Connect with us

Technology

DeFi Technologies Inc. Announces Q3 2024 Financial Results: Year to Date Revenues of C$152.4 million (US$112.0 million), EBITDA of $102.3 million (US$75.2 million) and Net Income of C$97.2 million (US$71.4 million) and Notable Strategic Developments

Published

on

Total Revenues, EBITDA and Net Income: DeFi Technologies recorded Total Revenues of C$24.2 million (approximately US$17.8 million) and C$152.4 million (approximately US$112.0 million) for the three and nine months period ended September 30, 2024 and Net Income of C$24.9 million (approximately US$18.3 million) and C$97.2 million (approximately US$71.4 million) for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The Company also reports EBITDA of C$26.2 million (US$19.3 million) and C$102.3 million (US$75.2 million) for the three and nine months ended September 2024, reflecting its strong operational performance and robust revenue growth.Substantial Growth in Assets Under Management (AUM): AUM grew by 51.6% since December 31, 2023, to approximately C$770.5 million (US$570.8 million) as of September 30, 2024, driven by favorable market conditions, new product launches, and strategic corporate actions that enhanced trading volumes and overall financial performance. Since September 30, 2024, AUM has further increased to a record high of C$1.1 billion (US$785.4 million) as of November 13, 2024.2024 Outlook: Looking ahead, DeFi Technologies projects its annualized revenues for fiscal 2024 to reach approximately C$198.6 million (US$141.5 million), supported by ongoing AUM growth, upcoming ETP launches, and the integration of new acquisitions, which are poised to capitalize on the favorable conditions in the digital asset sector. Furthermore, the Company continues to evaluate additional Defi Alpha trading opportunities.

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – DeFi Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “DEFI“) (CBOE: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF), a financial technology company and the first and only publicly traded company that bridges the gap between traditional capital markets, Web3 and decentralised finance, announces its financial performance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (all amounts in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise stated).

Cash and Treasury Position

Cash and USDT Balance: As of September 30, 2024, cash and USDT balance of approximately C$25.4 million (US$18.8 million), up from C$6.8 million (US$4.2 million) on December 31, 2023.Treasury Holdings: As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s holdings included 204.3 BTC, 81.3 ETH, 246,683 ADA, 86,616 DOT, 5,745 SOL, 491 UNI, 433,322 AVAX and 2,755,203 CORE tokens, totaling approximately C$36.3M (US$26.9M).Venture Portfolio: Investments were valued at C$45.1 million (US$33.2 million) as of September 30, 2024.

Total Value of Cash, Treasury, and Venture Portfolio: C$106.8 million (US$78.9 million) as of September 30, 2024.

For the latest update on cash and digital asset treasury holdings as of October 31, 2024, see here.

Substantial AUM Growth

Valour’s ETP business reported AUM of C$770.5 million (US$570.8) as of September 30, 2024, a 51.6% increase from December 31, 2023, AUM of C$508 million. As of November 13, 2024, Valour’s AUM stood at a record high of C$1.1 billion (US$785.4 million), driven by favorable market conditions, new products, and strategic actions that enhanced trading volumes and financial performance.

Financial Highlights

Total Revenue: Total Revenues were C$24.2 million (US$17.8 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and C$152.4 million (US$112.0 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a significant improvement from the Total Revenues of C$6.0 million (US$4.4 million) and C$2 million (US$1.5 million) for the same respective periods in 2023.Net Income: Net Income was C$24.9 million (US$18.3 million) for the three months ending September 30, 2024, and C$97.2 million (US$71.4 million) for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, reflecting robust operational performance.EBITDA: EBITDA was C$26.2 million (US$19.3 million) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and C$102.3 million (US$75.2 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024Valour Staking/Lending & Management Fees: In Q3 2024, Valour generated staking and lending income of C$8.8 million (US$ 6.5 million) and management fees of C$2.0 million (US$1.5 million).DeFi Alpha Performance: In Q3 2024 DeFi Alpha generated C$20.6 million (US$14.7 million) with zero losses to date after reporting C$111.5 Million (US$82.0 Million) in Q2 2024 totaling C$132.1 million (US$96.7 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.Reflexivity Research: In Q3 2024, Reflexivity Research generated research revenue of C$261,741 (US$192,400) for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and C$1.1 million (US$810,197) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Strategic and Business Developments

Acquisitions and Partnerships:

DeFi Technologies acquired Stillman Digital Inc. and Stillman Digital Bermuda Ltd. (collectively doing business as “Stillman Digital”), a leading OTC desk and digital asset liquidity provider with over US$15 billion in trade volume since 2021, with US$5 billion of that occurring in Q2 2024 alone.DeFi Technologies and Professional Capital Management (led by Anthony Pompliano) partnered to enter and capitalize on opportunities in the fast-growing U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) market.DeFi Technologies and Zero Computing announced a strategic partnership over integrating validator, trading and ZK infrastructure.

ETPs and Geographic Expansion

Valour announced a landmark MOU with Nairobi Securities Exchange and SovFi to develop and launch Valour ETPs in Africa.Valour announced the launch of the Valour NEAR ETP on the Spotlight Stock Market in Sweden.

NASDAQ Listing Progress:

DeFi Technologies filed Form 40-F with the SEC in connection with its application to list its common shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

Expanded Digital Asset Treasury:

DeFi Technologies expanded its BTC treasury holdings and diversified into Solana, CORE, Uniswap, Cardano, Avalanche, Polkadot and started participating in CORE DAO Staking.

Comment from the CEO:

Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies, stated, “Q3 2024 reflects the significant strides DeFi Technologies has made toward becoming a leader in the digital asset space. With year-to-date revenues reaching C$152.4 million (US$112.0 million) and net income of C$97.2 million (US$71.4 million), we are among the very few profitable public companies in this sector, demonstrating the durability of our business model and the discipline of our strategic execution. This consistent profitability—combined with a strengthened balance sheet through the elimination of debt—is the foundation that allows us to accelerate growth initiatives and pursue even larger market opportunities.

We’ve strategically positioned Valour, our now debt-free subsidiary, to lead in regulated digital asset access, with a pipeline of new ETP launches planned and advanced discussions for expansion into high-growth regions like North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. With a product lineup expected to grow to 40 ETPs by year-end and to 100 by the close of 2025, Valour’s path forward is clearer and more compelling than ever. This expansion opens the door for millions of new investors to enter the digital asset market through secure, regulated channels, placing us at the forefront of democratizing access to digital assets globally.

The acquisition and integration of Stillman Digital further highlights our commitment to building a comprehensive ecosystem. By bringing liquidity provision, trade execution, and institutional digital asset services in-house, the Company is enhancing its trading capabilities and paving the way for new revenue streams in Custody, Foreign Exchange, and Proprietary Trading. This acquisition will enable DeFi Technologies to deliver more value to institutional clients while reinforcing our DeFi Alpha trading desk with Stillman’s expertise and expanding our reach into additional high-demand markets.

Our optimism for the future is buoyed by strong industry tailwinds. With Bitcoin reaching all-time highs, we expect continued asset appreciation to translate into larger revenues for the Company. Additionally, we anticipate a favorable regulatory landscape with the potential for a crypto-friendly administration in the U.S. as we work towards our Nasdaq cross-listing. These trends are likely to catalyze further interest and investment in the digital asset market, underscoring the value of our offerings and reinforcing our leadership position in the industry.

In an environment where market fluctuations can make some investors hesitant, we are proud to say that DeFi Technologies has achieved steady, substantial growth. Our assets under management (“AUM”) have increased by over 900% from the market lows in late 2022, reflecting both our adaptability and the rising demand for digital assets. This robust growth in AUM and the additional revenue from our DeFi Alpha strategy reinforce our commitment to generating sustainable value, with a forecasted C$198.6 million (US$141.5 million) in revenue for 2024.

DeFi Technologies is setting a new standard in the digital asset sector by merging stability, innovation, and accessibility. As a company at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets, we are uniquely equipped to capture the opportunities emerging within this rapidly transforming landscape. With a clear roadmap, solid financial standing, and an expanding product suite, we are positioned to deliver substantial long-term value for our shareholders and remain steadfast in our commitment to drive the future of finance.”

Outlook for Q4 2024:

The outlook that follows supersedes all prior financial outlook statements made by the Company, constitutes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a number of risks. Actual results could vary materially as a result of numerous factors, including certain risk factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Please see “Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information” and “Financial Outlook Assumptions” below for more information.

Valour

The Company has experienced significant revenue growth since Q1 2024. Valour’s ETPs have witnessed over a 900% increase in AUM from the market lows in late 2022, alongside growth in trading volumes. Valour’s AUM stood at approximately C$770.5 million (US$570.8 million) as of September 30, 2024, and a record high of C$1.1 billion (US$785.4 million) as of November 13, 2024.

The Company’s staking and lending income, changes in gains and losses on digital assets and ETP payables, as well as management fees, are closely correlated with capital inflow for Valour’s ETPs and the price of digital assets underlying Valour’s ETPs, which has continued to grow since the end of 2023. Furthermore, revenue from arbitrage and liquidity provision is highly linked to overall market activity and turnover in Valour’s listed ETPs.  The Company also formed DeFi Alpha in Q2 2024, which generated approximately C$132.1 million (US$96.7 million) as of September 30, 2024. Given these factors, the Company’s annualized revenue is forecasted to be approximately C$198.6 million (US$141.5 million) for 2024. Further growth in AUM may lead to proportional revenue increases. In Q3 2024, Valour earned 8.12% of AUM in staking and management fees, based on staking an average of 67% of AUM of C$753 million (US$537 million). With recent AUM growth, an improved product mix, and strong performance from the Company’s treasury portfolio, DeFi Technologies is well-positioned to capture additional revenue growth.

For Q4 2024, it is anticipated that new ETP launches, a stronger ETP mix, and continuous inflow of funds into Valour’s ETPs, along with additional trading opportunities identified and executed by DeFi Alpha, integration of Stillman Digital and Reflexivity and further accretive acquisitions, will continue to add to Company revenues. The Company aims to close the year with approximately 40 ETP products, with an additional 60 planned for 2025, as we capitalize on favorable macro fundamentals for the digital asset ecosystem.

Nasdaq Listing

On September 16, 2024, the Company filed a Form 40-F Registration Statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in connection with its application to list its common shares on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The listing of the Company’s common shares on the Nasdaq remains subject to the approval of the Nasdaq and the satisfaction of all applicable listing and regulatory requirements, including Form 40-F being declared effective by the SEC. The Company continues to progress its application to list its common shares on the Nasdaq.

ETPs and Geographic Expansion

Valour is actively expanding its product lineup to meet the rising global demand for regulated digital asset products. Currently offering 28 ETPs, Valour aims to increase this to 40 by the end of 2024 with an ambitious goal of reaching 100 ETPs by the end of 2025. In addition to broadening its product portfolio, Valour is pursuing regulatory approvals to enter new markets, including North Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other emerging regions, to provide investors in these regions with secure access to digital assets.

DeFi Alpha Strategy

The DeFi Alpha strategy has proven instrumental in enhancing the Company’s financial resilience. Having generated C$111.5 million (US$82.0 million) in Q2 and C$20.6 million (US$14.7 million) in Q3, with zero losses to date, this arbitrage-focused approach has strengthened the Company’s financial position, facilitating debt repayment and supporting the deployment of a robust digital asset treasury strategy. The Company continues to assess multiple arbitrage opportunities, reinforcing its commitment to maximizing returns while mitigating risks in a volatile digital asset landscape.

Elimination of Debt

As of October 16, 2024, Valour has successfully eliminated all outstanding debt. This achievement culminated with a final repayment of C$5.5 million (US$4 million) on October 16, 2024, bringing total debt reduction to US$36.5 million since May.

This milestone underscores Valour’s strong financial standing and disciplined approach to capital management. With a debt-free balance sheet, Valour is now positioned to allocate resources more effectively toward growth and innovation, further establishing itself as a leader in accessible digital asset investment solutions.

While Valour is now debt-free, DeFi Technologies retains a remaining loan balance of C$8.1 million (US$6 million) with Genesis Global Capital LLC (“Genesis”). This balance is expected to be resolved upon the completion of Genesis’s bankruptcy proceedings, further enhancing DeFi Technologies’ strategic financial standing.

Importantly, the debt elimination was achieved without issuing new equity or incurring additional debt, underscoring the Company’s disciplined cash flow management. This reduction in interest liabilities enhances DeFi Technologies’ flexibility to capitalize on emerging revenue opportunities within the digital asset space.

Integration of Stillman Digital

DeFi Technologies has successfully acquired Stillman Digital, a leading digital asset liquidity provider with over US$20 billion in trade volume since 2021, including US$5 billion in Q2 2024 alone. Stillman Digital specializes in electronic trade execution, market making, and OTC block trading, offering a suite of digital asset products and services to institutional clients.

This acquisition directly aligns with DeFi Technologies’ strategic goals of enhancing trading capabilities and diversifying its customer base and revenue streams. By internalizing trading flows from portfolio companies like Valour, DeFi Technologies will leverage Stillman Digital’s expertise to strengthen and expand its global operations. Additionally, the acquisition bolsters Stillman Digital’s institutional growth strategy by providing access to DeFi Technologies’ network, balance sheet, and distribution channels.
 Looking ahead, Stillman Digital plans to expand into new business areas, including Custody, Foreign Exchange, and Proprietary Trading, with support from DeFi Technologies. These new segments are expected to drive significant future growth, capitalizing on Stillman Ditigal’s established expertise and DeFi Technologies’ expansive reach.
 For 2024, Stillman Digital anticipates revenue of approximately USD$6.7 million (C$9.3 million) with ~50% net margins, marking an average annual growth of 127% over the last two years (a 230% increase from 2022 to 2023, followed by a 25% increase from 2023 to 2024). This year has been pivotal for consolidating growth, launching Stillman Digital Bermuda to serve international clients, and implementing major technology upgrades that will enhance competitiveness in 2025. These upgrades are expected to go live in Q1 2025 which will set the infrastructure for future growth.

With DeFi Technologies’ support, Stillman Digital’s growth rate is projected to increase further in 2025 as it begins to leverage DeFi‘s distribution network, strengthened by key business development support from partners.

Earrings Conference Call

The DeFi Technologies Q3 2024 webcast will commence at 12:00 p.m. ET, Friday, November 15, 2024.

To register for the live webcast, please visit this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__QSot0GtTC-06IIyrkLIZg

Supplemental Materials and Upcoming Communications

The Company has made available on its website materials designed to accompany the discussion of its results, along with certain supplemental financial information and other data. For important news and information regarding the Company, including investor presentations and the timing of future investor conferences, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website: https://defi.tech/investor-relations.

Analyst Coverage of DeFi Technologies

A full list of DeFi Technologies analyst coverage can be found here: https://defi.tech/investor-relations#research.

Upcoming Conferences & Events

November 19–20, 2024: Roth 13th Annual Technology Conference, New York City

Wednesday, Dec. 11th, 2024: Benchmark 13th Annual Discovery One-on-One Investor Conference, New York City

Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures

To supplement the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”), the Company uses EBITDA, a non-IFRS measure, to provide additional information in order to assist investors in understanding the Company’s financial and operating performance. EBITDA is not a recognized measure for financial presentation under IFRS, does not have a standardized meanings and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public companies.

EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure that is defined as net income or loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization of property and equipment, right-of-use assets and other intangible assets.

The non-IFRS and other financial measures used herein be considered as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with IFRS. See the financial tables below for a reconciliation of the non-IFRS measures.

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF) is a financial technology company that pioneers the convergence of traditional capital markets with the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). With a dedicated focus on industry-leading Web3 technologies, DeFi Technologies aims to provide widespread investor access to the future of finance. Backed by an esteemed team of experts with extensive experience in financial markets and digital assets, we are committed to revolutionizing the way individuals and institutions interact with the evolving financial ecosystem. Follow DeFi Technologies on Linkedin and Twitter, and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/

About Valour

Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour”) issues exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets like Bitcoin in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (OTC: DEFTF).

In addition to their novel physical backed digital asset platform, which includes 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Carbon Neutral ETP, 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, and 1Valour Internet Computer Physical Staking, Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour’s existing product range includes Valour Uniswap (UNI), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), Solana (SOL), Avalanche (AVAX), Cosmos (ATOM), Binance (BNB), Ripple (XRP), Toncoin (TON), Internet Computer (ICP), Chainlink (LINK) Enjin (ENJ), Valour Bitcoin Staking (BTC), Bitcoin Carbon Neutral (BTCN), Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 (VDAB10) and 1Valour STOXX Bitcoin Suisse Digital Asset Blue Chip ETPs with low management fees. Valour’s flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first fully hedged, passive investment products with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as underlyings which are completely fee free.

For more information on Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates and financial information, visit valour.com.

About Reflexivity Research

Reflexivity Research LLC is a leading research firm specializing in the creation of high-quality, in-depth research reports for the bitcoin and digital asset industry, empowering investors with valuable insights. For more information please visit https://www.reflexivityresearch.com/

About Stillman Digital

Stillman Digital is a leading digital asset liquidity provider that offers limitless liquidity solutions for businesses, focusing on industry-leading trade execution, settlement, and technology. For more information, please visit https://www.stillmandigital.com

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: 
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the financial results of the Company; revenue outlook of the Company; revenue generation by DeFi Alpha; integration of Reflexivity Research and Stillman Digital; appreciation of digital asset prices; listing of the common shares of the Company on Nasdaq; investment and interest in the digital asset sector;  future collaborations and partnerships; development of ETPs; geographic expansion of the Company; acquisition by the Company; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour exchange traded products by exchanges; ability of the Company to successfully integrate and grow Reflexivity Research and Stillman Digital; growth and development of DeFi and digital asset sector; rules and regulations with respect to DeFi and digital asset; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Financial Outlook Assumptions

The financial outlook on revenue of the Company is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions related to inflation, changes in interest rates, volatility of the digital asset market, current and projected market prices of digital assets, in particular the digital assets underlying the Company’s ETPs, the Company’s ability to realize staking and lending income from digital assets held by the Company, the ability of DeFi Alpha to generate yield on the Company’s excess liquidity and identify and execute accretive trading opportunities, the return realized by the Company on staking and lending income, the return on management fees earned by the Company, ongoing subscriptions of Reflexivity Research, trading volumes of Stillman Digital, successful implementation of technological upgrades at Stillman Digital, consumer interest in the Valour’s ETPs, foreign exchange rates and other macroeconomic conditions, the regulatory environment with respect to ETPs and digital assets in the jurisdictions that the Company operates in, introduction of future ETPs, “black swan events” in the digital asset industry, competitors that offer competing ETP products and market acceptance of the Company’s ETP offerings. The Company’s financial outlook, including the various underlying assumptions, constitutes forward-looking information and should be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement on forward-looking information above. Many factors may cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks and uncertainties related to: macroeconomic factors affecting the digital asset industry, including inflation, changes in interest rates, investor confidence in digital assets; volatility of the digital assets and fluctuation in market value of digital assets; exchange rate fluctuations; any pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the mpox virus; fraud, misconduct or gross negligence by individuals within the digital asset industry; a negative regulatory environment with respect to digital assets; the Russian invasion of Ukraine and reactions thereto; the Israel-Hamas war and reactions thereto; the Company’s inability to attract purchasers of its ETPs; decrease in AUM as a result of investor selling the Company’s ETPs or a fall in the value of the underlying digital assets; Valour’s inability to launch attractive ETPs; the Valour’s inability to increase ETP sales; the Company’s inability to implement our growth strategy; the Company’s reliance on a small number of custodian and market participants to operate its ETP programs; decrease in the number of subscribers to Reflexivity Research; decrease in the number of trades or fees generated by Stillman Digital; the Company’s ability to prevent and manage information security breaches or other cyber-security threats; the Company’s ability to compete against competitors; strategic relations with third parties; changes to technologies on which ETPs are purchased and sold is reliant; Valour’s ability to distribute ETPs in jurisdictions it is not currently operating in; the Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and protect our intellectual property; The Company’s ability to execute on its acquisition strategy; the Company’s liquidity and capital resources; pending and threatened litigation and regulatory compliance; changes in tax laws and their application; the Company’s ability to expand its sales, marketing and support capability and capacity; and maintaining our customer service levels and reputation. The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide the reader with a description of management’s expectations regarding our financial performance and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

THE CBOE CANADA EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/defi-technologies-inc-announces-q3-2024-financial-results-year-to-date-revenues-of-c152-4-million-us112-0-million-ebitda-of-102-3-million-us75-2-million-and-net-income-of–c97-2-million-us71-4-million-and-notable-st-302306400.html

SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Technology

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

Published

on

By

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

646-531-6115

troy.kirkpatrick@zimmerbiomet.com

david.demartino@zimmerbiomet.com

Kirsten Fallon

Zach Weiner

781-779-5561

908-591-6955

kirsten.fallon@zimmerbiomet.com

zach.weiner@zimmerbiomet.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zimmer-biomet-to-present-at-the-bofa-securities-2026-health-care-conference-302763299.html

SOURCE Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

Continue Reading

Technology

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

Published

on

By

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.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextladder-ventures-announces-co-founder-leadership-team-investment-focus-areas-for-over-1-billion-initiative-empowering-americans-with-personalized-tech-enabled-support-tools-302764095.html

SOURCE NextLadder Ventures

Continue Reading

Trending