Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Fynd, the Mumbai-headquartered AI-native retail technology company backed by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, has formally entered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a strategic push to drive unified commerce among leading retailers and enterprise brands. The company’s launch in Riyadh is anchored in partnerships with established local players such as NICE, where its technology is already being used to enhance omnichannel operations, bridging […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – In his 2026-27 Budget announced on Wednesday (25 February), Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) outlined areas for comprehensively reinforcing the city’s position as a leading international financial hub.
Despite the complex and ever-changing external environment, Mr Chan noted that Hong Kong’s financial market had performed strongly and the city’s financial system remains robust.
HKSAR’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan (second left), outlines areas for comprehensively reinforcing the city’s position as a leading international financial hub
In 2025, Hong Kong ranked first globally for funds raised through initial public offerings.
“We will continue to consolidate our existing strengths, tap into emerging fields, strengthen market systems and risk control and deepen financial co-operation in the Greater Bay Area,” Mr Chan said. “By doing so, we will enhance Hong Kong’s role as an international financial centre on all fronts and contribute to the national strategic goal of ‘accelerating China’s development as a financial powerhouse’ “.
With Hong Kong being the world’s largest hub for offshore Renminbi (RMB) business, the Financial Secretary said the city would leverage its unique strengths and proactively align with national development strategies.
For advancing the internationalisation of the RMB, Mr Chan said Hong Kong would facilitate the wider use of RMB in activities such as trade and cross-boundary business; reduce transaction costs; enrich product offerings in the offshore RMB market; improve price discovery in the short-to-medium-term-interest-rate market; and attract high-quality issuers to increase RMB bond issuance in Hong Kong.
In 2025, the stock market delivered a stellar performance. The Hang Seng Index rose by 28 per cent over the year. The daily turnover surged by 90 per cent to a historic high of close to $250 billion (US$32 billion).
Mr Chan said the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) would continue enhancing the securities market, attracting issuers and boosting market efficiency.
“We will also introduce the next stage of reforms, including enhancing the regulatory regime for listed companies, providing specific guidelines for overseas companies seeking secondary listing in Hong Kong, offering more overseas markets as recognised exchanges, and continuing to explore with the market the provision of an over-the-counter trading platform for delisted stocks or those requiring special handling.
“The electronic bond-trading platform will also be launched in the second half of this year, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global fixed income and currency hub,” he said.
To attract more family offices and funds to set up in Hong Kong, Mr Chan said Hong Kong would enhance the tax regime, including expanding the scope of “fund” to cover specific funds-of-one, as well as classifying digital assets, precious metals, and specified commodities, etc. as qualifying investments eligible for tax concessions.
Regarding the development of digital assets, the Government published the second policy statement for developing Hong Kong into a global hub for digital asset innovation through the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework.
A bill will be introduced this year to establish licensing regimes for, among others, digital asset dealing and custodian service providers.
“We will also explore the adoption of electronic signature for bond issuance documents and the digitalisation of bearer bonds,” Mr Chan said.
To promote the application of fintech and enhance the efficiency of the asset management market, the CMU OmniClear, a market infrastructure operator established by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, will establish a digital asset platform this year. It will support the issuance and settlement of digital bonds. The platform will also be gradually extended to other digital assets and linked with other tokenisation platforms in the region, consolidating Hong Kong’s leading role in the realm of digital assets.
In order to build an international gold trading market in Hong Kong, Mr Chan said the Government would explore offering tax incentives for eligible institutions conducting gold trading and settlement in Hong Kong; assist the industry in setting up an industry-led trade association to consolidate resources, step up promotion, and foster ties with industry stakeholders from around the world; and help the industry keep abreast of the latest gold market developments, acquire relevant skills and develop a training framework.
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: When Narendra Modi walked into the Knesset and told Israel’s parliament during his visit to Israel on February 25-26, that “peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India’s security,” he was doing more than delivering a diplomatic courtesy. He was planting a flag. India, under its […]
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi has signed a 50-year land lease agreement with Galadari Brothers’ Heavy Equipment Division to develop a large-scale logistics and distribution hub at KEZAD A in Al Ma’mourah, marking another long-term industrial commitment within Abu Dhabi’s flagship manufacturing and trade zone. The agreement covers a 150,000 square metre plot and represents an investment of AED75 million by Galadari to establish a purpose-built facility […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has agreed to acquire Macquarie AirFinance in an all-cash transaction valued at about $7 billion, marking one of the largest aircraft leasing deals of the year and significantly expanding the Gulf-based lessor’s global footprint. The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026 subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, will create a combined fleet of […]
Paramount Skydance has emerged as the probable victor in a high-stakes contest to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, as streaming giant Netflix declined to increase its offer, effectively withdrawing from the pursuit and handing momentum to its rival. Paramount’s revised proposal of $31 per share in cash and commitment to cover substantial termination and regulatory fees was judged superior by the Warner Bros Discovery board, setting the stage […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has been named Strategic Sustainability Partner for the Arab Media Summit 2026, strengthening the event’s environmental agenda as organisers position the gathering as a platform aligned with the UAE’s long-term climate commitments. Dubai Press Club, which organises the Arab Media Summit, confirmed the partnership ahead of the next edition scheduled to take place in Dubai under the patronage […]
Super Micro Computer Inc. and Abu Dhabi-based EHC Investment have unveiled plans to develop sovereign artificial intelligence data centres in the United Arab Emirates, positioning the Gulf state to expand domestic control over high-performance computing infrastructure amid accelerating demand for AI workloads. The partnership seeks to deliver modular, rapidly deployable data centre facilities designed to support advanced AI training and inference while ensuring data residency within the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai-based Emirates Gold has marked 34 years in the precious metals industry by outlining plans to deepen its refining capacity, expand international partnerships and strengthen its role in shaping the region’s bullion trade by 2026. Founded in 1992, the company has grown from a local refinery into one of the Middle East’s established minting and gold refining firms, operating from Dubai Multi Commodities […]
A ship widely reported to be carrying Russian-sourced oil to Cuba altered its course and pulled away from its planned voyage, underscoring a deepening energy crisis on the Caribbean island that has disrupted daily life and public services. The vessel, identified by maritime intelligence firms as the Sea Horse and believed to be laden with nearly 200,000 barrels of gasoil, a diesel-type fuel essential for transport and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai Lynx is expanding its academies programme as its partnership with Publicis Groupe Middle East enters a fourth year, signalling a sustained push to cultivate creative talent across the region’s communications industry. Organisers of the annual Dubai Lynx Festival, widely regarded as the Middle East and North Africa’s leading platform for creative excellence, confirmed that Publicis Groupe Middle East will continue as the […]
Diplomats from Iran and the United States are preparing to examine a detailed framework for a possible agreement in Geneva, as both sides signal cautious openness to narrowing differences over sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. The discussions come amid renewed diplomatic activity between Tehran and Washington, with officials framing the meeting as a substantive step rather than a symbolic encounter. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Tehran […]
Gold prices firmed in early trade on Thursday as a softer dollar and renewed demand for defensive assets lent support, with investors assessing signals from Washington on tariffs and monitoring diplomatic exchanges between the United States and Iran. Spot gold rose 0.4 per cent to $5,192.28 per ounce by 0500 GMT, extending gains after touching a more than three-week high earlier in the week. US gold futures […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Lu Daopei Medical has joined forces with Florence Nightingale Hospital Group in Turkey to establish what the partners describe as the Middle East and North Africa’s first dedicated CAR-T stem cell therapy centre, targeting severe forms of leukaemia including paediatric cases. The initiative, backed by Investcorp through its China Pre-IPO Healthcare Fund, signals a push to expand advanced cellular immunotherapy beyond traditional hubs […]
Shell Plc has opened preliminary discussions to sell a minority interest in the North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia, engaging potential buyers that include a unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and Midocean Energy, according to people familiar with the matter. Talks are centred on Shell’s holding in the A$34 billion development, one of Australia’s longest-running LNG export ventures, located near Karratha […]
Abu Dhabi recorded a sharp rise in new business licences during 2025, underscoring continued momentum in the emirate’s drive to broaden its non-oil economy and attract private investment. The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority, the regulatory arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said new economic licences climbed 29 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024. Renewed licences rose 20 per cent over the same period, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has appointed a syndicate of international and regional banks to lead its first sovereign bond sale of 2026, launching a dual-tranche, dollar-denominated benchmark with initial price thoughts set at 50 basis points over US Treasuries for five years and 55 basis points for 10 years. The transaction marks the emirate’s opening return to global capital markets this year and is structured […]
SOUEAST UAE has launched the S08DM, a seven-seater plug-in hybrid SUV positioned at the intersection of family practicality and electrified performance, as the brand seeks to strengthen its foothold in the Emirates’ fast-evolving automotive market. Exclusively distributed by Elite Group Holding, the new model marks a significant step for the Chinese marque’s regional ambitions, arriving at a time when demand for hybrid and electric vehicles is accelerating […]
Artificial intelligence is triggering frustration across the video game industry as developers deploy automated tools to reduce budgets, only to face backlash from players who say quality and creativity are suffering. Studios under financial strain are increasingly turning to generative AI to assist with coding, artwork, dialogue and quality assurance. While executives argue the technology speeds up production and lowers costs, gamers have highlighted glitches, awkward scripts […]
Nvidia delivered record quarterly and annual revenue, beating Wall Street expectations and pushing back against claims that the artificial intelligence boom is overheating. The Silicon Valley chip designer said revenue for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ended 26 January 2025 rose to $39.3 billion, up sharply from a year earlier and above market forecasts. Full-year revenue reached $130.5 billion, more than doubling on the previous […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Heathrow’s chief executive has acknowledged that Istanbul Airport is poised to overtake the London hub as Europe’s busiest airport, intensifying pressure on the UK’s long-debated expansion plans. Thomas Woldbye told journalists that capacity constraints at Heathrow, coupled with Istanbul’s rapid growth and multi-runway architecture, were shaping a shift in continental air traffic rankings that could materialise as early as 2026 or 2027. This […]
The launch marks a significant step in expanding Malaysian retail investor participation in financial products through blockchain technology
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 February 2026 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank and the Stellar Development Foundation (“Stellar”), a US-based non-profit organisation that supports the Stellar network, yesterday introduced Myrra, a dedicated token platform that leverages the Stellar blockchain to enable the tokenisation of real world-assets.
From left: Betty Sun-Lucas, Regional Director, APAC, Stellar Development Foundation; Jose Fernandez da Ponte, President, Chief Growth Officer, Stellar Development Foundation; Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad; Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenanga Investors Berhad; Ranjit Gill, Director, Head of Product & Market Development, Kenanga Investors Berhad
The inaugural deployment on the Myrra platform is the tokenisation of the Kenanga Money Market Fund (“KMMF“) and the Kenanga Islamic Money Market Fund (“KIMMF“) (collectively, the “Funds“) managed by Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors“). The Funds represent the first tokenised unit trust funds to go live within the Malaysian market.
Through this initiative, investors can now transact blockchain-based digital representations of the Funds’ units through Myrra. Tokens are issued on a 1:1 basis, with each token representing a unit of either fund. This ensures the digital tokens function exactly like traditional fund units, while prioritising regulatory compliance, legal parity with existing unit holders, and operational integrity.
The reveal took place at the Blockchain Summit 2026, co-organised by Credit Saison and Pacific Meta as part of Japan Fintech Week.
By tokenising its Malaysian Ringgit money market funds using trusted Stellar blockchain infrastructure, Kenanga Group is bringing its money market products directly to a broader segment of Malaysian investors, enabling the purchase or selling of tokens directly on Myrra’s web portal.
“The launch of Malaysia’s first tokenised money market funds on the new Myrra platform represents a major step forward in our Group-wide commitment to driving digital innovation across the Malaysian capital markets,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Group. “By deploying on the Stellar network, we are able to contribute to the development of a digital public infrastructure that aligns with Malaysia’s vision of becoming a regional centre for blockchain-enabled finance.”
“The implementation of tokenisation is a strategic initiative to evolve our existing distribution and operational processes and capabilities through the operational efficiencies offered by Distributed Ledge Technology,” said Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Kenanga Investors. “We believe this will work towards driving investor participation without compromising regulatory standards and transparency.”
Operating for more than a decade, Stellar is one of the earliest blockchains designed specifically to support payments, asset issuance, and financial products in a compliance-forward and transparent manner. It hosts Franklin Templeton’s Benji token, a tokenised U.S. Treasury money market fund primarily used by institutional users for on-chain settlement and peer-to-peer transfers. Stellar also powers MoneyGram’s large-scale cash-to-crypto on/off-ramp across 170 countries using USDC and supports the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR“) in distributing USDC-based aid that refugees can redeem even without bank accounts.
“Tokenisation drives real-world utility and access when it is built on infrastructure that institutions and regulators trust,” said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, President and Chief Growth Officer at the Stellar Development Foundation. “Stellar was designed from the outset to support regulated financial products, increase access and provide the rails for enterprise-grade assets to move securely. This deployment by Kenanga Group is a prime example of how digital public infrastructure is scaling on Stellar making financial services more accessible, efficient, and inclusive for everyone across the globe.”
Myrra represents a milestone in addressing a tokenised asset opportunity in Malaysia, estimated at US$43 billion by 2030. It builds upon recent efforts by the Securities Commission Malaysia to advance tokenised capital market products within a framework that balances innovation with investor protection. By applying blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology to familiar financial products, Kenanga Group is taking a pragmatic approach to financial innovation and inclusion while positioning Malaysian investors for a global transition toward faster settlement and enhanced transparency.
The KMMF aims to provide investors with a regular income stream while maintaining capital stability by investing entirely in money market instruments, debentures, and deposits. Meanwhile, the KIMMF offers similar benefits aligned with Shariah principle. Both Funds cater to investors who want stable, short-term returns with minimal volatility.
For more information about Myrra, please visit myrra.my.Hashtag: #KenangaGroup #Myrra #Tokenisation#BlockchainFinance #FinTech
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))
Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga” or “The Group”) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor, and game-changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform developed through a joint venture with Japan’s Rakuten Securities, Inc. This digital expansion also extends to the digital assets space through the Group’s investment in Kinetic DAX Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn Bhd).
Kenanga has garnered multiple industry accolades, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards, Asia Asset Management’s Best of the Best Awards, and The Morningstar Awards, recognition for its sustainability leadership at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards and the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, and further acknowledgements for its corporate governance and sustainability excellence at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards. As one of the highest scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, the Group continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.
Disclaimer: The Replacement Master Prospectus (including all supplemental and ancillary documents thereto) and the Product Highlight Sheet (“PHS”), have been registered and/or lodged with the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”), who takes no responsibility for its contents and related advertisement or marketing materials, does not indicate that the SC has recommended or endorsed the product/service. The material has not been reviewed by the SC. Investors have the right to request for a copy of the RMP, PHS and other relevant product disclosure documents which are available at our office, at any authorised distributors and our corporate website before making investment decisions. If you are in doubt when considering the investment or any of the information provided, you are advised to consult a professional adviser. A Fund’s track record does not guarantee its future performance. Kenanga Investors Berhad is committed to prevent conflict of interest between its various businesses and activities and between its clients/director/shareholders and employees by having in place procedures and measures for identifying and properly managing any apparent, potential and perceived conflict of interest by making disclosures to Clients, where appropriate. Kenanga Investors Berhad 199501024358 (353563-P).
UAE and Czech Republic have stepped up efforts to widen economic cooperation across advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital industries, with ministers from both countries reviewing a slate of joint projects targeted for rollout in 2026. Talks between UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela focused on expanding collaboration in sectors described as central to the […]
By Saifur Rahman UAE’s leading telecom operator Etisalat & (e&) has reported a 33.6 per cent jump in net profit to Dh14.4 billion (US3.92 billion) in 2025, compared to Dh10.8 billion (US$2.94 billion) recorded in 2024 with revenue growing at 23.1 per cent to Dh72.9 billion (US$19.86 billion), compared to Dh59.2 billion (US$16.13 billion) in the previous year. Its Consolidated Earnings before Interest, Tax, Debt and Amortisation […]
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong
