Austin, TX
US-based Episode Six is banking on Hong Kong demand for virtual payments, SME lending
“We’re seeing increasing demand for virtual card payments, which our platform is perfectly suited for,” said John Mitchell, E6’s co-founder and CEO. “We’re also seeing an increase in demand for our virtual account, and we’re expected to have growing penetration around these two products in Hong Kong throughout the rest of the year.”
“We know there’s a push from the regulators to see more innovative working capital solutions deployed to SMEs, and we have a product that takes the concept of ‘buy now, pay later’ [BNPL] but industrialises it and makes it fit for purpose for commercial banks to offer to SME customers,” Muse-McKenney said, adding that there is some “good traction” taking place in the market, and E6 is looking to officially launch the new product in the second half of this year.
BNPL is a short-term instalment loan that allows customers to make purchases and pay for them later, without being charged interest.
“The problem across the region is that payments technology needs to be modernised,” said Mitchell. “Asia-Pacific is growing for E6, and some of the new payment products require technology that’s not readily available in the markets that we’re entering, whether that’s around contactless QR code payments, or interoperability between payment schemes.”
Both executives also highlighted Japan as “high on the list” for the start-up.
“Japan is a particularly compelling market for E6,” said Mitchell, adding that E6 has been on the ground in Japan since 2017. With positive macroeconomic trends and a fintech-friendly regulatory environment in Japan, financial institutions are investing in modernising their payment infrastructure, he added.
Ant Group adds 14 foreign payment apps in access boost for Hong Kong merchants
Ant Group adds 14 foreign payment apps in access boost for Hong Kong merchants
“Financial institutions in Asia have had more direct competition from fintechs, and thus they have had to wake up sooner and are more advanced in their thinking in terms of the digital experiences they need to create,” said Muse-McKenney.
“The payments innovation landscape in Asia, the idea of faster payments, is a really progressive agenda that’s being pushed, and so banks and financial institutions more broadly are at the forefront of payments innovation, whereas within [Europe, the Middle East and Africa] and North America, they’re more catching up.”
While also steadily expanding in Europe and North America, Asia remains E6’s largest market from both a revenue and accounts perspective, since the company was founded in 2015, Mitchell said.
Hong Kong SMEs more confident of growth than their Singapore, mainland peers
Hong Kong SMEs more confident of growth than their Singapore, mainland peers
E6 in late April announced a partnership with Singapore-licensed financial institution DCS Card Centre that will allow fintech companies to issue their own branded credit cards through E6’s customer interface.
Powered by E6’s card issuance technology, the solution reduces the process needed to launch a new credit card from up to six months to a matter of weeks. It also incorporates access to a virtual account that allows for top-ups with fiat currency through bank transfers, or with digital assets via DCS tokens, which are directly issued by DCS.
With a presence in more than 35 countries, E6 completed its most recent financing round in March 2023, raising US$48 million from investors led by Avenir. E6’s other existing backers include HSBC, Mastercard, SBI Investment Co and Anthos Capital.
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Both directions of U.S. Highway 290 at Fitzhugh Road are closed due to a crash, according to TxDOT.
Details about the crash and any injuries were not immediately available.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while crews work to clear the roadway.
Austin, TX
Karmelo Anthony sentenced to 35 years in fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf at Frisco track meet | Houston Public Media
A Collin County jury sentenced 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony to 35 years in prison Tuesday for the murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet last year.
It came just hours after Anthony was found guilty of murder in the fatal stabbing. He faced up to life in prison.
Jurors had the option of finding him guilty of manslaughter or murder if they didn’t find him not guilty. The two charges are distinguished by intent. Murder means the jury believed Anthony “knowingly” caused Metcalf’s death.
During the trial’s punishment phase, Anthony’s mother Kayla Hayes asked the jury for mercy.
“He’s my oldest, he’s my first born, he will always be my baby,” she said. “I love him very much.”
She was asked if she believed her son had any regrets.
“Yes, I know my son,” she said. “He’s very sorry for what he did.”
“Please have mercy on my son,” she added.
During closing arguments in the punishment phase, Anthony’s defense attorney Mike Howard acknowledged how difficult the decision was for the jury and asked them to consider sudden passion in determining their punishment. They don’t have to be sure, he said — they only need to believe Anthony felt terror in the moment.
“I can only ask you to consider both sides, to follow your hearts, and to follow the law,” he said.
Prosecutor attorney Bill Wirskye argued in response that sudden passion, by definition, “does not apply to this case and this set of facts.”
He asked the jury to consider a life sentence, telling jurors, “mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”
“Regardless of what you do today, plenty of life sentences have already been handed out in this case,” he said to the jury.
The decision comes after both sides rested their case Monday afternoon. Anthony’s defense lasted two days and ended without him taking the stand. Prosecutors argued the stabbing was an unjustified attack on Metcalf, while the defense said Anthony acted in self defense.
The case has drawn national attention and controversy over the race of both teens. Anthony is Black and victim was white. None of the jurors were Black.
Several schools were competing when Anthony sat under the Memorial High School tent that was perched in the bleachers. Metcalf and others had repeatedly told Anthony to leave, witnesses testified, leading to an escalating confrontation.
During the nearly weeklong trial, prosecutors said that Anthony provoked Metcalf, and witnesses have testified that Anthony was the aggressor.
Anthony at one point reached inside a bag and replied: “Touch me and see what happens,” according to a police report.
Metcalf pushed Anthony, according to witnesses, who said Anthony then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest. The teens, both from Frisco, didn’t know each other.
The trial drew lines of spectators hoping to find seats in the gallery and unfolded amid heavy security at the Collin County courthouse. As police officers watched Tuesday, dozens of people stood outside the courthouse in 90 degree heat to await the verdict. There were wails of grief from one woman — “This isn’t real!” — when the result became known.
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Press Release | June 9, 2026
The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) descends into Austin this Fourth of July weekend with the inaugural Moto-Texas Superbike Challenge.
This is a press release from CMRA…
Austin, TX (June 9, 2026) — The Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) descends into Austin this Fourth of July weekend with the inaugural Moto-Texas Superbike Challenge, the first-ever amateur sanctioned motorcycle road race event at the world-renowned Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Taking place July 3-5, 2026, the event combines high-speed superbike competition with family-friendly holiday weekend entertainment—all for a single $20 gate fee per person.
COTA, home to Formula One’s United States Grand Prix and MotoGP’s Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, provides one of the most thrilling motorcycle racing venues in the world. The 3.426-mile circuit—with its iconic sweeping corners and signature turn-one elevation change—will now host CMRA’s most prestigious race event to date.
“We are thrilled to bring CMRA’s biggest event yet to Circuit of the Americas,” said CMRA’s Dave Johnson. “COTA is a bucket-list track for any motorcycle racer, and this may be the only time amateur racers will have to compete on this world-class circuit. We can’t wait to see riders from across the country come in to compete for a share of the $25,000 purse.”
Event Highlights
- World-class venue: Race on the same track that hosts MotoGP and Formula One
- $25,000 total prize purse distributed across multiple classes. Restrictions apply.
- Double-header sprint races Saturday and Sunday (July 4th and 5th)
- Friday, July 3rd dedicated to practice and qualifying
- Spectator gate fee of just $25 per person for the entire weekend — Friday through Sunday
- On-site karting and amusement park for families
- Garages equipped with electrical hookups, compressed air, and shared restrooms
About the Competition
The Moto-Texas Superbike Challenge is open to licensed road racers from any recognized road race organization in the United States. All competitors are required to hold a current American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) membership, as the event is sanctioned by the AMA.
Sprint races of 6 and 8 laps will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, with multiple class entries available at discounted additional-entry pricing.
Pre-entries are open now at cmraracing.com, with a 20% deposit required to secure a spot. The full balance is due by June 30, 2026.
Entry fees start at $525 for Friday practice and qualifying, with sprint race entries beginning at $195.
A Family Destination on the Fourth of July
While competitors chase the checkered flag, families can enjoy COTA’s adjacent entertainment complex, featuring a karting track and amusement rides. With the $20 gate fee covering all three days, the Moto-Texas Superbike Challenge offers one of the most affordable motorsport experiences in the region — a perfect Fourth of July outing for Austin and Central Texas families.
Spectator & Competitor Information
- Event Dates: July 3–5, 2026 (Friday–Sunday)
- Venue: Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617
- Spectator Gate Fee: $25 (one-time fee per person, covers all days)
- Competitor Pre-Entry: Open now at cmraracing.com — deadline June 30, 2026
For more information, visit cmraracing.com
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