26 Nov, 2025

Laos Launches Training Center to Boost Mining, Energy Skills

On 18 November, Laos inaugurated the Lancang-Mekong Training Center and launched a specialized training program designed to address the country’s shortage of skilled workers in the mining and energy sectors.Anousack Phongsavath, Director General of the Research Institute for Energy and Mines, highlighted that the initiative is tailored to provide immediate career opportunities. By collaborating closely with companies facing labor shortages, the program ensures students acquire skills directly aligned with industry needs, guaranteeing employment for all graduates upon completion.Training First CohortThe inaugural cohort comprises 30 students from the Polytechnic College, selected through a testing process. Participants will receive full scholarships from China’s Punan Vocational College of Land and Resources, which cover tuition fees and a monthly living stipend throughout the three-year program.The curriculum follows a “1+1+1” model culminating in a High Diploma. The first year, conducted in Laos, emphasizes Chinese language proficiency and foundational knowledge of mining and energy operations. In the second year, students travel to China for advanced, specialized field training. The final year is spent back in Laos, where participants gain hands-on experience as trainees in relevant companies, refine their technical skills, and complete thesis projects.Promoting Skills and CollaborationThis joint initiative between the Research Institute for Energy and Mines, Laos’ Polytechnic College, and Punan Vocational College of Land and Resources aims to promote international collaboration in vocational education. Beyond developing technical expertise, it seeks to strengthen the capacity of Laos’ workforce, prepare highly skilled professionals for the mining and energy industries, and support sustainable development while encouraging greater student participation in the sector.Ultimately, the program is designed not only to equip students with essential technical skills but also to ensure that Laos’ workforce is ready to meet the evolving demands of its key industries.

21 Nov, 2025

Why Stablecoins Are the New Backbone of Global Payments

When a payroll lands in employee wallets in seconds, or a sale clears across three continents with a single click, chances are, a stablecoin powered that transaction.If you’re not already accepting stablecoins, your competitors (and your customers) are moving ahead. Here’s why more platforms and merchants are making stablecoins part of their core payment strategy.What are Stablecoins?First, let’s understand what stablecoins are. Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to hold a steady value by being pegged to a traditional currency like the US dollar or euro. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or altcoins, stablecoins are backed by real-world assets, making them predictable and practical for business use. They run on public blockchains, can be sent or received by anyone with a compatible wallet, and settle in real time anywhere in the world, 24/7.From Niche Asset to Mainstream UtilityStablecoins were once viewed as a side project of crypto: a bridge between digital assets and traditional finance. This perception has shifted dramatically. As of 2025, the total supply has increased from $2.5 billion in 2019 to over $270 billion today. Now, what explains this meteoric growth?The answer lies in the friction businesses face with legacy payment systems: delays in cross-border settlement, hidden fees, lack of transparency, and reliance on intermediaries, which stablecoins solve all. Stablecoins offer a direct, programmable, and globally accessible digital currency that behaves like cash, but with the speed and reach of the internet.Why Businesses Are Embracing Stablecoins▪ Instant Settlement, Always-On CommerceTraditional international payments can take days to clear, often passing through multiple banks before reaching their destination. With stablecoins, settlement can happen within minutes, sometimes seconds, regardless of banking hours or national borders. This creates opportunities for companies to run real-time payrolls, enable just-in-time supply chain payments, or settle e-commerce transactions globally without waiting for wires to clear.▪ Predictability and Price StabilityUnlike most cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies such as the US dollar or euro, offering price predictability. This is why they are so attractive for merchants and platforms who need to reconcile payments, manage cash flow, and minimize exposure to volatility.New Markets, New CustomersIn countries facing inflation, capital controls, or limited access to banking, stablecoins are already becoming the default digital dollar. For example, in Latin America, 43.6% of users engage with crypto for daily spending or cross-border payments. These are families paying bills, freelancers getting paid, and businesses transacting across borders, no bank required.Lower Costs and Increased MarginsStablecoins can reduce transaction fees significantly, particularly for B2B payments. For example, sending USDC on Polygon can cost less than $0.10 per transaction, compared to 1.70-3.5% for card-based payments. For high-frequency or low-margin businesses, these savings are both material and repeatable.Programmable, Automated SettlementBecause stablecoins exist on open, programmable blockchains, companies can integrate payment logic directly into their platforms. This means that revenue sharing, instant settlement, compliance checks, and even loyalty rewards can be automated at the point of payment. No more batch processing or reconciliation delays.Regulation: The Missing Link is Now in PlaceFor years, regulatory uncertainty was the main barrier to stablecoin adoption. This is changing rapidly. In the U.S., two new landmark laws now provide a clear path forward: the GENIUS Act and the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act, both signed in 2025. Together, these laws establish a comprehensive federal framework for stablecoins, requiring 1:1 asset backing, mandatory audits, and ongoing disclosures. European businesses benefit from the Financial Services & Markets Act (UK, 2023), which classifies fiat-backed stablecoins as regulated payment instruments, while in Asia, Japan’s Stablecoin Law (2023) recognizes stablecoins as legal electronic means of payment. These reforms make stablecoin adoption practical and secure across major markets.These regulatory frameworks now offer national and regional clarity, removing the barriers that once held back institutional adoption. For B2B partners, this means stablecoins are not only legally viable, but your business does not need to build a dedicated compliance team; specialized providers like NAKA can manage the legal, and regulatory requirements on your behalf.Real-World Acceptance: From the Internet to the High StreetIn 2025, over 67% of vendors in advanced economies and 92% in emerging markets report that they are ready to accept stablecoins as payment. Major companies such as Walmart and Amazon are piloting stablecoin settlement for suppliers and payroll, while fintech giants like Visa, and Mastercard have launched stablecoin settlement rails.At the local level, cities like Lugano, Switzerland, or San Salvador, El Salvador have become living laboratories: hundreds of shops, restaurants, and service providers accept stablecoins for daily payments, and businesses can settle instantly in stablecoins or local fiat.Why the Power of Stablecoins Matters NowThe next wave of innovation will focus on seamless user experiences, deeper regulatory integration, and multi-currency settlement where stablecoins are simply part of “how business gets done.”For businesses, this is a chance to reach untapped markets, operate with unprecedented efficiency, and deliver payment experiences that match the expectations of a digital-first world.