Latest news with #BobbyLiu
Business Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Asean's QR linkage push to go local could chip away at greenback's grip
[HO CHI MINH CITY] Armed with just his phone, Singaporean digital nomad Bobby Liu pays for coffee across Asia by scanning QR codes from Thailand's PromptPay, Indonesia's QRIS and Malaysia's DuitNow – all through his local banking or e-wallet apps, no cash or cards needed. Now based in Hanoi, he's eyeing Vietnam's entry into this cross-border payment club, as it is linking up with Singapore, and the rest of Asean, to enable instant QR transactions across millions of merchant touchpoints. 'Imagine what that kind of instant payment can do for small businesses – it will significantly improve their cash flow,' said Liu, a fintech entrepreneur and former venture capitalist. Such instant payment solutions, he said, will be key to boosting South-east Asian economies, which are dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He also expects these cross-border innovations to take a chunk out of legacy services for money transfers such as the US's Swift network and credit card rails like Visa and Mastercard, as they offer faster, cheaper cross-border payments settled directly in local currencies, bypassing the US dollar as an intermediary. Leader in digital payments Over the past few years, the success and speed of implementing cross-border QR payment linkages in South-east Asia have been buoyed by the maturity of mobile payment penetration and national QR standards within each respective market, positioning the region as a leader in digital payments, experts say. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up According to a DataReportal report, as at February this year, QR code payment adoption among Internet users aged 16 and above in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore exceeded the global average of 50.8 per cent, with Malaysia (66.1 per cent) and Thailand (61.5 per cent) ranking just behind China (67.4 per cent) globally. In an effort to expand the growth beyond domestic markets, the Regional Payment Connectivity initiative was launched in 2022 by five Asean member states – Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Since then, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei and Cambodia have been added to the initiative. Its focus in the past three years has been to enable fast, seamless and more affordable cross-border payments in local currencies through standardised and interoperable QR codes, especially for retail transactions of small businesses, tourists, and migrant workers. This has required bilateral efforts between each pair of countries to ensure technical compatibility and compliance with their respective regulatory frameworks. 'A single QR payment system across the region would offer a real alternative to US-based payment networks for retail users and small businesses,' said Nawazish Mirza, professor of finance at Excelia Business School in France. 'They can chip away at the dollar's dominance in daily cross-border spending and help boost the use of local currencies over time.' Advancing local currency use In the joint statement at the 42nd Asean Summit held in May 2023, the 10-member bloc called for regional payment connectivity and promoted local currency transactions to support regional economic growth as well as strengthen financial resilience and integration. According to the 2023 policy position paper of Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro), the introduction of cross-border QR linkages between members, along with improvements to real-time gross settlement systems, offers significant potential to facilitate local currency transactions, which could mitigate the region's reliance on foreign currencies. Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar, group chief executive of community financial services at Maybank, underlined the benefits of such payment connectivity in areas like cross-border trade among micro-enterprises and SMEs whose products have high contents of domestic and Asean inputs, as well as in intra-Asean foreign direct investment and tourism. 'A successful implementation of a cross-border QR system across Asean's 10 member states will facilitate deeper Asean integration,' he said. This year, the position was highlighted again at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, with the bloc's Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030 noting that Asean will 'promote the use of local currencies to reduce the region's vulnerability to exchange rate fluctuations and external economic and financial shocks'. The strategic plan was developed during a period when the US dollar – traditionally dominant in global trade and investment – had fallen to its lowest levels in several years, and the US-led tariff hikes forced nations to engage in prolonged trade negotiations. Interest from Asian powerhouses The payment connectivity has now witnessed strong interest from Asian powerhouses like China and Japan to plug their digital payment networks into the Asean ecosystem, paving the way for better usage of local currencies for intraregional transactions and a step away from US-dominant systems. Last year, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it is working to ensure the nation's domestic JPQR payment system is compatible with the QR standards in seven Asean countries. The monetary collaboration between China and its Asean partners has also deepened, with initiatives such as bilateral currency swap agreements and the rollout of cross-border QR code payment linkages. Following the successful two-way QR payment connectivity with Cambodia earlier this year, China is advancing similar models through government-to-government cooperation across the South-east Asian region, with Vietnam, Indonesia in the pipeline. In May, Bank Indonesia announced that Indonesian citizens will be able to make transactions using the rupiah currency in China and Japan through its cross-border QR payment system from Aug 17 this year. Beyond government efforts, private financial institutions such as banks, digital payment firms and e-wallet operators are also playing a role in expanding the cross-border connectivity initiative. CBDC as the next opportunity Mirza believes that despite Asean's significant progress in regional QR payment connectivity, these systems are unlikely to replace Swift or major card networks for large-scale cross-border corporate transactions in the near term. 'To move local currency usage into large trade and investment flows, central bank digital currencies (CBDC) are now taking centre stage,' he added. Projects like mBridge have already piloted the use of CBDCs for cross-border payments among five participating central banks, including the People's Bank of China and the Bank of Thailand, with over 25 other central banks – such as those of Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia – serving as observers. The project has entered the minimum viable product phase since 2024. By utilising the distributed ledger technology and smart contracts, CBDCs could reduce the need for financial intermediaries in cross-border payments and automate high-volume transactions in local currencies, significantly reducing both transaction speed and cost, Amro noted in its papers published in June 2025. Some 90 per cent of central banks were reportedly engaging in work relating to CBDCs, with China taking the lead by introducing e-CNY for domestic use. 'The speed of wider adoption will depend on progress in regulation and technology. Still, the direction is clear,' Mirza said. 'CBDCs are poised to become a key component of the region's next wave of financial integration.'
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MySmile Oral Care Launches 20% Off Summer Smile Sale
LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ready for your summer smile glow-up? You've got less than 48 hours to grab 20% off sitewide at . From viral must-haves to dentist-approved tech, this Summer Smile Sale is your ticket to a fresher, brighter, healthier grin. Whether you're headed to pool parties, weddings, or your next weekend brunch, this is your last chance to stock up on top-rated essentials that everyone's buzzing about. "This isn't just a sale—it's a celebration of confidence," says Bobby Liu , founder of MySmile. "Our goal is to make powerful, pro-level oral care accessible, easy, and fun. We want everyone smiling their brightest this summer." LP211 Water Flosser – Approved Say goodbye to stubborn plaque and hello to dentist-level freshness. This water flosser is a total game-changer—easy to use, travel-ready, and perfect for keeping your gums summer-photo ready. Essential Sonic Toothbrush – Minimal effort, max results Ditch your manual brush and upgrade to 40,000 vibrations of clean. Multiple modes, sleek design, and results you can feel. If your feed is full of "sonic toothbrush before/after" reels—this is the one. Teeth Whitening Strips ** (New Drop!)** Instant fave. These enamel-safe, low-sensitivity whitening strips are already going viral for a reason. No mess, no fuss—just a brighter smile in days. A must-have for weddings, date nights, and back-to-office moments. 1. How to Whiten Teeth Fast—Without Sensitivity or Strips That Slide Off Teeth whitening is at the top of everyone's summer self-care checklist—but not all whitening methods are created equal. If you're Googling "how to whiten teeth at home fast," the answer isn't baking soda or random TikTok hacks. Instead, opt for dentist-formulated whitening strips that are enamel-safe, peroxide-balanced , and made to stay put even while you talk or sip water . MySmile's new Whitening Strips check all those boxes and deliver a noticeable difference in just a few days—without the zings or discomfort that come with harsher options. Pro Tip: Pair whitening strips with a Sonic Toothbrush to remove surface stains first—this helps your whitening treatments work even faster. 2. Flossing Is No Longer Optional—But You Can Skip the String More people are now searching for "is a water flosser better than string floss?" —and for good reason. Traditional flossing can be awkward, uncomfortable, and easy to skip (especially when you're tired at night). But water flossers , like our top-rated LP211 , make the process faster, easier, and dare we say, kind of satisfying? Clinical studies have shown water flossers remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas, reduce gum inflammation, and improve overall oral health in as little as 2 weeks. Hot girl summer starts with healthy gums. And this flosser is the lazy-genius hack for fresher breath and a cleaner smile. 3. Electric Toothbrushes Aren't Just a Flex—They're Scientifically Superior If you're still brushing manually, it's time for an upgrade. Searches for "electric toothbrush benefits" are booming, and the verdict is in: sonic toothbrushes are significantly more effective at removing plaque, improving gum health, and even reducing coffee and wine stains. The Essential Sonic Toothbrush features 40,000 vibrations per minute , multiple modes for every type of smile (even sensitive teeth!), and a built-in timer so you brush long enough—every time. Plus, the sleek, travel-ready design makes it a no-brainer for summer getaways. TL;DR: Sonic = smoother, cleaner, whiter teeth with less effort. And it looks cute on your sink. Win-win. 4. What's the Best Summer Oral Care Routine? Summer means more iced coffee, BBQ sauce, rosé, and sugary treats—which also means more work for your smile. If you're wondering "what's the best oral care routine during summer?" , here's your three-step glow-up: Brush twice daily with a sonic toothbrush for deep plaque removal. Water floss at least once per day to flush out debris between teeth and reduce gum inflammation. Whiten safely with non-irritating strips that target stains from summer treats. Add a tongue scraper, stay hydrated, and switch to a fluoride toothpaste if you haven't already. With this routine, your summer smile will be selfie-ready 24/7. This is your moment to glow up that grin. Whether you're new to oral care or already a smile-care pro, MySmile's viral essentials are here to help you shine. Shop now at Follow MySmile on Social Media! Instagram @mysmile TikTok @mysmile Youtube @mysmilesofficial Media Contact: For Media, contact Winnie, Digital Marketing Manager at winnie@ MySmile is a leading brand dedicated to revolutionizing oral care with innovative products that deliver professional results from the comfort of your home. Specializing in whitening, gum health, and overall dental wellness, MySmile offers a variety of high-quality oral care solutions, including whitening kits, portable mouthwash, water flossers, and toothbrushes. Available online and at top retailers like Amazon,Target, Macy's, and Kohl's, MySmile is committed to making it easier for people to achieve their dream smile. With a focus on simplicity, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE MySmile Oral Care Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
