Fintech
Buzz Capital 2 Inc. Provides Further Details of Its Qualifying Transaction with Heliene Inc.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 8, 2021) – Further to its press release dated October 5, 2021, Buzz Capital 2 Inc. (TSXV: BUZH.P) (the “Corporation” or “Buzz2“) is pleased to provide further details of its proposed qualifying transaction (the “Proposed Transaction“) with Heliene Inc. (“Heliene“).
Heliene, an Ontario private company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and based in Sault Ste. Marie, is one of North America’s fastest-growing domestic module manufacturers serving the utility-scale, commercial, and residential markets. With an in-house logistics team and remarkably responsive support staff, Heliene delivers competitively priced, high performance solar modules precisely when and where customers need them to accelerate North America’s clean energy transition. Founded in 2010, Heliene consistently ranks as a Bloomberg New Energy Finance Tier 1 module manufacturer and has production facilities located in Canada, Minnesota and Florida. Further information on Heliene may be found on its website at: https://heliene.com.
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
On October 1, 2021, the Corporation entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Heliene setting forth the principal terms upon which the Corporation shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Heliene (the “Heliene Shares“) by way of amalgamation, carried out pursuant to a business combination agreement to be entered into among the parties (the “Definitive Agreement“). It is intended that the Proposed Transaction will constitute a reverse take-over of the Corporation by Heliene inasmuch as the former shareholders of Heliene will own, assuming completion of the Concurrent Financing (as defined below) for minimum gross proceeds of $35,000,000, 69.17% of the then outstanding non-diluted common shares in the capital of the Corporation (the “Buzz2 Shares“) and 98.81% together with the subscribers in the Concurrent Financing. The Corporation following the completion of the Proposed Transaction is herein referred to as the “Resulting Issuer“.
The Proposed Transaction will constitute the “Qualifying Transaction” of the Corporation as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies (the “CPC Policy“) of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange“) and it is anticipated that the Buzz2 Shares will trade under the stock symbol “HELN”, subject to Exchange approval.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation, the only persons who currently beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over more than 10% of the Heliene Shares are as follows: (i) Mr. Denis Turcotte, an individual resident in Toronto, Ontario who currently owns approximately 44.57% of the outstanding Heliene Shares individually and through Northern Lights Trust, an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Turcotte; (ii) Mr. Martin Pochtaruk, an individual resident in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario who currently has voting control over approximately 55.43% of the outstanding Heliene Shares individually and through 2208843 Ontario Limited, a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Pochtaruk.
On or immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, the Corporation will consolidate its outstanding share capital (the “Consolidation“) on the basis of 1 new Buzz2 Share for each 5.8714 existing Buzz2 Shares. There are currently 8,220,000 Buzz2 Shares outstanding which will result in 1,400,000 post-Consolidation Buzz2 Shares issued and outstanding. The Consolidation will also affect the holders of the Corporation’s outstanding warrants and options, as described below, on the same basis.
Prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Heliene will split its outstanding share capital (the “Split“) on the basis of 2,189.828 Heliene Shares for each of 1 existing Heliene Share and there will be 79,381,265 Heliene Shares outstanding at such time (prior to the issuance of 2,296,080 Lender Shares (as defined below)).
In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Corporation will continue into Ontario as a corporation existing under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA“) and will incorporate a wholly-owned subsidiary under the OBCA which will amalgamate with Heliene to form a new amalgamated corporation which will subsequently amalgamate with the Corporation to form the Resulting Issuer. In connection with the amalgamations, holders of Heliene Shares (including prior holders of subscription receipts purchased in the Concurrent Financing) will ultimately receive one Resulting Issuer Share in exchange for each Heliene Share held.
Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Consolidation, the Split and the Concurrent Financing (collectively, the “Transactions“), there will be approximately 118,077,346 common shares of the Resulting Issuer (“Resulting Issuer Shares“) outstanding assuming completion of the Concurrent Financing for gross proceeds of $35,000,000 (or 128,077,346 Resulting Issuer Shares outstanding assuming completion of the Concurrent Financing for gross proceeds of $45,000,000).
The Proposed Transaction will not constitute a “Non-Arm’s Length Qualifying Transaction” (as such term is defined by the Exchange). In addition, the Proposed Transaction is not a “related party transaction” as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions and is not subject to Policy 5.9 of the Exchange. As a result, approval of the Proposed Transactions is not required pursuant to Policy 2.4 of the Exchange or applicable securities laws. However, the Consolidation, the approval of new stock option plan for the Resulting Issuer and the appointment of the new directors of the Resulting Issuer, will require the approval of Buzz shareholders at a special meeting of meeting of Buzz shareholders to be held prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction.
There are no finder’s fees payable to any person in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
CONCURRENT FINANCING
In conjunction with the Proposed Transaction, Heliene anticipates completing a concurrent financing of subscription receipts of Heliene (“Subscription Receipts“) at a price of $1.00 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of $35,000,000 and a maximum of $45,000,000 (the “Concurrent Financing“). Heliene will also grant the agents an option to sell such number of additional Subscription Receipts as is equal to 15% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Concurrent Financing. If the agents exercise such option, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be $51,750,000, assuming the maximum Concurrent Financing size. Each Subscription Receipt will automatically be exchanged into one unit of Heliene (each, a “Unit“) upon the satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions in accordance with the terms of a subscription receipt agreement (the “Release Conditions“), without the payment of additional consideration or the taking of further action on the part of the subscriber. Each Unit will consist of one common share of Heliene (a “Unit Share“) and one common share purchase warrant (a “Unit Warrant“). Each Unit Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of Heliene at an exercise price of $1.25 for a period of 24 months from the date of the satisfaction of the Release Conditions.
Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, each Unit Share will automatically be exchanged for one Resulting Issuer Share and each Unit Warrant will automatically be exchanged for one common share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one Resulting Issuer Share at an exercise price of $1.25 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance of the Unit Warrants.
In connection with the Concurrent Financing, the agents will be entitled to a cash commission (the “Commission“) equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Concurrent Financing, which shall be reduced to 3.5% in respect of sales of Subscription Receipts to purchasers on a president’s list and will be issued non-transferrable agent options (each, an “Agent Option“) exercisable for that number of Units equal to 7.0% of the number of Subscription Receipts issued pursuant to the Concurrent Financing, which shall be reduced to 3.5% in respect of the number of Subscription Receipts issued to purchasers on a president’s list, at a price of $1.00 per Unit for a period of 24 months from the date of satisfaction of the Release Conditions. In connection with the closing of the Proposed Transaction, the Agent Options will be exchanged for options of the Resulting Issuer on equivalent terms.
In connection with the Concurrent Financing, Heliene has entered into an engagement letter dated September 29, 2021 with Stifel GMP, Roth Canada ULC and Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. as lead agents and bookrunners.
The following table summarizes the proposed pro forma capitalization of the Resulting Issuer following completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Consolidation, the Split and the Concurrent Financing:
Assuming the Minimum Concurrent Financing Amount ($35,000,000) | Assuming the Maximum Concurrent Financing Amount ($45,000,000) | |||||
Designation of Security | Number |
Percentage (undiluted) | Percentage (fully-diluted) | Number |
Percentage (undiluted) | Percentage (fully-diluted) |
Resulting Issuer Shares | ||||||
Shares Issued | ||||||
Buzz2 Shares | 1,400,000 | 1.19% | 0.89% | 1,400,000 | 1.09% | 0.78% |
Heliene Shares | 79,381,265 | 67.23% | 50.20% | 79,381,265 | 61.98% | 44.22% |
Issued to Investors in the Concurrent Financing |
35,000,000 | 29.64% | 22.14 | 45,000,000 | 35.14% | 25.07% |
Lender Shares(1) | 2,296,080 | 1.94% | 1.45 | 2,296,080 | 1.79% | 1.28% |
Subtotals | 118,077,345 | 100% | 74.68% | 128,077,345 | 100% | 71.35% |
Reserved for issuance under the: | ||||||
Buzz2 Options | 139,660 | n/a | 0.09% | 139,660 | n/a | 0.08% |
Agent Options (as defined below) issued pursuant to the Concurrent Financing(2) |
4,900,000 |
n/a |
3.10% |
6,300,000 |
n/a |
3.51% |
Warrants issued pursuant to the Concurrent Financing |
35,000,000 |
n/a |
22.14% |
45,000,000 |
n/a |
25.07% |
Total (fully-diluted) | 158,117,005 | 100% | 179,517,005 | 100% |
Notes:
(1) Pursuant to the terms of a credit agreement, Heliene has agreed to issue immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction such 2,296,080 common shares of Heliene (on a post-Split basis) to Cortland Credit Group Inc. (the “Lender Shares“).
(2) It is anticipated that the agents in the Concurrent Financing will be issued agent options (each, a “Agent Option“), exercisable to purchase that number of units of Heliene equal to 7.0% of the number of subscription receipts issued pursuant to the Concurrent Financing, reduced to 3.5% in respect of the number of subscription receipts issued to purchasers on a president’s list. Each unit of Heliene will consist of one Heliene Share and one Warrant, to be exchanged for equivalent units of the Resulting Issuer following completion of the Proposed Transaction. These figures include: (i) the Resulting Issuer Shares partially comprising the units issuable upon the exercise of the Agent Options; and (ii) the Resulting Issuer Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants underlying the Agent Options.
SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
The following tables present selected financial statement information on the financial condition and results of operations for the Corporation and Heliene. Such information is derived from the unaudited financial statements of Heliene for the period ended December 31, 2020 and the audited financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2020. The information provided herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of Heliene for the period ended December 31, 2020, which will subsequently be audited and which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, and which will be filed on SEDAR when the Corporation files its Filing Statement with respect to the Proposed Transaction. The Corporation’s financial statements have been filed on SEDAR.
Heliene December 31, 2020 (audited) (Expressed in thousands of USD) |
Buzz2 December 31, 2020 (audited) (CAD) |
|
Revenue | $67,408 | $0 |
Expenses | $6,846 | $46,317 |
Gross profit | $6,265 | $0 |
Net income (loss) | $(581) | $(46,317) |
Total assets | $25,340 | $400,971 |
Total liabilities | $58,331 | $4,588 |
Shareholders’ Equity | $25,340 | $396,383 |
PROPOSED MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING ISSUER
It is the intention of the Corporation and Heliene to establish and maintain a board of directors of the Resulting Issuer with a combination of appropriate skill sets that is compliant with all regulatory and corporate governance requirements, including any applicable independence requirements. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, the board of the Resulting Issuer is expected to be comprised of six (6) individuals. The following are brief descriptions of the proposed management and directors of the Resulting Issuer:
Martin Pochtaruk: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Pochtaruk has over 30 years of experience managing manufacturing and innovation businesses across Europe and America. Since founding the Company in 2010, Mr. Pochtaruk works for Heliene on a full-time basis. Prior to founding Heliene, he was the Vice President of business development at Algoma Steel Inc., a Canadian public company, where he was responsible for driving the company’s value-chain integration strategy, creating and increasing value to shareholders. Mr. Pochtaruk holds a graduate degree (Licenciatura) in Physics from the University of Buenos Aires.
Brad Simard: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Simard’s experience lies in the areas of finance, accounting, supply chain and management consulting. Mr. Simard also works a full-time position as the owner and operator of the TEN SPOT beauty bar and Simard Solutions. He holds a Bachelors of Mathematics (Honours) from the University of Waterloo and is also a Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Practitioner Accountant.
Gustavo Loureiro: Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Loureiro is an engineer and brings with him over 30 years of managerial and technical experience with a focus in manufacturing operations. Mr. Loureiro has worked in various capacities ranging from maintenance, production, quality and continuous improvement roles to project management in Canada, the USA, Argentina and Indonesia.
Nadeem Haque: Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Haque is an engineering & technology professional with 25+ years of experience in renewables and semiconductors. Prior to joining Heliene, Mr. Haque led the engineering of high efficiency solar, BIPV, and LCPV products and systems at Solaria Corporation. He previously led cutting edge work in the semi conductor industry, leading the design and delivery of state-of-the-art microelectronic products at LSI Logic Corporation (now BroadcomInc.).
Denis Turcotte: Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Turcotte has been involved in the energy industry in various capacities for over the past 15 years. He previously acted as a director of Heliene for a collective term of 4 years and has recently been re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors in January 2021. Mr. Turcotte is currently the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Brookfield Asset Management, where he has worked for almost 5 years. He is also a Board Chairman for Westinghouse Electric, Gaftech International and a Lead Director of Teekay Offshore. After resigning as President and CEO of Algoma Steel Inc., he became the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of North Channel Management/Capital Partners where he worked to support organizations focusing on improving governance, elevating strategy, business planning and implementing organizational redesign and change initiatives to achieve critical objectives. Mr. Turcotte holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Lakehead University and a Master of Business Administration from the Western University.
Michel Dumas: Independent Director. Mr. Dumas has over 30 years of financial experience including time with companies in the manufacture of forest products. Prior to becoming a director of Heliene, he worked as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Tembec Holdings Inc., a large publicly listed company with its principal place of business in Montreal and was later named to its Board of Directors.
Benjamin Duster: Independent Director. Mr. Duster has over 30 years of experience working as a director, professional advisor and partner of businesses throughout the United States. He is the founder of Cormorant IV Corporation, LLC which serves as a strategic advisory and interim executive management firm for companies undergoing or contemplating transformative change. Mr. Duster currently serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee of Weatherford International and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Chesapeake Energy. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the CenterLight Health System where he was responsible for the operation of the largest not-for-profit Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in the United States. Mr. Duster holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University, a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard University.
Daniel Shea: Independent Director. Mr. Shea has nearly 10 years of experience working as a director in the nano-technology space based on solar cells, energy and solar control. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of QD Solar Inc., Chairman of the Board of 3E Nano Inc. and Principal of Uniworld Communications, which are all Ontario-based companies. Prior to his current roles, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Infobright, where he was nominated by the Chief Executive Officer of the database analytics company to address and rectify significant challenges. Mr. Shea holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences from the University of Toronto.
Jonathan Weisz: Independent Director. Mr. Weisz has 30 years of legal experience where he worked to become partner at Torys LLP. He has vast experience representing many of North America’s most prominent energy companies and project finance lenders on a variety of transactions. Mr. Weisz currently manages the family office of Jonathan Weisz Corporation, an investment and philanthropy company in Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Weisz holds a Juris Doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Dennis Greene: Vice President, Sales and Business Development. Mr Greene has over 20 years of experience leading commercial teams on sales and business development of solar PV modules and software development and applications in the United States and internationally Mr. Greene has established a reputation for developing cohesive, customer focused, high performing sales teams while focusing on customer needs and long-term satisfaction. Mr. Greene holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing from Murray State University.
SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
The completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to the entering into of the Definitive Agreement, completion of the Concurrent Financing, satisfactory due diligence reviews, approval by both boards of directors, approval of Heliene’s shareholders, obtaining necessary governmental and third-party approvals and Exchange acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.
SPONSORSHIP
The Corporation has applied for a waiver from the sponsorship requirement. There is no guarantee that such waiver can be obtained.
ARM’S LENGTH QUALIFYING TRANSACTION
The control persons of Heliene are not (and their associates and affiliates are not) control persons in the Corporation. Accordingly, the acquisition by the Corporation of all the issued and outstanding shares of Heliene is not a Non-Arm’s Length Qualifying Transaction for the purposes of Exchange policies. As a result, the Proposed Transaction will not be subject to approval of the shareholders of the Corporation and therefore no meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation is required as a condition to the completion of the Proposed Transaction.
INSIDERS OF THE RESULTING ISSUER
Other than has been previously referred to in this press release, and to the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Corporation or Heliene, no person will become an insider of the Resulting Issuer as a result or upon completion of the Proposed Transaction.
ABOUT BUZZ CAPITAL 2 INC.
Buzz2 is a capital pool company governed by the policies of the Exchange. The principal business of Buzz2 is the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements about the Corporation’s future plans and intentions and completion of the Proposed Transaction. Wherever possible, words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict” or “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.
Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Corporation cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
For further information please contact:
Buzz Capital 2 Inc.
Patrick Lalonde
President and CEO
Tel.: 613-366-4242
Heliene Inc.
Annika Harper
PR Director, Antenna Group
Email: [email protected]
Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.
The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/102441
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Fintech
Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub
The Fintech Latvia Association has launched the latest edition of its annual publication, Fintech Pulse 2024, unveiling insights and resources that position Latvia as a thriving hub for European fintech.
Announced at this year’s Fintech Forum, the magazine is now available in digital format, offering a comprehensive guide for fintech professionals and entrepreneurs navigating the Latvian market and exploring its advantages.
This issue covers essential topics, from support tools provided by Latvijas Banka and newcomer roadmaps to Riga’s investor resources and fintech education opportunities. Readers will find the latest fintech news from Latvia, coverage of this year’s key industry events, and member insights on the future of fintech. The Fintech Landscape section provides a comprehensive overview of the Latvian fintech ecosystem.
Tina Lūse, Managing Director of Fintech Latvia Association, expressed excitement about the ecosystem’s growth: “We are excited to unveil the third annual edition of Fintech Pulse. This year has been pivotal for our ecosystem, and together with public sector stakeholders, we are enhancing financial inclusion, democratizing investments, and driving innovation throughout the sector. This is a testament to Latvia’s emergence as a fintech hub, establishing itself as an equal partner in innovation and support within the Baltic region.”
Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens highlighted Latvia’s fintech potential in the magazine, stating: “Latvia has already made strides in adapting its regulatory framework to support a stable financial system. Now, we encourage financial market players to invest in modern technologies to meet the growing demand for inclusive financial services and solidify Latvia’s position in the fintech landscape. We are confident that with the combined offer of the government, Latvijas Banka and Riga city, we are a great place to start your next scalable European FinTech!”
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis expressed Latvia’s ambition in the magazine, stating: “Latvia wants to become a WEB 3.0. innovation hub and solidify itself as one of the leaders of a newly regulated EU crypto-asset market. We welcome international companies to choose Latvia, a flexible and fast-paced country, where you can obtain a MICA license in just 3 months. Open your office in Latvia, receive a MICA license and serve the whole EU market!”
The Fintech Latvia Association brings together fintech and non-banking financial service providers to represent their interests at both the national and international levels. It promotes sustainable development in Latvia’s financial sector by fostering reliable, responsible, and long-term industry practices that earn trust from consumers and regulatory authorities. The association is committed to supporting innovation and growth opportunities within the fintech landscape.
The post Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Quantum Security and the Financial Sector: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a pivotal white paper in collaboration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), titled “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”. This January 2024 publication underscores the urgent need for global cooperation as the financial sector transitions from a digital economy to a quantum economy, highlighting both the immense opportunities and cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum computing.
Quantum: A Double-Edged Sword for Finance
Quantum computing offers transformative benefits for the financial sector, such as accelerated portfolio optimization, enhanced fraud detection, and improved risk management. Yet, it simultaneously threatens the very foundation of cybersecurity. With quantum’s ability to break traditional encryption methods, sensitive data and financial transactions face significant risks. The white paper warns that such vulnerabilities could erode trust in the financial system and destabilize global markets.
The urgency to prepare is evident, with some quantum threats, such as “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, already emerging. Governments and regulators, including the United States with its National Security Memorandum on Quantum (2022), have begun advocating for quantum security readiness by 2035. However, as noted in the paper, transitioning to a quantum-secure infrastructure is a monumental task requiring unprecedented coordination between regulators, industry leaders, and technology providers.
A Collaborative Framework: Four Guiding Principles
To address the complex challenges posed by quantum technologies, the WEF and FCA have proposed four guiding principles to inform global regulatory and industry approaches:
- Reuse and Repurpose: Leverage existing regulatory frameworks and tools to address quantum risks, rather than creating entirely new systems.
- Establish Non-Negotiables: Define baseline requirements for quantum security, ensuring consistency and interoperability across organizations and jurisdictions.
- Increase Transparency: Foster open communication between regulators and industry players to share best practices, strategies, and knowledge.
- Avoid Fragmentation: Prioritize global collaboration to harmonize regulatory efforts and avoid inconsistencies that could burden multinational organizations.
These principles aim to create a unified, forward-looking strategy that balances innovation with security.
A Four-Phase Roadmap for Quantum Security
The white paper introduces a phased roadmap to help the financial sector transition toward quantum security:
- Prepare: Raise awareness of quantum risks, assess cryptographic infrastructure, and build internal capabilities.
- Clarify: Formalize engagement between stakeholders, map current regulations, and model the cost and complexities of transitioning to quantum-safe systems.
- Guide: Address regulatory gaps, translate technical standards into actionable frameworks, and develop industry-wide best practices.
- Transition and Monitor: Implement cryptographic management modernization and adopt iterative, adaptable regulatory approaches to remain resilient in the quantum economy.
This roadmap emphasizes adaptability, encouraging stakeholders to continuously refine their strategies as quantum technologies evolve.
The Path Forward: Collaboration as a Catalyst
The transition to a quantum-secure financial sector is not merely a technological shift but a comprehensive rethinking of how industries and regulators approach cybersecurity. The interconnected nature of global finance means that collaboration between mature and emerging markets is crucial to avoid vulnerabilities that could undermine the entire system.
Regulators and financial institutions must act with urgency. As Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships at the World Economic Forum, notes in the report:
“The quantum economy era is fast approaching, and we need a global public-private approach to address the complexities it will introduce. We welcome this opportunity to collaborate with the FCA to chart the roadmap for a seamless and secure transition for the financial services sector.”
Similarly, Suman Ziaullah, Head of Technology, Resilience, and Cyber at the FCA, emphasizes:
“Quantum computing presents considerable opportunities but also threats. The financial sector relies heavily on encryption to protect sensitive information, the exposure of which could cause significant harm to consumers and markets. Addressing this requires a truly collaborative effort to transition to a quantum-secure future.”
Global Impact: Ensuring Resilience in an Evolving Landscape
As quantum technologies mature, they will redefine the landscape of cybersecurity. The financial sector, as one of the most sensitive and interconnected industries, must prioritize preparedness to ensure stability, protect consumers, and maintain trust.
The Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches white paper offers an essential foundation for continued dialogue and action. By adhering to the guiding principles and roadmap outlined in the report, stakeholders can navigate this transformation with foresight and cooperation.
The full report, published by the World Economic Forum, highlights the need for a unified global approach to quantum security, serving as a rallying call for industry and regulatory leaders alike.
Source: World Economic Forum, “Quantum Security for the Financial Sector: Informing Global Regulatory Approaches”, January 2024.
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Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations
The fintech landscape continues to redefine itself, driven by innovation, partnerships, and groundbreaking strategies. Today’s roundup focuses on the latest digital wallet offerings, evolving payment trends, strategic collaborations, and notable funding achievements. This editorial explores the broader implications of these developments, casting light on how they shape the future of fintech and beyond.
Beacon’s Digital Wallet for Immigrants: A Gateway to Financial Inclusion
Beacon Financial, a leading player in financial technology, recently launched a digital wallet tailored to meet the unique needs of immigrants moving to Canada. This offering bridges a critical gap, enabling seamless financial integration for newcomers navigating a foreign system.
By combining intuitive technology with user-centric features, Beacon aims to empower immigrants with tools for payments, savings, and remittances. This aligns with the growing demand for tailored financial products that resonate with specific demographics.
Op-Ed Insight:
Financial inclusion is more than just a buzzword; it’s a moral imperative in the fintech space. Products like Beacon’s digital wallet highlight the industry’s potential to create tangible change. As global migration trends increase, such offerings could inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
Source: Fintech Futures.
Juniper Research Highlights 2025’s Payment Trends
Juniper Research’s latest report unveils pivotal payment trends poised to dominate in 2025. Central themes include the adoption of instant payment networks, a surge in embedded finance solutions, and the rise of crypto-backed financial products.
The research underscores the rapid adoption of real-time payment systems, fueled by increasing consumer demand for speed and efficiency. Meanwhile, embedded finance promises to blur the lines between traditional banking and non-financial services, delivering personalized and context-specific solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
As the lines between financial services and technology continue to blur, these trends emphasize the industry’s shift toward convenience and personalization. The growing role of crypto-based solutions reflects an evolving consumer mindset, where decentralization and digital-first experiences gain precedence.
Source: Juniper Research.
MeaWallet and Integrated Finance Partner to Revolutionize Digital Wallets
MeaWallet, a prominent fintech solutions provider, has partnered with Integrated Finance to advance digital wallet capabilities and secure card data access for fintech companies. This collaboration focuses on empowering fintechs to deliver better, safer digital payment experiences.
MeaWallet’s role as a technology enabler aligns seamlessly with Integrated Finance’s goal of simplifying complex financial infrastructures. Together, they aim to create scalable, robust platforms for secure payment solutions.
Op-Ed Insight:
Partnerships like this underscore the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. As security concerns grow in tandem with digital payment adoption, solutions addressing these challenges are essential for maintaining consumer trust. The fintech ecosystem thrives when synergy and innovation coalesce.
Source: MeaWallet News.
Nucleus Security Among Deloitte’s Fastest-Growing Companies
Nucleus Security has achieved a remarkable milestone, ranking 85th on Deloitte’s 2024 Technology Fast 500 list. This achievement is attributed to its robust cybersecurity solutions, which cater to the increasingly digital fintech environment.
With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, fintech companies are under immense pressure to safeguard their platforms. Nucleus Security’s growth reflects the rising demand for comprehensive, scalable security solutions that protect sensitive financial data.
Op-Ed Insight:
In a digital-first world, robust cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. The recognition of companies like Nucleus Security signals the growing importance of protecting fintech infrastructure as the industry scales globally.
Source: PR Newswire.
OpenYield Secures Funding to Transform the Bond Market
OpenYield has announced a successful funding round, aiming to revolutionize the bond market through innovative technology. The platform promises greater transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in fixed-income investments.
This funding underscores the growing appetite for digitizing traditionally opaque financial markets. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, OpenYield seeks to democratize bond investments, making them accessible to a broader audience.
Op-Ed Insight:
The bond market, long viewed as complex and inaccessible, is ripe for disruption. OpenYield’s efforts to modernize this space highlight fintech’s transformative potential to democratize finance and empower individual investors.
Source: PR Newswire.
Key Takeaways: Shaping the Future of Fintech
Today’s developments underscore several critical themes in the fintech landscape:
- Personalization and Inclusion: Products like Beacon’s wallet highlight the importance of understanding and addressing specific user needs.
- Collaborative Ecosystems: Partnerships, like that of MeaWallet and Integrated Finance, emphasize the power of collaboration in solving industry challenges.
- Emerging Technologies: Juniper Research’s predictions affirm the continued influence of blockchain, embedded finance, and instant payment networks.
- Security at the Core: The recognition of Nucleus Security underscores the essential role of cybersecurity in fintech.
- Market Transformation: OpenYield’s funding signifies the ongoing disruption of traditional financial markets, paving the way for broader accessibility.
The post Fintech Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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