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New global Digital Economy Trust Index exposes correlation between GDP growth and consumer trust in online payments

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Checkout.com launches inaugural Digital Economy Trust Index, which ranks countries based on consumer perception of security, transparency and user experienceChina tops the digital economy trust rankings, followed closely by the Middle East, while Europe and North America lag behind due to strong mistrust for blockchain and consumer AI toolsThe Index reveals first of a kind correlation between consumer trust in the digital economy and national growth in GDP

LONDON, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments company, launches the inaugural Digital Economy Trust Index, which measures consumer confidence in digital platforms and ranks 16 countries based on security, transparency and user experience in the digital economy. The ranking reveals a strong direct correlation between consumer trust in the digital economy and individual country GDP growth rates between 2014 and 2024, demonstrating the critical importance of digital trust to economic growth in the modern era.

China tops the Index ranking with a trust rating of 8.6 out of 10, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Egypt. Surprisingly, considering the high rates of digitisation and e-commerce adoption in the region, Japan comes in last with an overall trust rating of just 2.6.

The Digital Economy Trust Index is intended to provide a comprehensive view of how individuals interact with, trust, and adopt digital systems. This helps businesses, policymakers and technology providers understand key trust drivers and barriers and ultimately grow trust in the digital economy to stimulate broader economic growth. Of the 18 distinct dimensions investigated in all markets, those that correlate most closely with the overall trust score were trust that new technology makes payment safer and trust in AI tools. This illustrates the inherent economic value of innovative payments and AI technologies.

China has a clear lead in trust in the digital economy, scoring full marks on trust in new payment methods, biometric security, and a belief that new technology makes payments safer. This suggests a mature technology infrastructure, cultural openness to digital innovation, and a supportive regulatory environment.

Broader regional trends show that the Middle East dominates in trust in the digital economy, with the UAE, KSA and Egypt taking second, third and fourth place in the Index respectively. All have high trust in biometrics, blockchain, and AI, possibly linked to government-led digital strategies and a supportive regulatory environment akin to China’s. Egypt punches above its weight here despite having relatively low digital payment volumes, due to its exceptionally high trust in AI tools and digital IDs.

Europe and North America lag behind in trust in the digital economy, particularly regarding trust in blockchain, biometric security and AI tools. This points to privacy concerns and general skepticism around digital advancements. Brits are particularly concerned about being scammed by deepfakes when shopping online, as well as having their image stolen and used for deepfakes while online shopping.

Spain leads Continental Europe in the Digital Economy Trust Index, while consumers in the Netherlands are more cautious but boast very high participation in the circular economy, a model of production and consumption which extends the life cycle of products via methods such as refurbishment, repair and reselling. German consumers are confident in consumer protections but cybersecurity and privacy are significant trust barriers. France has the second lowest overall trust score in the Index, only scoring higher than Japan. All European countries scored very low on digital wallet usage, in which China scored 10 out of 10, demonstrating the significant adoption gap between East and West and a global divide in preferred payment methods.

Despite sitting in the middle of the pack overall, Americans showed complete trust in online checkout security, while trust in blockchain and consumer protections scored lowest. Canada shares the lack of trust in consumer protection but has less experience of fraud and slightly more trust in storing payment card data online.

New Zealand leads developed economies in trust for digital ID and AI. Although 8th out of 16 in the overall Digital Economy Trust Index, it is a quiet frontrunner in trust outside of financial technology.

The Digital Economy Trust Index also validates Brazil’s emergence as a fintech powerhouse. High trust in digital money management and strong gig economy participation is likely buoyed by its young population and investment in and adoption of new digital payments technology, such as Pix.

The overall trends reflect the ‘leapfrog’ effect in payments. Traditionally more mature, card-based economies are falling behind emerging markets that have moved directly from cash to digital wallets when it comes to trust in the digital economy.

Checkout.com COO Jenny Hadlow says: “In the traditional economy, with physical commerce, trust is built in. You pay with chip and PIN or cash, and leave with your products in hand. In the digital economy, trust is earned. Clicking “buy” is part of a journey – with consumers handing over sensitive data, needing to believe in recourse if anything goes wrong, and making leaps of faith with emerging technologies. This index measures that trust and explores the distinct barriers that consumers globally face when it comes to embracing the digital economy, giving leaders the insight needed to overcome them.

“The digital economy is the economy of the future, and the future is arriving quickly. As such, governments and businesses urgently need to work together to increase trust in the digital economy and educate consumers on safe behaviours online to stimulate economic growth.”

See the full Digital Economy Trust Index here: trustindex.checkout.com

Methodology

The Digital Economy Trust Index is calculated based on three core pillars, each representing a key aspect of digital trust:

Usage and Behaviours, which assess how frequently and in what ways people engage with digital technologies, financial tools, and emerging innovations.Trust in the System, which measures consumer confidence in the security, reliability, and integrity of digital systems.Emerging Tech Adoption, which evaluates willingness to embrace and integrate newer technologies into daily life.

The pillars consist of six sub-pillars, each representing a specific dimension of digital trust. These sub-pillars are based on survey responses from 18,000 consumers across 16 countries, which research conducted by YouGov.

Responses are weighted and scored to ensure higher values reflect greater trust. Each sub-pillar score is then normalised on a 1 to 10 scale, ensuring equal weighting and comparability across measures.

The pillar score is calculated as the average of its six sub-pillars. The final Digital Trust Economy Index score is the average of the three pillar scores.

The Pearson correlation coefficient between national GDP growth rates and the Digital Economy Trust Index is approximately -0.71. This negative correlation suggests that higher GDP growth rates are associated with better (i.e., lower-numbered) rankings in trust in the digital economy.

Country

Digital Economy Trust Ranking

National GDP Growth 2014-2024 ranking

China

1

1

United Arab Emirates

2

3

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

3

4

Egypt

4

2

New Zealand

5

5

Brazil

6

15

Australia

7

8

Spain

8

7

United States

9

6

United Kingdom

10

12

Canada

11

11

Netherlands

12

9

Sweden

13

10

Germany

14

14

France

15

13

Japan

16

16

About Checkout.com 

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. 

With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise businesses boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 19 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Alibaba, Docusign, GE Healthcare, Remitly, Sainsbury’s, Sony, The Financial Times, Uber Eats, Vinted, and Wise. 

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2665474/5309109/Checkout_com_Logo.jpg

 

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KLEVV UNVEILS ALL-NEW CRAS V RGB PRIME DDR5 GAMING/OC MEMORY

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SUPPORTS AMD EXPO™ Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency
WITH AWARD-WINNING FLAGSHIP DESIGN

HONG KONG, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KLEVV, the leading consumer memory and storage brand introduced by Essencore, unveils the all-new CRAS V RGB PRIME DDR5 Gaming/OC Memory. Purpose-built for elite gaming rigs and demanding creative workloads, this new premium memory unleashes ultra-low CAS latency down to CL26 at 6000 MT/s and blazing overclocking speeds of up to 8000 MT/s at CL38, dressed in a striking black-and-gold finish and armed with dual-platform overclocking support for gamers, PC builders, and performance enthusiasts who demand nothing but the best. 

Refined Flagship Design and Craftsmanship
Building on the aluminum heat spreader design of the flagship CRAS V RGB, winner of both the Red Dot and iF Design Awards, the CRAS V RGB PRIME introduces a striking new black-and-gold interpretation of the series’ signature look.

An advanced hard-anodizing process, combined with a specialized surface treatment, gives the modules a smooth, piano-lacquer-like sheen that adds depth and sophistication from every angle. The result is an understated yet luxurious aesthetic that offers users a fresh, premium design choice while preserving the refined craftsmanship of the original CRAS V RGB.

High-Speed Performance with Lower Latency
The CRAS V RGB PRIME further advances KLEVV’s DDR5 overclocking memory lineup with tested speeds of 6000, 6400, and 8000 MT/s and CAS latencies of CL26, CL28, and CL38, respectively.

The 6000 MT/s configuration features tested timings of 26-36-36-76, while the 6400 MT/s configuration delivers timings of 28-38-38-78. For users seeking extreme frequencies, the 8000 MT/s models operate at tested timings of 38-48-48-128. All configurations are tested at 1.4V.

The 6000 and 6400 MT/s configurations are available in dual-channel kits ranging from 32GB (16GBx2), 64GB (32GBx2), to 128GB (64GBx2), while the 8000 MT/s models are offered in both 32GB (16GBx2) and 48GB (24GBx2) kits. This diverse range gives users greater flexibility to select the ideal balance of speed, latency, and capacity for their systems.

Next-Generation AMD EXPO™ Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency
“AMD EXPO™ Technology: Featuring Ultra Low Latency” is the latest evolution of AMD’s established memory overclocking technology. The new AMD EXPO ULL profile incorporates optimized memory sub-timing settings designed to reduce latency and improve overall performance on compatible AMD platforms. As the first product in KLEVV’s overclocking memory lineup to adopt this technology, the CRAS V RGB PRIME delivers a more responsive gaming and overclocking experience.

The 6000 MT/s and 6400 MT/s 32GB (16GBx2) configurations are certified for AMD EXPO Ultra Low Latency. According to AMD, certified Ultra Low Latency memory can deliver an average 4% improvement in FPS compared with non-ULL AMD EXPO memory on compatible systems.*

Broad Intel and AMD Platform Support
Offering broad support across the latest desktop platforms, the CRAS V RGB PRIME is compatible with AMD Ryzen™ processors on the AM5 platform and Intel® Core™ Ultra 200S Plus processors.

Each kit comes preloaded with both Intel® Extreme Memory Profile and AMD EXPO™ Technology overclocking profiles, allowing users to unlock high-speed performance through a simple BIOS setting on compatible motherboards with supported BIOS versions. With both profiles included, users can confidently choose their preferred speed and capacity without the hassle of selecting separate Intel- or AMD-specific models.

Premium Components for Uncompromising Stability
The CRAS V RGB PRIME features rigorously screened, high-quality memory ICs from a leading Korean manufacturer, ensuring consistent high-speed performance and exceptional stability under demanding workloads.

Paired with a high-density 10-layer PCB, the modules deliver enhanced signal integrity and greater resistance to interference during high-speed operation. Integrated PMIC and on-die ECC technologies further support stable power management and long-term reliability, creating a robust foundation for gaming and overclocking performance.

To ensure broad compatibility, the CRAS V RGB PRIME has also been validated on the QVLs (Qualified Vendor Lists) of four major motherboard manufacturers. Its RGB lighting supports ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync, allowing users to seamlessly coordinate lighting across compatible components and systems.

A Complete DDR5 Gaming/OC Memory Lineup
The introduction of the CRAS V RGB PRIME further expands KLEVV’s comprehensive DDR5 Gaming/OC memory portfolio.

With the CRAS, URBANE, BOLT, and FIT series available across a wide range of designs and specifications, KLEVV continues to provide flexible memory choices for different performance requirements, system configurations, and aesthetic preferences.

Warranty and Availability
The CRAS V RGB PRIME DDR5 comes with a limited lifetime peace of mind warranty and will be available from November 2026. Please visit the KLEVV website to check product availability across online and offline retail channels. 

ABOUT KLEVV
KLEVV is a premium brand of Essencore, a major vendor of memory modules and NAND flash application products. The KLEVV range focuses on high-performance gaming memory modules and solid-state drives, engineered for enthusiasts who demand world-class quality and reliability. KLEVV memory and SSD products have been recognized with Germany’s Red Dot Design Award and iF Design Award for their innovative design. For more information, please visit www.klevv.com.

ABOUT ESSENCORE
Established in 2014, Essencore Limited aims to become the world’s top vendor of DRAM modules and NAND flash application products. The company started with one goal: to “Change the world and be a leader in semiconductor distribution.” The business strategies of Essencore are to adopt the newest technologies to differentiate themselves from competitors, deliver dedicated Memory products, and offer various product portfolios for customers’ competition readiness. For more information, please visit www.essencore.com.

*Based on AMD testing. Actual performance may vary depending on processor, motherboard, BIOS version, memory configuration, and application workload.

Overclocking and/or Undervolting AMD processors and memory, including without limitation, altering clock frequencies / multipliers or memory timing / voltage, to operate outside of AMD’s published specifications will void any applicable AMD product warranty, even when enabled via AMD hardware and/or software. This may also void warranties offered by the system manufacturer or retailer. Users assume all risks and liabilities that may arise out of overclocking / undervolting AMD processors, including, without limitation, failure of or damage to hardware, reduced system performance and/or data loss, corruption or vulnerability. GD-106.

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SOURCE Klevv

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transcosmos partners with Metaverse Creators to expand the global reach of VRChat 3D content through cross-border e-commerce platform Geek Jack

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Bringing avatars, outfits, and other creations by Japanese creators to users around the world

TOKYO, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — transcosmos today announced a partnership with Metaverse Creators Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; CEO: Kazuo Wakamiya) to begin the global distribution of VRChat 3D content planned, produced, and sold by Metaverse Creators through Geek Jack, transcosmos’s cross-border e-commerce platform specializing in entertainment products. Through this partnership, avatar, outfit, hairstyle, accessory, and other 3D content will be gradually introduced on Geek Jack. transcosmos and Metaverse Creators will strengthen their sales and marketing framework to bring the works of Japanese creators to a broader global audience.

Background

In VR social platforms such as VRChat, a culture has emerged in which users connect across countries and regions while enjoying 3D content such as avatars, outfits, and accessories. While high-quality 3D content created by Japanese creators continues to attract growing interest from overseas audiences, challenges related to language, payment processing, marketing, and sales operations can create barriers for individual creators seeking to expand internationally.

Metaverse Creators has been working with leading creators in the metaverse space to plan, produce, and sell VRChat avatars, outfits, and other virtual items, while helping create an environment in which creators can continue to thrive.

Geek Jack is a cross-border e-commerce platform specializing in the entertainment category and operated by transcosmos. Since launching digital downloads of Japan-originated VTuber voice content in July 2019, Geek Jack has expanded its offerings to include both digital and physical products for customers around the world. Since 2023, Geek Jack has also offered VRChat avatars, outfits, and other products, strengthening its lineup of 3D model content for VR social platforms and the metaverse.

This partnership was established to further expand opportunities for Japanese 3D content to reach global audiences by combining Metaverse Creators’s expertise in planning and producing 3D content and its creator network with Geek Jack’s cross-border e-commerce infrastructure.

About the partnership
Under this partnership, transcosmos and Metaverse Creators will focus on the following initiatives:

Overseas sales of VRChat 3D content
Avatars, outfits, hairstyles, accessories, and other VRChat 3D content planned, produced, and sold by Metaverse Creators will be gradually made available on Geek Jack. The partnership will establish a streamlined shopping journey that enables overseas users to easily discover and purchase these creations.Strengthening outreach to overseas users
To bring product information and the unique appeal of creators to overseas users, promotional activities and product communications for international audiences will be strengthened. Beyond simply selling products, the partnership will communicate the creative vision and story behind each work, creating new opportunities for engagement between creators and fans around the world.Supporting creators’ sustainable global expansion
In addition to Metaverse Creators’s expertise in creator support, the partnership will leverage Geek Jack’s multilingual customer support capabilities and the proven track record of “Modesapo!” in addressing unauthorized distribution and reposting of creators’ works. By reducing the operational burden associated with international sales, the partnership will help creators focus on content creation while building an environment that enables them to continuously reach audiences around the world.Next steps
Through this partnership, transcosmos and Metaverse Creators will continue to expand the range of 3D content and participating creators on Geek Jack, bringing Japan-originated avatar culture and 3D creative works to users around the world. The partnership will also leverage feedback and demand from overseas users to inform future product development and promotional activities, with the goal of building a sustainable distribution ecosystem that creates new revenue opportunities and fan engagement for creators.

About Geek Jack
Geek Jack is a cross-border e-commerce platform operated by transcosmos and focused on entertainment products. Since July 2019, it has offered digital downloads of Japan-originated VTuber voice content. Today, in addition to digital products, Geek Jack sells physical merchandise to customers across countries and regions worldwide. Geek Jack is also expanding its lineup of 3D model content for VR social platforms and the metaverse, as well as music-related products. Official website: https://shop.geekjack.net/

About Metaverse Creators Inc. (https://metaverse-creators.tokyo/)
Metaverse Creators supports the growth of creators while working alongside them from planning through development, helping bring content created by Japanese creators to global audiences. Across a wide range of metaverse platforms, including VRChat and Roblox, Metaverse Creators provides end-to-end support covering everything from content creation to promotion. The company remains committed to establishing Japan-originated metaverse culture as a global cultural standard.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.
*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.
transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have united superior “people” with cutting-edge “technology” to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients’ business processes, focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 189 bases across 36 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of the e-commerce market on a global scale, transcosmos provides comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients’ excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos is committed to treating the challenges of its clients and society as its own—discussing and addressing their issues from planning to execution—and Make It Real, Together. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

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People&Technology advances smart hospital validation at Saudi Arabia’s PSMMC, backed by KHIDI

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SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — People&Technology (PnT), a smart hospital solution provider, is validating its smart hospital technologies at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), one of Saudi Arabia’s largest medical cities, operating under the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense.

The project, officially titled “Introduction of an integrated smart hospital digitalization solution for outpatient and inpatient services utilizing existing infrastructure at a major Saudi medical city,” is supported by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) under its ICT-based healthcare system overseas expansion program. It centers on PnT’s IndoorPlus+ platform, deploying three services: Smart ward, with wearable patient monitoring and asset tracking in the stroke unit to speed clinical response and ease nursing workload; Smart outpatient, built on indoor wayfinding to cut wait times and simplify navigation for outpatients; and an IoMT-based Smart hospital command center, giving administrators real-time, facility-wide visibility for faster decisions.

PnT is finalizing deployment of its wayfinding solution in PSMMC’s ObGyn ward for on-site demonstration, integrating with the patient mobile app developed by DigitConn to guide outpatients through the department. The solution reuses the hospital’s existing digital signage and kiosk infrastructure, whose Bluetooth broadcast capability is repurposed for location-based services, cutting installation cost and boosting synergy across on-site digital systems.

On the ground, the project is anchored by DigitConn, PnT’s trusted local partner, serving as PSMMC’s coordination and technical-support contact. DigitConn brings close to two decades of experience in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare IT industry, dating back to 2006, with deployments across major public hospitals nationwide. Together, PnT and DigitConn secured a tripartite MOU with PSMMC and completed on-site demonstrations with hospital clinicians.

“Validating our solutions at a facility of PSMMC’s scale and standing gives us a reference few overseas providers can match, showing hospitals across the region that our platform performs in one of Saudi Arabia’s most demanding institutional environments,” said an official at PnT.

With Saudi Vision 2030 driving healthcare digital transformation, PnT views PSMMC as a proof point for GCC and MENA expansion, signaling its ability to earn trust within large, government-run hospital systems.

PnT’s IndoorPlus+ platform has been deployed across 120+ hospitals to date, with interoperability spanning 50+ wearable and medical devices and 100+ IoT systems.

PnT plans to expand its PSMMC deployment based on the current phase’s results, with broader rollout planned across Ministry of Defense hospitals region-wide.

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