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Telecom Argentina S.A. Announces the Commencement of the Exchange Offer Relating to its 8.000% Notes due July 18, 2026

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2 years ago

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —

Telecom Argentina S.A.

Offer to Exchange up to U.S.$200,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of the Outstanding

8.000% Notes due July 18, 2026

(CUSIP Nos. 879273 AR1 and P9028N AV3; ISIN Nos. US879273AR14 and USP9028NAV30);

Telecom Argentina S.A. (“Telecom” or the “Company” or “us” or “we”) has priced its international capital markets offering of U.S.$500,000,000 9.500% senior amortizing notes due 2031, (the “New Money Notes”), and hereby announces the commencement of its offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) up to U.S.$200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount (the “Offer Cap”) of its outstanding 8.000% Notes due July 18, 2026 (the “Old Notes”) validly tendered and accepted for exchange for newly issued 9.500% senior amortizing notes due 2031 (the “New Notes”) of Telecom, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the exchange offer memorandum, dated July 11, 2024 (the “Exchange Offer Memorandum”), and the related eligibility letter (the “Eligibility Letter” and, together with the Exchange Offer Memorandum, the “Exchange Offer Documents”). The New Notes will be issued as Additional New Notes (as defined in the Exchange Offer Memorandum) under the Indenture (as defined in the Exchange Offer Memorandum) pursuant to which the Company expects to issue the New Money Notes.

Only holders of Old Notes who have returned a duly completed electronic Eligibility Letter certifying that they are (1) “qualified institutional buyers” (“QIBs”) as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (2) located outside of the United States (other than “U.S. persons” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act)), who are qualified offerees in other jurisdictions and who are not Argentine Entity Offerees (as defined in the Eligibility Letter) or Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offerees (as defined in the Eligibility Letter), (3) “non-U.S. persons” who are Argentine Entity Offerees, (4) “non-U.S. persons” who are Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions Offerees, or (5) “non-U.S. persons” who are Eligible Canadian Holders (as defined in the Eligibility Letter), are authorized to receive the Exchange Offer Memorandum and to participate in the Exchange Offer (such holders, “Eligible Holders”).

Argentine Entity Offerees and Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offerees who participate in the Exchange Offer are required to submit a properly completed Agent’s Message (as defined in the Exchange Offer Memorandum) in which such Eligible Holder shall identify itself as Argentine Entity Offeree or Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offeree, as the case may be. 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer Documents, Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes at or prior to the Expiration Date will receive consideration (the “Exchange Consideration”) in the form of either (i) with respect to Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes at or prior to the Early Participation Date (as defined below) and whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange by us, the Early Participation Consideration (as defined below) and (ii) with respect to Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes after the Early Participation Date, and whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange by us, the Late Participation Consideration (as defined below).

The following table sets forth certain material terms of the Exchange Offer:

Description of Old
Notes

CUSIP / ISIN Nos.

Principal Amount
Outstanding

Late Participation
Consideration(2)

Early Participation
Consideration(2) 

8.000% Notes due July
18, 2026(1)

Rule 144A:

879273 AR1
US879273AR14

 

Regulation S:

P9028N AV3
USP9028NAV30

U.S.$400,000,000

U.S.$[970]

U.S.$[1000]

 

(1)

The Old Notes are currently listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and traded on its Euro MTD Market and are listed on the Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos S.A and are traded on the Mercado Abierto Electrónico S.A.

(2)

Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of the Company’s Old Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for exchange. We will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the Old Notes from the most recent interest payment date in respect of the Old Notes up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date (the “Accrued Coupon Payment”), which will be reduced by the interest accrued from the initial issuance date of the New Money Notes (as defined below) up to, but not including the applicable Settlement Date, as further described below. The first interest payment for the New Notes will include accrued interest from the initial issuance date of the New Money Notes. The Exchange Consideration does not include the Accrued Coupon Payment.

Subject to the immediately following paragraph, in addition to the Exchange Consideration, Eligible Holders will also receive the Accrued Coupon Payment consisting of accrued and unpaid interest on Old Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer from, and including, the last interest payment date for the Old Notes to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date. The Accrued Coupon Payment will be paid in cash with respect to Old Notes accepted for exchange, subject to any tax withholdings applicable to Argentine Entity Offerees or to Non-Cooperative Jurisdictions Offerees.  Interest will cease to accrue on the applicable Settlement Date for all Old Notes accepted in the Exchange Offer. 

Interest on the New Notes will accrue from the issuance date of the New Money Notes. Although participants in the Exchange Offer will not hold New Notes prior to the Early Settlement Date, in the case of New Notes issued on the Early Settlement Date, or the Final Settlement Date, in the case of New Notes issued on the applicable Final Settlement Date, the first interest payment on the New Notes will include the interest accrued from the issuance date of the New Money Notes to the applicable Settlement Date. Further, each holder whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange by us will receive a cash payment (reduced as described in the following sentence) representing Accrued Coupon Payment, if any, that has accrued from the most recent interest payment date in respect of the Old Notes up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date; provided, that, Eligible Holders of Old Notes will not receive Accrued Coupon Payment that is due and payable on the applicable Settlement Date if the accrued and unpaid interest that is due and payable on the applicable Settlement Date on the New Notes exceeds the Accrued Coupon Payment that is payable on the applicable Settlement Date on such Old Notes. Accrued Coupon Payment payable on Old Notes up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date, will be reduced by the interest accrued on the New Notes up to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date.

The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on August 8, 2024 (such date and time with respect to the Exchange Offer, as the same may be extended with respect to the Exchange Offer, the “Expiration Date”). In order to be eligible to receive the Early Participation Consideration (as set forth in the table above), Eligible Holders must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Old Notes on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 24, 2024, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the “Early Participation Date”). Eligible Holders who validly tender their Old Notes after the Early Participation Date and on or prior to the Expiration Date will be eligible to receive only the applicable Late Participation Consideration (as set forth in the table above). Old Notes validly tendered may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 24, 2024, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the “Withdrawal Date”), but not thereafter, unless extended by us.

We have a right to elect following the Early Participation Date and on or prior to the Expiration Date a date to accept the Old Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Participation Date (the “Early Acceptance Date”), provided that all conditions of the Exchange Offer have been satisfied or, where applicable, waived by us (the “Early Settlement Right”). If we exercise the Early Settlement Right, the Early Acceptance Date will be the date on which we accept for exchange all Old Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Participation Date. Assuming that we exercise the Early Settlement Right and all conditions of the Exchange Offer have been satisfied, or where applicable, waived by us, we expect that the Early Acceptance Date will be the first Business Day following the Early Participation Date. If we exercise the Early Settlement Right, the settlement date will be promptly following the Early Acceptance Date (the “Early Settlement Date”) which is expected to occur on the second business day following the Early Participation Date.

The “Final Settlement Date” for the Exchange Offer is expected to be promptly following the Expiration Date. Assuming that the Final Settlement Date is not extended and all conditions of the Exchange Offer have been satisfied or, where applicable, waived by us, we expect that the Final Settlement Date will occur on a date promptly following the Expiration Date. We refer to each of the Early Settlement Date and the Final Settlement Date as a “Settlement Date.”

The acceptance of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to the Offer Cap. Telecom is offering to exchange Old Notes (having an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Offer Cap) that are validly tendered by Eligible Holders for New Notes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offering Memorandum. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion and subject to applicable law, to increase the Offer Cap without reinstating withdrawal rights or extending the Early Participation Date or the Withdrawal Date with respect to the Exchange Offer.

The following proration procedures will apply to the Exchange Offer:

Subject to the Offer Cap, we intend to accept for exchange all Old Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Participation Date, and will only prorate such Old Notes if the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Participation Date, exceeds the Offer Cap.If the Exchange Offer is not fully subscribed as of the Early Participation Date, Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes after the Early Participation Date but at or prior to the Expiration Date may be subject to proration if the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Expiration Date exceeds the Offer Cap.Subject to the Offer Cap and proration, all Old Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Participation Date will be accepted for exchange before any Old Notes validly tendered after the Early Participation Date are accepted for exchange. Furthermore, if the Exchange Offer is fully subscribed as of the Early Participation Date, Eligible Holders who validly tender Old Notes after the Early Participation Date will not have any of their Old Notes accepted for exchange, provided that such Old Notes may be accepted for exchange if we increase the Offer Cap, which we are entitled to do in our sole discretion. There can be no assurance that we will increase the Offer Cap.Old Notes must be tendered on behalf of each beneficial owner due to potential proration.

Telecom’s obligation to accept Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer is also subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions applicable to the Exchange Offer including (1) certain customary conditions, including that we will not be obligated to consummate the Exchange Offer upon the occurrence of an event or events or the likely occurrence of an event or events that would or might reasonably be expected to prohibit, restrict or delay the consummation of the Exchange Offer or materially impair the contemplated benefits to us of the Exchange Offer, (2)  our receipt of aggregate gross proceeds upon completion of the New Money Offering, (3) the likelihood that the New Notes are treated as part of the “same issue” as the New Money Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as determined on the Early Acceptance Date or the Expiration Date, as applicable, and (4) in the case of Argentine Entity Offerees and Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offeree, upon its delivery of a properly completed Agent’s Message in which such Eligible Holder shall identify itself as Argentine Entity Offeree or Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offeree, as the case may be. Subject to applicable law and limitations described in the Exchange Offer Memorandum, Telecom may waive any of these conditions in its sole discretion. See “Description of the Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” in the Exchange Offer Memorandum.

The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to acquire a portion of the outstanding Old Notes as part of a plan to extend the maturity profile of our existing debt.

Prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer, we priced an international capital markets offering of New Money Notes, the consummation of which is subject to customary closing conditions (the “New Money Offering”).  We anticipate settling the New Money Offering on July 18, 2024.

Prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer, we announced the commencement of a cash tender offer (the “Cash Tender Offer”) for up to U.S.$100 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.500% senior amortizing notes due 2025.  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on the successful consummation of the Cash Tender Offer.  Similarly, the Cash Tender Offer is not conditioned on the successful consummation of the Exchange Offer.

This announcement is not deemed to be an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of our securities in the New Money Offering or the Cash Tender Offer.  Neither the New Money Offering nor the Cash Tender Offer is being made pursuant to this announcement. The New Money Offering and the Cash Tender Offer are being made solely on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in a respective separate offer document.

If and when issued, the New Notes and the New Money Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities law or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction.  Therefore, the New Notes and the New Money Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States or to any U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

Morrow Sodali International LLC will act as the Information and Exchange Agent (as defined in the Exchange Offer Memorandum) for the Exchange Offer. Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information and Exchange Agent via email to telecomargentina@investor.morrowsodali.com, or at the telephone numbers:  +1 203 658 9457 (Stamford) or +44 20 4513 6933 (London). You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Documents are available for Eligible Holders at the following web address: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/telecomargentinaexchange.

Subject to applicable law and the requirements of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange on which the Old Notes are listed, the Exchange Offer may be amended, extended or, upon failure of a condition to be satisfied or waived prior to the Expiration Date or Settlement Date, as the case may be, terminated. Although we have no present plans or arrangements to do so, we reserve the right to amend, at any time, the terms of the Exchange Offer in accordance with applicable law. We will give Eligible Holders notice of any amendments and will extend the Expiration Date if required by applicable law.

Eligible Holders of Old Notes are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Old Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from a beneficial owner in order for that beneficial owner to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, an Exchange Offer before the deadlines specified in this announcement.  The deadlines set by any such intermediary for the submission of tender instructions will be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified in this announcement.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this announcement, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations and assumptions on the date of this announcement and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, and factors over which the Company has no control. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so, unless otherwise required by law.

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States, and none of the New Notes has been or will be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities law.  They may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  This announcement does not constitute an offer of the New Notes for sale, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which any offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.  Any person considering making an investment decision relating to any securities must inform itself independently based solely on an offering memorandum to be provided to eligible investors in the future in connection with any such securities before taking any such investment decision. 

This announcement is directed only to holders of Old Notes who are (i) QIBs, (ii) if outside the United States, holders of Old Notes other than U.S. persons and who are not acquiring New Notes for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, in offshore transactions in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, and who are Non-U.S. qualified offerees other than Argentine Entity Offerees and Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offerees, (iii) Argentine Entity Offerees or (iv)  Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction Offerees who are authorized to participate in the Exchange Offer.

The distribution of materials relating to the Exchange Offer may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Exchange Offer is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Exchange Offer come into your possession, you are required by the Company to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Exchange Offer, including this communication, do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the Exchange Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any affiliate of a dealer manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the Exchange Offer shall be deemed to be made by the dealer manager or such affiliate on behalf of the Company in that jurisdiction.

Notice to Investors in the EEA

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “IDD”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling any securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been or will be prepared and therefore offering or selling any securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Notice to Investors in the UK

The New Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the UK. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

Morrow Sodali International LLC

E-mail: telecomargentina@investor.morrowsodali.com

Exchange Offer Website: https://projects.morrowsodali.com/telecomargentinaexchange

In London

103 Wigmore Street

W1U 1QS

London

Telephone: +44 20 4513 6933

 

In Stamford

333 Ludlow Street,

South Tower, 5th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

Telephone: +1 203 658 9457

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telecom-argentina-sa-announces-the-commencement-of-the-exchange-offer-relating-to-its-8-000-notes-due-july-18–2026–302195571.html

SOURCE Telecom Argentina S.A.

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Technology

BTQ Technologies’ QSSN Selected as Core Security Infrastructure for South Korea’s First Bank-Led KRW Stablecoin Proof-of-Concept

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 6, 2026

By

BTQ provides strategic advisory support and QSSN as core PQC security infrastructure for the iM Bank initiative on the Kaia mainnet, advancing post-quantum migration across global financial infrastructure

BTQ has been selected as the core post-quantum cryptography security technology provider for South Korea’s first bank-led KRW stablecoin proof-of-concept, delivering its Quantum Secure Stablecoin Settlement Network (“QSSN”) for the initiative.
 BTQ is providing strategic advisory support and helping coordinate implementation across the partnership with iM Bank and Finger, supporting the integration of post-quantum protections into regulated digital money infrastructure.
 Built on the Kaia mainnet, the proof-of-concept is connected to the blockchain ecosystems originally developed by Kakao and LINE, linking the initiative to two of the largest messaging and digital platform ecosystems in Korea and Japan.

VANCOUVER, BC, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – BTQ Technologies Corp. (“BTQ” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BTQ) (CBOE CA: BTQ), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission-critical networks, today announced that it it has been selected as the core PQC security technology provider through its Quantum Secure Stablecoin Settlement Network (“QSSN”) in a proof-of-concept with its Korean strategic partner, Finger Inc. (“Finger”), and iM Bank, a leading Korean commercial bank, for South Korea’s first bank-led Korean won stablecoin infrastructure incorporating post-quantum cryptography (“PQC”).

The proof-of-concept represents more than a technical pilot. It marks an important step in bringing next-generation quantum security into banking infrastructure within Korea’s regulated financial system. In addition to providing QSSN as the core PQC security framework, BTQ is contributing consulting and strategic coordination across the three-way partnership, helping align the project’s security architecture, implementation approach, and long-term post-quantum migration objectives.

“Post-quantum migration requires more than a cryptographic upgrade. It requires coordination across infrastructure, implementation, and institutional stakeholders,” said Olivier Roussy Newton, Chief Executive Officer of BTQ Technologies. “In this initiative, BTQ is providing both strategic advisory support and QSSN as the post-quantum security architecture, while helping lead coordination across the three-way partnership. We believe this proof-of-concept demonstrates how financial institutions can begin integrating quantum-resilient protections into digital money systems in a practical and operationally viable way.”

South Korea’s First Bank-Led PQC Stablecoin Infrastructure Initiative

BTQ is working alongside iM Bank and Finger on a three-way initiative to validate the issuance and distribution infrastructure for a Korean won stablecoin. In addition to supplying QSSN as the PQC security layer, BTQ is providing consulting support and helping to guide coordination across the partnership as the parties evaluate how to integrate post-quantum protections into bank-led digital asset infrastructure.

The proof-of-concept will validate several key components, including real-time reconciliation between bank reserves and blockchain-issued supply, a global-standard smart contract architecture, connectivity to global infrastructure for overseas distribution, and the integration of a PQC-based dual-signature security structure. By applying BTQ’s PQC signature architecture alongside the existing ECDSA cryptographic framework, the system is designed to preserve operational continuity for financial institutions while proactively addressing future quantum computing threats.

Built on Kaia Mainnet

A notable feature of the proof-of-concept is that it will be implemented on the Kaia mainnet, one of Korea’s leading Layer 1 blockchain networks. Kaia was created through the merger of Klaytn, the blockchain originally developed by Kakao, and Finschia, the blockchain associated with LINE. Kakao and LINE sit at the center of two of the largest messaging and digital platform ecosystems in Korea and Japan, respectively, making Kaia a significant piece of regional digital infrastructure.

Klaytn previously participated in the Bank of Korea’s CBDC pilot ecosystem, and the Bank of Korea has continued to advance CBDC testing through initiatives such as Project Hangang.

By combining BTQ’s PQC technology with blockchain infrastructure tied to the Kakao and LINE ecosystems, the proof-of-concept is intended to establish a model that aligns institutional-grade security, blockchain scalability, and evolving regulatory requirements for digital money infrastructure.

QSSN as the Security Layer

The PQC security foundation for the initiative is BTQ’s Quantum Secure Stablecoin Settlement Network, or QSSN, a quantum-secure network architecture designed for stablecoin, tokenized deposit, payment, and digital asset infrastructure. QSSN is designed to protect critical issuer functions, including stablecoin issuance, burning, transfer authority, upgrade control, and administrative permissions, by integrating PQC-based signatures while maintaining existing user experience and operational workflows.

BTQ has previously announced that QSSN was highlighted in the U.S. Post-Quantum Financial Infrastructure Framework (“PQFIF”) as a model architecture for post-quantum digital money infrastructure. The Company has also positioned QSSN as a standards-oriented initiative advanced through QuINSA and aligned with emerging post-quantum financial infrastructure requirements.

Addressing the Harvest-Now, Decrypt-Later Risk

The timing of the proof-of-concept reflects the growing urgency surrounding the “Harvest-Now, Decrypt-Later” risk, in which attackers may collect encrypted financial data today and decrypt it later once sufficiently advanced quantum capabilities emerge. Global institutions are already accelerating post-quantum migration. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) has finalized its first set of post-quantum cryptography standards, including ML-DSA, ML-KEM, and SLH-DSA, while major technology companies and financial institutions continue to define their own post-quantum transition timelines.

BTQ’s QSSN addresses this challenge through a dual-signature design that allows existing ECDSA-based infrastructure to operate in parallel with NIST-aligned PQC signatures such as ML-DSA. This approach enables banks and payment infrastructure providers to begin a phased transition toward quantum-safe security without disrupting existing systems.

Expanding BTQ’s Korean Ecosystem

BTQ continues to expand its Korean ecosystem across digital assets, payments, banking infrastructure, and hardware-based security. In October 2025, BTQ announced that Finger had joined Danal as an early participant in BTQ’s QSSN pilot program, with the initiative expected to progress from proof-of-concept toward commercialization under QuINSA-aligned guidelines and broader industry frameworks such as PQFIF.

The commencement of the iM Bank proof-of-concept represents an important commercial signal for BTQ, indicating that demand for post-quantum migration among Korean financial institutions is beginning to move from policy discussion toward infrastructure-level implementation. As Korea advances both quantum technology policy and stablecoin-related regulatory discussions, BTQ believes QSSN is well positioned at the intersection of regulated finance, digital asset infrastructure, and post-quantum security.

About iM Bank
iM Bank is a South Korean commercial bank and a subsidiary of DGB Financial Group. Headquartered in Daegu, iM Bank presents itself as a financial companion for customers and traces its roots to Daegu Bank, which was established in 1967 as Korea’s first regional bank. For more information, please visit https://www.imbank.co.kr/

About Finger Inc. Group
Finger supplies and develops financial IT solutions to provide optimized money management strategies for employees and corporate customers. Providing “Smartphone Financial Services”, “Corporate Cash Management Services” for businesses, “Private Wealth Management Services” for private consumers.

Since the year 2000, Finger has accumulated a number of awards and patents regarding its businesses. Based on its Mobile Enterprise Application Platform(MEAP) Orchestra and its funds management system using screen-scrapping technologies, Finger was the first company in Korea to deliver a smartphone banking banking-service. For more information, please visit http://www.finger.co.kr/

About BTQ
BTQ Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BTQ | Cboe CA: BTQ) is a quantum technology company focused on accelerating the transition from classical networks to the quantum internet. Backed by a broad patent portfolio and deep technical expertise, BTQ is advancing a full-stack, neutral-atom quantum computing platform spanning hardware, middleware, and post-quantum security solutions for finance, telecommunications, logistics, life sciences, and defense.

Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Olivier Roussy Newton
CEO, Chairman
Neither Cboe Canada nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements herein 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 business plans of the Company, including with respect to its research partnerships, and anticipated markets in which the Company may be listing its common shares. Forward-looking statements or information often can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan” or “may” and the variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the development of post-quantum algorithms and quantum vulnerabilities, and the quantum computing industry generally. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes 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 are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include risks relating to: the availability of financing for the Company; business and economic conditions in the post-quantum and encryption computing industries generally; the speculative nature of the Company’s research and development programs; the supply and demand for labour and technological post-quantum and encryption technology; unanticipated events related to regulatory and licensing matters and environmental matters; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting blockchains); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to research and development activities; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/btq-technologies-qssn-selected-as-core-security-infrastructure-for-south-koreas-first-bank-led-krw-stablecoin-proof-of-concept-302763840.html

SOURCE BTQ Technologies Corp.

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Technology

Zimmer Biomet to Present at the BofA Securities 2026 Health Care Conference

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 6, 2026

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WARSAW, Ind., May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, today announced that members of the Zimmer Biomet management team will participate in the Bank of America Securities Health Care Conference on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with a fireside chat at 8:40 a.m. PT (11:40 a.m. ET).

A live audio webcast can be accessed via Zimmer Biomet’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.zimmerbiomet.com. It will be available for replay following the fireside chat.

About Zimmer Biomet 
Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.

With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation. 

For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zimmerbiomet or X at www.x.com/zimmerbiomet.

Contacts:

 

Media

Investors

Troy Kirkpatrick

David DeMartino

614-284-1926

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troy.kirkpatrick@zimmerbiomet.com

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NextLadder Ventures Announces Co-Founder Leadership Team, Investment Focus Areas For Over $1 Billion Initiative Empowering Americans with Personalized, Tech-Enabled Support Tools

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11 hours ago

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May 6, 2026

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New senior hires from Google and The Collaborative Fund to lead product strategy and venture investing

Fund unveils first investment focus areas to catalyze new ‘Navigation Technology’ market, equipping Americans with cutting-edge tools to achieve economic security, opportunity and empowerment

ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NextLadder Ventures, a new fund backed by more than $1 billion in capital, today announced its priority investment areas for building a new market for “Navigation Technology” (NavTech) — tools that provide Americans with personalized solutions to navigate life’s challenges and achieve greater economic mobility — and announced its co-founding team, including two new senior hires.

The fund’s active focus areas are based on extensive research identifying the key experiences and high-stakes decision points that have an outsized impact on American families’ economic mobility. Launched investment areas include financial health, career navigation, and benefits and social services access, with further exploration underway around housing, legal aid, justice and re-entry, and mental and physical health. 

The organization is also today welcoming two senior leaders: Lauren Loktev is joining NextLadder as Managing Director of Investments and Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink as Managing Director of Product. Loktev was most recently a partner at the Collaborative Fund, where she backed several breakout companies in early child development, education, and sustainability. Gosselink comes to NextLadder from Google, where she led the company’s AI and social impact portfolio. They join a growing team which has deep expertise at the intersection of economic mobility, technology, public policy, and philanthropy.

NextLadder’s Focus Areas for Investment

Today, the fund is kicking off a plan to deploy $1 billion over the next seven years to accelerate the design, development, and deployment of accessible NavTech tools that aim to help families more successfully navigate the major life experiences that determine whether they get ahead or fall behind. As NextLadder’s inaugural frontier AI lab partner, Anthropic is supporting the build-out of the organization’s AI-native capabilities and is offering technical assistance to NextLadder’s portfolio organizations. 

As an increasing proportion of Americans across income levels find themselves overextended and overwhelmed, NavTech tools are designed to help individuals and families understand their options, connect to information and resources, and take action to recover from a setback or take advantage of an opportunity and reclaim their economic futures.

“Life is getting harder, and too many Americans are stuck facing some of the most complex and consequential moments of their lives without much support,” said Ryan Rippel, CEO of NextLadder Ventures. “Every day, millions in this country face fork-in-the-road decisions that have major implications on whether they climb up the economic ladder or fall farther behind. AI has understandably intensified many Americans’ anxieties about their jobs and their security in the economy. But these technologies are now also making it possible to deliver highly personalized, affordable tools to meet the needs of tens of millions of Americans in a way that has never been practically achievable or financially viable before. With NavTech tools, built for the reality of families’ everyday experiences, we can empower Americans to overcome setbacks, navigate life’s toughest financial decisions, and build more secure futures.”

NavTech tools, built with the needs of individuals, families, and trusted community partners at the center of their design, have the potential to ease burdens most acutely faced by 90 million Americans who live in households that have difficulty in paying for usual home expenses, and turbocharge the capacity of the 1.6 million community workers in non-profit or local, state, and federal government roles who serve them. This growing category of digital technologies includes tools that help families access opportunities such as personalized financial advice and legal aid, get connected with available resources and programs, and manage unexpected hurdles like losing a job or facing an eviction – while freeing social workers and service providers to spend more time on people and less time on red tape and paperwork.

The fund’s active investment areas include:

Financial Health: Developing highly personalized, AI-powered financial health tools that can provide tailored, sustained counsel to help users build savings and protect and recover from financial shocks;
Career Navigation: Building tools to support career navigation, manage and support career transitions, and help workers, case managers, and employers identify pathways to living wage work — all designed to help people successfully find the right jobs for them.
Benefits & Social Services Access: Helping eligible Americans seamlessly identify and enroll in all the benefits and social services available to them, particularly those that support career navigation and transitions, help them navigate critical life moments, and achieve stability toward economic opportunity.

NextLadder is exploring additional focus areas, including housing, legal aid, justice and re-entry, caregiving, and mental and physical health. More on the organization’s vision of these focus areas is available HERE.

In addition to backing direct NavTech solutions, NextLadder is investing in the developers, partners, and standards required to build a durable, self-sustaining market. Across all focus areas, the fund is prioritizing efforts to ensure NavTech tools are reliable, protect users’ privacy, and are trusted by the families who depend on them.

NextLadder’s Co-Founder Leadership Team

NextLadder’s five co-founders will be CEO Ryan Rippel, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Rhett Dornbach-Bender, Chief of Staff Callie Schwartz, and the two new senior hires: Managing Director of Investments Lauren Loktev and Managing Director of Product Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink, rounding out the fund’s expertise in investing, technology, and impact.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lauren and Brigitte to the NextLadder team,” said Rippel. “Brigitte has spent her career proving that when applied purposefully, AI and technology can deliver meaningful benefits for communities, and she’ll set the bar for what NavTech tools can deliver for American families today and in the years to come. And with her deep experience backing mission-driven founders, Lauren is the perfect leader to build our venture practice from the ground up and accelerate the growth of the NavTech field. With this team in place, we’re positioned to make NavTech tools easier to build, fund, and access so they reach the people who need them most.”

Loktev brings 15 years of venture capital experience investing at the intersection of for-profit and for-good. Most recently at Collaborative Fund, she backed several companies to significant scale and launched Collab+Sesame, a first-of-its-kind thematic seed fund in partnership with Sesame Workshop focused on early childhood education. At NextLadder, she will build and lead the fund’s venture practice, sourcing and scaling investments in the founders building the next generation of NavTech tools.

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to help steer AI solutions toward those who need them most,” said Loktev. “Many amazing, accomplished founders see this too, and they are on a mission to build scalable, transformative businesses in the critical verticals that help people navigate life-changing moments. I couldn’t be more excited to join NextLadder and to support the most inspiring leaders building this market from the ground up. Thanks to our unique, long-term mandate, we can be creative and flexible in investing across stage and check size to partner with the entrepreneurs and leaders we believe will change the world.”

Prior to her role at NextLadder, Gosselink spent over a decade at Google in several roles including Director of AI and Social Impact, directing more than $500 million in funding for organizations applying AI to address challenges including crisis response, education, and economic opportunity. At NextLadder, she will lead AI and product strategy across the fund’s portfolio, backing solutions and setting market-wide standards for how NavTech tools are designed, evaluated, and improved over time.

“If we collectively harness the AI transformation strategically and purposefully, we can transform the way Americans are empowered to access greater economic mobility,” said Gosselink. “We believe that people-centered products, combined with shifts in the market and the services available to families, can fundamentally reshape how millions of Americans navigate critical moments and achieve prosperity on their own terms.”

To request interviews from the NextLadder Ventures leadership team, contact media@nextladder.com.

About NextLadder Ventures

NextLadder Ventures is a time-bound venture with one goal: empower millions of Americans to reach their potential by 2040. Backed by over $1 billion in capital, the organization invests in breakthrough technologies that remove barriers to economic success and put people in control of their futures. NextLadder Ventures is trailblazing a new market for tech-enabled Navigation Technology tools that help people access the resources they need to navigate pivotal moments — offering flexible, risk-tolerant capital to entrepreneurs building these transformative tools today, while creating a pipeline of tech, talent, and capital for the long run.

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SOURCE NextLadder Ventures

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