Blockchain Press Releases
AlixPartners: As the global automotive market recovers more slowly than anticipated, China is rapidly emerging as an industry superpower
Chinese car manufacturers now lead the world in export volume as the traditional western car industry is running out of time to defend its historic domestic market share.
LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — With supply chain bottlenecks and raw material shortages becoming a thing of the past, the global market for automobiles is growing once again – but at a significantly slower pace than many experts expected.
As a result, sales figures in Europe will be more than 15% below pre-Covid levels in the longer term with the UK fairing slightly better at c.10% below pre-Covid levels but levelling off at c.2.4m vehicles sold annually by around 2026.
At the same time, European OEMs are also increasingly under pressure in their home markets from Chinese manufacturers, more and more of whom are pushing into European markets with electric vehicles. In the first quarter of 2023, China replaced Japan as the world leader in automotive exports – an astonishing advancement from sixth place as recently as 2019.
These are among the key findings from global consulting firm AlixPartners 2023 Global Automotive Outlook, a regularly cited source of reference for the OEMS, suppliers and industry commentators alike.
Automotive market continues to grow, but at a slower pace
- China drives global automotive market growth
- Growth slows in other regions – contrary to earlier predictions
- Sales figures in Europe are predicted to be more than 15% below pre-Covid levels in the long term
- UK Sales figures are expected to fair slightly better plateauing at c.10% below pre-Covid levels
- Battery costs not falling fast enough and threaten to dampen the rapid increase in sales of electric cars over the next three to five years and extending ICE lifetime
China is increasingly becoming an automotive superpower
- In 2019, China was the world’s sixth largest automotive exporter. As of Q1 2023, Chinese OEMs have replaced Japan as the export world leaders for the first time
- In the Chinese domestic market in 2023, and for the first time in decades, Chinese brands will surpass foreign brands (51%) and are predicted to reach a market share of 65% by 2030
- While the industry has hitherto focused on Tesla as a single marque threat, now is the time to prepare for future competition from Chinese BEV imports from an ever-growing roster of manufacturers
Increasing pressure on margins and liquidity of European OEMs and suppliers
- OEMs’ earnings situation will deteriorate in a low growth market – with margins of OEMs and suppliers converging again
- Suppliers’ net debt rises to record levels (+27% since 2018) due to operational liquidity requirements; however, OEMs’ debt has decreased (-8% since 2018)
- Rising capital costs and ongoing record investments due to the switch to electric cars require active management of cash flow and liquidity, especially for suppliers
In the UK, investment in battery manufacturing capacity has not materialised at the levels seen elsewhere – increasing the UK’s reliance on China and recent drops in raw material costs have reversed yet again due to rising Chinese demand, remaining between 30-80% above pre-Covid levels.
“While UK sales volumes are expected to plateau in the long term, we do see conflicting tensions between continued lower scrappage rates and increasing average vehicle age in the car park being offset by sustained population growth and steady rates of car ownership per person”, said AlixPartners automotive expert Tom Beard regarding the UK picture. “Keeping an eye on changes to these trends will be key to understanding the real long-term impact in the UK”.
China continues its growth trajectory not only as an attractive sales market but also as an exporter and producer in equal measure. This is also reflected in the Chinese domestic market: in 2023, for the first time in decades, Chinese brands will surpass foreign ones (51%) and are predicted to reach a home market share of 65% by 2030.
Commenting on China’s increasing importance Andrew Bergbaum, a Partner & Managing Director in the Alixpartners Automotive practice, said, “China can now really be regarded as an automotive superpower. UK & European OEMs, on the other hand, are increasingly taking on the role of defenders of market share in their traditional, and shrinking, home markets. At the same time, having enjoyed some recent pricing power, they are now coming under pressure with tightening margins in the face of a low growth global market and increasing competition. For the UK, the proposed accelerated transition away from pure combustion engines by 2030 is going to position lower-cost Chinese imported BEVs as attractive alternatives”.
At the same time, costs are escalating and becoming a critical factor for OEMs and automotive suppliers alike. Raw material costs will not return to pre-Covid levels and have recently risen, yet again, to 30-80% of pre-Covid levels. With China’s continued market growth, forecast to achieve 117% on pre-covid volumes, AlixPartners does not foresee battery capacity catching up with demand and, in jurisdictions such as the UK, requirement, in the near term.
As a result, it is becoming increasingly apparent that combustion engines and electric vehicles will exist in parallel for longer than originally expected. The lengthening ICE lifetime is helped by the fact that the drawn-out decline in the cost of batteries will significantly dampen the pace of the transition to electric mobility in the medium term. This ‘twin-tracking’ prevents the establishment of rapid economies of scale and in turn further increases the acute financial pressure on the industry.
“The UK is already 3 to 5 years behind the rest of Europe in terms of building EV battery manufacturing capacity. This gap is widening, with the possibility of Europe largely removing its reliance on China by 2027. Even if additional UK investments were confirmed in the very short term, the challenging ramp-up process means the UK could still be reliant on importing more than a third of its batteries by 2030, adding further cost pressures to UK-built vehicles”, AlixPartners EV and battery expert Ken Henderson said of the UK’s EV conundrum.
Rising capital costs round off the negative scenario. Automotive suppliers are confronted with a rapid increase in net debt due to their sandwiched position (+27% since 2018). The chance of passing on further manufacturing cost increases from material and labour through to OEMs is low and yet at the same time the transition to electromobility requires a high level of operational liquidity.
AlixPartners Automotive and Restructuring Partner & Managing Director Nick Parker said, “The stress phase for suppliers, which has endured now for several years, will persist and continues to pose existential challenges for many of them. The debt of the supplier industry is currently at a record high, while at the same time the cost of capital and liquidity requirements for current business and investments are rising. The pressure on margins remains high. Cash flow and liquidity management must therefore be a top priority for suppliers. We expect that this situation will also lead to further consolidation in the supplier industry and the continued divestment of combustion engine-related operations”.
Notes to editors
About the Global Automotive Outlook
2023 is the 20th year of the AlixPartners Global Automotive Outlook. The globally recognised study is considered one of the most important trend barometers of the automotive industry worldwide, allying industry data with the unique insights of AlixPartners Automotive experts. For the study, the global consultancy evaluated the financial results of more than 300 automotive manufacturers and suppliers, undertook consumer surveys, and conducted almost 100 expert interviews.
About AlixPartners
AlixPartners is a results-driven global consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses successfully address their most complex and critical opportunities. Our clients include companies, corporate boards, law firms, investment banks, private equity firms, and others. Founded in 1981 in Detroit, AlixPartners is headquartered in New York, and has offices in more than 20 cities around the world. For more information, visit www.alixpartners.com.
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Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025 | Robinhood, Solana, Tether, China, Women in Web3
Today’s blockchain landscape pulses with innovation, expansion and strategic jockeying. From established trading platforms laying the groundwork for international tokenized US asset markets to fresh efforts empowering women in Web3, the industry is evolving at frantic pace. Solana-based tokenization pathways, China’s state-driven blockchain masterplan and Tether’s push onto new Layer-1 rails further underscore diversification. In this daily op-ed, we unpack five major developments—examining what they mean for DeFi growth, NFT marketplaces, regulatory contours and the ongoing quest for greater inclusivity in crypto.
1. Robinhood’s European Blockchain Trading Ambitions
News Summary
Robinhood Markets Inc. is reportedly constructing its own blockchain infrastructure to facilitate trading of U.S. equities and other assets in European markets. Insiders suggest the project seeks to leverage distributed-ledger technology for settlement efficiency, near-real-time clearing and reduced reliance on legacy central counterparties. The move signals Robinhood’s ambition to transcend its domestic brokerage roots and capture European retail and institutional order flow.
Key Details
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Infrastructure Build: A private, permissioned ledger governed by Robinhood and selected counterparties.
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Asset Scope: U.S. equities, ETFs and potentially tokenized debt instruments.
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Regulatory Interface: Engagements with the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to align on custody and market-making rules.
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Timeline: Internal pilots slated for Q4 2025, with public rollout in mid-2026.
Analysis & Opinion
Robinhood’s pivot underscores a broader industry trend: exchanges and brokerages striving to “own the rails” rather than simply interface with existing clearinghouses. By internalizing settlement on a bespoke blockchain, Robinhood hopes to slash settlement times from T+2 to near-instant, a boon for liquidity providers and high-frequency traders. However, risks include the complexity of cross-border regulatory compliance and the operational challenge of maintaining robust on-chain and off-chain reconciliations.
From a DeFi convergence standpoint, Robinhood’s ledger could bridge traditional and decentralized finance, enabling tokenized margin lending and programmable corporate actions directly on-chain. Should Robinhood open permission to DeFi protocols, we may witness new hybrid liquidity pools that blend CEX order books with AMM liquidity. This would mark a milestone in mainstream DeFi adoption—and potentially pressure incumbents like Nasdaq to innovate their own on-chain settlement layers.
Source: Bloomberg
2. Women in Web3: Cultivating Greater Gender Diversity
News Summary
A recent deep-dive from Cointelegraph spotlights the persistent gender gap in blockchain and crypto. Despite Web3’s ethos of decentralization, women represent less than 20 percent of crypto investors and under 10 percent of core development teams. The article outlines initiatives—from targeted grants and incubation programs to mentorship networks—aimed at lowering barriers and attracting more female talent.
Key Details
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Current Statistics: Women account for approximately 17 percent of crypto traders globally; in development, the share dips below 8 percent.
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Notable Initiatives:
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Women in Blockchain Fund: USD 50 million allocated for early-stage female founders.
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Global Web3 Sisters Network: Mentorship platform pairing novices with veteran executives.
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University Partnerships: Scholarships for women studying blockchain engineering and cryptography.
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Analysis & Opinion
Web3’s promise of equal-opportunity innovation rings hollow if half the population remains sidelined. Heightened grant funding and mentorship can help, but systemic change requires cultural shifts within DAOs, core teams and investor circles. Projects and protocols must adopt policies—like blind code reviews, diversity hiring quotas and inclusive governance frameworks—to ensure sustainable participation.
Moreover, as the industry grapples with regulatory scrutiny, diverse leadership can foster better risk management and community trust. Women leaders have often been at the forefront of compliance, ethics and consumer protection—even in traditional finance—qualities sorely needed in crypto’s maturing phase. Token projects that embed gender-diverse advisory boards may see stronger reputational profiles and wider community buy-in.
Source: Cointelegraph
3. SOL Strategies: Tokenizing Shares on Solana
News Summary
SOL Strategies, a financial-services startup, is exploring a pathway to tokenize private and publicly traded shares on the Solana blockchain. Their recently filed whitepaper proposes a framework where equity is represented as SPL tokens, enabling fractional ownership, 24/7 trading and programmable dividend distributions.
Key Details
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Token Standard: Extension of Solana Program Library (SPL) with “Equity Token” schema.
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Custody Model: Licensed custodian holds underlying shares; token holders have legal claim via smart-contract link.
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Compliance Layer: On-chain KYC/AML middleware to restrict token transfers to approved wallets.
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Pilot Partners: Early engagements with two mid-cap European tech firms eyeing capital-raising via tokenization.
Analysis & Opinion
Tokenized equity stands to revolutionize capital markets by lowering minimum investment thresholds and unlocking global liquidity. On Solana, with its sub-second finality and low fees, fractional shares could trade seamlessly—outpacing Ethereum’s scalability challenges. Yet the critical hurdle lies in regulatory acceptance: will securities regulators view these tokens as bona fide equity or as unregistered securities?
SOL Strategies’ integrated custody approach could mollify regulators, replicating existing T+2 standards while enabling T+0 settlement on-chain. Should they secure regulatory sandbox approvals in the U.K. or Singapore, other blockchains—like Stellar and Polkadot—may race to develop similar tokenization toolkits. For DeFi protocols, tokenized equities could become collateral in lending pools, further intertwining traditional and decentralized finance.
Source: Newsfile Corp.
4. China’s Blockchain Playbook: Infrastructure, Influence & New Frontiers
News Summary
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published an extensive analysis of China’s state-driven blockchain strategy. Beyond its digital yuan rollout, Beijing is investing in cross-border infrastructure, influencing global standards bodies and forging Belt and Road blockchain corridors across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Key Details
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Key Initiatives:
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BSN 2.0: Blueprint for national and international consortium chains.
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International Standards: Active lobbying in ISO/TC 307 for governance models favoring state-actors.
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Tech Diplomacy: Blockchain MOUs with Pakistan, Indonesia and several African union members.
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Strategic Goals: Extend digital yuan acceptance, export Chinese ledger tech, shape global governance.
Analysis & Opinion
China’s multi-pronged approach signals blockchain’s emergence as a theater of geopolitical competition. By undercutting SWIFT dependency and offering turnkey consortium-chain solutions, Beijing enhances its financial influence in Belt and Road countries. Western governments and multinationals must navigate this blockchain bifurcation—between open public rails and permissioned state-backed consortia.
For crypto projects, the CSIS report offers both caution and opportunity. While the digital yuan may corner state-aligned corridors, decentralized networks remain resilient by design. Projects focusing on interoperability—such as Polkadot bridges and Cosmos IBC—can link fragmented chains and preserve open value transfer. Investors should monitor on-chain metrics in emerging markets, as Chinese-backed consortium chains gain traction in cross-border trade finance.
Source: CSIS
5. Tether Expands Stablecoin Reach to 196 Million Users via Kaia
News Summary
Tether has launched USDT on the Kaia blockchain, bringing its flagship stablecoin to Kaia’s user base of approximately 196 million. Kaia, a burgeoning Layer-1 optimized for high-throughput mobile applications, opens new corridors for USDT in gaming, remittances and micro-trading in emerging markets.
Key Details
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Technical Integration: USDT issued as a native Kaia token, supported by Tether’s reserve-backing audit framework.
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User Impact: Near-zero fees for micro-transactions; sub-second confirmation times even on mobile networks.
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Partnership Scope: Integration with Kaia’s wallet SDK and gaming marketplace; joint launch of an educational DApp for fiat-on-ramp literacy.
Analysis & Opinion
By deploying on Kaia, Tether diversifies its blockchain footprint beyond Ethereum, Tron and Solana, underscoring a multi-chain thesis for stablecoin ubiquity. Emerging-market users—often plagued by volatile local currencies—stand to benefit immensely from a mobile-first, low-cost remittance rail. Moreover, Kaia’s developer incentives may spawn DeFi lending dApps collateralized by USDT, fueling localized credit markets.
Yet healthy competition among blockchains for stablecoin volume could concentrate risk: reserve transparency, network stability and regulatory compliance will differentiate winners. Tether’s public attestations and reserve audits are critical, but as US regulators intensify scrutiny on stablecoin giants, projects deploying on smaller chains may face fresh legal complexities around money-transmission licensing.
Source: Bitcoin.com
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
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Institutional On-ramp Acceleration: Robinhood’s European chain signals major brokerages view blockchain as core infrastructure—not mere gadget.
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Inclusivity Imperative: Women’s underrepresentation remains a blindspot; targeted grants and cultural reforms are needed for equal Web3 participation.
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Tokenization Tide: Solana’s high-speed rails may host the next wave of equity tokens, bridging capital markets and DeFi.
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Geopolitical Battlegrounds: China’s consortium chains and digital-yuan corridors illustrate how blockchain is reshaping global influence.
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Stablecoin Multichain Strategy: Tether’s Kaia integration reflects the logic of diversifying rails to reach underserved, mobile-first users.
As blockchain advances, the interplay between technological innovation, regulatory frameworks and social inclusion will define whether the next chapter of crypto fulfills its vision of open, equitable finance—or replicates old hierarchies in digital garb. Today’s headlines underscore that the path forward lies in cross-chain interoperability, proactive policy-shaping, and a relentless focus on broadening the community that stewards and benefits from these transformative networks.
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Blockchain Press Releases
MEXC Lists USD1, Accelerating Global Stablecoin Innovation with World Liberty Financial
VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced that it will list World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) in the Innovation Zone on May 9, 2025 (UTC). The USD1/USDT trading pair will also open at 08:00 on May 8, 2025 (UTC), and the MEXC Convert feature will be available from 09:00 on May 8, 2025 (UTC), offering users a seamless asset conversion experience. This listing expands the range of digital assets on the platform and further demonstrates MEXC’s commitment to advancing the global stablecoin ecosystem.
USD1: A New Era in Stablecoins and Financial Transparency
USD1 is World Liberty Financial (WLFI)’s stablecoin that provides secure and transparent digital asset services for global users. The stablecoin is backed 1:1 by the US dollar, with its reserve assets custodied by BitGo, held and subject to regular audits by third-party accounting firms to ensure transparency and stability. Currently, USD1 is deployed on both Ethereum and BNB Chain, with plans to expand to additional blockchains in the future to enhance interoperability.
Furthermore, USD1 has made significant strides in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. For example, ListaDAO has launched a USD1 lending vault on BNB Chain, providing liquidity support for 20 million USD1. Renowned market maker DWF Labs has also deployed USD1 liquidity across multiple platforms, further enhancing its availability and market depth. According to the data from CoinMarketCap, USD1’s market capitalization has surpassed USD 2.12 billion, demonstrating strong market demand.
Special Promotion to Celebrate the Listing
To celebrate the successful listing of USD1, MEXC is launching a series of special offers to thank its users for their support. Starting May 8, 2025, at 08:00 (UTC), users can enjoy the following benefits:
- Zero Trading Fees: The USD1/USDT spot trading pair will have 0 trading fees.
- Zero Withdrawal Fees: Users will enjoy 0 withdrawal fees when withdrawing USD1.
MEXC Drives the Evolution of Stablecoins Through Ecosystem Empowerment
As a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, MEXC has earned the trust of 36 million users across 170+ countries worldwide, thanks to its fast token listing process, diverse asset offerings, deep liquidity, and robust security. At the same time, MEXC continues to empower quality projects and partners, actively promoting the healthy development of the global digital asset and stablecoin ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for the Future of Stablecoins
MEXC’s listing partnership with World Liberty Financial further drives innovation in the development of stablecoins. Looking ahead, MEXC will continue to strengthen its support for stablecoin projects, promoting the widespread adoption of stablecoins globally. At the same time, the platform will keep iterating its products and services to provide users with a more secure and seamless trading experience.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
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Blockchain Press Releases
BingX Unveils ChainSpot: A CeDeFi Innovation for Simpler and Safer On-Chain Trading
PANAMA CITY, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to unveil ChainSpot, a pioneering CeDeFi (Centralized-Decentralized Finance) feature that empowers users to access decentralized tokens directly from their BingX accounts — without the need for external wallets or complex on-chain processes. As part of its 7th anniversary celebration, BingX becomes one of the first major exchanges to roll out such a hybrid product, signaling a bold leap forward in its product evolution.
With the promise of “One Tap, All Chains”, ChainSpot introduces an effortless way to explore and trade on-chain assets while staying fully protected by BingX’s centralized infrastructure. As a CeDeFi innovation, it blends the best of both centralized and decentralized worlds — offering the ease and reliability of a centralized exchange with the openness and innovation of DeFi protocols.
Key Benefits of ChainSpot
Designed to make on-chain trading simpler and safer, ChainSpot offers a host of features that enhance user experience:
- Enhanced Security: Users enjoy trusted safeguards like two-factor authentication and cold wallet storage while interacting with decentralized markets.
- Broader Asset Access: Seamlessly explore trending DeFi tokens and new on-chain projects — no bridges, no external wallet setup required.
- Smarter Discovery: AI-driven filters surface high-quality DeFi projects quickly, reducing research time and noise.
- Cross-Chain Compatibility: Built for a multi-chain future, ChainSpot supports cross-chain asset trading efficiently — all within one centralized interface.
Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer of BingX, commented on the launch: “Over the past seven years, BingX has grown by staying close to our users. ChainSpot is a direct result of listening to their desire for more flexible, decentralized opportunities — without losing the security and convenience of our platform. Our goal with ChainSpot is to redefine what access to DeFi looks like, making it simple, intuitive, and protected. This isn’t just another feature — it’s part of a broader vision to shape a financial future where innovation meets inclusivity, and where security coexists with freedom.”
ChainSpot marks a strategic milestone in BingX’s evolution as a CeDeFi enabler. As the platform continues to expand its ecosystem, more innovative features and product enhancements are expected in the months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just getting started in crypto, ChainSpot opens the door to DeFi’s full potential — without the friction.
About BingX
Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange, serving over 20 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management – all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became the official crypto exchange partner of Chelsea Football Club, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.
For more information please visit: https://bingx.com/
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