Media OutReach
Octa Broker Insights: Navigating Cryptocurrency Markets with CFDs in 2025
This year began with a harsh reminder that even the biggest crypto platforms remain vulnerable. In February, the global exchange Bybit was hit by a cyberattack that drained roughly $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum, one of the largest crypto thefts ever recorded. Just a few months later, Coinbase disclosed a serious breach affecting customer data, with expected costs nearing $400 million.
These aren’t isolated cases. According to Chainalysis, crypto hacks surged by over 60% in Q1 2025 alone, with nearly $2.3 billion in total value lost to protocol exploits, phishing scams and key mismanagement. Against this backdrop, crypto contracts for difference, or CFDs, are being increasingly seen as a safer, more flexible way to access digital assets.
1. Safety first: why crypto CFDs are more secure
A CFD is a financial instrument that enables speculation on the price movement of an asset without owning it outright. When trading crypto via CFDs, there is no need to buy the coin itself. Instead, traders enter a contract to benefit from the price difference between entry and exit.
This means:
- there is no need to open or manage a digital wallet,
- private keys are not required,
- the risk of direct asset theft from exchanges or wallet breaches is eliminated.
Unlike on-chain trades or exchange-based holdings, CFD traders do not need to worry about hot wallet attacks, faulty smart contracts, or failed withdrawals. Trades are protected by the broker’s infrastructure, subject to financial regulations and operational transparency. Besides this, they are executed with full visibility on spreads, fees, and leverage, which contrasts the often opaque practices of smaller crypto exchanges. The absence of wallet management also reduces the risk of human error, such as misplacing private keys or falling victim to phishing attacks.
2. One account, many markets
Another compelling reason why crypto traders are moving to CFDs is diversification.
Where crypto exchanges limit access to tokens and stablecoins, CFD platforms provide exposure to a broad spectrum of assets, including:
- major fiat currency pairs (e.g., USDIDR, EURJPY),
- global indices like the S&P 500 or Nikkei 225,
- commodities such as gold and crude oil,
- and, of course, digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and more.
For example, Octa, a global broker with a track record since 2011, offers crypto CFDs on more than 30 popular digital assets. This cross-asset access helps build more balanced portfolios and allows traders to hedge their crypto positions with traditional markets, all from one account.
3. Low capital, high flexibility
CFDs are leveraged instruments. This means that with a relatively small deposit (known as margin), traders can open larger positions — something not feasible on most spot exchanges where one must buy the full asset upfront. For retail investors in Southeast Asia who want to participate actively in global markets, this lowers the barrier to entering the crypto market significantly. Octa broker, for instance, provides flexible leverage and low spreads on crypto CFD pairs, offering 24/7 access with no need for an e-wallet or blockchain knowledge.
The shift for CFDs is accelerating among crypto traders in 2025
What was once seen as a tool for forex traders has rapidly become mainstream among crypto investors, especially those looking for better security, multi-asset diversification, competitive costs, less operational risk, and 24/7 access to crypto markets, without being ‘on-chain’.
The shift is not ideological; it’s rational. In a year defined by security lapses and operational uncertainty across global crypto exchanges, CFDs are emerging as the more professional, institution-grade route for digital asset exposure.
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Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to engage in any investment activity. It does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation, or individual needs. Any action you take based on this content is at your sole discretion and risk. Octa and its affiliates accept no liability for any losses or consequences resulting from reliance on this material.
Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.
In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.
GoTyme Bank becomes the first digital bank in the Philippines to enable Apple Pay, expanding secure and seamless digital payments for 10 million customers
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer processor, today announced the successful launch of Apple Pay for GoTyme Bank in the Philippines. Through this launch, GoTyme becomes one of the first issuers in the Philippine market to enable Apple Pay, giving 10 million customers an easy, secure and private way to pay using their Apple devices.
As one of the country’s fastest-growing digital banks, GoTyme continues to accelerate its digital payments strategy by expanding secure, seamless and convenient payment experiences for Filipino consumers. Customers can now securely add their GoTyme debit card to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments in stores, within apps and online wherever Apple Pay is accepted.
Apple Pay uses industry-leading tokenisation technology, meaning card numbers are never stored on devices or shared with merchants. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, with every transaction authenticated through Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, providing an additional layer of security while delivering a fast, frictionless checkout experience.
Nate Clark, President and CEO at GoTyme Bank commented: “At GoTyme Bank, we’re constantly looking for ways to make banking simpler, safer and more rewarding for our customers. Bringing Apple Pay to GoTyme Bank customers in the Philippines gives them an easy and secure way to pay wherever they shop while continuing to earn rewards points on all their transactions. This is another step in our commitment to making everyday banking more beautiful and convenient for our customers.
The launch comes as digital payments continue to reshape the Philippine economy. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital payments now account for more than half of all retail payment transactions, as consumers increasingly embrace mobile-first banking and contactless payments. Meanwhile, smartphone penetration continues to rise, supporting growing demand for digital wallets and tokenised payment experiences. As digital commerce accelerates, enabling secure mobile payments through services such as Apple Pay is becoming an increasingly important differentiator for financial institutions.
Minh-Ha Truong, Head of Growth, APAC at Paymentology, added: “As a long-standing partner to GoTyme, we’re proud to support another significant milestone in its growth journey. Bringing Apple Pay to market demonstrates how modern, cloud-native issuer processing enables digital banks to rapidly deliver innovative payment experiences while maintaining the highest standards of security, scalability and performance. Together, we’re helping shape the future of digital payments in the Philippines.”
The launch further strengthens GoTyme’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading digital banks and highlights the value of Paymentology’s cloud-native issuer processing platform in helping banks and fintechs rapidly introduce innovative payment capabilities that meet evolving customer expectations.
Hashtag: #Paymentology
https://www.paymentology.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/paymentology/
https://x.com/Paymentology
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
New Documentary Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun From Discovery to Debut on August 20 in Southeast Asia
Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of southern Taiwan, Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun highlights how the people of Liugdui have thrived alongside the land for over 300 years. Following local scholars, farmers, and artisans, the documentary explores how this community adapts its deep-rooted traditions—from water stewardship to food heritage—in response to environmental and economic change, offering vital modern insights on sustainability, rural revitalization, and cultural continuity.
Across three episodes—Water, agriculture, and food—the documentary explores how the people of Liugdui blend tradition with modern innovation. Viewers meet groundwater experts, farmers pioneering sustainable crops, and artisans repurposing local materials like betel nut, alongside culinary practitioners who preserve Hakka identity through ancestral rituals, communal feasts, and family traditions that unite generations.
Audiences will discover a community that views tradition not as something fixed in the past, but as a living legacy that continues to evolve. From innovative groundwater management and botanical dyeing to ritual feasts and modern interpretations of Hakka cuisine – the documentary celebrates the creativity, resilience, and values that have sustained Liugdui for centuries.
Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun premieres in Southeast Asia on Discovery Channel, Thursday, August 20 at 7:10pm; TLC Channel, Monday, August 24 at 7:10pm; and Discovery Asia, Tuesday, August 25 at 9:25pm.
Hashtag: #Discovery
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Discovery Channel
The launch press conference broke away from tradition with a vibrant runway show featuring celebrity “Hot Spring Travel Navigators,” including acclaimed chef Edward Lee from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, visual identity creative director Yen Po-Chun, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taiwan Chairman Kazuma Otsuka, and actor-host Andrew Chau. Together with local businesses, they showcased regional agriculture, specialties, and lifestyle products.
The official launch celebration kicks off on September 4 at Guguan Park in Taichung, featuring a themed parade with over 500 participants and the lighting ceremony for the Lishan–Guguan Light Art Festival, which stars a massive eight-meter “OhBear” light installation. The festivities continue on September 5 with a guided tribal trekking tour in Guguan, offering participants an exclusive NT$500 accommodation discount.
To promote four-season wellness tourism globally, the campaign partners with the East Asia Hot Spring Association for an international symposium on September 4. Key promotions also include complimentary LINE POINTS for new followers, curated packages starting at NT$299, and a flash sale of 800 limited NT$1 Hot Spring Vouchers for the Double 11 Shopping Festival. Furthermore, cross-sector collaborations offer half-price entry to national forest areas, limited-edition Taiwan Railway bento boxes, and Guanziling mud spring skincare products to enrich the travel experience.Hashtag: #TaiwanFourSeasonSprings
https://www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw/zh-tw/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
