Zug, Switzerland, November 11th, 2024, Chainwire   Proven-at-Scale Technology Enhances Security, Privacy, Compliance and Incentives for Global Digital Finance Virtual Assets Lab, AG (VAL.com) is pleased to announce the launch of its next-generation stablecoin management and wallet platform. Designed to advance digital finance, this platform offers secure, compliant, and customizable solutions for users, blockchain networks, exchanges, institutions and governments  Virtual Assets Lab’s technology has already been proven-at-scale with over $100 billion in managed transactions and more than one million mobile app installations across 180+ countries, achieving an average rating of 4.5+.  Introducing “1Currencies” Launching symbolically on 11/11, Virtual Assets Lab (VAL.com) is excited to debut our flagship stablecoin line, “1Currencies” – a comprehensive suite of G10 currencies beginning with 1USD. With over 99% of stablecoin transactions in USD, 1USD ensures compliance and security, while offering cutting-edge features and attractive economics.  “Our vision with 1Currencies is to bring compliance, security, transparency and shared economics to stablecoins, starting with the world’s most widely used currency,” said Bill Wolf, Co-Founder of Virtual Assets Lab and former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Credit Suisse. “1USD is just the beginning – each currency in the 1Currencies suite will empower users with better economics and seamless interoperability across the financial landscape.” 1USD is coming to centralized exchanges globally in 2025 Introducing “VAL Mobile App”With the new VAL app, users gain a streamlined way to create and manage wallets, access stablecoins, and establish self-sovereign IDs (SSIs) backed by verified credentials, enhancing security and privacy. The app supports interaction with decentralized applications (dApps), exclusive marketplace offerings, and provides free hack monitoring for user assurance. Designed to bring Web3 capabilities to everyday users, the VAL app promotes greater control and confidence in digital finance. Virtual Assets Lab’s Key Benefits: Proven-at-Scale: Virtual Assets Lab’s stablecoin management system has successfully handled over $100 billion in transactions and VAL’s mobile app has achieved over one million installs from users in more than 180 countries, with an average rating of 4.5+.  Flexible Pricing with Shared Economics: Virtual Assets Lab offer flexible pricing models, lower startup costs, and yield-sharing options, making VAL an ideal partner for Layer 1 blockchain networks and exchanges seeking cost-effective stablecoin solutions. Support for G10 Currencies: Virtual Assets Lab’s platform supports multiple fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD, AUD, NZD, SEK, and NOK, facilitating global adoption and accessibility. Chain-Agnostic and Exchange-Neutral Design: Virtual Assets Lab’s stablecoins are compatible with various blockchain networks and exchanges, providing flexibility and promoting financial inclusion. Highly Customizable & Easy to Integrate: Virtual Assets Lab’s cutting-edge platform is highly customizable, easy to integrate and offers robust support services, enabling more efficient onboarding and ongoing management. Virtual Assets Lab’s Trust Layer: Compliant & Licensed: Virtual Assets Lab are licensed and registered across various jurisdictions including; VQF (Switzerland ), EMI* (Europe ), VASP (Europe) & AUSTRAC (Australia). Secure and privacy-first: Virtual Assets Lab's stablecoin platform is partnered with trusted custodians and utilizes secure back-end cross chain transferability and high security. Virtual Assets Lab's mobile app wallet technology is SOC II compliant and leverages self-sovereign identity (SSI) and reusable, verified credentials (VCs) for added security and privacy. Transparent: Virtual Assets Lab offer full transparency by publishing third party, real-time attestations, legally attesting to the balances held backing "1USD" cross-referenced against " 1USD" balances on chain. About Virtual Assets Lab (VAL.com) Virtual Assets Lab (VAL.com) is a digital finance infrastructure provider specializing in stablecoin management and wallet solutions. With a team of seasoned professionals experienced in web3 and crypto projects, leading consumer and enterprise technology, finance, and compliance, VAL is dedicated to supporting the global transition to digital finance.

Tortola, British Virgin Island, October 25th, 2024, Chainwire   Aark Digital recently experienced a security incident in which an unauthorized party accessed and withdrew approximately 1,386,085 USDC and 24.143 ETH. In response, the project has launched 24/7 recovery efforts, while also implementing additional security measures to safeguard against any further unauthorized activity. As part of its recovery strategy, Aark Digital is offering a 15% bounty to the individual responsible, contingent upon the safe and complete return of the misappropriated assets. This bounty, amounting to 225,000 USDC, is intended to incentivize the return of the funds, and additional details are available on Arkham's bounty platform here. Should a full recovery not occur, Aark Digitial has indicated that it will announce a distribution plan to address the situation appropriately. The organization has set a deadline of 26th October 2024, 15:00 UTC, for the responsible party to respond, stating that it is prepared to pursue legal measures if the funds are not returned within this timeframe. Aark Digital is committed to keeping its community informed throughout this process, emphasizing its dedication to transparency and user security. Aark Digital will continue to release updates on the situation as they become available. About Aark Digital Aark Digital is a blockchain-focused project dedicated to providing secure, innovative solutions within the digital asset space. Committed to transparency and user security, Aark Digital leverages cutting-edge technology and industry best practices to safeguard assets and build trust within its community. Aark Digital aims to advance the growth and adoption of decentralized finance worldwide.

With over a decade of expertise in the forex industry, FinTech360.com continues to set new benchmarks in B2B fintech solutions. Known for its innovation, FinTech360 has launched its cutting-edge Communication Hub, a revolutionary platform that transforms communication for forex brokers by providing a streamlined, centralized solution. This cloud-based CRM system improves interaction efficiency across various channels, including email, live chat, SMS, and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, making it an essential tool for brokers seeking to enhance their operational performance. FinTech360.com is positioning itself as the ultimate work management platform for the forex market, integrating essential tools for collaboration, communication, and productivity—all while ensuring the highest level of security and regulatory compliance. A Secure and Trusted Partner for Forex Brokers FinTech360’s Communication Hub offers forex brokers seamless control over multiple communication channels, from messaging apps to push notifications, all managed within a centralized dashboard. The platform enables easy tracking of client data, inquiries, and interactions, allowing brokers to provide better customer service in one secure location. “The launch of the Communication Hub aligns with the digital transformation in the forex industry. FinTech360 is at the forefront of this shift, helping businesses consolidate their operations for smoother, more secure communications,” said Aaron Bitter, CEO of FinTech360. “As we continue to innovate, we’re proud to serve as a trusted partner to forex brokers worldwide.” Security remains at the core of FinTech360’s offering. The Communication Hub safeguards client privacy by implementing an encrypted "click-to-email" feature, ensuring brokers can interact with customers without risking data breaches. Key Features of the Communication Hub for Forex Brokers Multichannel Communication: Manage emails, live chats, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, and push notifications from a single user interface. Unified Dashboard: All communication is streamlined in one place, helping brokers optimize customer interactions. Advanced Security: Protects customer contact information through encryption and secure communication triggers. Cost-Efficient Operations: By consolidating all communication efforts, the hub improves efficiency and reduces costs. Centralized CRM: Brokers can manage client communication from one central platform, improving back-office operations. Expanding FinTech360’s CRM Capabilities Beyond communication, FinTech360 offers an omnichannel CRM solution, giving forex brokers comprehensive control over all back-office operations. From KYC and AML compliance to handling payments through its payment gateway, FinTech360 allows brokers to accept payments globally via its network of over 250 providers. FinTech360’s Verification Center also plays a crucial role in assisting brokers with regulatory compliance, enabling seamless adherence to KYC, AML, and forex market regulations such as CySEC, ASIC, and the FSCA. FinTech360 CRM Features for Forex Brokers: Website CMS and Client Area: Create a custom website reflecting your brand, enhancing the user experience. Verification Center: Keep up with KYC and AML regulations while monitoring and optimizing sales calls. Sales-Focused CRM: Simplify your workflow with automated lead splitting and detailed sales tracking, improving client management. Communication Hub: Use multiple channels to engage with clients and track interactions in real-time. Affiliate Manager: Optimize your affiliate marketing efforts through real-time traffic monitoring and management tools. Full Suite Cashier: Process payments with over 300 integrated PSPs and APMs, supported by advanced risk management features. Web Trading Platform and Apps: Deliver seamless trading experiences with FinTech360’s web and mobile apps, integrated with MT4/MT5 for top-tier security. Business Intelligence (BI) Reports: Track every aspect of your business, from traffic to customer interactions, ensuring data-driven decisions. For more information about FinTech360 and its latest cross-device trading solutions, visit FinTech360.

Zug, Switzerland, October 18th, 2024, Chainwire   Polimec, a decentralized Web3 fundraising protocol on Polkadot, is excited to announce its integration with Banxa, a prominent fiat-to-crypto gateway. This integration allows users to invest in blockchain projects using credit cards, introducing a new user experience and making it easier for both experienced and new investors to participate in Web3 fundraising. What’s New? Through Banxa’s integration, Polimec users can instantly convert fiat currencies, such as USD and EUR, into tokens like USDT, USDC, and DOT, which can be used to invest in blockchain fundraises. This development is a major step in bridging the gap between traditional finance (Web2) and decentralized finance (Web3), providing seamless access to Web3 investment opportunities. Why This Matters Polimec is designed to facilitate secure, compliant, and transparent capital raises in the dynamic Web3 space. The growing demand for compliant and transparent fundraising mechanisms makes this integration particularly timely and important. By incorporating Banxa’s fiat-to-crypto gateway, Polimec significantly lowers the barriers to entry for Web3 fundraising. The integration enables both crypto veterans and newcomers to participate in blockchain fundraises using familiar fiat currencies, such as USD and EUR, removing the need for complex conversions. “This partnership with Banxa enhances Polimec’s mission to streamline Web3 fundraising,” said Flavio Bianchi, Foundation Council at Polimec. “By integrating Banxa’s fiat-to-crypto gateway, Polimec is making the onboarding process more inclusive, allowing for broader participation and creating new opportunities for all types of investors.” How It Works Participating in Polimec fundraises is straightforward: Step 1: Select Banxa as the preferred payment method. Step 2: Pay with a fiat currency, such as USD or EUR, using a credit card. Step 3: Instantly receive participation tokens in the investor’s crypto wallet. This simplified process allows users to engage in blockchain projects without the need to navigate complicated crypto conversions, making the experience more accessible and user-friendly. What’s Next? This collaboration marks another milestone in Polimec’s ongoing effort to improve user experience and accessibility. Polimec is actively working on additional features to further streamline the investment process and enhance the capabilities of the Polimec Protocol. With Banxa now integrated, Polimec is advancing toward its goal of making multichain Web3 investments more accessible on a global scale. About Polimec Polimec is a permissionless fundraising infrastructure protocol providing an automated framework for projects to raise funds within a broad and diverse investor base with transparent and fair access for all. The protocol allows access to fundraising and governs the issuance, distribution, and conversion of tokens to mainnet.

Zubr Capital is transforming real estate by funding an AI-backed tool that helps automate property valuations, research, viewing schedules, and agreement drafting.   Zubr Capital, a private equity firm focused on uncovering new investment opportunities in the IT and tech sectors, has turned its attention to the fast-growing Cypriot startup Placy. This groundbreaking AI (artificial intelligence) powered technology tool streamlines operations by taking time-consuming tasks like property valuations or research and automating them to free up human time availability.   Essential tasks such as drafting new client agreements, scheduling property viewings, and conducting comparative research of houses in the same neighborhood, can all be handled by Placy. The goal is to let professionals focus on what matters most – getting to know the unique needs and desires of those seeking to buy or sell property. Founded 10 months ago in Limassol by former colleagues from CIAN (a top 10 global property portal and NYSE unicorn of 2021) and Wargaming, Placy is being introduced in Cyprus as a “pilot market” with direct future integration for Greece, the UAE, and the UK.   The €1M in pre-seed funding will boost Placy's efforts to ensure success. This infusion of financial resources has two goals. First, Zubr’s funds will seek to improve Placy Pro, a white-label SaaS tool focused on B2B integrations developed for agencies and agents.   The second pathway Zubr’s capital will help is through improving the primary features of Placy, which allow seamless integration into WhatsApp and Telegram for landlords, sellers, and buyers. This will primarily be through further insight into R&D for Placy Assistant, a B2C tool. This B2C tool makes communication between property seekers and sellers much easier in the short and long term.   Zubr Capital led the funding round. Zubr Capital is a European Fund regulated by CySEC, focused on investing in high potential IT companies and expanding their capabilities to international markets. It has also supported other successful companies like Palta, a health & well-being technology company, and MediaCube, a fintech company for creators.    Zubr Capital is proud to have worked with the development and startup team behind Placy in the past. That previous record of successful performance, specifically in the pro-tech field, is what makes the startup launch so attractive. Public support for Placy is also at an all-time high due to previous awards for Startup of the Year in Cyprus and joining the US Microsoft Startup Hub.   Real estate investing requires many steps and streamlined operations to ensure all parties receive the care and professional advice necessary for decision-making. Placy is the perfect tool for improving this system so that everyone, from the home seller to the multi-agent real estate business, can reach new levels of success. KEY QUOTES: “As a leading funding source, we prefer to focus on the team behind a project first. With Placy, we found a successful group of professionals with a history of project achievement. This history is precisely why we think the new startup Placy will be no exception.” Viktar Dzenisevich, Investment Director and Partner at Zubr Capital “The main challenge in real estate today is how to double productivity before competitors do. Automation is crucial for survival and growth.” Mike Vasiliev, CEO of Placy “When people ask if AI will replace real estate agents, I tell them: we’re not here for optimization; we’re here for growth. Our tools are for the smart pros who want to double their sales with a fraction of the effort.” Sotiris Komodromos, Placy’s Commercial Director      

Boston, Massachusetts, September 11th, 2024, Chainwire   Hyperbridge sets a new benchmark for secure, scalable, and verifiable cross-chain communication, launching with the highest economic security in the market. The Web3 Foundation, in partnership with Scytale Digital, has led the seed funding round for Hyperbridge, a groundbreaking protocol poised to transform blockchain interoperability. This investment marks a significant milestone as the Web3 Foundation's inaugural funding initiative, highlighting Hyperbridge's critical role in the rapidly expanding Web3 ecosystem. Hyperbridge is emerging as a leader in the rapidly evolving sector, with its industry-leading cross-chain technology already being used by teams like Succinct, Axelar, Union, and Avail. The protocol has also already secured a parachain slot within the Polkadot ecosystem, reinforcing its deep integration and commitment to leveraging Polkadot’s unique strengths. In addition, Hyperbridge’s crowd loan raised an impressive $2.7 million, making it the most successful parachain crowd loan in the Polkadot ecosystem, a testament to its strong community support and technological promise. “Hyperbridge represents a significant step towards a cross-chain future, embodying the highest standards of security, scalability, and innovation," said Fabian Gompf, CEO of Web3 Foundation. "By building on Polkadot’s robust framework, Hyperbridge empowers the ecosystem with verifiable, unstoppable interoperability, setting a new benchmark for secure cross-chain solutions.” Hyperbridge is more than a simple asset bridge, it is a cryptoeconomic co-processor that combines advanced zero-knowledge technology and mechanistic protocols to deliver the most secure and verifiable cross-chain messaging and storage query solution available today. Unlike existing point-to-point bridge models, Hyperbridge introduces a hub model that scales verifiable interoperability across all chains. The platform’s innovative architecture, built on Polkadot, allows it to offer unmatched security and scalability, positioning it at the forefront of cross-chain solutions. Security is at the core of the Hyperbridge design, with audits conducted by the same team responsible for Polkadot. As the industry grapples with insecure multisig bridges, Hyperbridge’s zk light clients for Polkadot and Ethereum offer a secure, verifiable alternative. By consolidating multiple connections into a unified, reliable network, Hyperbridge aims to be the leader in verifiable, cross-chain communication and interoperability. "Hyperbridge represents the next evolution in secure cross-chain interoperability.” Said Mark Cachia, CIO of Scytale Digital, “Seun's deep expertise and innovative approach ensure that Hyperbridge addresses the critical security flaws of traditional bridges and sets a new standard for verifiable and unstoppable interoperability. This investment aligns perfectly with our vision of a fully interconnected web3 ecosystem, and we're proud to support a project with such transformative potential."  Exclusively built on Polkadot, Hyperbridge inherits the network’s unparalleled economic security, giving it the highest level of economic security for any bridge available today. Polkadot’s design, optimized for high interoperability, fast-finality, and affordable compute through agile coretime, provides the perfect foundation for Hyperbridge’s rollup architecture. This close integration allows Hyperbridge to offer cross-chain messaging and storage queries to developers from day one, setting new standards for secure, scalable, and efficient interoperability. Seun Lanlege, Founder of Polytope Labs, the developers of Hyperbridge, shared, “Bridges are only as secure as their authentication mechanisms. Traditional bridges that rely on multisig committees for authentication have seen over $2B lost to exploits. Hyperbridge disintermediates these middlemen by relying on finality and storage proofs for cross-chain message authentication, providing a level of security equivalent to the blockchains it connects.” Hyperbridge unlocks a wide array of use cases, including verifiable cross-chain intents, non-custodial native bridges for unified liquidity, and multichain expansion for stablecoins, RWAs, and DAO tokens. It also opens up possibilities for advanced cryptoeconomic coprocessors, such as state coprocessors for TWAPs and on-chain insurance protocols, as well as zk aggregation coprocessors. These innovations set Hyperbridge apart, offering developers the tools to create new financial and decentralized applications that were previously impossible.