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Vapotherm Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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EXETER, N.H., Aug. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vapotherm, Inc. (OTCQX: VAPO), (“Vapotherm” or the “Company”), today announced second quarter 2024 financial results and related highlights.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Related Highlights

Net revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $16.9 million, an increase of 5.3% as compared to the second quarter of 2023Disposables revenue increased by 13.9% as compared to the second quarter of 2023U.S. disposables revenue increased by 25.9% as compared to the second quarter of 2023Gross margin in the second quarter of 2024 was 49.1% as compared to 42.8% in the second quarter of 2023For the second quarter of 2024, GAAP operating expenses were $17.6 million and non-GAAP cash operating expenses, as defined below, were $12.1 millionGAAP operating expenses increased by $0.5 million from the second quarter of 2023Non-GAAP cash operating expenses decreased by $2.1 million from the second quarter of 2023Adjusted EBITDA loss in the second quarter of 2024 was $2.9 million as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $6.4 million in the second quarter of 2023The Company’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents were $2.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2024

“I’m pleased our U.S. disposables revenue grew by nearly 26% over the second quarter of 2023 and our worldwide disposables revenue grew by nearly 14% over the same period,” said Joseph Army, President and CEO. “We are seeing increased adoption of our technology on COPD patients since the results of the HYPERACT study were presented at the 2024 Critical Care Congress.”

Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024

The following table reflects the Company’s net revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

Amount

% of Revenue

Amount

% of Revenue

$

%

Revenue

Capital (product & lease revenue)

$

3,061

18.1

%

$

3,646

22.7

%

$

(585)

(16.0)

%

Disposables

12,442

73.7

%

10,927

68.1

%

1,515

13.9

%

Service and other

1,381

8.2

%

1,464

9.2

%

(83)

(5.7)

%

Total net revenue

$

16,884

100.0

%

$

16,037

100.0

%

$

847

5.3

%

Net revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $16.9 million and increased 5.3% over the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to U.S. disposables revenue growth of 25.9% over the second quarter of 2023, which was driven by increased unit volume and adoption of the Company’s HVT 2.0 platform.

Revenue information by geography is summarized as follows:

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

(in thousands, except percentages)

Amount

% of Revenue

Amount

% of Revenue

$

%

United States

$

13,323

78.9

%

$

11,847

73.9

%

$

1,476

12.5

%

International

3,561

21.1

%

4,190

26.1

%

(629)

(15.0)

%

Total net revenue

$

16,884

100.0

%

$

16,037

100.0

%

$

847

5.3

%

Net revenue in the United States for the second quarter of 2024 was $13.3 million and increased 12.5% over the second quarter of 2023 primarily due to U.S. disposables revenue growth. Net revenue in International markets for the second quarter of 2024 was $3.6 million and decreased 15.0% over the second quarter of 2023 due to a decrease in disposables revenue in distributor markets.

Gross profit and gross margin for the second quarter of 2024 was $8.3 million and 49.1%, respectively, as compared to gross profit of $6.9 million and gross margin of 42.8% for the second quarter of 2023. The increases in gross profit and gross margin were primarily due to the improved efficiency of our Mexico operation.

Total operating expenses were $17.6 million in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of $0.5 million as compared to the second quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP cash operating expenses, which exclude merger-related costs, gain on disposal of property and equipment, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and gain from deconsolidation were $12.1 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $14.2 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to merger-related costs, partially offset by the Company’s Path to Profitability initiatives. The decrease in non-GAAP cash operating expenses was primarily due to the Company’s Path to Profitability initiatives.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $14.3 million, or $2.22 per share, compared to $14.8 million, or $2.34 per share, in the second quarter of 2023. Net loss per share was based on 6,442,763 and 6,328,222 weighted average shares outstanding for the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA was negative $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2024 as compared to negative $6.4 million for the second quarter of 2023. The reduction in Adjusted EBITDA loss was primarily due to the Company’s Path to Profitability initiatives.

Cash Position

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents were $2.9 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to $9.7 million as of December 31, 2023.

Website Information

Vapotherm routinely posts important information for investors on the Investor Relations section of its website, http:// investors.vapotherm.com/. Vapotherm intends to use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with Vapotherm’s disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of Vapotherm’s website, in addition to following Vapotherm’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Vapotherm’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP operating expenses and non-GAAP cash operating expenses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differ from net income as calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and non-GAAP operating expenses and non-GAAP cash operating expenses differ from operating expenses as calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA represents net loss less interest expense, net, income tax provision or benefit, and depreciation and amortization, and Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as further adjusted for the merger-related costs, impact of foreign currency (loss) gain, stock-based compensation expense, gain from deconsolidation and gain on disposal of property and equipment. Non-GAAP operating expenses is calculated by excluding from GAAP operating expenses merger-related costs, gain on disposal of property and equipment, and non-GAAP cash operating expenses is calculated by further excluding additional items, including stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and gain from deconsolidation. The Company has reconciled all historical non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in tables accompanying this release.

These non-GAAP financial measures are presented because the Company believes they are useful indicators of its operating performance. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, as measures of the Company’s operating performance and for planning purposes, including the preparation of the Company’s annual operating budget and financial projections. The Company believes these measures are useful to investors as supplemental information because they are frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in its industry. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to its management and investors as a measure of comparative operating performance from period to period.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or superior to, net income or loss as a measure of financial performance or cash flows from operations as a measure of liquidity, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. They should not be construed to imply that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use, as it does not reflect certain cash requirements such as tax payments, debt service requirements, capital expenditures and certain other cash costs that may recur in the future. Adjusted EBITDA contains certain other limitations, including the failure to reflect our capital expenditures, cash requirements for working capital needs and cash costs to replace assets being depreciated and amortized. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in the Adjusted EBITDA presentation. The Company’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. Management compensates for these limitations by primarily relying on the Company’s GAAP results in addition to using Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures on a supplemental basis. The Company’s definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP operating expenses and non-GAAP cash operating expenses are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to different methods of calculation.

About Vapotherm

Vapotherm, Inc. (OTCQX: VAPO) is a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of advanced respiratory technology based in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA. The Company develops innovative, comfortable, non-invasive technologies for respiratory support of patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders. Over 4.5 million patients have been treated with the use of Vapotherm high velocity therapy® systems. For more information, visit www.vapotherm.com.

Vapotherm high velocity therapy is mask-free non-invasive respiratory support and is a front-line tool for relieving respiratory distress—including hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and dyspnea. It allows for the fast, safe treatment of undifferentiated respiratory distress with one tool. The HVT 2.0 and Precision Flow systems’ mask-free interface delivers optimally conditioned breathing gases, making it comfortable for patients and reducing the risks and care complexities associated with mask therapies. While being treated, patients can talk, eat, drink and take oral medication.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the statement about the Company’s belief regarding an increased willingness to use the Company’s technology on COPD patients. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “plan,” “intend,” “will,” “outlook,” or “typically,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words, and the use of future dates. Each forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: Vapotherm’s proposed merger with Veronica Merger Sub, Inc. and Vapotherm’s ability to satisfy the conditions to closing or otherwise complete the merger on a timely basis or at all and the impact the pending merger may have on Vapotherm’s current plans and operations, including potentially diverting management’s attention from our business; the effects of the merger (or the announcement or pendency thereof) on Vapotherm’s future business and financial and operating results, its ability to retain key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, manufacturers, suppliers, employees (including the risks relating to the ability to retain or hire key personnel), other business partners or governmental entities, and the risk and outcome of legal proceedings related to the merger; Vapotherm’s ability to raise additional capital to fund its existing operations and debt service obligations; Vapotherm’s ability to comply with its financial covenants, execute on its path to profitability initiative, convert excess inventory into cash and fund its business and otherwise continue as a going concern through 2024; Vapotherm has incurred losses in the past and may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability in the future; risks associated with its manufacturing operations in Mexico; Vapotherm’s dependence on sales generated from its High Velocity Therapy systems, competition from multi-national corporations who have significantly greater resources than Vapotherm and are more established in the respiratory market; the ability for High Velocity Therapy systems to gain increased market acceptance; Vapotherm’s inexperience directly marketing and selling its products; the potential loss of one or more suppliers and dependence on its new third party manufacturer; Vapotherm’s susceptibility to seasonal fluctuations; Vapotherm’s failure to comply with applicable United States and foreign regulatory requirements; the failure to obtain U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authorization to market and sell future products or its inability to secure, maintain or enforce patent or other intellectual property protection for its products; the impact of COVID on its business, including its supply chain; risks in holding Vapotherm stock in light of trading on the OTCQX tier of the OTC Markets; and the other risks and uncertainties included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vapotherm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024, and subsequent SEC reports. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Vapotherm’s views as of the date hereof, and Vapotherm does not assume and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

VAPOTHERM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)

June 30, 2024

December 31, 2023

(unaudited)

Assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,904

$

9,725

Accounts receivable, net of expected credit losses
   of $240 and $160, respectively

8,563

10,672

Inventories, net

23,295

22,968

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

2,259

3,058

Total current assets

37,021

46,423

Property and equipment, net

23,592

23,703

Operating lease right-of-use assets

2,911

3,372

Restricted cash

1,109

1,109

Goodwill

561

565

Deferred income tax assets

56

57

Other long-term assets

2,677

2,388

Total assets

$

67,927

$

77,617

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$

4,381

$

5,053

Contract liabilities

1,258

1,237

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

22,913

12,805

Current portion of loans payable, net

118,406

Total current liabilities

146,958

19,095

Long-term loans payable, net

107,059

Other long-term liabilities

2,288

6,797

Total liabilities

149,246

132,951

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ deficit

Preferred stock ($0.001 par value) 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
   issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Common stock ($0.001 par value) 21,875,000 shares authorized as of
   June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 6,241,958 and 6,165,806
   shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and
   December 31, 2023, respectively

6

6

Additional paid-in capital

496,083

492,764

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

(106)

91

Accumulated deficit

(577,302)

(548,195)

Total stockholders’ deficit

(81,319)

(55,334)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

$

67,927

$

77,617

 

VAPOTHERM, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

(unaudited)

(unaudited)

Net revenue

$

16,884

$

16,037

$

36,018

$

33,768

Cost of revenue

8,601

9,177

18,078

20,696

Gross profit

8,283

6,860

17,940

13,072

Operating expenses

Research and development

3,328

3,723

6,960

7,710

Sales and marketing

6,732

8,276

13,874

17,868

General and administrative

3,768

5,019

8,240

10,789

Merger-related costs

3,723

3,723

Impairment of right-of-use assets

432

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

(1)

(2)

(9)

53

Total operating expenses

17,550

17,016

32,788

36,852

Loss from operations

(9,267)

(10,156)

(14,848)

(23,780)

Other (expense) income

Interest expense

(4,944)

(4,642)

(14,197)

(8,973)

Interest income

1

26

6

54

Foreign currency (loss) gain

(43)

9

(39)

(145)

Net loss before income taxes

$

(14,253)

$

(14,763)

$

(29,078)

$

(32,844)

Provision for income taxes

18

25

29

34

Net loss

$

(14,271)

$

(14,788)

$

(29,107)

$

(32,878)

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(35)

(22)

(197)

113

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

(35)

(22)

(197)

113

Total comprehensive loss

$

(14,306)

$

(14,810)

$

(29,304)

$

(32,765)

Net loss per share – basic and diluted

$

(2.22)

$

(2.34)

$

(4.52)

$

(5.76)

Weighted-average number of shares used in calculating net
   loss per share, basic and diluted (1)

6,442,763

6,328,222

6,436,631

5,705,607

(1) On August 18, 2023, the Company effected a 1:8 reverse stock split for each share of common stock issued
and outstanding. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split.

 

VAPOTHERM, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Cash flows from operating activities

Net loss

$

(29,107)

$

(32,878)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

Stock-based compensation expense

3,290

5,405

Depreciation and amortization

2,528

2,445

Provision for credit losses

110

(2)

Provision for inventory valuation

73

283

Non-cash lease expense

461

733

Impairment of right-of-use assets

432

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment

(9)

53

Placed units reserve

234

418

Interest paid in-kind

4,918

4,553

Non-cash interest expense

4,931

620

Amortization of discount on debt

429

368

Deferred income taxes

29

34

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

1,986

212

Inventories

(407)

7,646

Prepaid expenses and other assets

506

(2,794)

Accounts payable

(579)

(315)

Contract liabilities

23

72

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

2,045

(3,460)

Operating lease liabilities, current and long-term

(1,288)

(1,213)

Net cash used in operating activities

(9,827)

(17,388)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property and equipment

(2,662)

(1,408)

Net cash used in investing activities

(2,662)

(1,408)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and pre-funded warrants and
   accompanying warrants in private placement, net of issuance costs

20,943

Proceeds from loans, net of discount

5,820

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

3

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

1

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

12

77

Net cash provided by financing activities

5,833

21,023

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(165)

35

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(6,821)

2,262

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

Beginning of period

10,834

16,847

End of period

$

4,013

$

19,109

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

Interest paid during the period

$

3,557

$

2,720

Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

732

$

175

Issuance of common stock warrants in conjunction with long term debt

$

16

$

71

Issuance of common stock for services

$

155

$

117

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table contains a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

Net loss

$

(14,271)

$

(14,788)

Interest expense, net

4,943

4,616

Provision for income taxes

18

25

Depreciation and amortization

1,224

1,197

EBITDA

$

(8,086)

$

(8,950)

Merger-related costs

3,723

Stock-based compensation

1,456

2,585

Foreign currency loss (gain)

43

(9)

Gain from deconsolidation

(5)

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

(1)

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(2,865)

$

(6,381)

The following table contains a reconciliation of operating expenses to Non-GAAP operating expenses and Non-GAAP cash operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

GAAP operating expenses

$

17,550

$

17,016

Merger-related costs

(3,723)

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

1

2

Non-GAAP operating expenses

13,828

17,018

Stock-based compensation

(1,423)

(2,534)

Depreciation and amortization

(262)

(293)

Gain from deconsolidation

5

Non-GAAP cash operating expenses

$

12,143

$

14,196

 

Supplemental Operating Metrics

June 30,

2024

2023

Change

Amount

Amount

Amount

%

HVT 2.0 and precision flow units installed base

United States

24,992

24,563

429

1.7

%

International

12,975

12,729

246

1.9

%

Total

37,967

37,292

675

1.8

%

Three Months Ended June 30,

2024

2023

Change

Amount

Amount

Amount

%

HVT 2.0 and precision flow units sold and leased

United States

193

293

(100)

(34.1)

%

International

99

146

(47)

(32.2)

%

Total

292

439

(147)

(33.5)

%

Disposable patient circuits sold

United States

82,290

69,323

12,967

18.7

%

International

29,634

35,744

(6,110)

(17.1)

%

Total

111,924

105,067

6,857

6.5

%

 

Investor Relations Contacts:

John Landry, SVP & CFO, ir@vtherm.com, +1 (603) 658-0011

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Galaxy Digital Inc. Announces Pricing of $3.507 Billion of Senior Secured Notes

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NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY) (“Galaxy” or the “Company”), a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, today announced that its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Galaxy Helios Data Centers II LLC (the “Issuer”), has priced a $3.507 billion private offering (the “Offering”) of 9.875% senior secured notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Offering is expected to close on July 28, 2026, subject to market and other conditions.

The Issuer intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to finance a portion of the development and construction of two buildings containing eight data halls with a combined total of 400 megawatts (“MW”) of utility capacity and 260 MW of critical IT capacity (the “Project”) to be built on an approximately 260-acre property in Dickens County, Texas and to fund debt service reserves.

The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 9.875% per annum payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2027 and will mature on August 1, 2031. The Notes will amortize at a rate of 4.00% per annum of the original principal amount subject to adjustment, with amortization payments payable semi-annually with the first payment date to occur at least ten months after the completion of the Project.

The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Galaxy Helios II LLC, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of the Issuer (the “Guarantor”), and will constitute the senior secured obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantor. The Notes and related note guarantee will be secured by first-priority liens on (i) substantially all assets of the Issuer and the Guarantor, other than certain excluded property and (ii) all equity interests of the Issuer held by the direct parent company of the Issuer.

The Offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the Offering may be completed.

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Notes will be offered only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Galaxy

Galaxy Digital Inc. (Nasdaq: GLXY) is a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, delivering solutions that accelerate progress in finance and artificial intelligence. Our digital assets platform offers institutional access to trading, advisory, asset management, staking, self-custody, and tokenization technology. In addition, we develop and operate cutting-edge data center infrastructure to power AI and HPC workloads. Our 1.63 GW Helios campus in Texas positions Galaxy among the largest and fastest-growing data center developers in North America. The Company is headquartered in New York City, with offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the completion, size and timing of the Offering, the terms of the Notes and the intended use of proceeds. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, including market interest rates, the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the Offering and risks relating to the Company’s business, including those described in periodic reports that the Company files from time to time with the SEC. The Issuer may not consummate the proposed Offering described in this press release and, if the proposed Offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding the final terms of the Offering or the Notes or its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an

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BEIJING, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on the Long March, and what it means for China today:

 

Every journey has a destination.

But some destinations become the beginning of something even greater.

This is Yan’an.

Over 90 years ago, an army of soldiers embarked from Yudu, Jiangxi Province, on a journey that would go down in history.

They crossed snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands and raging rivers, eventually arriving in northern Shaanxi.

Across this grueling 12,500-kilometer journey, they wrote a magnificent epic in human history with willpower and courage.

Here, their Long March came to a victorious end. But a new chapter of history was only beginning.

In Yan’an, the Red Army found time to recover and rebuild, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China regrouped, gathering strength for the next chapter.

Here, new ideas were debated, new strategies were shaped, and a vision for China’s future gradually took form.

Today, while preserving its revolutionary legacy, Yan’an has grown into a vibrant, modern city — with a greener environment, thriving industries and happier lives for its people.

Nearly 90 years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow came to northern Shaanxi, seeking to uncover a story that few outside China knew. He later chronicled it in his book “Red Star Over China,” which carried the story of the Long March to the world.

Today, people from around the world are once again retracing those steps.

As part of China International Communications Group (CICG)’s “Together on the Long March” international communication project, participants have spent more than a month retracing the route across six key regions.

From Jiangxi to Shaanxi, they followed the Red Army’s journey and witnessed the remarkable changes that have taken place along the way.

I asked them one simple question: What does this journey mean to you?

Zhavier Harris, marketing and communications manager at the Springfield Urban League, said conversations with local residents and descendants of the Red Army made history feel far more immediate than he had expected.

He said history isn’t as distant as we often think. “We’re only one or two generations from these great sacrifices that led to the development and the greatness that we see from the Communist Party of China and China as a whole.”

David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor at Foreign Languages Press under CICG and a recipient of the 2021 Chinese Government Friendship Award, said the journey deepened his understanding of the Long March.

He said the journey helped him understand not only the historical facts, but also what the Red Army endured. “If you see the Long March merely as a military campaign, it ended in Yan’an. But as a spirit, it has never truly come to an end.”

We came to retrace history. We leave with something more: a deeper understanding of China’s past, a clearer view of its present, and perhaps a greater appreciation for the stories that connect us across cultures.

Edgar Snow called the Long March “an Odyssey unequalled in modern times.” He believed that what sustained it was a flame — consisting of an undimmed ardor, an undying hope and an amazing revolutionary optimism.

Ninety years later, that flame still burns.

Passed down through generations, the spirit of the Long March continues to light China’s path forward.

And as it crosses borders and cultures, it offers the world a glimpse of a nation defined by resilience, perseverance and an enduring drive to move forward.

China Mosaic
http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm 

The Finish Line that Changed China: Retracing the Long March to Yan’an
http://www.china.org.cn/video/2026-07/23/content_118614941.shtml

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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Visa and Lianlian Advance Trusted B2B Agentic Commerce Through LoopXPay’s First Live B2B Agentic Transaction

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First live B2B agentic transaction in Greater China highlights how AI-enabled commerce can help SMBs streamline purchasing and payments, supported by Visa’s Agentic Directory for trusted AI agent interactions

SINGAPORE, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian”), an AI-native global financial infrastructure provider, today announced the first live B2B agentic transaction completed using LoopXPay, Lianlian’s AI agent. 

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) often lack dedicated procurement teams and spend valuable time sourcing, purchasing and making payments themselves. In the transaction, the LoopXPay agent was used to source a product sample from a supplier and complete the purchase in a single workflow. The agent identified the purchasing requirement, recommended suitable suppliers, compared options, placed the order and securely executed the payment within a single workflow, while operating within pre-defined spending controls and approval parameters.

The milestone highlights how AI-powered commerce experiences can help SMBs simplify purchasing and payment activities while maintaining appropriate controls and oversight. By enabling AI agents to operate within pre-defined spending parameters and approval controls, businesses can reduce manual effort while retaining visibility into commercial decision-making.

As AI agents become more involved in purchasing and payment activities, businesses will require confidence that transactions are being executed by verified participants, within approved parameters and with appropriate oversight. Capabilities aligned with Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol can help provide the identity, transparency and controls needed to support these interactions.

As part of the collaboration, LoopXPay has been registered in Visa’s Agentic Directory, enabling participating businesses and merchants to identify verified AI agents within the ecosystem. Supporting the implementation of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol, the Agentic Directory helps provide greater transparency into agent-driven interactions and confidence that participating agents have met Visa’s requirements.

“AI-powered commerce experiences can help businesses simplify purchasing and payments while maintaining the controls and oversight they require,” said Darren Parslow, Global Head, Visa Commercial Solutions, Visa. “For SMBs, that means less complexity in managing day-to-day commercial activities and more time focused on growth. As businesses increasingly look to embed intelligence into purchasing and payment experiences, trust will become a critical enabler of adoption. Through our collaboration with Lianlian, we are helping advance the trusted foundations that businesses will need to participate in this next era of commerce with confidence.”

Building on this milestone, Visa and Lianlian are exploring how AI agents can support a broader range of commercial activities, including procurement, digital advertising optimisation and B2B platform payments, helping advance trusted commerce through greater efficiency, transparency and control.

Zhang Zhengyu, Founder, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lianlian DigiTech, said, “AI is reshaping the entire commercial value chain, where a growing number of business activities will be autonomously executed by AI agents, with payments serving as the critical infrastructure connecting them to global commerce. Leveraging its experience in global cross-border payments, compliance, as well as payment network, LianLian is actively building AI-native financial infrastructure, delivering an integrated suite of capabilities for the Agent Economy, spanning identity verification, transaction authorisation, intelligent payment, and global fund settlement. Through this collaboration with Visa, we aim to combine Lianlian’s AI-native capabilities with Visa’s trusted global network and commercial payment expertise to help businesses transact more securely, intelligently and efficiently in an increasingly agent-driven commerce environment.”

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About Lianlian

Lianlian DigiTech Co., Ltd. (“Lianlian DigiTech” or “Lianlian”) was founded in 2009 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2024 (stock code: 2598.HK). As China’s leading global provider of digital and intelligent payment services, Lianlian adheres to its mission of “Connecting the world, empowering global commerce” and pursues an “AI-Native + Globalization” strategy. The Company is committed to building a trusted global intelligent financial infrastructure, enabling seamless connectivity between Chinese enterprises and global businesses.  As of now, Lianlian has established a global licensing portfolio comprising 68 payment licenses and related qualifications, and holds a VATP license issued by the Hong Kong SFC. It supports services in more than 200 countries and regions and enables transaction settlement in over 140 currencies, connecting over 180 global e-commerce platforms and serving a cumulative total of over 13.3 million customers. Learn more at www.lianlian.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/visa-and-lianlian-advance-trusted-b2b-agentic-commerce-through-loopxpays-first-live-b2b-agentic-transaction-302833916.html

SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited

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