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CIB and partners to invest $165 million to expand broadband service in Manitoba

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Approximately 7,800 households in underserved rural communities to benefit

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TORONTO, June 22, 2026 /CNW/ – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Valley Fiber Ltd. (Valley Fiber) have formalized their agreement to expand high-speed internet service in rural Manitoba.

Under the terms of the agreement, the CIB will loan $26.9 million towards the approximately $165 million project. Valley Fiber will be responsible for all aspects of construction, installation, operations and maintenance of the new broadband service.

The project involves deployment of 1,224 km of fibre-optic cable, allowing high-speed internet access to approximately 7,800 underserved households with dedicated fibre-to-the-home in rural municipalities, including four First Nations communities.

Broadband service is critical to Canadians’ daily lives. It is essential for our quality of life, for everyone who owns small businesses, goes to school and wants to stay connected to family and friends.

The CIB’s financing solutions allow broadband connectivity to expand at a quicker pace while enabling Indigenous and rural customers to benefit from the same services as urban counterparts.

Due to the low population density and current lack of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, the cost of connection per household is very high. The CIB’s financing rates allow broadband connectivity to expand in unserved and underserved communities at a quicker pace at more affordable rates to Indigenous and rural customers.

The project will include last-mile infrastructure with underground fibre cables and networking equipment. The service will offer broadband speeds up to one gigabit per second, enhancing telecommunications services for residents, businesses and public service delivery.

During the construction phase, up to 800 jobs will be created within Valley Fiber. This investment partnership represents the second collaboration between the CIB and Valley Fiber to expand internet service in rural and remote Manitoba.

Endorsements

The CIB’s loan towards this broadband project will help close the connectivity gap in rural communities and First Nations across Manitoba. Through our partnership with Valley Fiber, we are supporting ways to increase connectivity and helping communities participate fully in Canada’s digital economy.
Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

Strong connectivity is essential for communities to participate fully in today’s digital economy. This project with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank will help expand reliable internet access to rural, remote and Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba, opening the door to new opportunities and a better quality of life.
Hon. Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

High-speed Internet isn’t a luxury; it’s essential and foundational infrastructure. For rural and remote areas in Manitoba, having a reliable connection levels the playing field and can make all the difference in being able to access vital virtual health care, work online or just keep in touch with loved ones. That’s why the federal government has made a historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadian households to high-speed Internet by the end of 2026, and 100% of households by 2030. As part of this effort, this investment will provide reliable high-speed Internet access to approximately 7,800 underserved homes in communities across Manitoba.
Hon. Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River

High-speed internet is critical infrastructure that helps communities grow and thrive. Through this partnership with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, more rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Manitoba will gain access to reliable broadband connectivity. Investments like this help close infrastructure gaps, create new opportunities and ensure Canadians can stay connected no matter where they live.
Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Member of Parliament for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

Valley Fiber was borne from the need for a made-in-Manitoba solution for high-speed internet connectivity in underserved areas of our province. Our business, and the hundreds of rural Manitobans we employ and contract, are a testament to what can happen when more people have access to reliable high-speed internet. It creates and sustains jobs, it boosts economies, and it improves quality of life. We are proud to expand our fibre-optic network to more Manitobans.
Ryan Klassen, CEO, Valley Fiber

Learn More:

Valley Fiber

SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank

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National Book Store Partners with Anchanto to accelerate success across Online Channels & 260+ Retail Locations

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Philippines’ largest bookstore chain, National Book Store Inc., has selected Anchanto’s software to unify its webstores, marketplaces and physical store operations onto a single platform; setting a new benchmark for omnichannel retail in the country and becoming the go-to destination for Filipino shoppers.From any screen to any store, customers will enjoy faster deliveries and a consistent shopping experience at every touchpoint.Through this partnership, National Book Store is now poised to confidently expand its omnichannel commerce operations while keeping complexity in check. Efficient real-time stock management and seamless handling of higher order volumes help control operational costs and open new avenues for revenue growth.

MANILA, Philippines, June 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At a recent signing ceremony, National Book Store, Inc. partnered with Anchanto to strengthen its omnichannel operations and support continued growth in online order volumes. Having experienced success with Anchanto’s platform through a reseller partner, National Book Store is now deploying the products, Anchanto’s Order Management System (OMS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS) to unify operations across its 260+ retail stores and e-commerce channels.

The partnership enables National Book Store to keep pace with the growing demand for omnichannel shopping in the Philippines, ensuring customers are served quickly and accurately whether they order through a marketplace, their website, or walk into one of their stores.

Anchanto’s products will centralise order management, synchronise inventory in real time across locations, and integrate smoothly with National Book Store’s existing SAP and point-of-sale systems, helping simplify operations and support the business as it scales.

National Book Store teams can better coordinate inventory between online and offline channels, manage multiple online storefronts, and maintain consistent service levels while handling growing order volumes more efficiently. The solution also provides guaranteed uptime and dedicated support to help sustain National Book Store’s high-volume operations.

Adrian Ramos, President & CEO of National Book Store, said “With our earlier experience with the platform, we’ve validated Anchanto’s capabilities and are thrilled to move forward with a direct partnership. This allows us to connect our retail stores, warehouses, online channels, and existing SAP systems into one unified ecosystem, an essential step to sustaining our e-commerce momentum and strengthening our omnichannel presence across the Philippines.”

Vaibhav Dabhade, CEO of Anchanto, added, “National Book Store is an iconic Philippine retailer. We’re excited to support their next phase of growth with our strong local expertise in the Philippines, backed by experience working with large enterprise retailers across multiple global markets. Together, we look forward to helping National Book Store simplify operations, strengthen its omnichannel capabilities, and continue delivering great shopping experiences to customers across the country.”

About Anchanto 

Anchanto is a global B2B SaaS technology company equipping Logistics Service Providers, Brands, and Retailers with enterprise-grade omnichannel commerce and supply chain capabilities. Headquartered in Singapore, Anchanto supports businesses through local teams in the Philippines, across Southeast Asia, and 9 other countries in the Middle East and Europe. The platform offers ready integrations with more than 200 logistics providers, marketplaces, and commerce systems. Trusted by 360+ enterprise customers, Anchanto processes over 200 million orders annually and manages operations for 700+ warehouses globally.

Media Contacts: Charles Py | Chief Marketing Officer – Anchanto | Email ID: charles.py@anchanto.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2998404/Anchanto_National_Book_Store.jpg

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KuCoin Australia MD James Pinch at DECON 2026: Exchanges Are Becoming the Infrastructure Behind Everyday Commerce

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SYDNEY, June 22, 2026 /CNW/ — James Pinch, Managing Director of KuCoin in Australia, was invited to speak at Digital Economy Conference (DECON) 2026 in Sydney, joining Ashima Chaudhary, Vice President at Mastercard Australia, for a fireside chat titled “From Programmable Money to Everyday Commerce: Unlocking the Next Payment Era.” Moderated by Yasmine Amani, Head of Account Management at Banking Circle, the session explored how fiat, cards, stablecoins and digital assets are converging through multi-rail infrastructure to support the next phase of global commerce.

Representing KuCoin, Pinch shared how exchanges are evolving beyond trading platforms into infrastructure providers connecting liquidity, payments, and stablecoins to real-world utility. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience in financial services and digital assets, he noted that KuCoin’s approach in Australia reflects a broader global strategy: building responsibly within evolving regulatory frameworks while connecting KuCoin’s global product suite with the licensing, compliance and operating standards required in each market.

Pinch noted that the launch of KuCard in Australia reflects the ongoing evolution of digital asset adoption. For eligible users, KuCard enables supported crypto assets to be used more seamlessly for everyday spending through Mastercard’s global network, delivering a familiar payment experience while helping integrate digital assets into established consumer payment habits.

Crypto does not succeed by remaining just an investment; it succeeds by morphing to also encompass other real world use cases like payment methods. Our role is to build an ecosystem where people talk about the technology less and simply use it for everyday life – like paying for coffee or bills – just as they do with a traditional bank card today,” said Pinch.

The discussion also addressed trust, compliance, security and consumer protection as core requirements for mainstream adoption. Pinch emphasized that as digital assets become more embedded within the broader financial system, strong governance, regulatory engagement and resilient infrastructure will remain essential to building long-term trust. He also highlighted KuCoin’s significant investment in highly skilled cybersecurity and infrastructure expertise, noting that protecting users and maintaining resilient systems must remain a top priority for major platforms, as it does for KuCoin.

Looking ahead, Pinch said artificial intelligence will be one of the key forces shaping the next stage of digital finance, particularly as commerce, payments and financial decision-making become increasingly automated. He pointed to KuCoin’s ongoing investment in crypto-native AI initiatives, saying, “When we look at an e-commerce business now, anyone can buy a domain, anyone can set up a website, and they can find a supplier. Where we start to see this fall apart is when we look at the payment function of this automation. It is not possible or at least very difficult to automate around fiat banking for this purpose, as it incurs delays and a range of other challenges, this is where KuCoin plays a unique role in this adaptation of disruptive technology.” Which is exactly what KuCoin has taken on, designing systems that support how users, developers and intelligent agents access market intelligence, on-chain information and crypto capabilities.

Pinch concluded that over the next three to five years, crypto payments may become less visible as a technology and more natural as a financial behaviour, with KuCard truly leading the way. “KuCard as a product, I think we talk about it less, right? If you think about just a typical card payment, no one talks about using the card and how they have a CBA card or how it’s a Mastercard. They just pay for a coffee, they pay the bills, whatever it may be. And we might abbreviate it when it comes to crypto, but we’ll stop talking about it, “said Pinch.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certifications. In recent years, KuCoin has built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets.

Learn more:www.kucoin.com

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SOURCE KuCoin

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TurboFlow Raises $6 Million Seed Led by Pantera Capital to Bring Institutional Trading Infrastructure to Everyday Users

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TurboFlow makes sophisticated trading simple, fair, and accessible

TurboFlow has processed $19.15B in total trading volume across 14.54k + total usersThe round is led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Susquehanna Crypto and Digital Currency Group (DCG)TurboFlow provides retail users with access to professional-grade market infrastructure through a transparent, high-liquidity platform that’s simple, fair, and accessible, built for the next generation of global traders

SINGAPORE, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TurboFlow, an on-chain trading ecosystem designed to bring institutional-grade market access to everyday users, today announced the closing of a $6 Million seed funding round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Susquehanna Crypto and Digital Currency Group (DCG).

The funding will support TurboFlow’s mission to democratize access to sophisticated trading products by combining perpetual contracts and prediction markets within a single high-performance platform. Both categories are surging: according to CoinGecko Research, crypto perpetual futures volume climbed from $4.14 trillion to $7.24 trillion year-over-year by January 2026, while according to Artemis data, prediction market volumes grew nearly 4X in 2025 to $64B and are on pace to exceed $325B in 2026, with analysts projecting volumes could exceed $1.1 trillion by 2030.

The two markets are converging: perps let traders express a continuous view on an asset’s price, while prediction markets let them express a continuous view on an event’s outcome, two sides of the same underlying instinct to price uncertainty in real time. As that line between categories disappears, TurboFlow is built for exactly this shift, pairing institutional-grade infrastructure with an intuitive, consumer-focused platform that unifies both products into a single venue. The company will use the capital to expand product development, strengthen liquidity infrastructure, and accelerate global user growth.

“Our vision is simple: everyone deserves a seat at the table,” said Tony He, Founder of TurboFlow. “For too long, the best trading opportunities and infrastructure have been reserved for institutions. TurboFlow combines the simplicity consumers expect from modern apps with the liquidity, execution quality, and risk management systems traditionally available only to professional market participants. With the support of Pantera, Susquehanna Crypto, and DCG, we’re accelerating our mission to make powerful financial markets accessible to anyone, anywhere.”

TurboFlow is pioneering what it calls “high-velocity event trading” — a new approach to prediction and derivatives markets designed for speed, accessibility, and ease of use. The platform enables users to participate in markets with entry thresholds as low as $2 while benefiting from institutional-quality liquidity and pricing.

“Financial markets work best when participation is broad and access is equitable,” said Paul Veradittakit, Managing Partner at Pantera. “TurboFlow’s vision of making institutional-grade trading infrastructure available to anyone, anywhere aligns with our belief that blockchain technology can create more transparent and inclusive markets. With strong early traction and a clear product vision, we believe TurboFlow is building an important piece of the future of on-chain trading.”

Key features of the platform include:

Fast Settlements: Optimized infrastructure designed to support short-duration event contracts and rapid capital efficiency.Accessible Participation: Low minimum trade sizes that reduce barriers to entry for users worldwide.Consumer-First Design: A streamlined trading experience that abstracts blockchain complexity while preserving transparency and self-custody principles.

TurboFlow believes the convergence of prediction markets and perpetual trading represents a significant opportunity to create more efficient, transparent, and accessible financial markets. As the platform grows, the company plans to expand partnerships across the broader digital asset ecosystem and provide developers with access to its liquidity and risk infrastructure.

“This funding represents more than capital,” added He. “It’s validation that the future of trading should be more open, more intuitive, and more accessible. We’re building the infrastructure that allows anyone—not just institutions—to participate in global markets on equal footing.”

To learn more, visit the TurboFlow website and follow them on X.

About TurboFlow
TurboFlow is an on-chain trading ecosystem at the intersection of perpetual contracts and prediction markets. Built on the belief that trading should be simple, fair, and accessible, TurboFlow provides retail users with access to professional-grade market infrastructure through a transparent, high-liquidity platform designed for the next generation of global traders.

Media Contact
pr@tf.xyz

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SOURCE TurboFlow

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