui is nimble. On top of her own attacks, she has two bodyguards ready to strike at her command. For advanced career paths, she can be enhanced in airborne skills or ground clashes

Then enters the Chord, a nameless “Instrument” of the Organization, also the only playable character with ranged attacks in CBT2. Her powers can be advanced in two ways, either crowd control or buff/healing.

Glorious 2D art with extra depth.

All stages in PBEX are now completely revamped with dynamic 2D, i.e. Chinese traditional scroll painting augmented with physical depth. The terrain is also enriched with environmental hazards, traps, hidden treasure, and branching paths to encourage exploration.

Animations are built in the same hybrid approach – 3D skeletal models for consistency, and fully hand-painted frames to bring fine details to life. The best of two worlds is brought together in a fluid, organic unity.

The world burns as the story continues.

PBEX’s story centers around “Sha-Chi Mod”, a body engineering technique that grants the subjects incredible power but makes them mentally unstable. It’s supposed to be rooted out, but apparently brought back because people actively seek power, especially in a place like the Phantom World. After the morbid lover, the cannibal monk, the vengeful mother, a new menace rises in the fourth story chapter, A Failure’s Redemption. Get ready for investigation. More mysteries await.

July 29, mark the date!

Sign up and secure your tester access before it’s all gone!

[About CBT2]

Sign-up window: July 29 12:00 – August 11 23:59 (UTC+8)

Testers needed: 50,000 (global total)

◆ 40,000 for Android and PC (combined)

◆ 10,000 for iOS (through TestFlight)

Sign-up page: https://bit.ly/3czxwfq

Follow Phantom Blade: Executioners on:

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PBEXglobal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PBEX_global

Discord: https://discord.gg/enq353WFY4

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/PBEX_Official/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHd2BZl5jKIck32WVjTg5Qg


View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220729005178/en/

Contact

Delia Zhang
SGame Studio Limited
Email: zhangting@s-game.com.cn
Phone: +86 15801445247

Source : S-GAME

BEST'S MARKET SEGMENT REPORT: AM BEST MAINTAINS STABLE OUTLOOK ON MALAYSIA'S NON-LIFE INSURANCE SEGMENT

SINGAPORE, Aug 4 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best is maintaining a stable market segment outlook on the Malaysian non-life insurance industry due to its underwriting discipline and the market’s recovery following the economic fallout from COVID-19.

The Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Malaysia Non-Life Insurance,” states that non-life gross written premium rose by 4.0% to MYR 21.97 billion (USD 4.95 billion) in 2021, 44% of which was driven by the general takaful segment. The increase follows a contraction in non-life premiums in 2020 and was driven by a recovery in most lines of business, especially fire, engineering and the growing motor takaful segment. Over the near to medium term, AM Best expects the segment’s growth to be supported by the country’s economic recovery and increased insurance penetration. Whilst economic growth has rebounded with the lifting of prolonged COVID-19-related social and business restrictions, the increased adoption of digitalisation has improved the ease of policy subscriptions and is helping to raise insurance penetration.

Prospectively, key lines of business, in particular motor and fire insurance are expected to drive the growth of the non-life insurance segment. Following the end of movement restrictions and lock-downs, motor insurance business is likely to expand over the near term, supported by growing new vehicle sales."

“Given the hardening of reinsurance rates for fire coverage in recent periods, primary insurers have been moderately increasing the pricing for fire,” said Susan Tan, financial analyst, AM Best. “Price increases for the fire line peaked in the fourth quarter of 2021 following the December flood event in Malaysia.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=43806

BLACK & VEATCH JOINS AUSTRALIAN HYDROGEN COUNCIL, DEEPENS DECARBONIZATION COMMITMENT TO AUSTRALIA

Global infrastructure solutions leader joins leading Australian industry as country advances $1.4 billion plan to build a hydrogen industry


MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug 4 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Black & Veatch has joined the Australian Hydrogen Council (AHC) as part of its efforts to accelerate the global shift to zero emission energy and speed the development of a global hydrogen energy economy.

CEO of the AHC, Dr Fiona Simon, said one of the strengths of the AHC was the breadth and depth of its membership which included global firms like Black & Veatch.

“As a leading advocate in countries across the globe of decarbonisation through transitioning to hydrogen, Black & Veatch brings further knowledge and experience to our membership and we are delighted to have it onboard,” Dr Simon said.

“Hydrogen and ammonia will be critical factors in decarbonizing the world’s energy systems, supply chains and heavy industries. Robust collaboration between engineering leaders, such as Black & Veatch, and industry organizations, such as the Australian Hydrogen Council, will help realize Australia’s ambitions to supply green ammonia to the Asian and domestic markets,” said Mick Scrivens, Vice President, Director, Australia Pacific, Black & Veatch.

Hydrogen has the potential to reduce and replace reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation as well as long duration energy storage, heating, transport, production of green chemicals and fertilizer. Additionally, hydrogen can be turned into green ammonia, which is produced using 100-percent carbon-free renewable energy.

Ammonia, a liquid chemical consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen, is more energy dense than pure hydrogen, incredibly stable and easily liquified for storage and shipment around the globe in the same fashion as LNG.

Ammonia then can be used in multiple energy-intensive industries to produce low-carbon electricity. It can also serve as an energy storage medium, be burned directly as a carbon-free, emissions-free energy source, or “cracked” to convert it back into hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Converting the world’s extensive LNG infrastructure – its LNG receiving terminals and storage facilities – will help facilitate the safe, efficient shipping of ammonia.

According to Black & Veatch’s 2022 Asia Electric Report, 73 percent of respondents believe that hydrogen will help meet carbon emissions goals beyond 10 years from now – more than any other technology.

Industry analysts anticipate that Australia will account for more than 10 percent of global carbon-free ammonia supply by 2035.

“Black & Veatch has an 80-year history working with hydrogen and ammonia production in multiple industries. With expertise in all stages of hydrogen infrastructure projects – from technical advisory services and design through operations – we continue to support global decarbonization programs, including those in Australia,” said Scrivens.

The AHC is the peak body for the hydrogen industry in Australia, with members from across the hydrogen value chain, including vehicle manufacturers, energy companies, infrastructure providers, research organisations and governments.

Editor’s Notes:

• Black & Veatch is a member of the Hydrogen Council, Center for Hydrogen Safety, the Fuel Cell Hydrogen & Energy Association, California Hydrogen Business Council and the Ammonia Energy Association.
• The Green Solutions (TGS) has appointed Black & Veatch to study the production and storage of green hydrogen in Vietnam utilizing solar or wind power supplied through the grid.
• Black & Veatch has been selected by Ireland’s Mercury Renewables to develop an outline design for its co-located onshore wind farm and hydrogen electrolysis plants.
• Black & Veatch was selected by Mitsubishi Power Americas and Magnum Development, co-developers of what will be the world’s largest industrial green hydrogen production and storage facility, to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the Advanced Clean Energy Storage project in Delta, Utah

About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2021 exceeded US$3.3 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
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Contact

Media Contact Information:
EMILY CHIA | +65 6335 6623 P | +65 9875 8907 M | Chialp@bv.com
24-HOUR MEDIA HOTLINE | +1 855-999-5991

Source : Black & Veatch

DRUVA INTRODUCES INDUSTRY’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE DATA RESILIENCY GUARANTEE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Druva Inc has introduced the industry’s most comprehensive data resiliency guarantee, and the only programme backed by the reliability, security and availability of the Druva Data Resiliency Cloud.

“Ransomware protection alone isn’t enough to satisfy the pressures, challenges and speed of modern businesses,” said Druva’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jaspreet Singh, in a statement.

“Protecting data from outside attackers should be table stakes at this point but most vendors are simply unable to make stronger commitments given the limitations of their business models.

“In contrast, our SaaS model offers complete control over the various technology functions and the ability for our team to manage the entire customer experience.”

The Druva Data Resiliency Guarantee, made possible by Druva’s leading SaaS-based data protection solution and best-in-class service level agreements (SLAs), provides up to US$10 million in coverage and guarantees the security, immutability and availability of customers’ data. (US$1 = RM4.453)

In adopting the Druva Data Resiliency Cloud, customers can now gain even more confidence that they are protected against a wide variety of data loss and downtime events across five key risk categories: cyber, human, application, operation and environmental.

Druva enables cyber, data and operational resilience for every organisation with the Data Resiliency Cloud, the industry’s first and only at-scale SaaS solution.

Druva is trusted by thousands of enterprises, including 60 of the Fortune 500, to make data more resilient and accelerate their journey to cloud.

-- BERNAMA