Fintech
Apolo III And Ruckify Enter into Binding Letter of Intent to Complete Qualifying Transaction
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – November 11, 2020) – Apolo III Acquisition Corp. (TSXV: AIII.P) (“Apolo“) and Ruckify Inc. (“Ruckify“) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a binding letter of intent dated November 10, 2020 (the “LOI“), which outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to which Apolo and Ruckify will complete a transaction that will result in a reverse take-over of Apolo by Ruckify (the “Proposed Transaction“). The Proposed Transaction will be an arm’s length transaction, and, if completed, will constitute Apolo’s “Qualifying Transaction” (as such term is defined in Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV“)).
In addition, Ruckify is pleased to announce that it has commenced a financing pursuant to which Ruckify proposes to issue and sell, on a private placement basis, common shares (the “Ruckify Shares“) at a price of $4.00 per Ruckify Share (the “Issue Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000 (the “Offering“). The Offering is expected to close on or about November 30, 2020. The proceeds of the Offering will be released to Ruckify immediately on closing.
Ruckify
Founded in Ottawa, Canada, in 2017 Ruckify’s peer-to-peer rent anything marketplace provides a platform enabling Ruckify users to monetize their assets while at the same time leverage the sharing economy to rent items and minimize what they own, avoiding investment in depreciating assets. With its industry-changing technology Ruckify is poised to expand from test markets to lead the way for peer-to-peer sharing in communities around the world. Ruckify provides its users with the freedom to do what they want when they want without the restrictions of time, storage, price or availability. In doing so, Ruckify supports sustainability by providing people the means to optimize the use of thousands of items within their communities.
Proposed Transaction Summary
The Proposed Transaction is expected to be structured as a three-cornered amalgamation, whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apolo will amalgamate with Ruckify (the “Amalgamation“) to form a newly amalgamated company (“Amalco“). Pursuant to the Amalgamation, holders of Ruckify Shares will receive one common share in the capital of Apolo (each, an “Apolo Share“) for each Ruckify Share held. In addition, pursuant to the Amalgamation, each Ruckify stock option and each Ruckify warrant will be exchanged for an Apolo stock option or Apolo warrant, as applicable, on substantially the same terms and conditions, except that such securities will thereafter be exercisable to receive one Apolo Share.
In order to align the value of the Apolo Shares with the value per Ruckify Share at which the Proposed Transaction will be completed, it is anticipated that Apolo will consolidate its common shares on the basis of one post-consolidation Apolo Share for every 36.3636 existing Apolo Shares (the “Consolidation“). Pursuant to the terms of the Proposed Transaction, Apolo Shares are being valued at $0.11 per Apolo Share and the Ruckify Shares shall have an implied value equal to the terms of the Ruckify Shares issued pursuant to the Offering.
Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, Apolo will be the parent and sole shareholder of Amalco and thus will indirectly carry on the business of Ruckify. As a result, Apolo intends to change its name to “Ruckify Corporation” or such other name as is acceptable to the regulators (the “Name Change“). Further, it is proposed that the officers and directors of Ruckify will replace the existing officers and directors of Apolo. Biographical information regarding these individuals is provided below under the heading “Officers and Directors“.
The Proposed Transaction is subject to the parties successfully entering into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction on or before January 31, 2021, or such other date as Ruckify and Apolo may mutually agree. Completion of the Proposed Transaction is also subject to a number of other conditions, including obtaining all necessary board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, including TSXV approval.
In connection with the Proposed Transaction, Apolo will convene a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of approving, among other matters, the Consolidation, the Name Change and the election of the directors to replace the current directors of Apolo immediately following the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Ruckify will convene a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of approving the Amalgamation and the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Ruckify and Apolo and both boards of directors recommend that their respective shareholders vote IN FAVOR OF the Proposed Transaction and related matters.
As at the date of this news release, Apolo has 8,600,000 common shares and 860,000 stock options, each exercisable to acquire one Apolo Share (on a pre-Consolidation basis). As at the date hereof, Ruckify has the following securities issued and outstanding: 12,342,577 Ruckify Shares, options to acquire 1,041,900 Ruckify Shares and warrants to acquire 109,867 Ruckify Shares.
On completion of the Proposed Transaction (including the maximum number of Ruckify Shares to be issued in the Offering) and assuming completion of the Consolidation, it is anticipated that there will be an aggregate of approximately 13,829,077 Apolo Shares issued and outstanding and additional securities convertible into or exercisable to acquire 1,175,417 Apolo Shares. On completion of the Proposed Transaction (including the maximum number of Ruckify Shares to be issued in the Offering) and assuming completion of the Consolidation, former shareholders of Apolo will hold 236,500 Apolo Shares, representing 1.70% of the outstanding Apolo Shares and former shareholders of Ruckify will hold 13,592,577 Apolo Shares, representing 98.30% of the outstanding Apolo Shares (on a non-diluted basis).
A filing statement or joint management information circular of Ruckify and Apolo will be prepared and filed in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.
Officers and Directors
Subject to applicable shareholder and TSXV approval, it is anticipated that the officers and directors of the combined company will be:
Steve Cody – Chief Executive Officer and Director
With over 30 years of experience in the rental industry, Steve Cody has a wealth of knowledge and truly understands the value of connecting customers and communities. Having built and sold 6 different rental companies and most recently founding a successful franchise software company has prepared Steve for his recent venture. Ruckify is a combination of Steve’s matchless experience and passion for the sharing economy. Ruckify allows everyone to experience the financial and ecological rewards of sharing their items.
Dean Cosman – Chief Financial Officer
Dean Cosman joined Ruckify in August 2020 after spending 25 years in the financial services sector where he held executive level roles at both Export Development Canada (EDC) and Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). Most recently Mr. Cosman served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Risk Officer at Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Prior to that he led CDIC as Interim Chief Executive Officer. He also held the roles of Senior Vice-President, Insurance and Risk Assessment and Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. Dean holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Carleton University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant.
Graham Brown – Chief Technology Officer
Graham has served as Ruckify’s CTO since March 2019, bringing with him two decades of serving as a technology executive, principally in publicly traded companies, including the Chief Technology Officer at Corel / WordPerfect and VP of Product Development at Halogen (now Saba Software). Graham was an early proponent of user-centered design and has been a proponent of developing software for its users ever since, producing both desktop and cloud-based Consumer and B2B products in the time since. As well as a passion for building great products, Graham enjoys developing great teams and making the total greater than the sum of its parts.
Bruce Linton – Chairman and Director
Mr. Linton was the founder and former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Canopy Growth Corporation (“Canopy“), formerly Tweed Marijuana Incorporated, a cannabis company based in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada. Bruce founded Tweed in 2013 and renamed it Canopy Growth Corporation in 2015. Canopy was the first cannabis company in North America to be listed on a major stock exchange (TSXV in April 2014 and TSX in July 2016) and to be included on a major stock index (S&P/TSX Composite Index in March 2017). Bruce co-founded Canopy Rivers in 2017 and Canopy Health Innovations in 2018. Bruce’s founding idea grew to a TSXV listed start-up with an $80 million market cap to a NYSE/TSX listed company (S&P/TSX60) including more than 30 M&A activities, ranking number one of the TSX30 with a market cap of over $20 billion by the summer of 2019. Bruce’s experience as a founder, CEO, and board member across a diversity of sectors was a huge influence for the success of Canopy. Earning market support for 16 rounds of financing of over $6 billion in public capital markets and private placements, the company funded capacity growth and opened new markets, including a $5 billion CAD investment by Fortune 500 beverage company, Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ).
Notably, throughout his career, Bruce has been responsible for the acquisition and/or disposition of nearly $4 billion in business assets and has established regular engagement with the World Bank and Asia Development Bank as well as companies listing with NYSE, NASDAQ, TSX and TSXV. Bruce has overseen over 35 acquisitions in 6 countries.
Currently, he also holds the positions of: Executive Chairman for Gage Cannabis Co., Co-Chairman for Martello Technologies Group. He is also Chairman of the Advisory Board for Red Light Holland Corp., Non-Executive Chairman of Oskare Capital, Director with Mindmed and the Canadian Olympic Foundation, and an active investor with SLANG Worldwide Inc., and OG DNA Genetics Inc. Beginning his journey at Newbridge Networks Corporation, Bruce went on to be part of the establishing team at Crosskeys Systems Corporation, of which he was a key member for the NASDAQ/TSX IPO. He was GM and Re-Founder of Computerland.CA, and Co-Founder of Webenhancer Corp. Bruce has acted as CEO and Director at Clearfield Water Systems, Inc., past Chairman of the Ottawa Community Loan Foundation, past board member and Treasurer of Canada World Youth, and past member of the Board of Governors for Carleton University.
Joseph Mimran – Director
Mr. Mimran is among Canada’s leading fashion and retail pioneers and entrepreneurs. Throughout his career, he has founded or co-founded and built brands that have helped define the fashion industry landscape, including Joe Fresh™, Club Monaco, Alfred Sung, Caban and, with his wife Kimberley Newport-Mimran, Pink Tartan. In addition, Mr. Mimran is the Chairman of Gibraltar & Company, Inc., a private investment management company, and was formerly the Co-CEO of Gibraltar Opportunity, Inc., a provider of advisory and revenue acceleration services, and Gibraltar Growth Corporation, a special acquisition corporation. Mr. Mimran was the founder and former Creative Director of the Joe Fresh™ brand for Loblaws, where he led the entire creative process for the women’s, men’s and children’s apparel line, from product design to marketing and advertising to store selection and design for the merchandising of the line. Mr. Mimran founded the consulting firm Joseph Mimran & Associates Inc. (“JMA“) in 2001. In 2003, Loblaws engaged JMA to design home products under its President’s Choice brand, followed by all general merchandise categories by 2009. Mr. Mimran co-founded The Monaco Group (which included Alfred Sung, a high-end fashion women’s wear line, and Club Monaco, a fashion-forward, high-end casual clothing retailer) in 1980 and took the company public in 1986. The company was purchased by Dylex in 1989. In 1991, Mr. Mimran repurchased Club Monaco from Dylex, founded and launched Caban (a design-oriented home furnishings retailer) and took the business public in 1997. In 1999, he sold Club Monaco (and Caban) to Ralph Lauren for an equity value of $77,500,000. Mr. Mimran has been the recipient of many industry awards, including the Canadian Style Award and the lifetime achievement award by the Design Exchange, and in 2015 he was inducted into Canada’s Marketing Hall of Legends. Mr. Mimran began his career at Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) after receiving his Chartered Accountant designation.
Sponsorship
The Proposed Transaction is subject to the sponsorship requirements of the TSXV, unless a waiver or exemption from this requirement can be obtained in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. Apolo intends to apply for a waiver of the sponsorship requirement, however there is no assurance that a waiver from this requirement can or will be obtained.
Trading in Apolo Common Shares
Trading in Apolo Shares has been halted since April 9, 2020 for failing to complete a Qualifying Transaction within 24 months of its listing on the TSXV. Trading in the Apolo Shares will remain halted pending the review of the Proposed Transaction by the TSXV and satisfaction of the conditions of the TSXV for resumption of trading. It is likely that trading in the Apolo Shares will not resume prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction.
This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.
Ruckify is represented by Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Wildeboer Dellelce LLP acts as legal counsel to Apolo.
A subsequent news release with respect to the closing of the Offering and including a summary of certain significant financial information with respect to Ruckify will follow in due course.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Apolo and Ruckify with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar expressions and includes information regarding: (i) expectations regarding whether the Proposed Transaction will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction will be satisfied, or the timing for completing the Proposed Transaction, (ii) the timing for closing and the pricing and size of the Offering, and (iii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect Apolo and Ruckify’ respective management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Apolo and Ruckify believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the combined company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability to consummate the Proposed Transaction; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; the re-rating potential following the consummation of the Proposed Transaction; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and the diversion of management time on the Proposed Transaction. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Apolo and Ruckify and market conditions.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Apolo and Ruckify have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Apolo and Ruckify do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Apolo III Acquisition Corp.
Jeff Hergott
Corporate Secretary
[email protected]
Ruckify Inc.
Dean Cosman
Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to TSXV acceptance and, if applicable pursuant to TSXV requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement or joint management information circular of Apolo and Ruckify to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Apolo should be considered highly speculative.
The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news 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.
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DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/67967
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: A Daily Dive into Industry Innovations and Developments
The financial technology sector continues to evolve at a rapid pace, offering innovations that disrupt traditional paradigms. Today’s briefing underscores fintech’s diverse growth avenues: from substantial venture capital plays and strategic partnerships to groundbreaking implementations in lending. Here’s a closer look at recent developments shaping the landscape.
Synapse’s Comeback and Andreessen Horowitz’s Strategic Bet
Source: Axios
Synapse, a financial infrastructure company previously embattled by controversy, is staging a remarkable comeback, backed by none other than venture capital heavyweight Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). With this new infusion of funds, Synapse aims to consolidate its position as a premier platform for building financial services tools.
This resurgence demonstrates the resilience of the fintech ecosystem, where innovation often prevails over turbulence. Synapse’s renewed vigor also signals that top-tier investors remain bullish on infrastructural solutions pivotal to the future of digital finance. Andreessen Horowitz’s participation not only validates Synapse’s model but also underscores the VC giant’s enduring interest in fintech infrastructure, even amid global economic uncertainties.
Analysis:
This partnership exemplifies the dynamism within fintech, highlighting the interplay of innovation, capital, and resilience. It also raises questions about the broader implications of giving second chances to firms with turbulent histories. While Synapse’s evolution could inspire others, it also places a spotlight on governance and accountability in high-growth sectors.
Israel’s Fintech Scene Gets a Boost with Investment in Finova Capital
Source: Calcalistech
Israeli fintech startup Finova Capital has raised an impressive $20 million in a funding round led by prominent institutional investors. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it seeks to expand its suite of financial solutions aimed at underserved markets.
Israel’s fintech ecosystem has long been recognized as a hub of innovation, and this latest investment only reinforces its global standing. Finova Capital’s focus on empowering smaller businesses and fostering financial inclusivity aligns with emerging trends where tech-driven solutions bridge critical gaps in financial services.
Analysis:
With this funding, Finova is poised to enhance its technological offerings while contributing to economic inclusion. However, the broader fintech industry will watch closely to see how the company leverages this capital amid increasing competition from regional and global players.
India’s Yubi Plans a Fundraising Push
Source: Bloomberg
Yubi, a prominent Indian fintech platform backed by Insight Partners, is reportedly preparing for a new fundraising round. Having already established itself as a leader in credit infrastructure, Yubi aims to bolster its offerings and expand its market footprint.
India’s fintech landscape is witnessing explosive growth, with platforms like Yubi playing a critical role in the credit ecosystem. Yubi’s planned fundraising reflects the broader appetite for scaling solutions that streamline credit access, particularly in emerging markets where traditional lending models often fall short.
Analysis:
This development highlights two key trends: the increasing reliance on credit platforms in high-growth economies and the strategic role of international investors like Insight Partners in driving fintech innovation. Yubi’s expansion plans could set a precedent for other regional fintech players seeking to scale amid global economic headwinds.
Provenir and Hastings Financial Services Win Global Recognition
Source: Business Wire
In a testament to the transformative power of digital lending solutions, Provenir and Hastings Financial Services have been jointly recognized for the Best Digital Lending Implementation at the IBSi Global Fintech Innovation Awards. This accolade underscores the success of their collaboration in modernizing the lending process through cutting-edge technology.
Provenir’s advanced decision-making platform and Hastings Financial Services’ lending expertise have delivered a solution that significantly enhances user experience, operational efficiency, and risk management. Such innovations highlight the increasing role of partnerships in advancing fintech’s digital transformation.
Analysis:
This recognition not only validates the efficacy of digital lending but also emphasizes the importance of partnerships in driving innovation. It signals to the industry that collaboration can be a powerful tool for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Microf and Quantum Financial Technologies Forge New Alliances
Source: PR Newswire
Microf, a financial solutions provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Quantum Financial Technologies. This collaboration aims to expand lending solutions for contractors, providing streamlined access to capital for businesses in need of flexible financing options.
This partnership is a timely response to the growing demand for specialized financial products in niche markets. By leveraging Quantum’s technology, Microf can now offer more tailored solutions, particularly to contractors navigating complex financial requirements.
Analysis:
This development reflects a growing trend: the diversification of fintech offerings to serve specific market segments. As competition in mainstream fintech intensifies, targeting underserved niches could become a defining strategy for success.
Key Takeaways for the Fintech Ecosystem
- Resilience in Fintech Funding: Despite economic uncertainties, venture capital continues to fuel innovative fintech players like Synapse and Finova Capital.
- Regional Growth Stories: From Israel to India, fintech ecosystems are thriving, attracting global attention and investment.
- Collaboration as a Catalyst: The success of partnerships like Provenir-Hastings and Microf-Quantum underscores the importance of strategic alliances.
- The Power of Recognition: Awards like the IBSi Fintech Innovation Awards validate industry achievements, inspiring others to push the envelope.
- Focus on Inclusion: Whether through credit platforms or lending solutions, fintech is playing a pivotal role in fostering financial inclusivity worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
The fintech sector’s journey is far from linear. Regulatory complexities, technological disruptions, and market volatility remain persistent challenges. However, as seen in today’s developments, the opportunities far outweigh the risks. By prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity, fintech players can navigate the complexities of the global financial landscape.
This moment in fintech history is pivotal. It’s a time for bold decisions, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to bridging financial divides. As industry players rise to the occasion, the road ahead promises a future where technology and finance intertwine to empower individuals and businesses alike.
The post Fintech Pulse: A Daily Dive into Industry Innovations and Developments appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Fintech
Fintech Latvia Association Releases Fintech Pulse 2024: A Guide to Latvia’s Growing Fintech Hub
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.
Fintech
Quantum Security and the Financial Sector: Paving the Way for a Resilient Future
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:
- Reuse and Repurpose: Leverage existing regulatory frameworks and tools to address quantum risks, rather than creating entirely new systems.
- Establish Non-Negotiables: Define baseline requirements for quantum security, ensuring consistency and interoperability across organizations and jurisdictions.
- Increase Transparency: Foster open communication between regulators and industry players to share best practices, strategies, and knowledge.
- 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:
- Prepare: Raise awareness of quantum risks, assess cryptographic infrastructure, and build internal capabilities.
- Clarify: Formalize engagement between stakeholders, map current regulations, and model the cost and complexities of transitioning to quantum-safe systems.
- Guide: Address regulatory gaps, translate technical standards into actionable frameworks, and develop industry-wide best practices.
- 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.
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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