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  • Techfest, IIT Bombay Launches Its Main Website for the 2026-27 Edition

    Mumbai, India, Aug 26, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Techfest, the annual science and technology festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Asia’s largest science and technology festival, has officially launched its main website for the 2026-27 edition, opening registrations for a nationwide lineup of competitions, workshops, and speaker sessions. 

    The website marks the start of this year’s flagship season, bringing together students from across the country to compete, learn, and build in fields ranging from robotics and artificial intelligence to entrepreneurship and finance. 

    Competitions with a Prize Pool of Over 

    ₹1 Crore 

    This year’s edition features an extensive line-up of competitions, including Robotics challenges, Hackathons, and Case Competitions, with a combined prize pool exceeding ₹1 crore. 

    Registration for these competitions is completely free, allowing students from any background or institution to participate without barriers. 

    Workshops Across 25+ In-Demand Domain

    Alongside the competitions, Techfest is rolling out a comprehensive set of workshops designed to give students hands-on exposure to emerging and industry-relevant skills. 

    With this year’s website, we wanted to give students a single platform where they can compete for one of the largest prize pools in the student festival circuit, while also picking up real, industry-relevant skills through our workshops. Our goal has always been to make Techfest accessible to every student, regardless of their college or background, and this launch is a big step toward that. 

    Registrations for all competitions and workshops are now open. Interested students can register online through the official Techfest website. 

    For more details, visit: techfest.org 

    Regards, 

    Prince Bhati 

    Media and Publicity Manager 

    Techfest 2026-27, IIT Bombay  

    +91 8829834894 | prince@techfest.org

  • Valetax Delivers Its Biggest Gala Yet: V-World 2026 Brings 7,000+ Attendees and RM2 Million in Prizes 

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 26th, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Valetax, the leading global trading platform, celebrated its largest in-person gathering to date on 8 August 2026, as Valetax Gala 2026: V-World welcomed more than 7,000 staff, partners, and clients for a night of world-class entertainment and record-breaking giveaways, capped by the live launch of Valetax’s biggest campaign yet, Wondervault. 

    Held under the theme ‘V-World: The Valetax Experience’, the gala brought Valetax’s global community together to mark a defining moment in the company’s growth story and to celebrate the relationships with staff, clients, and partners that made it possible. 

    The turnout made V-World Valetax’s biggest event to date, with more than 7,000 attendees filling the venue for an evening of celebration and connection. The entertainment lineup delivered in full, with performances from acclaimed Malaysian vocalists Anuar Zain and Aina Abdul, legendary rock band Wings, and a headline set from international pop superstar Ellie Goulding, who took the stage alongside the night’s other performers to close out the show. 

    The lucky draw segment was a highlight of the evening, with 50 prizes worth over RM2,000,000 awarded to guests, Valetax’s biggest giveaway in a single day yet. Winners walked away with prestigious prizes including cars, motorbikes, and the latest gadgets, turning the celebration into a night of real, tangible rewards for the community that made it possible. 

    The night also marked the official launch of Wondervault, Valetax’s biggest trading contest yet, revealed live to the crowd for the first time. The doors to Wondervault are now open: for the next five months, participants’ journeys will run through league rounds, fast-track sprints, and lucky draws, with a USD 2 million prize pool and hundreds of winners to be crowned along the way. 

    Reflecting on the night, Viktor Karpinski, CEO of Valetax, said the gala exceeded expectations. 

    ‘V-World was everything we set out to create and more. Seeing more than 7,000 members of our community come together in one room, to celebrate, to connect, and to share in the launch of Wondervault, was a truly special moment for Valetax. This event reflects the strength of the relationships we’ve built with our staff, clients, and partners, and our long-term commitment to their continued success.’ 

    John Taylor, Chief Commercial Officer at Valetax, echoed that sentiment, highlighting what the turnout meant for the company’s global community. 

    ‘Our staff, partners and clients are the foundation of Valetax’s success, and V-World was our way of celebrating that shared journey. Bringing together more than 7,000 members of our community, and launching Wondervault in front of them, is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. We’re excited for everyone to now take part in Wondervault and see where the next five months take them.’ 

    As Valetax’s biggest gala to date, V-World marks a defining moment in the company’s growth strategy. With Wondervault now live and open to participants, Valetax continues to strengthen its position as a trusted, trading platform dedicated to building lasting relationships and delivering exceptional value to its global community. 

    About Valetax 

    Valetax is a multi-award-winning global trading platform, serving over 1 million clients across global markets. Providing traders with advanced trading technology, competitive conditions, and reliable execution across global financial markets, Valetax is backed by dedicated regional teams that combine local expertise with international reach to deliver transparent, client-focused trading solutions. Valetax remains committed to building lasting partnerships with clients, partners, and communities worldwide. 

  • Slotozilla Highlights Q2 2026 Partnership Growth and Bonus Expansion

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 25th, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Slotozilla has continued to build momentum throughout Quarter 2 of 2026, strengthening its position as an international iGaming affiliate platform. During the quarter, the company expanded its partner network, introduced a wide selection of new casino bonuses, and increased its presence across key global markets.

    Expanding Bonus Selection for Players

    A major focus during Q2 2026 was the continued development and expansion of Slotozilla’s bonus catalog. The platform added 158 new bonuses during the quarter, with 138 of these offers now live and available to players.

    Most partners contributed comparable numbers of welcome bonuses and no deposit bonuses, providing players with a balance of appealing new customer offers and low-risk options. This approach enables Slotozilla’s partners to expand their customer base while rewarding those who already have accounts.

    Partner Welcome Bonuses No Deposit Bonuses Total
    Aura Partners 7 7 14
    Ice Aff 3 5 8
    Wildwin Affiliates 4 4 8
    BetFury Affiliates 3 3 7*
    Gemified Partners 4 3 7
    79affiliates 6 0 6
    Tssspartners 2 4 6
    Revenue Players 5 0 5

    *Includes 1 seasonal holiday bonus

    Beyond the leading contributors mentioned above, Slotozilla also received support from a broad range of partners, including Affiliate Drinks, Coin Partners, Gamespot Partners, Lussurio, Totem Partners, Moneycow, Qzino, Arcane Affiliates and many other industry collaborators.

    International Partnerships Continue to Grow

    In a global market where many affiliate networks are struggling with ever-tightening regulations and decreasing levels of disposable income, Slotozilla bucks the trend. Whereas many organizations are contracting, with some even folding, Slotozilla continues to expand overseas.

    A representative from Slotozilla commented, “We’re really excited to have continued forming partnerships across both established and emerging markets. This emphasis on expansion has served to strengthen Slotozilla’s position within the iGaming sector.”

    Canada remained the strongest-performing market during the quarter, with 28 new bonuses made available to players. Meanwhile, Australia (17 bonuses), the United Kingdom (17 bonuses) and the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland; 11 bonuses) also performed well. Spain (10 bonuses), Poland (10 bonuses), France (9 bonuses), Portugal (9 bonuses), Mexico (6 bonuses) and the United States (6 bonuses) all contributed significantly to Slotozilla’s wider international growth.

    About Slotozilla

    Slotozilla is an independent iGaming affiliate platform. It has been providing players with trusted casino reviews, bonus comparisons, slot information and more since 2013, steadily expanding into its current global position. Readers can learn more at Slotozilla.com.

  • Singapore-Based One Good Card Helps Businesses Transform Networking Into Measurable Sales Opportunities

    Singapore, August 25th, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Singapore regularly hosts hundreds of international meetings, conventions, and trade exhibitions each year. A single trade week at Marina Bay Sands alone can generate thousands of introductions, and the humble name card has long been the default handshake of Singaporean business. That default is now being reconsidered, and not by individual professionals but by the companies employing them.

    One Good Card, a Singapore-based digital name card platform, says enterprise adoption has become the fastest-moving part of its business, as sales-driven organisations look for a way to standardise how their teams represent the company and to capture what happens after the handshake.

    The blind spot behind the name card

    For most companies, a printed card is a one-way transaction. It leaves the building and disappears. There is no record of who received it, when, or whether the exchange went anywhere.

    Choong Chao Dong, Founder of One Good Card. “Ask them how many people they’ve actually met in person, and what came out of those conversations. Most of the time, they’ll give you a rough number and point to a pile of business cards sitting in a drawer somewhere.”

    Digital business cards close that gap. Every share, whether by NFC tap, QR scan, or profile link, becomes a timestamped touchpoint that sits alongside the rest of a company’s pipeline data. For sales operations teams, that turns networking from an unmeasured activity into a top-of-funnel input.

    Provisioning, not printing

    The second driver is administrative. Enterprise customers cite three recurring pain points: brand inconsistency across teams, the cost and lead time of reprints, and the awkward reality that departing employees walk out with branded cards still in circulation.

    A centrally managed platform addresses all three. Cards are issued when someone joins and deactivates the day they leave. A rebrand, a new office address, or an updated tagline propagates across every card in the organisation at once, with no reprint cycle, no version drift, and no boxes of obsolete stock.

    For a 50-person sales team, that removes what companies describe as a recurring, unbudgeted line item that reappears with every hire, promotion, and address change.

    A sustainability line that procurement notices

    The environmental argument has also moved from nice-to-have to RFP checkbox. With Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 pushing organisations to document their sustainability commitments, eliminating a printed consumable is a small but concrete and easily reported win, one that increasingly appears in supplier questionnaires and annual reports.

    Local roots, regional reach

    One Good Card is headquartered in Singapore, serving companies across the region from a market where high event density, dense professional networks, and strong digital infrastructure make the shift unusually natural.

    “Singapore was always going to be the proving ground for this,” said Choong. “The card is just the front door. What companies are really buying is visibility into what their teams are actually doing out in the market.”

     

    About One Good Card

    One Good Card is a Singapore-based digital business card and sales platform that helps teams share their details, capture leads, and manage what happens next. Beyond NFC business cards, QR codes, and custom profile links, the platform includes an OCR business card scanner, contact management, deal pipeline tracking, invoicing, and integrations with the tools sales teams already use. Companies across the region use One Good Card to keep branding consistent, provision and deactivate cards centrally, and turn face-to-face networking into a measurable pipeline. Learn more at onegoodcard.com.

  • Mesta Launches their White-Labeled Customer Portal as Infrastructure Emerges as the Next Frontier in Global Payments

    New self-service platform enables payment providers and B2B software companies to offer cross-border payment capabilities under their own brands.

    San Francisco, California, August 24th, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, For years, the cross-border payments industry has competed on faster settlement, broader payment coverage and lower transaction costs.

    Mesta believes the next phase of competition will look very different.

    Today the company announced its white-labeled self-service customer portal that enables payment providers, fintech companies and B2B software platforms to deliver cross-border payment services entirely under their own brands while relying on Mesta’s underlying financial infrastructure.

    The launch builds on Mesta’s broader vision of helping businesses manage the entire lifecycle of money through a single operating system. Instead of stitching together multiple financial providers, businesses can access Mesta’s Store, Grow, and Pay capabilities from one unified platform.

    The launch reflects a broader shift taking place across financial services. Rather than sending customers to third-party payment platforms, businesses increasingly want payment capabilities to exist natively inside their own products. Mesta now gives them two ways to achieve that. Enterprises building deeply embedded financial experiences can integrate directly through Mesta’s APIs, while growing payment providers and software companies can launch through the White-Labeled Customer Portal. Both provide access to the same underlying infrastructure, allowing businesses to choose the path that best fits their growth stage.

    Customers of fintech platforms, using this Customer Portal, can onboard themselves, complete KYB, manage beneficiaries and initiate international payments through a fully branded interface, while transactions continue to move through Mesta’s global payment infrastructure.

    Since launching in November 2024, Mesta has processed more than $2 billion in transaction volume across 100+ countries, supporting payments in more than 40 currencies while combining treasury infrastructure, traditional fiat rails and stablecoin networks into a single operating platform that enables businesses to store, grow and pay from one infrastructure layer.

    “Payments are increasingly becoming infrastructure rather than destination products,” said Sandeep Pyapali, Founder and CEO of Mesta. “Businesses want to own the customer relationship while relying on proven infrastructure underneath. The White-Labeled Customer Portal is our answer to that shift. Whether customers integrate through our APIs or launch quickly with their branded Customer Portal, the goal is the same: make global payments feel native to their own products.”

    Unlike traditional merchant portals that require businesses to manage customer onboarding and payment initiation themselves, the White-Labeled Customer Portal allows end customers to complete these workflows independently, reducing operational overhead while improving scalability.

    The launch extends Mesta’s broader platform strategy of enabling businesses to store, grow and move money through a single operating layer spanning both fiat and stablecoin ecosystems.

    As embedded finance continues to mature, Mesta believes invisible infrastructure – rather than customer-facing payment brands – will become the defining characteristic of the next generation of financial services.

    About Mesta

    Mesta is a global fiat and stablecoin operating system that enables businesses to store, grow and pay money through a single infrastructure layer. Its platform combines local payment rails, global banking networks and stablecoin infrastructure to help payment providers, fintechs and global businesses build modern cross-border financial products. Today, Mesta supports payments across 100+ countries and 40+ payout currencies and has processed more than $2 billion in transaction volume in 21 months since launch through 30,000+ cross-border transactions.

    Founded by Sandeep Pyapali, formerly of Uber, PayPal and BILL, Mesta is led by a team with deep experience in global payments, banking infrastructure and financial technology. The company is backed by leading venture capital firms and strategic fintech investors, including Village Global, Circle Ventures, Paxos, Garuda Ventures, Canonical Crypto, Everywhere Ventures and Inventum Ventures, reflecting strong confidence in its vision for the future of global money movement.

  • 29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026 Concludes Successfully, Driving Ethiopia’s Digital Banking Future

    29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026 Concludes Successfully, Driving Ethiopia’s Digital Banking Future

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21 August 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — The 29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia | Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 concluded successfully on 12 August 2026 at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, bringing together senior leaders from banking, financial services, regulation, technology, cybersecurity and digital finance to explore the technologies, policies and partnerships shaping Ethiopia’s next phase of financial-sector transformation.

    Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit provided a high-level platform for industry leaders and decision-makers to exchange insights and address the opportunities and challenges shaping Ethiopia’s evolving financial ecosystem.

    The programme placed a strong focus on payments modernization, digital banking, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, digital identity, E-KYC, cloud transformation, digital credit and banking innovation, reflecting the critical priorities driving the country’s digital financial transformation.

    Distinguished Leadership & Strategic Voices

    The summit opened with the inaugural keynote, “Ethiopia’s Financial Sector Vision – Stability, Reform & Innovation,” delivered by Seyoum Mengesha Tachie – CEO, Digital Economy Development, Ministry of Innovation & Technology, setting the strategic context for Ethiopia’s financial-sector transformation.

    The summit also featured senior voices from across Ethiopia’s regulatory, banking and digital-finance ecosystem, including:

    • Solomon Damtew Metaferia – Director, Banking and Payment Systems Directorate, National Bank of Ethiopia
    • Yoseph Kibret – Chairman, Ethiopian Digital Financial Service Providers Association (EDFSPA)
    • Seyoum Damtew – Vice President, Information System Security, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
    • Fikru Tsegaye Wordofa – Member, Board of Directors, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX)
    • Tadesse Hatiya – Chief Executive Officer / President, Sidama Bank S.C.
    • Daniel Parreira – SVP Sales – Africa, Thunes
    • Djamil Jaddoo – Territory Manager – IOI, SADC & East African Countries, MBCOM Technologies (Broadcom Representative)
    • Assefa Amere – Chief Information Technology Officer, Addis Bank S.C.
    • Hassen Mohammed Ali – Senior Chief Retail Banking & Digitalization Officer, Hijra Bank S.C.
    • Muluken Demessie – Chief Retail and SME Banking Officer, Nib International Bank S.C.
    • Theodros Tadesse – Vice President Digital and Branch Banking, Tsedey Bank S.C.
    • Kalkidan Mandefro – Director, Digital Banking & Innovation, Dashen Bank S.C.
    • Gutama Ashana – Director, Information Security Management, Awash Bank S.C.
    • Mengistu Gemechu – Director for Strategy, Cooperative Bank of Oromia S.C.
    • Temesgen Taye – Director of Cyber Security, Cooperative Bank of Oromia S.C.
    • Biruk Worku – Director Information Technology Security, Abay Bank S.C.
    • Abdiselam Mohamed – Director, Digital Banking, Hijra Bank S.C.
    • Robel Arega – Director, IT Infrastructure Department, Dashen Bank S.C.
    • Bekalu Mamo – Director, IT Infrastructure Management Directorate, Awash Bank S.C.
    • Khalid Ahmed – Director, Application and Database Administration, Rammis Bank S.C.
    • Ermoniem Brhanu Balcha – Digital Innovation and Partnership Division Head, Berhan Bank S.C.
    • Yibeltal Argacho – Manager, Digital Lending and Follow Up Division, Awash Bank S.C.
    • Dawit Sernessa – Sr. Manager Trading Operations, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX).

    Their collective participation reflected the growing convergence between financial institutions, regulators, technology providers and digital innovators in shaping Ethiopia’s financial future.

    Key Industry Conversations

    The summit featured a comprehensive programme of executive panels, strategic discussions and industry presentations focused on the most pressing priorities for Ethiopia’s financial sector.

    The session “Payments Modernization & Interoperability in Ethiopia”, led by Solomon Damtew, explored the evolution of payment systems and the importance of interoperability in strengthening the country’s digital financial ecosystem. The conversation was complemented by Daniel Parreira, SVP Sales Africa, Thunes, who examined cross-border money movement across Africa.

    The Power Panel – “Building a Safe, Inclusive & Digitally Enabled Banking Ecosystem” brought together leaders from National ID Ethiopia, Cooperative Bank of Oromia, Awash Bank, Hijra Bank and Dashen Bank to discuss the priorities required to build a secure, accessible and digitally enabled banking ecosystem.

    The programme also featured “AI Powered Zero Trust and Proactive Security”, with Seyoum Damtew highlighting the growing importance of proactive cybersecurity as digital banking adoption accelerates.

    Reimagining Banking Through Digital Transformation

    The session “Beyond Digital Transformation: Reimagining Banking in Emerging Markets”, led by Assefa Amere, Chief Information Technology Officer, Addis Bank S.C., explored the changing priorities of technology-led banking transformation.

    The programme further examined Banking Core Modernization & Cloud Transformation, alongside discussions around digital identity, E-KYC, financial inclusion, digital banking, SME financing and digital credit expansion.

    These conversations highlighted the role of digital technologies in widening financial access, improving customer experiences and creating new opportunities for customers and businesses across Ethiopia.

    Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Digital Trust

    Cybersecurity and digital trust emerged as critical priorities throughout the summit.

    The Strategic Leadership Panel – “Cybersecurity, Data Protection & Digital Trust” brought together senior cybersecurity leaders from Cooperative Bank of Oromia, Hibret Bank, Abay Bank and MBCOM Technologies, focusing on security, resilience and trust across the digital financial ecosystem.

    The summit reinforced the importance of building secure and resilient financial systems capable of supporting Ethiopia’s continued digital transformation.

    Executive Leadership: The Future of Banking in Ethiopia

    The Executive Leadership Panel – “The Future of Banking Transformation in Ethiopia” brought together senior representatives from Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), Berhan Bank, Gadaa Bank, Awash Bank and Dashen Bank to explore the strategic and technological shifts shaping the future of banking in Ethiopia.

    The discussion reflected the sector’s increasing focus on technology modernization, digital customer engagement, operational transformation and the strategic role of innovation in building future-ready financial institutions.

    Sponsors & Strategic Partners

    The 29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026 was supported by organisations representing key areas of the financial technology and digital transformation ecosystem.

    Gold Sponsors

    • THUNES
    • ManageEngine
    • MBCOM Technologies

    Supporting Partners

    • Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX)
    • Faydaverse

    Banking Innovators

    • YAYA Wallet
    • CHAPA
    • KACHA
    • ARIFPAY

    The collective participation of these organisations reflected the breadth of Ethiopia’s evolving financial ecosystem, spanning connected payments, enterprise technology, cybersecurity, capital markets, digital wallets, payment infrastructure and emerging financial services.

    Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 – Award Winners

    The evening concluded with the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, recognising outstanding institutions and leaders for achievements across digital banking, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, transformation, payments and financial-services excellence.

    Institutional Award Winners

    • Excellence in Digital Banking – Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
    • Excellence in Cyber Security – Hibret Bank
    • Excellence in Cashless Initiatives – Dashen Bank
    • Excellence in Financial Inclusion – Hijra Bank
    • Excellence in Digital Transformation – Nib International Bank
    • Excellence in SME Banking – Cooperative Bank of Oromia
    • Excellence in Wealth Management – Zemen Bank
    • Excellence in Trade Finance – Bank of Abyssinia
    • Excellence in Retail Banking – Awash Bank

    Individual Leadership Award Winners

    • CISO of the Year – Seyoum Damtew, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
    • CEO of the Year – Banking – Abie Sano, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
    • CIO of the Year – Amare Herpie, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
    • Women in Finance Leadership Award – Brutawit Dawit Abdi, Wegagen Capital Investment Bank
    • Digital Banking Personality of the Year – Hussen Amde, Wegagen Bank
    • Banking Leader of the Year – Deribie Asfaw, Cooperative Bank of Oromia

    The awards continue to reflect ICSA’s commitment to recognising the institutions and individuals driving innovation, resilience, inclusion and excellence across Africa’s financial ecosystem.

    A Connected Future for Ethiopian Banking

    The 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 reinforced the importance of collaboration between financial institutions, regulators, technology leaders and innovators in accelerating Ethiopia’s digital financial transformation.

    The summit provided a platform for senior stakeholders to exchange insights, recognise excellence and explore the partnerships and technologies that will shape the future of banking and financial services in Ethiopia.

    As Ethiopia continues to advance its digital financial ecosystem, the conversations and connections established at the summit represent an important contribution to building a more secure, inclusive, innovative and digitally enabled future for banking and financial services.

    About the Organizers

    The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a global organisation that designs platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange and leadership dialogue across sectors including banking, technology and digital transformation.

    ICSA convenes decision-makers, innovators and policy leaders through executive forums, strategic summits and thought-leadership initiatives that inspire innovation and shape the future of global industries.

    Media Contact Information

    International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)

    Phone: +44 20 3808 8625
    Email: info@intercsa.com
    General Enquiries: info@intercsa.com
    Website: www.intercsa.com

    Connect. Integrate. Transform.

  • TaxTech and E-Invoicing Summit to Take Place in Abu Dhabi on 3 September 2026

    • Finance and tax leaders to gather at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi ahead of the UAE’s mandatory e-invoicing go-live

    ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug 20, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — The TaxTech & E-Invoicing Summit will take place on 3 September 2026 at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, bringing together finance, tax and technology leaders as businesses across the UAE prepare for the country’s mandatory e-invoicing regime.

    The summit is organised by Fortinus Events and comes at a key moment for UAE finance functions. Businesses with annual revenue above AED 50 million are required to appoint an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) by 30 October 2026, ahead of the mandatory e-invoicing go-live on 1 January 2027. With the pilot phase already underway, tax and finance teams are moving from planning to implementation.

    The one-day programme brings together senior practitioners from leading UAE organisations, with confirmed speakers including leaders from ADNOC Group, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Modon, Al-Futtaim, Ajman Bank and ALFAHIM. Sessions will cover the practical side of the transition, including Accredited Service Provider selection, the Peppol-based five-corner model, ERP integration, and the move from PDF to structured invoicing, alongside peer-led roundtables on sector-specific challenges.

    The TaxTech & E-Invoicing Summit forms part of a global series of Fortinus Events summits addressing e-invoicing and digital tax transformation across the Middle East, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

    Registration and further information are available at TaxTech & E- Invoicing Summit Abu Dhabi 2026 – Home.

    About Fortinus Events Fortinus Events is a B2B events company specialising in high-level finance and tax summits that connect senior leaders around the regulatory and technological changes reshaping their industries. Its TaxTech & E-Invoicing Summit series brings finance, tax and technology leaders together across global markets to navigate e-invoicing mandates and digital tax transformation.

    Media Contact

    Fortinus Events / info@fortinusevents.com / +971 4 254 4188

  • Advisory or Advertising? How to Evaluate Crypto Voices Before You Follow Them

    Crypto voices are now shaping real financial decisions with just a single click. A single post can shake the market within minutes. And that’s exactly why evaluating the voices matters the most for investors.

    As more people are getting into crypto, credibility is becoming the standard. But people are increasingly prioritizing credible voices, like Changpeng Zhao, Evan Luthra, and Michael Saylor. Investors want someone who’ll stick with them beyond the hype. And getting featured in Forbes or appearing at a TEDx event adds an extra layer of credibility, experience, and trust. But many top crypto influencers still confuse education and paid promotion.

    So in this post, we’ll dive into how advertising disguises itself as advice and what real crypto advisory looks like. Also, we’ll provide a practical framework to evaluate crypto voices before trusting them with your capital

    Key Takeaways

    • Judge crypto voices by evidence, not reach. A large following, media appearance, or confident tone does not prove expertise. Look for clear explanations, traceable sources, and a dated record of past views.
    • Check who benefits from each recommendation. Look for sponsorships, affiliate links, token allocations, advisory roles, holdings, and other financial connections before acting on crypto content.
    • Trust content that explains risk and uncertainty. Useful crypto education should explain how a project works, identify what could go wrong, and avoid guaranteed returns, urgent calls to buy, or one-sided success stories.
    • Verify every recommendation independently. Compare claims with project documents, on-chain data, regulatory records, and multiple independent sources. Treat influencer content as a starting point, not a personalized financial plan.

    How Does Advertising Disguise Itself as Crypto Advice?

    Advertising takes the form of analysis but includes hidden financial incentives, triggers a sense of urgency, and one-sided narratives that eventually benefit the creator.

    Advertising inside crypto content isn’t like a normal ad. It’s more like a sponsored thread framed as research, with affiliate links embedded in educational posts and tokens promoted as personal opinions. Many crypto voices trigger a sense of urgency by using phrases like “last chance” or “don’t miss this,” etc. And another pattern is selective storytelling, where the wins get the spotlight, while the losses aren’t even mentioned.

    What Does Real Crypto Advisory Actually Look Like?

    Crypto KOLs like Anthony Pompliano or Evan Luthra focus on education, transparency, and long-term risk awareness over hype and short-term profits.

    Real crypto advisory focuses on understanding the systems. They don’t chase the prices. Advisors explain how protocols work, how to identify the risk zones, and why certain decisions make sense over time. They share their wins and losses and their past calls publicly.

    And most importantly, real advisors strategize and think in cycles. They emphasize protecting the capital and being patient rather than making quick trades. This is why experienced names like Evan Luthra or Anthony are often taken when the discussion is about credibility.

    How Can You Evaluate Crypto Voices Using a Practical Framework?

    To evaluate the voices, check the incentives, depth of analysis, consistency, real-world exposure, and whether the creator shows any restraint.

    In crypto, opinions are everywhere, but a reliable judgment isn’t. And that’s why strong frameworks matter. Investors need a checklist to evaluate crypto voices before trusting their recommendations.

    This five-part framework helps investors evaluate the voices.

    1.    Incentives

    Start by asking about who gets the benefits. Are the partnerships disclosed? What’s the source of the creator’s earnings? And if any of your actions earn them revenue, take a step back.

    2.    Depth

    Look beyond their predictions. Credible voices explain how different protocols work, point out risks, and explain why certain models succeed or fail. Short opinions are not automatically promotional, but confident claims without evidence or risk context deserve scrutiny.

    3.    Consistency

    Track what they say. Check if their views change every week. Do they publicly revisit their past calls?

    4.    Involvement

    Are they actually building anything? Advising any crypto-based startups or contributing to the ecosystem? Or are they just posting charts and reactions on their socials?

    5.    Restraint

    Pay attention to their tone. Do they admit uncertainty? Do they avoid guarantees? Are they accountable enough? The biggest crypto key opinion leaders know when to speak and when not to. This is a sign of credibility.

    This framework works for everything. Whether you’re assessing a crypto KOL or scanning social media handles of top crypto experts. Or even deciding whether to follow the biggest crypto KOL accounts.

    What Should Investors Look for Before Trusting Crypto Voices?

    For investors, the primary thing should be to look for trusted credentials, clear incentives, consistent thinking, and real contributions to education. The biggest crypto KOLs explain the risks, disclose partnerships, and show long-term involvement.

    For example, Evan Luthra. He’s one of the names mentioned in this post a few times. Many investors often point to Evan Luthra because his work goes beyond market commentary. He publicly discusses startup advisory roles, discloses partnerships, focuses on long-term building, and emphasizes risk awareness.

    Quick checklist:

    • Verifiable background.
    • Transparent portfolio and clear disclosures.
    • Focusing on educational content rather than price predictions.
    • Being open to discussing risks and past mistakes.
    • Consistency over time is a common trait among top crypto experts.

    Why Is It Risky to Follow Crypto Advice Without Verification?

    The risk of following crypto advice without verification often results in investors using someone else’s exit strategy.

    Following unverified crypto voices often comes with real consequences. Some studies show that within a week, 80% of promoted meme coins lose 70% of their value. That’s a staggering number. And it obviously results in retail investors being left holding the tokens.

    Why Does Evaluating Crypto Voices Matter More Than Ever?

    In today’s crypto market, retail investors have to rely on online learning. But institutions have the option to choose based on track records, transparency, and long-term performance. Even though the market is shifting towards experienced and credible operators. Still, many of us continue to follow those top crypto influencers without verifying their backgrounds.

    And trusting blindly often leads to emotional and reactive decisions. But careful evaluation protects capital, reduces emotional trading, and helps investors focus on sustenance.

    Final Thoughts

    Most crypto voices try to earn from the attention, but real advisors earn trust over time. But before following anyone, slow down, think, and evaluate what you are seeing and your targets. Verify incentives and look for depth. Track consistency across market cycles. Confirm involvement in the ecosystem. Observe if they know when to speak.

    Crypto markets reward patience. Evaluating carefully lets you protect your capital and helps focus on long-term learning.

    FAQs

    1.    Are anonymous crypto key opinion leaders automatically untrustworthy?

    Not automatically. Some anonymous accounts provide strong research. However, without verified history, accountability falls away. Investors should demand transparency and consistency before trusting even the biggest crypto KOL profiles.

    2.    What role does on-chain transparency play in evaluating crypto voices?

    On-chain data can verify wallet activity when addresses are correctly attributed, but it may exclude exchange balances, private wallets, off-chain agreements, and motives.

    3.    Can institutional investors and retail traders trust the same crypto sources?

    Institutions prioritize track record, compliance, and data-backed analysis. Retail traders often follow visibility. While some top crypto experts appeal to both, evaluation standards usually differ significantly.

    4.    What’s the safest way to learn crypto without relying on influencers?

    Study whitepapers, protocol documentation, and on-chain data directly. Follow builders, not personalities. Independent research builds stronger judgment than depending solely on even top crypto influencers.

  • Genfinity Marks 10th Anniversary With Original Song as MusoLingo Collaboration Shows Measurable Gains in Staff Communication

    • “Anthem for the Future” celebrates a decade of leadership and culture, while a wider collaboration tests whether music can make workplace learning something employees experience rather than something they are simply told.

    Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE Genfinity is marking its 10th anniversary with an original song, “Anthem for the Future,” written to capture the story, spirit and values that have shaped the company over the past decade.

    The song was created for Genfinity founders Jeff Williams and Atty. Michelle Duenas in partnership with MusoLingo. It celebrates the milestone along with the leadership and sense of purpose that carried Genfinity from its early days to the company it is today.

    It is also one part of a wider collaboration between Genfinity and MusoLingo, which is testing a different approach to workplace learning: using music to turn information into an experience people can feel, remember and put to use. Early testing of Genfinity staff after the program has shown that the method can deliver measurable positive outcomes.

    At the center of the 10th Anniversary song is the story of Jeff and Michelle, two leaders whose plans for the company have always gone beyond business performance. Over ten years they built a culture where people understand what Genfinity stands for and why their work matters. The song gives that story an emotional voice.

    “Ten years is an incredible milestone, and hearing our journey captured in a song was something I wasn’t prepared for,” said Jeff Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Genfinity. “It brought back the passion that started all of this, but it also reminded me that Genfinity belongs to the people who helped build it. What makes the wider work with MusoLingo so exciting is seeing that idea extend into how our people learn. When you create an experience people connect with emotionally, and then see real improvements in their skills, it reinforces our belief that investing in our people is fundamental to what we do.”

    For Michelle, the song says something conventional corporate messaging often misses: the connection between a company’s purpose, its people and the culture they build together.

    “What makes the song so special is that you don’t just hear the story of Genfinity, you feel it,” said Atty. Michelle Duenas, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Genfinity. “Our values aren’t simply words we want people to remember. They are something we want people to experience and carry with them, even beyond their stay with us in Genfinity.

    “That is also what makes the learning results so interesting to us. We want our people not only to know more, but to have the confidence and capability to put that knowledge into practice. Seeing that development reflected in the post-testing gives us an early indication of what can happen when learning becomes more engaging, memorable and relevant to the real situations our people face.”

    From Communicating Values to Measurable Learning

    The anniversary project sits within a broader collaboration that looks at how music and experience can improve staff learning across areas that include English proficiency, data privacy and cybersecurity. Instead of relying on slides and standard training, the approach uses music to make information memorable and participatory.

    Now it is being measured. Genfinity staff were tested before and after taking part in MusoLingo learning, so both companies could see whether stronger engagement translates into better workplace capability. One participant’s communication effectiveness score rose from 47 to 83 within a few weeks, moving from Foundation to Professional level on the Global Clarity Certification Scale.

    For MusoLingo CEO Nicole Salisbury, that result is the point. “One team member’s score has moved from 47 to 83 on the Global Clarity Certification framework,” she said. “In practical terms, that’s the difference between a staff member who struggles to handle complex client interactions on their own, and one you can trust in high-stakes conversations. Engagement on its own isn’t enough. We want to know whether people are actually learning, whether they retain it, and whether it changes what they can do at work. Companies spend enormous amounts of time defining their values and building training, but so much of it still ends up as words on a screen. Music gives us another way in, and the post-testing shows the experience becomes knowledge people can use.”

    More Than an Anniversary Song

    The collaboration points to a new use for music at work: not entertainment, but a medium for learning, culture and shared experience. For the anniversary, that meant turning a decade of challenges, relationships and achievements into a piece of music the whole team could share. The wider work raises a question for any organization: what changes when employees experience information instead of just receiving it? MusoLingo’s answer is to pair that experience with before-and-after testing and measure the difference.

    “Anthem for the Future” looks back on Genfinity’s first ten years, but its message is about what comes next: recognizing the leadership of Jeff and Michelle, celebrating the people who built the company with them, and reinforcing the values that will carry it into the next decade.

    The Genfinity 10th anniversary song, “Anthem for the Future,” can be heard on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rp0zfgBhPL0

    About Genfinity

    Genfinity helps companies and individuals take advantage of the opportunities in the Philippine BPM support industry, acting as operationally focused support on the ground. Whether you’re looking to establish operations within the Philippines, identify the right BPM provider, enhance existing processes, explore opportunities supporting the Philippine digital transformation or need training resources to prepare the Philippines vast Allied Health, Banking and Finance, Legal, Technical or overall Customer Service oriented talent pool, our 20+ years of experience, partnerships and pioneering involvement in the industry are here to ensure your success.

    About MusoLingo

    MusoLingo uses the emotional and mnemonic power of music to create new ways for people to learn, connect and engage with ideas and knowledge. Its work with organizations explores how music can turn brand values, culture and workplace learning from information presented in two dimensions into experiences that are felt, remembered and applied.

  • Türkiye’s US$58 billion tech market lands on the world stage amid multi-billion-dollar AI investment surge

    • Inaugural GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026 unites global tech ecosystem at Istanbul Expo Centre on 9–10 September as the world’s largest tech and AI event network spotlights Eurasia’s fast-rising intelligence economy

    Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Türkiye’s ICT market, valued at US$38 billion in 2026 and projected to reach US$58 billion by 2031, has positioned the nation at the epicentre of Eurasia’s rising digital economy, accelerated by multibillion-dollar tech investment and AI talent development plans propelling Türkiye as the next cross-border corridor of AI and digital innovation.

    Türkiye has fast-tracked its digital transformation roadmap, having this year allocated $3 billion to data centre and AI investments while also seeking to raise $10 billion in private sector funding to fuel AI innovations and build one gigawatt of data centre capacity by 2030.

    Driving this giga-scale AI and digital ecosystem ambition is a talent programme to match, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in June 2026 announcing plans to train 10,000 advanced AI specialists and 100,000 AI application professionals as part of the nation’s AI Action Plan.

    Meanwhile, Türkiye’s startup ecosystem raised $559 million in the first quarter of 2026, more than seven times the same period a year earlier, accelerated by one of Europe’s most dynamic innovation cultures and infrastructure buildouts, with 114 technoparks hosting more than 13,000 startups, alongside over 1,700 R&D and design centres.

    GITEX Ai Türkiye fuels Eurasia’s surging AI momentum

    Türkiye’s strategic position as a bridge between Europe and Asia accelerates the nation’s emergence as Eurasia’s gateway to the global intelligence economy, now manifested in the inaugural edition of GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026, the nation’s most international AI and tech event, taking place from 9-10 September 2026 at Istanbul Expo Centre.

    The debut two-day event will feature 300-plus enterprise and startup exhibitors alongside investors, government policymakers, expert speakers and thousands of tech executives from across the globe to ignite cross-border partnerships, advanced manufacturing collaboration, capital flows and talent exchanges to define the future of Türkiye’s AI economy.

    Powered by the world’s largest tech and AI event network

    GITEX Ai Türkiye is hosted by the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (Invest in Türkiye) in strategic partnership with Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology. The flagship debut event is powered by GITEX, the world’s largest tech, AI and investment event network, and organised by inD — the joint venture between Dubai World Trade Centre and Informa that organises GITEX globally.

    “Our USD 3 billion commitment to data centre and AI infrastructure alongside USD 10 billion mobilised from the private sector reflects the rising confidence investors have in Türkiye as a powerhouse for investments,” said A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, President of Invest in Türkiye. “A young, digitally native talent base and a startup ecosystem growing at remarkable speed make a compelling case on their own. GITEX Ai Türkiye gives that momentum a global stage, and we are proud to be part of bringing it to Istanbul.”

    Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of GITEX, added: “Türkiye is the bridge between the East and West, where cultures, ideas, and opportunities thrive. By bringing the world’s largest, most connected network of AI and tech investors to Türkiye, we are transforming it into the next cross-border corridor of AI digital excellence. GITEX Ai Türkiye shall shape a future where Türkiye & Eurasia become a powerful force in influencing the AI future of the world.”

    International exhibitors across five continents choose Istanbul

    GITEX Ai Türkiye spotlights the sectors defining Southeast Europe and West Asia’s digital agenda: AI, 5G & telecom, cloud and connectivity, cybersecurity and dual-use tech, data centres, e-commerce, fintech, gaming, green tech, health tech, mobility, quantum computing, and smart manufacturing.

    Türkiye and Eurasia’s global significance in the AI economy is amplified by participating exhibitors from across the globe, from Colombia and Peru in South America, to Nigeria and Tunisia in Africa, the UAE and Jordan in the Middle East, Poland and Portugal in Europe, and Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Singapore across Asia.

    Among those confirmed are global tech heavyweights powering the intelligence economy, including Google Cloud, HPE & NVIDIA, ASUS, Dell Technologies, Huawei, SAP, and TrendAI, alongside regional powerhouses Trendyol, Türkiye’s $16.5 billion e-commerce giant, and Andevos, the country’s leading AI and fintech platform. Halkbank, Türkiye’s state-owned SME banking champion, also joins as Platinum Sponsor, backing Türkiye’s tech-driven growth.

    Google Cloud, HPE & NVIDIA power production-ready AI for Türkiye and the region

    Google’s involvement as Cloud Headline Partner comes following its 2025 announcement to bring a new Google Cloud region to Türkiye, as part of a 10-year, $2 billion investment in the country in partnership with Turkcell, Türkiye’s 5G pioneer serving 46 million subscribers.

    “Our participation in GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026 is a testament to Google Cloud’s long-term commitment to the nation,” said Alp Önder Güler, Country Manager for Google Cloud Türkiye. “This commitment is underscored by our plan to establish a new Google Cloud region in Türkiye. We are focused on enabling organizations to thrive in the agentic era by bringing our most advanced cloud and AI technologies to the country.”

    HPE, a $61 billion enterprise infrastructure leader, and NVIDIA, the world’s most valuable AI chipmaker, come onboard as gold sponsors, combining enterprise infrastructure and accelerated computing to deliver production-ready AI for organisations across Türkiye and the region. Meanwhile, fixcloud, Odoo, Sangfor, Redington and Forcepoint add further depth across cloud, enterprise resource planning, cybersecurity, value distribution and network security.

    “At GITEX Ai Türkiye, we are proud to showcase how HPE and NVIDIA are leading the way in transforming AI from exploration to production,” said Yasemin Dogrul, HPE Türkiye Managing Director. “Our collaborative efforts are enabling enterprises to build secure, scalable AI factories that seamlessly integrate infrastructure and accelerated computing.”

    Türkiye’s innovation engine powering AI champions

    The entrepreneurial energy behind Türkiye’s tech rise is most visible in its startup ecosystem. GITEX Ai Türkiye 2026 will bring that dynamism to life when 100-plus investors from 20 nations, managing US$50 billion in assets, meet Türkiye’s technopark-incubated startups to propel the next wave of Turkish-built, globally scaled AI champions.

    Leading innovation hubs and technoparks participating include Tech Talk Partners UMV and ITU ARI Teknokent, alongside Teknopark Ankara, Antalya Teknokent, Giresun Teknopark, Medeniyet Teknopark, YTU Yildiz Teknopark, and many more, creating a powerful platform for startups, investors, enterprises, and innovators to connect and scale.

    “Regional technology parks are the lifeblood of Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem,” said Asst. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Anıl Kaya, General Manager of Giresun Teknopark. “They make technology accessible to everyone by preventing R&D and digital transformation from being confined solely to major cities. As Giresun Teknopark, we act as an accelerator that transforms local talent and potential into global value. GITEX Ai Türkiye allows our startups to scale their digital services globally, providing direct access to international markets, investors, and strategic partnerships.”

    For more information on GITEX Ai Türkiye, visit: www.gitexturkiye.com

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    About GITEX Ai Türkiye
    GITEX Ai Türkiye
    is powered by the world’s largest tech and AI events network, GITEX, now taking place in 16 cities and countries. The event takes place from 9-10 September 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Centre, organised by inD, and hosted by the Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (Invest in Türkiye) in partnership with Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology. The event connects global tech ecosystems in Istanbul, igniting Türkiye’s AI and investment frontier.

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    here

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    media@gitexturkiye.com
    Media Contact:

    Gareth Wright, AVP PR and Communications, inD | gareth.wright@dwtc.com