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Halogen Capital Completes RM13.3 Million Funding Round, Led by Kenanga Investment Bank and 500 Global, to Drive Digital Asset Innovation in Malaysia

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Kenanga leads the funding round, with participation from global and regional investors.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 December 2025 – Halogen Capital Sdn Bhd (“Halogen Capital“), Malaysia’s first and only licensed digital asset fund manager, today announced the successful completion of its RM13.3 million (USD3.2 million) funding round, with Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga“), Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, as the lead investor, alongside 500 Global, a leading global venture capital firm, and other investors. Following this, with its 14.9% stake, Kenanga now holds the largest institutional shareholding in Halogen Capital.

From left to right: Lucas Ooi Ki Siong, Founder & Chief Business Officer of Halogen Capital; Ng Moon Ho, Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Halogen Capital; Liew Ooi Hann, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Capital; Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad, Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad (“KIB”), Ranjit Singh Gill, Director & Head of Product & Market Development of KIB; Datuk Kenny Yong Foo Ken, Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Private Equity Sdn Bhd

The funding, made through Kenanga’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Kenanga Private Equity Sdn Bhd, will support Halogen Capital to advance its Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenisation strategy, including onshore unit trust funds, bonds, sukuk, private credit, and real estate, creating broader access to investment opportunities that have traditionally been available primarily to institutional and high-net-worth investors. Building on Halogen Capital’s expertise in asset tokenisation and digital asset fund management, and combined with Kenanga’s institutional strength, brand recognition, and regional partnerships, the initiative will provide innovative investment opportunities for investors in Malaysia and beyond.

“This funding round represents an important step in advancing Kenanga’s digital asset ecosystem,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad. “Our investment in Halogen Capital—alongside our other investments in digital-first businesses such as KDX, Helicap and Merchantrade—reflects our conviction that the future of finance will be defined by innovation, supported by strong governance and transparency. By leveraging blockchain and tokenisation, as well as strengthening our network of digital platforms, we aim to redefine how investors engage with capital markets, making them more efficient, accessible and globally competitive. Together, these initiatives are laying the foundation for products that anticipate the evolving needs of investors and businesses in a rapidly changing financial environment,” concluded Datuk Chay.

“The completion of this round marks an important milestone as we continue building Malaysia’s institutional digital asset investing landscape,” added Liew Ooi Hann, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Capital. “We are encouraged by the confidence shown by Kenanga, as well as our other notable investors, which include 500 Global, Digital Currency Group, The Hive Southeast Asia, Jelawang Capital, and Mythos Venture Partners. Their support reinforces the growing recognition of digital assets as an integral part of global capital markets. Institutional participation is rising steadily worldwide, with more than RM744 billion (USD181 billion) now held in corporate crypto treasuries. Malaysia is experiencing the same shift, and demand for regulated, professionally managed exposure has accelerated over the past three years. With the backing of leading investors, we are well-positioned to accelerate product innovation and expand access to institutional-grade digital asset investments,” said Liew.

Since launching in 2023 as the pioneer of the world’s first Shariah-compliant cryptocurrency funds, Halogen Capital has grown its assets under management (AUM) to around RM400 million as of November 2025. This includes the Halogen Shariah Bitcoin Fund, which has emerged as one of Malaysia’s top-performing funds since its inception, as reflected in the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Lipper data. Today, Halogen Capital serves a fast-growing investor base numbering in the thousands, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, corporates, and institutional investors, across eight wholesale funds and private mandates—supported by a network of more than 15 distributors including commercial banks and Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM)-approved distributors.

Leveraging Halogen Capital’s expertise and growing investor base, alongside Kenanga’s investment, the initiative will offer broader, differentiated product offerings—including new digital asset investment products, safer access to crypto yield generation, and tokenised securities backed by onshore Malaysian assets. These initiatives are complemented by the Securities Commission Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to tokenise securities and develop regulatory guidance for blockchain-based investments and distributed ledger technology, ensuring that the development of digital asset solutions remains secure, compliant, and aligned with regulatory standards.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

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

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))

Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group“) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with game- changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform, and Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor.

The Group has garnered multiple awards, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards 2024 and The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club 2023. The Group also secured the Top 20 Overall Excellence and the Niche Cap Excellence Award at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards 2024. As one of the highest- scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Kenanga continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.

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Watchbook Singapore Opens Second Boutique At Far East Plaza

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New boutique separates luxury brand collections across two dedicated spaces, giving collectors a more focused buying experience

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – Watchbook Singapore has opened a second boutique at Far East Plaza, separating its curated collections across two dedicated spaces on the same floor to give collectors a more focused buying experience.

The expansion allows Watchbook to organise its inventory by brand family. The main boutique at #03-139 focuses on Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. The new boutique at #03-55 features contemporary luxury watches including Tudor, Omega, Hublot and other brands.

“By giving each collection its own dedicated space, we can offer collectors a sharper, more personalised experience,” said Anson Toh, chief executive officer at Watchbook Singapore. “This expansion reflects the growing interest in both neo-vintage and modern luxury watches, and our commitment to serving collectors at every level.”

Watchbook enters this next phase as Singapore’s second-highest-reviewed watch dealer, with more than 2,400 verified Google reviews reflecting thousands of successful transactions. Both boutiques are backed by the company’s end-to-end model: in-house authentication, a dedicated service centre staffed by certified watchmakers, and curated inventory under one roof.

Far East Plaza is well-established as a destination for watch enthusiasts and luxury retailers in Singapore. The opening of a second boutique on the same floor reinforces Watchbook’s position at the centre of that community.

Boutique Details

Both boutiques are open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Main boutique
14 Scotts Road,
#03-139 Far East Plaza,
Singapore 228213.

New boutique
14 Scotts Road,
#03-55 Far East Plaza,
Singapore 228213.

Hashtag: #watchbook #fareastplaza




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

Watchbook Singapore

Watchbook is Singapore’s Neo-Vintage Rolex Specialist and a trusted destination for authenticated pre-owned luxury watches. The company offers one of Singapore’s deepest curated selections of certified neo-vintage Rolex timepieces from the 1980s to 2000s, alongside a broader portfolio including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Omega and more.

As an independent luxury watch dealer, Watchbook operates a fully in-house service centre staffed by certified watchmakers, delivering complete authentication, servicing and warranty support. Recognised as Singapore’s second-highest-reviewed watch dealer, Watchbook serves collectors and enthusiasts who value heritage, character and certified quality.

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SIM Academy showcases Part-Time Upskilling Options for Working Adults in Singapore

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – SIM Academy is showcasing a range of part-time professional development opportunities designed for working adults in Singapore who want to strengthen their skills without stepping away from their careers. The academy’s programmes are positioned around industry-aligned learning, practical application, and flexible development pathways for professionals at different career stages.

Short Courses Structured for Busy Professionals

For working adults who want targeted upskilling, SIM Academy’s course listing includes instructor-led programmes that are typically offered in short formats. The 1-day or 2-day course structure may appeal to professionals seeking to build capability while balancing work and personal commitments.

The topics covered reflect a mix of core workplace capabilities and emerging skill areas, including communication skills, cognitive skills, systems leadership, sustainability, as well as broader organisational and leadership competencies. Such short-format training has become a common feature within Singapore’s continuing education landscape, particularly among working adults seeking to remain competitive in a changing job market.

SkillsFuture Funded Training Courses

A number of SIM Academy’s professional development courses are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit and related funding schemes. These funding mechanisms are part of national efforts to encourage lifelong learning and support workforce transformation. The availability of funding-supported courses may lower barriers to participation for individuals and employers, particularly for those pursuing incremental skills upgrading.

Career Switch for mid‑career professionals

SIM Academy offers programmes under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP). These programmes are designed for individuals considering a shift into new roles or sectors and typically run over 5-6 months. Programme structures may include a combination of classroom learning, practical projects and career support elements such as guidance on job search and career planning.

This reflects a broader trend in Singapore’s training ecosystem, where structured transition programmes are increasingly used to support workforce mobility and adaptation to new job roles.

Flexible Delivery Formats

SIM Academy’s programmes are delivered through a mix of in-person, online and blended learning formats. This allows participants to select learning modes that align with their schedules and professional commitments. Short courses are conducted throughout the year, primarily at SIM Management House, alongside digital learning options that support greater accessibility. Flexible delivery has become an increasingly important feature of professional education, particularly for working adults balancing training with full-time employment.

Part of a Broader Continuing Education Landscape

As industries continue to evolve, demand for continuous skills development remains a key focus within Singapore’s workforce strategy. Short courses, modular training and structured transition programmes are among the approaches adopted by training providers to meet these needs.

SIM Academy’s range of offerings includes shorter, skills-focused workshops and longer-duration programmes designed to support career transitions.

References

Hashtag: #SIMAcademy #SIMA

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

About SIM Academy

SIM Academy provides leading-edge professional development and enterprise solutions. SIM Academy offers over 300 executive and business programmes that help almost 10,000 professionals annually on average hone their competencies to drive business value and achieve peak personal and enterprise performance.

Our programmes encompass a comprehensive range of lifelong learning opportunities designed to empower professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to become effective change-makers and leaders in today’s volatile and uncertain business landscape.

For more information on SIM Academy, visit

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Patented Ingredients Help Malaysian Supplement Brands Stand Out as Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech Expands Market Presence

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech is set to redefine product differentiation in Malaysia’s health supplement sector by introducing its exclusive patented ingredients, Wel-ROS6® and Wel-EGT®. This strategic initiative aims to support local brands in navigating a highly homogenized retail landscape through advanced Functional Jelly technology and scientifically-backed formulations.

According to IMARC Group, the Malaysian dietary supplements sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.68% through 2034.Amidst this expansion, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech emphasizes the importance of leveraging high-barrier patented ingredients. For the beauty and wellness sector, the exclusive ingredient Wel-ROS6® utilizes the “Black Crystal Roselle,” a variety developed over nine years. Through a triple-patented micro-grinding technology, the total anthocyanin content reaches up to 17.7 times that of conventional roselle extracts.

To address the aging population’s needs, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech also introduces Wel-EGT®, a high-purity ergothioneine extracted through a patented process. This ingredient serves as a core component for cognitive health supplements, offering 5 times the BCAA content of standard chicken essence to support anti-aging and neurological health.

Beyond ingredient innovation, Wel-Bloom’s patented Functional Jelly technology enables preservative-free supplements that maintain 97.8% active ingredient integrity. As an international CDMO and health supplement manufacturer certified under NSF-GMP and HALAL, Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech provides integrated services from R&D to production, empowering Malaysian partners to achieve differentiated positioning in the evolving wellness market.
Hashtag: #Welbloom

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

About Wel-Bloom Bio-Tech

Wel-Bloom is a globally recognized CDMO expert in the health food industry, dedicated to delivering innovative, one-stop solutions. Guided by forward-looking market insights and supported by robust R&D capabilities, Wel-Bloom empowers clients to develop highly competitive, differentiated health food products.

For partnership opportunities and functional ingredient solutions, visit https://welbloom.com/ or search for Wel-Bloom online.

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