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M1X Global Announces Further Funding Led by Paradigm, Totalling $8.5 Million

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Funding supports M1X Global’s continued development and the institutional rollout of USDM1, the first USD-denominated sovereign bond natively issued on a public blockchain secured 1:1 by US Treasuries

NEW YORK, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — M1X Global, a sovereign financial infrastructure and technology company helping governments bridge the transition to 24/7, programmable capital markets, today announced the close of a Seed funding round, just 14 weeks after its public launch and angel raise. The oversubscribed round was led by Paradigm, one of the largest and most prominent investment firms in frontier technologies, with strategic participation from Breed VC, and brings M1X Global’s total funding to $8.5 million.

As regulatory clarity and institutional interest accelerate the adoption of digital assets, M1X Global partners with governments to develop and implement new blockchain-based solutions. In its flagship public-private partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, M1X Global supported the Government in their issuance of USDM1, the first U.S. dollar-denominated secured sovereign bond natively issued on a public blockchain. USDM1 expands access to government aid and financial services in the Pacific. M1X helped coordinate the Government’s issuance and an ecosystem of partners including Cleary Gottlieb, Stellar Development Foundation, Anchorage Digital Bank, Guidepost, Inca Digital and Crossmint.

USDM1 combines the legal and economic structure of fully collateralized, USD-denominated sovereign debt with the programmability of digital assets, offering T+0 settlement, enforceable legal protections, and programmable transferability. It supports institutional use as eligible sovereign collateral in regulated 24/7 markets, and has been used in institutional working groups with major financial institutions and market infrastructure providers including Bank of America, Citadel Securities, Virtu Financial, Tradeweb, and DTCC. USDM1’s structure is bankruptcy-remote, supports look-through to HQLA and inclusion in legal netting sets as collateral.

Paradigm is known for backing category-defining companies across digital assets and other frontier technologies. Their interest and subsequent funding of M1X Global reflects growing conviction that sovereign financial infrastructure represents a critical next phase of blockchain adoption, bridging public markets, regulated institutions, and digital-native rails. BreedVC also participated in the round, reinforcing alignment from venture partners at the intersection of finance and technology.

Mark Lurie, CEO of M1X Global, said: “Paradigm’s investment is an important milestone for M1X Global, strengthening our ability to scale the infrastructure behind sovereign financial instruments and to accelerate the build-out of systems that can support their use across regulated markets. This support advances our capacity as we continue to see strong onboarding demand and institutional adoption of USDM1.”

Jordan Goldman, President and COO of M1X Global, said: “As USDM1 moves into institutional deployment, we have been seeing clear evidence of the ways sovereign instruments can deliver meaningful impacts in both domestic and institutional contexts. These assets can improve access to government services and also provide new sources of high-quality institutional collateral in 24/7 markets. This investment supports the expansion of M1X’s platform and of USDM1’s ability to meet institutional demand across regulated market infrastructure.”

Arjun Balaji, Partner at Paradigm, said: “24/7 markets require collateral that can move 24/7. USDM1 shows how sovereign debt can be issued natively onchain. M1X Global has assembled the rare mix of government, capital markets, and crypto expertise needed to bring this model to institutional scale.”

The raise also reflects confidence in M1X Global’s vision and founding team: Mark Lurie (CEO), Jordan Goldman (COO and President), and Robert Muller (President, Lomalo). Together, they bring deep expertise across finance, government, and digital assets.

Lurie, a successful repeat entrepreneur, most recently built a top-5 decentralized exchange through Shipyard Software, later acquired by Sushi Labs. Goldman, also a repeat entrepreneur, was an early C-suite executive at Genesis Trading, where he helped launch its custody and derivatives businesses and established the firm as the industry’s first digital asset prime brokerage. During his tenure, Genesis grew from $10 billion to over $300B in annual transactions. Muller brings senior international government experience, including service as Chief Secretary and an advisor to a Presidential Cabinet, with expertise across public-sector leadership and policy implementation.

Paradigm and Breed’s investment follows a period of growing institutional availability and adoption of USDM1, including institutional offerings through Anchorage Digital‘s federally regulated bank and tZERO‘s SEC-registered broker-dealer custodian, alongside Surus serving as a US trust company, maintaining a first-priority perfected security interest in US Treasury collateral for holders under the UCC. They join angel-round investors including Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase, and Tama Churchouse, CEO of Cumberland Labs, as well as advisors including Peter Dittus, former Secretary General of the Bank for International Settlements, Leon Marshall, former CEO of Europe at Galaxy Digital, and Jerry Archer, former CISO of Intuit and Sallie Mae.

About M1X Global

M1X Global is a sovereign financial infrastructure and technology company bridging public finance and on-chain capital markets. Operating in public-private partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, M1X coordinates legal, compliance, technology, custody and institutional infrastructure required to integrate sovereign digital instruments and global markets.

About USDM1:

USDM1 is USD-denominated sovereign debt issued natively on-chain by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, secured 1:1 by short-duration U.S. Treasury instruments held in bankruptcy remote custody. The RMI operates exclusively on the U.S. dollar standard under its Compact of Free Association with the United States, which establishes the dollar as its sole legal tender. For more, see the government’s white-paper “Financial Access and the Path to USDM1.”

USDM1 is structured in the style of a fully collateralized Brady bond under New York law, with an explicit customary waiver of sovereign immunity. USDM1 provides holders with claims secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in collateral. Unlike privately issued digital dollar instruments, USDM1 is structured as sovereign debt with collateral perfected under the UCC, enabling compatibility with ISDA netting frameworks and supporting inclusion in ISDA netting sets. As institutional-grade collateral, USDM1 supports integration in institutional margin, repo and financing workflows and operates within existing legal, accounting, and capital frameworks, improving capital efficiency and balance sheet treatment.

Cleary Gottlieb serves as issuer’s counsel and advised with respect to the structuring of the instrument under New York law with the participation of partners specializing in sovereign debt, UCC and secured transactions, creditors’ rights, netting and digital asset market infrastructure.

USDM1’s structure has been developed with legal analysis from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and accounting analysis prepared by Andersen.

Disclaimer:

The content of this communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to market, offer, or solicit you to buy or sell USDM1 or any financial product directly from M1X Global, Paradigm, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands or otherwise.

USDM1 is being offered and sold solely outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Republic of the Marshall Islands has not registered any offering of USDM1 under the U.S. Securities Act, or any other U.S. federal and state securities laws. Accordingly, USDM1 may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S), unless they are registered, or exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act.

Nothing in this communication should be construed as, or constitutes, a recommendation, by M1X Global, Paradigm, the Republic of the Marshall Islands or any third party, to acquire or dispose of USDM1 or any other security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Prospective investors are urged to carefully read the offering memorandum prepared in connection with the offering of USDM1 in its entirety, including all annexes, appendices, and supplements thereto, before making any investment decision. The offering memorandum contains important information regarding, among other things, the terms of the securities, the risks associated with an investment therein, and the financial condition and business of the issuer. Prospective investors are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for them based on their investment objectives and personal and financial situation. Prospective investors should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding their specific legal or tax situation.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/m1x-global-announces-further-funding-led-by-paradigm-totalling-8-5-million-302819734.html

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NEO high schools, more coverage than ever expected in 26-27, powered by uReport

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CLEVELAND, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Since its recent announcement, over 50 Cleveland DMA high schools have signed on to experience a rebirth in coverage for all school athletics and activities, with dozens more planning the onboarding process. DistrictWON is fully funding this effort for the entire 26-27 academic year for every high school in the 20 County DMA, representing over 270 high schools.

“Schools will now be able to publish real-time stories about everything from freshman basketball games, to marching band performances, to every other sport and activity. We look forward to students participating in this process and gaining incredible experiences through active journalism, media, tech and much more,” says Peter Fitzpatrick, CEO of DistrictWON & uReport.

uReport has earned important recognition with 1EdTech TrustedED Apps Certification for Data Privacy. This recognition highlights uReport’s commitment to safeguarding student and educator data while providing schools with a trusted platform for storytelling, communication, and responsible AI use. This adds to uReport’s existing listing within the ISTE Learning Technology Directory (International Society for Transforming Education).

“School leaders are paying attention to what is happening in Northeast Ohio. It is special to bring back coverage to thousands of events long forgotten and to provide exposure to activities that have never experienced the limelight. Their stories need to be heard and are important to get into the community,” says Peter Fitzpatrick, CEO of DistrictWON. “The platform is best-in-class, and schools can get their students involved in the coverage of everything, providing real-life experience and having lots of fun along the way.”

To learn more about DistrictWON’s plan to provide coverage, see this video: NEO High Schools – Full Coverage

School administrators can start immediately here: Easy Account Access

For more information, contact uReport Director of Customer Success, Dan McGrath: 216-647-3857; dmcgrath@districtwon.com

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ChatGPT is now in Viber

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Rakuten Viber and OpenAI Partner to Bring ChatGPT Directly into Messaging

SAN MATEO, Calif. and LONDON, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rakuten Viber is bringing ChatGPT directly to your fingertips. Through a new global partnership with OpenAI, Viber users can now access ChatGPT-powered tools for free and without leaving the app.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to use these tools in Viber. They are designed to make AI accessible to everyone, even if you have never used an AI assistant before. Whether you need to edit a photo, draft the perfect message, or find inspiration for a new recipe, these new features are just a tap away (usage limits apply).

Features to Help You Every Day

The following functionality, powered by ChatGPT, is now available to Viber users globally on iOS and Android, with desktop support coming soon:

ChatGPT in Viber as a dedicated contact and tab: Get a ChatGPT experience in a dedicated Viber chat. Ask or search anything, get help with a task, or think something through whenever you need to, without opening another app. You do not need a ChatGPT account to get started, but you can create one or log in to connect and get higher limits.Tag ChatGPT in any conversation: Bring ChatGPT into a conversation. Need ideas on where to watch the match? Ask @ChatGPT in a private or group chat to make suggestions. Type “@” and select ChatGPT as the first option in the menu to ask a question. Everyone in the chat can reply to ChatGPT’s response, so the conversation keeps moving. ChatGPT responses are visually distinct from other participants’ messages, so it’s always clear when a message comes from ChatGPT. Only the specific message you send or recent messages that mention ChatGPT are shared with ChatGPT, not any context from the rest of your conversation.Image Remix: Reimagine your photos. Powered by ChatGPT Images, you can now edit and personalize photos directly in your 1:1 and group chats. Change the style, add a twist, or turn a regular photo into something that marks a special occasion. Viber also added a set of ready-made templates to get you started instantly. Select the Remix button and let your imagination run wild.Link Summary: ChatGPT can summarize the key points from a shared article, blog post, or document – just tap the button under a link. This feature is enabled by default in all group chats.Chat Summary: Easily catch up on busy chats. With one tap, you receive a private summary of the conversation – visible only to you – to help you stay on top of important details or agreed actions, whether you are planning a school trip or catching up on work updates.Polish Messages: Not sure how to say something important? Tap the pen icon in any chat, community or channel (excluding comment threads), to rewrite your message for the right tone and clarity before you send it. Rest assured: others will not see that you used the polish tool.Translate Message: Break down language barriers instantly. Whether you are chatting with a local business while on holiday or sending a birthday wish to a colleague in their native language, translation is just a tap on the pen icon away.

To start using these features, update your Viber app to the latest version. To use Image Remix, simply log in to ChatGPT within the app, or create a free account within the app with a quick and easy, one-time process (no paid subscription required). All other tools are ready to use immediately with no registration or sign-up needed.

“We want to make everyday communication easier and more creative,” says Ofir Eyal, CEO at Rakuten Viber. “Partnering with OpenAI means we can bring ChatGPT to our users to add real, day-to-day value – even if they would never have sought it out on their own. Whether you’re drafting the perfect message, remixing an image, or just exploring a new idea, this is now built into the app people already use every day.”

Torben Severson, VP and Head of Global Business Development, OpenAI said: “Messaging is where so much of everyday life happens. With ChatGPT in Viber, people can get helpful, creative support right in the moment, from finding the right words to catching up on busy chats or remixing a photo. We’re excited to partner with Rakuten Viber to bring these tools into an app people already use every day.”

This partnership is part of Rakuten Viber’s ongoing commitment to using AI to simplify your daily life. It also supports the Rakuten Group’s ‘Triple 20’ initiative, which focuses on using AI to improve service efficiency and deliver a better experience for users everywhere.

Notes to Editors

Privacy and security remain at the heart of the Viber experience. Viber’s core features – including one-to-one calls and messages, group messages, private media sharing and linked devices – are protected by end-to-end encryption so conversations between Viber users stay private and can’t be read by Viber. Users also stay in control when they use an AI feature, and their explicit consent to OpenAI’s terms and policies is required before their first use.

“ChatGPT in Viber” chats are handled by OpenAI under the OpenAI Terms and Privacy Policy. If a user connects their ChatGPT account, their ChatGPT in Viber activity will be linked to that account and handled under OpenAI’s standard retention policies. For all other features, only the specific text, image, or request users choose is sent securely to OpenAI for processing – never account data or the rest of a chat. This data is only retained for a limited time period and is not shared or used to train OpenAI’s models.  ChatGPT-powered features are also subject to OpenAI’s Usage Policies, and OpenAI may review content for safety.

ChatGPT in Viber is available to Viber users in most countries where ChatGPT is supported. The experience is not available in a small number of countries where roll-out is not planned initially due to local priorities, or where ChatGPT is not currently available due to local regulations.

About Rakuten Viber
Rakuten Viber is one of the most trusted and downloaded apps in the world. We create meaningful connections, bringing people together safely, so they can enjoy precious moments with their families and friends, manage their business relations, or pursue their passions, in one place – we do it all! As a super app, we give our users services that cover every aspect of their day-to-day needs and make their lives easier.

Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global technology leader in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications services.

About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits everyone. For more information, please visit openai.com.

Media Contact:
Robert Roessler
Rakuten
robert.roessler@viber.com

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Luminate Bank® Named New Jersey’s #1 Large Company Top Workplace

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MINNEAPOLIS, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Luminate Bank has been named the #1 Large Company in the 2026 New Jersey Top Workplaces awards, presented by NJ.com in partnership with employee survey company Energage.

Employees cited Luminate Bank’s culture of trust, autonomy, collaboration, and purpose as key reasons the organization earned the top ranking.

As reported by NJ.com, one surveyed employee shared:

“I love my job because it lets me show up as both a problem-solver and a human. Every day brings a new challenge, a new story, and a chance to make something complicated feel manageable for someone else. I get to work alongside people who care, who collaborate, and who want to do things the right way, not the easy way. There’s real purpose in helping others move forward with confidence, and that sense of impact, mixed with trust, teamwork, and a little momentum, is what makes me genuinely excited to do this work every day.”

Luminate Bank’s roots trace back to a Minnesota state-chartered bank established in 1937. In 2020, Taryn Reuter, Eric Lovins, and Thomas Payne acquired the bank and a mortgage company, ushering in a new chapter built around the Luminate name, inspired by the Latin root for “light.” With a shared commitment to helping people navigate complex financial decisions with clarity, transparency, and care, the two businesses came together over the following years and ultimately unified in 2025 under a single brand: Luminate Bank. Together with CEO Marc Campbell, the leadership team continues building a future-focused banking experience that combines innovative digital solutions with deeply personal customer relationships.

Over the past five years, Luminate Bank has grown its assets from $62 million to $500 million. Mortgage originations, meanwhile, have expanded from $22 million to more than $4 billion in just over a decade, as the company has grown from a six-person operation into a nationwide organization of over 700 professionals.

“This award reflects the kind of organization our people choose to build every day,” said Marc Campbell, CEO. “We are united by a shared mission and a genuine commitment to one another. Our team brings integrity, determination, and openness to their work, and that alignment between people, purpose, and values is what truly sets Luminate Bank apart.”

The New Jersey Top Workplaces program recognizes employers based entirely on confidential employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage. The survey measures key aspects of workplace culture, including employees’ feelings of being respected and supported, opportunities for growth, empowerment to execute, and confidence in leadership.

Luminate Bank’s recognition as New Jersey’s top-ranked large employer reflects the organization’s continued investment in building a workplace where employees are empowered to thrive while delivering exceptional service to customers and communities.

About Luminate Bank®

At Luminate Bank®, We Open Doors—empowering individuals and families to achieve their financial dreams through personalized service and innovative digital solutions. As a nationwide bank headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we are committed to helping our clients meet their financial goals with a blend of modern technology, traditional values, and the trusted guidance of experienced professionals. Known for our exceptional commitment to customers, we take pride in delivering a seamless, supportive experience for every step of the journey.

Our dedicated mortgage division has branches and a team of loan originators across the U.S., making expert home financing solutions accessible to communities nationwide.

Luminate Bank® is committed to safeguarding your money and accounts with FDIC insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Learn more at www.luminate.bank.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.™

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Media Contact
Debbie Schwake, CMO
debbie.schwake@luminate.bank
952-698-3300

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SOURCE Luminate Bank

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