Fintech PR
Lower Cryptocurrency Prices Driving Innovation, Improved Security, and Heightened Adoption
Reading Time: 7 minutes
SOURCE USA News Group
Despite major cryptocurrency prices being down, key blockchain and cryptocurrency figure, Brock Pierce, believes that embedded within this space is a potential quadrillion dollar market. In the midst of a lower price market, plenty of new developments are arising from companies such as NetCents Technology Inc. (CSE: NC) (OTC: NTTCF), Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI), Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK), and even Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB).
“Security tokens are going to give birth to a quadrillion dollar market,” said Pierce in a recent interview with Forbes. “This is because we will see the tokenization of the world’s fiat money, debt market, real estate, equities, and art.”
Prior to reaching these levels, the crypto space will require leaders that can heighten mainstream acceptance of the concept. One innovator that’s rapidly expanding payment options around the world, and is NetCents Technology Inc. (CSE: NC) (OTC: NTTCF), which now supports 55 countries and 36 fiat currencies—servicing over 3 million merchants.
With prices for major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin being down, analysts such as Pierce see this as a period of greater innovation, and adoption.
“We’re going to see big things being built, multiple applications hitting a million users,” Pierce added. “I love the fact that prices are down. When prices are up, very little gets built because teams don’t stick around. Everyone is getting rich too quick and that de-motivates people. All the best things I’ve seen built in this ecosystem have been built in bear markets.”
For providers such as NetCents, the goal is to make merchant clients get rich quicker, and consumers save money on transactions. Incentivizing merchants is how to get adoption to happen quicker.
To achieve this, NetCents provides merchants with several appealing selling points, including low transaction fees (delivering a saves of 3-9% per transaction), instant settlements, and the ability to accept fiat, credit card, and/or cryptocurrencies equally. On average, a low-risk merchant typically faces a merchant fee between 3.5% to 5.5%, whereas a higher-risk merchant gets hit with a rate of 5.0% to 10.0%. NetCents’s merchant fee is only 1.99%—a savings of between 1.5% to 7.0% per transaction.
However, one major development that the NetCents team has put forth to bridge the gap for merchants, is its proprietary cryptocurrency credit card that pulls directly from the user’s NetCents wallet.
Usable anywhere that Visa or MasterCard are accepted, the unique credit card opens the world of cryptocurrency users to millions of merchant locations around the world. Mixing together everyday credit card transactions could be the perfect lead-in that the cryptocurrency world needs for mainstream acceptance.
But are cryptocurrencies still an investment in and of themselves?
Crypto Equity Is On The Way
NetCents has been quietly adding new currencies to its portfolio, including a recent agreement with ILO Crypto (ILOCX), which has its own platform that allows companies to raise non-equity capital through the sale of Initial License Offerings (“ILOs”).
ILOs are a revenue-based method of raising capital, that give buyers the right to promote and or sell an underlying product or service and receive royalties based on the gross revenue of the company. ILOCX has signed 54 companies to its first exchange platform allows its companies to list and sell an ILO to raise capital and enhance sales. There are currently more than 20 companies already listed on the exchange.
“The significance of this transaction is enormous for crypto holders everywhere, this partnership is giving them high quality alternative options for utilizing their capital currently locked in Bitcoin, ETH and various other altcoins,” said, CEO of ILOCX, Edward Fitzpatrick upon the agreement signing. “Hundreds of billions of dollars are sitting in crypto looking for new ways to put this capital to work, thanks to this partnership NetCents and ILOCX we can say with confidence that the era of utilization is here.”
Through the merchant agreement, ILOCX is set to use the NetCents Merchant Gateway to power cryptocurrency transactions for its capital raising services. With $300 million in deals on the exchange to date, this platform gives NetCents and ILOCX another way to tap into the hundreds of billions in crypto capital, giving crypto-holders alternative options for utilizing their capital and giving companies listing on ILOCX access to the capital they need.
Bringing Banks On Board
With banks such as JP Morgan Chase flirting with the idea of using blockchain ledgers for transactions, there is hope for acceptance from financial institutions on the horizon. In an effort to lubricate the transition, NetCents has also launched its Crypto Banking Stack (CBS), which allows for a low-cost crypto ready processing solution to be quickly implemented without the requirement for an extended and costly development cycle.
Banking clients get benefits from the CBS as well, as it will have the ability to provide account holders with the ability to convert and move balances between their crypto and fiat bank accounts. The cryptocurrencies which will be initially supported through the CBS are Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.
Upon integration through the CBS API, financial institutions can potentially offer their customers crypto banking services accessible via their current online bank profile. These crypto bank accounts would have the same functionality as standard chequing and savings accounts.
Clients could then add various crypto accounts/wallets, transfer, deposit, withdraw, make a payment, view transactions; and the ability to link their crypto bank account to their existing debit cards—Blurring the lines between standard banking, and blockchain/crypto.
As lines blur, major companies too will look towards adopting these tech platforms that can help their businesses grow.
For a more in-depth look into NetCents Technology you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2018/12/12/the-sectors-that-could-change-the-way-you-view-2019/
Bigger Players Adopting Crypto In Their Own Way
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) – Cryptocurrency within gaming is not a new concept. However, for Activision Blizzard, the makers of Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft, much of its 2018 record net revenue of $7.5 billion came from what are called microtransactions. In 2017, these in-game purchases accounted for $4 billion of its total $7.16 billion over the entire fiscal year, also a record at that time. A leading revenue driver for the company was what are called CoD Points, which are a ‘premium’ currency that are acquired with real money, and can only be spent buying virtual goods inside the Call of Duty game. At the moment, CoD Points can be acquired from third-party vendors, such as Amazon, but cannot be spent elsewhere. Should the game developer open up use of this digital currency outside of the platform, it would be interesting to see where the value of the currency would go.
Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) – Massive online retailer Overstock.com has built its name providing offerings such as home and garden products, furniture, housewares and more. However, with the launch of its new security trading platform tZERO underway, the company believes a market boom for its new product is around the corner. This alternative trading system (ATS) will use crypto tokens, and could open up the securities market to a much, much larger audience of investors from around the world. In the meantime, the tZERO dream is still dealing with regulatory questions, in order to satisfy FINRA and the SEC, who want to see them working with one broker.
Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) – Social media giant Facebook is preparing the launch of its own version of Bitcoin, to be used in its messaging applications, WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram. Dubbed the “Facecoin”, the new cryptocurrency could be the global technology giant’s breakthrough into the lucrative market for retail financial services. Very little is known about Facebook’s overall plans with the Facecoin, as so far there’s only a single company statement about a new group set up to look into cryptocurrencies. Media outlets have tipped small hints at the project, stating that the ambition is to explore multiple applications, and to establish Facecoin as a “stablecoin”. Facebook would have a fixed price, and the amount in circulation will vary.
Article Source:
USA News Group
http://usanewsgroup.com
info@usanewsgroup.com
Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: This piece is an advertorial and has been paid for. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this Report should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. We make no guarantee, representation or warranty and accept no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of USA News Group only and are subject to change without notice. USA News Group assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this Report.
DISCLAIMER: USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.
FNM Holds No Shares Of Any Company Named In This Release
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Fintech PR
eCig Click Questions Impact of £10 Million Trading Standards Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Trade
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.
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
Fintech PR
Alis Biosciences launches fund to free over USD$30 billion of capital trapped in listed development-stage life sciences and biotech companies
- 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.
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
DUBAI, UAE, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xlence, an international CFD broker with an expanding presence in, MENA, and Asia, officially launched the Xlence Academy, a multilingual teaching portal for traders to study forex concepts and trading tactics.
The Xlence Academy was established to deliver education that efficiently fosters trader development. This is backed by practical, expert-oriented courses that are not solely theoretical but applicable at all levels.
Structured Learning for Traders at Every Level
Aiming at the rising demand for clear, practical teaching, the Xlence Academy offers an educational system that guides traders from fundamental concepts to advanced strategies. The Academy helps users start trading or improve their skills by promoting long-term skill development to build confidence and security in learning.
Key Features of the Xlence Academy:
- Introduction to Forex
Covering execution, order classifications and currency pairs, it covers the principles of the forex market. - Fundamental Analysis
Learn how to include economic data, central bank policies, and world news in trading decisions by understanding how they affect market behaviour and present trading opportunities. - Technical Analysis
Investigate price action techniques, technical indicators, and chart patterns to allow you to define entry and exit positions. - Trading Strategies
Develop confidence with methodical strategy courses on risk management, trend tracking, and breakout approaches for different market situations.
More Than Education: A Foundation for Success
The Academy offers a reliable foundation based on expert knowledge and practical application in a market setting where trading errors can be expensive.
The Academy helps traders foster the psychological discipline and risk awareness required to succeed, in addition to technical proficiency, by providing a systematic path from beginner to advanced levels. This all-encompassing approach reflects Xlence’s principle that comprehension, consistency, and ongoing learning are the foundations of long-term success.
Xlence gives traders the tools to take charge of their journey, make wiser choices, and interact with international markets from a strong position through the Academy.
About Xlence
Xlence is an international CFD broker focused on delivering a comprehensive trading experience through transparency, innovation, and global market access. With a significant footprint across, MENA, and Asia, it strives to meet the diverse needs of contemporary traders while upholding the highest ethical standards.
For more information, visit www.xlence.com and explore our free educational resources to support your trading success. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources and start your journey towards becoming a more informed and strategic trader.
Trade with Xlence, Excel in Trading
All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2606624/Xlence_Dark_Logo.jpg
Media contact:
Nicolas Georgiou
info@xlence.com
+357 96199856
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xlence-introduces-xlence-academy-to-help-traders-learn-and-grow-302431399.html
-
Fintech PR7 days agoAB Charity Foundation Launches to Pioneer a New Global Model for Public Good Driven by Institutional Trust and Technology
-
Fintech PR7 days agoUN Global Compact and private sector move to accelerate progress on SDGs in Africa
-
Fintech PR7 days agoAccount Payables and Receivables Application Market on a Steady Growth Path: Projected to Grow Through 2030 at CAGR 9.70%
-
Fintech PR7 days agoPhoenix Aviation Capital and AIP Capital Announce the Closing of a Pre-Delivery Payment Facility with up to $300 Million in Total Commitments
-
Fintech7 days agoFintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief – April 11, 2025 (Featuring Synapse, Yotta, Citadel Securities, Block, Citi, Valley Bank)
-
Fintech PR6 days agoCGTN: President Xi’s Southeast Asia visits set to inject new impetus into regional development
-
Fintech PR7 days agoUkrainian employers federation calls for deepening economic integration between the European Union and Ukraine
-
Fintech PR7 days agoLow Code Application Development (LCAD) Platforms for Business Developers Market Disruptions: Riding a High-Growth Wave Through 2030 at CAGR 17.01%.