SANYA, China, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hainan (Sanya) Marathon, held over the last weekend of 2025, marked the inaugural Class A-certified event sanctioned by the China Athletics Association (CAA) since the commencement of operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (Hainan FTP) under its independent customs and trade regulations. Hainan FTP's advantages in easier visa access, air connectivity, duty-free trade, and international mobility were reflected in strong participation and on-the-ground activity. The marathon boosted local tourism, dining, and accommodation, with hotel occupancy reaching 92% and commercial spending along the course rising by about 35%.
Yang Yong, General Manager of Events and Commercialization at event partner Orange Lion Sports (formerly Alibaba Sports), said organizers drew on resources across the Alibaba ecosystem - including Taobao, Fliggy, Alibaba Health, Ant Chain, and Amap - to broaden the event's reach and connect more effectively with domestic and international running audiences, encouraging greater participation in event-related spending.
Hainan FTP offers visa-free entry to citizens of 86 countries, and its international air network links 25 destinations across Asia and Europe, further improving accessibility for international participants. Under the new customs and trade framework, the list of items eligible for duty-free import expanded from 1,900 to over 6,600, allowing previously duty-bound race equipment and supplies to be brought in tax-free, which helped significantly reduce event costs.
According to the organizers, the expanded list lowered procurement expenses for timing systems, professional supplies, and audio equipment. The resulting savings were reinvested in operations, runner services, and marketing, enhancing overall quality and reach, while also strengthening commercial appeal and attracting more sponsors and partners.
The marathon's impact extended beyond race weekend. Fliggy data show hotel bookings rising steadily since late October, with partner hotels maintaining this upward trend during the event. Coinciding with the first New Year and Spring Festival holiday under the new customs arrangements, the event further stimulated consumer spending. According to the Sanya Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, the city welcomed 650,800 visitors during the 2026 New Year holiday, generating RMB 1.299 billion in tourism spending. The combined momentum of the event and holiday travel contributed to a notable increase in overall market activity.
The success of the Hainan (Sanya) Marathon demonstrates how major sporting events now bridge tourism, hospitality, and international spending.
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Post-Marathon Spending Surge in Sanya Signals the Rise of the "Racecation"
SEOUL, South Korea, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Upbit, a world-class digital asset exchange operated by Dunamu Inc., today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia Crypto Exchange (ICEx), a licensed digital asset bourse in Indonesia. The MOU establishes a strategic framework for technical and operational collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of Indonesia's regulated crypto ecosystem and supporting the growth of a sustainable, well-governed market.
The partnership was marked by a high-level summit held at Upbit's Seoul headquarters, where CEO Kyoungsuk Oh hosted a senior Indonesian delegation comprising high-ranking government officials, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, and key industry players to discuss the evolution of regulated digital finance.
The inclusion of the Chamber of Commerce underscores the mission to integrate it into the broader Indonesian commercial landscape. During the meetings, Upbit's leadership and Kadin representatives discussed future-forward plans to bridge Korean technological prowess with Indonesian market potential, ensuring that the digital asset roadmap aligns with the country's national economic interests and private sector growth.
Building a Regulated Global Standard
Under this strategic framework, Upbit will support the growth of Indonesia's digital asset ecosystem by providing core platform technology and operational expertise to build and operate a resilient, compliant trading venue, including key exchange infrastructure such as matching, risk management, and market operations.
The partnership will also explore innovation in areas such as custody solutions while strengthening regulatory technology to enhance oversight, compliance, and reporting.
ICEx and Upbit have aligned as strategic partners to leverage Upbit's proven track record as South Korea's leading exchange and its global reputation for maintaining the highest standards in investor protection and regulatory compliance.
Expanding Upbit's Regional Footprint
Upbit is positioning itself as a critical infrastructure partner across Asia, supporting the development of secure, transparent, and trusted digital asset market frameworks.
This collaboration marks another milestone in Upbit's expanding role as a key driver of digital asset development across the region. The company has previously hosted high-level delegations from Vietnam—including senior government and financial leaders such as the Minister of National Defense, Minister of Finance, Chairperson of the State Securities Commission, and the Chairman of Military Bank—to showcase its advanced digital asset exchange infrastructure.
"This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering well-regulated digital asset ecosystems globally," said Kyoungsuk Oh, CEO of Dunamu, operator of Upbit. "By working closely with ICEx, we aim to share the platform technology and operational expertise that have established Upbit as a market leader in Asia and strengthen the foundational infrastructure of Indonesia's digital asset sector."
A New Era for Indonesian Digital Finance
ICEx operates as an important part of Indonesia's regulated digital asset ecosystem under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Established in line with Indonesia's three-layer regulatory framework for digital asset transactions, comprising a licensed bourse, central clearinghouse, and supporting an integrated market structure within the country's regulated framework. Upbit Indonesia is among its founding shareholders, alongside strategic investors including some of Indonesia's largest conglomerates and global exchanges.
"Partnering with Upbit brings invaluable global expertise to our local ecosystem," said Pang Xue Kai, CEO of ICEx Group. "Upbit's leadership in compliance and technology was a decisive factor for us. We believe this collaboration will contribute to the development of a more secure and trusted market environment in Indonesia."
Through this partnership, Upbit aims to support ICEx in laying the groundwork for a next-generation digital asset ecosystem in Indonesia while contributing to the broader evolution of regulated crypto markets across the region.
The parties formally announced the MOU at the Korea–Indonesia Business Partnership for Resilient Growth Forum on April 1st, 2026, a landmark bilateral event, attended by ministers and high-ranking officials from both countries. The forum featured the signing of MOUs by major companies from both countries across a range of sectors. The MOU between Upbit and ICEx underscored the strategic and institutional significance of the bilateral collaboration in digital finance innovation.
About Upbit
Upbit is a leading digital asset exchange headquartered in South Korea and operated by Dunamu Inc., a fintech company focused on building innovative financial services powered by blockchain technology. Since its launch in 2017, Upbit has become one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally by trading volume, offering a wide range of digital assets and trading pairs.
Upbit provides a secure and user-friendly platform for trading, investing, and managing digital assets. The company prioritizes transparency, compliance, and investor protection, adopting industry-leading security practices.
Through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, Upbit aims to drive the adoption of blockchain technology and contribute to a more accessible and efficient financial ecosystem.
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Upbit and ICEx Sign Strategic MOU to Fortify Indonesia's Digital Asset Infrastructure
