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OKX Launches xBTC on Aptos, Bringing 1:1 Bitcoin-Backed DeFi Onchain

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xBTC enables Aptos users to access wrapped Bitcoin backed 1:1 by OKX’s BTC reserves, with no minting or redemption fees.

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aptos Foundation, dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the Aptos protocol, today announced OKX will launch xBTC on the Aptos network. xBTC is a wrapped version of Bitcoin that is fully backed 1:1 by BTC held in custody by OKX and available to use on Aptos starting May 22.

Aptos users will be able to mint xBTC on OKX and seamlessly deposit or withdraw it on the Aptos network for use across a wide range of Aptos-native DeFi applications, including trading, lending, and other Web3 strategies. A special campaign will be launched on OKX in partnership with Hyperion, Echo Protocol and Aries Markets on May 23 at 3pm (UTC +8). Deeper integrations across the ecosystem are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

“Delivering seamless usability and access to onchain use cases is core to what we’ve been building at OKX,” said Jason Lau, Chief Innovation Officer at OKX. “By bringing xBTC to Aptos, we are keen to see Bitcoin holders put their BTC to work in fast, low-cost DeFi applications while enjoying the security and transparency they’ve come to expect from us.”

“Aptos was built for real-world open finance applications, and Bitcoin is the linchpin between traditional and decentralized finance markets,” said Ash Pampati, Head of Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. “Being one of the first blockchains to support xBTC is a testament to the network’s high performance, security, and scalability. This opens up new avenues for liquidity and ecosystem growth, while giving developers the confidence and tools to seize them.”

Unlocking New Utility for Bitcoin and Aptos DeFi

Bitcoin remains the most trusted and dominant crypto asset, but it has been largely excluded from smart contract ecosystems. xBTC changes that by allowing BTC holders to interact with DeFi on Aptos: a low-latency, scalable Layer 1 built for billions of users. With 1:1 collateralization and verifiable custody through OKX’s public proof-of-reserves platform, xBTC enhances Bitcoin‘s utility while maintaining transparency and user trust.

Aptos boasts a vibrant and thriving DeFi ecosystem with over $1 billion in total value locked (TVL). It is home to other BTC initiatives like aBTC (via Echo Protocol), which has nearly $270 million in TVL[1], reflecting strong momentum behind wrapped BTC assets. Building on this foundation, xBTC is poised to unlock even greater liquidity, cross-chain interoperability, and seamless access to DeFi protocols across the Aptos ecosystem.

About OKX
Trusted by more than 60 million customers around the globe, OKX is a technology company building a decentralized future that makes the world more tradable, transparent and connected. We’re known for being one of the fastest and most reliable crypto apps in the world, and have processed trillions of dollars in transactions.

We have key regional offices, including headquarters in San José, California, for the Americas and in Dubai for the Middle East. We also have offices in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Republic of Türkiye, Australia and Europe. Over the past several years, we’ve built one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory compliant, licensed crypto companies. We hold licenses in the United States, the UAE, EEA, Singapore and Australia, as well as in other markets.

We’re steadfastly committed to transparency and security and publish Proof of Reserves reports on a monthly basis. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com.

About Aptos
Aptos is a high-performance proof-of-stake layer-one blockchain. Aptos’ breakthrough technology, scalable infrastructure, and user safeguards are designed to power the next generation of financial systems by offering unparalleled high throughput and low latency that can scale to billions of users.

About Aptos Foundation
Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development and ecosystem of the Aptos protocol. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. For more information about Aptos Foundation and its initiatives, users can visit: www.aptosfoundation.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/okx-launches-xbtc-on-aptos-bringing-11-bitcoin-backed-defi-onchain-302462823.html

SOURCE Aptos Foundation

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The NYSE Welcomes vVARDIS as a Publicly Listed Company

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NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — vVARDIS (NYSE: VVVV) co-founders Dr. Haley Abivardi and Dr. Goly Abivardi aim to reshape the future of dental care with a drill-free treatment for the world’s #1 non-communicable disease: cavities.

vVARDIS Solves a Problem that Millions FaceTooth decay affects billions of people worldwide, and dental anxiety keeps millions from getting the care they need.vVARDIS is a Swiss dental technology company focused on changing the way early tooth decay is treated.vVARDIS has introduced a new approach that aims to treat decay earlier and more comfortably for patients.Its flagship product, Curodont® Repair Fluoride Plus, uses proprietary peptide technology to help repair early-stage tooth decay by supporting the natural remineralization of enamel — simply put No drill, No needle, or No filling.Tooth Decay is One of the Most Common Health Issues in the World2.5 billion people globally live with untreated tooth decay.Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have experienced tooth decay.Nearly 73% of U.S. adults report dental fear.21% avoid the dentist because of anxiety.The Story that Helped Shape vVARDISFor decades, treating early tooth decay often meant waiting until it worsened or getting a filling. The founders spent 25 years developing Curodont® Repair Fluoride Plus, a treatment that helps repair early tooth decay before it becomes a cavity.Curodont® gives dentists a way to treat early decay while making the experience easier and less intimidating for patients.The technology has already treated more than 2.5 million teethAvailable in more than 20% of U.S. dental practices

Click Here to Learn More about vVARDIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1p9hUR5Glk

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-nyse-welcomes-vvardis-as-a-publicly-listed-company-302939487.html

SOURCE New York Stock Exchange

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Innovative Immunology Biotech Windward Bio Lists on Nasdaq

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Windward Bio, a portfolio company of Qiming Venture Partners and a clinical-stage biotechnology company, successfully listed on Nasdaq on November 13, 2026. Windward Bio (Nasdaq: WWB) priced its IPO at $17.00 per share. Its shares closed at $28.50 on the first trading day, up 68% from the IPO price, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately $1.69 billion. This is Qiming Venture Partners’ 11th IPO in 2026.

Qiming Venture Partners invested in Windward Bio’s inaugural Series A financing in 2025 and continued to support the company in its Series B financing in 2026. Qiming also participated in this IPO financing round.

Windward Bio was founded in 2024 with a mission to transform the treatment paradigm for patients living with chronic inflammatory diseases through the development of differentiated biologic therapies targeting clinically validated disease pathways. Led by a team with extensive expertise across discovery, development, and commercialization, Windward Bio is advancing a pipeline of ultra-long-acting antibody medicines to improve clinical outcomes, reduce treatment burden and expand treatment options for patients with serious respiratory and dermatologic diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atopic dermatitis.

Windward Bio’s lead program, WIN378, is a potentially novel anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody engineered for improved potency and extended half-life. WIN378 is currently being evaluated in POLARIS-1, a Phase 2/3 study in severe uncontrolled asthma, and SIRIUS, a Phase 2 study in COPD. The company’s pipeline also includes WIN027, a clinical-stage, long-acting bispecific antibody targeting TSLP and IL-13 with potential applications across multiple inflammatory and immunological diseases. Windward Bio holds exclusive global rights (excluding Greater China and certain Asian countries) to WIN378 through a licensing agreement with Kelun-Biotech and Harbour BioMed, and has separately licensed WIN027 from Qyuns Therapeutics.

“Qiming Venture Partners invests in differentiated, globally competitive biotech innovation designed to address significant unmet needs for patients, and Windward Bio exemplifies this approach. We believe novel, long-acting biologics will reshape the treatment of severe chronic respiratory and skin diseases, and that WIN378 and WIN027 have the potential to expand and meaningfully improve the treatment options available to patients. In the hands of Luca and his team, with their expertise and proven track record, Windward is well-positioned to deliver on this potential, and we look forward to supporting the company through its next phase of growth,” said Alexander Sinclair Wilson, Principal at Qiming Venture Partners.

About Qiming Venture Partners

Qiming Venture Partners was founded in 2006. Currently, Qiming Venture Partners manages eleven US Dollar funds and seven RMB funds with $9.5 billion in capital raised. Since our establishment, we have invested in outstanding companies in the Technology and Healthcare industries at the early and growth stages.

Since our debut, we have backed over 630 fast-growing and innovative companies. Over 290 of our portfolio companies have achieved exits through IPOs at the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX, Shanghai Stock Exchange, or Shenzhen Stock Exchange, or through M&A or other means. There are also over 110 portfolio companies that have achieved unicorn or super unicorn status.

Many of our portfolio companies are today’s most influential firms in their respective sectors, including Xiaomi, Meituan, Bilibili, Zhihu, Roborock, Hesai Technology, UBTech, WeRide, HyperStrong, Insta360, Unisound, Biren Technology, Z.AI, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, Tigermed, Zai Lab, CanSino Biologics, Schrödinger, APT Medical, Sanyou Medical, AmoyDx, SinocellTech, Insilico Medicine, AusperBio, Yuanxin Technology, Medilink Therapeutics, LaNova Medicines, StepFun, among many others.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/innovative-immunology-biotech-windward-bio-lists-on-nasdaq-302939481.html

SOURCE Qiming Venture Partners

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WeFetch AI Corp. Is the New Name of GreenCore Solutions Corp.

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gtinfetch.ai, WeFetch.ai’s lead product, removes the guess from artificial intelligence (AI) shopping: the right barcode, and signed proof of it.

VANCOUVER, BC and LONDON, Nov. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WeFetch AI Corp., the artificial intelligence (AI) shopping company formerly named GreenCore Solutions Corp., has completed its change of name. The Registrar of Companies for British Columbia issued the Certificate of Change of Name on November 13, 2026.

One Answer for Every Barcode

An AI agent picks a product in words. The same words can match a dozen barcodes: the right brand in the wrong size, last year’s pack, a look-alike from another maker. When the agent guesses, the shopper gets the wrong product, the brand loses a sale it had already won, and the retailer pays for the return.

The Company’s lead product, gtinfetch.ai, removes the guess. It answers for 84,810,515 barcodes from 376,271 makers across 3,520,471 points of sale. An AI agent sends a barcode and gets a firm answer: verified, not verified or unknown, with the sources behind it.

Who it matters to:

The shopper gets the product they asked for.The brand keeps the sale the AI already gave it.The retailer does not pay for a wrong order.

A Signed Receipt of Every Check

When an AI agent buys on a shopper’s behalf, someone has to be able to show it bought the right product. Today nobody can: the agent’s choice leaves no record. gtinfetch.ai gives the agent a signed receipt of the check, written at rco.wefetch.ai and open to public verification. The retailer, the brand and the auditor can each see what was checked, when, and what the answer was. The mark is “Barcode verified”.

Three Regions, One Record

The full record now answers from France, Singapore and the United States. Every barcode also has its own free public page at gtinfetch.ai. The three regions are where AI shopping starts. Singapore has the highest consumer use of generative AI in Asia, at 64.3% of working-age people. France stands at 49.6% and the United States at 33.0%, against 18.8% worldwide. (Source: Microsoft AI Diffusion Report, Q2 2026.) They are also the home markets of the AI that shoppers ask: ChatGPT and Claude in the United States, Mistral in France, and Singapore among the top countries in the world for Claude use per head. (Source: Anthropic Economic Index.)

What we built

WeFetch.ai, the barcode fetch system for AI agents. It answers for 84 million products in 70 countries, with 3.5 million points of sale on its own record, and includes:

triggerfetch for brands;shopfetch for shoppers;matchfetch for AI agents;gtinfetch, the record itself.

It is AI native, and works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, Mistral, Perplexity and Muse. Every answer is signed.

“Words were the first generation of AI answers. Barcodes are agentic commerce,” said Matthew Keddy, Chief Executive Officer of WeFetch AI Corp. “Every AI agent that moves from search results to shopping needs barcode precision. wefetch has it, signed, in three regions.”

The market: Gartner forecasts $2.7 trillion in AI spending in 2026. McKinsey projects that AI agents will orchestrate $3 trillion to $5 trillion in global commerce by 2030, up to $1 trillion of it in US retail. Every one of those AI agent purchases needs the right barcode.

About WeFetch AI Corp.

WeFetch AI Corp. develops AI software products for AI shopping, retail, grocery and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Its lead product, gtinfetch.ai, is the AI agentic shopping barcode engine: 84 million barcodes, answered for the agents of seven AI labs. WeFetch is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with sales offices in London, UK. Please visit: wefetch.ai

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wefetch-ai-corp-is-the-new-name-of-greencore-solutions-corp-302939459.html

SOURCE Greencore Solutions Corp.

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