Technology

Regulated Blockchain: Foundation for an Effective and Efficient Financial Sector

Published

1 year ago

March 24, 2025

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The global financial landscape is at a crossroads. While digital financial services have brought convenience and accessibility, they have also introduced new challenges—ranging from regulatory uncertainty to inefficiencies in cross-border transactions to fraud risks, while still limiting affordability for many due to high costs. A groundbreaking whitepaper, Regulated Blockchain: Infrastructure for regulated DeFi: Foundation for a golden age in finance, authored by fintech visionary Obi Emetarom, presents a transformative framework that addresses these issues and paves the way for a Regulated Internet of Value—a blockchain-powered financial ecosystem that seamlessly integrates innovation with compliance.

Traditional finance (TradFi) remains encumbered by high costs, cumbersome processes, and regulatory complexity. According to the World Bank, global remittance fees averaged 6.2% in 2023, significantly above the 3% target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making transactions expensive for millions worldwide. Meanwhile, crypto-based decentralized finance (DeFi) has struggled with trust, adoption, and oversight. In 2023 alone, crypto-related hacks and fraud accounted for over $1.8 billion in losses, according to Chainalysis, underscoring the need for a more secure and regulated approach.

The whitepaper argues that Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure is the missing link, providing a secure, efficient, and transparent foundation that combines the best of both worlds. Regulated Blockchain is a new way of using blockchain technology to democratize financial services innovation while enforcing clear rules set by financial regulators and enabling real-time oversight. It combines the security and speed of blockchain with the oversight needed to guarantee compliance, prevent fraud and ensure trust. Unlike cryptocurrencies that operate outside government control, Regulated Blockchain allows banks, fintech companies, and payment providers to use blockchain for faster, cheaper, and safer transactions— all with necessary compliance and regulatory oversight. This means people and businesses can spend, save and invest money more effectively, banks can deliver their offerings more efficiently, and regulators can prevent illegal activities, all while making financial services more accessible to everyone. By embedding regulatory protocols directly into blockchain technology, financial institutions, fintech companies, and regulators can unlock frictionless financial services, automated compliance, and unprecedented levels of transparency.

“This whitepaper is a call to action for policymakers, financial institutions, and innovators,” said Obi Emetarom, the paper’s author and the CEO and co-founder of Zone. “The world cannot afford to operate on outdated financial models. Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure offers a clear path toward a future where financial services are secure, inclusive, and universally impactful. This is not just about improving efficiency—it’s about reshaping global finance to work for everyone, everywhere.”

The whitepaper outlines how Regulated Blockchain Infrastructure can accelerate economic growth, maximize financial inclusion, and improve regulatory efficiency. For central banks and regulators, it provides a framework for seamless oversight and risk mitigation while supporting innovation. For fintech firms, it presents a structured pathway for adopting blockchain technology without regulatory friction. For investors and global financial institutions, it creates a transparent and secure environment that enhances capital allocation and investment opportunities.

At the same time, the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), now being piloted in over 130 countries according to the Atlantic Council, signals growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial solutions. The Regulated Blockchain builds on this momentum by integrating programmable compliance, self-custody of assets, and automated financial products to redefine how value is exchanged, stored, and managed globally. Obi’s ultimate vision is for multiple Regulated Blockchains to interconnect and jointly function as a Regulated Internet of Value that will power the fully digital and automated economy of the future

With the accelerating pace of technological change, the time to rethink the foundation of the global economy is now. As policy makers, regulators, financial institution leaders, and technology innovators work together to shape the future of financial services, this Regulated Blockchain whitepaper provides a roadmap to a more efficient, inclusive and impactful financial ecosystem.

Full whitepaper is available here.

About Obi Emetarom

Obi Emetarom is a visionary fintech entrepreneur and the Co-Founder & CEO of Zone, Africa’s fastest growing payment infrastructure company. With over two decades of experience in driving financial technology innovation, Obi has been at the forefront of building transformative solutions that bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems. From pioneering Africa’s first Banking SaaS platform to launching the continent’s first regulated blockchain network for payments, his work has reshaped the financial services industry.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/regulated-blockchain-foundation-for-an-effective-and-efficient-financial-sector-302408146.html

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Booking.com’s Latest Travel and Sustainability Research Reveals Australian Generational Paradox

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today Booking.com released its 11th annual research report into consumer attitudes and understanding of the social and environmental impact of travel. With insights from 32,500 travellers across 35 markets globally, including 1,000 from Australia, this year’s research highlights a generational paradox.

While 83% of Australian travellers say that more sustainable travel is important to them, older generations demonstrate greater commitment through concrete actions, despite younger generations often expressing stronger sustainability intentions.

Older generations demonstrate greater commitment through concrete sustainable actions, with almost two–thirds of Boomers across Asia Pacific (63%) saying they will shop more at local, independent stores on their trips, three–quarters (75%) planning to reduce general waste, and 63% intending to reduce energy consumption, higher than Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z.However, younger travellers are leading in cultural and conservation management; more than a quarter of Gen Z (27%) and Millennials (26%) participated in a tour or activity that contributed to the health or conservation of the local ecosystem or wildlife.Extreme weather is actively reshaping travel choices. Nearly three-quarters of Australian travellers said they consider extreme weather risk when choosing both destination (72%), and timing (75%), and 27% reported having cancelled or changed trip plans in the past twelve months due to extreme weather or natural disaster.Australian travellers are shifting when and where they travel, seeking reliable climates and comfort. 43% say they plan to avoid overcrowded tourist destinations, 42% plan to travel outside of peak season, and 26% will seek out destinations with cooler temperatures.In 2025, travellers booked more than 100 million room nights on Booking.com at accommodation partners with a third-party sustainability certification, including at 363 third-party certified Australian properties.

To find Booking.com’s full 2026 research, visit here.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/bookingcoms-latest-travel-and-sustainability-research-reveals-australian-generational-paradox-302760310.html

SOURCE Booking.com