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Cboe Futures Exchange Launches Trading in Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures

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New Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index futures begin trading on Cboe Futures ExchangeProduct adds to Cboe’s bitcoin product suite, accompanying spot bitcoin ETFs and bitcoin ETF index optionsOffers cash-settlement, eliminating complexities of physically delivering bitcoin at expiration

CHICAGO, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), the world’s leading derivatives and securities exchange network, announced it has begun to offer trading in its new Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index futures. These new cash-settled futures, based on the FTSE Bitcoin Reduced Value Index[1] (Ticker: XBTF), are the latest addition to Cboe’s growing suite of digital asset derivatives.

Exclusively listed on Cboe Futures Exchange, LLC (CFE), the new XBTF futures are expected to provide market participants with another versatile tool to express views on bitcoin or manage risk. XBTF futures are cash-settled contracts, meaning positions are closed in cash at expiration, removing the complexities of physically delivering bitcoin.

“As customer demand for crypto-based derivatives continues to rise, Cboe is committed to building a well-rounded ecosystem to help facilitate more efficient, flexible access to bitcoin exposure and risk management,” said Catherine Clay, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe. “Our launch of the new Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index Futures adds a key building block to our crypto derivatives toolkit — offering market participants another versatile tool to gain and seek to hedge bitcoin exposure, all within a regulated and transparent marketplace, with centralized clearing.” 

The introduction of XBTF futures follows Cboe’s earlier launch of cash-settled options on the Cboe Bitcoin U.S. ETF Index (Tickers: CBTX and MBTX), creating a complementary suite of bitcoin-related index derivatives products. Cboe expects each product can be a useful tool for managing bitcoin volatility on its own, or both products can be used in tandem to execute more advanced trading strategies.  Additionally, XBTF futures are cleared through OCC, which also clears CBTX and MBTX options.

Commenting on the launch, Barak Capital said: “As investor participation in digital assets has grown and become more institutionalized, the ability to access efficient and stable markets is paramount. As a leading market maker, the Barak Capital group has been an established liquidity provider for Cboe’s markets for years.  We look forward to acting as a liquidity provider in Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index futures and to supporting Cboe’s market in this product.”

Tom Chlada, Chief Operating Officer at Prime Trading, LLC, said: “Prime Trading, LLC is excited to support Cboe’s continued expansion of its crypto derivatives product suite and to act as a liquidity provider in the new XBTF futures. We are strongly aligned with Cboe’s efforts to grow the crypto derivatives market and look forward to working with Cboe to provide its customers with a best-in-class trading experience.”

XBTF futures are settled in the afternoon (P.M) on the last business day of each month. They are based on the XBTF Index – developed by FTSE Russell in collaboration with Digital Asset Research – which represents 1/10th the value of the FTSE Bitcoin Index. For more information on the new Cboe FTSE Bitcoin Index futures, visit Cboe’s website.

About Cboe Global Markets

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), the world’s leading derivatives and securities exchange network, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing, and investment solutions to people around the world. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, and FX across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Above all, we are committed to building a trusted, inclusive global marketplace that enables people to pursue a sustainable financial future. To learn more about the Exchange for the World Stage, visit www.cboe.com.

Cboe Media Contacts

Cboe Analyst Contact

Angela Tu

Tim Cave

Kenneth Hill, CFA

+1-646-856-8734

+44 (0) 7593-506-719

+1-312-786-7559

atu@cboe.com

tcave@cboe.com 

khill@cboe.com

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Cboe®, Cboe Global Markets®, CFE®, and Cboe Futures Exchange® are registered trademarks or service marks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Trading in futures and options on futures is not suitable for all market participants and involves the risk of loss, which can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for a futures or options on futures position. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether trading in futures and options on futures is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should put at risk only funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. For additional information regarding the risks associated with trading futures and options on futures and with trading security futures, see respectively the Risk Disclosure Statement Referenced in CFTC Letter 16-82 and the Risk Disclosure Statement for Security Futures Contracts. Certain risks associated with options, futures, and options on futures and certain disclosures relating to information provided regarding these products are also highlighted at https://www.cboe.com/us disclaimers.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures, digital assets or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with any third parties referenced in this press release. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures, digital assets, and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities, futures, or digital assets in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice.  Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc.  and  its  affiliates make  no  warranty,  expressed  or  implied,  including,  without  limitation,  any  warranties  as  of  merchantability,  fitness  for  a particular  purpose,  accuracy,  completeness  or  timeliness,  the  results to  be  obtained  by  recipients  of  the  products  and  services  described  herein, or as to the ability of the indices referenced in this press release to track the performance of their respective securities, generally, or the performance of the indices referenced in this press release or any subset of their respective securities, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies, errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise any third-party indices referenced in this press release and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors in any of the indices referenced in this press release.

Russell, Russell 1000®, Russell 2000®, Russell 3000® and Russell MidCap® are registered trademarks of the Frank Russell Company, used under license.

FTSE® and the FTSE indices are trademarks and service marks of FTSE International Limited, used under license.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security vulnerabilities and breaches; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our and other applicable indices; our ability to manage our global operations, growth, and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit, counterparty, investment, and default risks, associated with operating our  clearinghouses; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing our business interests and our regulatory responsibilities; the loss of key customers or a significant reduction in trading or clearing volumes by key customers; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; and litigation risks and other liabilities. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

[1] Represents 1/10th the value of the FTSE Bitcoin Index.

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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

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Taiwan’s Smart Tolling Technology Goes Global as Thailand Launches AI-Powered M81 Motorway System

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TAIPEI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sightings of electronic toll collection (ETC) gantries resembling those used on Taiwan’s freeways have recently drawn attention on social media along the Bangkok–Kanchanaburi highway. Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co., Ltd. (FETC) confirmed that the system is part of Thailand’s newly launched M-Flow multi-lane free-flow tolling system on the Intercity Motorway No. 81 Bang Yai – Kanchanaburi Route (M81).

Developed in collaboration with FETC International (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (FETCi Thailand) and the BGSR81 Co., Ltd, the system has officially entered operation, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s transition toward smart, digitally enabled highway infrastructure.

The launch also strengthens connectivity between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi, effectively creating a “one-day travel corridor” and supporting regional tourism and economic activity.

AI-Driven Tolling Cuts Travel Time to 48 Minutes

According to Kenny Chen, Managing Director of FETCi Thailand, the M81 project demonstrates the flexibility and scalability of Taiwan’s ETC technology in complex international environments.

FETCi Thailand led the design, installation, and implementation of the tolling system and its Traffic Operations Center (TOC). The platform integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enable data-driven traffic management and operational decision-making. It is also designed for future expansion, including applications such as weigh-in-motion enforcement.

Thailand’s diverse vehicle types and more complex license plate formats presented technical challenges. These were addressed through advanced AI-powered automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), ensuring high accuracy in vehicle identification. Combined with multiple digital payment options, the system allows vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping.

Since its launch, travel time between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi has been reduced from nearly two hours to approximately 48 minutes. Weekend traffic volumes have reached around 55,000 vehicles per day, improving both tourism access and logistics efficiency in western Thailand.

M9 Experience Highlights Strong Economic and Environmental Benefits

FETC has also supported Thailand’s Department of Highways (DOH) since 2022 in deploying and operating the M-Flow system on the M9 motorway, including gantry design and operational consulting.

According to DOH data, the system has increased traffic throughput fivefold and saves motorists an estimated 3.33 million hours annually. It has achieved a benefit-cost ratio of 6.94, meaning each dollar invested generates nearly seven dollars in overall societal value.

In environmental terms, the system reduces fuel consumption by approximately 13.91 million liters per year and cuts carbon emissions by more than 36,000 metric tons, contributing to more sustainable transportation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/taiwans-smart-tolling-technology-goes-global-as-thailand-launches-ai-powered-m81-motorway-system-302748486.html

SOURCE FETC International

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Critical Link Launches World’s First AI-Driven SOM Recommendation Engine, Powered by Rapidflare

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Critical Link and Rapidflare have jointly launched the world’s first AI-driven System on Module Recommendation Engine. Engineers can now describe their requirements in plain language and receive accurate, tailored SOM recommendations in seconds. Together, the two companies are redefining how electronics teams discover and select embedded solutions.

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Critical Link LLC, a leader in system-on-module solutions, has introduced the world’s first AI-driven System on Module Recommendation Engine, powered by Rapidflare’s Rapid Product Selection Agent. The new engine advances Critical Link’s mission to help customers bring embedded products to market faster and more cost-effectively.

Together, Rapidflare and Critical Link are combining their strengths to make the journey from concept to product faster, smarter, and more closely aligned with customer needs. – Amber Thousand, Sr. Director of Marketing, Critical Link

In the electronics industry, selecting the right product often requires manually comparing hundreds of pages of datasheets or relying on rigid parametric search tools. Critical Link’s SOM Recommendation Engine is set to change that. With Rapidflare’s conversational AI agent, customers can describe their requirements in natural language and receive tailored recommendations in a fraction of the time.

“For years customers have asked for a better way to find the right SOM for their application. Launching this AI-driven engine with Rapidflare’s technology is a game changer,” said Amber Thousand, Sr. Director of Marketing at Critical Link. “Their accuracy, domain expertise, and speed of integration made them the clear choice to support our mission.”

Unlike generic AI agents, Rapidflare’s technology is purpose-built for complex product selection workflows. It combines knowledge graph-based reasoning, domain-specific intelligence, and industry guardrails to deliver recommendations that are both fast and reliable for electronics teams.

“The best partnerships happen when your mission aligns with your partner’s mission,” said Navanee Sundaramoorthy, CEO and Founder at Rapidflare. “We’re proud to partner with Critical Link to help make SOM product selection more seamless, intuitive, and efficient for their team and customers.”

Beyond accelerating product selection, the AI engine gives engineers a new way to engage with Critical Link. “We’ve always offered thorough documentation and product support to customers via our website, our engineering wiki, and personal contact. Adding the SOM Recommendation Engine creates a more efficient path for self-discovery, which we see as a growing trend,” said Thousand. “Together, Rapidflare and Critical Link are combining their strengths to make the journey from concept to product faster, smarter, and more closely aligned with customer needs.”

To explore Critical Link’s SOM Recommendation Engine, visit https://www.criticallink.com/som-recommendation-ai-agent/.

To learn more about Rapidflare and its AI-powered product selection solutions, visit Rapidflare’s website: https://www.rapidflare.ai/

About Rapidflare

Rapidflare builds AI-powered domain specific agents for electronics, semiconductors, and other technically complex industries. Its product intelligence powered AI platform gives teams natural-language access to product and engineering knowledge, making it easier to find accurate answers, support customers, and move faster across critical workflows. Rapidflare multiplies the impact of GTM teams by making critical technical knowledge instantly accessible, helping sales, solutions engineering, product marketing, support, and customer success teams move faster and operate with confidence. For more information, visit rapidflare.ai

About Critical Link

Critical Link designs and manufactures CPU-based, FPGA-based, and DSP-based system-on-modules (SOMs) for industrial electronic applications. Its production-ready embedded solutions help customers bring products to market faster and at lower cost by reducing development complexity, risk, and time spent building core processing subsystems from scratch. With a focus on product quality, long-term availability, lifecycle support, and close customer engagement, Critical Link serves OEMs across a wide range of industrial and technically demanding applications. For more information, visit the website: criticallink.com

Media Contact

Balpreet, Rapidflare, 1 2068614231, balpreet@rapidflare.ai, rapidflare.ai

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/critical-link-launches-worlds-first-ai-driven-som-recommendation-engine-powered-by-rapidflare-302749279.html

SOURCE Rapidflare

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COMAU SHOWCASES AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA’S COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY AT GIICOMVEC 2026

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SHANGHAI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Comau participated in the Indonesia International Commercial Vehicle Expo (GIICOMVEC 2026), held in Jakarta, where it engaged with local OEMs and supply chain partners on manufacturing upgrades and the application of automation technologies. During the event, Comau presented its capabilities in body-in-white automation, flexible production systems for multi-model manufacturing, and digital manufacturing solutions, drawing on its experience in managing complex automotive production environments.

Through its participation at GIICOMVEC 2026, Comau further expanded its engagement with the Southeast Asian market. Leveraging its global project experience and strong presence in China, Comau supports complex, high-volume automotive production for both domestic and international OEMs, and combines this experience with local insights to address evolving regional manufacturing requirements.

GIICOMVEC 2026 featured 14 leading commercial vehicle brands from multiple regions, showcasing developments in light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, buses, and specialty vehicles. As demand continues to grow and industrial modernization accelerates, Indonesia is becoming an increasingly important production base and end market for commercial vehicles in Southeast Asia. At the same time, the expanding presence of Chinese automakers is contributing to a more competitive landscape and a shifting supplier ecosystem.

In this context, manufacturers are managing broader product portfolios and short production cycles. As a result, greater emphasis is being placed on automation solutions that enable efficient multi-model production, improve consistency in body-in-white manufacturing, and support the adoption of digital production management systems.

At the policy level, initiatives such as Making Indonesia 4.0 and the national push toward vehicle electrification are reinforcing the transition toward efficient and sustainable manufacturing. Comau’s proven track record in e-Mobility and battery assembly solutions further aligns with these developments, creating new opportunities to add value across the entire commercial vehicle value chain in Southeast Asia.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/comau-showcases-automation-solutions-for-southeast-asias-commercial-vehicle-industry-at-giicomvec-2026-302748494.html

SOURCE Comau

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