Core Insights - VEON Ltd. has announced the construction of a new Hyper Cloud data center in Almaty, Kazakhstan, aimed at enhancing the country's digital infrastructure and services [1][2][3] Company Overview - VEON is a global digital operator serving nearly 150 million connectivity users and 140 million digital users across five countries, focusing on technology-driven services to empower individuals and drive economic growth [4] - Beeline Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of VEON, serves 11.9 million mobile customers and around one million fixed internet customers, executing a digital operator strategy since 2018 [5] Industry Developments - The Hyper Cloud data center will provide secure and scalable compute capacity for AI, blockchain, and next-generation telecom services, ensuring all customer data remains within Kazakhstan [2][3] - Kazakhstan's IT sector has seen significant growth, with over 18,000 companies operating, marking a 16% increase over three years, highlighting the importance of cloud capacity for the country's digital future [3] Project Details - The Tier III-certified Hyper Cloud facility is expected to go live by the end of 2026, providing full-service redundancy and enhancing the reliability, security, and sovereignty of cloud services for enterprises and public-sector organizations [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the transformative impact of blockchain technology on various industries, particularly in enhancing cross-border payment systems and data sharing, while highlighting the leadership of QuChain Technology in this domain [1][20][21]. Group 1: Blockchain Technology and Its Applications - Emerging technologies like blockchain and distributed ledger are reshaping traditional payment systems, significantly shortening cross-border payment chains and posing challenges for financial regulation [1]. - QuChain Technology has developed a comprehensive ecosystem utilizing its Hyperchain platform, enabling secure data flow and low-cost applications across sectors such as finance, government, and healthcare [5][20]. - The Chongqing Housing Fund Information Sharing Alliance Chain exemplifies practical applications of blockchain, facilitating efficient cross-regional loan processing and enhancing user experience [5][7]. Group 2: Leadership and Achievements of QuChain Technology - QuChain Technology, under the leadership of CEO Qiu Weiwei, has become a key player in the blockchain sector, serving over 300 national institutions and major enterprises, with a business scale reaching trillions of yuan [2][20]. - The company has successfully led the development of national and international blockchain standards, with two projects recently approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [10][11]. - QuChain's strategic focus on "domestic, independent, and controllable" technology has positioned it as a leader in the blockchain industry, contributing to the global output of Chinese standards [13][21]. Group 3: Gender Diversity and Workforce Dynamics - QuChain Technology maintains a balanced gender ratio, with women comprising approximately 50% of the workforce, and notable representation in technical and management roles [18]. - The company does not implement specific training programs for female employees, emphasizing equal opportunities based on individual capabilities rather than gender [16][18]. Group 4: Future Prospects and Global Engagement - QuChain Technology is actively expanding its international presence, participating in global initiatives and conferences to promote sustainable development and blockchain innovation [13][21]. - The company aims to leverage its technological advancements to address societal needs, particularly in areas like digital finance and smart cities, thereby creating new value [20].

Core Viewpoint - Baidu Cloud (06608.HK) reported a revenue of 2.929 billion yuan for 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 9%, while net profit decreased by 21% to 266 million yuan [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The net profit of Baidu Cloud fell short of expectations, primarily due to higher-than-expected expenses, which increased by 176% to 110 million yuan in share-based payments compared to 2023 [1] - The non-IFRS net profit, excluding share-based payments, was 376 million yuan, showing a slight increase of 0.3% year-on-year [1] - The company's revenue from BaaS financial cloud services saw a slowdown in growth, and the core customer count and average revenue from MaaS services declined [1][3] Group 2: Market Strategy and Future Outlook - The company plans to significantly increase its investment in research and marketing, which may impact profitability in the short term but is aimed at maintaining long-term competitive advantages [1] - Analysts from Huatai Securities and CICC have adjusted their profit forecasts for the company, predicting net profits of 244 million, 396 million, and 606 million yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, reflecting a decrease of 52.5% and 47.0% for the first two years [2] - The shift from a risk control-focused data service provider to an AI service provider is prompting a change in valuation methods, with target prices adjusted to 13.1 HKD and 12.88 HKD by different analysts [2] Group 3: Business Segments - Baidu Cloud's revenue is primarily derived from two segments: MaaS (data query services) and BaaS (transaction facilitation services), with financial cloud services accounting for 48.17% of total revenue [3] - The BaaS financial cloud segment generated 1.411 billion yuan in revenue in 2024, serving as the core revenue source for the company, although its growth rate has noticeably slowed [3] - The company has reported that the cumulative loan amount for its consumer loan products reached nearly 100 billion yuan by the end of 2023, with over 100 million registered users for its loan brands [3]