Press Release
Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabian Biodiversity (SICFAB) Discusses Seabird Rescue and the Risks of Invasive Species
Sharjah, UAE, 6th February 2026, The 25th edition of the Sharjah International Forum for Arabian Biodiversity (SICFAB), organized by the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) held at Sharjah Safari and running until 5 February, continues to tackle priority environmental issues in the Arabian Peninsula. The forum brings together around 180 experts, researchers, and veterinarians from Arab countries, alongside international scientific and research institutions.
Seabird Rescue at the Forefront of Discussions
Forum sessions highlighted the health challenges associated with rescuing and rehabilitating seabirds. Specialists presented field experiences in handling cases involving cormorants and seagulls during a session titled “Clinical, Therapeutic, and Pathological Insights from Rehabilitated Cormorants”, delivered by Dr. Miceala Shocklee and Dr. Daniela Dink. The session emphasized that emaciation is a major health issue that impairs birds’ ability to forage, increasing their susceptibility to injuries and predation. It also noted that the impact of internal parasites is exacerbated when combined with poor body condition.
Discussions also addressed common injuries caused by human activities, such as the ingestion of fishing hooks, soft tissue injuries, and external parasites. Experts stressed the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention to ensure successful recovery and safe release back into their natural habitats.
Necropsy as a Scientific Tool for Understanding Seabird Mortality
A session titled “Pathological Insights from Rescued Seagulls”, presented by Dr. Sara Zavala, Dr. Shamma AlEissaee, and Dr. Nina Gianelli, discussed the pathological dimensions of seabird mortality cases. The session emphasized the importance of necropsy as a fundamental scientific tool for understanding the causes of death, both direct and underlying. Findings revealed that kidney diseases are among the most prominent health issues and, in some cases, may lead to severe neurological complications.
Initial Assessment and Rehabilitation Key to Successful Releases
Translating this science into effective practice was the focus of a major panel discussion titled “Triage, Stabilisation, Rehabilitation, Post Release, Outcomes/Monitoring”, featuring Dr. Tres Clarke and Dr. David Roberts. The discussion addressed operational challenges facing seabird rescue centers. These included the high costs of long-term care, the need for precise criteria to determine birds’ readiness for release, and the importance of post-release monitoring using appropriate tracking methods.
EICAT Assessments and Red Lists for Biodiversity Conservation
A workshop on “Conducting EICAT Assessments to Determine the Environmental Impact of Invasive Species” highlighted the importance of unified scientific methodologies for classifying the impacts of invasive species and strengthening environmental databases to help guide decision-makers in prioritizing control measures.
Separately, discussions on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species underscored the pivotal role of scientific classification and Red Lists in documenting biodiversity, assessing extinction risks, and supporting the establishment of protected areas and environmental rehabilitation programs.
Strategic Planning to Combat Biological Invasions
Applying this science to effective practice was highlighted as the next critical step. A workshop titled “Facilitating Strategic Planning for Decision-Makers” explored measuring invasive species’ impacts and classifying them into defined environmental categories, which contributes to more effective resource allocation and the restoration of ecological balance in affected ecosystems.
Invasive Ants as a Threat to Native Species
The specific menace of invasive ants was unpacked by Dr. Mustafa Sharaf, a researcher in entomology at the Sharjah Desert Park Wildlife Museum. He outlined their high capacity for biological invasion due to human activities. Invasive ants can threaten native and endemic species, disrupt populations, and, in worst-case scenarios, lead to extinctions. Some species may also act as indirect transmitters for pathogens, particularly in sensitive environments such as hospitals and homes. Presenters shared global examples of invasive ants causing economic losses worth hundreds of billions of dollars due to impacts on agriculture and ecosystems. Experts also highlighted the red palm weevil as one of the most dangerous invasive species in the Arab region, causing significant economic and environmental damage.
Regional and International Cooperation for Biodiversity Protection
In the forum’s closing discussions, participants emphasized the need to strengthen regional and international cooperation, exchange scientific expertise, and engage local communities and volunteers in early reporting of environmental cases. They highlighted the development of unified scientific databases as a fundamental pillar for protecting coastal and terrestrial ecosystems, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, and conserving the natural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Elysium and Spotex Launch Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Platform for Institutional Markets
- Elysium and Spotex Deliver Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Solution for the Institutional Market
- Decade-Long Partnership Expands from FX to Cryptocurrency with Live Deployment at Major Crypto Broker
Chicago, IL, 6th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Elysium and Spotex today announce the integration of Spotex’s institutional trading platform with Elysium’s MatchHub post-trade infrastructure. The integrated solution delivers a seamless front-to-back workflow for digital asset trading and has been successfully deployed at an established cryptocurrency broker, enabling optimized execution, reconciliation, and settlement across multiple custodians and clearing venues.
The combined offering represents a natural evolution of the two firms’ decade-long collaboration in traditional OTC foreign exchange markets. As both companies expanded their capabilities to serve the growing institutional digital asset ecosystem, the integration creates a comprehensive solution for firms operating in both FX and cryptocurrency markets.
The platform leverages Spotex’s api-driven execution capabilities—including price discovery, matching engine, cross-asset liquidity aggregation, and fiat-crypto pair pricing—with MatchHub’s back-end infrastructure for trade reconciliation, counterparty credit management, and multi-party settlement optimization. This end-to-end solution addresses the nuanced challenges faced by institutional crypto brokers managing multi-custodial relationships and diverse clearing arrangements across both traditional and digital assets.
“The growth of the crypto OTC market is supported in part by quality off-chain liquidity.” said Chris O’Connor, CEO of Elysium. “Spotex’s execution capabilities enable brokers to create a deep and diverse liquidity stack and Elysium’s MatchHub solves the complexity of the post-trade workflows.
“Our long history with Elysium in FX markets made this integration a natural evolution,” said John Miesner, CEO of Spotex. “Deploying our proven execution capabilities in digital assets along-side Elysium’s robust post-trade capabilities delivers the same operational excellence that institutional clients expect from their FX trading operations.”
The live deployment at the cryptocurrency broker showcases the platform’s ability to handle high-volume institutional trading while maintaining rigorous reconciliation and settlement standards across traditional banking infrastructure and digital asset custodial relationships. The bundled solution is immediately available to all institutional digital asset trading firms seeking to streamline their liquidity and enhance operational efficiency.
About Elysium
Elysium’s flagship platform, MatchHub, is the post-trade engine trusted by makers, takers, brokers, and prime brokers in an ever-evolving digital asset market. MatchHub delivers real-time trade capture, netting, settlement, and integrated credit controls through a fully branded client portal. With a track record spanning traditional finance and a dedicated crypto focus since 2018, Elysium combines deep market knowledge with cutting-edge engineering to power the next generation of institutional digital-asset infrastructure. For more information, visit www.elysiumtechgroup.com
About Spotex
Spotex is a leading institutional liquidity and trade execution platform serving the FX and digital asset markets. The company provides sophisticated market participants with access to deep liquidity pools, advanced execution algorithms, and comprehensive market analytics. With a decade of proven performance in traditional FX markets, Spotex has expanded its platform to serve the growing institutional cryptocurrency market. For more information, visit www.spotex.com.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
Elysium and Spotex Launch Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Platform for Institutional Markets
- Elysium and Spotex Deliver Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Solution for the Institutional Market
- Decade-Long Partnership Expands from FX to Cryptocurrency with Live Deployment at Major Crypto Broker
Chicago, IL, 6th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Elysium and Spotex today announce the integration of Spotex’s institutional trading platform with Elysium’s MatchHub post-trade infrastructure. The integrated solution delivers a seamless front-to-back workflow for digital asset trading and has been successfully deployed at an established cryptocurrency broker, enabling optimized execution, reconciliation, and settlement across multiple custodians and clearing venues.
The combined offering represents a natural evolution of the two firms’ decade-long collaboration in traditional OTC foreign exchange markets. As both companies expanded their capabilities to serve the growing institutional digital asset ecosystem, the integration creates a comprehensive solution for firms operating in both FX and cryptocurrency markets.
The platform leverages Spotex’s api-driven execution capabilities—including price discovery, matching engine, cross-asset liquidity aggregation, and fiat-crypto pair pricing—with MatchHub’s back-end infrastructure for trade reconciliation, counterparty credit management, and multi-party settlement optimization. This end-to-end solution addresses the nuanced challenges faced by institutional crypto brokers managing multi-custodial relationships and diverse clearing arrangements across both traditional and digital assets.
“The growth of the crypto OTC market is supported in part by quality off-chain liquidity.” said Chris O’Connor, CEO of Elysium. “Spotex’s execution capabilities enable brokers to create a deep and diverse liquidity stack and Elysium’s MatchHub solves the complexity of the post-trade workflows.
“Our long history with Elysium in FX markets made this integration a natural evolution,” said John Miesner, CEO of Spotex. “Deploying our proven execution capabilities in digital assets along-side Elysium’s robust post-trade capabilities delivers the same operational excellence that institutional clients expect from their FX trading operations.”
The live deployment at the cryptocurrency broker showcases the platform’s ability to handle high-volume institutional trading while maintaining rigorous reconciliation and settlement standards across traditional banking infrastructure and digital asset custodial relationships. The bundled solution is immediately available to all institutional digital asset trading firms seeking to streamline their liquidity and enhance operational efficiency.
About Elysium
Elysium’s flagship platform, MatchHub, is the post-trade engine trusted by makers, takers, brokers, and prime brokers in an ever-evolving digital asset market. MatchHub delivers real-time trade capture, netting, settlement, and integrated credit controls through a fully branded client portal. With a track record spanning traditional finance and a dedicated crypto focus since 2018, Elysium combines deep market knowledge with cutting-edge engineering to power the next generation of institutional digital-asset infrastructure. For more information, visit www.elysiumtechgroup.com
About Spotex
Spotex is a leading institutional liquidity and trade execution platform serving the FX and digital asset markets. The company provides sophisticated market participants with access to deep liquidity pools, advanced execution algorithms, and comprehensive market analytics. With a decade of proven performance in traditional FX markets, Spotex has expanded its platform to serve the growing institutional cryptocurrency market. For more information, visit www.spotex.com.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
On-Chain Finance Protocol Invites Community to Experience Its Ecosystem Firsthand
Hong Kong — February 6, 2026 — Axblade, an emerging on-chain finance protocol, will step onto the global stage for the first time at Consensus Hong Kong 2026, one of the leading Web3 conferences in the world. This milestone marks Axblade’s official entry into the international Web3 community, where it will connect directly with developers, investors, and crypto enthusiasts.
First Global Appearance at Consensus Hong Kong
Consensus Hong Kong gathers top voices from blockchain, finance, and technology across Asia and beyond. Axblade’s presence highlights its growing influence in the evolving on-chain finance landscape.
During the conference, the team will share their vision for next-generation on-chain financial infrastructure, exploring how decentralized and programmable finance can make global financial systems more transparent, accessible, and efficient.
Interactive On-Site Wallet Activity
To celebrate its debut, Axblade will host a community-focused activation at the venue. Attendees can participate by linking their wallets on-site, earning exclusive limited-edition Axblade merchandise, including:
- Axblade-themed T-shirts
- Branded Merchandise
Gifts are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This hands-on experience is designed to introduce attendees to the Axblade ecosystem in a tangible and engaging way.
Connect with Axblade in Hong Kong
As Hong Kong strengthens its position as a global Web3 hub, Axblade is excited to meet both local and international community members. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, partner, or crypto enthusiast, the team welcomes you to visit, engage, and exchange ideas during the event.
Event Details:
- Date: February 11–12, 2026
- Location: Hong Kong Convention &Exhibition Centre
About Axblade
Axblade is a high-performance, hybrid finance protocol that bridges real-world assets and on-chain liquidity. By enabling capital to be issued, traded, and composed with settlement-grade reliability, Axblade makes it possible to bring off-chain value on-chain while supporting compliant, cross-border finance. Its goal is to provide a scalable foundation for global financial applications, uniting transparency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in a single ecosystem.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Elysium and Spotex Launch Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Platform for Institutional Markets
Elysium and Spotex Launch Integrated Front-to-Back Digital Asset Trading Platform for Institutional Markets
Axblade to Make Global Debut at Consensus Hong Kong 2026
Benzinga Money Article Discusses How to Become Part of the 12% of Retirees Who Have Achieved the Recommended $550,000 Minimum Retirement Savings Threshold
Apu Apustaja Conquers New York with Lively Street Ads, Including Times Square Billboard
Bay Smokes Maintains Quality Amid Legislative Changes in the Hemp Industry
-
Press Release5 days ago
Five Global Megatrends Highlighted at Open Dialogue Expert Forum at the Russia National Centre
-
Press Release2 days ago
GISEC Global to Launch Cyber Diplomacy Forum in 2026 as Cybersecurity Moves Centre-Stage in Global Trade and Foreign Policy
-
Press Release7 days ago
CMS (867.HK/8A8.SG): Ruxolitinib Phosphate Cream Obtained China NDA Approval, Becoming The First and Only Targeted Drug for Vitiligo in China
-
Press Release1 week ago
Med Consumer Watch Study Identifies CoreAge Rx as High-Value Provider in GLP-1 Telehealth Sector
-
Press Release1 week ago
Roger Haenke Connects Healthcare and Faith in a Career Centered on Presence and Support
-
Press Release7 days ago
Cloudbet Academy Launches World Cup 2026 Betting Guide: Crypto Strategies and Tournament Insights
-
Press Release1 week ago
Gabriel Malkin Florida Completes 120-Mile Camino Walk with Focus, Patience, and Preparation
-
Press Release6 days ago
Broadway Polaroids Advocates for Authentic Access and Creative Preservation in Theatre