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Blue Wire Secures Growth Funding from Decathlon Capital Partners

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Podcast production and distribution company utilizes a flexible, revenue-based funding package to support growth and expansion without any dilution

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Blue Wire, a media production and distribution company that allows independent podcasters to monetize their content, has landed a growth funding package from Decathlon Capital Partners to support its expansion.

“The flexibility of this funding allowed us to convert noteholders into equityholders and to expand our offerings, which demonstrates the many reasons we are excited to be working with Decathlon Capital Partners.” – Joseph R. Saviano, Blue Wire CFO

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Blue Wire will use the capital to support its platform growth, add new content offerings, and build a technology dashboard for podcasters. Details of the revenue-based investment package were not disclosed.

With more than 300 podcasts and 11 million monthly downloads in its network, Blue Wire is building a sports media powerhouse that allows fans to skip traditional media offerings and head to podcasts to learn more about their favorite teams or sports.

Kevin Jones, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Blue Wire, has used the values of authenticity and hustle to build Blue Wire’s strong community of podcasters and listeners. “Consumption habits are shifting and we’ve been able to consistently identify new voices in sports who resonate with their audiences,” said Jones. “Podcasting continues to disrupt traditional media and we look forward to partnering with Decathlon to fuel our ambitions.”

Joseph R. Saviano, Chief Financial Officer of Blue Wire, said Blue Wire has successfully transitioned its business to profitability, which enabled the company to raise non-dilutive capital without giving up any control of the company. “The flexibility of this funding allowed us to convert noteholders into equityholders and to expand our offerings, which demonstrates the many reasons we are excited to be working with Decathlon Capital Partners,” Saviano says.

John Borchers, Managing Director of Decathlon Capital Partners, said Blue Wire’s commitment to investing in emerging social media talents, while also helping established pro athletes build their podcast brands is what sets Blue Wire apart. “Blue Wire is bringing something new to the podcasting world, and Decathlon is proud to support what is sure to be tremendous growth,” Borchers said.

About Blue Wire
Blue Wire is a sports and entertainment podcasting network bringing together the next generation of journalists, influencers, athletes, and fans. Blue Wire works with both pro athletes and emerging social media talent. The company aims to maintain each of its network hosts’ financial and creative independence, while fostering a community of support by helping the hosts find sponsors. Blue Wire is proud to be home to shows including It Is What It Is with Cam’ron & Mase, Green Light with Chris Long, Stay Hot, and Road Trippin, as well as regional hits such as Bronx Pinstripes, Light Years and Pack-A-Day. Learn more at https://www.bluewirepods.com/.

About Decathlon Capital Partners
Decathlon Capital Partners provides growth capital for companies seeking alternatives to traditional equity investment. Through the use of highly customized revenue-based financing solutions, Decathlon provides long-term growth capital without the dilution, loss of control and operational overhead that often comes with equity-based funding. With offices in Palo Alto and Park City, Decathlon is the largest revenue-based funding investor in the U.S. and is active across a wide range of sectors. Learn more at http://www.decathloncapital.com.

Media Contact

Blue Wire Press, Blue Wire, 4352001051, hustle@bluewirepods.com, https://www.bluewirepods.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/blue-wire-secures-growth-funding-from-decathlon-capital-partners-302066264.html

SOURCE Blue Wire

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Beko Publishes 2025 Integrated Report, Charting Years of Progress Toward Net Zero

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As Beko releases its 2025 Integrated Report, the company’s third consecutive inclusion on TIME’s global sustainability ranking — retaining the #1 position in its industry — underscores the progress documented within it.

ISTANBUL, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beko published its 2025 Integrated Report, offering a comprehensive account of the company’s financial, environmental and social performance over the past year. In parallel, Beko has been named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for the third year running, retaining the #1 position in its industry. The recognition, awarded in partnership with Statista, independently corroborates years of deliberate, measurable progress.

The report documents concrete results across Beko’s global manufacturing footprint. In 2025:

Energy efficiency projects across production sites saved 69,562 GJ of energy, avoiding 5,297 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.Waste recycling across all manufacturing facilities reached 98.6%, against a target of 99%.Renewable energy installed capacity reached 96 MWp, up from 90.2 MWp the prior year. Beko also reached 63.5% green electricity on the path to 100% across all manufacturing by 2030.Water efficiency and rainwater harvesting projects across locations delivered total water savings of 219,114 m3.

Behind these figures is a broader manufacturing transformation. Three of Beko’s manufacturing facilities have been recognised within the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, with the Ulmi plant earning the additional, and rarer, designation of Sustainability Lighthouse. The principles behind Ulmi’s approach are being extended across Beko’s broader manufacturing ecosystem, as the company scales low-impact production. Beko currently operates 13 smart factories globally — equipped with artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics capabilities — with a target of 17 by the end of 2026.

On the circular economy side, Beko’s refurbishment centres across multiple locations reintroduced more than 148,000 appliances into the market in 2025 alone. The company recycled 1.98 million WEEE units through its own recycling facilities since 2014, and used 31,665 tonnes of recycled plastics in its products in 2025.

Across its product portfolio, 72.6% of Beko’s turnover in 2025 came from low-carbon products — a figure that reflects both the scale of the company’s energy-efficient product range and growing consumer demand for appliances that address environmental concerns.

“Being recognised by TIME three years in a row matters because it reflects that sustainability is a foundational part of Beko’s business,” said Can Dinçer, CEO of Beko. “Our factories undergo a twin transformation where we encounter both decarbonization and digitalization. That progress is deliberate and measurable, and our Integrated Report sets out exactly how. As the world prepares for COP31, the most credible thing a company can do is demonstrate its work rather than declare it. That is what we are doing.”

TIME’s annual list evaluates more than 5,000 companies worldwide across environmental and social performance, transparency and ESG reporting. Beko’s continued inclusion under increasingly rigorous standards points to a business model where sustainability is structurally embedded across operations, supply chains and product portfolios.

In addition to its Integrated Report, the Company has also published its second TSRS-compliant sustainability report, prepared in accordance with the Türkiye Sustainability Reporting Standards (TSRS), Türkiye’s adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). The report is publicly available and provides detailed disclosures on the company’s climate-related risks, opportunities, governance, strategy and performance.

About Beko

Beko is an international home appliance company with a strong global presence, operating through subsidiaries in more than 55 countries with a workforce of around 45,000 employees and production facilities spanning multiple regions—including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Beko has 22 brands owned or used with a limited license (Arçelik, Beko, Whirlpool*, Grundig, Hotpoint, Arctic, Ariston*, Leisure, Indesit, Blomberg, Defy, Dawlance, Hitachi*, Voltas Beko, Singer*, ElektraBregenz, Flavel, Bauknecht, Privileg, Altus, Ignis, Polar). Beko is the largest white goods company in Europe with its market share (based on volumes) and reached a consolidated turnover of 10.7 billion Euros in 2025. Beko’s 28 R&D and Design Centers & Offices across the globe are home to over 2,000 R&D employees and hold more than 4,500 international registered patent applications to date. The company has achieved the highest score in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) in the DHP Household Durables industry for the seventh consecutive year (based on the results dated 16 October 2025).** The company has been recognized as the 89th most sustainable company on TIME Magazine and Statista’s 2026 list of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies and has been the sector leader for three consecutive years. Beko’s vision is ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide.’ 

www.bekocorporate.com

*Licensee limited to certain jurisdictions.
**The data presented belongs to Arçelik A.Ş., a parent company of Beko.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beko-publishes-2025-integrated-report-charting-years-of-progress-toward-net-zero-302833974.html

SOURCE Beko

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JustMarkets Releases Market Analysis on How Foreign Exchange Markets React to CPI Surprises

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JustMarkets today released a new market analysis examining how foreign exchange markets react to Consumer Price Index (CPI) surprises and outlining key considerations for traders preparing for inflation data releases. The analysis explains why the gap between actual CPI data and market expectations, rather than the headline inflation figure itself, is often the primary driver of currency market movements.

What people often miss on CPI day is that the number itself isn’t what moves the market. The common reaction is to check whether the headline number is high or low, but it’s all priced in advance. According to JustMarkets, the real driver of EUR/USD is the gap between the actual number and what the market was positioned for.

Even an unchanged reading can cause dollar weakness if traders expect higher inflation, while weaker numbers that beat consensus expectations may drive dollar strength. Citing Federal Reserve research, the price driver is a surprise component rather than the headline.

Why the Expectation Gap Is More Important Than the Level

Forex is driven by expectations for interest rate decisions, with inflation impacting central bank policy. Key factors influencing this reaction include:

Main factors:

Monthly CPI and core CPICore services inflationRevisions to the previous period dataCentral banks policy pricing

Year-over-year data is less important in terms of price impact than monthly and core data.

How to Calculate Surprise

Start with the simplest metric: Surprise = Actual CPI − Consensus CPI. 

Consensus comes from the economic calendar’s forecast and reflects the market positioning. And then you need to check the market reaction through rates. The sequence typically runs: CPI surprise → change in front-end yields → USD movement → the sentiment adjustment.

Traders frequently employ this methodology in combination with the JustMarkets Economic Calendar to track high-impact releases in real time.

What the Intraday Move Actually Looks Like

CPI reactions usually happen in three stages. The first one is a headline shock with the potential algorithm’s reaction within a few seconds. Then comes the interpretation stage, with a time frame of 15-60 minutes and analysis of core numbers and yield confirmation. And then either continuation or reversal happens.

Approaches to Trading CPI Day

There are two common approaches to CPI.

The momentum approach requires the consistency of headlines and core surprises with yields’ confirmation. Most traders wait until the first minute’s candle is closed to avoid false signals.The fade approach requires dislocations like the absence of yield confirmation to FX movement or dislocations between headlines and core numbers. In this case, traders wait 10−20 minutes for exhaustion of the initial move and reversal setup search.

Risk management is crucial. Most traders limit their position size to 0.25%-0.50% of their equity because of widening spreads and slippage. Sometimes the decision to trade off is more optimal during extreme volatility than forced entry.

One Way to Prepare for the Next CPI Day Release

A simple way to get ready is to monitor EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY pairs and an economic calendar with events’ importance. The workflow is simple: Economic calendar → release → Trading platform.

The final step brings traders to the execution platform. Many turn to JustMarkets, which offers CFDs on these currency pairs, with execution stability and fast market access that make it well suited for high-volatility macro events.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Trading financial instruments involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Ensure you understand the risks involved and trade responsibly.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/justmarkets-releases-market-analysis-on-how-foreign-exchange-markets-react-to-cpi-surprises-302834023.html

SOURCE Just Global Markets Ltd

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PhotonPay Releases Emerging Markets Payment Report: Unlocking Africa’s B2B Potential Through Multi-Rail Architecture

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New research highlights how stablecoins and unified multi-rail settlement infrastructure bridge the gap between Africa’s rapid domestic digital innovation and fragmented global commercial trade.

HONG KONG, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PhotonPay, a next-generation financial operating system powered by stablecoins, today published its latest industry research report, The Next Payment Infrastructure in Africa: From Fragmented Payment Rails to Unified Cross-Border Settlement.

The whitepaper explores the unique evolution of Africa’s digital economy — where rapid mobile-first innovation coexists with high cross-border fragmentation — and outlines how next-generation payment architectures solve key liquidity and settlement frictions for growing enterprises.

To read the key findings and access the full research, visit: Download the Full Report: The Next Payment Infrastructure in Africa 

PhotonPay’s comprehensive study breaks down the macro trends, systemic bottlenecks, and technological innovations reshaping African commerce into structural dimensions.

The Paradox of Innovation vs. Fragmentation

Africa has built one of the world’s most dynamic financial ecosystems by leapfrogging traditional banking infrastructure directly into mobile-first networks. Driven by a young median age of 20 and rapid urbanization, domestic demand for digital services, e-commerce, and merchant payments continues to accelerate.

However, domestic digital success has not created a unified continental ecosystem. Payment adoption remains deeply uneven — spanning from over 70% digital payment usage in Senegal to under 10% in Niger. For businesses, domestic efficiency stops at national borders, exposing a stark contrast between fast local mobile transactions and complex, costly cross-border commercial settlement.

Four Frictions Limiting Payment Efficiency

While domestic Instant Payment Systems (IPS) expanded to 33 active networks generating 65.6 billion transactions in 2024, cross-border business payments remain constrained by severe structural inefficiencies:

The Formalization Gap: With 85.8% of African employment situated in the informal economy, smaller enterprises and merchants struggle to access standardized formal banking and payments.Payment Rail Fragmentation: Incompatible technical and regulatory frameworks across national borders restrict direct payment routing and degrade cross-border success rates.FX and Liquidity Traps: Currency fragmentation forces intra-African commercial transactions through foreign currencies and overseas correspondent banks, generating an estimated $5 billion annually in unnecessary transaction costs.Settlement Latency: Multi-hop correspondent banking pathways increase processing friction, resulting in high fees and settlement delays spanning multiple business days.

Stablecoins as a Value Movement Layer for Global Trade

To overcome traditional banking friction, commercial enterprises across Africa are turning to alternative blockchain-based settlement mechanisms. Between July 2024 and June 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa received approximately $205 billion in total on-chain value (+52% YoY).

Dollar-denominated stablecoins (such as USDC and USDT) are increasingly integrated into real-world trade flows between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia — including multi-million-dollar energy and merchant settlements. By routing value across blockchain networks into local off-ramps, stablecoin pathways reduce correspondent banking bottlenecks, secure dollar liquidity, and compress cross-border settlement from days to minutes while lowering costs from $5–$15+ to under $1.

Multi-Rail Interoperability & PhotonPay’s Integrated Solution

The whitepaper emphasizes that stablecoins are not a replacement for traditional systems, but a complementary settlement layer within a broader multi-rail landscape. The future of African commerce relies on seamlessly connecting diverse payment mechanisms:

Digital Wallets & Mobile Money: Enabling broad financial inclusion and high-frequency consumer transactions.Instant Payment Systems & Cards: Supporting domestic commercial operations and international card clearing.Stablecoins & Digital Assets: Providing direct, low-cost pathways for cross-border liquidity and value transfer.

PhotonPay: Unifying Global Financial Infrastructure for Emerging Markets

As businesses navigate this multi-rail ecosystem, the primary challenge transitions from simple payment acceptance to managing end-to-end liquidity, routing, and currency conversion across fragmented borders. PhotonPay solves this complexity by providing an integrated global financial platform:

Global Liquidity & Virtual Accounts: Collect, hold, and manage funds in multi-currency accounts across major fiat currencies and digital assets.Unified Payout & Settlement Network: Connect over 60 local payment methods, cards, and mobile wallets with 24/7 real-time settlement channels.Seamless FX & Stablecoin Conversion: Convert digital assets and foreign currencies into local payment rails at competitive market rates, eliminating intermediary bank markups.Enterprise Risk & Operations Management: Streamline global receivables, supplier payouts, and corporate expenses with automated fraud detection and real-time tracking.

The evolution of African payments is moving past domestic digital adoption toward seamless global interoperability. As cross-border trade between emerging markets expands, success will no longer depend on adding isolated payment channels, but on unifying existing rails into a cohesive, intelligent financial operating stack. By bridging local payout networks, stablecoin settlement layers, and global liquidity, modern financial infrastructure is transforming regional payment friction into a frictionless catalyst for global economic growth.

About PhotonPay

PhotonPay is a stablecoin-powered financial operating system built for global infrastructure. Designed for modern enterprises, PhotonPay enables businesses to send, receive, convert, and settle funds across both fiat and stablecoin rails through a single, compliance-first integration, spanning 200+ countries and territories.

For more information, visit [www.photonpay.com].

Disclaimer

This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or investment advice, nor an offer or solicitation for any product or service. The availability, features, and regulatory treatment of PhotonPay’s products and services may vary depending on the user’s location, business model, and the laws and regulations that apply. Any descriptions of functionality, performance, efficiency, cost savings, or compliance support (including, without limitation, references to “real‑time”, “24/7”, “high‑efficiency”, or “compliant” solutions) are aspirational or forward‑looking in nature. Actual outcomes may differ due to market conditions, technological constraints, and regulatory developments, and PhotonPay makes no express or implied representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the achievement of any particular result.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/photonpay-releases-emerging-markets-payment-report-unlocking-africas-b2b-potential-through-multi-rail-architecture-302834028.html

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