LEWES, Del., Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ — HiBy has officially launched the RS2 II, a compact portable Hi-Fi player featuring the company’s third-generation DARWIN III audio architecture, the same architecture used in the flagship RS8 II. Designed for audiophiles seeking flagship-level sound in a smaller and more portable form, the RS2 II combines HiBy’s proprietary R2R technology, a fully balanced analog stage, HiByOS, and flexible connectivity.

At the heart of the RS2 II is the DARWIN III architecture, powered by a newly developed FPGA digital engine featuring more than 35K logic units and 40 high-speed, high-performance DSP units. This processing platform provides the computing power required for HiBy’s adjustable pure FIR filters, multiple DARWIN filters, harmonic control, NOS/OS switching, and native DSD processing.

Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by a high-precision R2R resistor network. High-speed electronic switches drive the resistor network to convert digital signals into corresponding analog voltage levels, helping reduce high-frequency noise introduced by digital modulation while delivering a natural, transparent, and musical presentation.

The analog stage uses a four-stage OPA1612 signal chain. One OPA1612 performs low-pass filtering after the DAC stage, another provides current amplification after volume control, while two additional OPA1612 devices form a fully balanced voltage amplification stage. At the headphone output, four flagship-grade OPA1622 amplifiers provide independent four-channel current amplification for improved dynamics, control, and compatibility with multi-driver earphones.

The RS2 II is also more compact than its predecessor. The standard aluminum alloy edition weighs just 156g and features a dark green finish with a houndstooth-pattern rear panel. Compared with the original RS2, the display area has increased by 45% and resolution by 122%. The new 3.55-inch 480 × 800 display, together with narrower bezels, provides a significantly improved visual experience. An upgraded X1600E dual-core platform further enhances system responsiveness.

Running HiBy’s dedicated HiByOS, the RS2 II supports coaxial output, Line Out, and USB DAC functionality. Dual microSD card slots support up to 4TB of total expandable storage.

The HiBy RS2 II Aluminum Alloy Edition is priced at US$439 and is available as a standard production model. The Limited Brass Edition is priced at US$549 and is expected to become available in October, with worldwide production restricted to just 500 units.

Contact
William Yueng
bd@hiby.com

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SOURCE HiBy

At the 140th Canton Fair, PhotonPay examines how fiat and stablecoin infrastructure can give advanced manufacturers more flexibility in managing cross-border payments and working capital.

HONG KONG, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A piece of industrial machinery may take months to engineer, manufacture and deliver. The payments behind it follow a different timeline. Suppliers need to be paid, freight costs must be covered, and overseas buyers may settle invoices in stages. When production, delivery and payment span multiple markets, keeping these commitments aligned becomes a challenge of its own.

At the 140th Canton Fair, where manufacturers are showcasing industrial machinery, electronic components, automotive parts and other advanced manufacturing products, this less visible side of global trade deserves closer attention. PhotonPay is participating in the fair at Area D, Booths DT1714–DT1718, examining how more flexible financial infrastructure can help businesses manage cross-border payments alongside the demands of international trade.

The Payment Gap Behind Global Supply Chains

Supply chain resilience is often discussed in terms of sourcing, manufacturing capacity and logistics. The flow of money deserves the same attention.

A manufacturer may have sufficient orders and production capacity but still face pressure when incoming payments and outgoing obligations fall out of sync. A payment initiated by a buyer does not necessarily mean the funds are immediately available to the seller. The transfer may involve multiple financial institutions, currency conversion, local processing and compliance checks before the recipient can use the money.

Costs can also be difficult to assess across different payment corridors. Depending on the banks and arrangements involved, intermediary fees, foreign exchange charges and other transaction costs may affect the final amount received. Limited visibility into a payment’s status can make it harder for finance teams to plan supplier payments and reconcile invoices.

The answer is not to abandon established banking infrastructure. Bank transfers still remain important to international trade. Nor is every payment delayed or expensive simply because it crosses a border. The more useful question is whether businesses have the right payment options for different markets, currencies and settlement requirements, rather than relying on one approach for every transaction.

Why Fiat and Stablecoin Rails Need to Work Together

Discussions about cross-border payments increasingly include stablecoins, but the choice facing corporate finance teams is not simply traditional banking versus blockchain.

Banking infrastructure remains essential. It connects businesses to local accounts, domestic payment systems and established financial relationships. Stablecoin networks offer a different set of capabilities: transfers can take place outside conventional banking hours, subject to the network and service arrangements involved.

Each serves different needs. A stablecoin transfer alone may not put spendable local currency in a supplier’s hands. The recipient’s ability to accept the asset, conversion and liquidity arrangements, access to local payout channels and applicable regulatory requirements all matter. A business also needs to know how a transaction will be screened, recorded and reconciled with its underlying commercial documents.

This is where a dual-rail model becomes relevant. By connecting traditional fiat infrastructure with stablecoin payment channels, a business can access different ways to move funds within a unified financial environment, where supported and permitted.

The choice of payment route should reflect the corridor, currency, counterparty, timing requirements and compliance obligations. For advanced manufacturers, this flexibility can help finance teams coordinate incoming payments with supplier invoices, logistics costs and other business obligations. Foreign exchange exposure, liquidity constraints and compliance reviews still require careful management, while access to different payment rails gives businesses more options to work with.

From Payment Choice to Operational Control

More payment options are useful only when they fit into the way a business operates.

For an exporter, receiving funds is one step in a longer process. The money may need to be converted into another currency, held until a supplier payment is due, or distributed to different counterparties across markets. Managing these steps through disconnected accounts and systems can add work for finance teams and make it harder to maintain a consistent view of cash positions.

PhotonPay, a stablecoin-powered payment operating system, brings together global accounts, local collection capabilities, multi-currency fund management, currency conversion and global payouts across fiat and stablecoin infrastructure.

Through PhotonPay’s global accounts, businesses can collect payments from overseas customers through local accounts and international transfers. Its multi-asset wallet connects fiat currencies with stablecoins, while its 24/7 currency conversion capabilities give businesses greater flexibility in managing different currency needs. Global payout capabilities help businesses move funds onward to suppliers and other counterparties across markets.

Together, these capabilities connect the key stages of cross-border fund management, from receiving customer payments and converting currencies to making subsequent business payments. Finance teams can manage incoming funds and outgoing obligations within a more integrated financial environment, with greater visibility across their global operations.

For B2B trade, operational visibility is as important as the ability to initiate a transfer. Finance teams need to understand the amount received, the costs associated with a transaction, its processing status and how the resulting movement of funds relates to an invoice or supplier payment.

By bringing payment infrastructure and fund management into a more connected workflow, PhotonPay helps businesses manage the movement of money alongside the commercial activity it supports.

Making Money Move at the Pace of Business

Global trade depends on two flows moving in sync: goods moving through supply chains and money moving between counterparties. For manufacturers operating across markets, the ability to collect, convert and deploy funds efficiently can shape how they manage supplier commitments, working capital and the next stage of production.

At the 140th Canton Fair, PhotonPay is showcasing how integrated fiat and stablecoin capabilities can help businesses keep capital moving alongside their operations. Visit PhotonPay at Area D, Booths DT1714–DT1718, during the Canton Fair.

About PhotonPay

PhotonPay is a stablecoin-powered payment operating system built for global infrastructure. Designed for modern enterprises, PhotonPay enables businesses to send, receive, convert, and settle funds across both fiat and stablecoin rails through a single, compliance-first integration, spanning 200+ countries and territories.

For more information, visit [www.photonpay.com].

Disclaimer

This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or investment advice, nor an offer or solicitation for any product or service. The availability, features, and regulatory treatment of PhotonPay’s products and services may vary depending on the user’s location, business model, and the laws and regulations that apply. Any descriptions of functionality, performance, efficiency, cost savings, or compliance support (including, without limitation, references to “real‑time”, “24/7”, “high‑efficiency”, or “compliant” solutions) are aspirational or forward‑looking in nature. Actual outcomes may differ due to market conditions, technological constraints, and regulatory developments, and PhotonPay makes no express or implied representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the achievement of any particular result.

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SOURCE PhotonPay

LONDON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global payments infrastructure platform Mercuryo and BNB Chain, the community-driven blockchain ecosystem, have published a joint report highlighting the versatility of stablecoins, which facilitate activity ranging from low-value remittances to transactions made by ‘crypto whales’ moving digital assets across capital markets.  

The research found that 77.4% of stablecoin transfers on BNB Chain in Q3 2026 were valued at under $100, while transfers of $10,000 or more accounted for 66.2% of total transfer value.  

Combining Mercuryo’s fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transaction data with BNB Chain’s on-chain data for Q3 2026, Stablecoins on BNB Chain: Fiat to Crypto and Back offers a complementary view of how stablecoins move. The findings show the versatility and usability of stablecoins and how they can serve very different purposes on the same permissionless blockchain infrastructure. 

Everyday Transfers & Large-Scale Capital Movements 

The findings point to a market serving multiple purposes simultaneously. While stablecoins remain an important component of digital asset markets, the data also highlights patterns consistent with their growing role in everyday stablecoin payments such as cross-border remittances. Most on-chain transfers are low-value, and stablecoins are frequently being converted between local currencies and digital dollars. 

The median network fee for a stablecoin transfer on BNB Chain was just *$0.0068:Low costs matter both to people sending remittances and to institutions settling high-value payments.Together, these figures demonstrate how the same blockchain infrastructure can accommodate frequent, low-value transfers alongside large-scale movements of capital.

“The research by Mercuryo and BNB Chain sheds light on one of the defining features of stablecoins, that being their versatility,” said Arthur Firstov, Chief Business Officer at Mercuryo. “The same permissionless blockchain infrastructure that facilitates small-value transfers and cross-border payments is underpinning large-scale trading and liquidity across capital markets. Stablecoins were designed as a place to hold value between trades for those taking positions on Bitcoin. We now see the tokens being used for a host of different purposes as the efficiencies and lower costs of blockchain technology bring benefits to the masses.” 

Local Currencies & Familiar Payment Methods  

The report found that in Q3 2026, 70% of the value used to purchase dollar-denominated stablecoins on BNB Chain through Mercuryo was paid in non-US dollar currencies. The US accounted for just 9.8% of purchase value, with Asia the largest regional market at 39.3%, followed by Europe at 33.4%. 

Payment preferences also resemble mainstream online shopping behaviour. Everyday shopping patterns are mirrored on-chain, with Apple Pay and Google Pay accounting for 69.5% of stablecoin purchases and 57.7% of purchase value through Mercuryo. Their combined share of purchases increased from 42.3% in Q3 2025, while 87.2% of purchases with a recorded device were made on a phone.

Worldpay’s Global Payments Report 2026 found that digital wallets collectively accounted for 56% of global e-commerce value in 2025. The comparison suggests that stablecoin purchases are increasingly compatible with the familiar checkout experiences consumers already use online, rather than requiring every user to adopt specialist crypto payment methods. 

Self-Custody Leads

Self-custody leads at every stage of a stablecoin’s usage examined in the report. Through Mercuryo, 59.5% of stablecoin purchase value went to self-custody wallet channels. Across BNB Chain, individual addresses held 63.3% of stablecoin value, while 59.8% of off-ramp value processed through Mercuryo originated from self-custody wallet channels. 

Although the datasets use different measures of wallet activity, the findings point to the continued importance of self-custody wallets in accessing and managing stablecoins. These wallets allow users to hold and transfer assets directly, while providing access to applications and services across the on-chain ecosystem. 

Stablecoins in Active Circulation 

The report also found that 64.3% of stablecoin value on BNB Chain had moved within the previous 30 days, suggesting that much of the value was actively circulating. The findings highlight stablecoins’ dual role, facilitating the movement of value while continuing to support trading, decentralised finance (DeFi) and broader on-chain activity. 

Taken together, the findings of this report show stablecoins as more than digital tokens held on a blockchain. They form part of a broader financial lifecycle connecting fiat currencies, self-custody wallets, on-chain applications, and traditional payment infrastructure, serving a wider range of financial needs than trading alone. 

* Stablecoin transfers on BNB Chain are $0.0068. Additional fees for the purchase, sale or conversion into stablecoins may apply. 

Stablecoins carry risks, including potential loss of value, issuer and redemption risks, and risks associated with the underlying blockchain. They are not equivalent to bank deposits or cash, and are not be covered by deposit protection schemes. 

About Mercuryo 

Mercuryo is a leading payment infrastructure platform in the digital token space. Standing out in the decentralized ecosystem by enhancing payment use case growth and on-chain integration, Mercuryo’s intuitive and robust solutions are powering the next generation of Web3 payment services. Mercuryo’s innovative payment products such as Spend, bridge the gap between TradFi, Web2 and Web3. Mercuryo is the proud partner of leading pillars in the digital token economy such as Trust Wallet and MetaMask, along with Revolut, Mastercard and Visa. Driven by an evolving product suite, Mercuryo is expanding further and continuing to innovate with a diversified stack of payment services. 

Media Contact    
Joe Morgan, PR Manager, Mercuryo    
j.morgan@mercuryo.io  

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