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Quendale Capital Corp. Enters into Letter of Intent for Qualifying Transaction with Prairie Storm Energy Corp.

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Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – August 31, 2020) – Quendale Capital Corp. (TSXV: QOC.P) (“Quendale”), a capital pool company under TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV” or the “Exchange”) Policy 2.4 (the “CPC Policy”), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (the “LOI”) dated August 26, 2020 with Prairie Storm Energy Corp. (“Prairie Storm”), whereby the parties have agreed to negotiate a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) related to a proposed business combination (the “Acquisition”) which will result in a reverse take-over of Quendale (the combined entity hereinafter referred to as the “Resulting Issuer”) for purposes of completing a Qualifying Transaction (as defined in the CPC Policy). The Acquisition represents an arms’ length Qualifying Transaction between Quendale and Prairie Storm for the purposes of the CPC Policy. When the Definitive Agreement between Quendale and Prairie Storm is executed, in accordance with the policies of the TSXV, Quendale will issue a more comprehensive press release containing additional details of the Definitive Agreement and terms of the Acquisition.

About Quendale

Quendale is a “capital pool company” that completed its initial public offering in June 2018. The common shares of Quendale are listed for trading on the TSXV under the stock symbol QOC.P. Quendale has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. Quendale currently has issued and outstanding 3,360,000 common shares (2,010,000 common shares subject to escrow), 300,000 stock options and 100,000 broker warrants. It is intended that the Acquisition, when completed, will constitute the “Qualifying Transaction” of Quendale pursuant to the CPC Policy. Quendale was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and its head and registered office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

About Prairie Storm

Prairie Storm is a focused oil and gas Cardium producer, active in the Willesden Green and Ferrier areas of Alberta. In the second quarter of 2020, Prairie Storm produced on average 2,143 boe/d of high netback production, weighted 53% to liquids, that enjoys low operating costs due to the strategic ownership and control of key infrastructure including pipelines, compression and processing facilities. Prairie Storm owns and operates several units under water flood which have very low decline rates due to pressure support. With a large, primarily contiguous land base of approximately 107 gross sections (77 net), and the successful drilling and delineation of 13 horizontal Cardium oil wells, Prairie Storm has booked 28.5 million boe of reserves at December 31, 2019 and maintains a large inventory of booked and un-booked locations. Prairie Storm is debt free with an undrawn credit facility and enjoys a high working interest in excess of 70% in its largely operated base of production. Prairie Storm, as of the date hereof, has 76,331,514 common shares issued and outstanding and no issued warrants, options or other securities. Prairie Storm was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and its head and registered office is located in Calgary, Alberta.

Summary of Acquisition

As part of the Acquisition, Quendale and Prairie Storm intend to combine their respective businesses and continue under the name of “Prairie Storm Energy Corp.”. Quendale and Prairie Storm are continuing to evaluate possible structures to effect the Acquisition based on further diligence and discussions with their respective legal and tax advisers, including effecting the Acquisition by way of a share exchange, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, takeover bid or other similar form of transaction. As such, due notice will be provided in accordance with the applicable policies of the TSXV and securities laws if a special meeting of shareholders to approve the Acquisition is required.

Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, subject to execution of a definitive acquisition agreement and receipt of applicable regulatory and TSXV approvals, the terms of the Acquisition contemplate a share exchange of the 76,331,514 outstanding common shares of Prairie Storm at a ratio of approximately 1:1.883233. Accordingly, if the Acquisition is completed, and all outstanding Quendale options and warrants are exercised, it is expected that the Resulting Issuer will have approximately 147,110,026 common shares issued and outstanding (on a non-diluted basis).

It is intended that the Resulting Issuer will carry on the business as previously carried on by Prairie Storm prior to completion of the Acquisition. The current head office of Prairie Storm, located at 2000- 215 9 Ave SW, Calgary AB, T2P 1K3, shall continue to be the head office of the Resulting Issuer.

Reserve Information Concerning Prairie Storm

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Prairie Storm has obtained a third-party independent reserve report effective December 31, 2019 from Sproule Associates Limited (“Sproule”) on all of its major oil and gas reserves in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standard of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”) which is summarized below. Sproule is a qualified reserve evaluator in accordance with NI 51-101.

Summary of Oil and Gas Reserves

  Light & Medium Oil

Conventional 

Natural Gas

Natural Gas Liquids
Reserves Category

Company 

Gross 

Mbbl

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Company 

Net 

Mbbl

Company 

Gross 

MMcf

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Company 

Net 

MMcf

Company 

Gross 

Mbbl

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Company 

Net 

Mbbl

Proved            
Producing 1,752 1,559 15,014 13,858 1,359 1,112
Undeveloped 7,081 6,325 42,204 39,261 3,038 2,661
Total Proved 8,833 7,884 57,218 53,119 4,396 3,773
Total Probable 2,324 1,898 13,936 12,865 1,060 858
Total Proved plus Probable 11,157 9,782 71,155 65,985 5,456 4,631

 

  Oil Equivalent
Reserves Category

Company 

Gross 

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Mboe

Company 

Net 

Mboe

Proved    
Producing 5,613 4,980
Undeveloped 17,153 15,530
Total Proved 22,766 20,510
Total Probable 5,706 4,900
Total Proved plus Probable 28,471 25,410

 

  Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue
  Net Present Values Net Present Values Unit Value
  of Future Net Revenue of Future Net Revenue Before Income Tax
  Before Income Taxes After Income Taxes Discounted at 
  Discounted At (%/year) Discounted At (%/year) 10%/year
Reserves Category

0%

M$

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5%

M$

10%

M$

15%

M$

20%

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M$

0%

M$

5%

M$

10%

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M$

15%

M$

20%

M$

$/boe $/Mcfe
Proved                        
           Producing 59,496 64,968 56,398 48,796 42,974 38,787 48,624 42,851 37,172 32,746 11.32 1.89
           Undeveloped 341,652 208,073 134,958 91,863 64,562 261,610 156,386 98,098 63,759 42,124 8.69 1.45
Total Proved 401,148 273,041 191,356 140,659 107,537 300,397 205,010 140,948 100,931 74,869 9.33 1.55
Total Probable 180,266 111,707 79,110 60,925 49,415 138,537 85,798 60,576 46,528 37,652 16.15 2.69
Total Proved plus Probable 581,414 384,748 270,465 201,585 156,952 438,934 290,807 201,524 147,459 112,522 10.64 1.77
*Numbers may not add up due to rounding.

 

The reserves are provided on a net before royalty basis in units of thousands of barrels of oil equivalent using a forecast price deck for gas and oil, adjusted for crude quality, in Canadian dollars. The estimated net present value of future net revenues attributable to reserves do not represent fair market value. The estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.

“Proved reserves” are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved reserves. “Probable reserves” are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.

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Forecast pricing is based on Sproule’s pricing as at December 31, 2019.

Management of Resulting Issuer

Upon completion of the Acquisition, the individuals indicated below will be appointed as the officers and directors of the Resulting Issuer:

Hugh G. Ross – Proposed President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

In 1990, Mr. Ross was co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gentry Resources Ltd. (“Gentry”), a Toronto Stock Exchange listed company. Under Mr. Ross’ stewardship, Gentry grew to over 5,000 boe/d of production and held approximately 430 net sections of undeveloped land in Southern Alberta until it was sold to Crew Energy Inc. in August 2008 for proceeds of approximately $300 million.

He was also a founder of Stratic Energy Corp. (“Stratic”) and served as its President & CEO from April 1999 to August 2005. Stratic was an international exploration company with exploration activities in Syria, the North Sea, Black Sea offshore Turkey, Gabon and Ivory Coast West Africa, and onshore Morocco. Stratic was sold to EnQuest PLC, the largest independent oil and gas producer in the UK North Sea.

Mr. Ross served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Novus Energy Inc. (“Novus Energy”) from March 2009, when the company was recapitalized, through to October 2014. Novus Energy, a junior oil and gas company with high netback light oil reserves and production in Alberta and Saskatchewan, had production of 4,500 boe/d at the time of Mr. Ross’ departure. Novus Energy was sold in January 2014 for approximately $320 million to a wholly owned subsidiary of Yanchang Petroleum International Limited (“Yanchang”), an oil and gas producer and refined oil wholesale and retail business whose stock is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Yanchang is controlled by Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum (Group) Co. Ltd which was the fourth largest oil producer in China with $25 billion annual revenue in 2012.

After leaving Novus Energy, Mr. Ross co-founded and became President and Chief Executive Officer of Prairie Storm. In early 2015 the company closed a large equity financing commitment with a leading US private equity firm. Prairie Storm is focused on acquiring, developing and exploiting industry leading, large scale oil and gas assets in select regions of Western Canada.

Roderick Keith MacLeod – Proposed Director

Mr. MacLeod held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Sproule and its subsidiaries, until his retirement on June 30, 2014. In this position, he was responsible for overseeing its Canadian, U.S., International, Unconventional and Project Management businesses. His worldwide experience at Sproule was primarily in the areas of reservoir engineering, oil and gas reserves/resource evaluations, expert witness testimony, investment advice and education.

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Mr. MacLeod lectured at the University of Calgary for many years and presented to industry on oil and gas disclosure related matters. Mr. MacLeod has been an industry advisor to the Alberta Securities Commission (“ASC”). He was one of the authors of the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and a member of the ASC’s industry taskforce, whose recommendations formed the framework for NI 51-101.

Mr. MacLeod is active with the Society of Petroleum Engineers having served as the Canadian Regional Director on the international board as well as chair of the Canadian Section. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (“APEGA”).

Mr. MacLeod is Lead Director of Paramount Resources Ltd., Chair of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and the Veschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment at Cape Breton University. He is also a director of Prairie Storm and ETX Systems Inc.

Bruce G. Waterman – Proposed Director

Mr. Waterman is a Corporate Director, currently serving on the Boards of Ovintiv Inc., Irving Oil Limited and Prairie Storm.

Mr. Waterman retired in January 2013 from Nutrien Ltd. (formerly Agrium Inc.) as Executive Vice President, having held senior roles as Chief Financial Officer, as well as in business development and strategy since April 2000. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Talisman Energy Inc., a public oil and gas company, from January 1996 to April 2000. Prior to Talisman Energy Inc., Mr. Waterman spent 15 years (1981 to 1996) at Amoco Corporation (“Amoco”), including Dome Petroleum Limited, a predecessor company. At Amoco (a global chemical, oil and gas company which merged with British Petroleum in 1998), his roles included various positions in finance, accounting and business development.

Mr. Waterman holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Accountant. He was chosen as Canada’s CFO of the Year in 2008 and named a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta in 2011. He is past Chair and a member of the Selection Committee of Canada’s CFO of the Year Award and is a member of the Advisory Board of FEI Canada’s CFO Leadership Beyond Finance Program.

Julian Din – Proposed Vice President, Business Development and Director

Mr. Din is currently the VP of Business Development of Prairie Storm. Previously, he was VP Business Development of Novus Energy. Mr. Din joined Novus Energy in 2009 to assist with the recapitalization of the company and to help spearhead its growth initiatives. Under Mr. Din’s guidance, Novus Energy’s production grew from less than 300 boe/d to nearly 4,500 boe/d at the time of sale to Yanchang in January 2014.

From 1994 to 2009 Mr. Din held various roles in the securities industry where he was primarily involved in raising equity and debt capital for public and private energy companies and advising companies concerning merger and acquisition activity.

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Mr. Din holds a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Comm) from the University of Calgary.

Ketan Panchmatia – Proposed Vice President, Finance & CFO

Mr. Panchmatia was appointed the VP Finance & CFO of Prairie Storm in February 2015. Prior thereto, Mr. Panchmatia was the VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Novus Energy. Mr, Panchmatia joined Novus Energy in March 2009 to assist with the company’s recapitalization efforts and future growth.

Prior to Novus Energy, Mr. Panchmatia was with Gentry until August 2008 at which time it was sold to Crew Energy Inc. Mr. Panchmatia held various positions throughout his career at Gentry, and was eventually appointed Chief Financial Officer in 1996 and VP Finance in 2001.

Mr. Panchmatia gained international exposure with his time at Stratic. Mr. Panchmatia was VP Finance and CFO of Stratic from March 1999 through October 2005, at which time he left the company to more fully focus his efforts on Gentry.

Greg Groten – Proposed Vice President, Exploration

Mr. Groten is currently the VP of Exploration of Prairie Storm. Previously, he was VP Exploration of Novus Energy, being one of the five executives which formed Novus Energy through the re-financing of Regal Energy Inc. in March 2009. He has had roles of increasing responsibility both in geo-technical roles as well as in management at publicly traded companies, including his role as Vice President Exploration at Gentry until August 2008. He brings over 30 years of technical and management experience to his role as Vice President of Exploration.

Mr. Groten holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Specialization in Geophysics from the University of Alberta and is a registered Professional Geophysicist with APEGA and is a registered Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia.

Rob Morrison – Proposed Vice President, Operations

Mr. Morrison brings with him 26 years of progressive experience in many facets of Engineering and Management within the upstream oil and gas industry. The last 15 years of his career have been spent in senior management roles with junior producers while still remaining active on the technical side.

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Mr. Morrison began his career working for Placid Oil Company’s Canadian district office where he gained exposure to the entire range of engineering duties (drilling, completions, production, exploitation and marketing). He completed his 10 year stint at the company in 1995 as Engineering Manager at which time the Canadian assets were acquired by Tarragon Oil and Gas (“Tarragon”). He then worked for Tarragon for an approximate 3 year period both as a Production Manager and subsequently as an Exploitation Engineer. Morrison then worked for CEC Resources initially as VP Engineering for a one year period prior to being appointed as President around the same time that the company changed names to Carbon Energy Corporation (Canada) (“Carbon Energy”). The company grew over the next four years increasing production approximately seven-fold while issuing no further shares to fund any of the Canadian growth. Carbon Energy was ultimately sold in 2003 to Evergreen Resources out of Denver. Mr. Morrison then became a founder of Element Energy Canada which was subsequently acquired by Reliable Energy Ltd. (“Reliable”). He worked at Reliable as Vice President Engineering and Operations until its acquisition by Crescent Point Energy in May 2012 for a purchase price of just under $100 million. Lastly Mr. Morrison spent time at Questerre Energy Corporation as VP Operations, Western Canada then as COO where he was responsible for the Western Canadian assets within the company as well as the engineering, geological and land department functions until year end 2013.

Mr. Morrison has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Calgary and is a registered Professional Engineer with APEGA.

Conditions

Closing of the Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to, the following:

  • no change in the affairs of Prairie Storm or Quendale that would have a material adverse effect;
  • the representations and warranties of each party in the Definitive Agreement remaining accurate at and as of the closing of the Acquisition;
  • absence of any government or regulatory order that would adversely affect the Acquisition; and
  • all necessary regulatory and other material third party approvals, including approval by the TSXV and if required, by a court of competent jurisdiction, being obtained.

Special Meeting of Quendale Shareholders

The Acquisition will be carried out by parties dealing at arm’s length to one another and therefore will not be considered a “Non-Arm’s Length Qualifying Transaction” as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV. As a result, a special meeting of the shareholders of Quendale is not required by the TSXV to approve the Acquisition.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship of a qualifying transaction of a capital pool company is required by the TSXV unless exempt in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. Quendale intends to apply to the TSXV for an exemption from the sponsorship requirements; however, there is no assurance that Quendale will obtain such exemption.

Trading in the common shares of Quendale will remain suspended until certain required documents have been provided to the TSXV and the Acquisition is complete.

Additional Information

All information contained in this press release with respect to Quendale and Prairie Storm was supplied by the parties respectively for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

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Quendale and Prairie Storm will provide further details in respect of the Acquisition in due course by way of press release. However, Quendale and Prairie Storm will make available to the TSXV, all information including financial information as required by the TSXV and will provide, in a press release to be disseminated at a later date, required disclosure.

For further information:

Quendale Capital Corp.
Richard A. Graham, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Director
(604) 488-8717

Prairie Storm Energy Corp.
Hugh G. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer
(403) 774-2901

Oil and Gas Measures & Abbreviations

Barrels of Oil Equivalent – This news release discloses certain production information on a barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) basis with natural gas converted to barrels of oil equivalent using a conversion factor of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas (“Mcf”) to one barrel (bbl) of oil (6 Mcf:1 bbl). Condensate and other Natural Gas Liquids (“NGLs”) are converted to boe at a ratio of 1 bbl:1 bbl. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based roughly on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at sales point. This conversion conforms with Canadian Securities Regulators’ National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. Although the 6:1 conversion ratio is an industry-accepted norm, it is not reflective of price or market value differentials between product types. Based on current commodity prices, the value ratio between crude oil, NGLs and natural gas is significantly different from the 6:1 energy equivalency ratio. Accordingly, using a conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl may be misleading as an indication of value.

Mcfe Conversions: Thousands of cubic feet of gas equivalent (“Mcfe”) amounts have been calculated by using the conversion ratio of one barrel of oil (1 bbl) to six thousand cubic feet (6 Mcf) of natural gas. Mcfe amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A conversion ratio of 1 bbl to 6 Mcf is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of natural gas as compared to oil is significantly different from the energy equivalent of 1:6, utilizing a conversion on a 1:6 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

Reader Advisory

Completion of the Acquisition 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 Acquisition cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Acquisition 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 Acquisition, any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition 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.

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The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Acquisition and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Neither the TSXV nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “will”, “estimates”, “believes”, “intends” “expects” and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the Acquisition, the expected composition of the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer, the completion and timing of the application to the TSXV in respect of the Acquisition, the proposed structure by which the Acquisition is to be completed, the ability of Quendale and Prairie Storm to meet the conditions of the Qualifying Transaction in the required timeframes, obtaining the necessary exemptions and approvals from the TSXV or other regulatory bodies, including the business, name and function of the Resulting Issuer and certain financial information and forecasts. Quendale cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of Quendale and Prairie Storm, including expectations and assumptions concerning Quendale, Prairie Storm, the Resulting Issuer, the Acquisition, the negotiation of the Definitive Agreement on satisfactory terms, the timely receipt of all required shareholder, Court, TSXV and regulatory approvals (as applicable), the satisfaction of other closing conditions in accordance with the terms of the Definitive Agreement, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Quendale’s final prospectus dated May 10, 2018 filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission, the ASC and the Ontario Securities Commission and available on www.sedar.com. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Quendale. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Quendale does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.

THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/62884

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Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub

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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.

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Quantum Security and the Financial Sector: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future

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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:

  1. Reuse and Repurpose: Leverage existing regulatory frameworks and tools to address quantum risks, rather than creating entirely new systems.
  2. Establish Non-Negotiables: Define baseline requirements for quantum security, ensuring consistency and interoperability across organizations and jurisdictions.
  3. Increase Transparency: Foster open communication between regulators and industry players to share best practices, strategies, and knowledge.
  4. 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:

  1. Prepare: Raise awareness of quantum risks, assess cryptographic infrastructure, and build internal capabilities.
  2. Clarify: Formalize engagement between stakeholders, map current regulations, and model the cost and complexities of transitioning to quantum-safe systems.
  3. Guide: Address regulatory gaps, translate technical standards into actionable frameworks, and develop industry-wide best practices.
  4. 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.

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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 Pulse: Daily Industry Brief – A Dive into Today’s Emerging Trends and Innovations

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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.

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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.

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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:

  1. Personalization and Inclusion: Products like Beacon’s wallet highlight the importance of understanding and addressing specific user needs.
  2. Collaborative Ecosystems: Partnerships, like that of MeaWallet and Integrated Finance, emphasize the power of collaboration in solving industry challenges.
  3. Emerging Technologies: Juniper Research’s predictions affirm the continued influence of blockchain, embedded finance, and instant payment networks.
  4. Security at the Core: The recognition of Nucleus Security underscores the essential role of cybersecurity in fintech.
  5. Market Transformation: OpenYield’s funding signifies the ongoing disruption of traditional financial markets, paving the way for broader accessibility.

 

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