Fintech
The Jim Henson Company, Weta Workshop, and Quidd Partner to Celebrate The Dark Crystal’s 40th Anniversary with Digital Collectibles
New York, New York–(Newsfile Corp. – December 15, 2022) – The Jim Henson Company, Wētā Workshop, and Quidd are thrilled to announce their collaboration on a collection of premier digital collectibles featuring characters from the beloved film, The Dark Crystal. This marks the first appearance of officially licensed digital collectibles from Wētā Workshop, the award-winning concept design firm, on Quidd.
Dark Crystal Digital Collectibles
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Originally released in 1982, Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal was a first-of-its-kind dark fantasy film that follows the story of two Gelfling, Jen and Kira, on a quest to restore balance to the world of Thra, and overthrows the evil Skeksis by restoring the Crystal of Truth. Using cutting-edge animatronics and puppetry, the film pushed new boundaries in movie-making.
In the 40 years since its original release, The Dark Crystal has been reviewed and remastered by film enthusiasts and has a dedicated and growing global cult following of all ages.
The Dark Crystal x Wētā: Masterpieces features stunningly-detailed 3D renditions of fan-favorite characters, carefully crafted by the artists at Wētā Workshop, ensuring each digital collectible is of the highest quality. Each collectible is interactive and AR-compatible, giving fans and collectors alike an unprecedented ownership experience.
“We are excited to be partnering with Wētā Workshop and The Jim Henson Company on this exciting, first-of-its-kind collection,” said Michael Bramlage, CEO of Quidd. “Not only was this collection meticulously designed for The Dark Crystal’s passionate fan base, but it also contains a number of special surprises that won’t be revealed until the collection drops.”
Wētā Workshop Head of Consumer Products, Kelly-Ann Tyson says creating digital versions of beloved characters from The Dark Crystal is an opportunity for fans to own something truly unique.
“At Wētā Workshop our artists are constantly innovating and raising the creative bar. We are really pleased to be teaming up with The Jim Henson Company and Quidd to work on this drop of premium digital collectibles and think The Dark Crystal fans will love these new creations. It’s a fantastic way to mark the anniversary of the film.”
And, according to Melissa Segal from The Jim Henson Company, “It’s wonderful to see two trusted partners in Weta and Quidd collaborate to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Dark Crystal in an inclusive way that so beautifully features the iconic characters from the film.”
Starting on Wednesday, December 21, The Dark Crystal x Wētā: Masterpieces collection will be available for purchase with an opening price point of $5.99 on the Quidd marketplace at https://market.onquidd.com/.
About Quidd
Quidd, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is the original digital collectibles and NFT marketplace. For over six years, Quidd has facilitated the issuance, sale, and exchange of limited-edition, officially licensed digital collectibles, featuring more than 325 of the world’s most popular brands, including Disney, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, the NBA, Manchester City, and many others. Quidd supports off-chain and on-chain digital collecting – to multiple blockchains – making it an ideal front door for mainstream fans to start building their first NFT collection. For more information, visit https://market.onquidd.com or download the apps here.
About Wētā Workshop
Wētā Workshop brings imaginary worlds to life by delivering concept design, physical effects, collectibles, immersive visitor experiences, and games to the world’s entertainment and creative industries.
Established by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger in 1987, we are best known for our screen work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar, and Dune, our immersive visitor experiences, Gallipoli: The Scale of our War, Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mobility Pavilion and Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Wētā Workshop’s ground-breaking work has earned us multiple international awards.
About the Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. Henson’s most recent television credits include the Emmy-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, as well as Slumberkins, Harriet the Spy and Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, all for Apple TV+, Word Party Presents: Math! for Netflix, Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time for discovery+, Earth to Ned for Disney+, and the Emmy®-winning Netflix Original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Other TV productions include Word Party (Netflix), Dinosaur Train (PBS), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Sid the Science Kid (PBS), and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), as well as Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, and the sci-fi series Farscape. Feature film credits include Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (Netflix), The Star (Sony Pictures Animation), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Disney), and the groundbreaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. The Company is currently in production on the feature film The Portable Door starring Christoph Waltz.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and post-production facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative credits include The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix), the feature film The Happytime Murders, and the popular live puppet improvisational show Puppet-Up! – Uncensored.
Media Contact: Arooba Niazii, VP of Marketing – [email protected]
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/148105
Fintech
Plug and Play and GIFT City Launch “IFIH,” a Global Fintech Incubator and Accelerator
Plug and Play, a global accelerator platform and one of the most active early-stage investors globally, has announced a strategic partnership with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Through the partnership, Plug and Play will establish and run the International Fintech Innovation Hub (IFIH), GIFT City’s FinTech Incubator and Accelerator, which aims to foster research and innovation in financial technology, reinforcing GIFT City’s role as a premier global fintech hub.
GIFT City’s MD and Group CEO, Mr. Tapan Ray, said, “Our vision at GIFT City is to drive fintech innovation by creating a climate-resilient, inclusive ecosystem that empowers diverse entrepreneurs and builds workforce competitiveness in emerging technologies. With the support of prominent partners in fintech education and incubation, we are committed to nurturing a new generation of talent that will be well-equipped to meet the needs of an evolving global economy.”
Manav Narang, Head of Financial Services for Plug and Play APAC and Program Lead for the GIFT Incubator and Accelerator added, “We are thrilled to bring Plug and Play’s global expertise to GIFT City. Our vision is to create India’s largest industry-wide fintech program – a collaborative platform where banks, payments corporations, venture capital and corporate venture capital firms, accelerators, and ecosystem partners unite. Together, we aim to catalyze transformative fintech solutions and nurture fintech unicorns that will shape the future of finance in India.”
The program will support fintech startups with resources, mentorship, capital, and networking to navigate and excel globally in the dynamic fintech landscape. The first batch of startups will be unveiled in January 2025.
The post Plug and Play and GIFT City Launch “IFIH,” a Global Fintech Incubator and Accelerator appeared first on .
Fintech
Doo Financial Now in Indonesia: Offering Local Investors A Gateway to Global Markets
Doo Group’s brokerage brand, Doo Financial is thrilled to announce its expansion into Indonesia by acquiring a reputable Indonesian broker to expand the business. This move brings its global investment services to local investors. Backed by the strength of Doo Group’s extensive international presence, cutting-edge technology, and 10 years of expertise, Doo Financial is well positioned to support investors at every level.
As a brand encompassing investment services offered by various legal entities within the Doo Group, Doo Financial provides a comprehensive range of global brokerage services. This wide range of products empowers investors to pursue their financial goals.
With a diversified portfolio, Doo Financial empowers investors to navigate various market conditions effectively, manage risks, and focus on long-term growth. This entry into the Indonesian market reflects Doo Financial’s commitment to supporting investors with flexible, high-quality investment options tailored to today’s dynamic financial landscape.
Supervision by International Regulatory Institutions to Ensure Top-Tier Safety
As a global leading finance group, Doo Group has licensed entities regulated by top regulatory authorities worldwide, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment.
Our global credentials include licenses from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (US FINRA) in the U.S., the Financial Conduct Authority (UK FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HK SFC), Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (BAPPEBTI) in Indonesia. These licenses enable us to provide secure and reliable financial services globally.
Dedication to Shape the Industry with Innovative Solutions
Doo Financial’s expansion into Indonesia brings advanced technology and a global perspective to empower local investors. As an international investment firm committed to secure and seamless trading, Doo Financial offers a diverse range of products and services to help diversify portfolios and open up new opportunities.
This growth elevates opportunities for Indonesian investors by offering seamless access to global markets and advanced trading platforms within a secure and regulated environment. It broadens investment choices and enhances the trading experience, aligning it with international standards and empowering local investors with comprehensive tools and resources for success.
Driven by unwavering commitment, this growth marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s investment landscape, equipping our clients with the tools to navigate global markets. We remain dedicated to delivering exceptional service, exploring new opportunities, and driving future breakthroughs. With continued support from the FinTech community, we are excited to innovate and shape the future of finance.
Stay updated with the latest insights from Doo Financial. Join our community of empowered investors and let us be your trusted partner!
E-mail: [email protected]
The post Doo Financial Now in Indonesia: Offering Local Investors A Gateway to Global Markets appeared first on .
Fintech
Fintech Pulse: Evolving Fintech Investments and Partnerships Signal Industry Transformation
Fintech is on an accelerated trajectory of investment, collaboration, and innovation. This pulse tracks the most significant developments in the sector, from high-profile investments to global platform expansions. Each update in this briefing serves as a key indicator of where the industry is headed.
1. European Fintechs Face Regulatory Pressures Amid New Investment Surge
The European fintech sector finds itself at a crossroads with increasing scrutiny and rising costs due to stringent regulations. While investments continue to flow into the continent’s financial technology companies, challenges in meeting new compliance requirements, especially around data privacy and cybersecurity, create a complex landscape for scaling. This tension between opportunity and operational limitations might affect European fintechs’ growth strategies.
Source: Financial Times
2. Shopify, Slack Founders Join Peter Thiel in Fintech Investment Push
Tobi Lütke of Shopify and Stewart Butterfield of Slack, along with investor Peter Thiel, have co-invested in a new fintech initiative that aims to bolster small business access to capital. By merging technology with a streamlined funding model, this new initiative targets underserved SMBs, highlighting a broader trend of high-profile tech leaders pivoting to fintech investment. The participation of Lütke and Butterfield signals increased cross-sector collaboration in fintech, bringing expertise from e-commerce and communication technology into the financial arena.
Source: Yahoo Finance
3. Lean Technologies Raises $67.5 Million to Drive Fintech Innovation in the Middle East
Riyadh-based fintech platform Lean Technologies recently secured a $67.5 million Series B investment round, aiming to expand its operations across the Middle East. This funding reflects growing investor interest in emerging markets and the potential of Middle Eastern fintech to bridge regional gaps in financial services access. As Lean Technologies broadens its service offerings, the funding will support further technological integration and scalability across financial ecosystems in the region.
Source: Fintech Global
4. Apollo Global Management Invests in Fintech for Private Offerings Support
Apollo Global Management has taken steps to enhance its services for private offerings by investing in specialized fintech solutions. This development signifies a growing trend among private equity firms to adopt fintech as a core component in their service expansion, particularly for personalized client services. Apollo’s strategy of integrating fintech solutions into private offerings marks a strategic shift toward digitalization within traditional financial sectors.
Source: Bloomberg
5. Juniper Research Names 2025’s Future Leaders in Fintech
Juniper Research has revealed its picks for the top future leaders in fintech for 2025. This list emphasizes innovation in fields such as AI, open banking, and decentralized finance, highlighting startups that exhibit potential for reshaping industry standards. As these up-and-coming firms push the boundaries of traditional finance, they exemplify the rising tide of next-generation financial technology poised to become industry mainstays.
Source: Globe Newswire
Conclusion
The convergence of seasoned tech giants with fintech, new funding rounds for region-specific platforms, and the rise of future industry leaders underscore the momentum of the fintech sector. Each of these stories reflects a broader narrative: fintech is not only diversifying in services but also rapidly integrating into traditional finance and tech, paving the way for a transformative era.
The post Fintech Pulse: Evolving Fintech Investments and Partnerships Signal Industry Transformation appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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