The subscription economy has become the pulse of the online entertainment business. Netflix was the first to popularize the international binge-watching model, and Spotify followed suit by making monthly music access the standard. Although Twitch functions differently and is based on live streaming, it has created a system in which recurring payments through subscriptions and donations have become one of the key factors in the platform's success.This dependence on subscriptions has enabled these companies to become highly advanced financial operators. They must cope with periodic billing schedules in numerous currencies, fluctuating exchange rates, and international financial regulations. They are, in a sense, mini banks, moving billions of dollars a month through their systems. On the consumer side, the ease of having one button to subscribe or unsubscribe hides the complex financial plumbing that goes behind the scenes.Payments as Core Platform FeaturesPayment innovation has become integral to the entertainment experience, extending beyond subscriptions. Twitch introduced direct consumer-to-creator payments through bits, tips, and memberships. Spotify added paid fan subscriptions, and Netflix has experimented with ad-supported tiers, altering its revenue model.These payment systems are no longer peripheral—they are central. When users regularly send small payments to creators or platforms, the service functions similarly to financial platforms that facilitate microtransactions. Unlike traditional banks, however, these processes are gamified and embedded within entertainment, leading analysts to increasingly view them as hybrid entertainment-finance ventures.Lessons Learned in Finances in Other Digital ArenasStreaming companies share similar financial goals with those in the digital world. Online gaming, for example, has long shown that the boundary between play and payment is blurred. The emergence of the new MGA casino environment demonstrates how entertainment companies can serve as financial agents, handling deposits, withdrawals, and regulatory oversight, all while maintaining a focus on the user experience. Equally, Netflix, Spotify, and Twitch are getting to grips with the need to combine smooth entertainment with high-end financial architecture.The moral of the story is that people no longer distinguish between entertainment and payments. They want the process of spending money to feel normal and as frictionless as possible when they are funding a favorite streamer, purchasing access to an exclusive playlist, or upgrading to an ad-free tier. This anticipation is driving platforms to expand their financial capacities, positioning them more like banks that deal with consumers.Creator-Centric EconomiesStreaming platforms also resemble financial institutions in their relationships with creators. Twitch supports millions of streamers earning income through the platform. Spotify, despite ongoing debates about royalty structures, pays billions annually to artists. Netflix has taken a more direct role by financing original productions rather than solely licensing content.In these cases, platforms collect payments from consumers and distribute earnings to creators—mirroring how financial institutions manage deposits and withdrawals. These large-scale financial flows require robust payment networks, compliance systems, and fraud prevention tools. As creators demand faster payouts and greater transparency, platforms are under pressure to match the efficiency of fintech startupsThe Future of Financial InnovationLooking ahead, the financial dimension of entertainment platforms is poised to expand. Spotify may explore blockchain-based royalty tracking, Netflix could introduce micro-subscriptions for individual shows, and Twitch might adopt stablecoins for cross-border tipping. These developments would further solidify their dual roles as entertainment providers and financial facilitators.Moreover, these platforms possess a significant advantage: data. Their deep understanding of user spending habits positions them to create personalized financial products. Netflix could offer loyalty credits, Spotify might launch fan investment plans, and Twitch could develop financial planning tools for creators. The boundaries between streaming, gaming, and fintech will continue to blurThe Bankers of Digital CultureNetflix, Spotify, and Twitch are not traditional banks with vaults or branches, but they increasingly perform similar functions. They process billions in payments, manage complex financial relationships with creators, and continually innovate how money flows through their ecosystems. While users are drawn by content, they stay for the seamless integration of finance and entertainment.In the future, online entertainment will encompass not only what we watch, listen to, or play—but also how platforms manage and monetize financial interactions. The roles of banker and entertainer are converging in the digital age.

SK hynix Inc. announced today that it has started supplying mobile DRAM products with highly efficient heat dissipation by adopting the High-K Epoxy Molding Compound material for the first time in the industry.The development comes as heat generated in the process of fast data transfer for on-device AI applications results in performance degradation of smartphones. Global smartphone companies welcome the launch of the product on expectations that it will help address the heat issue of high-performance flagship smartphones.The structure of package on package, or PoP, that most flagship smartphones adopt and stacks DRAM onto the application processor, allows efficient use of limited space, while improving data transfer speed. Such system, however, also triggers a performance degradation of the device itself as heat generated within the mobile AP stays inside DRAM.SK hynix found the solution in improvement of thermal conductivity of EMC, a critical material that covers DRAM package and developed High-K EMC by adding Alumina to Silica, which has been adopted for EMC material so far.With thermal conductivity improved by 3.5 times and thermal resistance in the vertical course of the heat improved by 47%, the new technology is expected to contribute to a longer battery runtime and product lifespan by improving performance of a smartphone and reducing power consumption."It's a meaningful achievement that goes beyond a simple performance improvement as it addresses the inconvenience that many high-performance smartphone users may have had," Lee Gyujei, Head of Package Product Development, said. "We are committed to firmly establishing our technological leadership in the next-generation mobile DRAM market with our technological innovation in materials."Credit: SK HynixSK hynix develops the industry's first mobile DRAM with High-K EMC, enabling advanced thermal management for next-gen on-device AI. SK Hynix

Energy efficiency is often described as the "first fuel" of the global energy transition, as it offers some of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce CO2 emissions. It not only helps lower energy bills but also strengthens energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, the energy transition, particularly in industries, remains a complex challenge with a myriad of barriers slowing the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.One often-overlooked opportunity can be found in electric motors, which account for over 45% of global electricity consumption and power a vast range of industrial applications. Improving the efficiency of these motors present significant energy savings with the potential to reduce global electricity consumption by up to 10%.In this interview, Mike Umiker, Managing Director of the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM), shares insights on global efforts to accelerate energy efficiency progress and the opportunities it presents for Taiwan. The EEM, founded by ABB in 2021, serves as a collaborative platform that unites like-minded stakeholders committed to driving innovation and action toward a more energy-efficient future. Today, the Movement has grown to include over 600 organizations and companies worldwide.Barriers to energy efficiency adoptionWhile the benefits of energy efficiency are widely acknowledged, its adoption is not universally straightforward. The logic behind adopting energy-efficient practices may not resonate across all sectors and regions. Different drivers influence adoption in different ways, and what works in one context may not be effective in another.Despite the availability of numerous energy efficiency solutions and technologies, their widespread and rapid implementation continues to face significant obstacles. In the interview, Umiker highlights findings from the Energy Efficiency Movement's recent survey in a report titled "Efficiency NOW". He explains that many companies, although aware of the advantages, encounter internal barriers that hinder progress. These include financial constraints, infrastructure limitations, a lack of skilled personnel, strategic gaps and challenges related to data and control systems.The survey highlights 5 main barriers to adopting energy efficiency measures. The first is financing with 43% of respondents citing it as the highest barrier and stating uncertain returns on investment as a key challenge. Second is infrastructure, with 19% of companies being affected. Interestingly, about 1 in 2 companies struggle with shortage of skilled workers, hindering energy efficiency ideation and implementation.Responding to these key obstacles, Umiker suggests three targeted action to accelerate energy efficiency adoption:1.Establishing dedicated budgets or exploring alternative financing models such as equipment-as-a-service to enable access to energy-saving technologies and services without the burden of large upfront capital investments.2.Investing in data infrastructure and real-time analytics to empower organizations with continuous performance monitoring and deeper insights into energy consumption patterns, helping to identify areas for improvement.3.Driving strategic alignment through clear KPIs and ROI modeling, ensuring that energy efficiency initiatives are integrated into broader business objectives and performance metrics.Scaling Up Industrial ImplementationWith around 300 million industrial motor-driven systems in operation worldwide, global energy consumption could be reduced by up to 10% if these systems were replaced with high-efficiency equipment. This is where ABB plays a pivotal role, Umiker noted.As of July 1, 2023, electric motors with power ratings between 75 kW to 200 kW sold within the EU are required to meet the IE4 energy efficiency standard, an upgrade from the previously mandated IE3 level. In response to this, ABB introduced next-generation electric motor systems, including the newly developed IE6 SynRM motors, as part of its Top Industrial Efficiency (TIE) initiative. These systems exceed standard performance benchmarks, helping customers reduce electricity usage, operating costs, and total cost of ownership (TCO), all without compromising performance or adding complexity. Notably, one of ABB's TIE motors, destined for a steel plant in India, achieved a record-breaking efficiency rating of 99.13% during testing, surpassing ABB's previous world record of 99.05% set in 2017.In Taiwan, the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for low-voltage, three-phase, squirrel-cage induction motors with a rated output power of 75kW or greater will require IE4 efficiency levels, starting July 1, 2025, while motors below 75kW will need to meet the IE3 standard. The regulatory shift has prompted proactive investments from the private sectors including several semiconductor manufacturing companies which are now investing in large scale energy efficiency initiatives. New purchase orders have been placed for a total of 122 high-efficiency drives, intended for pump and fan applications. These ABB Variable Speed Drive (VSD) Inverters are designed to save energy, reduce operating costs and minimize unscheduled downtime.According to Vincent Wu, Head of ABB Taiwan's Motion business, these developments are helping to sustain strong momentum for energy efficiency adoption across the country. Taiwan's progress is already notable, with an average annual energy efficiency improvement of 5.4% over the past five years, surpassing the 4% target set at the 28th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP28).Joining the Energy Efficiency Movement is Simple and SeamlessJoining the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM) presents a powerful opportunity to advance energy efficiency through shared knowledge, collaboration, and customized training. Movers gain access to practical insights and valuable resources that support the swift and seamless implementation of energy-efficient solutions. By becoming part of a global network of like-minded organizations, companies or organizations can exchange best practices, form strategic partnerships, and accelerate meaningful change.Visit the EEM website today to learn more and take your first step toward a more energy-efficient future. https://www.energyefficiencymovement.com/Mike Umiker, Executive Director of EEM, with Yu-Ren Liu, Sales Manager of GEORDING MACHINERY. ABBMike Umiker, Executive Director of EEM, with Victor Wu, Vice President of SUCOM ELECTRIC. ABBMike Umiker, CEO of EEM, with Vincent Wu, Vice President of ABB Taiwan Motion Business. ABB