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Travel with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area)

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Enjoy a convenient and affordable journey to the beautiful snowy landscapes of Japan’s Tohoku region

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 December 2025 – Japan is now entering the heart of winter, and there is no better place to experience the beauty of snowy landscapes than the Tohoku region in northern Japan. From atmospheric hot spring towns blanketed in white, to charming traditional wooden houses, majestic mountains draped in snow, and vast fields shimmering under the winter sun—Tohoku offers breathtaking scenery that can be reached from Tokyo in just a few hours by JR East’s Shinkansen.

For travelers uncertain about winter travel in snowy areas, the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) provides a worry-free solution. With this pass, travel in warm train cars is possible without concerns about road conditions. Stunning views of a silver-white world can be enjoyed from the Shinkansen windows, and time spent en route becomes a luxurious part of the journey—an experience unique to rail travel.

This winter, many travelers can discover the extraordinary winter landscapes of Tohoku by Shinkansen. To inspire winter travel, a selection of model courses showcasing the best of Tohoku is introduced below.
A Journey Through Silver Landscapes, History, and Hot Springs (5 Days / 4 Nights)
Day 1
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes). Transfer to the JR Banetsu West Line and continue on to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.
Stroll around iconic spots such as Tsuruga Castle and Nanukamachi Street, then visit Suehiro Sake Brewery for a tour and tasting. In the evening, unwind in a snowy open-air hot spring bath at Aizu Higashiyama Onsen.
Day 2
From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, begin with a relaxing break at S-PAL Yamagata, a shopping complex directly connected to the station, offering local fruits, pickles, sweets, and more. Then, take a 15-minute walk from the station to Kajo Park to enjoy the serene winter scenery of snow-covered stone walls and moats. Afterward, transfer from Yamagata Station via the Yamagata Shinkansen and bus (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes) to Ginzan Onsen, a famous hot spring town nestled deep in the mountains. Wooden inns reminiscent of Japan’s Taishō era line the river, creating a magical view—especially in winter when snow and gas lamps produce a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere. For lunch, local specialties such as soba noodles or Yamagata beef dishes can be savored. An overnight stay in the hot spring town is highly recommended.
Day 3
In the morning, take a leisurely stroll around Ginzan Onsen, enjoying the serene atmosphere and the beautiful silver-white scenery of the town. In the afternoon, return to Yamagata Station by bus and the Yamagata Shinkansen, then take the JR Senzan Line to Sendai (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes).Upon arrival, indulge in Sendai’s famous local foods such as gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and zunda sweets. In the evening, head to Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins) to admire the illuminated statue of Lord Date Masamune on horseback and take in the panoramic night views of Sendai City—an unforgettable winter moment.
Day 4
From Sendai Station, take the JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station (approx. 40 minutes). In Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots, a sightseeing cruise offers views of islands softly covered in winter snow. Historical landmarks such as Zuiganji Temple and Godaidō Hall can be visited, and lunch at a local oyster hut provides the opportunity to savor fresh, seasonal oysters.
Day 5
From Sendai Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen back to Tokyo (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). To conclude the journey, shopping time in the capital can be enjoyed. GRANSTA Tokyo, one of the largest commercial complexes inside a Japanese railway station, offers a wide variety of shops, gourmet foods, and souvenirs right within Tokyo Station.
atre Ueno, a shopping and dining complex directly connected to Ueno Station, is another convenient option, and the iconic Ginza area—an essential stop during a visit to Tokyo—provides opportunities to browse sweets shops and find memorable gifts.
A Dynamic Journey Through Frost-Covered Forests and Hidden Hot Springs (5 Days / 4 Nights)

Day 1
From Tokyo Station, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Akayu Station (approx. 2 hours 40 minutes). Upon arrival, explore the snowy Nanyo Winery and stroll through Akayu Onsen Town, once a historic post town. In the evening, relax at Akayu Onsen, a hot spring with a 900-year history, and enjoy a dinner featuring Yamagata beef along with soothing, free-flowing natural hot spring water.
Day 2
Travel from Akayu Station to Yamagata Station (approx. 30 minutes), then take a bus to Zao Onsen (approx. 40 minutes). In the afternoon, ride the Zao Ropeway up the snow-covered mountains to witness the world-famous Juhyo “Snow Monsters”—fantastically shaped frost-covered trees. In the evening, stroll through Zao Onsen town and take in the magical winter atmosphere created by rising steam and soft snowlight.
Day 3
Start the morning with a relaxed departure from Zao Onsen and explore downtown Yamagata. Visit Bunshokan (Former Prefectural Office) and Yamagata Marugoto-kan Beninokura to enjoy local cuisine and shopping. In the afternoon, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Shinjo (approx. 1 hour), where travellers can experience a charming local town blanketed in snow. Be sure to try regional dishes such as Torimotsu Ramen, a beloved specialty.
Day 4
From Shinjo, take the Ōu Main Line to Akita Station (approx. 3 hours). The Akita Dog Station offers opportunities to meet and take photos with Akita dogs, with walking experiences available by advance reservation. Then, head to Yokote City’s Kamakura Hall, where real kamakura (snow huts) are displayed year-round, allowing immersion in the atmosphere of the traditional Yokote Snow Festival. After sightseeing, return to the Akita Station area to enjoy local delicacies such as Inaniwa udon and Kiritanpo hot pot.
Day 5
From Akita Station, take the Akita Shinkansen back to Tokyo (approx. 3 hours 40 minutes). For the final part of the journey, shopping can be enjoyed at GRANSTA Tokyo inside Tokyo Station, or the Ginza area can be explored for souvenirs and sweets.
Breathtaking Winter-Only Scenery and Hot Spring Destinations

Below are the featured spots introduced in the model courses, along with access information.
Aizu-Wakamatsu Fukushima Prefecture

Aizu-Wakamatsu is a historic castle town filled with traditional charm. In winter, Tsuruga Castle and the surrounding samurai residences are covered in snow, creating a uniquely beautiful landscape. The red-tiled castle tower stands out vividly against the pure white snow—an iconic winter view.The old-town streets also retain their classic atmosphere, and Nanukamachi Street offers relaxed strolling with cafés and small shops to explore. The area is also famous for its high-quality sake, and visitors can enjoy tours and tastings at long-established breweries.Aizu-Wakamatsu is a place where history, culture, and cuisine come together—an ideal spot to experience the essence of winter in Tohoku.

  • Access (from Tokyo Station):

– Koriyama Station: As fast as 1 hour 13 minutes via the Tohoku Shinkansen
– Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: About 1 hour 15 minutes after transferring to the Banetsu West Line

Ginzan Onsen Yamagata Prefecture

Ginzan Onsen is a tranquil hot spring town where traditional wooden inns lined along the river create a nostalgic streetscape, especially enchanting when covered in snow. The warm glow of gas lamps adds to the magical, dreamlike winter atmosphere. It is an ideal place to quietly enjoy snowy scenery. Many inns feature open‐air baths, allowing guests to experience yukimi rotenburo—soaking in a hot spring while admiring the silver-white winter landscape.

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  • Access (from Tokyo Station):

– Ōishida Station: As fast as 2 hours 53 minutes via the Yamagata Shinkansen
– Ginzan Onsen: About 40 minutes by Obanazawa City bus from Ōishida Station

Sendai: Sendai Castle Ruins

Located on a hill overlooking the city, the Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle Ruins) are a popular winter viewpoint where the crisp, clear air offers sweeping panoramic views of Sendai. The winter blue sky and the soft glow of sunset behind the iconic equestrian statue of Lord Date Masamune create a dignified, striking beauty—perfect for photography.

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Along with the historic atmosphere preserved in the stone walls and castle remains, visitors can enjoy the grand scenery unique to Sendai, the “City of Trees.” In the evening, the area is illuminated, revealing a magical contrast between the glowing cityscape and the silhouette of Lord Masamune’s statue.This scenic spot—where history, views, and atmosphere come together—stands as one of the most iconic winter destinations in Miyagi.

  • Access (from Sendai Station):

Sendai Castle Ruins: About 20 minutes by city bus, or around 15 minutes by taxi

Matsushima Miyagi Prefecture

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Matsushima is one of Japan’s most celebrated scenic destinations and is counted among the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan. In winter, the crisp, clear air enhances the view of the surrounding snow-covered trees and islands, making it an ideal place to experience the beauty of a Japanese winter.

The area is also famous for its seasonal oysters, allowing visitors to enjoy both spectacular winter scenery and delicious local cuisine—an experience unique to this time of year.

  • Operating Hours (Sightseeing Cruise):9:00–15:00 (winter season)
  • Access (from Tokyo Station):

– Sendai Station: As fast as 1 hour 30 minutes via the Tohoku Shinkansen
– Matsushima-Kaigan Station: About 40 minutes via the JR Senseki Line
– Matsushima: Approximately a 10-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station

Akayu Onsen Town Yamagata Prefecture

With a history of over 900 years, Akayu Onsen is a hot spring destination known for its free-flowing natural springs and its calm, traditional atmosphere. In winter, the town is enveloped in snow, and the gentle steam rising through the silver-white streets creates a beautifully nostalgic scene.The local inns offer hot spring baths renowned as “beautifying waters,” known for their soft, skin-friendly qualities. From the open-air baths, guests can enjoy a serene winter landscape while soaking in the warm water—an experience of pure relaxation.The surrounding area also features wineries and restaurants that serve dishes made with local ingredients, making Akayu a perfect place to enjoy hot springs, food, and slow, peaceful moments.

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Access (From Tokyo):

  • Akayu Station: As fast as 2 hours 18 minutes via the Yamagata Shinkansen
  • Akayu Onsen town center: About 25 minutes on foot from Akayu Station, or approximately 5 minutes by taxi

Zao (Yamagata Prefecture)

In winter, Zao offers a rare natural phenomenon found in very few places in the world—the spectacular juhyo, or “snow monsters,” formed by ice and snow coating the trees. The view from the ropeway, looking down over the vast field of frosted trees, is truly breathtaking. The area is also home to hot spring resorts, where visitors can enjoy yukimi rotenburo, open-air baths with views of the snowy landscape.

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  • Opening Hour(Rope Way):8:30~17:00(subject to change)
  • Access (from Tokyo Station):

Yamagata Station: As fast as 2 hours 22 minutes via the Yamagata Shinkansen
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal: About 40 minutes by Yamako Bus from Yamagata Station
Zao Onsen: Approximately a 5-minute walk from the Zao Onsen Bus Terminal

Make The Trip Even More Affordable JR EAST PASS(Tohoku area)

With the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area), unlimited travel for 5 days (or 10 days) is available on designated JR East lines within the covered area, including the Tohoku Shinkansen, limited express trains, and local lines. The pass allows free and flexible travel between Tokyo and destinations throughout the Tohoku region during the validity period. For an even more convenient and cost-effective winter journey, the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku Area) is an ideal option.

【Great Value】 A special pass for foreign nationals, offering significantly better value than purchasing regular tickets within Japan.
【UnlimitedTravel】 Enjoy unlimited rides for 5 days (or 10 days) within the validity period on JR East lines in the designated area—including Shinkansen trains—as well as certain private railway limited express trains and JR buses.
【Easy Booking】 Purchasing online is simple. The pass and seat reservations can be arranged through JR-EAST Train Reservation. After purchase, the pass can be easily picked up at JR East reserved-seat ticket machines and other designated locations.

For more details, please visit the official JR East website:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/th/multi/pass/eastpass_t.html

Winter in Japan’s Tohoku region is when the power and beauty of nature shine brightest. With the comfort and reliability of the Shinkansen—and the value offered by the JR EAST PASS—an unforgettable journey through breathtaking winter landscapes becomes possible. A winter adventure that will be remembered for years to come awaits.

Hashtag: #JREast

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OOm Institute Calls for AI Fluency to Close Human Critical Thinking Gap

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – OOm Institute, a Singapore-based AI and digital skills training provider, is calling for greater AI fluency as businesses adopt Generative AI and concerns grow over declining critical thinking and verification skills.

The rapid adoption of AI tools without sufficient verification, contextual understanding, or critical oversight is contributing to a growing “Human Critical Thinking Gap”.

Recent research from Professors Rick Dakan and Joseph Feller also corroborates this; only 8.7% of participants consistently verified high-stakes AI-generated claims before accepting them.

Beyond the Prompt: The Human-Centric Shift

While prompt engineering remains a foundational skill for today’s workforce, OOm Institute suggests the discipline must evolve beyond simple input mechanics.

“We are entering a false competence trap,” says Ian Cheow, CEO at OOm Institute. “People are learning how to prompt, but they aren’t learning how to make the right decisions. If you cannot spot when an AI’s logic fails, you aren’t using a tool, you are delegating your intelligence.”

The Warning: If You Let AI Think for You, You “De-skill”

Professionals who rely heavily on AI without developing critical evaluation skills risk “de-skilling”, where domain expertise erodes over time due to over-dependence on automated systems.

The concept of AI Fluency is built around three core capabilities:

  • Decision to Correct: The ability to determine when AI-generated output is sufficient and when it poses a risk that requires human revision or rejection.
  • Contextual Sovereignty: Ensuring human oversight remains central so AI outputs align with Singapore’s cultural, commercial, and ethical contexts.
  • Critical Inquiry: Moving beyond prompting to actively question assumptions, logic, accuracy, and completeness in AI-generated responses.

Real-World Practice vs Theory

As AI tools evolve rapidly, practitioners argue that effective AI capability cannot rely solely on static classroom theory. Real-world usage often involves changing workflows, unpredictable outputs, and context-specific decision-making that require continuous practical application and human judgment.

Maintaining AI fluency increasingly requires learning from practitioners actively applying these tools in commercial environments.

“At OOm Institute, our focus is on building practical decision-making in AI usage,” Mr Cheow added. “Our goal is to help professionals use AI with stronger critical thinking, clearer accountability, and practical business understanding.”
Hashtag: #aicourse #wsqaicourse #aisingapore #aifluency #aiskills




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

OOm Institute

OOm Institute is a WSQ course provider in Singapore, supporting workforce upskilling in AI, Digital Marketing, and Soft Skills, backed by expert trainers and over 20 years of digital expertise. They deliver industry-oriented learning programmes designed to help organisations apply digital tools effectively in real-world business environments.

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Suanova, a Subsidiary of Yeebo, Signs Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Agreement with InfiX.ai

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Advancing Deployment of Training and Inference Integrated AI Platforms in Healthcare Applications, Powered by Domestic High-Density Computing Infrastructure

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – Yeebo (International Holdings) Limited (“Yeebo”; Stock Code: 00259.HK, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Suanova Technology Limited (“Suanova”), has entered into a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with InfiX.ai, a global leader in enterprise-grade generative AI (GenAI) infrastructure solutions. Leveraging Suanova’s Shanghai Cube, a domestically developed high-density computing infrastructure, the two parties will jointly advance the deployment of training and inference integrated AI platforms with continuous self-learning capabilities in healthcare applicatoins. As part of this collaboration, Suanova will contribute its expertise in domestic computing infrastructure by providing the core computing power and foundational support.

With healthcare as the initial focus, the two parties have already collaborated with leading medical institutions to conduct clinical validation in areas such as cancer GenAI, foundational medical Large Language Models (LLMs) and personalized cancer treatment planning.

Building Integrated Infrastructure for Medical AI with Shanghai Cube as the Foundation

The training and inference integrated AI platforms deployed under this collaboration are powered by Shanghai Cube, combined with InfiX.ai’s training, inference and multimodal AI capabilities. This integration delivers a truly unified hardware-software infrastructure tailored for medical AI applications.

Shanghai Cube, developed with the participation of Suanova, was among the earliest of its kind in China and is currently the highest-density domestically developed GPU supernode product. It adopts a high-density deployment architecture featuring 128 GPUs per rack with liquid cooling, enabling compact and efficient deployment of large-scale computing clusters. Shanghai Cube integrates a range of domestically produced core components, including liquid-cooling systems, high-performance parallel storage systems, retimers and motherboard capacitors. It provides a one-stop, highly efficient solution for the large-scale deployment of domestic computing systems and models.

Partnering with InfiX.ai to Build Enterprise-Grade AI Infrastructure

InfiX.ai is a research-driven AI infrastructure company serving global markets, with capabilities spanning IaaS, PaaS and MaaS. The company is building a Decentralized Co-GenAI Network that connects computing power, models, platforms and intelligent applications, with the aim of helping enterprises and organizations train, deploy and own their domain-specific AI based on proprietary data, expertise and business workflows.

InfiX.ai brings together world-class talent in AI research and industry deployment. The company is led by its Founder and Chief Scientist, Prof. Hongxia Yang, with Co-Founder and Vice President Haiqing Chen and Chief AI Architect Jianmin Wu forming the core management and technology team. Prof. Yang is also a Chair Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and is a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence, with extensive experience spanning both academia and industry. She previously served as Head of LLMs in the at ByteDance (U.S.), AI Scientist and Director at Alibaba Group, Chief Data Scientist at Yahoo!, and Research Staff Member at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Prof. Yang has published more than 150 papers and holds over 50 patents. She has also received numerous international honors, including the WAIC SAIL Award, the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and recognition as one of the AI 2000 Most Influential Scholars worldwide.

By integrating InfiX.ai’s training and inference algorithms with Suanova’s high-performance computing platform, the solution significantly reduces memory usage and computing resource requirements. This enables higher throughput and supports training and deployment of larger-scale models under equivalent hardware configurations. The system is also capable of continuously capturing data for incremental training, integrating user feedback for fine-tuning and reinforcement learning, thereby ensuring that model performance evolves alongside changing business needs. Furthermore, the infrastructure supports local execution of the entire AI workflow – from training and fine-tuning to inference – thereby ensuring data security by design and meeting the stringent security requirements of sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government.

Mr. Daliang Chen, CEO of Suanova, said: “This partnership with InfiX.ai represents an important milestone in Suanova’s expansion into medical AI. Leveraging the Shanghai Cube high-density domestic computing platform, we aim to accelerate the adoption of medical AI in real-world clinical settings. This collaboration not only brings together the complementary strengths of both companies from a technological perspective, but also serves as a key step in advancing the domestic computing ecosystem. Looking ahead, we will continue to work closely with our partners to drive the deep integration of artificial intelligence across diverse industries.”

Hashtag: #Yeebo

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About Yeebo (International Holdings) Limited

Founded in 1988, Yeebo (International Holdings) Limited is a diversified electronic component company with a well-established presence in the global market. The Company’s core business spans flat panel displays, computing power and capacitors, serving a broad spectrum of industrial and consumer applications. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Yeebo operates its manufacturing operations primarily in the Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, supporting a global sales network that ensures localized service and support for its international clientele.

In alignment with its long-term strategic vision, Yeebo is leveraging its robust operational foundation to expand into the Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) compute and related sectors. This initiative reflects the Company’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement, with the objective of positioning Yeebo as a leading and influential participant in the rapidly evolving AI industry across mainland China and Hong Kong.

About Suanova Technology Limited

Suanova, under Yeebo, is an innovative technology company focused on delivering independent, efficient, and accessible domestic AI computing services. Its business spans three core areas: computing power and cloud operations, computing technology development and computing industry investment. With branches in Hong Kong and Shanghai, it provides customers with better localized services. It is committed to transforming complex AI infrastructure into simple, efficient, and cost‑effective services through continuous technological innovation, with the goal of becoming a leading “infrastructure operator” in the AI era.

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KAST chooses Elliptic digital asset decisioning for global AML and sanctions compliance

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – Elliptic, the global leader in digital asset decisioning, has equipped KAST, the global financial platform built on stablecoin rails , with the blockchain intelligence necessary to strengthen anti-money laundering and sanctions controls across its products and global footprint.

KAST has used Elliptic’s solutions since 2024 to screen wallets and monitor crypto transactions for indicators of financial crime as customers fund and use their KAST accounts. By integrating Elliptic’s blockchain intelligence into its risk and compliance stack, KAST has been able to identify high-risk activity in real-time, reduce exposure to sanctioned or illicit wallets and demonstrate robust controls to regulators and partners.

Founded in July 2024 by former Circle executive Raagulan Pathy, KAST provides USD-denominated accounts, global pay-ins and payouts to more than 170 countries, and a growing suite of consumer and business financial tools built on stablecoin rails rather than legacy settlement networks. With KAST, people can hold, send, and spend instantly while transacting with merchants and ATMs around the world.

Since launch, KAST has scaled to more than one million users and is processing about $5 billion in annualized transaction volume, reflecting the growing adoption of stablecoin-based financial services beyond trading and crypto-native use cases. In March, KAST announced a record $80 million Series A funding round, which is being deployed to expand across North America, Latin America and the Middle East. Elliptic’s analytics help KAST manage risk, applying a consistent, data-driven approach to AML and sanctions screening as the platform scales into new markets.

“Every time customers tap their card, send or receive transactions, they need to trust it’s safe,” said Pathy, Founder & CEO at KAST. “Our users rely on us for institution-grade security everywhere in the world. Elliptic is a key part of that promise. Their blockchain intelligence helps us detect fraud patterns, sanctioned activity and other red flags behind the scenes so that our customers feel safe and secure.”

“As stablecoin financial platforms like KAST reach more users, regulators and partners expect the same standard of financial crime controls that apply in traditional finance,” said James Smith, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Elliptic.KAST has been building with compliance in mind from day one. Through this partnership, we are helping to ensure the platform can scale while meeting regulatory expectations for AML and sanctions risk.”

Elliptic’s analytics now underpin KAST’s financial crime controls. Working alongside the platform’s identity, fraud and transaction monitoring solutions, Elliptic supports a consistent, risk-based approach to onboarding, funding and card usage as the platform scales.

Hashtag: #Elliptic

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About Elliptic

Elliptic is the leader in digital asset decisioning, we have built the most comprehensive platform for efficiently extracting cryptoasset data and intelligence across blockchains with the greatest accuracy.

Our platform’s unrivalled uptime, scalability, depth and breadth of our data and intelligence means exacting organizations choose Elliptic for their compliance, risk management, intelligence operations and blockchain infrastructure needs.

Founded in 2013, Elliptic is headquartered in London with offices in New York, Washington D.C., Miami, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. To learn more, visit and follow us on and .

About KAST

KAST is a stablecoin-powered financial platform that connects digital assets with traditional finance, enabling 1 million+ people to send, receive and convert funds across borders, currencies and payment rails through a single app. The company focuses on helping individuals and businesses earn globally and spend locally by combining instant peer-to-peer transfers with compliant access to local bank payouts in supported markets. Visit www.kast.xyz.

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