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Global Validation First: How CrossHub Is Building Trust to Scale Overseas

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SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For startups entering foreign markets, proving their technology and turning it into real business is an uphill battle. They must navigate local regulations, understand market demand and win the trust of companies wary of adopting new technology. CrossHub, a developer of identity verification and payment solutions, is tackling these hurdles by running proofs of concept (PoCs) with overseas partners, building a track record, and converting those references into field deployments and partnerships with financial institutions.

A voice authentication pilot in Singapore’s healthcare sector shows how CrossHub is testing the real-world potential of its technology abroad. This year, the company signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Singapore’s National Healthcare Group Diagnostics (NHGD) and is currently running a PoC. Last month, it completed an on-site demonstration ahead of the service launch.

In Singapore, patients must state their name and address by voice before seeing a doctor. Until now, staff have manually checked whether the information matched the patient. CrossHub is addressing this with V-Pay, a voice authentication solution that analyzes a speaker’s voice to confirm their identity.

“If this moves to a full contract, we’ll have the opportunity to use voice data from northern Singapore,” said Kim Dong-ju, team lead at CrossHub. “We believe the technology can be applied not only to healthcare but to other industries as well.”

CrossHub is investing heavily in overseas pilots because earning the trust of adopting companies matters as much as technical performance. Businesses considering identity verification technology need proven cases that demonstrate not only accuracy and convenience but also security and data protection. In tightly regulated industries such as finance, a startup’s pitch alone rarely leads to adoption.

“Startups offer innovative technology, but traditional industries are reluctant to adopt it,” Kim explained. “They demand safety and references, so we decided to solve that problem overseas first.”

CrossHub has validated its technology through a range of PoCs with partners including French security firm Thales. Building on that, it has begun collaborating with Korean financial institutions such as Woori Bank, Samsung Card, Woori Card and Hana Bank—leveraging its overseas track record as a foundation for partnerships at home.

The company was born out of the frustrations foreign tourists face with Korea’s digital services. Many major Korean apps require mobile phone-based identity verification, making it difficult for short-term visitors without a Korean phone number to use services such as Kakao T or Baemin. CrossHub set out to solve this by developing passport-based identity verification.

Its core technologies are self-sovereign identity (SSI) and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP). SSI lets users manage their own identity rather than having personal data stored by individual services, while ZKP allows users to prove a necessary fact without disclosing the underlying personal information. CrossHub combines the two to verify identity while minimizing the storage and exposure of personal data.

The company is now expanding from identity verification into payments and remittances. Travel Pass, an integrated payment and travel platform for foreign visitors to Korea, is being developed with Woori Bank. It aims to help tourists pay for goods and access transportation and tourism services in Korea. In September, CrossHub broadened the service’s reach by signing an integration and sales agreement for transportation and tourism products with Japanese travel platform Linktivity.

CrossHub is also exploring opportunities in cross-border remittance. Under a project commissioned by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), it is developing a stable-token remittance solution based on cross-border API connections, with plans to link Korean and Vietnamese banks.

Kim expects blockchain to become less of a standalone industry and more of a foundational technology that enhances fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and AI agents. Beyond technical maturity, he stressed, what matters is securing services and markets that users find easy to adopt.

CrossHub tailors its approach to each overseas market. Japan’s regulatory environment resembles Korea’s, but market entry and building trust take time. Singapore, with its advanced financial services and relatively active collaboration between startups and corporates, is being positioned as a hub for pilots and commercialization. The company plans to expand technology validated in Singapore into Europe and North America, with North America as its long-term target market.

Product development continues on an annual cycle. CrossHub launched its identity verification solution IDBlock in 2024, followed by the payment solution B-Pay in 2025. This year it introduced V-Pay, featuring voice authentication, and it is developing another product slated for release in 2027. The company accumulates technology from identity verification to payments and voice authentication, then turns it into real business.

CrossHub has also broadened its investor base. In 2025, it raised funding from four accelerators, and all four returned as follow-on investors in its recently closed round. Two banks and a government institution also participated.

Support from SVC has aided its global expansion. CrossHub uses SVC as a base for Travel Pass, one of its flagship services. Located near Hongdae, the space allows the team to engage directly with tourists and better understand the needs of foreign visitors to Seoul. Networking through support programs, along with meeting rooms, conference spaces and other facilities, has also helped drive the business forward.

“Since moving into SVC, our global networking has grown, expanding our reach from about 20 countries last year to about 40 this year,” Kim said. “The diverse networks and support programs have helped us scale the business.”

CrossHub plans to convert the partnerships and validation cases it has secured abroad into actual contracts and service operations, and then extend them to other countries and industries. “Our strength is that we build up and expand our technology every year and commercialize it,” Kim said. “We aim to grow into a technology-driven fintech company.”

The company is also a resident of SVC Seoul, a global startup hub in Seoul’s Hongdae area. The hub was established to connect startups with strong overseas growth potential to companies, universities, and investors in Korea and abroad.

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SOURCE CROSSHUB

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FURIA crowned back-to-back BLAST Premier Rivals Hong Kong champions as 30,000 fans celebrate world-class Counter-Strike

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FURIA defeat Team Spirit 3-0 to claim another BLAST Premier trophy, as Hong Kong celebrates a spectacular weekend of esports and confirms the tournament’s return in 2027.

HONG KONG, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BLAST Premier Rivals Hong Kong came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, 15 November, as FURIA were crowned back-to-back champions following a dominant 3-0 victory over Team Spirit at AsiaWorld-Arena.

The Grand Final capped off an incredible weekend of world-class Counter-Strike, with more than 30,000 passionate fans attending across three days of playoff action in Hong Kong.

Sunday’s high-octane showdown saw the Brazilian side overcome Team Spirit in commanding fashion, with Kaike ‘KSCERATO’ Cerato delivering another outstanding performance to cement his status as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The victory marks FURIA’s third trophy in their last four tournaments, continuing an incredible late-season run of form as the team builds momentum ahead of the upcoming Singapore Major.

For legendary captain Gabriel ‘FalleN’ Toledo, the victory carries extra significance, adding another prestigious BLAST trophy to his collection as he prepares to retire at the end of the year. With just the Singapore Major remaining, the Brazilian icon now has one final opportunity to cap off his remarkable career with another major title.

Hong Kong celebrates as BLAST confirms 2027 return

Sunday’s Grand Final also marked the conclusion of the 2026 BLAST Premier Counter-Strike season, bringing another spectacular year of international competition to a close.

The weekend was made even more memorable by the announcement that BLAST Premier Rivals will return to Hong Kong for a third consecutive year, from 8–14 November 2027.

Following two successful editions in 2025 and 2026, both awarded prestigious “M” Mark status, the announcement reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a leading destination for international esports and competitive entertainment.

With more than 30,000 fans celebrating across the weekend, another champion crowned and a third Hong Kong event confirmed, BLAST Premier Rivals 2026 delivered a fitting finale to the Counter-Strike season.

All eyes now turn to 2027 as BLAST prepares for another exciting year of world-class Counter-Strike around the globe.

The BLAST Premier Rivals Hong Kong 2026 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory’s sports calendar.

ENDS

About BLAST

BLAST is a global competitive entertainment company with a mission to bring mega entertainment to the world, taking esports, gaming and other new competitive formats to the next level.

BLAST is famous for pioneering the esports category through stunning high-production quality, big creative ideas and game-changing fan-first moments, bringing together the biggest teams and brightest superstars to fight it out for glory and multi-million-dollar prize pools in the world’s biggest arenas, from London and Singapore to Austin and Rio.

BLAST has offices in Copenhagen (HQ), London, Berlin, Mumbai, Malta and New York City. The company is currently working with world-leading game publishers Epic Games, Valve, Supercell and Ubisoft to produce, market and deliver esports for popular titles including Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, Brawl Stars, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2.

About Esports Association of Hong Kong, China

Esports Association of Hong Kong, China (ESAHK) was established in 2015 by a group of experienced stakeholders in the esports industry and is now the most influential non-profit organisation in Hong Kong’s esports sector. Since its inception, the association has seen continuous growth in membership and rapid development of its activities, supported by esports companies, internet cafes, esports product agents, retail stores, game and software developers, and individuals across Hong Kong society.

Since 2021, ESAHK has been a member of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), and is the only recognised entity responsible for selecting esports athletes to represent Hong Kong in international competitions.

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SOURCE BLAST

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Cambodia Takes Bakong Global, Connecting ASEAN with Japan and Africa

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cambodia is taking its national digital payment system, Bakong, onto the global stage, unveiling initiatives spanning international card payments, stablecoin and bond tokenisation pilots with Japan, and a remittance corridor with Rwanda.

The announcements were made at the inaugural Black Swan Summit Cambodia, co-hosted by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), in collaboration with three Cambodian ministries: the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Held alongside the Sommet de la Francophonie, the two-day summit has attracted over 5,000 registered participants from 60 countries, including policymakers, central bankers, investors and technology leaders, to advance financial connectivity between ASEAN, Africa and other international markets.

From National Payment System to Global Network

Cambodia has built a digital payments infrastructure that has transformed domestic financial access. It is now extending that infrastructure internationally through three initiatives:

Bakong to the World: Bakong users will be able to create Visa or Mastercard virtual cards through the app, enabling contactless payments overseas.

Japan–Cambodia stablecoin remittances: NBC and SBI Group will explore stablecoin-based cross-border transfers, with funds received through Bakong wallets.

Government bond tokenisation: NBC and SBI Bank will pilot the tokenisation of Cambodian government bonds on the Canton Network, exploring new approaches to trading and settlement.

Bakong has also contributed to the growing use of Cambodia’s national currency. The riel’s share of transactions on the platform increased from 17% in 2020 to 58% in 2025.

A Model for Emerging Economies

Cambodia’s financial transformation is rooted in an extraordinary history. Following the destruction of its banking system and the abolition of its currency between 1975 and 1979, the riel was reintroduced on 20 March 1980.

Rather than replicate conventional financial infrastructure, Cambodia has built a digital-first payments ecosystem. Today, Bakong connects approximately 38 million accounts in a country of 17 million people. In 2025, it processed 1.3 billion transactions worth US$241.84 billion, equivalent to approximately 4.5 times Cambodia’s GDP.

For emerging economies seeking to expand financial inclusion, strengthen domestic currencies and connect to global markets, Cambodia offers an example of how public digital infrastructure can accelerate financial development.

Bridging ASEAN and the Francophone World

The summit also marks a step towards connecting Southeast Asia with Francophone economies, particularly in Africa.

Two initiatives signal this ambition:

Cambodia–Rwanda remittance corridor: The National Bank of Cambodia and the National Bank of Rwanda are working to connect Bakong with Rwanda’s RSwitch payment infrastructure, initially facilitating remittances from Cambodia to Rwanda.

Francophone Africa payment connectivity: H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, underscored the shared vision of exploring cross-border payment connectivity with Francophone African payment systems, with potential initial use cases focusing on remittances and small-value trade.

These initiatives advance South–South cooperation, demonstrating how emerging economies can collaborate directly on interoperable financial infrastructure without relying exclusively on traditional international payment networks.

The summit continues on 16 November, with discussions on economic corridors, payment interoperability, financial resilience and regulatory cooperation.

Leadership Perspectives

H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, said: “Cambodia knows what it means to lose a financial system and rebuild trust in money. Bakong has expanded access and the use of the riel. Now we are connecting it to the world. Sovereignty and openness are not opposites. Inclusion must be measured not just by whether people can pay, but by whether they can withstand shocks.”

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), said: “Cambodia shows that emerging economies can build financial infrastructure around their own needs rather than inherit systems designed elsewhere. The next challenge is connecting these platforms internationally. From African payment links to Japanese fintech pilots, Black Swan Summit Cambodia demonstrates how emerging markets can open new channels for trade, investment and financial inclusion.”

For more information: www.cambodia.blackswansummit.com

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SOURCE Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)

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APEC 2026 Host City Promotional Video Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape Released Worldwide

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SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — Shenzhen: Where the Future Takes Shape, the official promotional video for the host city of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, was released worldwide on November 15, as APEC Economic Leaders’ Week got underway in Shenzhen.

Presented by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and produced by Shenzhen Media Group, the video takes “Where the Future Takes Shape” as its central theme.

It brings together Shenzhen’s pioneering reforms, its achievements in building a modern, people-centered city, and the theme of 2026 APEC “China Year,” “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.” Through the story of Shenzhen, the video offers international audiences a vivid look at Chinese modernization in practice, while extending a warm welcome to guests from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. It also reflects the host city’s commitment to openness and its vision of working with regional partners to create a better future.

Shenzhen itself takes center stage in the video. Through six dimensions — innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced, and smart — the production captures the city’s character during this landmark year and showcases its vitality and appeal to audiences worldwide.

The Chinese- and English-language versions premiered simultaneously across Shenzhen Media Group’s platforms, including Shenzhen TV’s 4K Ultra HD channel, its international channel, and the international social media network of “Shenzhen Channel”.

Featuring more than 260 shots, 99% of them newly filmed in 2026, this six-minute film brings Shenzhen to life–from cutting-edge innovation and vibrant urban spaces to stunning natural landscapes and cultural diversity.

Discover a city where the future is already taking shape, and where people from across the Asia-Pacific are invited to come together, share opportunities, and build a brighter, more prosperous future.

At this moment, Shenzhen is at its best.

As the video’s closing narration declares:

In 2026, the world gathers in Shenzhen to write a new chapter in building an Asia-Pacific Community to prosper together.

Gather in Shenzhen.

Witness miracles.

Together, let’s create a brighter future!

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SOURCE Shenzhen Media Group

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