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The Sprott Family and Peter Grosskopf Partner Again to Launch Argo, a New Digital Gold Platform

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TORONTO, March 3, 2024 /CNW/ – The Sprott Family, Peter Grosskopf and a management team led by Michael Petch have become the founding investors of Argo Digital Gold Ltd. (“Argo”), a new investment platform that will provide investors with secure and digital access to physical gold.

The first phase of the Argo platform is expected to launch during Q2 2024 and will offer significant new benefits to precious metals investors. The platform will have enhanced security features in gold storage and custody, 24/7 trading, the opportunity for fractional ownership, and industry-leading low and transparent fees. Gold purchased on the platform will be registered in a dedicated account for each individual investor, securely stored at the Royal Canadian Mint. Argo intends to add other vaults located in safe and secure jurisdictions as part of future global expansion plans.

Michael Petch will lead this new venture as President. As an experienced digital assets executive and entrepreneur in blockchain technology, Michael previously launched the CoinShares Gold and Cryptoassets Index (CGCI) and one of the first gold-backed stablecoins (DGLD) in Switzerland. 

“The Argo team is excited to build this innovative FinTech startup backed by two of the most world-renowned and trusted names in precious metals investing. As we focus on much-needed digital innovation in owning physical precious metals assets, we will be guided by the strongly held values and the conviction of our founders,” stated Michael Petch, President, Argo Digital Gold. “We are setting our sights on providing seamless crypto-to-gold trading and to be on the leading edge of the tokenization of gold which will unlock powerful use-cases for this $5 trillion industry.”

Argo has the support and backing of the Sprott family and Peter Grosskopf, investors with over eight decades of combined experience in precious metals and financial markets. As innovative leaders in the gold market, they managed the multi billion-dollar growth of global alternative investments focused on precious metals.

“Gold is the original alternative asset, and we believe that precious metals should continue to anchor a diverse portfolio of alternative investments. We are embracing new technologies which allow investors to store and trade gold outside of the financial system it is designed to hedge against,” stated Peter Grosskopf, Chairman of Argo Digital Gold. “The vision of Argo is to offer institutional-grade direct ownership to all investors in a safe, and technologically enhanced manner.”

The Sprott family of companies are recognized worldwide for their conviction and expertise in precious metals. Through their stewardship, Argo is dedicated to delivering on the family’s legacy through a modern experience that is seamless, transparent, and accessible.

“Our family has been in the gold business for a long time, and we are excited to back this new venture that will continue our mission to democratize gold investing,” added Larisa Sprott, President of Sprott Money and Board Director of Argo Digital Gold. “This digital platform will make precious metals more accessible to a younger, more tech-savvy generation of investors who want a liquid alternative asset that holds its value. Similar to all the gold products we have created, Argo will be a 100% physically backed gold investment platform that investors can trust.”

The founders are teaming up with the conviction that gold is the most trusted store of value and wealth creation. As one of the most cash-liquid and highly traded investment assets, gold is viewed as an effective way to diversify an investment portfolio. The average price of gold in USD has increased by nearly 11% per year since 1971, outperforming many other assets classes such as equities, bonds, and fiat currencies over the past 20 years.

The name Argo Digital Gold takes its inspiration from the mythical Greek ship Argo, famous for its adventurous voyage with Jason and the Argonauts. The name reflects the company‘s mission to lead the dynamic world of digital gold investment with a pioneering spirit. Bold and brave, paralleling the forward-thinking approach of digital gold trading and investment.

With seed funding secured to build the technology, Argo expects to launch the first phase of its gold investment platform in late Q2 2024. To gain early access to the Argo digital gold platform, sign up at: www.argovault.com.

About Argo Digital Gold Ltd.

Argo is a revolutionary new platform, backed by the Sprott family and Peter Grosskopf, that makes secure and digital access to physical gold a reality. We empower individuals of all backgrounds to invest in the timeless value of gold, reimagined for the modern and digital age. Through our innovative platform, users can enjoy fractional ownership; 24/7 trading; industry-leading security; and transparent and low fees.

Argo is committed to breaking down traditional barriers and making gold ownership accessible to everyone. We believe in the power of technology to democratize finance and empower individuals to build a secure financial future.

To learn more and join the future of gold investing, visit www.argovault.com 

Argo Digital Gold contact: info@argovault.com

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SOURCE Argo Digital Gold Ltd.

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Crab2B Makes AsiaWorld-Expo Debut, Connecting Hong Kong’s Mobile Wholesalers with Global Buyers

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HONG KONG, Oct. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Crab2B, a pioneering B2B trading platform dedicated to mobile devices and digital products, will make its debut at the HKICEC Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion during the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows, opening at AsiaWorld-Expo on October 18, 2026.

Hong Kong has long been a major hub for electronics wholesale trade, but buyers still often rely on fragmented channels to identify suppliers. Crab2B was created to bridge this gap, bringing Hong Kong-based mobile and digital product wholesalers together on one dedicated B2B platform. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Crab2B combines the manufacturing strength of mainland China and the Greater Bay Area’s extensive supply chain capabilities with Hong Kong’s established global trading network. Together, these strengths enable Crab2B to simplify cross-border sourcing, connect buyers directly with suppliers and make international trade more accessible and efficient.

For its first appearance at a major industry trade show, Crab2B is bringing together more than 200 merchants already registered on the platform, marking a significant milestone in its development. The Crab2B booth is expected to attract electronics traders from Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Visitors will be able to discover the app’s capabilities through live demonstrations, register on the platform and connect directly with participating merchants to explore business opportunities.

A buyer who experienced the Crab2B app shared: “With Crab2B, we no longer have to search far and wide for reliable suppliers. The platform brings Hong Kong’s mobile phone wholesalers together in one place, giving us greater visibility into available products and sourcing opportunities. Whether I’m at my desk or on the move, I can find products and connect with suppliers whenever I need to. For businesses like ours that source across borders, that kind of access makes a real difference. It saves time, reduces transaction costs and helps us do business more efficiently.”

Crab2B CEO Luo Yaohong said, “We want to be pioneers in cross-border B2B trading for digital products, creating new opportunities for Hong Kong’s wholesale industry. As Hong Kong places greater emphasis on developing digital trade, we’re addressing a longstanding gap in the market with a dedicated digital platform that connects Hong Kong’s electronics suppliers directly with buyers around the world. Our ambition is to make cross-border trading easier, faster and more accessible, while helping Hong Kong businesses reach new markets.”

The platform’s trade show debut is also attracting attention from international merchants, with exhibitors expressing interest in joining Crab2B to expand their reach into overseas markets. Meanwhile, merchants already registered on the platform are looking forward to the launch of its planned online marketplace, which will create further opportunities for sustained collaboration and business growth.

Building on this debut, Crab2B will remain firmly rooted in Hong Kong while expanding its connections with businesses around the world. The company will continue to enhance its platform with smarter sourcing tools, more comprehensive trading capabilities and an increasingly connected network of suppliers and buyers. By making it easier to discover products, establish business relationships and conduct cross-border transactions, Crab2B aims to open new opportunities for merchants of all sizes and help shape the next chapter of Hong Kong’s digital trade industry.

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SOURCE Crab2B

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Canton Fair Buyers Alliance Launched as the 140th Edition Opens

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On October 15, the Canton Fair Buyers Alliance was officially launched at the Canton Fair Complex, marking a significant milestone as the fair celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding.

More than 140 overseas buyers attended the launch ceremony, highlighting the fair’s enduring role as a bridge connecting global commerce with China’s export sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Luís Vilariça, CEO of Joinco, Import & Export, Ltd., discussed his company’s long-standing relationship with the Canton Fair. Drawing on years of participation, he reflected on the growth opportunities created through cooperation with Chinese suppliers and highlighted the fair’s role in supporting international business development and global trade exchanges.

The ceremony also featured a joint declaration by alliance members. Representatives from five member companies read the statement in their respective native languages, underscoring the international character of the new organization. Additional members sent video congratulatory messages, joining the celebration and witnessing the official launch of the alliance.

The Canton Fair Buyers Alliance represents one of the fair’s key service innovations. Designed primarily for Fortune Global 500 companies, buyers from the world’s top 250 retailers and leading sourcing enterprises across a diverse range of markets, the alliance aims to offer members a platform for information sharing and resource coordination. The first cohort of alliance members includes 58 companies from 32 countries and regions across 5 continents. Through the alliance, members will gain access to a range of priority benefits spanning four major areas: services, events, resources and information.

 For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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SOURCE Canton Fair

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Bioethanol from human hair – Indian start-up’s solution to rising prices of grains and sugar

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GUJARAT, India, Oct. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In what could be called the beginning of the 5G (fifth-generation) of bioethanol or non-cellulosic bioethanol or non-sugar-based biofuels, an Indian start-up, Techofest Global, based out of Gujarat, has developed its own, indigenous, and patented technology for the production of bioethanol from waste human hair. Such processes would significantly reduce the employment of sugars, grains, and agricultural residues, which form the classical first- and second-generation bioethanol feedstocks. As a result, the rising fuel-vs.-food/fodder debate is anticipated to reduce, and instead, ethanol produced from municipal/industrial waste, after trials, can supplement the current supply being used as blends with presently retailed fossil fuels (E20, E27, etc.). 

As stated by Dr. Ravi, the founder-CEO of Techofest Global, the strategic priority and the USP of the start-up is industrial symbiosis, which, typically, involves an ecosystem of up-cycling/valorising the effluents of an industry, thereby creating a value-chain for residues often lacking an end-of-life. With more than three decades of experience in designing customized nuclear fusion reactors for international programmes, such as ITER, JET/UKAEA and SST-1, Dr. Ravi, a seasoned mechanical engineer, spearheads the start-up’s patented technologies’ scale-up and commercialization.

Two biochemical engineers, Dr. Navnit – the former CTO, and Dr. Kabilan – the former CEO of Biomakerz, Chennai, are the brains behind the current technology/process portfolio of the joint-venture between Techofest Global and Biomakerz. They have been working on biorefineries’ process intensification for more than a decade. “Having foreseen the fuel-vs-fodder/food competition as early as the year 2015, we began developing techno-economically feasible and viable in-vitro metabolically-engineered bioprocesses for scaling-up ethanol production from municipal waste streams between 2019–2021”, says Navnit. After developing operational technologies for international biofuel organizations, serving process engineer roles with certain biorefineries-related OMC R&D’s of India, Dr. Navnit, presently works for a premier academic institution.

An on-going fermentation trial at the Techofest Global-Biomakerz JV’s R&D facility

Techofest Global has developed and tested, in its R&D JV’s pilot-facility of ~100-L, 3 innovative and cost-effective technologies, such as 5G ethanol production using human hair, used cooking oil (UCO), and enriched bio-methane production from disposed sanitary napkins.

“With massive CapEx and OpEx, 2G ethanol technology is facing a major commercialization bottleneck, owing to competition with food/livestock fodder, requirement of a cost-intensive pre-treatment procedure, and the requirement of cellulolytic cocktails, which have a poor recycle efficiency. The proprietary 5G SAFE process developed for the start-up circumvents the mentioned constraints, and instead, utilizes a single-stage saccharification followed by fermentation, and records over 85–90% biocatalyst recovery. Likewise, the proprietary SIM process for bio-methane production, exclusively developed for the start-up, is 2x faster with improved intermittent feeding cycles and continuous gas harvest”, says Navnit.

“With on-going pre-commercialization trials, the proprietary ethanol and bio-methane processes of ours are soon being commercialized”, says Ms. Bhumika, the co-founder and the corporate advisor of the start-up. Furthermore, Mr. Ronak pilots the organization’s global market entry and commercialization frontier.

Techofest Global’s veteran Principal Technology Advisors include: Dr VS Tripathi, former Joint Director, DRDE Gwalior, Dr B S Munjal, former Director, Structures and Thermal group, SAC/ISRO, Academician and Advisor CIKS-Dharohar, GTU, and Dr AV Santhanababu, former Scientist at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. With on-going R&D activities, Dr. Munjal says, “the start-up is striving to provide a unique solution along the lines of the Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat Vision 2047”.

Media Contact: www.techofestglobal.com; e-mail: info@techofestglobal.com; contact person: The PR team of Techofest Global.

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