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The9 Posts Record Quarterly Profit; Expects Sequential Growth Through 2026

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Digital asset gains power record quarter; AI-powered game creation platform the9bit surpasses 8 million registered users

SHANGHAI, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) (“The9” or the “Company”), a global diversified high-tech company, today reported net income of US$23 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, delivering the strongest quarter in the Company’s history since its 2004 IPO. The result reflects substantial digital asset-related income, accelerating adoption of the9bit, and the continued build-out of the Company’s cryptocurrency operations and digital asset holdings.

Digital Asset-Related Income and Token Allocation

First-quarter net income was driven primarily by the receipt of 1.425 billion 9BIT tokens during the period, measured at fair value based on observable market prices on digital asset trading platforms including KuCoin, MEXC and BingX.

An additional 475 million 9BIT tokens were received in April 2026 and will be reflected in second-quarter results, bringing the Company’s total allocation to approximately 1.9 billion tokens under its cooperation agreement with the 9BIT Foundation, an independent crypto foundation established in Panama.

The Company accounts for its digital assets in accordance with applicable US GAAP. Its unaudited financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2026, has been reviewed by The9’s independent auditors under applicable standards.

As of the date of this release, the Company’s total cryptocurrency holdings, including BTC and 9BIT, are valued at approximately US$110 million based on quoted market prices. This estimate is provided for reference only and may not reflect realizable value.

the9bit Platform Growth

The9’s AI-powered game creation platform, the9bit, has scaled rapidly since its August 2025 launch, surpassing 8 million registered users who have created more than 110,000 games using its proprietary AI-assisted tools. By enabling creators to transform ideas and digital assets into playable games, the9bit lowers development barriers and expands the Company’s content offerings.

Advancing the9bit as an AI-Native Game Operating System

The9 is developing the9bit into an AI-native production operating system for interactive entertainment. At its center is a proprietary, model-agnostic orchestration layer that integrates AI agents, foundation models and development workflows into a unified platform — a capability the Company believes represents the9bit’s core competitive advantage, independent of any single foundation model. In each project, an AI producer agent transforms a single natural-language prompt into a structured development plan and autonomously directs a distributed workforce of over 60 specialized AI agents across the full production pipeline, designed to enable playable interactive experiences in as little as 10 minutes. The Company expects this advantage to compound over time, as every production cycle generates proprietary data that further strengthens the platform’s intelligence layer.

Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors has approved a long-term incentive plan under which senior management will be eligible to receive equity awards representing up to 12% of the Company’s outstanding shares. Notably, the awards vest only if the Company achieves higher quarterly net income in each of the remaining three quarters of 2026 compared with the first quarter, reflecting management’s confidence that the Company’s profitability will continue to strengthen through the year. The awards are further subject to multi-year vesting conditions and a three-year lock-up period, reinforcing management’s commitment to sustained, long-term shareholder value creation.

About The9 Limited

The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) is a global, diversified high-tech company redefining how games are created, played, and monetized. Founded in 1999 and Nasdaq-listed since 2004, The9 brings over two decades of gaming heritage to its flagship platform the9bit, an AI-powered digital asset ecosystem built around AI game creation and the $9BIT token economy, where every participant can play, create, earn, and own a stake in its growth. Beyond the9bit, The9 continues to explore emerging opportunities across AI-empowered industries and the broader digital ecosystem, including an equity stake in AI-driven drug discovery company NYB, building a multi-engine business positioned at the frontier of AI and the new economy, reshaping how value is created and shared.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and expectations as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management, appear in a number of places throughout this document and include statements regarding, amongst other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. The use of words “will”, “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “believes”, “should”, “potential”, “may”, “preliminary”, “forecast”, “objective”, “plan”, or “target”, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, future market conditions or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, and the markets in which we operate. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, see The9’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The9 undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law.

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SOURCE The9 Limited

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SBS positioned as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix™: Digital Banking Platform 2026 by QKS Group

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The QKS Group SPARK Matrix™ provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading digital banking platform vendors.SBS, with its comprehensive platform, has received strong ratings across technology excellence and customer impact.

PUNE, India, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — QKS Group announced today that it has named SBS as a leader in the SPARK Matrix™: Digital Banking Platform, 2026.

Akhilesh Vundavalli, Principal Analyst at QKS Group, states, “SBS is well positioned in the evolving Digital Banking Platform market through its modular, API-first, and cloud-native approach to digital banking modernization. SBS Digital Banking Suite helps banks deliver seamless customer experiences across mobile, web, assisted, and open banking channels while supporting integration with core banking systems, lending platforms, payment capabilities, and partner ecosystems. With strong capabilities across open banking, secure API exposure, omnichannel journey configuration, cloud-native deployment, and regulatory alignment, SBS offers a compelling value proposition for banks seeking to build a future-ready digital banking operating model.”

Divya Baranawal, Vice President and Principal Analyst at QKS Group, states “SBS’ positioning as a Leader in the Digital Banking Platform market reflects its ability to address one of the most critical priorities for banks today: modernizing digital engagement without weakening operational resilience, regulatory control, or core banking alignment. SBS brings together mobile-first digital banking, onboarding, daily banking, lending journeys, SME banking, open banking, and API-led ecosystem connectivity within a modular and cloud-native platform architecture. Its strength lies not only in digital channel enablement, but also in the industrialized delivery foundation behind it, including microservices, Kubernetes-based deployment, DevSecOps practices, low-code configuration, reusable components, and upgrade-safe extensibility. This enables banks to accelerate digital transformation while preserving the stability, scalability, and compliance discipline required in regulated banking environments.”

QKS Group defines Digital Banking Platform that enables banks and FI’s to digitize banking operations and integrate various banking activities, including digital onboarding, account management, lending and deposits, payments, transfers and withdrawals, transaction management, wealth management, and fund management, to provide customers with a seamless and cohesive banking experience across all digital touch-points, such as mobile, online, kiosks, wearables, and ATMs. The platform empowers financial institutions to manage, control, and optimize their digital operations across all devices and channels, while enabling customers with real-time capabilities to manage accounts, transfer funds, and monitor finances efficiently. Furthermore, the platform leverages AI/ML and predictive analytics to deliver personalized, intelligent, and seamless customer engagement across various digital touchpoints, thereby accelerating digital transformation.

SBS differentiates itself within the Digital Banking Platform market through an enterprise-grade digital engagement layer that combines digital onboarding, daily banking, retail and SME lending, open banking, analytics, marketing campaigns, and AI-enabled user experiences within a modular platform environment. Its cloud-native architecture, API-first integration model, low-code/no-code configuration, DevSecOps delivery discipline, and Axway-powered API management capabilities enable banks to modernize digital operations while maintaining flexibility, regulatory readiness, and operational resilience. SBS’ strong open banking maturity, supported by pre-built regulatory APIs, consent management, TPP onboarding, API marketplace, sandbox capabilities, and proven API scale, further strengthens its positioning among banks looking to expand ecosystem connectivity and deliver cohesive digital banking experiences across channels.

The QKS Group SPARK Matrix™ includes a detailed analysis of the global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study also provides a competitive analysis and ranking of the Digital Banking Platform, 2026 providers in the form of the SPARK Matrix™. The study also provides strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market positions.

“We are proud to be recognized by QKS Group as a Leader in the Digital Banking Platform 2026 report. For SBS, this recognition validates our commitment to helping banks modernise their digital operating model with a cloud-native, API-first platform that supports seamless customer journeys across mobile, web, assisted and open banking channels. As financial institutions accelerate transformation, SBS Digital Banking Suite gives them the flexibility, scalability and regulatory readiness needed to innovate with confidence,” said Hassan Nasser, Deputy General Manager, SBS Digital Banking Suite at SBS.

Additional Resources:

For more information about SBS, visit sbs-software.comSPARK Matrix™ Digital Banking Platform, 2026

About SBS:

SBS is a global software company helping banks and the financial services industry reimagine how to operate in an AI-driven world. Trusted partner to more than 1,500 financial institutions and large-scale lenders across 80 countries, including Santander, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, Groupe BPCE, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale, HSBC, Attijariwafa Bank, Nationwide, NextGear Capital, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota FS, SBS combines 50+ years of banking domain expertise with a suite of award-winning solutions built for the AI era. SBS’s composable architecture extends across core banking, lending, payments, compliance, open banking, and asset finance.

With 2,800 employees across 50 offices worldwide, SBS is recognized as a Top 8 Global Core Banking Technology Provider by Everest Group (2026), a Strong Performer in The Forrester Wave: Digital Banking Engagement Platforms (2026), a SPARK Matrix Leader in Digital Banking Platforms (2025), a Top 10 European Fintech by IDC (2025), a Leader in Omdia’s Universe: Digital Banking Platforms (2024), and a Leader in Everest Group’s Banking Customer Experience Orchestration PEAK Matrix (2024). SBS is part of 74Software alongside Axway, forming an international software group. SBS is headquartered in Paris, France.

Media Contact:
Anton Golovchenko
Head of External Communication 
anton.golovchenko@sbs-software.com 

About QKS Group

QKS Group is a global analyst and advisory firm helping enterprises, technology vendors, and investors make trusted, data-driven decisions. Our portfolio spans the flagship SPARK Matrix™ evaluation framework, SPARK Plus™ analyst advisory platform, QKS Intelligence™ for market and competitive tracking, and QKS Community™ for CXO leaders and practitioners. All offerings are powered by a Human-Intelligence-driven framework and QKS’s closed-loop research methodology – integrating expert-led insights, quantitative modeling, and continuous validation to deliver credible, outcome-focused intelligence.

For more available research, please visit Research.

Media Contacts:
Anish K 
PR & Media Relations
QKS Group 
5th Floor, Wing 2, Cluster C, 
EON Free Zone, Kharadi,
Pune, India
Email: support@qksgroup.com
Content Source: https://qksgroup.com/newsroom/sbs-positioned-as-a-leader-in-the-spark-matrix-digital-banking-platform-2026-by-qks-group-1743
Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/qksgroup/

 

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BC.GAME’s BC Engine Stakers Have Earned Over $5 Million

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Total staker earnings have increased by nearly $2.9 million in two months, up approximately 138% from the $2.1 million reported in late May

BELIZE CITY, Belize, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stakers participating in BC.GAME’s BC Engine have now earned more than 5 million BCD, equivalent to approximately $5 million, since the system launched in April 2026.

The figure represents rewards already generated through completed BC Engine settlement rounds. It does not include projected future earnings, unrealised token value or calculations based on movements in the market price of $BC.

On 28 May, BC.GAME reported that BC Engine stakers had earned more than 2.1 million BCD. Around two months later, total earnings have increased by nearly 2.9 million BCD, representing growth of approximately 138%.

The latest total is now around 2.38 times the amount disclosed in May.

Launched on 8 April 2026, BC Engine distributes BCD rewards through hourly settlement rounds based on users’ eligible $BC holdings. After each round, the corresponding rewards are recorded in users’ BC Engine accounts.

Users can track their active balance, total earnings, unclaimed BCD, the next settlement round and previous distribution records directly through the BC Engine interface.

Unlike a one-time reward campaign, BC Engine continues to distribute rewards as new hourly settlements are completed. The increase from $2.1 million to more than $5 million shows the pace at which rewards have continued to accumulate since the initial milestone was reported.

It also provides a clearer measure of $BC’s use within the BC.GAME ecosystem, with the total based on BCD already earned by participating stakers rather than future projections.

BC Engine’s latest earnings data and individual reward records can be viewed at bc.game/bc.

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SOURCE BC.GAME

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Celebree School Invests in Scalable Development Infrastructure to Accelerate Franchise Growth

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Enhanced Support Model Helps Franchise Owners Navigate Development Process with Greater Confidence and Efficiency

BALTIMORE, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Celebree School, a franchise leader in early childhood education with roots dating back to 1994, announces a significant expansion of its franchise development infrastructure designed to support continued growth across key markets nationwide.

Celebree’s enhanced support model helps franchisees navigate development process with confidence and efficiency

As demand for high-quality early childhood education continues to outpace supply in many communities, Celebree School is strengthening the systems, resources, and expertise available to franchise owners throughout the development journey – from market selection and site evaluation to construction, opening, and ongoing operations.

Building a More Efficient Path to School Openings – Expanded Development Platform Includes:

Dedicated leadership focused exclusively on real estate and construction.Internal site underwriting and evaluation before opportunities are presented to franchise candidates.A growing network of pre-approved architects, contractors, and specialized vendors.Enhanced relationships with lenders and development partners.Structured milestone-based support throughout site selection, construction, and school opening.

“Opening a childcare center is one of the most complex projects in franchising,” said Mark Lubin, Chief Development Officer of Celebree School. “Success requires the right real estate strategy, construction expertise, and development support. That’s why we’ve invested in scalable infrastructure that helps franchisees navigate the process with greater confidence and helps position them for long-term success.”

The initiative comes as childcare operators across the industry face rising construction costs, longer development timelines, and increasing competition for high-quality real estate. In response, Celebree School has focused on creating more efficient and scalable development processes that help franchisees navigate today’s evolving market conditions.

Adaptive Reuse Creates New Growth Opportunities

As commercial real estate continues to evolve, more second-generation spaces are becoming viable opportunities for childcare centers.

“Brands that can effectively evaluate and retrofit existing properties will have a meaningful advantage when it comes to speed to market,” added Lubin. “We’re building systems that allow franchisees to assess opportunities quickly and make informed development decisions.”

Unlike many emerging franchisors, Celebree School continues to operate company-owned locations, providing real-time operational insights – such as adaptive reuse opportunities – that help inform site selection, facility design, and development best practices.

Supporting Growth in High-Demand Markets

The company’s growth strategy focuses on expanding within both major metropolitan areas and high-potential emerging markets where demand for early childhood education remains strong. Current target growth markets include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Indianapolis, and Phoenix.

“Childcare is becoming recognized as essential community infrastructure,” added Lubin. “Developers, municipalities, and landlords increasingly understand the value that quality early childhood education brings to families and neighborhoods. We’re committed to providing franchisees with the tools and support they need to capitalize on that opportunity.”

Strong Economics Continue to Drive Interest

For entrepreneurs seeking a purpose-driven franchise opportunity in the growing early childhood education sector, Celebree School’s enhanced development support platform represents another step in the company’s commitment to franchisee performance and sustainable long-term growth.

Prospects are taking note of the business opportunity, as Celebree School’s Franchise Disclosure Document reports $2.26M AUV for company-operated schools open and operating throughout 2025**. Recently, Celebree introduced a 0% royalty incentive for new franchise owners*.

For more information about Celebree School franchise opportunities, please visit https://franchise.celebree.com/.

About Celebree School
Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School’s founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

*This is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer can be made only by means of a Franchise Disclosure Document that has been registered and approved by the appropriate agency in your state, if your state requires such registration.

**Based on annual financial performance results for the 26 Company-Operated Schools across Maryland and Delaware that were considered “mature” and that were operated by our affiliates that were open and operating throughout 2025. A mature school is defined as a School that has been open for at least 24 months. This information is presented in Item 19 of our April 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document along with additional financial performance data related to the performance of our outlets. If you purchase a franchise, your results may differ from the represented performance. We can’t guarantee the success of any franchise and you must accept the risk of not doing as well. 

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SOURCE Celebree School

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