Fintech PR
Artprice (New York) – Thierry Ehrmann: Patrick Drahi’s Acquisition of Sotheby’s Confirms the Art Market’s Entry Into the Digital Era of the 21st Century
Thierry Ehrmann: “Patrick Drahi’s acquisition of Sotheby’s confirms the Art Market’s entry into the digital era of the 21st century. Artprice has always argued that the global Art Market — weighing roughly 90 billion dollars — was several decades behind in terms of digital culture and Internet.”
Fine Art auction turnover for the world two major auction houses: Christie’s and Sotheby’s [https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2019/06/artprice-sothebys-vs-christies.png]
“So it’s great news for the Art Market and Artprice to see Sotheby’s – the only listed auction operator — being acquired by Patrick Drahi, a 55-year-old global entrepreneur with a portfolio of telecommunications, media and digital companies. The offer price, which represents a premium of 61% to Sotheby’s closing price on June 14, 2019, and a 56% premium to the company’s 30 trading-day volume weighted average share price, reflects Patrick Drahi’s genuine confidence in Sotheby’s capacity for exponential development via a digital mutation.”
Artprice: “Since 2000, the Art Market has enjoyed a period of distinctly virtuous growth, becoming an efficient market with a return on investment of almost 7% per year and a volume growth of 450%. For much of this period, the backdrop to this growth has been a savings environment of zero or even negative interest rates in the eurozone. Meanwhile, the market itself has evolved from roughly 500,000 art collectors after WWII to nearly 90 million Art Consumers today, the vast majority of whom are completely at ease with new technologies.”
Thierry Ehrmann: “The soft power of the world’ major powers is a powerful geopolitical driver for the growth and development of the Museum Industry®. Artprice was one of the first players to appreciate and conceptualize the global importance of this industry. As we analysed in an earlier study, more museums opened between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2014 than during the previous two centuries. Every year approximately 700 new museums with international standing – each holding a minimum of 4,500 artworks – open their doors on five continents, representing one of the primary sustainable drivers of the global Art Market.”
For 21 years, Artprice – the global leader in Art Market information and a dedicated digital pioneer – has contributed to the Art Market’s evolution into the digital era. Its databanks are today an absolute worldwide reference in terms of exhaustivity, indices and Art Market statistics. Remember that Artprice, via external growth and R&D, was the first global player to produce algorithm indices, using Big Data and Artificial Intelligence based on the observation of billions of connections to our databanks in strict compliance with existing data protection laws around the world.
In his statement, the position of Sotheby’s CEO, Tad Smith, is perfectly lucid: he openly welcomes Patrick Drahi into the Sotheby’s family: “Known for his commitment to innovation and ingenuity. He has a long-term view with a proven track record in the field of telecommunications, media and digital companies and I strongly believe that the company will be in excellent hands for decades to come with Patrick as our owner.”
Likewise, Domenico De Sole, chairman of the Sotheby’s board of directors, welcomes the move: “Following a comprehensive review, the Board enthusiastically supports Mr. Drahi’s offer, which delivers a significant premium to market for our shareholders.”
Several key facts and figures concerning Sotheby’s and the Fine Art auction market:
Sotheby’s is the world’s number two Fine Art auction operator with a total turnover of $3,93 billion in 2018, behind Christie’s with $5 billion. Together, the two Anglo-Saxon giants account for over half of the planet’s Fine Art auction turnover: Christie’s for 32.3% and Sotheby’s for 25.4%. Their respective strengths are based on global coverage of the Art Market.
Sotheby’s 2018 Fine Art auction turnover by location
© Artprice.com
New York: $2 billion (51%)
London: $1.1 billion (28%)
Hong Kong: $554 million (14%)
Paris: $188 million (5%)
Milan: $32 million (0.8%)
Melbourne: $24 million (0.6%)
Mumbai: $8 million (0.2%)
Zurich: $7 million (0.2%)
Despite 275 years of existence, Sotheby’s has experienced a number of relatively close strategy changes:
- 2015: Tad Smith became CEO and the firm terminated sales in mainland China (Beijing) and the Middle East(Doha)
- 2016: 13.5% of Sotheby’s was acquired by the Chinese insurance company Taikang Life Insurance, whose CEO is the founder of the Chinese auction operator, China Guardian
- 2017: the firm eliminated buyers’ fees from online sales
- 2018: buyers’ fees were re-established for online sales
Sales growth at both Christie’s and Sotheby’s has been around 400% since 2000, comparable to the 450% growth of the global Art Market over the same period.
After the announcement of Sotheby’s H1 2018 results, Sotheby’s share price dropped 10%. Despite rising sales, the company’s profits fell by 23%, a contraction that Sotheby’s blamed on its own guarantee strategy. Apparently the sale of Modigliani’s Nu Couché (sur le côté gauche) (1917-18) for $157 million – an absolute record for Sotheby’s – was not the best financial transaction of the year for the world’s second largest auction operator.
Artprice: “The world’s top two auction houses, with no rivals to date, are now both owned by French investors and collectors: François Pinault acquired Christie’s in 1998 and now Patrick Drahi effectively owns Sotheby’s since 17 June 2019.”
Fintech PR
2025 Will See Increased QR Code Payments but Payment Card IC ASPs Will Not Return to Pre-Covid Levels
ABI Research’s 5th annual Trend Report identifies the key Digital Payment Technologies trend that will come to fruition —and the 1 that won’t—in 2025
NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As 2025 kicks off, predictions abound on the technology innovations expected in the year ahead. In its new whitepaper, 101 Technology Trends That Will—and Won’t—Shape 2025, analysts from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research. ABI Research analysts identify 54 trends that will shape the technology market and 47 others that, although attracting vast amounts of speculation and commentary, are less likely to move the needle over the next twelve months. In the Digital Payment Technologies space, 2025 will see increased QR code payment acceptance but little growth for payment card IC ASPs.
“2024 has been marked by challenges, from global conflicts and inflationary pressures to political uncertainty. These factors have strained enterprise and consumer spending, leading to market inertia, short-term technology investments, sidelined capital, and the exposure of vulnerable suppliers,” says Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer at ABI Research. “From a technology perspective, many industries and end markets are in that awkward stage of technology adoption where they are formulating implementation strategies, assessing solutions and partners, and trying to see if they have the resources needed to roll out solutions at scale. This is a particularly sensitive time, which tends to suggest 2025 will have tech implementers and end users on the brink of a period of a massive technology shift as they work through these issues.”
What Will Happen in 2025:
QR code payment acceptance will continue to increase with use cases expanding
Although QR code payment acceptance is prevalent in countries such as China and growing in emerging digital payment markets, including in India, use cases and potential growth areas are not limited to these countries. Significant and continued investments by vendors, including PayPal, Stripe, and SumUp, are setting the foundation for increased adoption in other mature and established economies with use cases expanding. Although QR codes are already being used by many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and pop-up retail businesses, 2025 will mark the year when the technology begins to shift from one niche to partial mainstream.
What Won’t Happen in 2025:
Payment card IC ASPs will not return to pre-COVID-19 levels
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, chipset pricing has been on a continual rise, driven by increased pricing in myriad manufacturing areas, including energy, raw material, transit pricing, and inflation, driving up wages. The chip shortage further compounded this, and according to ABI Research, the Average Selling Price (ASP) for a payment card Integrated Circuit (IC) increased by approximately +30% between 2020 and 2023. However, despite pricing pressures returning, the cost of payment ICs is some years away from matching pre-COVID-19 levels. Although 2025 will mark another year of pricing deprecation, it will not be until around 2028 when pricing is expected to drop to levels similar to those achieved in 2019 steadily.
For more trends that will and won’t happen in 2025, download the whitepaper, 101 Technology Trends That Will—and Won’t—Shape 2025.
About ABI Research
ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.
ABI Research是一家全球性的技术情报公司，拥有得天独厚的优势，充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁，通过提供独家研究和专业性指导，推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略，无缝连接这两大主体。
For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.
Contact Info:
Global
Deborah Petrara
Tel: +1.516.624.2558
[email protected]
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Fintech PR
Bybit Champions Web3 Innovation and Strengthens Ties with Asia’s Crypto Community at Taipei Blockchain Week
DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange, debuted at the Taipei Blockchain Week Dec. 12 to 14, 2024, spotlighting the vibrant Web3 innovations on its platform alongside a dynamic roster of its strategic Layer 1 ecosystem partners.
Featuring side events in collaboration with the Solana Foundation, the Sui Foundation, and a dazzling lineup of multichain projects, Bybit Web3 dedicated the Taipei tour to building up communities and deepening connections with Web3 ecosystem partners. The Bybit delegation also took the stage to uncover the latest insights on Web3, building with a purpose, and the future of blockchain utilities and DeFi.
Purpose, Innovation, and Partnerships
Representing Bybit at the conference were MK Chin, Core Contributor for Blockchain for Good Alliance and Head of Marketing of Bybit Web3, and Angela Huang, Bybit VIP Relationship Manager, at various panels.
Expanding on blockchain technology’s potential in building better realities for all, Chin joined as a panellist in the session Marketing Web3: Strategies to Engage and Onboard the Next Billion Users. Chin shared learnings and actionable insights from the Bybit-supported Blockchain for Good initiative (BGA), elaborating on both real-world utilities of blockchain technologies and the trickling down of benefits to grassroot communities.
Meanwhile, Angela Huang moderated three sessions closely tied to Bybit’s mission, steering conversations on crucial industry topics:
- The panel Bridging TradFi and DeFi: The Exchange’s Role in User Onboarding on Dec. 12 examined how exchanges could elevate access to the digital economy for users at scale.
- On Dec. 13, Networked Intelligence: The Rise of Decentralized AI explored the intersection of blockchain and AI, showcasing their potential to transform and democratize finance.
- The Building for Impact: How Female Founders Drive Purpose-Driven Innovation panel on Dec. 14 highlighted the evolving role of women leaders in driving solution-oriented innovation.
Another highlight at the event was amplified globally via Bybit Livestream. Collaborating with the Sui Foundation, Ondo, DeepBook, Scallop, NAVI, and other leading projects, Bybit Web3 led a critical debate on the future of Sui’s growth strategy: Sui Ecosystem Showdown: Mass Adoption vs. Native Growth. Hosted by Emily Bao, Head of Web3 and Spot at Bybit, the livestream attracted over 6,500 viewers live at the Taipei Blockchain Week and globally on Dec. 13.
Deepening Bonds: Key Web3 Ecosystems and Communities
Bybit Web3 brought the local community closer to its world-class ecosystem partners with engaging community events, co-hosting Taiwan DeFi Flow with Sui and Scallop on Dec. 12, and Solana Ecosystem Taipei Greetings with the Solana Foundation and Solar with the support of Orderly Network, Zetachain, Jupiter, and Sonic, on Dec. 14. Through collaborations and innovation, Bybit Web3 opens up new on-chain possibilities for partners and stakeholders to expand the Web3 universe.
These relaxed evening gatherings provided a convivial backdrop for like-minded builders and entrepreneurs to network, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared enthusiasm for DeFi and dApps in Asia’s growing Web3 innovation hub.
“It’s been an incredible experience connecting with the builders, believers, users, creators, and supporters driving innovation on Solana and Sui. These moments remind us of the heart and spirit of Web3—a vibrant ecosystem shaped by collaboration and shared vision. I’m deeply proud to witness this growth, grateful for every connection made, and excited for the road ahead,” said MK Chin, Core Contributor for Blockchain for Good Alliance and Head of Marketing of Bybit Web3.
“Taipei Blockchain Week showcased the immense growth and potential of Web3 innovation in Asia. Representing Bybit, I had the honor to collaborate with industry leaders to explore Web3’s limitless possibilities, from DeFi and AI to real-world applications. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive global crypto community,” said Angela Huang, Bybit VIP Relationship Manager.
In the past year, Bybit has seen exponential growth in its user base, surging to over 60 million by the end of 2024. It has also invested in vertical growth through community engagements across the world. Connected by the passion for the future of crypto, blockchain, and Web3, the Bybit family is on track to building an inclusive and sustainable path to growth for the industry.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BybitWeb3
About Bybit Web3
Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over 130 million wallet addresses across over 30 major ecosystem partners, and counting.
Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, trusted by over 50 million users globally.
Join the revolution now and open the door to your Web3 future with Bybit.
For more details about Bybit Web3, please visit Bybit Web3.
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
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TIANJIN, China, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 7, 2024, AIMA Technology Group warmly invited a delegation of five top-performing U.S. IBD dealers to visit its headquarters. Accompanying the group was Angela Zheng, CEO of AIMA’s U.S. subsidiary, AIMA EBIKE, along with her sales, marketing, and customer service teams. This visit not only marked a deepened connection between AIMA and the mainstream U.S. market but also provided U.S. dealers with a valuable opportunity to witness AIMA Technology’s globally leading capabilities in research, development, and manufacturing of electric mobility solutions.
The delegation first toured AIMA’s state-of-the-art factory in Tianjin. Aima Technology possesses production factories with extremely high levels of intelligent manufacturing Additionally, AIMA has integrated advanced technologies such as AI visual recognition and established a CNAS-certified R&D laboratory, maintaining its industry leadership in intelligent transformation. During the tour, the dealers were deeply impressed by AIMA’s cutting-edge technology, large-scale production capabilities, and relentless pursuit of excellence in product development and manufacturing. They expressed that this rare visit not only enhanced their understanding of AIMA but also strengthened their confidence in promoting AIMA products as a symbol of outstanding performance and exceptional quality to their customers.
Furthermore, AIMA Technology’s R&D team engaged in in-depth discussions with the dealers regarding the new models AIMA EBIKE plans to launch in 2025. The dealers test-rode prototypes of the latest models and shared their innovative insights. They expressed high praise for AIMA’s product innovation capabilities and market acumen, recognizing these as key factors that distinguish AIMA in the industry.
Later, the dealers joined AIMA Technology’s team to witness the rollout of the 10,000th AIMA E-Bike. This milestone moment showcased AIMA’s exceptional manufacturing strength and market influence. The dealers were inspired and expressed strong confidence in the promising future of their partnership with AIMA.
This visit from the top-tier U.S. dealer delegation not only deepened mutual trust and friendship but also injected new momentum into AIMA’s ambition to become a leader in the U.S. E-Bike industry by focusing on the IBD channel. Looking ahead, AIMA Technology will continue to strive to provide market-leading performance and quality, enhancing its product development and manufacturing capabilities while working hand-in-hand with global dealers to create an even brighter future.
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