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Trees Corporation and 1287406 B.C. Ltd Announce Closing of Private Placement

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Calgary, Alberta–(Newsfile Corp. – December 20, 2021) – Trees Corporation (“Trees“) and 1287406 B.C. Ltd., (“406“) are pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced non-brokered private placement (the “Private Placement“) of subscription receipts of Trees (the “Subscription Receipts“). Pursuant to the Private Placement, Trees issued an aggregate of 101,500,000 Subscription Receipts at a price of $0.02 per Subscription Receipt (the “Subscription Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,030,000.

Summary of the Private Placement

The Private Placement was completed in connection with the previously announced proposed amalgamation of Trees and 406 (the “Amalgamation“), to be completed pursuant to the terms of an amalgamation agreement between Trees and 406 dated October 26, 2021, as amended and restated on November 10, 2021 (the “Amalgamation Agreement“). As previously announced, Trees has received conditional approval of the Neo Exchange Inc. (“NEO“) for the listing of the common shares (the “Resulting Issuer Shares“) in the capital of the the company resulting from the Amalgamation (the “Resulting Issuer“) on the NEO.

Further details of the Amalgamation were previously announced by Trees and 406 on October 27, 2021 and November 15, 2021 (together, the “Press Releases“) and are set out in the joint information circular of Trees and 406 dated November 12, 2021 (the “Circular“). The Circular constitutes Trees’ “Listing Document” in the context of its NEO listing application. The Press Releases and the Circular are available on the SEDAR profile of 406 at www.sedar.com.

The Subscription Receipts are governed by the terms of a subscription receipt agreement (the “Subscription Receipt Agreement“) dated December 17, 2021 between Trees and Odyssey Trust Company (the “Subscription Receipt Agent“).

Pursuant to and in accordance with the Subscription Receipt Agreement, each Subscription Receipt shall be automatically exchanged, without payment of any additional consideration or any further action by the holder thereof, for one class A common share in the capital of Trees (each, a “Trees Share“) upon the satisfaction or waiver of certain escrow release conditions set out in the Subscription Receipt Agreement (“Escrow Release Conditions“) at or before 11:59 p.m. (Toronto time) on April 16, 2022 (the “Escrow Release Deadline“), all in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

On closing of the Private Placement, the gross proceeds of the Private Placement, less 50% of the Finder’s Fee (as defined below) were delivered to the Subscription Receipt Agent (together with all interest and other income earned thereon, the “Escrowed Funds“), to be held in escrow pending the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions at or prior to the Escrow Release Deadline, in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Receipt Agreement.

The Escrowed Funds will be released to Trees upon the satisfaction or waiver of the Escrow Release Conditions at or before the Escrow Release Deadline, at which time each Subscription Receipt shall automatically be exchanged for one Trees Share. Prior to completion of the Amalgamation and in connection therewith, the Trees Shares shall be consolidated at a ratio of between 2:1 and 50:1 (the “Consolidation“), as determined by, and subject to the discretion of, the board of directors of Trees. Each post-Consolidation Trees Share will be exchanged for one Resulting Issuer Share upon completion of the transactions contemplated by the Amalgamation Agreement.

In the event that: (i) the Escrow Release Conditions are not satisfied or waived (to the extent such waiver is permitted) on or before the Escrow Release Deadline; (ii) prior to the Escrow Release Deadline, Trees announces to the public that it does not intend to or cannot satisfy any one or more of the Escrow Release Conditions; or (iii) the Amalgamation Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms at any earlier time, then Trees will direct the Subscription Receipt Agent to return to the holders of the Subscription Receipts an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price for the Subscription Receipts held by such holder plus a pro rata share of any interest or other income earned on the subscription proceeds (less applicable withholding tax, if any). To the extent that the Escrowed Funds are insufficient to refund 100% of the aggregate purchase price of the Subscription Receipts to the holders thereof, Trees will be liable for and will be required to contribute such amounts as are necessary to satisfy any shortfall.

In connection with the Private Placement, Trees paid certain finders an aggregate cash fee of $45,000 (the “Finder’s Fee“) and issued warrants to purchase up to 175,000 Trees Shares (the “Finder’s Warrants“). The Finder’s Warrants shall be exercisable upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions for a period of two years from the date of completion of the transactions contemplated by the Amalgamation Agreement at an exercise price per share equal to the Subscription Price, as may be adjusted to account for the Consolidation, as applicable.

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All Subscription Receipts issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with Canadian securities laws. Following completion of the Amalgamation, the Resulting Issuer Shares received upon the exchange of Trees Shares underlying the Subscription Receipts will not be subject to a statutory hold period in Canada.

Upon completion of the Amalgamation, the proceeds of the Private Placement are anticipated to be used by the Resulting Issuer: (i) for legal and other costs related to the transactions contemplated by the Amalgamation Agreement; (ii) to open additional cannabis retail locations; and (iii) for general administrative expenses and working capital purposes.

About Trees

Trees was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the “ABCA“) on February 2, 2018. On December 15, 2020, Trees changed its name from “Budbank Information Systems Corp.” to “Trees Corporation” pursuant to the filing of articles of amendment pursuant to the ABCA. Trees’ registered and head office is located at 1600, 520 – 3rd Ave SW, Calgary AB, T2P 0R3.

Trees is an independent retail cannabis operator that currently operates six fully licensed retail cannabis stores that sell cannabis products and accessories in the Province of Ontario. Trees intends to enter the British Columbia retail cannabis market upon the closing of the acquisition of 1015712 B.C. Ltd. (“101“) pursuant to the terms of the second amended and restated asset purchase agreement (the “101 Purchase Agreement“) entered into between Trees and 101. 101 currently operates five existing retail cannabis stores in the Province of British Columbia. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the 101 Purchase Agreement is subject to certain conditions precedent, including the receipt of certain licensing approvals and related regulatory consents.

In addition to the six retail cannabis stores that Trees currently owns and operates in the Province of Ontario, Trees has completed the construction and build-out of two additional stores, which stores have received conditional licenses to operate, with final approval subject to the completion of final regulatory inspections. Trees has also identified an additional seven unbuilt cannabis retail store locations for which it has received conditional license approvals from the provincial regulator, with final licensing approvals subject to completion of store construction and final regulatory inspections.

About 406

406 was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) as “1287406 B.C. Ltd.” on February 3, 2021 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1289625 B.C. Ltd. (“406 Parent“). Pursuant to the arrangement agreement dated March 25, 2021 entered into among 406, 1289625 B.C. Ltd., 1287390 B.C. Ltd., 1287398 B.C. Ltd., 1287401 B.C. Ltd., 1287405 B.C. Ltd., 1287396 B.C. Ltd., 1287409 B.C. Ltd., 1287411 B.C. Ltd., 1287412 B.C. Ltd. and 1287413 B.C. Ltd., 1289625 B.C. Ltd., 406 Parent reorganized its capital such that each holder of common shares disposed of their holdings to 1289625 B.C. Ltd. and, in consideration therefor, received, among other things, certain 406 Shares, which resulted in 406 ceasing to be a subsidiary of 1289625 B.C. Ltd.

406 is a reporting issuer under the securities laws of the jurisdictions of Alberta and British Columbia and currently has 3,850,000 406 Shares issued and outstanding. None of its securities, including the 406 Shares, are listed or posted for trading on any stock exchange and no public market exists for any securities of 406. 406 has no material assets and does not currently conduct any business operations.

406’s head office is located at 3400 22 Adelaide S.W., Toronto, ON M5H 4E3 and its registered and records offices are located at 1200 Waterfront Centre, 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1T2.

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Further Information

All information contained in this news release with respect to Trees and 406 was supplied by the respective party, 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.

Completion of the Amalgamation is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, final NEO acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Amalgamation or the listing of Resulting Issuer Shares on the NEO will be completed as proposed or at all.

Readers are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Circular, any information released or received with respect to the Amalgamation may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Resulting Issuer should be considered highly speculative.

The NEO has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed Amalgamation and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

For further information, please contact:

1287406 B.C. Ltd.

James Ward
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Director
Email: [email protected]

Trees Corporation

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Jeff Holmgren
Executive VP & CFO
Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to: the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions; the use of net proceeds from the Private Placement; the terms and conditions of the Amalgamation; the completion of the Amalgamation; the receipt of final approval to list the Resulting Issuer Shares on the NEO; and the details of any securities issuances, exchanges or cancellations in connection with the Private Placement and the Amalgamation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate”, “project”, “belief”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may” or “should” and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, 406 and Trees have made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions of Trees and the market in which it operates. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of 406 and Trees believe that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to the Private Placement; risks relating to the receipt of all requisite approvals for the Amalgamation and/or other ancillary transactions, including the approval of Trees and 406 shareholders and the NEO; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. 406 and Trees do not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. 406 and Trees assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release
publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/108113

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Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA)

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As we close out 2024, the fintech industry continues to deliver headlines that underscore its dynamism and innovation. From IPO aspirations to groundbreaking regulatory milestones, today’s updates highlight the transformative power of fintech partnerships, regulatory evolution, and disruptive technologies. Here’s what you need to know.

Chime’s Quiet Step Toward Public Markets

Chime, the U.S.-based financial technology startup best known for its digital banking services, has taken a significant step by filing confidential paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). As one of the most valuable private fintechs in the U.S., Chime’s move could potentially signal a renewed appetite for fintech IPOs in a market that has been cautious following fluctuating valuations across the tech sector.

With a valuation that reportedly exceeded $25 billion in its last funding round, Chime’s IPO could set a new benchmark for the industry. Observers note that its strong customer base and revenue growth may make it an appealing choice for investors seeking to capitalize on the digital banking boom. However, the timing and success of the IPO will depend on broader market conditions and the regulatory landscape.

Source: Bloomberg

ZBD’s Pioneering Achievement: EU MiCA License Approval

ZBD, a fintech company specializing in Bitcoin Lightning network solutions, has made history by becoming the first to secure an EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. This landmark approval by the Dutch regulator positions ZBD at the forefront of compliant crypto-fintech operations in Europe.

MiCA, which aims to harmonize the regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the EU, has been a focal point for industry players aiming to establish legitimacy and expand their offerings. ZBD’s achievement not only validates its operational rigor but also sets a precedent for other fintech firms navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

Industry insiders view this as a strategic advantage for ZBD as it broadens its footprint in Europe. By leveraging its regulatory approval, the company can accelerate its product deployment and establish trust with institutional and retail users alike.

Source: Coindesk, PR Newswire

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The Fintech-Credit Union Synergy: A Blueprint for Innovation

The convergence of fintechs and credit unions continues to reshape the financial services ecosystem. Collaborative initiatives, such as the one highlighted in the recent partnership between fintech innovators and credit unions, are proving to be a potent force in delivering tailored financial solutions.

This “dream team” approach allows credit unions to leverage fintech’s technological expertise while maintaining their community-focused ethos. Key areas of collaboration include digital payments, personalized financial management tools, and enhanced loan processing capabilities. These partnerships not only enhance member engagement but also enable credit unions to remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.

Industry analysts emphasize that such collaborations underscore a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing fintech-driven solutions to bridge service gaps and foster innovation.

Source: PYMNTS

Tackling Student Loan Debt: A Fintech’s Mission

Student loan debt remains a pressing issue for millions of Americans, and a Rochester-based fintech aims to offer relief through its cloud-based platform. This innovative solution is designed to simplify loan management and provide borrowers with actionable insights to reduce their debt burden.

The platform’s features include repayment optimization tools, personalized financial education, and seamless integration with loan servicers. By addressing the complexities of student loan management, this fintech is empowering borrowers to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.

As the student loan crisis continues to evolve, solutions like this highlight the critical role fintech can play in addressing systemic financial challenges while fostering financial literacy and inclusion.

Source: RBJ

Industry Implications and Takeaways

Today’s updates underscore several key themes shaping the fintech landscape:

  1. Regulatory Milestones: ZBD’s MiCA license approval exemplifies the importance of regulatory compliance in unlocking growth opportunities.
  2. Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration between fintechs and credit unions demonstrates the value of combining technological innovation with traditional financial models to drive customer-centric solutions.
  3. Market Opportunities: Chime’s IPO move reflects a potential revival in fintech public offerings, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
  4. Social Impact: Fintech’s ability to tackle systemic issues, such as student loan debt, showcases its role as a force for positive change.

 

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SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025

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Leading global payments platform SPAYZ.io has confirmed it will be attending iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 on 14 to 16 January. Exhibiting at Stand 64 at Trade Centre Dubai, SPAYZ.io’s team of professionals will be on hand providing live demonstrations of its renowned payment services for payment providers. Attendees will also receive exclusive insight into SPAYZ.io’s plans for 2025 alongside early early access to its upcoming plans for the new year.

SPAYZ.io delivers a host of payment solutions that leverage the latest technological innovations and open access to the fastest growing emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, there has been huge demand for its Open Banking and local payment method services, alongside bank transfers, mass payouts, online banking and e-wallets.

Yana Thakurta, Head of Business Development at SPAYZ.io commented: “We look forward to once again participating at iFX Dubai to expand our network of partners and clients. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the year, connecting with thousands of industry leaders from FOREX platforms to trading companies, and everything in between.

“Our key goal for iFX Dubai EXPO 2025 is to expand our portfolio of solutions and geographies. We’re using this as an opportunity to partner with like-minded entities who share our ambition to provide payment solutions that are truly global.”

Come meet SPAYZ.io’s team at the Trade Centre Dubai at Stand 64. You can also book a meeting slot with a member of a team.

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Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments

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Airtm, the most connected digital dollar account in the world, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished industry leaders to its Board of Directors: Rafael de la Vega, Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane, and Shivani Siroya, CEO & Founder of Tala. These appointments reflect Airtm’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion as the company enters its next phase of growth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rafael and Shivani to Airtm’s Board of Directors,” said Ruben Galindo Steckel, Co-founder and CEO of Airtm. “Their unique perspectives and proven track records will be invaluable as we continue scaling our platform to empower individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of financial inclusion and innovation to create a more connected and equitable global economy. Rafael and Shivani bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will strengthen Airtm’s mission to connect emerging economies with the global market.”

Rafael de la Vega, a seasoned leader in fintech global partnerships and technology innovation, is currently the Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane. With a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of fintech, innovation, and commerce, Rafael’s expertise will be pivotal as Airtm continues to grow. “Airtm has built a platform that breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for people in emerging economies to connect to global markets. I am excited to contribute to its growth and help further its mission of fostering financial inclusion on a global scale,” said Rafael.

Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder of Tala, is a pioneer in financial technology, renowned for empowering underserved communities through access to credit and essential financial tools. Her leadership in leveraging data-driven innovation aligns seamlessly with Airtm’s vision of creating more equitable financial opportunities. “Empowering underserved communities has always been at the core of my work, and Airtm’s mission resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to join the Board and work alongside such a dynamic team to expand access to financial tools that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shivani.

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