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OKX Ventures Announces Strategic Investment in Bitmap Tech to Drive Growth in the Bitcoin Ecosystem

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — OKX Ventures, the investment arm of leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, is pleased to announce its investment partnership with Bitmap Tech, the team behind Merlin Chain, a native Bitcoin Layer 2.

Bitmap Tech currently boasts an overall market cap that exceeds US$500 million. Its BRC-420 ‘Blue Box’ collection has become one of the most sought-after Ordinals assets.

Merlin Chain, Bitmap Tech’s subsidiary product line, is a Bitcoin Layer 2 that integrates a ZK-Rollup network, a decentralized oracle network and on-chain BTC fraud proof modules. It aims to empower Bitcoin’s native assets, protocols and products on Layer 1 through its Layer 2 network, striving to “make Bitcoin fun again”.

Bitmap Tech and Merlin Chain have established a significant community following worldwide through past project experiences. As Merlin Chain plans to support various native BTC Layer 1 assets, including BRC-20, BRC-420, ARC-20, Bitmap and more, many communities associated with these inscription assets are eagerly watching Merlin Chain’s progress. This attention contributes significantly to Merlin Chain’s buzz and influence.

OKX Ventures’ investment will allow Bitmap Tech’s team to further enrich the Bitcoin ecosystem and enhance overall liquidity. Merlin Chain has already built a robust DApp ecosystem and is planning for further expansion.

OKX Ventures Founder Dora Yue said: “Bitmap Tech’s dedication to bringing innovative ideas to Bitcoin complements our vision at OKX Ventures. We have high expectations for Bitmap Tech to integrate more original and comprehensive Bitcoin services. The team’s unwavering dedication to prioritizing user-friendly experiences, fostering innovation and contributing to the overall dynamism of Merlin Chain’s ecosystem is commendable.

With the advent of Merlin Chain, we at OKX Ventures couldn’t be more thrilled about our investment in Bitmap Tech. This strategic investment allows us both to make a transformative impact on the Bitcoin landscape and significantly enhance the Bitcoin experience for users, bringing immense value and potential to the crypto community.”

For further information, please contact:
Media@okx.com

About OKX Ventures

OKX Ventures is the investment arm of global leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, with an initial capital commitment of USD100 million. It focuses on exploring the best blockchain projects on a global scale, supporting cutting-edge blockchain technology innovation, promoting the healthy development of the global blockchain industry, and investing in long-term structural value.

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Through its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the blockchain industry, OKX Ventures helps build innovative companies and brings global resources and historical experience to blockchain projects.

Find out more about OKX Ventures here.

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Great Bay Insurance Group announces executive changes

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WEST ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Great Bay Insurance Group (the “Group”), a leading provider of coastal homeowners’ insurance in New Jersey, today announced the following leadership changes. Timothy J. Byrne, Jr., has been named as President of the Group and Ronald R. Lovatt has been named President of Great Bay Insurance Company, a wholly owned affiliate of the Group.

Mr. Byrne Jr. has nearly 15 years of industry experience and previously served as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer overseeing the Groups operations and underwriting strategies. 

Mr. Timothy J. Byrne, Sr., Chief Executive Officer of the Group, added, “I’m excited to announce the promotion of Tim Jr. to the role of President of The Great Bay Insurance Group and Ron to the role of President of Great Bay Insurance Company. Tim Jr. and Ron have been an integral part of the Group since its founding in 2019.”

As President, Tim Jr. will provide oversight for all corporate support functions and will continue to report to Tim Sr. 

Mr. Byrne Jr. holds a BS in Economic and Mathematics from the University of Vermont, an MBA in Risk Management and Insurance from St. John’s University and holds a CPCU designation.

Mr. Lovatt has 40 years of broad insurance industry experience in leadership capacities with international, national, regional and start-up insurance companies. Ron is a founding member of The Great Bay Insurance Group, working with Tim Sr. & Tim Jr. to launch Great Bay in late 2019. Ron currently serves as Chief Underwriting Officer & Chief Claims Officer for The Great Bay Insurance Group, has an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting & Marketing from Miami University.

Contact:
Investor Relations
Brian Schleider, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
609-434-2000, x102

brian.schleider@greatbayinsure.com

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Forward Global responds to surge in UK shareholder activism with launch of UK Corporate Contests Practice

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LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — International risk management firm Forward Global launched its UK Corporate Contests Practice on Tuesday in response to what is described as “all-time high of shareholder activism” in London and Paris. 

Speaking ahead of the launch on Tuesday night, Brendan Foo, Partner and Global Head of Corporate Contests at Forward Global, said “As activism gains currency as an asset class, savvy investors are looking toward the UK and Europe to generate alpha. Indeed, in 2025 alone, we have seen an unprecedented demand for our services not just in our traditional strongholds of the US and Canada, but also in the UK and Europe. This reflects the surge in activist (and active) engagements, with which our team is uniquely well-placed to assist.”

Forward Global’s Corporate Contests Practice was established to meet demand from law firms, investors, and advisers to provide a comprehensive suite of services to support companies in high-stakes shareholder engagements. In keeping with the firm’s established activism practice in the US, the new London offering will deliver investigative and intelligence work such as vetting board nominees, relationship mapping, scrutinizing the track records of both incumbents and challengers, and conducting deep-dive reputation analyses. In Europe, Forward Global’s Patrice Lambert-de Diesbach offers clients battle-tested expertise in investor relations and financial communications.

Shareholder activism in the UK has expanded significantly, with campaigns becoming more frequent and sophisticated. In 2023, the number of new public activist campaigns in Europe surged by 68%, with the UK remaining a primary target. US-based activist investors have also increased their focus on UK firms, launching 40% of all UK activist campaigns in 2024. With contested boardroom battles and regulatory shifts on the rise, the expansion of Forward Global’s Corporate Contests practice into the UK is well-timed, equipping issuers with the intelligence and strategies needed to navigate this evolving landscape.

The firm launched the new practice at an exclusive gathering at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, bringing together leading voices from the shareholder activism space to discuss the evolving landscape of transatlantic shareholder activism.

The panel discussion, featuring Brendan Foo, Patrick J. McHugh of Okapi Partners, and Sebastian Fain of Freshfields, explored critical considerations for US investors entering the UK market and vice versa, differences in engagement styles across jurisdictions, and strategies for issuers to proactively engage with both activist and active investors. Panelists also examined the impact of anti-DEI and ESG sentiment on investor relations in the UK, as well as how issuers can adapt to evolving regulatory and institutional expectations.

John Watts, Managing Partner of Forward Global UK, added, “Forward Global’s new UK Corporate Contests Practice is designed to provide companies with the strategic intelligence and investigative depth needed to navigate an increasingly complex activist landscape. Our team is committed to equipping clients with the tools to engage proactively with investors, safeguard their strategic interests, and strengthen shareholder relations across Europe.”

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Notes for Editors

Forward Global is an international group, with its historic headquarters in France, boasting five main offices in Paris, Brussels, London, Miami, and Washington. As a leading player in risk management with over 450 employees and 30 partners, Forward Global offers an integrated approach across the three major risks: digital, economic, and informational.

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NYSE Content advisory: Pre-market update for March 14, 2025

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NEW YORK, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today’s NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins.

  

Alison Kosik delivers the pre-market update on March 14th

  • Investors welcomed a cooler-than-expected Producer Price Index reading for the month of February as tariff talk continues out of Washington D.C.
  • Attention shifts to the Federal Reserve decisions coming next week as inflation data suggests the rate of inflation growth could be slowing.
  • S&P 500 looks to rebound after ending yesterday in correction territory, which is a decline of at least 10% from a recent high.

Watch NYSE TV Live every weekday 9:00-10:00am ET 

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Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2641945/NYSE_March_14_2025_Market_Update.mp4
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