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Oil Prices Climb as US Crude Inventories Expected to Fall

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Oil prices experienced a rebound on Wednesday, following a three-day decline, as market expectations indicated a potential decrease in US crude inventories. A recent trade agreement between the United States and Japan also suggested positive movement on tariffs, further supporting investor sentiment.

Current Market Trends

The price of Brent crude futures rose by 33 cents, or 0.48%, reaching $68.92 per barrel. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures saw an increase of 33 cents, or 0.51%, climbing to $65.64 per barrel.

This upward movement in oil prices comes after a series of declines attributed to concerns over international trade tensions. The European Union announced it may consider countermeasures against US tariffs, which dampened hopes for a resolution before the upcoming August 1 deadline.

Market Influences and Future Outlook

The anticipated drop in US crude stockpiles, as suggested by a recent poll, reflects an increase in domestic demand. This development has contributed to the market’s optimism. The interplay between trade agreements and inventory levels will likely continue to influence oil prices in the near future.

As traders monitor these factors, the market’s stability remains contingent on both geopolitical developments and supply-demand dynamics. The coming days will reveal whether this positive momentum can be sustained or if external pressures will cause further fluctuations.

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Smilegate Unveils MMORPG “LORDNINE: INFINITE CLASS” Launch Dates

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Global game developer and publisher Smilegate has officially announced the launch of its new MMORPG titled LORDNINE: INFINITE CLASS, set to debut on July 31, 2025. Players will have the opportunity to pre-download the game starting on July 29, 2025 for both PC and mobile platforms. This new title is developed by NX3GAMES and builds upon the proven success it has seen in South Korea since its initial release.

The pre-download for mobile users will be available through the App Store and Google Play, while PC users can access it via the STOVE platform. Players who pre-download will be able to jump into the game as soon as it officially launches, enhancing the excitement surrounding its release. Specific details regarding the launch time will be shared through official channels closer to the date.

Excitement Builds with Extended Events

The anticipation for LORDNINE has been heightened by Smilegate’s decision to extend the Character Name Reservation event, which began on July 14. This extension included the expansion of server capacities, allowing more players to participate. A live showcase in Thailand on July 20 introduced key game features and the development philosophy behind LORDNINE. During the event, popular Thai actor Peach Pachara was revealed as the game’s official global model, generating significant enthusiasm among attendees. The showcase video is available on the official LORDNINE YouTube channel.

The game features an innovative “Infinite Class” system, which allows players to combine over 60 classes and more than 50 abilities, enabling a highly customizable character creation process. This design provides players with the freedom to define their own combat style and character progression, fostering strategic depth in gameplay.

Global Marketplace and Continued Popularity

To enhance player interaction across global servers, Smilegate has partnered with LINE’s C2C trading platform, Next Market. This collaboration introduces a global marketplace system, enabling players to trade items safely and engage in cross-server economic activities. This feature is expected to further enrich the gaming experience and foster a vibrant community.

Since its launch in South Korea and the Taiwan region in July 2024, LORDNINE has gained notable traction, topping revenue charts in the RPG category on major platforms. The game was also honored with the title of “Best Immersive MMORPG” at the SensorTower APAC Awards 2024, underscoring its quality and commercial success.

For more information on the upcoming launch and additional details about LORDNINE, interested players can visit the official website at https://l9asia.onstove.com/ and check out the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@LORDNINE_GLOBAL.

About Smilegate: Headquartered in South Korea, Smilegate is a global game development and publishing company with regional offices in the United States and China. Its flagship franchise, CROSSFIRE, is among the largest and most successful in gaming history, boasting over 1 billion registered players across PC and mobile platforms. The acclaimed MMORPG Lost Ark was released in South Korea in 2019 and launched in North America and Europe in February 2021. More information can be found at Smilegate.com.

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Smilegate Unveils MMORPG “LORDNINE: INFINITE CLASS” Launch Dates

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Global game developer and publisher Smilegate has announced the official launch of its new MMORPG, LORDNINE: INFINITE CLASS, set to take place on July 31, 2025. Players can begin pre-downloading the game on July 29, available for both PC and mobile platforms. This title, developed by NX3GAMES, promises players a unique gaming experience characterized by extensive freedom and strategic combat.

Pre-Download and Launch Details

Mobile users can access the pre-download through the App Store and Google Play, while PC gamers can do so via the STOVE platform. Those who pre-download will be able to start playing immediately on the launch day. Specific details about the launch time will be provided through official channels closer to the date.

Following the closure of the Character Name Reservation event on July 14, Smilegate extended the event and expanded its server capacity, further building anticipation among players. On July 20, a live showcase in Thailand introduced key game features and the development philosophy behind LORDNINE. During this event, popular Thai actor Peach Pachara was announced as the game’s official global model, generating significant enthusiasm among fans.

Gameplay Features and Global Integration

LORDNINE features an innovative “Infinite Class” system, allowing players to combine over 60 classes and more than 50 abilities to create custom characters. Players can define their combat style and progression, providing a high degree of freedom and strategic depth. This flexibility aims to enhance the overall gaming experience.

To promote player interaction across global servers, Smilegate has partnered with LINE’s C2C trading platform, Next Market. This collaboration will introduce a global marketplace system, enabling players to trade items safely and engage in cross-server economic activities.

Since its initial release in South Korea and Taiwan in July 2024, LORDNINE has gained considerable popularity. It topped revenue charts in the RPG category across major marketplaces in South Korea and received the “Best Immersive MMORPG” award at the SensorTower APAC Awards 2024, highlighting its quality and commercial success.

For further information about the game and upcoming events, interested players can visit the official LORDNINE website and YouTube channel.

Smilegate, headquartered in South Korea, is renowned for its global reach in game development and publishing. The company, with regional offices in the United States and China, is known for its flagship franchise CROSSFIRE, which boasts over 1 billion registered players. Its critically acclaimed MMORPG Lost Ark debuted in South Korea in 2019 and launched in North America and Europe in February 2021.

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Sky TV Faces Challenge After Three Reports $77.6 Million Loss

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Warner Bros Discovery’s television network, Three (TV3), has reported an after-tax loss of $77.6 million for the year ending December 31, 2024. This significant financial setback arrives as Sky TV prepares to take over the network, raising questions about its ability to reverse the trend of consistent losses.

The recently released financial results from Discovery NZ indicate that the situation has slightly improved compared to the previous year, which saw a staggering after-tax loss of $138.2 million. This earlier figure included a $79.5 million impairment, making the current loss less severe on a year-over-year basis. Nevertheless, the challenge ahead remains daunting for Sky TV, which now inherits these financial difficulties.

In addition to the losses, Three has announced a redundancy bill approaching $15 million. This decision reflects ongoing efforts to streamline operations and cut costs amid a challenging media landscape. According to the financial statements, the network has been pursuing strategic initiatives aimed at reducing expenditures and has engaged in discussions with potential buyers of the company.

As Sky TV moves forward with its acquisition, the focus will be on implementing effective strategies to transform Three into a profitable entity. The new ownership will likely need to address not only the financial losses but also the operational challenges that have led to such significant deficits in recent years.

The ability of Sky TV to turn around Three’s fortunes will be closely monitored by industry analysts and investors alike, particularly in light of the ongoing competition in the broadcasting sector. The outcome of this transition could set a precedent for how media companies navigate similar challenges in the future.

In summary, the financial results from Three underscore the substantial hurdles that Sky TV will need to overcome. With the right approach, there is potential for recovery, but it will require careful management and strategic foresight in an increasingly competitive market.

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Alpha Ladder Finance Secures Patent for Real-World Asset Tokenisation

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Alpha Ladder Finance Pte Ltd (ALFIN) has been granted a significant patent in Singapore for its innovative Non-Fungible Digital Twin (NFDT) technology. This development, announced on July 24, 2025, positions ALFIN as a leader in the tokenisation of real-world assets (RWA) through a blockchain-native framework designed to enhance transparency and operational data tracking.

The NFDT framework, which received patent approval under the Patent Cooperation Treaty before being granted in Singapore, aims to overcome the limitations of traditional Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Unlike static NFTs, the NFDT architecture introduces a dynamic smart contract system that captures real-time changes in asset usage, condition, and ownership. This provides stakeholders with a secure, time-stamped ledger, ensuring accurate and live representations of assets.

Advancing Real-World Asset Tokenisation

Dr. Bo Bai, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Alpha Ladder Group, highlighted the importance of this achievement, stating, “The journey to securing this patent has been a multi-year effort. We knew the market would eventually demand real-time, non-fungible and verifiable asset intelligence.” With the NFDT patent, ALFIN aims to revolutionise how real-world assets are represented in the digital arena.

The NFDT framework combines the principles of digital twin technology, commonly associated with Industry 4.0, with blockchain verification, providing a unique and programmable representation of real-world assets. This innovation supports compliance-grade reporting and aids in asset-backed financing while ensuring built-in transparency and auditability.

As the global market for real-world asset tokenisation is projected to exceed USD 16 trillion by 2030, the NFDT presents a timely solution to the increasing demand for transparency and regulatory compliance in asset management. Stakeholders are now more focused on ensuring that tokenisation models can provide auditable and impactful results.

Building a Foundation for Trust in Token Economies

The NFDT framework is designed to continuously capture real-time asset evolution, allowing regulatory bodies and asset owners to maintain an immutable audit trail throughout an asset’s lifecycle. Each digital twin is linked to verified reports and tracks changes over time through smart contracts, enabling programmable access, expiry, and revocation rules. This functionality empowers regulators and investors to validate the current state of assets rather than relying solely on historical data.

The introduction of NFDT technology promises greater transparency in fractional ownership structures, offering everyday consumers opportunities to engage in data-backed investment ventures. By providing a robust infrastructure for financing, compliance, and asset ownership, ALFIN aims to facilitate smarter decision-making processes for leasing and insurance based on actual asset performance.

The first implementations of the NFDT framework are already in motion, with ALFIN collaborating with strategic partners to launch pilot projects across various sectors, including renewable energy, real estate, and ESG-linked financial products.

As it moves forward with its patent-secured technology, Alpha Ladder Finance is committed to bridging the gap between real-world performance and digital finance. This initiative seeks to empower enterprises, investors, and regulators, ultimately enhancing participation in a transparent, trust-based token economy.

About Alpha Ladder Finance Pte. Ltd. (ALFIN): Established in Singapore, ALFIN is a regulated financial institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The firm offers a comprehensive suite of capital market solutions, including custodial services and innovative trading platforms, aimed at meeting the evolving needs of institutional and accredited investors. With a strong emphasis on security and compliance, ALFIN is dedicated to shaping the future of capital markets through cutting-edge technology and regulatory adherence. For more information, visit: https://www.alphaladder.com/subsidiaries/alpha-ladder-finance/

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