VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of Initia (INIT) on April 24, 2025 (UTC), accompanied by a celebratory event featuring a 115,000 INIT and 50,000 USDT prize pool for new and existing users.

Initia is the first interwoven optimistic–rollup network, reconstructing multichain architecture with native interoperability and shared liquidity. As a full–stack Layer 1+2 platform, Initia supports both EVM & Move VM, enabling seamless cross–ecosystem collaboration. Developed by veterans from top DeFi and blockchain security teams and backed by YZi Labs(Binance Labs), Hack VC, Delphi Digital, and Theory Ventures.

$INIT is the native utility token of the Initia ecosystem, powering key functions such as gas payments, staking, governance, cross-chain transfers, and liquidity provision. Through these utilities, $INIT drives user participation and supports the growth of a secure and decentralized Initia ecosystem.

To celebrate the listing, MEXC will launch an Airdrop+ event, running from April 18 to May 4, 2025 (UTC). The event will include the following activities:

• Deposit and share 90,000 INIT (exclusive to new users)
• Spot Challenge – Trade to share 10,000 INIT (for all users)
• Futures Challenge – Trade to share 50,000 USDT in futures bonus (for all users)
• Invite new users and share 15,000 INIT (for all users)

MEXC has established itself as a leading exchange by consistently offering users early access to high-potential crypto assets. In 2024 alone, the platform listed 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC led the industry with 461 spot listings between November 1, 2024, and February 15, 2025. During this period, the exchange maintained a high listing frequency, consistently ranking among the top six platforms, demonstrating its agility in capturing emerging market trends. MEXC will continue to expand its asset offerings and help users seize timely opportunities in the fast-moving crypto market.

For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.

About MEXC

Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

Risk Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

Advertisement

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2668071/1920×1080.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2668118/MEXC_new_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mexc-announces-listing-of-initia-init-with-a-115-000-init-and-50-000-usdt-prize-pool-302432359.html

MANCHESTER, England, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to the UK government’s announcement of a £10 million funding package for Trading Standards to tackle illicit tobacco and vape sales, leading independent vaping platform eCig Click is raising questions about the strategy’s long-term effectiveness and value for money.

While the funding is meant to combat the sale of illegal products, eCig Click warns that the scale and complexity of the illicit market may render the investment insufficient and misguided.

Estimates suggest the UK loses tens of millions in tax revenue each year due to underground sales of vapes and tobacco – losses driven by overregulation, rising prices, and weak enforcement. In this context, the £10 million split between tobacco and vape enforcement could be seen as symbolic rather than systemic.

“This announcement may generate headlines, but does it address the root causes behind illicit sales?” said Jonny Carden, a spokesperson for eCig Click. “When regulated access is restricted and prices soar, black market operators fill the gap. Enforcement alone doesn’t fix flawed policy.”

The vaping industry has long called for balanced regulation, warning that excessive restrictions on legal products can unintentionally bolster the illegal market, putting consumers – especially youth – at greater risk. eCig Click cautions that restricting legal access without offering safe alternatives may exacerbate the very issues enforcement aims to solve.

eCig Click also questions whether on-the-ground enforcement is sustainable. With Trading Standards already stretched and local budgets tight, the impact of short-term crackdowns remains unclear.

“Without comprehensive reform – combining smart regulation, fair taxation, and public education – enforcement may treat the symptoms, not the cause,” Carden added. “We need a policy that reflects market realities, not just news releases.”

As further vaping restrictions are expected in 2025, eCig Click urges policymakers to ensure enforcement is part of an evidence-led approach – one that includes economic modelling, consumer behaviour analysis, and input from responsible industry voices.

For industry insights and ongoing coverage of UK vape regulation, visit: https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/.

About eCig Click
Established in 2010, eCig Click is a leading independent resource for vaping reviews, news, and education in the UK. Focused on product transparency and consumer awareness, the platform reaches millions annually and is a trusted voice in the vaping community.

Advertisement

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ecig-click-questions-impact-of-10-million-trading-standards-crackdown-on-illicit-tobacco-and-vaping-trade-302432336.html

• Significant market inefficiencies have left over USD$30 billion of capital trapped in c.300 listed biotech companies worldwide that have experienced clinical or regulatory setbacks
• Fund provides efficient mechanism to help investors recoup and recycle trapped cash, while allowing residual science and IP to be developed
• Fund to be listed on public markets in due course
• Led by highly experienced industry and investment executives Annalisa Jenkins and Nicholas Johnston

LONDON, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Alis Biosciences (“Alis”), an investment fund focused on returning capital to investors that is currently trapped in listed, development-stage biotech companies, today formally launches. Founded by highly experienced industry and investment executives, Alis’ goal is to protect public shareholders’ funds while still supporting company management and boards.

Currently, there are nearly 300 listed, development stage life sciences and biotech companies worldwide that have experienced clinical, regulatory or commercial setbacks. These have trapped capital worth over USD$30 billion on their balance sheets, with market caps ranging from USD$5 million to USD$100 million and cash reserves ranging from USD$10 million to USD$400 million.

Alis offers public companies a range of innovative and adaptable structures to return capital to their shareholders, while providing a chance for any residual science and IP to be developed if appropriate.   Alis will approach the board and management of each target company and mutually agree the optimum Alis structure to deploy. Alis will then seek to delist the company from the public market with the agreement of its shareholders in the normal way. Each delisted company’s cash and IP will be held in individual Special Purpose Vehicles (“SPV”) which are managed by Alis. Applicable cash will then be returned to shareholders immediately, with the IP either developed or sold using one of the following structures.

• Structure A returns most of the uncommitted cash to shareholders (e.g. 97%), with the company then sold back to certain shareholders or stakeholders who wish to further develop any residual science. Alis will retain a small stake with any upside from its stake shared across these shareholders.
• Structure B returns the vast majority of uncommitted cash to shareholders (e.g. 95%), leaving just enough to manage the structured wind-down of the company. Alis keeps the IP associated with this company. This process will be far quicker than any bankruptcy process.

In the near term, Alis will seek a public market listing that will allow it to offer a further Structure:

Structure C leaves enough cash in the acquiring vehicle (e.g. 40% of cash balance), to allow Alis to fund further clinical programmes, with the remaining 60% of cash immediately returned to shareholders along with an equity interest in Alis. The proceeds from any clinical success will then be retained by participating contingent value rights and by retaining shares in Alis.

Nicholas Johnston, Board Member and Founder of Alis Biosciences, commented: “We founded Alis Biosciences to alter the status quo, where tens of billions of dollars of investors’ funds are trapped in moribund listed life sciences and biotech companies. Our highly experienced team work collaboratively with shareholders, management, and boards, to provide the optimum mechanism to return capital to shareholders, while also allowing stakeholders the option to further develop residual science and IP where there is potential to do so. This is too big a problem to ignore and Alis is committed to providing a fresh solution.”

Annalisa Jenkins, Chair of Alis Biosciences added: “In this challenging financial market environment, there is a need for greater creativity to find answers to this USD$30 billion problem. This needs to be solved if capital is to be effectively recycled within the capital market ecosystem to finance exciting new science that has the potential to succeed and deliver investor returns. 

“Public and private investors have expressed strong support for Alis Biosciences’ tailored approach, reflecting demand for a new solution to this longstanding problem. We firmly believe that our highly experienced and scientifically knowledgeable investment team can not only help to return value to shareholders but also develop any viable residual science.“ 

Frequently, following a clinical or regulatory set back, publicly listed life sciences and biotech companies experience an often immediate and sharp decline in their stock price, coupled with the immediate and consequent loss of stock liquidity. This leaves cash on their balance sheet far in excess of their current market capitalisation, no commensurate growth or limited alternative near-term clinical development prospects of success, and no efficient and timely mechanism to return cash to shareholders.  

These companies often hope to develop another compound or product in their pipeline or merge with a private company, thereby heavily diluting shareholder equity. These alternatives typically have a very different investment case from the original programme, but investors are left with no option but to follow the direction of management or the board, while tens of millions of dollars of investor capital remains on the balance sheet. Even when a company files for bankruptcy, this process is time consuming and expensive, and further delays the return of any cash to shareholders while failing to adequately capture any residual value in the company’s IP.

About Alis Biosciences

Alis Biosciences (“Alis”) is an investment fund focused on returning capital to investors that is currently trapped in listed, development-stage biotech companies. Alis protects the interests of acquired company shareholders by providing a mechanism to return capital and resuscitate viable science, creating a novel and much-needed market safety net that may end up boosting investment in high tech healthcare.

Advertisement

Significant market inefficiencies have left over USD$30 billion of capital trapped in c.300 biotechs all of which have experienced setbacks – typically a failure in clinical trials of their lead programme or unsuccessful commercial launch. Following a sharp decline in their stock price, with the concurrent reduction in liquidity, these companies are left with cash on their balance sheet far in excess of their market capitalization, no commensurate growth or limited alternative near-term clinical development prospects of success; and importantly with no efficient and timely mechanism to return cash to shareholders.

Alis has a highly experienced and scientifically knowledgeable team that works collaboratively with shareholders, management, and boards. It has a flexible approach, with different innovative structures, all adaptable, which provide a mechanism to return capital to shareholders, while also allowing stakeholders the option to further develop residual IP if enough stakeholders, in collaboration with external advisors, suggest there is potential.

Multiomic analysis will be used to validate the residual IP within companies to determine whether a positive outcome is achievable. The feedback from this work, carried out over a relatively short period of time, will then be used to determine whether a different path forward is possible for any of the residual IP left within a particular company.

For more information, please visit: www.alisbiosciences.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alis-biosciences-launches-fund-to-free-over-usd30-billion-of-capital-trapped-in-listed-development-stage-life-sciences-and-biotech-companies-302431959.html