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TUSD Attends Binance Blockchain Week as a Diamond Sponsor

TUSD

Binance Blockchain Week 2023 took place in Istanbul, Turkey from November 7-8. Themed on empowering the next billion with the future of Web3, this year's gathering focuses on how blockchain and cryptocurrencies can financially empower a billion more users around the globe. The event brought together a diverse group of top blockchain experts worldwide to discuss market dynamics in trending areas such as Web3, DeFi, and stablecoins, providing a wealth of expertise and investment insights. TUSD was invited to the conference as a top-tier Diamond Sponsor. The prospects and challenges currently faced by stablecoins came to be one of the spotlights at the conference. At the Main Stage discussion titled "Unlocking Value and Stablecoin Adoption in Asia", the guest speakers analyzed the current state and future prospects of stablecoin trading in the Asia Pacific region, while acknowledging the immense potential of stablecoins to transform the future of crypto finance. The global community has come to recognize the significance of the Web3 industry, with the Asia-Pacific region particularly stressing it as a key sector for future development. Countries and regions such as Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore are enacting laws and providing official guidance to support the growth of their local crypto economies, and stablecoins have garnered substantial attention. Being a burgeoning epicenter for crypto development, Turkey wholeheartedly embraces crypto payments dominated by stablecoins. Now, the fluctuating exchange rate of Turkish lira has troubled the Turkish people. But stablecoins not only provide stability in value but also utilize blockchain technology for settlements, thereby reducing costs. Thus, some people believe that stablecoins can effectively alleviate this predicament and make people's lives easier. In recent years, TUSD has focused on developing multi-chain versions to inject stable and high-quality liquidity into various DeFi ecosystems, while also embracing market trends by enhancing blockchain technology adoption in real-world payments. This provides various projects with reliable crypto options and propels crypto payments. Various projects have accepted TUSD as a major payment option, including Web3 shopping platform UQUID, the crypto-friendly travel-booking platform Travala.com, and CryptoWallet.com, a one-stop shop for crypto transactions. As of now, TUSD is available on over 100 digital asset exchanges and an assortment of DeFi platforms across the globe. It has a total supply of 3,334,570,520 and 409,172 holder addresses, ranking fourth among all stablecoins in the market. A TUSD spokesperson noted, “As the world’s first dollar-pegged stablecoin that is attested live on-chain by an independent third party, TUSD strives to become the go-to choice for global crypto payment and transfers services by lowering payment costs and offering more use cases.” About TUSD TrueUSD (TUSD) is the first digital asset attested live on-chain by an independent third-party institution and pegged at 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. It has been listed on 100+ trading platforms such as Binance and HTX, and is live on 10+ mainstream public chains including Ethereum, TRON, Avalanche, BNB Chain, Fantom, and Polygon.TUSD is attested in real-time by The Network Firm LLP, an independent and industry-specialized certified public accountant (CPA) firm, and integrated with Chainlink's industry-leading Proof of Reserve to secure minting and further ensure transparency and reliability. TUSD was granted by the government of Commonwealth of Dominica statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange on October 7, 2022. Contact Us Website | Twitter | Medium | Discord | Telegram | YouTube | Instagram Contact Details Cristian Ng pr@trueusd.com

November 16, 2023 12:14 PM Eastern Standard Time

Navigating Open Enrollment

YourUpdateTV

Open Enrollment season is underway, and as we look ahead to 2024, now is the time to assess health care coverage options and select the plan that is best for you and your budget. Recently, Rhonda Randall, the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to share tips for navigating the Open Enrollment season. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/mhpkMs2vBGk Enrollment periods aren’t the same for everyone, so there are key dates to keep in mind depending on your circumstances. Many employers set aside a 2- to 3-week period between September and December when employees can select health benefits for the following year. But just as millions of Americans prepare to choose health insurance for next year, a recent survey revealed that 1 in 3 people (36%) spend less than 1 hour reviewing their benefits options. For most people, not making an enrollment decision means you may be locked into your current plan for the upcoming year. If anything has changed this year – either with your current plan, health status or budget – that decision to do nothing could lead to unpleasant surprises or missed cost-savings in 2024. Because everyone has unique health and budget needs, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting a health plan, it’s important to stay informed before making these decisions. When choosing a health plan, here are a handful of tips that will hopefully lead to better health and cost savings: Take your time and consider all of your options Learn the language Help prevent financial surprises Check for mental health coverage Don’t forget about specialty benefits Look into wellness programs Explore virtual care services Visit UHCOpenEnrollment.com for tips, resources and information on plans in your area About Rhonda Randall Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., is the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, the nation’s largest business serving the health coverage and well-being needs of nearly 28 million Americans. Dr. Randall collaborates with U.S. employers who are looking for quality, cost-effective, long-term solutions to health benefits for their employees and retirees. She also leads the clinical strategy development for these businesses to improve quality outcomes, ensure affordability and improve health and well-being. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 16, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Beyond Recycling: Aqua Metals Leads The Charge In Building Circular Domestic Supply Chain of Critical Minerals for Lithium Batteries

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga As the world ushers in a new era of sustainability and electrification, the ability to recycle the critical minerals that will power our devices, our vehicles and our economy is fundamental to achieving the most ambitious global clean energy goals. In this fast-approaching future, developing truly sustainable recycling stands out as a crucial component of building a circular economy for the critical minerals necessary for manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and especially lithium-ion batteries. Companies like Aqua Metals Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS) are at the forefront of this transition, redefining the recycling landscape with innovative technologies that are delivering a clear path to net-zero battery recycling. Understanding Clean Recycling Sustainable recycling is the process of converting end-of-life products and materials into new resources that can be fed right back into the supply chain, without creating a new environmental hazard due to harmful emissions or significant waste. Today, most lithium battery recycling uses fossil fuel-powered furnaces and/or intensive chemical processes that produce significant carbon emissions and generate untenable waste streams that end up in landfills (or worse, dumped in the ocean). Just because something is labeled as recycling doesn’t mean that it is inherently clean or sustainable – how we recycle matters. With the mounting dependency on battery technology and the need to recycle millions of tons of lithium-ion batteries in the coming years, adopting environmentally sound recycling methods is essential to support the deployment of clean energy technologies and combat climate change. Aqua Metals' Mission And Technology Aqua Metals is pioneering the path toward environmentally responsible recycling with its commitment to clean recycling practices. Utilizing its proprietary AquaRefining™ technology, the company leverages the power of electricity to extract valuable metals from spent lithium and EV batteries. This innovative and patented process, which circumvents the need for thermal processing or trainloads of consumable chemicals, drastically cuts down on both waste and emissions. The crux of their mission is to turn the tide on traditional, environmentally burdensome recycling methods by offering a solution that is not only cleaner but also cost-effective and able to produce battery-grade recycled materials from spent batteries. With this approach, Aqua Metals is hoping to set a new benchmark for sustainability within the clean metals recycling industry – and build a circular domestic supply chain for critical battery minerals. The AquaRefining Process At the core of Aqua Metals' innovation is the AquaRefining process, a sophisticated system that transforms lithium battery ‘ black mass ’ – the industry term for the composite of shredded battery metals and manufacturing scraps ready to be recycled – into high-purity, reclaimed materials ready to be delivered back into the supply chain. Initiating by dissolving this black mass in a specialized solution of water and diluted acid, the process is meticulously automated to yield uniform and predictable outcomes across varying batches of black mass from various sources. The dissolved material then flows through a number of finely tuned stages, from various filters to remove impurities to a number of specific unit operations to capture individual metals found in lithium batteries (including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese). The main differentiator – and what enables the patented recycling process to boast such an environmental and economic advantage – is replacing the polluting furnaces and intensive chemical processes used today with clean electricity. Instead of using heat or chemical reactions to extract the valuable materials, Aqua Metals uses an innovative application of electroplating – quite literally pulling the dissolved metals out of the solution atom-by-atom and attaching them to an electrode for recovery of high-purity materials. The other hallmark of this groundbreaking process is its regenerative approach, where electricity is also employed to replenish the proprietary solution the company uses to dissolve the materials – thereby enhancing economic viability and lowering chemical usage on site by more than 95% compared to competing recycling technologies. These distinctive advantages underscore Aqua Metals' commitment to a sustainable and economically sound recycling methodology that enables a truly circular supply chain – without all the chemical waste and climate pollution of today’s leading recycling processes. Economic And Environmental Impact The economic benefits of Aqua Metals' approach are clear. Aqua Metals' AquaRefining technology delivers advantages through the production of high-purity metals from spent batteries using clean electricity. Replacing furnaces and significant chemical and waste storage facilities in traditional recycling could lower necessary capital costs by as much as half for a new recycling facility. And managing on-site storage for trainloads of chemicals each week, producing and disposing of equal amounts of chemical byproducts, and powering energy-intensive furnaces create much higher and less predictable operating costs. Environmentally, Aqua Metals reports that AquaRefining reduces carbon emissions by more than 83% compared to hydrometallurgy competitors. While traditional methods emit tons of CO2 and generate more sodium sulfate waste than valuable materials recovered, AquaRefining’s emissions are as clean as the electricity the company is able to source, with exceptionally high recovery rates and no waste byproducts sent to a landfill. This approach not only minimizes the environmental footprint but also bolsters the United States' efforts to establish a sustainable loop for lithium and other critical battery minerals. Strategic Partnerships For A Circular Economy Through strategic partnerships with companies like 6K Energy, Aqua Metals is poised to create the first sustainable circular domestic supply chain for critical minerals, creating a continuous loop of recycled materials feeding back into the lithium battery manufacturing supply chain. This venture will see the co-location of recycling and cathode manufacturing facilities, leading to the first production of low-carbon cathode active materials from recycled battery elements in the industry. Advancements In Battery Manufacturing Aqua Metals has also collaborated with Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp (NASDAQ: DLFI) to supply the manufacture of lithium-based battery cells using high-purity lithium hydroxide recovered through their recycling process. This marks a stride toward a more sustainable lithium battery manufacturing industry, potentially setting the stage for a closed lithium loop within the state of Nevada. Critical Minerals And National Interests In the wake of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Aqua Metals is emerging as a key player in realizing the U.S.'s ambition for a clean, electrified economy. The company's AquaRefining™ technology revolutionizes the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, offering a net-zero emissions pathway that aligns with the IRA's emphasis on sustainable practices and building domestic capacities to produce critical minerals. Critical mineral security is not just an economic opportunity for the country but also a national security necessity as these refined metals become more central to our economy. The company’s innovative approach tackles the challenges of critical mineral scarcity and environmental degradation, ensuring a more sustainable and circular approach to battery recycling, which is crucial for the burgeoning EV sector. Aqua Metals is pushing to become a leader in sustainable lithium battery recycling, offering innovative solutions to the waste and emissions challenges inherent in current recycling. With its advanced technology and strategic initiatives, Aqua Metals is not just recycling materials but possibly reshaping the very fabric of the industry for a sustainable future. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Q3 2023 Proportionate Royalty Revenue Jumps To $1.9M For Altius Renewable Royalties And ARR Secures A $247M Credit Facility

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Altius Minerals (OTCQX: ATUSF) (TSX: ALS) has strategically positioned itself within the mining sector by developing an environmentally friendly royalty portfolio, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices. While the mining industry has faced criticism for its detrimental environmental impact, Altius aims to address these concerns by focusing on minerals that are vital to modern infrastructure while minimizing exposure to environmentally harmful commodities. In addition to its core holdings, Altius owns 58% of Altius Renewable Royalties (OTCQX: ATRWF) (TSX: ARR) which provides royalty financing to the U.S. renewable energy sector. ARR last week announced its Q3 2023 proportionate royalty revenue of $1.9 million, excluding interest income. This revenue represented an increase from $1.6 million recorded in Q3 2022 and $1.0 million last quarter, indicating ARR's growth trajectory. The Q3 2023 royalty revenue reflects ARR's 50% ownership interest in Great Bay Renewables (GBR), which the company reports is rapidly building a customer base with U.S. renewable energy counterparties. The revenue generated by ARR through its ownership stake in GBR highlights the performance of the partnership. ARR also just recently announced that GBR has secured senior secured credit financing agreements totaling $247 million. The financing consists of an initial term facility (ITF) worth $123.5 million, a delayed draw term facility (Delayed Draw Facility) worth $100 million, and a letter of credit facility (L/C) worth $23 million. Both term facilities meet the requirements for green loan eligibility. Great Bay is managed jointly by ARR and funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc. Commenting on the quarter and the credit facility, Frank Getman, CEO of GBR, shared, “With the recent closing of our new debt facility, we have demonstrated the underlying strength of our current asset portfolio in the eyes of sophisticated global lenders and have positioned ourselves to continue to seize upon our strong pipeline of growth opportunities. In a few short years, we have scaled up a portfolio of renewable royalties on over 2.3 GW of operating projects and a pipeline of development stage royalties of over 15 GW, providing an embedded stream of future cash-flowing royalties that ensures strong revenue growth for GBR through the remainder of the decade." This financial milestone seems to reinforce ARR's position as a key player in the industry, demonstrating an ability to continue to deploy capital in new, accretive investments without having to return to the equity market. With a track record of revenue growth, ARR seems to prove its commitment to driving innovation and contributing to the sustainable development of the renewable energy sector. As the global shift towards clean and sustainable energy continues, ARR's strategic positioning within the industry could help it capitalize on this growing market opportunity. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Launch of "Sustainable Sustainability"– a playbook on marrying profit and purpose

Stewardship Asia Centre

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 16 November 2023 - Stewardship Asia Centre (SAC) is pleased to announce that "Sustainable Sustainability: Why ESG Is Not Enough," published by Penguin Random House, will be available for purchase from 21 November 2023. Authored by SAC's chief executive officer and Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author Rajeev Peshawaria, the book discusses the limitations of ESG, a framework largely based on rules, incentives, reporting and measurement. It emphasises the need for steward leadership to create a win-win-win future for stakeholders, society, and the environment and offers a practical, step-by-step playbook for any commercial entity that wants to succeed at marrying profit and purpose. The print edition will be available on Amazon Singapore on 21 November 2023, and the e-book will be available globally on 28 November 2023. The global print edition is slated for late January 2024. "To address today's existential challenges, we need innovation of the highest order, and innovation can neither be legislated nor driven by extrinsic incentives alone," said Mr Peshawaria. "We need a values-driven revolution with steward leadership at the core to drive a win-win-win future for stakeholders, society and the environment." The book has received advance praise. " Sustainable Sustainability is a must-read for anyone interested in turning a vision into meaningful action. Rajeev provides a compelling argument for genuine stewardship and offers practical steps for businesses. The recommendations are backed by extensive research and inspiring real-world examples—making it all real," said Ahmed Mazhari, President of Microsoft Asia. Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever and the author of Net Positive, said, "This is not a crisis of climate change, inequality, or food security. Many will argue that this is a crisis of greed, apathy, and selfishness. Sustainable Sustainability shines a light, with some practical examples, on what it takes to be a leader in today's world." More details can be found at https://www.sustainable-sustainability.com/. About Stewardship Asia Centre (SAC) SAC is a non-profit organisation established by Temasek Holdings, dedicated to helping business and government leaders, investors, and individuals activate stewardship practices through research, executive education and engagement. We define stewardship as creating value by integrating the needs of stakeholders, society, future generations and the environment. Contact Details Stewardship Asia Centre Ang Bee Lin beelin@stewardshipasia.com.sg Flame Communications Florence Fang florence.fang@flamecomms.com

November 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SIGMA Announces Release of 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports Lens

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the official release of the highly-anticipated SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports lens. A reliable and lightweight large-aperture telephoto zoom lens designed exclusively for full-frame mirrorless cameras, the 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports is available for Sony E-mount and Leica L-Mount. Combining high-speed AF, remarkably effective OS, exceptional mechanical reliability, and superior optical performance, this high-performance lens is purpose-built to meet the rigorous demands of professionals, and is suitable for a wide range of styles and genres including nature, wildlife, photojournalism, action sports, wedding and portraits. The lens will retail for $1,499 USD and will be available through authorized retailers on December 7, 2023. Dust and splash-proof construction, high-performance optical stabilizer (OS), and an inner zoom mechanism that does not affect barrel length, are all features designed for the most demanding photographic conditions. It is also the first SIGMA DN zoom lens to be equipped with an aperture ring (click/declick type). Streamlined optical design and a multi-material structure featuring magnesium and TSC have resulted in a lightweight lens body. A new compact tripod collar and foot also help minimize weight, as does a CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) lens hood. Compared to the 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports for DSLR cameras (1,805g for SA mount), the 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports is significantly lighter (1,345g for L-Mount). Featuring Dual HLA-driven floating focus for fast, accurate AF, the focus lens is driven using a high-thrust HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) as the focus actuator, and a floating focus is used to achieve high-speed AF drive. The floating configuration of this lens, in which the two focus groups are driven in opposite directions, reduces the amount of movement of each focus group to about half that of a single group focus system, achieving extremely fast AF that is highly responsive. The latest OS2 stabilization algorithm achieves image stabilization performance of 7.5 stops at the Wide end and 5.5 stops at the Tele end. The SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports has very minimal focus breathing on both the wide and tele ends, making it a powerful lens for video applications. The minimal change in center of gravity enables stable shooting in all situations, including handheld, on a tripod, and with a gimbal. During zooming, five groups are moved to suppress aberration fluctuation, achieving high optical performance throughout the zoom range. Learn more about the SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports lens: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/70-200mm-f2-8-dg-dn-os-s Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras S | Sports SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Performance, reliability, and mobility at its highest level. High-speed AF and optical stabilizer function that maximize superior optical performance Top-level build quality condensed into a highly mobile lens A wealth of functions to assist professionals Supplied accessories: Case, LENS HOOD LH860-01, TRIPOD SOCKET TS-151, FRONT CAP LCF-77mm III, REAR CAP LCR II Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount Launch date: December 7, 2023 * The appearance and specifications of the products are subject to change. * Sony E-mount lenses are developed, manufactured and sold in accordance with the E-mount specifications licensed under a license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA70200mmSports #SIGMASports #SIGMADGDN Packed with all the technology SIGMA has to offer. The large F2.8 aperture provides stable and high descriptive performance at all zoom and focus ranges. The high-speed AF with a dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) based on a floating focus structure, and the Optical Stabilizer function with the OS2 algorithm with up to 7.5 stops of correction effect*, ensure that users can take the right shot when there is no room for error. The highly mobile lens with high durability, rigidity, and texture is equipped with a wealth of functions to assist comfortable shooting, including an inner zoom mechanism for easy handling, as well as an aperture ring and switches with various customization functions. The flagship SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports, combined with the best of SIGMA's latest technologies to meet the high-level demands of professionals, has finally arrived. * Based on CIPA guidelines (Measured at 70mm and 200mm with a 35mm full-frame image sensor) [Key Features] 1. High-speed AF and optical stabilizer function that maximize superior optical performance The SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports, developed with professional use in mind, offers not only high optical performance, but also high-speed AF with a dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) and an optical stabilizer function with up to 7.5 stops. The Sports line lenses offer high optical performance, and all functions are based on state-of-the-art technology. High descriptive performance at all zoom and focus ranges The latest optical design, which employs luxurious glass materials including 6 FLD and 2 SLD elements of special low-dispersion glass, delivers high resolving power throughout the entire zoom range. Three aspherical lenses are used, as they are now indispensable for superior optical performance and streamlined lens construction. The exceptionally high precision of the aspherical lenses, which take advantage of the technical capabilities of SIGMA's only production facility, the Aizu factory, further improves optical performance. The incorporated floating focus is advantageous in improving short-range performance, ensuring a stable, high-level image quality throughout the entire range from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. High-speed AF with a dual HLA The SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports with floating focus has a structure in which the two focus groups move in opposite directions, thereby reducing the amount of focus lens movement by about half. In addition, the use of an HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor in each of the two focus groups enables high-speed autofocusing. In addition to being fast and accurate, the lens also employs a control program that is designed to be quiet, so users can shoot movies comfortably without worrying about noise. OS2 algorithm in optical stabilizer function The latest OS2 optical stabilization algorithm provides an extremely high image stabilization effect of 7.5 stops at the wide end and 5.5 stops at the telephoto end*. The lens is equipped with two OS modes: Mode 1 is suitable for general shooting, and Mode 2 is ideal for panning shots of motorsports and other sports. In Mode 2, SIGMA's Intelligent OS, an algorithm specially designed for panning shots, enables effective image stabilization even when the camera is moved vertically or diagonally, irrespective of the horizontal and vertical orientation. This ensures that the subject's movement can be captured without losing the panning shot effect. * Based on CIPA guidelines (Measured at 70mm and 200mm with a 35mm full-frame image sensor) Designed to minimize focus breathing The lens has been designed to suppress focus breathing. The change in angle of view due to focus shift is minimized, creating a natural-looking focus shift when recording video. Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, are addressed under all conditions of incident light based on the most advanced simulation technology. High backlight resistance enables clear and sharp images under any lighting conditions. 2. Top-level build quality condensed into a highly mobile lens SIGMA is committed to excellent build quality in all its lenses. Among them, the SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports, which is part of the Sports line, offers not only high weather resistance performance for shooting in harsh environments, but also improved quality and durability through the use of cutting-edge materials in appropriate places based on a streamlined optical and mechanical design. At the same time, a high level of mobility is also realized, resulting in a professional equipment that can be used with confidence over the long term. High quality and durability despite its small size and light weight The latest optical and mechanical design streamlines the lens configuration and internal structure, resulting in a significantly smaller and lighter body than the previous SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports model. The body, including the hood, features a "multi-material structure" that optimally arranges materials such as magnesium, CFRP*1, and TSC*2. Even with enhanced mobility, the lens features SIGMA's renowned excellent build quality, including high durability, reliable rigidity, and various control rings and switches that have been carefully designed to feel good. * 1 CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), a light but strong material used in the interior and exterior fittings of aircraft, among many other applications. * 2 TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) is a type of polycarbonate with a thermal expansion rate similar to that of aluminum. It has high affinity to metal parts which contributes to high quality product manufacturing. Adoption of inner zoom mechanism The zoom mechanism employs an inner zoom. Since the total length of the lens does not change with zoom operation, it is easy to handle when shooting hand-held, highly stable when installed on a gimbal, and resistant to dust and water droplets. Weatherability of Sports line specifications The mount connection, manual focus ring, zoom ring, switches, switch panel and exterior connection are all dust and splash resistant* to prevent dust and dirt from entering the lens. Further, the front element of the lens features a water and oil repellent coating to facilitate maintenance when water droplets or dust adhere to the lens. * The structure is designed to be dust and splash resistant, but not waterproof. Be careful not to bring the lens in contact with a large amount of water. Water inside the lens may cause major damage and even render the lens unrepairable. 3. A wealth of functions to assist professional photographers In addition to an aperture ring, a magnesium tripod mount, and various switches, the highly mobile lens has a wealth of functions available, enabling a more comfortable and versatile shooting experience for users. Equipped with an aperture ring This is the first SIGMA zoom lens for still photography to be equipped with an aperture ring. It is also equipped with an aperture ring click switch and an aperture ring lock switch, allowing for aperture operation suited to the shooting application. Newly developed tripod socket The lens body incorporates an Arca-Swiss compatible magnesium alloy tripod socket. The detachable leg is newly designed for the SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports in order to achieve a compact and lightweight design. Customizable functions Equipped with a Focus Limiter switch, the lens enables users to limit the focus driving range during AF when necessary, allowing quick and precise focusing. Further, the lens features three AFL buttons* ready to be assigned to preferred functions using the camera. The AFL buttons are easy to operate regardless of how the camera is oriented or which settings are used. For the L-Mount version, the SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 can be used to set OS operation or focus limiter range for the Custom Mode switch. * Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. Tele Converter for L-Mount (1.4x / 2.0x) The L-Mount version of the lens is compatible with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411 (1.4x) and TC-2011 (2.0x). Using a tele converter, the focal length can be multiplied by 1.4x and even 2x, for AF-enabled shooting at ultra-telephoto focal lengths of up to 400mm. Cover-type lens hood included A lightweight, high-strength, exclusive cover-type lens hood made of CFRP* is included. In addition to its slim design that does not impair the mobility of the lens, the tip of the hood is rubberized to protect the lens from abrasion and scratches caused by placing the lens upside down. * CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), a light but strong material used in the interior and exterior fittings of aircraft, among many other applications. [ Additional Features ] Lens construction: 20 elements in 15 groups (6 FLD, 2 SLD, 3 aspherical elements) OS (Optical Stabilizer) function with the latest "OS2" algorithm Inner zoom Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections or auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model. * On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with 'ON' or 'OFF' in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to 'ON' (AUTO). Supports DMF and AF+MF Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only) Nano Porous Coating Super Multi-Layer Coating Water and Oil Repellent Coating (front element) Aperture ring Aperture ring click switch Aperture ring lock switch AFL button (3 buttons) * Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. Focus Limiter switch Focus Mode switch Support for switching between linear focus / non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only) Function available on supported cameras only. OS switch Custom Mode switch Dust and Splash Resistant Structure LENS HOOD LH860-01 TRIPOD SOCKET TS-151 (detachable lens foot type) Compatible with SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411 / TC-2011 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 11-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount Mount Conversion Service available "Made in Aizu, Japan" craftsmanship Learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [ Key Specifications ] The following specifications are for L-Mount. Lens Construction: 20 elements in 15 groups (6 FLD, 2 SLD, 3 aspherical elements) Angle of view: 34.3° - 12.3° Number of diaphragm blades: 1 (rounded diaphragm) Minimum aperture: F22 Minimum focusing distance: 65 (W) - 100 (T) cm / 25.6 (W) - 39.4 (T) in. Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.2 (at focal length 200mm) Filter size: 77mm Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length): 3.6 x 8.1 in. / 90.6 x 205mm Weight: 7.4 oz. / 1,345g (includes tripod foot) [ Product Barcode ] Product Name Barcode L-Mount: 0085126 591694 Sony E-mount: 0085126 591656 [ Accessories: Supplied ] LENS HOOD LH860-01: 0085126 941116 FRONT CAP LCF-77mm III: 0085126 930011 TRIPOD SOCKET TS-151: 0085126 941109 REAR CAP LCR II (for L-Mount): 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II (for Sony E-mount): 0085126 929879 [ Accessories: Optional ] SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1411 for L-Mount: 0085126 825690 SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-2011 for L-Mount: 0085126 826697 SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 77mm: 0085126 931827 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 77mm: 0085126 930967 SIGMA PROTECTOR 77mm: 0085126 931094 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 77mm: 0085126 930707 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 77mm: 0085126 930837 [ Contact ] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [ Information ] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/s023_70_200_28/ [ About SIGMA Corporation ] Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. For more information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog. Follow SIGMA America (Photo): Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Follow SIGMA Ameica (Cine): Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Contact Details SIGMA Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com SDDPR Stacey Doss stacey@sddpr.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

November 16, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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WHAT’S HOT THIS HOLIDAY – BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

November 16, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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OPPO joins global developers and creators to build an open ecosystem forward with breakthrough innovation at 2023 OPPO Developers Conference

OPPO

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach - 16 November 2023 - OPPO today kicked off its 2023 OPPO Developers Conference (ODC23), unveiling its upgraded Pantanal cross-platform smart system and self-trained large language model-AndesGPT which empower the brand new ColorOS 14, and the exploration in open ecosystem for global developers and OPPO Health. OPPO's Open Ecosystem with 320,000 developers and 750,000 creators Upgraded OPPO's Pantanal cross-platform smart system and AndesGPT empowering the brand new ColorOS 14 Since its first release in 2013, OPPO ColorOS has continued to bring users the ultimate smart experiences through its commitment to user orientation and investment in underlying technology. Marking the milestone of 10 th anniversary, ColorOS 14 introduces a variety of new intelligent interactive experiences based on the advanced integration of upgraded OPPO's Pantanal cross-platform smart system and OPPO's self-trained large language model-AndesGPT for its China Version. ColorOS global monthly active users exceeds 600 million With the upgraded Pantanal's capability, ColorOS 14 introduces a greater range of ubiquitous services, such as a full range of smart travel services covering everything from hotel reservations to recommendations and tour guide in China, as well as a one-stop international travel tool. Empowered with AndesGPT, OPPO's self-developed intelligent assistant, Breeno [1] has received comprehensive upgrades. The new Breeno now covers more than 400 frequently-used system settings with more natural and smooth conversations. It can also perform AI content generation tasks, schedule management and more. AndesGPT, creating useful large language model and AI agent for everyone OPPO today officially unveiled its self-trained large language model-AndesGPT. Underlying with three major technical characteristics: dialogue enhancement, personalization and cloud-device collaboration, its core capabilities focus on knowledge, memory, tools, and creation. Besides Breeno, AndesGPT has also brought new capabilities to Pantanal. With the support of generative AI technology, Pantanal provides more accurate understanding of user intention and context, more intelligent combinations of ubiquitous services, and more intuitive user interaction. The synergy of Pantanal and AndesGPT will bring more creative and imaginative experience to OPPO global users. The synergy of Pantanal and AndesGPT for upgraded ColorOS smart experience OPPO has established AI-related partnerships more than 45 key institutions in China and abroad. In the future, OPPO will launch the AI agent open platform for its global developers. Integration of OPPO's software, hardware, and services to better empower global developers to build an open ecosystem forward OPPO continues to enhance the integration of its software, hardware, and services while working with 320,000 developers and 750,000 creators to serve 600 million OPPO users worldwide. OPPO stated that it will focus on building the capability of application services, content services and go-global services, and it will focus on building the service ecosystem, to joint with partners to bring smarter and more convenient service experience to users. OPPO Internet services provide more growth opportunities for application and content developers through stronger localized operations and more open system capabilities. In terms of apps, the OPPO App Market currently covers more than 100 countries and regions, including core regions in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Russia. In terms of content, OPPO provides developers with more scenarios, richer content formats, and more flexible methods of access, helping to distribute content in a more targeted way. Moreover, OPPO announced that it will allocate RMB 2 billion worth of resources towards its Gravity Plan in 2024 to support developers in building an ecosystem together. OPPO welcomes more developers to join and enjoy the new era of services distribution. OPPO Health: A guardian of health for individuals and families Guided by its brand mission of "Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World", OPPO has continued to expand its presence in the health industry in recent years, including developing a variety of fundamental technologies for sports and fitness, cardiovascular health, and sleep health, each of which have gradually made their way onto OPPO smartphones, smartwatches and other products. OPPO also unveils the latest progress of its Research App including Healthy Lifestyle Training Camp, Cognitive Health Research, Cardiovascular Health Research and the upcoming Sleep Health Research. At ODC23, OPPO also announced the updates of its self-developed OPPO Sense® algorithm which features breakthroughs in cardiovascular health, fitness, and sleep tracking. The second-edition of cardiovascular fitness algorithm offers improved accuracy in sports monitoring, with newly added badminton and running posture detection functionality to improve sports monitoring. OPPO Sense® at ODC23 Based on the fundamental technologies and research projects, OPPO hope to become the guardian and partner of health for individuals and families. Together, OPPO hopes to join more developers and creators for the continuing exploration and building an open ecosystem forward in the future. ______________________________ [1] Breeno is available for ColorOS China version only. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find X and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

November 16, 2023 01:16 AM Eastern Standard Time

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STO Market Valuation in Korea Expected to Reach 287 Billion By 2030

HTX

On November 10th, Edward Chen, Managing Partner of HTX Ventures, attended the 2023 STO Summit in South Korea and presented a speech on STO Insights and its Potential. The speech delved into the progression of Security Token Offerings (STOs) in Asia, addressing topics such as securities-related transaction regulations, future potential and challenges, key growth areas, and potential investment opportunities in 2024. As the STO and RWA sectors continue to gain momentum, HTX Ventures has invested considerable resources to explore this domain through research. STO Market: Boasting Huge Potential and Growing Rapidly Based on data from the STO market, the STO market cap has experienced tremendous growth, surging from 374 million to approximately 1 billion from December 2020 to September 2021, representing an extraordinary growth rate of 2670%. This momentum has persisted into 2022. From April 2021 to April 2022, STO trading volumes witnessed a remarkable increase of 386%, accompanied by a 2650% growth in the market cap. In May 2022, the total market cap of traded security tokens grew twentyfold in a year to surpass $19 billion. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that by 2030, the STO market in Korea will reach an impressive 367 trillion Won ($287 billion). During his speech, Edward delved into the advantages and limitations of STO. When discussing the positive features of STO, he underscored its flexibility, technological advancement, positive token economy, complete operation under regulation, and high composability. ● Flexibility: Multiple issuers or individuals can achieve asset refinancing goals more flexibly. Issuers can diversify their financing channels, reaching a broader spectrum of investors. ● Technological Advancement: Using blockchain for enhanced liquidity across regions and exchanges. Smart contracts can be used to conduct automated transactions, and even facilitate enterprises to complete cross-border settlement and payment scenarios. ● Positive Token Economy: Tokens have an economic incentive mechanism and functional role, which can redefine property rights and production relations. ● Complete Operation Under Regulation: Effectively preventing fraud and market manipulation, while fundamentally ensuring the interests of investors and fair trading. ● High Composability: STO and DeFi, STO and NFT, etc. Limitations of STO: ● Security tokens are subject to heightened regulation, leading to increased complexity in administrative processes. ● STO platforms must consistently adapt to ever-evolving regulations. ● Regulations in certain areas may impose limits on who can invest in STOs, thereby reducing the available pool of investors. In the Asia-Pacific region, the STO ecosystem is still in its early stages of development. From a technological standpoint, North America maintains its dominance in this domain, producing a diverse range of exceptional products and cutting-edge technologies. However, the potential of the South Korean market should not be underestimated, especially with its unique culture and the gradual relaxation of regulations. Japan's STO market stands out as the most vibrant in Asia. From 2019 to 2022, many traditional financial companies, including large securities firms and banks, have entered the STO sector. The types of Japanese STOs include corporate bonds, credit card bonds, real estate, carbon emissions, etc. In line with this, the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) is set to launch the STO market in 2025. STO vs. RWA: Analyzing Differences and Exploring Future Trends In his speech, Edward pointed out that the main differences between STO and RWA lie in their focus and scope. To summarize, their distinctions are as follows: 1. STO focuses on the securities sector, emphasizing the issuance and trading of tokenized securities through blockchain technology. In contrast, RWA has a broader scope, tokenizing various real-world assets, encompassing both those with monetary value and non-monetary value. 2. STO emphasizes compliance in the securities sector and investor protection. In contrast, RWA focuses on introducing a variety of real-world assets into the blockchain, offering increased liquidity and avenues for value exchange. 3. In the earlier cycle, roughly around 2017-2018, before the prominence of the DeFi concept, STO narratives primarily revolved around equity issuance, such as issuing company stocks or equity-like assets, without delving much into bonds. Conversely, RWA discussions often centered around assets like U.S. Treasury bonds or fixed-income assets. As a result, these two concepts belong to different eras and cycles, giving rise to notable divergences in narratives and contexts. In summary, STO can be considered a constrained implementation of RWA. 1. From April 2021 to April 2022, STO trading volumes witnessed a remarkable increase of 386%, accompanied by a 2650% growth in the market cap. In May 2022, the total market cap of traded security tokens grew twentyfold in a year to surpass $19 billion. 2. Tokenized assets are anticipated to witness increased adoption across a spectrum of sectors, including real estate, investment funds, bonds, and equities. Moreover, their application is predicted to broaden to encompass more unconventional assets, such as patents. 3. A remarkable fiftyfold increase in tokenized assets is projected from 2022 to 2030, with their value surging from $310 billion to $16.1 trillion. 4. By 2030, the value of tokenized assets may account for approximately 10% of the global GDP. 5. STOs have garnered increased popularity compared to ICOs, attributed to their enhanced security and compliance features. The number of companies specializing in tokenization rises annually, and an escalating number of STO projects have successfully secured multimillion-dollar funding. 6. Europe is expected to see an STO boom in the next five years. The researchers estimate the market size for digital assets in Europe at more than a billion euros by 2026. Moreover, STOs have garnered significant popularity across diverse industries due to their provision of a secure and transparent avenue for investment and fundraising. Sectors embracing this trend include real estate, precious stones and metals, natural resources, and private equity. Taking real estate as an example, STO solutions provide a unique opportunity to tokenize real estate assets, streamlining the process of acquiring shares in a property. They create opportunities for fractional ownership, making it more accessible for smaller investors to participate. For businesses, STOs represent an effective means of raising funds, attracting global investors, and offering enhanced liquidity and transparency. This is a win-win solution. It is estimated that 89% of all traded security tokens are allocated to real estate. The global real estate market is projected to reach $5,388.87 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.6%. Edward outlined several potential opportunities for RWA in his predictions for the future of RWA: · Within the realm of RWA, decentralized stablecoins and fixed-income assets remain the predominant categories, still with larger room development in the future. · Government bond RWAs will remain mainstream, with increased attention on equity RWAs. U.S. Treasury bonds have gained recognition in the crypto community. · The tokenization of assets like real estate and carbon credits is in demand, but compliance hurdles remain a significant challenge. · Token standards will diversify, and ERC-20 may not be the future mainstream, with significant potential for NFTs in bills, RETIs, collectibles, and other areas. · More projects will offer opportunities for infrastructure and RWA services. · Hong Kong and Singapore may contribute to the prosperity of the RWA due to their regulatory measures. Regarding RWA, it's noteworthy to highlight the Bitcoin ETF as a pivotal milestone in its development. Since 2023, eight major financial institutions have submitted applications to the U.S. SEC for a Spot Bitcoin ETF. The approval of such an ETF seems inevitable. Once approved, it will signify a pivotal moment in RWA's development. The expected influx of trillions of dollars into the RWA market is likely to drive the acceptance and investment in Bitcoin by traditional financial institutions, family offices, and funds, ultimately boosting the mainstream credibility and acceptance of Bitcoin investments. One highlight in the RWA sector is the tokenization of U.S. government bonds. The tokenization volume of U.S. government bonds is valued at $697 million with an approximate annual yield of 5.25%. Decentralized stablecoins and fixed-income assets remain the predominant categories. For instance, MakerDAO currently stands as the undisputed leader in the RWA sector, boasting a total business scale of $32.8 billion. Moreover, over 65% of the revenue in the MakerDAO protocol is derived from RWA. In his concluding remarks, Edward analyzed the factors that may contribute to the future success of STO. Even though STO provides significant business opportunities and financial innovation to financial markets, investors, and issuers, its structure remains in the early stages. Looking ahead, several factors may contribute to the ultimate success of STO in the future. These factors include the STO ecosystem and stakeholders, legal and regulatory frameworks, the credibility of trading platforms, and investor education. About HTX Ventures HTX Ventures, the global investment arm of HTX, leverages an integrated approach that combines investment, incubation, and research to identify the most exceptional and promising teams around the world. As a pioneer with a decade of experience in the blockchain industry, HTX Ventures is committed to exploring, uncovering, and driving the development of cutting-edge technology and emerging business models within the industry. It offers comprehensive support to collaborative projects, including financing, resources, and strategic consulting, to foster the growth of the blockchain ecosystem. To date, HTX Ventures has achieved a 60-fold return on investment, with investments spanning over 20 countries and regions. It has collaborated with more than 120 fund partners and has supported over 200 projects across various disciplines, with 60% of these projects eventually being listed on HTX. Collaborating with its investment department, HTX is dedicated to actively monitoring and supporting the development of the RWA sector. It will provide professional guidance, consulting services, an extensive resource network, liquidity pools, and a user base for portfolio projects. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/ Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

November 15, 2023 12:41 PM Eastern Standard Time

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