Fintech PR

From Instagram to High Times: Unpacking the Power of Vast User Networks

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2023

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — In the business world, one of the cardinal reasons for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is the potential for synergistic growth. Successful companies usually measure this in terms of revenue streams, market share and product offerings. However, in the age of digital technology and globalization, a significant facet of growth potential is often found a company’s core customer base and digital reputation. Lucy Scientific Discovery (NASDAQ: LSDI) (Profile) is astutely following this road map utilized by hugely successful corporations by uniquely leveraging user bases to rapidly amplify shareholder value. This well-established, albeit counterintuitive, M&A strategy has been utilized by several major companies including Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META), Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) with the unconventional process producing results that vastly exceeded expected typical M&A metrics.

Strategic acquisitions prove that harnessing the power of niche user bases can lead to parabolic growth.
Lucy Scientific Discovery has recognized the value of uniquely leveraging user bases to rapidly amplify shareholder value.
Earlier this year the company entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire the total IP of High Times.
Most recently, Lucy announced the signing of an amalgamation agreement to acquire BlueSky Wellness, a move that expands its footprint into the growing global wellness category.

Click here to view the custom infographic of the Lucy Scientific Discovery editorial.

Headline Makers

Meta’s strategic acquisition of Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion was less than one week after the roll out of its Android app, when it accumulated more than a million downloads in a day. Then, in 2014, Meta’s radar locked onto WhatsApp, boasting more than 200 million users. The acquisition price was steep at $19 billion, but the value wasn’t just in the application’s functionality — it was in its colossal global user base.

Microsoft deployed a similar aggressive acquisition strategy of identifying opportunities to diversify and strengthen position and market share by tapping into vast niche user networks. In 2011, Microsoft’s $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype, a platform with more than 660 million global users, became a classic example of how the tech giant was looking beyond just software integration to a global platform integration strategy. Then, in 2016, Microsoft made headlines again by acquiring LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. LinkedIn, unlike other social media platforms, was the first mover and dominant in the professional networking space.

A Golden Opportunity

These moves by Meta and Microsoft underscore a clear strategy: Harnessing the power of niche user bases can lead to parabolic growth.

Enter Lucy Scientific Discovery (NASDAQ: LSDI), a company that has recognized the value in this counterintuitive approach. Lucy’s recent share purchase agreement to acquire the total intellectual property (IP) of High Times shows that the company truly understands the immense value of a large, loyal audience. In an all-stock transaction, the acquisition provides a stream of high-margin licensing and royalty income from the well-regarded High Times. More importantly, with its massive following, the High Times acquisition offers a golden opportunity for Lucy Scientific Discovery to introduce and distribute its products to a captive, engaged audience, while benefitting from significant early-stage revenue.

On closing, Lucy will acquire all the brand rights and fully intends to monetize the broad-based IP through both current and future royalty agreements. Lucy also plans to extend and enhance the existing domestic and international licensing arrangements currently held by High Times, including consumer products and merchandise. The company expects to preserve the core essence of the High Times brands and its followers while simultaneously expanding the follower base and pursuing new avenues of growth and development.

“Lucy expects this acquisition to drive high margin revenue quickly and sustainably,” said Richard Nanula, Lucy Scientific Discovery CEO and executive chair. “This is a great opportunity to grow the market presence of the nearly 50-year-old High Times brand globally through licensing and online distribution. We are confident that this opportunity can add significant value for our shareholders.”

Lucy Scientific Discovery’s move also appears to be a strategic play to leverage an established niche audience for direct product sales, reputation and influence — just like Meta and Microsoft purchased platforms with vast niche user bases to expand their influence,

The message is clear: Niche user bases are invaluable, as they offer immediate access to engaged consumers, a chance for cross-selling, and opportunities for expansion and diversification. As these cases illustrate, sometimes the most compelling asset isn’t a product, patent, or technology—it’s the people using them. In the digital age, where user engagement is currency, companies that recognize and act upon this fact will often find themselves in an enviable position of growth and influence.

Testament to Shareholder Commitment

High Times isn’t the only M&A move that Lucy Discovery has made. In another all-stock deal, the company continued its savvy strategy with the amalgamation agreement to acquire BlueSky Wellness, a move that quickly expands Lucy’s footprint into the growing global wellness category on closing. BlueSky Wellness built an impressive a portfolio of plant-based wellness brands that have generated more than $20 million in each of its last two years that complement High Times’ products and platforms and should positively impact the bottom line of Lucy Scientific Discovery.

“The addition of the BlueSky portfolio and its team will allow us to capitalize on revenue opportunities,” said Nanula. “Coupled with our High Times acquisition, this will strategically position us for substantial near- and long-term growth. The recent announcements are a testament to our commitment to expand and grow our business, adding revenue that diversifies our company and should deliver significant value to our Lucy Scientific shareholders.”

BlueSky is led by a team of seasoned CPG executives with experience at Fortune 500 companies, including PepsiCo, SC Johnson, General Mills and Robert Half. They have built and exited a number of successful companies over the last decade. The acquisition brings a unique suite of marketing capabilities, brand-building prowess and a highly skilled team with extensive relationships to the Lucy Discovery table.

Major League Acquisitions

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps such as Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. The company continues to make key acquisitions that support its strategic business plan.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The company has a long history of acquisitions, with more than a hundred acquisitions since 1994.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be the most customer-centric company, best employer, and safest place to work in the world. The company has a rich history of acquisitions; most recently the company added One Medical to its roster of strategic additions.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, tablets, personal computers and wearable devices. The company offers software applications and related services, accessories, and third-party digital content. Apple’s product portfolio includes iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Earlier this year, the company acquired Mira, a Los Angeles-based AR startup that makes headsets for other companies as well as the U.S. military. Apple typically doesn’t discuss acquisitions, but it did confirm the acquisition and issued the statement it traditionally provides when buying a company: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

Lucy Scientific Discovery’s last few weeks action of unconventional strategic acquisitions is a clear indication that the company fully recognizes the inherent value of large and loyal user networks. More importantly than just the inherent value of these networks, the company is fast tracking the integration and expansion of these networks and maximizing revenue streams that will ultimately impact shareholder value. Utilizing part of an unconventional playbook from some major league successful acquisitions, Lucy Scientific Discovery is intent on writing a new chapter of success aimed at benefiting all stakeholders.

For more information about Lucy Scientific Discovery Inc., please visit Lucy Scientific Discovery.

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Fintech PR

Fraud Detection & Prevention Market to Reach $252.7 Billion, Globally, by 2032 at 24.3% CAGR: Allied Market Research

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

fraud-detection-&-prevention-market-to-reach-$2527-billion,-globally,-by-2032-at-24.3%-cagr:-allied-market-research

The introduction of big data analytics, cloud computing services, and an upsurge in mobile payment drive the growth of the market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Allied Market Research published a report, titled, “Fraud Detection & Prevention Market by Component (Solution and Service), Deployment Mode (On-Premises and Cloud), Organization Size (Large Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and Industry Vertical (BFSI, IT and Telecom, Retail, Healthcare, Government and Defense, Manufacturing, Transportation and Logistics and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032″. According to the report, the “fraud detection & prevention market” was valued at $29.5 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $252.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 24.3% from 2023 to 2032.

The introduction of big data analytics, cloud computing services, and an upsurge in mobile payment drive the growth of the market. In addition, the rise in the adoption of banking & financial sectors across the globe fuels the growth of the market. Moreover, continuous technological advancements are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, the high cost of fraud detection and prevention solutions limits the growth of the fraud detection & prevention market.

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The solution segment held the highest market share in 2022.

By component, the solution segment dominated the market in 2022, this dominance is driven by the increasing demand for advanced technological solutions that can effectively detect, monitor, and prevent fraudulent activities across various industries such as banking, e-commerce, and insurance. Solutions like AI-based fraud detection, machine learning algorithms, and behavioral analytics have become critical tools in identifying potential fraud in real time and reducing financial losses. However, the service segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 28.0%, this growth is driven by the increasing need for specialized services such as consulting, implementation, and maintenance to help organizations effectively integrate and optimize fraud detection solutions.

The BFSI segment held the highest market share in 2022.

By industry vertical, the BFSI segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. This is primarily due to the high frequency and sophistication of fraud targeting financial institutions, making fraud detection and prevention solutions a critical need in the BFSI sector. Financial transactions, online banking, and digital payments are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks, phishing schemes, and identity theft, driving the sector’s substantial investment in advanced fraud detection technologies. However, the retail segment is expected to witness the largest CAGR of 32.7%. This anticipated growth is driven by several factors. Retailers are increasingly targeted by fraudsters due to the high volume of transactions and the sensitivity of customer data involved. As e-commerce and digital transactions expand, the need for advanced fraud detection and prevention solutions becomes more critical.

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Regional Insights: The North America region held the highest market share in 2022.

By region, the fraud detection & prevention market was dominated by North America in 2022. North America, particularly the U.S., has a highly developed financial and technological infrastructure that supports advanced fraud detection solutions. The region’s significant investments in cybersecurity and fraud prevention technologies, combined with a high incidence of cyber threats, drive continuous innovation and adoption of sophisticated fraud management systems.

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Key Industry Developments

In February 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it has recovered over $375 million as a result of its implementation of an enhanced fraud detection process that utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2023.
In April 2024, Cognizant collaborated with FICO, to launch a cloud-based real-time payment fraud prevention solution powered by FICO Falcon Fraud Manager. The joint offering would leverage both firms’ artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology to help banks and other payment service providers in North America protect their customers from fraud in the growing world of instant digital payments.
In September 2022, Deutsche Bank collaborated with Visa, to help prevent online retail fraud. Merchants who process their e-commerce payments via Deutsche Bank can now use “Decision Manager,” an automated fraud detection system from Visa-owned company Cybersource.

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Fintech PR

KuCoin’s Alicia Kao Shares Insights on How AI is Accelerating Mass Crypto Adoption at TOKEN2049 Singapore

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Alicia Kao, Managing Director at leading global cryptocurrency exchange, KuCoin, shared her vision on how crypto exchanges are the drivers that hold the keys to unlocking mainstream crypto adoption. Speaking at the OKX Main Stage at TOKEN2049 in Singapore on a panel session titled “Exchanges at the Helm: Driving Crypto from Niche to Mainstream,” Alicia shared that “accessing information about blockchain has become significantly easier…at KuCoin, we leverage complex data analysis algorithms using our trading bots to help users trade more efficiently.”

Industry stakeholders from all groups were in attendance for the panel, comprising investors, crypto enthusiasts, and more. The focus was on the crucial role of cryptocurrency exchanges in paving the way for crypto adoption and the eventual integration of digital assets into mainstream financial systems. Alicia and her fellow panelists explored both the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for the crypto industry.

Alongside Alicia, the panel also featured leaders from leading crypto exchanges such as Ben Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit; Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget; Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer of BingX; and Sonia Shaw, President of CoinW, and moderated by Michael Casey, Chairman of the Decentralized AI Society.

In addition to the panel discussion, KuCoin cemented its position as a leading centralised exchange (CEX) with a prominent presence on the show floor and activations that showcased the platform’s latest developments. The KuCoin Arcade also drew significant attention, offering an engaging and immersive experience with interactive crypto-themed games and activities.

“As we wrap up another edition of TOKEN2049 in Singapore, I’m once again filled with optimism for the future of the crypto industry. The energy, innovation, and collaboration displayed over the past two days have been immensely inspiring. At KuCoin, we will continue striving to be the driving force in this ever evolving space to build a more inclusive, decentralised, and prosperous financial future” added Alicia as TOKEN2049 concluded.

About KuCoin

Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a leading cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community engagement. It offers over 900 digital assets across Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P Fiat trading, Futures trading, and Staking to its 34 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. KuCoin ranks as one of the top 6 crypto exchanges. KuCoin was acclaimed as “One of the Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of June 2024” by Forbes Advisor and has been included as one of the top 50 companies in the “2024 Hurun Global Unicorn List”. Learn more at https://www.kucoin.com/.

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Fintech PR

Ultima Markets Wins Two Prestigious Awards at Global Forex Awards–Retail 2024!

Published

7 hours ago

September 20, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

ultima-markets-wins-two-prestigious-awards-at-global-forex-awards–retail-2024!

LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ultima Markets, a leading global forex and CFDs brokerage, is thrilled to announce its double success at the prestigious Global Forex Awards – Retail 2024. The company won two distinguished awards: “Best Affiliates Brokerage – Global” and “Best Fund Safety – Global.”

The awards were presented during the event in Limassol, Cyprus, where Jean Philippe, Board Advisor, Corporate Governance and Sustainability at Ultima Markets, accepted the honours.

The Global Forex Awards – Retail has celebrated excellence in trading innovation for seven consecutive years. Ultima Markets’ dual wins reflect its commitment to quality, client-centric strategies, and strong partnerships across the financial services sector.

The “Best Affiliates Brokerage—Global” award recognises Ultima Markets’ exemplary affiliate programme, which has successfully driven its global expansion. It is celebrated for its transparency and competitive rewards tailored to affiliate needs.

Receiving the “Best Fund Safety – Global” award highlights Ultima Markets’ efforts to safeguard client assets. Through its partnership with Willis Towers Watson, the company provides up to USD$1,000,000 in insurance per account, while its Financial Commission membership ensures clients access to up to €20,000 in compensation funds.

These recognitions underscore Ultima Markets’ priority to security and transparency, including segregated accounts and robust risk management practices. The broker also assures affiliate partners of exceptional standards.

Commenting on the awards, Jean Philippe said, “These recognitions reflect the exceptional work of our teams to ensure the safety of traders’ funds and our dedication to creating value for our partners and clients. We will continue to evolve and innovate to meet the market’s demands.”

Ultima Markets is renowned for its extensive range of trading products and personalised customer service, designed to meet clients’ diverse needs worldwide. The dual recognition marks a significant milestone in the company’s global growth and reaffirms its reputation for delivering fund safety and robust affiliate opportunities.

“We are delighted to be recognised with these awards, which reflect our mission to create a secure trading environment and build strong, rewarding partnerships,” said Jack Li, Ultima Markets’ Regional Business Director.

About Ultima Markets

Ultima Markets is a fully licensed, fast-growing broker offering access to 250+ financial instruments. With a team of 2,000+ professionals in 15 global offices, we serve clients in 172 countries. Check out more about our awards on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.