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DeFi Technologies’ Subsidiary Valour Launches Zcash (ZEC) ETP

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Zcash ETP: Valour launches an exchange traded product providing price exposure to Zcash (ZEC), expanding regulated access to one of the digital asset ecosystem’s longest-standing privacy-focused networks.
 Traditional Market Access to ZEC: The ETP enables investors to gain exposure to ZEC through traditional brokerage accounts without the operational complexity of directly purchasing or storing digital assets.
 Expanding Valour’s Digital Asset Platform: The launch further expands Valour’s portfolio of more than 100 digital asset ETPs and reinforces its strategy of providing regulated access to a broad range of established and emerging digital asset protocols.

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ — DeFi Technologies Inc. (the “Company” or “DeFi Technologies”) (Nasdaq: DEFT) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (B3: DEFT31), a financial technology company bridging the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance  (“DeFi“), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Valour Inc., and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour”), a leading issuer of exchange traded products (“ETPs”) has launched the Valour Zcash (ZEC) SEK ETP.

The VALOUR ZCASH (ZEC) SEK ETP began trading on the Spotlight Stock Market on September 29, 2026, under the ISIN CH1108681763. The product provides investors with exposure to the price performance of Zcash (ZEC) through an exchange traded investment product accessible through traditional brokerage infrastructure.

The launch represents another expansion of Valour’s digital asset ETP platform and expands regulated European market access to an asset that has played an important role in the development of privacy-preserving blockchain technology.

About Zcash

Launched in 2016, Zcash is a decentralized digital currency and payment network designed to provide users with greater control over the privacy of their financial transactions.

Zcash was the first widespread application of zero-knowledge proof technology known as zk-SNARKs. Its shielded transaction architecture allows transactions to be validated by the network while protecting sensitive transaction information from public disclosure. Zcash supports both shielded transactions, which can protect transaction details, and transparent transactions that operate similarly to transactions on traditional public blockchains.

ZEC is the native digital asset of the Zcash network and is used to transfer value and pay transaction fees across the network.

The launch comes amid increased market attention toward privacy-preserving digital assets and expanding regulated investment access to ZEC across global capital markets.

“Zcash represents one of the most important early applications of zero-knowledge cryptography in digital assets, and interest in privacy-preserving blockchain infrastructure continues to grow,” said Johan Wattenström, Chief Executive Officer of DeFi Technologies. “Launching a Zcash ETP is exactly the type of product innovation Valour was built to deliver. We are giving investors access to an established digital asset through the same regulated, familiar market infrastructure they use to access traditional securities, while continuing to expand the breadth and differentiation of our product platform.”

“Zcash gives users the ability to transact privately using zero-knowledge cryptography, and we have seen growing interest in ZEC from both professional and Nordic retail investors,” said Jacob Lindberg, Chief Revenue Officer of Valour. “The demand for a listed product tracking ZEC has been clear. Bringing Zcash to Spotlight gives investors a familiar way to gain exposure through their existing brokerage infrastructure without having to purchase, store or manage the underlying digital asset directly.”

The launch follows Valour’s continued expansion across European and international markets and builds on a portfolio of more than 100 digital asset ETPs spanning major digital assets, Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks, decentralized finance protocols, staking products and other emerging blockchain ecosystems.

The VALOUR ZCASH (ZEC) SEK ETP carries a management fee of 1.9%.

About DeFi Technologies
DeFi Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: DEFT) (CBOE CA: DEFI) (GR: R9B) (B3:DEFT31) is a financial technology company building for the convergence of traditional capital markets and decentralized finance (“DeFi“). As a publicly listed and vertically integrated digital asset platform, DeFi Technologies provides familiar, simple, secure, and regulated access to the digital asset economy through investment products, trading and liquidity infrastructure, research, and strategic capital deployment. Its business includes Valour, a leading issuer of regulated digital asset ETPs; Stillman Digital, an institutional-grade digital asset trading and liquidity platform; and DeFi Alpha, the Company’s internal business line focused on opportunistic trading, arbitrage, and other capital markets strategies. With deep expertise across capital markets and emerging technologies, DeFi Technologies is building the gateway between traditional finance and the future of digital assets.  Follow DeFi Technologies on LinkedIn and X/Twitter, and for more details, visit https://defi.tech/ 

DeFi Technologies Subsidiaries

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 in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies. For more information about Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates, visit  https://valour.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 proposed listing of Valour’s ETPs and DeFi Technologies’ BDRs on B3, the expected timing of listing and trading, future expansion plans into Brazil and other regions, and anticipated investor demand for digital asset ETPs; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by the Company 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; growth and development of decentralised finance and digital asset sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralised finance and digital assets; fluctuation in digital asset prices; 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.

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

 

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SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc.

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Craig Group Hires Ryan Williams as Director of Business Development, Bringing 15+ Years of Private Markets Experience

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HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Craig Group today announced the addition of Ryan Williams as Director, Business Development, expanding the firm’s relationships across the private equity and venture capital ecosystem. In his role, Williams will partner with PE/VC firms and their portfolio companies to identify growth opportunities, make strategic connections, and bring Craig Group’s operator-led go-to-market (GTM) programs to middle-market, PE-backed companies.

Williams has spent his career in sales and business development leadership across private equity, venture capital, institutional investing, enterprise software, and technology. His network spans investment professionals, operating partners, portfolio-company executives, and C-suite decision-makers, and his relationship-first approach has consistently turned those connections into measurable business outcomes.

“Ryan understands that in private equity, growth starts with trust,” said Summer Craig, CEO of Craig Group. “He has spent his career building lasting relationships with sponsors and portfolio leadership, and he knows how to connect the right partners at the right time. That approach aligns with how we support our clients, and helps more sponsors put our operator-led GTM programs to work across their portfolios.”

Most recently, Williams served as Director of Private Equity/Venture Capital at Consero Global, where he worked closely with PE/VC firms and their portfolio companies on relationship development, deal sourcing, and strategic introductions. He previously led a Private Markets practice and managed a team of nine Account Executives, driving the team to exceed its annual target by 160% while increasing average deal size by 22%. Under his leadership, the team generated more than $6 million in net-new ARR and achieved 132% of quota, with his personal attainment reaching 121%.

Williams’ career highlights include securing Cascade Investments, the largest single-family office in the United States, and developing a partnership with a Managing Partner at Madison Dearborn Partners that resulted in a solution implemented across the firm’s portfolio of over 40 companies. Earlier, he was a seven-time consecutive President’s Club recipient, managed a $4 million book of business, and relocated from Chicago to Mexico City to launch his company’s Latin American division.

“Lasting growth comes from relationships built on trust, not transactions,” said Williams. “Craig Group’s operators run the work they scope, and that’s a promise I’m proud to bring to the sponsors and executives I’ve worked alongside for years. I’m excited to help create new opportunities for the firm and connect our clients with the growth partner they need.”

Williams holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Jackson State University.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tricia Eaton – tricia@craigmarketinggroup.com

About Craig Group

Craig Group is an operator-led growth partner that embeds with management teams to diagnose, design, and execute end-to-end GTM programs, accelerating revenue and EBITDA growth for lower-middle-market, PE-backed companies. The firm delivers full-spectrum strategy and execution (audits, positioning, infrastructure, and day-to-day campaign management) with no handoffs between consultants and agencies. Craig Group’s teams, former CROs, RevOps leaders, and subject-matter experts run the work they scope, and its Conduit Revenue Platform gives sponsors real-time visibility into pipeline health and marketing ROI. Sectors include industrials, manufacturing, SaaS, healthcare, and B2B services.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/craig-group-hires-ryan-williams-as-director-of-business-development-bringing-15-years-of-private-markets-experience-302891109.html

SOURCE Craig Group

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Rain-X® Reimagines Wiper Blade Installation with Industry’s First AI-Powered Web App

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New web-based experience delivers personalized installation guidance in seconds

HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Replacing a wiper blade should be simple. For many drivers, it is anything but. Today, Rain-X®, America’s #1 wiper blade brand, introduced the industry’s first AI-powered wiper blade web app installation experience, designed to make replacing wiper blades faster, easier and more intuitive through personalized, step-by-step guidance.

As vehicles have evolved and wiper arm designs have become more varied, what should take a few minutes can turn into sorting through adapters, unfolding hard-to-read instructions, or searching for the correct installation video. In fact, installation complexity has become one of the industry’s biggest challenges, with 56% of U.S. wiper blade consumers citing installation and instructions as their top pain point. Rain-X has spent years listening to consumers, giving the brand firsthand insight into one of the most common frustrations in routine vehicle maintenance and inspiring a new approach focused on making installation simple.

Drivers simply scan the QR code on Rain-X wiper blade packaging and point their smartphone camera at the wiper arm. Powered by AI and computer vision, the web app recognizes the wiper arm and delivers personalized, step-by-step installation guidance tailored to the driver’s specific vehicle. Instead of searching for the right video, sorting through instructions or guessing which adapter to use, drivers receive clear guidance in seconds, helping them complete the installation with confidence and get back on the road.

The new experience makes Rain-X the first brand in the category to offer an AI-powered web app for wiper blade installation, bringing a more intuitive approach to a routine vehicle-maintenance task.

“Installing wiper blades shouldn’t require a mechanic’s knowledge or a frustrating trial-and-error process,” said Soroor Rahnama, Head of Marketing at Rain-X. “We built this tool because every driver deserves a clear, confidence-building path to a simple task. That’s the whole idea – take something that’s always felt more complicated than it should be and make it easy and intuitive for everyone.”

Developed in partnership with Saritasa, the tool combines Rain-X’s deep understanding of consumer needs with advanced digital technology to create a more intuitive installation experience.

At launch, the web app supports installation guidance for 220 million vehicle applications, representing 93% of vehicles on the road, with coverage continuing to expand as additional applications are added.

The AI-powered installation experience began rolling out on select Rain-X wiper blade programs in late August, with availability expanding across all Rain-X wiper blade programs in the fall of 2026. By the end of the year, the guided experience will also expand to include uninstallation, giving drivers a complete, start-to-finish walkthrough for the wiper blade replacement process.

The launch marks another step in Rain-X’s ongoing commitment to making everyday vehicle maintenance easier, more intuitive and more accessible.

About Rain-X
Rain-X is America’s #1 Wiper Blade brand. For over 50 years, Rain-X® has provided drivers with products to help them Outsmart the Elements ™. With our Original Glass Treatment™ water-beading technology, Wiper Blades and Glass Cleaners; Rain-X® leads the automotive aftermarket in glass care. In recent years, the Rain-X® portfolio has expanded to include other types of car care products such as our Car Washes, Windshield Repair Kits, Bug & Tar Removers, and Headlight Restoration Kits. All Rain-X® products are designed for effortless car care and deliver visible performance; the Magic You Can See.

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SOURCE Rain-X

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Norstella Launches Real-World Data Agentic Platform and First Agent to Replace Manual Cohort Building

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New agentic platform for real-world data debuts with its first agent, Atlas Patient Analytics, built on Norstella’s structured and unstructured RWD foundation — with additional agents on the way

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Norstella, the global biopharma commercial intelligence and data company, today launched its new agentic platform for real-world data.

The platform is built on Norstella’s curated, integrated real-world data asset and centralized delivery system. With it, teams have full transparency: They can pull data on demand, track every request from status updates to SLAs, and explore other data modalities across NorstellaLinQ to enrich their cohorts.

The platform’s agent, Atlas Patient Analytics, gives biopharma teams something the current wave of AI plus real-world data tools hasn’t delivered: not just an answer, but a defensible, reproducible cohort. Teams build, explore, and reuse patient cohorts on Norstella’s real-world data through natural conversation — and can see, verify, and rerun every criterion behind the result.

“Every breakthrough therapy starts with understanding the right patients,” said Kris Kaneta, Chief Product and Innovation Officer. “With our new agentic platform for real-world data, people doing the foundational work of cohort-building get swift, transparent access to the data they need. This shift is the difference between a therapy that reaches patients in need and one that doesn’t.”

Atlas Patient Analytics is built for real-world evidence (RWE), health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), feasibility, and data-science teams who already license Norstella real-world data but still depend on manual SQL and custom analyst pulls to turn that data into a usable cohort. It is also built for commercial analytics and market access teams who are looking to size a patient population themselves, without waiting on a data pull.

Unlike tools that pair real-world data with a general-purpose chat assistant and return a count with no visible logic, Atlas Patient Analytics shows the inclusion and exclusion criteria, code sets, and query logic behind a supported cohort and preserves that definition so it can be rerun and verified, not just recalled.

“Every real-world data vendor is going to tell you they’re fast,” said Ilan Behm, SVP of RWD and Commercial Strategy at Norstella. “Fast isn’t the differentiator anymore — everyone got fast. What matters is whether the answer is one you can stand behind. Norstella customers already license some of the richest real-world data in specialty and complex therapeutic areas — Atlas Patient Analytics turns that into a cohort you can defend, rerun, and take into your own environment, in the time it used to take to get a meeting on an analyst’s calendar.”

Atlas Patient Analytics is designed for teams that currently license Norstella real-world data, where the agent makes that data faster and easier to use, reuse, and expand. Key features include:

Built on NorstellaLinQ: Runs on Norstella’s real-world data foundation spanning more than 85 million EHR-covered lives, 350 million unique patients, and 3 billion clinical notes, with roughly seven years of linked patient historyConversational cohort building: Describe the population you need in plain language, refine the definition through dialogue, and review inclusion/exclusion criteria, code sets, and logic in an inspection-first view before running the analysisPortable by design: Cohort-level data and query logic move into your own environment — S3, SFTP, Snowflake Databricks — and it’s purpose-built on Norstella’s specialty real-world data in complex therapeutic areas, not a general-purpose AI layer on a one-size-fits-all data setCentralized delivery: Self-service, on-demand data delivery with full visibility into request status, data enhancements and SLA history”Bring your own code” lists: Upload custom code lists to shape a cohort definition around your own criteriaReproducible, not just recalled: Run a supported cohort to produce an authoritative patient count, attrition, and a standard descriptive profile, with the underlying definition and logic preserved so it can be rerun and reusedFeasibility without full access: Where permitted, preview feasibility across additional Norstella real-world data you don’t yet license, without gaining full access to itIntentionally flexible: Available now through a managed, conversation-led experience, with API access for dashboard feeds and a governed MCP access path for customer cloud and agent environments planned for later in 2026

Atlas Patient Analytics builds on the momentum of Norstella Atlas, the agentic platform that powers all of Norstella, and Atlas CI, the first agent on the platform, built for competitive intelligence teams. Atlas Patient Analytics extends that same agentic approach to real-world data and is one of roughly a half-dozen additional agents Norstella plans to bring to market across the platform before the end of the year, each purpose-built for specific biopharma teams and use cases.

“Atlas Patient Analytics is proof of where Norstella is headed,” said Kaneta. “But identifying the right patients is only the beginning. Biopharma teams need to understand those patients in depth — their treatment journeys, the HCPs treating them, and the clinical and access dynamics shaping their care. With Atlas and our AI development engine powering all that we do, we’re excited to bring a suite of AI agents to market that will provide value across the drug life cycle.”

Norstella will be demonstrating recently launched agents at BioTechX USA in Boston on Sept. 29 & 30.

About Norstella

Norstella is the AI company for biopharma’s highest-stakes decisions. A global life sciences company trusted by every Top 100 pharma company and industry experts the world over, Norstella unites market-leading brands — Citeline, Evaluate, MMIT, Panalgo, Skipta, and The Dedham Group — turning decision-grade data, insights and expertise into AI you can act on. Visit norstella.ai and follow us on LinkedIn for more.

Media Contact

Diffusion PR for Norstella, Norstella, 1 888-200-9288, norstella@diffusionpr.com, www.norstella.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/norstella-launches-real-world-data-agentic-platform-and-first-agent-to-replace-manual-cohort-building-302892781.html

SOURCE Norstella

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