Key takeaways

▪ More than three in four consumers expect their countries to become predominantly cashless within the next five years, but this move towards a cashless society is at a crossroads and varies greatly between countries.
▪ Almost four in ten consumers expect their governments or central banks to launch a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the next three years.
▪ 37% of consumers expect their governments to officially make cryptocurrencies legal tender for transactions in their countries.
▪ Both consumers and institutions see government regulations as a barrier in the move to a cashless society, but there are clear signs this is changing, with frameworks, approaches, laws and pilot projects being introduced in several countries globally.
▪ Institutional investors and corporate treasurers expect consumer demand for digital currencies to increase. This may be intensified by the move to the metaverse, and in particular the rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 2 June 2022 – Digimentality 2022: Fear and favouring of digital currency, a new report from Economist Impact commissioned by Crypto.com, provides a gauge of changes in consumer sentiment toward digital currencies and the trend toward a cashless society.

In 2020 and 2021, Economist Impact conducted surveys to measure the relative acceptance of digital currencies and other digital payment methods, and found that the trend towards a cashless society was growing stronger. A new survey of 3,000 consumers, and another of 150 institutional investors and treasury management respondents was launched in January and February 2022 to assess how sentiment around digital currencies has changed in the past year.

The survey finds that while the share of respondents who report that they always (as close to 100% of purchases as possible) use digital payments instead of banknotes, coins, or credit cards has remained largely similar over the past two years at 24%, more than three in four consumers expect their countries to become largely cashless within the next five years.

In fact, 18% of respondents say the country in which they live will become cashless in the next year or two, compared with 17% in 2021 and 14% a year earlier. In keeping with this trend, only 13% now say their country will never become cashless compared with 19% in 2021 and 28% in 2020.

The significance of governments’ role in this shift toward a cashless society is made clear by the survey results. For instance, among those who believe their country will become cashless, government and the public sector is seen as the biggest driver of this (49% compared with 27% in 2021).

This echoes findings from the institutional survey that regulations can enable acceptance and adoption. On the flip side, government regulations are also picked as one of three main barriers to becoming cashless by more than one in four (27%) of consumers, up from 20% in 2021.

Additionally, 37% of consumers surveyed expect their governments or central banks to launch a CBDC in the next three years. A similar share expects them to make cryptocurrencies legal tender for transactions in their countries.

The optimism around CBDCs is seen among institutions as well, with 65% saying they expect them to replace physical currencies in their countries, up from 56% in 2021. There is also optimism around growing understanding and trust of digital currencies—for example, only 35% consider that a primary obstacle to greater institutional investor or corporate treasury use of open-source digital currencies, down from 47% a year earlier. However, a larger share (41%) view regulations as a barrier this year than they did last year (32%).

Charles Ross, principal at Economist Impact and editor of this report, says: “The results of this year’s research show considerable development in the ecosystem for digital assets and currencies globally. Both consumers and institutions are more optimistic about the move to cashless today than they were a year ago and more interested in digital assets. While some barriers remain—and market fluctuations such as those we have witnessed in the crypto markets in recent months can test expectations—the shift away from physical to digital money is well underway.”

Visit impact.economist.com/projects/digimentality-2022/ for the full report.

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise.

We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Crypto.com

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com serves more than 50 million customers and is the world’s fastest growing global cryptocurrency platform. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Built on a foundation of security, privacy, and compliance, Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation and empowering the next generation of builders, creators, and entrepreneurs to develop a fairer and more equitable digital ecosystem. Learn more at https://crypto.com.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Pharmaceutical service provider integrates sustainability goals into its corporate strategy

RAVENSBURG, GERMANY – , the company has long-term experience in supporting biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers both large and small. Vetter range from early stage development support including , to and for vials, syringes and cartridges. As a leading solution provider, Vetter appreciates its responsibility to support the needs of its customers by developing devices that contribute to increased patient safety, convenience, and enhanced compliance. Great importance is also given to including environmental protection and sustainability. Learn more about Vetter at .

#Vetter

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 June 2022 – Chubb and JA Assure announced today the launch of Haxsafe^TM – a cyber insurance portal targeting SMEs looking for an easy and accessible insurance solution. Currently available in Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Singapore, Haxsafe offers a fuss-free experience with instant quote and policy issuance capability.

Underwritten by Chubb, a leading provider of cyber insurance with more than 20 years of experience, the cyber insurance product offered on the platform is a comprehensive risk management solution providing clients with pre-loss risk mitigation and incident response services. The pre-loss mitigation services include complimentary access to a password management tool and regular spam tests designed to help keep organisations cyber safe. When a cyber incident occurs, clients can access the Chubb Incident Response Platform, an end-to-end process, developed to contain the threat and limit potential damage to their businesses. The incident response manager assigned to the client will assist to triage the issues, develop a plan of action to contain the threat, as well as appoint specialist vendors to assist with loss prevention and business recovery.

Mr. Japhire Gopi, CEO at JA Assure, said, “Haxsafe will be a gamechanger for SMEs as it simplifies the insurance buying process for small business owners who simply do not have the time and resources to go through lengthy insurance purchase processes. We are in the business of innovation and I’m excited to make insurance more accessible to those who need it.”

Mr. Grant Cairns, Regional Head of Property & Casualty, Asia Pacific at Chubb, said, “Our data shows that SMEs, like large organisations, are vulnerable to cyber attacks[1], despite the popular belief that SMEs are too small to be of interest to threat actors. I’m pleased that we are now able to bring Chubb’s cyber risk management solution closer to SMEs, underscoring our commitment to better serve the small commercial segment.”

About Chubb

Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide.

Chubb’s franchise in Asia Pacific comprises an extensive network of operations serving Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Korea, Macau SAR, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

About JA Assure
Founded in 2012, JA Assure has come a long way from its beginnings in Singapore to spreading its wings in Hong Kong, Malaysia and throughout the ASEAN region. From the start, we’ve embraced technology as a core element of our business going forward so that today – with over 50 years of combined experience – we’re a team of talented experts with specializations in insurance, technology, finance, creative and client relations.

With our strong presence in Southeast Asia and expertise in niche areas of the insurance and insurtech business, we have solidified our position as the industry’s innovations leader in the region – offering services and related insurtech and transit products through several affiliates and brands

JA Assure is a trusted partner dedicated to helping clients take advantage of the latest in technology and innovation to make better insurance decisions, reducing their risk for a better business and operation.

#Chubb #JAAssure

Under the theme of “Inspiration Ahead”, OPPO introduces stunning Inspirational Light activation to underpin Roland-Garros tournament 2022.

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach – 2 June 2022 – With the new brand proposition: Inspiration Ahead, OPPO, the premium partner of Roland-Garros 2022, unveils the stunning Inspirational Light campaign. Capturing the passion for the sport, inspiring messages were beamed from global tennis fans onto the world-famous red clay court.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 1 June 2022 – Taiwan’s IDB (Industrial Development Bureau) “AI Life” Pavilion championed artificial intelligence at the center of Computex 2022, celebrating the IT trade show’s first in-person exhibition after two years of virtual events. The Pavilion featured thirteen Taiwanese tech firms, showcasing their latest AI-driven products and solutions.

Under the Sponsorship of Abu Dhabi Police, Aramco & Saudi Electricity Company

Two Strategic partnership agreements were signed with Emirates Health Services (EHS) and The Kurdistan Agency for Normalization

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – African Media Agency – 1 June 2022 – EFQM concluded the first edition of its Middle East Summit “ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST THROUGH TRANSFORMATION.” at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai, where Transformation and Excellence Business Leaders shared their vision and experiences with the presence of esteemed partners, VIPs, business leaders, media and influencers.