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Simfoni Celebrated as a Leading Innovator in Gartner® Hype Cycle for Procurement and Sourcing Solutions 2024

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Simfoni recognized in the categories of Tail Spend Solutions, Predictive Analytics, Supplier Diversity Solutions, and Operations and Savings Management

CHICAGO, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Simfoni, a leading global provider of spend management solutions, is proud to announce its successive inclusion as a Sample Vendor in the Gartner ® Hype Cycle for Procurement and Sourcing Solutions, 2024.

“This recognition highlights Simfoni’s innovation in introducing consumption-based pricing, transforming how procurement leaders approach tail spend.” – Chirag Shah, Executive Chairman at Simfoni.

In the 2024 report, Simfoni was listed in four distinct categories: Tail Spend, Predictive Analytics, Supplier Diversity Solutions, and Operations and Savings Management. The biggest shifts in this year’s report highlight the peak of Generative AI hype, the emergence of orchestration platforms, and increased adoption of ESG solutions.

Procurement organizations can leverage the 2024 Hype Cycle report to identify emerging technologies, assess their maturity and potential impact, and make informed investment decisions that enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and align with sustainability and compliance goals. Simfoni’s recognition in the report underscores its role in providing advanced, innovative solutions that address these needs and drive digital procurement transformation. It also underscores the market’s increasing appetite for advanced technologies and innovative approaches that transcend traditional methods to drive more impactful outcomes.

“We are proud to be acknowledged by Gartner in the Hype Cycle for Procurement and Sourcing Solutions. This recognition highlights Simfoni’s innovation in introducing consumption-based pricing, transforming how procurement leaders approach tail spend. Our distinguished Closed-Loop™ system guarantees savings, cementing our strategic spend tools as some of the most valued in the industry. With advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, Simfoni remains at the forefront of procurement technology, enhancing efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability for our clients.” – Chirag Shah, Executive Chairman at Simfoni.

According to Gartner, “clients use Hype Cycles to educate themselves on the promise of an emerging technology within the context of their industry and individual appetite for risk.” Gartner also states that the “Hype Cycle helps separate the hype from the real drivers of a technology’s commercial promise, reduce the risk of your technology investment decisions, and compare your understanding of a technology’s business value with the objectivity of experienced IT analysts.”

Simfoni views the often-overlooked category of Tail Spend as a critical area of opportunity for clients seeking to increase savings, gain new business insights, and optimize processes. The Gartner report highlights that actively managing tail spend can unlock additional savings without requiring more resources, improve spend visibility and efficiency, and enhance purchasing controls. End users can still make one-time purchases to do their jobs without adding to procurement’s workload. Integrated tail spend management solutions, like Simfoni’s, help drive purchasing policy compliance and reduce risks.

For the second year in a row, Simfoni was also named a Sample Vendor in the Supplier Diversity category which Simfoni believes is a testament to its dedication to supporting an inclusive procurement ecosystem. Gartner describes how interest in establishing and growing supplier diversity programs remains high despite economic uncertainty as organizations face pressure from the C-suite, employees, and customers to make more conscious business decisions. Tracking, maturing, and scaling a diversity program is difficult without the right technology to support growth and enablement across the source-to-pay (S2P) process.

Gartner subscribers can access the full report here.

**Gartner Research Methodologies, Hype Cycle for Procurement and Sourcing Solutions, 2024, authored by Kaitlynn Sommers, Micky Keck, Cian Curtin, Lynne Phelan, Naveen Mahendra, Chaithanya Paradarami.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and HYPE CYCLE is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Simfoni

Simfoni provides Spend Analytics, Spend Automation and eSourcing solutions to leading global enterprises. The Simfoni platform utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to accelerate and automate key aspects of the procurement and sourcing processes, saving customers time and money and paving the way toward supply chain sustainability. With offices in the USA, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, Simfoni works with its customers and the wider vendor community to improve vendor diversity and achieve strategic CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) objectives. For additional information, please visit https://simfoni.com/.

Media Contact

Megan Hamner, Simfoni, 1 2036769252, megan@simfoni.com, www.simfoni.com

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Futu Trustee Launches “Digital Asset Family Trust”

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Integrating Cryptocurrencies and Traditional Financial Assets for Orderly Wealth Succession Among Hong Kong High-Net-Worth Families

HONG KONG, Nov. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Futu Trustee, a wholly owned trust subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU), today announced the launch of its Digital Asset Family Trust. Tailored primarily for Hong Kong tax resident high-net-worth families and family offices—with a minimum combined asset threshold of US$3 million—the service incorporates mainstream cryptocurrencies and traditional financial assets within a single trust legal framework to coordinate asset holding, custody integration, day-to-day management and cross-generational succession.

As digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) gradually become part of high-net-worth families’ asset portfolios, the challenges of assets being scattered across different wallets and platforms, with private keys and operational knowledge concentrated in one individual’s hands, are becoming increasingly apparent. Should the holder suffer an accident or become incapacitated, family members often face continuity risks: they may not know where the assets are held, lack authority to access them or not know how to manage them. Building on Hong Kong’s maturing digital asset regulatory ecosystem, Futu Trustee aims to help clients incorporate digital wealth into their overall family planning early.

The Digital Asset Family Trust is designed around two core practical priorities for high-net-worth clients:

Unified Governance of Equities and Cryptocurrencies: Clients may incorporate accepted mainstream digital assets such as BTC and ETH alongside Hong Kong and US equities, ETFs and other traditional financial assets within one trust framework, with connections to Hong Kong licensed securities firms, banks and licensed virtual asset trading platforms as needed, reducing repeated cross-platform coordination (relevant securities, banking and virtual asset platform services are independently provided by the respective licensed entities).Retained Investment Authority with Segregated Controls: Under permitted reserved powers or authorisations pursuant to the trust deed and Hong Kong law, clients may continue to participate in or direct investment matters within a permitted scope (or express intentions via a letter of wishes for the trustee’s reference in appointing an appropriately licensed investment adviser in accordance with the trust terms). Trading authority is strictly separated from withdrawal authority, with all withdrawals and distributions required to follow trust procedures, balancing flexibility and asset security.

Ben Lin, Chief Executive Officer of Futu Trustee, said: “For many Hong Kong residents, digital wealth is more than figures on a screen—it represents years of investment judgment and accumulation. While many clients know clearly how to manage their digital assets, they may not have had the opportunity to explain their accounts, authorisations and succession wishes in a way their families can easily understand. By launching the Digital Asset Family Trust, we aim to provide clear holding structures, professional custody and continuity mechanisms, helping clients put in place a more considered long-term arrangement for themselves and their families.”

About Futu Trustee

Futu Trustee holds a Hong Kong TCSP licence (TC006475) and specialises in providing compliant wealth succession solutions, including corporate ESOP trusts and family trusts.

For more information about Futu Digital Asset Trust, please visit its official website https://www.fututrustee.com/digital-asset-trust

To discuss our trust services, please contact info@fututrustee.com

Important Notice This service is a trust arrangement for private wealth and succession structuring, not a collective investment scheme under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571), and has not been reviewed or authorised by the Hong Kong SFC. Digital asset prices are highly volatile; clients may lose all of their principal. Asset acceptance is subject to our due diligence requirements, and related arrangements do not guarantee asset safety, investment, tax or succession outcomes. Irrevocable trusts involve changes to asset ownership; please seek independent professional advice before signing. This service is not available to Mainland China tax residents. For reference only; this release does not constitute investment advice, any solicitation, or legal or tax advice. All services and terms are subject to formal documentation and case-by-case assessment.

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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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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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