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FTX’s bankruptcy estate will issue a $1.6 billion payment to verified creditors on 30 September, under its Chapter 11 plan of reorganisation. This marks the third major disbursement since the crypto exchange defaulted in November 2022.

Creditors who complete required verification on FTX’s claims portal and comply with tax documentation will receive payouts via service providers BitGo, Kraken, or Payoneer. Funds are expected to arrive in accounts within three business days after distribution.

Class-5B U. S. customer entitlement claims will receive 40% in this round, elevating their cumulative recovery to 95%. “Dotcom” customers will obtain an additional 6%, bringing their total recovery to 78%. General unsecured and digital asset loan claims will be paid 24%, lifting them to 85% total recovery. Convenience claims will be paid at 120%, exceeding their original declared amounts.

To date, over $6 billion has been repaid to creditors across prior distributions under the plan.

The distributions are being overseen by the FTX Recovery Trust, which is executing on its court-approved strategy to restore assets and settle claims. The plan reflects a structured priority of classes: senior claims and verified claims first, with smaller or “convenience” classes handled in earlier rounds. Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX’s founder, is serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy tied to the exchange’s collapse.

A federal judge has ordered a high-stakes remedies hearing to begin this week in the case United States v. Google LLC, where Google was found to hold an illegal monopoly in key segments of the digital advertising technology market. The court declared that Google unlawfully monopolised the open-web display publisher ad server and ad exchange markets, tying its publisher ad server to its ad exchange in ways […]

Abu Dhabi and Baku have sealed two Memoranda of Understanding between Presight and Azerbaijan’s government aimed at fuelling the country’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2028, with strong emphasis also placed on education. The agreements were formalised with top-level signatories during the state visit of the UAE President to Azerbaijan. Under the deal with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Presight will act as a strategic advisory and […]

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – EQS Newswire – 19 September 2025 – Leading buildings and infrastructure engineering and advisory firm Zutari (www.Zutari.com), with over 90 years of heritage across Africa and the Middle East, is strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom advances one of the world’s most ambitious transformation agendas, namely its Vision 2030. Ermis Marques, Managing Director of Zutari KSA and Director of Strategy […]

U. S. regulators have approved Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund conversion into an exchange-traded fund that will hold multiple cryptocurrencies in a single product. The fund will allocate more than 70% to Bitcoin and about 17% to Ether, with the remainder distributed among XRP, Solana, and Cardano.

The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new generic listing standards for commodity-based spot crypto ETFs, allowing exchanges such as NYSE Arca, Nasdaq, and Cboe BZX to list qualifying funds without bespoke approval filings. These rules cut the maximum approval time from several months to as little as 75 days.

Grayscale Investments will be the first asset manager to launch a multi-crypto ETF under this framework. The GLDC product offers regulated exposure through traditional securities structures, permitting investors to access these broad crypto assets in a single fund rather than holding individual tokens. GLDC had existed before as an investment product but lacked ETF status until this regulatory shift.

Industry analysts consider this a pivotal moment for the broader digital asset market, extending beyond the earlier wave of Bitcoin-only or Ether-only products. The decision formalises recognition by regulators that crypto portfolios comprising major altcoins may be viable under oversight and regulatory expectations. It also reflects growing institutional demand for diversified exposure as volatility remains high among lesser-known tokens.

Some market participants caution that, despite its multi-asset nature, the heavy weighting toward Bitcoin and Ether means the fund’s performance may still be strongly driven by those two assets. Questions remain about how XRP, Solana, and Cardano portions will perform in different market environments, and how liquidity, custody, and valuation will be managed for the less dominant tokens.

Greenlogue/AP Gulf Cooperation Council nations captured only about $24 billion in green foreign direct investment out of more than $1 trillion globally between 2020 and 2024, even though six of the ten least expensive solar-power projects worldwide are hosted in the GCC, a Strategy& Middle East analysis finds. Saudi Arabia received $12.6 billion of that inflow, Oman $8.9 billion, with the United Arab Emirates drawing smaller but […]

NANNING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 September 2025 – On September 17, the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened in Nanning, Guangxi. The theme of this year’s expo and summit is “Digital Intelligence and Innovation empower Development – Leveraging ASEAN-China FTA 3.0 new opportunities for an even closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future,” attended by Chinese and foreign leaders, government […]

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Leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a phone call on Friday that may finalise a framework deal governing TikTok’s operations in the United States, even as tensions over tariffs and semiconductors sharpen. Senior U. S. and Chinese officials have indicated agreement on a deal which would transfer ownership or control of TikTok’s U. S. assets to American entities, meeting U. S. national security […]

Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group has initiated a global deployment of Low Earth Orbit satellite services across its fleet of 270 vessels and its 34 port terminals, bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to maritime operations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central and Southwest Asia. The phased implementation, beginning this month, follows deals struck with two international LEO service providers as part of the Group’s push toward digital infrastructure and sustainable efficiencies.

The new connectivity will enable AD Ports to introduce advanced tools such as real-time vessel tracking, predictive maintenance, dynamic route optimisation and automated cargo tracking. At sea, such applications are expected to aid smarter voyage planning, improved fuel efficiency and heightened safety monitoring—capabilities previously constrained by intermittent connections or high latency.

On land, the LEO backbone will support terminal operations by ensuring resilient communication even in remote or critical locations. It is set to enhance cargo monitoring, streamline emergency response coordination and boost business continuity during high-demand operations or network disruptions. Integration with existing Internet of Things sensors, smart port platforms and artificial intelligence analytics will underpin these improvements.

Mohamed Jamal-Eddine, Chief Information Officer at AD Ports Group, stated that this step lays the foundation for “a smart, resilient infrastructure” capable of supporting continuous operations even under challenging conditions. He emphasised that connectivity is not solely about speed but about enabling constant visibility and control across the supply chain.

Importantly, the rollout aims to deliver operational savings. With enhanced connectivity, the company expects reductions in fuel consumption via optimised routing, lower maintenance costs due to predictive modelling, and fewer delays linked to communication failures. These gains form part of a broader agenda of digital transformation already underway at AD Ports, which includes smart port platforms and integrated supply chain systems.

While the service providers involved remain unnamed, the agreements point to AD Ports Group’s strategy to secure multiple vendor relationships to ensure redundancy and avoid single points of failure. The phased model also allows for company-led pilots on select vessels before full fleet implementation.

Analysts observing maritime and logistics industries interpret this move as part of a larger trend: ports and shipping companies are increasingly adopting LEO and other satellite-based technologies to overcome gaps in connectivity, particularly in less accessible sea routes and remote terminal locations. Such capabilities are seen as essential for the adoption of automation, green technologies, and stringent environmental regulations requiring greater transparency in operations.

  Solmate, a newly launched Solana digital asset treasury headquartered in the UAE, is mobilising US$300 million to build on-chain infrastructure and deliver staking-based returns for investors. Marco Santori, formerly Chief Legal Officer of Kraken, has been appointed CEO. The company is setting up bare-metal validators in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with RockawayX, aiming for high reliability and performance in staking operations. Solmate’s backers include ARK Invest, […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, in his 2025 Policy Address announced yesterday (September 17) set out a range of measures to diversify Hong Kong’s economy and reinforce the city’s status as an international hub for business, investment and new industrialisation. “Backed by strong national support and a high degree of global connectivity, Hong Kong […]

Abu Dhabi has become the newest member of a 14-country initiative called the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership, a coalition committed to defending “open and free” trade in response to rising global protectionism. The partnership, unveiled with a joint declaration, seeks to tackle barriers that impede cross-border commerce, amplify foreign direct investment, and ensure that trade rules are inclusive and transparent. Its launch reflects growing concern […]

Government officials in New Delhi have unveiled a secure integrated circuit solution, fully developed within India, designed to underpin future digital identity systems including e-passports. All intellectual property is said to reside domestically, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s tech self-sufficiency drive.

The secure IC is embedded with a “smart OS”, enabling secure authentication, encryption, and identity verification. It is intended for deployment in identity credentials issued by federal authorities. Verification features include tamper resistance, cryptographic protection of stored data, and interoperability with global identity verification standards. The OS is modular, allowing updates and extension of features such as biometric modules, NFC, and remote authentication.

The development is part of the broader India Semiconductor Mission and Semicon India Programme, with an investment outlay of ₹76,000 crore supporting chip fabrication, assembly, display fabs, and design projects. The pilot line for this secure chip is being hosted in Gujarat at an OSAT facility.

Sources indicate that ten semiconductor manufacturing projects have been approved across six states—Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh—with total investment commitments exceeding ₹1.60 lakh crore. These projects include multiple fabs, ATMP/OSAT facilities, and chip design initiatives.

Among recent achievements is the development of Vikram-3201, a 32-bit space-grade processor by the ISRO Semiconductor Laboratory, presented to the Prime Minister at Semicon India 2025. It has been validated in the PSLV-C60 mission and is said to be robust under extreme launch-vehicle conditions. It was fabricated using a 180 nm CMOS process.

The secure IC is expected to be somewhat different in specifications from Vikram-3201: targeted more towards identity and citizen services rather than space applications. Performance metrics are likely less extreme, but security requirements—such as resistance to physical tampering, side-channel attack mitigation, secure boot, and cryptographic module certification—are being prioritised. Implementation of secure OS standards is underway.

In tandem with hardware development, the government has accelerated IP and design ecosystem support. Under the Design Linked Incentive scheme, 23 design projects have been approved to foster startups, MSMEs, and academic participation. Skill development in VLSI design, packaging, EDA tools, and fab-operations is being emphasised.

Policy observers note that global supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical shifts have provided a backdrop that intensifies India’s push for technological sovereignty. External partnerships—for example in materials, equipment, packaging technologies—are being pursued to fill gaps in the domestic ecosystem.

Challenges remain. Process node maturity is one area—while the 180 nm node is proven and reliable for many applications including space, more advanced nodes dominate consumer electronics and high-performance identity solutions globally. Also, certifications for security standards, supply of trusted materials, secure hardware lifecycle management, and scaling production to volumes needed for national identity issuance will test capacity. Ensuring interoperability with international identity verification frameworks will also be essential.

Dubai Future Foundation has sealed a Memorandum of Understanding with XSOLLA, a global video-game commerce company, under the framework of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. The agreement seeks to reinforce Dubai’s position as a gaming innovation hub, drive thought-leadership in the sector, and deliver economic impact with goals of 30,000 new jobs and an additional US$1 billion in GDP by 2033.

DPG33, launched in November 2023 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, aims to place Dubai among the world’s top ten gaming hubs over the next decade. The XSOLLA deal was inked during Dubai’s participation in Gamescom 2025 in Germany, where the DFF-led pavilion showcased local developers and gaming initiatives.

Under the MoU, the partners will co-operate on generating thought leadership initiatives and spotlight key activities in content, monetisation, infrastructure, and talent development. DFF also will use its platform to attract investment and cultivate a supportive ecosystem for game developers.

Local game studios have already been gaining traction. Dubai-headquartered iBLOXX secured US$5 million in funding to further develop its online game Strayshot, and Artisan Studios’ Lost Hellden drew over 15,000 wishlist additions on Steam plus more than 300,000 views of its promotional video across platforms such as IGN, PlayStation and Nintendo of America during the Gamescom showing. These examples illustrate growing visibility for indie development as well as commercial promise in Dubai’s gaming sector.

Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of DFF, said that the level of local and international interest in Dubai’s gaming sector reveals “a real appetite to explore and partner with one of the industry’s most promising markets.” He emphasised Dubai’s advantages in infrastructure, investment, and competitive advantages under DPG33.

The economic projections tied to these initiatives rely heavily on success in three arenas: scaling game creation and publishing, enhancing monetisation capabilities, and developing skilled talent. The MoU with XSOLLA is expected to assist especially in the monetisation and scaling end, leveraging XSOLLA’s global commerce tools and developer support services. Analysts note that aligning global platforms like XSOLLA with local innovation programmes is a strategy used in other leading gaming hubs, helping to bridge gaps in market access, revenue optimisation, and international distribution.

Regulatory and infrastructure support remain under scrutiny, as talent attraction—both local and international—depends not only on capital and tools, but also on clarity in regulation, availability of education and training, creative incentives, and digital and physical infrastructure. Dubai’s gaming strategy, via DPG33, aims to address many of these pain-points through government partnership, industry collaboration, and ecosystem development.

On a global scale, the Gulf might not be the gambling hotbed we see in North America and Europe. However, it is a growing market in an area of the world where there is plenty of investment and capital. Obtaining and maintaining trust in any industry is tricky, but in the world of casino gaming, where there’s an international market, multiple cyberthreats and dozens of operators looking […]

Henk Diepbrink never set out to follow the path laid before him. Growing up in the Netherlands in a family that had little, he was told more than once that poverty was a destiny. Where these words may be the truth for others, it was not for Henk. For him, it became his fuel. Entrepreneurship His first serious step into adulthood came in uniform. As a police officer […]

Complicated access to healthcare and a lack of guidance are keeping patients from receiving the care they need, when they need it HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2025 – Patients in Asia want minimal disruption to their daily life when seeking medical care. This is according to research from Economist Impact commissioned by Prudential plc (“Prudential”). “Patient voices: experiences of healthcare access […]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 today amid widespread greetings and the launch of a two-week “Sewa Pakhwada” campaign aimed at welfare and outreach efforts across India. State and central leaders as well as ordinary citizens extolled his leadership, while a slate of new programs for women, children and tribal communities were rolled out, especially from Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.

President Droupadi Murmu hailed Modi as “an exemplar of hard work” who has inspired the nation to set and pursue large goals. She wished him health and joy, emphasising how his leadership has helped shape India’s progress globally. Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and BJP president J. P. Nadda echoed these sentiments, pointing to Modi’s role in promoting self-reliance, elevating India’s international stature, and executing reforms across sectors.

The “Sewa Pakhwada” initiative has been structured as a fortnight of activity ending on 2 October, coinciding with the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Under the campaign, programmes such as health check-ups, cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, environmental awareness efforts, promotion of indigenous products, exhibitions, and sports events will take place. BJP youth wings are staging runs and community events in dozens of cities to mark the milestone.

From his birthplace town of Vadnagar in Gujarat to distant corners of the country, celebrations have taken on local flavour. In Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, special welfare initiatives for women, children and tribal populations were unveiled. Across India, schools and public spaces have hosted rangoli displays, devotional prayers, and cultural performances. Special Ganga Aarti ceremonies have been organised and major state capitals are seeing visual tributes such as large-scale posters and tricolours.

Political reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with opposition voices largely restrained or offering measured praise. Chief ministers from various states, as well as senior figures within BJP and allies, emphasised continuity of governance and commitment to delivering public services. Some messages focused on Modi’s global diplomatic presence, while others lauded domestic schemes and grassroots infrastructure projects.

Analysts see the birthday observances and accompanying welfare push as both symbolic and strategic. The scale of the celebrations and outreach efforts suggests an aim to reinforce popular support ahead of upcoming elections. The use of service initiatives spans across regions and social groups; the focus on tribal welfare and women’s health is being viewed as an attempt to address longstanding development gaps. Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister has already witnessed significant policy moves in defence, infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital governance, boosting India’s international profile even as challenges such as inflation, unemployment and rural distress persist.

Al-Futtaim has finalised the acquisition of a 49.95% stake in Cenomi Retail for SAR 2.52 billion, after agreement to purchase shares at SAR 44 per share from major founding shareholders. This marks a significant foreign investment in Saudi Arabia’s retail sector. Under the terms, Al-Futtaim also authorised a SAR 1.35 billion shareholder loan facility to bolster Cenomi’s balance sheet and support planned growth. The loan contains an […]

Nasdaq has mandated that listed companies obtain shareholder approval before issuing new shares to acquire cryptocurrencies, and must disclose fuller justifications and risk assessments for large-scale crypto purchases.

The exchange’s enhanced oversight aims to guard investors, particularly retail traders, from underestimating the high volatility and speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. Companies must now explain why they are buying substantial amounts of crypto and articulate the associated financial, regulatory and market‐risk implications.

Under the new requirements, issued by Nasdaq earlier this month, firms proposing to issue equity to raise funds for crypto purchases must secure affirmative vote from their shareholders. Non‐compliance may result in trading suspension or delisting. Nasdaq is also tightening disclosure obligations: entities must show how much crypto they hold, the rationale for those holdings, and how they plan to manage the risks.

Architect Partners reports that over 120 US‐listed companies have announced plans to raise more than US$130-billion this year for cryptocurrency acquisitions, nearly 100 of which are listed on Nasdaq. Many of these firms have adopted “crypto-treasury” strategies—allocating a significant portion of their balance sheets to digital assets. Some high-profile companies have already attracted scrutiny for the size of their holdings and for the effects on shareholder dilution.

Nasdaq justifies the changes by citing investor protection. Wholesale accumulation of crypto assets can dramatically affect stock price volatility. There is concern that some retail investors may not fully grasp how crypto’s price swings, regulatory uncertainty or tax treatment risk hurting returns, or causing losses.

Critics worry the new rules could slow innovation or deter companies considering crypto exposure. Companies accustomed to quickly buying digital assets may face delays because shareholder voting cycles are time-consuming and costly. Some argue that imposing blanket rules could punish well-prepared firms that already maintain strong governance, transparency, and risk controls.

Regulators such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have been increasing pressure on exchanges and firms around crypto disclosures, anti‐fraud measure and governance. Nasdaq’s move aligns with broader regulatory momentum in financial markets toward more oversight of firms with substantial crypto exposure.

Greenlogue/AP QatarEnergy has awarded Samsung C&T’s Engineering & Construction Group the contract to build a mammoth solar power facility in Dukhan, around 80 km west of Doha. The plant will deliver 2,000 MW in two phases by mid-2029. Phase one will supply 1,000 MW to the Kahramaa grid by end-2028. The full plant is designed to support QatarEnergy’s drive to exceed 4,000 MW of renewable generation capacity […]

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2025 – AlphaMove, a Malaysian blockchain startup building a public, permissionless ecosystem for Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, has signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Guangxi Research Department, under the Nanning Provincial Government of China. The signing took place during the 3rd Forum on China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, underscoring how Malaysia and China are working together to […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2025 – Lenovo Hong Kong today announced the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cyberport, marking a significant step forward in promoting Hong Kong’s innovation and technology development and fostering startup growth. This collaboration will fully integrate Lenovo’s leading advantages in the global technology sector with Cyberport’s rich experience in nurturing an innovation and […]

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2025 – After trading hours on 15 September 2025, DL Holdings Group Limited (HKEX: 1709) announced a major strategic cooperation with Fortune Peak Limited. DL Holdings will acquire the latest-generation, top-efficiency Bitcoin mining machines via the issuance of Convertible Bonds, fully entering the Bitcoin mining sector with the aim of becoming the Hong Kong capital market’s leader […]

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