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Indonesia Unveils Pioneering State-Backed Cryptocurrency Bourse To Foster Crypto Market Growth

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Indonesia

(CTN NEWS) – On the momentous date of July 20, 2023, Indonesia, with unwavering determination, inaugurated the world’s foremost state-endorsed cryptocurrency exchange, effectively overseen by the Commodities Futures Trading Supervisory Agency.

Leading the charge, the local enterprise PT Kliring Berjangka Indonesia assumed the pivotal role of the futures clearing house, facilitating the seamless settlement of crypto assets.

Meanwhile, entrusted with the vital responsibility of safeguarding these digital treasures, PT Tennet Depository Indonesia took the mantle of the crypto asset storage manager.

The grandeur of the platform is revealed through the listing of esteemed licensed cryptocurrency enterprises, including prominent names like Binance, Ripple, Ethereum, Tether, and Bitcoin.

Indonesia’s forward-looking vision through this venture is twofold: bolstering the regulatory framework enveloping the burgeoning cryptocurrency sector and nurturing an equitable and secure cryptocurrency trading ecosystem.

Even though the use of cryptocurrencies for transactions remains currently disallowed, investment in these digital assets is actively endorsed by the government.

As per the esteemed Commodities Futures Trading Supervisory Agency, Indonesia boasts a staggering 17 million cryptocurrency users, a testament to the nation’s profound interest in this emerging financial realm.

An Uptick in Cryptocurrency Transactions

A remarkable ascent in crypto trading activity has been witnessed in Indonesia, with the transaction volume soaring to an impressive US$56 billion in 2021, a monumental increase compared to the relatively modest US$4.6 billion logged in the preceding year, 2020.

This meteoric rise can be attributed to Indonesia’s regulatory green light, granting cryptocurrencies the status of tradable commodities in 2019, and the subsequent investment fervor experienced amidst the pandemic’s zenith in 2021.

Notably, during the initial half of 2023, the crypto volume transacted amounted to a substantial US$4.42 billion, though it experienced some deceleration owing to the surging interest rates in recent months.

The Winds of Regulatory Change

A seminal moment for Indonesia’s cryptocurrency domain transpired in November 2022 when the Commodities Futures Trading Supervisory Agency promulgated Regulation 8/2022, mandating that enterprises seek a coveted crypto exchange provider (CEP) license.

The meticulous requirements set forth for securing a CEP enterprise are:

  1. A minimum paid-up capital of 100 billion rupiah (US$6.6 million).
  2. An equity base of no less than 50 billion rupiah (US$3.3 million).
  3. Possession of a sophisticated online trading platform, specially designed to facilitate seamless crypto asset trading, integrated with futures clearing institutions and future exchanges.
  4. The establishment of a robust organizational structure encompassing diverse divisions, namely Audit, Legal, IT, Customer Service, Accounting, and Finance.
  5. Necessitating the presence of at least one employee who holds the esteemed Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential.
  6. Restricting CEP holders from owning more than 20 percent of another CEP’s shares.
  7. Extending the privilege of foreign ownership to one CEP or prospective CEP exclusively.
  8. Requiring a minimum of three Indonesian citizens serving as Board of Directors, constituting two-thirds of the total board members.
  9. Mandating at least three Indonesian citizens to occupy positions on the Board of Commissioners, again accounting for two-thirds of the total board members.
  10. Demanding periodic submission of comprehensive reports encompassing business plans, achievements, and general operational performance to the Commodities Futures Trading Supervisory Agency.

It’s noteworthy that the esteemed Commodities Futures Trading Supervisory Agency shall withhold licensing approval unless a business duly establishes a local entity within the shores of Indonesia.

Leveraging Indonesia’s Fintech Potential

The Indonesian fintech landscape proudly stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and fiercely competitive arenas, boasting an impressive roster of four unicorns and a decacorn.

The fintech industry stands as a magnet for funding in Indonesia, rivaled only by the e-commerce sector. It is predominantly dominated by two segments: peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, accounting for 50 percent of the sector, and e-payment platforms, occupying 23 percent.

Despite the multitude of fintech companies operating in Indonesia, foreign investors will find the industry poised for immense untapped potential.

A primary contributing factor lies in the reality that nearly 60 percent of Indonesia’s labor force operates within the informal sector, while micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) encounter significant challenges in accessing financing from traditional banking channels, as they too are predominantly active within the informal sector.

The e-Conomy South East Asia Report of 2022 bears witness to Indonesia’s commanding presence, accounting for a substantial 40 percent of the total US$77 billion in digital transactions within the broader Southeast Asian region.

P2P Lending: Unlocking Opportunities

The indigenous MSMEs in Indonesia often possess business models that may not align seamlessly with the conventional financial products offered by banking establishments.

The unique facets encompass aspects such as loan schemes with diverse payment terms, unconventional forms of collateral, and distinctive credit quality criteria, among others.

Foreign fintech enterprises have the rare opportunity to bridge this gap with innovative financing models that possess the capacity to cater to Indonesia’s staggering population of 47 million underbanked and 92 million unbanked adults.

Notably, P2P lending surged to a substantial US$7.7 billion in 2020, facilitated by over 102 fintech companies officially listed by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).

This concerted effort extended financial support to a commendable 26 million borrowers dispersed across the archipelago.

The E-wallet Revolution

The proliferation of electronic money transactions experienced a momentous spike, soaring by an astounding 173 percent in 2020, rapidly becoming an indispensable aspect of the Indonesian consumers’ lifestyle.

Inarguably, Indonesia emerges as the next epicenter in the struggle for supremacy among digital payment apps, as the nation inherently possesses several key attributes that are deemed pivotal for the widespread adoption of digital payment systems.

Indonesia’s digital landscape boasts an impressive internet penetration rate, reaching some 196 million individuals, while the smartphone adoption rate stands at a commendable 60 percent, surmounting the broader ASEAN region’s 51 percent.

Furthermore, a burgeoning middle class, representing approximately 20 percent of the population, serves as a critical segment propelling the exponential growth of the digital economy.

For foreign investors delving into the thriving e-wallet industry, a paramount imperative lies in providing an unparalleled customer-centric experience, thereby enabling customers to engage in transactions with their preferred local payment methods, which range from mobile banking options to payments through convenience stores.

This arises due to the coexistence of a high smartphone penetration rate and a considerable segment of the population residing within the unbanked strata.

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PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

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Pepsi

(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Infosys

(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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