Senior Creative Producer

👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news hereUber Technologies is exploring the use of stablecoins to streamline global money transfers, according to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.He shared the news during the Bloomberg Tech conference in San Francisco on June 5, describing the initiative as being in the “study phase.”Stablecoins are digital currencies typically linked to traditional assets, such as the US dollar.Khosrowshahi said they could help reduce costs tied to international transactions for global companies.Meanwhile, US lawmakers are currently discussing regulatory frameworks for stablecoins. These currencies are designed to be backed by reserves to maintain their value.🔗 Source: Bloomberg🧠 Food for thought1️⃣ Corporate adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments is gaining momentumUber’s exploration of stablecoins reflects a broader corporate trend that has been building throughout 2025, with multiple major financial players making similar moves.The inefficiencies of traditional cross-border transfers, which can take days and incur fees of up to 7%, create a compelling business case for stablecoin adoption in global companies 1.Transaction volumes for stablecoins have already reached an impressive $27.6 trillion annually, surpassing volumes on traditional payment networks and demonstrating real-world utility beyond speculation 2.Stripe recently acquired stablecoin infrastructure platform Bridge and launched Stablecoin Financial Accounts that operate in 101 countries, showing how payment giants are making substantial investments in this technology 3.Mastercard and PayPal are simultaneously exploring stablecoin integration for B2B payments, with PayPal having already developed its own stablecoin called PYUSD for testing in real-world business scenarios 4.This convergence of major corporate interest suggests that stablecoins are transitioning from niche crypto products to mainstream financial tools for practical business operations, particularly for companies with global footprints like Uber.2️⃣ Regulatory momentum is creating a more favorable environment for adoptionThe timing of Uber’s stablecoin exploration coincides with significant progress in regulatory frameworks that provide the legal clarity businesses need before adopting new financial technologies.The proposed GENIUS Act and STABLE Act in Congress represent bipartisan efforts to establish clear rules for stablecoin issuers, addressing previous regulatory uncertainty that had limited corporate adoption 5.These legislative initiatives specifically target payment stablecoins and establish standards for reserve practices, supervision, and compliance with anti-money laundering laws—all critical concerns for public companies considering these technologies 5.The stablecoin market has grown from $20 billion in 2020 to $246 billion by May 2025, with this dramatic expansion occurring alongside increasing regulatory attention, suggesting that oversight is not hindering but potentially enabling growth 6.Major financial institutions are responding to this regulatory progress, with banks like Standard Chartered exploring stablecoin options and stablecoin issuers becoming significant holders of US Treasury securities 7.For Uber and other multinational corporations, the emerging regulatory clarity reduces legal and compliance risks that previously made stablecoin adoption challenging, potentially accelerating implementation timelines.Recent Uber developments

Bain pinpoints powerful trends set to reshape the global retail landscape by 2035, with businesses whichseize the opportunities set to be tomorrow's winnersBOSTON and LONDON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Far-reaching disruptions in the global retail landscape are set to radically – and rapidly – transform the industry over the next decade, Bain & Company finds in a new analysis of the powerful trends reshaping retail business models, published ahead of next week's Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit in Amsterdam.As retailers worldwide grapple with an array of immediate challenges, including the impact of tariffs, Bain's report, The Future of Retail: Six Disruptions That Could Shape the Next Decade, urges them not to lose sight of six major shifts impacting their future success in the longer term. Tomorrow's retail winners will be the businesses which move quickly to seize the opportunities offered by these trends in technologies, consumer behaviors and shifting retail economics – and will set the pace for a new retail era, Bain concludes."Retail is on the brink of transformation. These disruptions are not speculative, they're already taking hold," said Marc-André Kamel, partner and global head of Bain & Company's Retail practice. "As businesses manage tariff turbulence and other immediate concerns, they can't afford to lose sight of the long-term evolution of the strategic landscape. Our research convinces us that the industry will be comprehensively altered over the next five to 10 years, setting the stage for a retail renaissance."Bain's analysis identifies six provocative visions of the key trends that it believes are already driving what it calls a nascent "retail renaissance":Algorithms and robots will run your business : Core retail functions such as pricing, promotions, and merchandising will increasingly be automated, commoditizing retail capabilities that have traditionally offered a competitive edge. Retailers that don't let algorithms and robots run key parts of their business might give away a few vital percentage points of profit margin.: Core retail functions such as pricing, promotions, and merchandising will increasingly be automated, commoditizing retail capabilities that have traditionally offered a competitive edge

Survey of over 500 executives across the luxury packaging value chain, the study offers a clear message: sustainability is no longer an option—it's an expectation for customersHalf of luxury packaging leaders say sustainable solutions will account for over 30% of sales within three years—signaling a major shift in materials, design, and digital engagementPARIS, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Packaging in the luxury sector is undergoing a quiet revolution—and it's getting smarter, greener, and more purposeful. A new report from Bain & Company, in collaboration with Fedrigoni Group, the global manufacturer of specialty papers, self-adhesive materials, and RFID (radio-frequency identification tags), reveals that sustainability is no longer a trade-off in the world of high-end packaging—it's becoming a competitive edge.In a compelling forecast, the report, Luxury Packaging: Resolving the Tension Between Creativity and Impact, projects that, within the next three years, more than 30% of all luxury packaging sales are expected to use sustainable solutions. The findings, unveiled today at "Explore – Fedrigoni Creative Summit" event, held in Paris, draw on a survey of more than 500 executives across the luxury packaging value chain in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including designers, suppliers, converters, and leading brands."Packaging is evolving from a static container into a dynamic brand touchpoint," said Claudia D'Arpizio, senior partner and global head of the Fashion and Luxury practice at Bain & Company. "It's no longer about choosing between beauty and responsibility. Today, you can—and must—deliver both."From indulgence to innovationLuxury has long been defined by sensory experiences—the feel of a hand-crafted box, the gleam of a bespoke bottle. But as environmental concerns and regulations reshape the industry, luxury brands are now reimagining their packaging not just as a container, but as a statement of values.Marco Nespolo, Fedrigoni Group CEO, said: "Every day, through our close collaboration with brands, designers and converters, we witness the evolution of what luxury truly means: no longer just about aesthetics and exclusivity, but increasingly about responsibility, transparency and positive impact