Blockchain Press Releases
F&M BANK: DRIVING DIGITAL WHILE STAYING PERSONAL

News Provided by FinTech Magazine
F&M Bank’s Chief Experience Officer, Charles Driest, talks about striking the right balance between digital innovation and a personal customer approach
LONDON, July 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Charles Driest is the newly-appointed Chief Experience Officer at Farmers & Merchants (F&M) Bank. A graduate of George Mason University in Virginia, and later St. John’s University in New York, he began his banking career shortly after returning to Virginia from New York in 2007.
Before this, Driest’s early career saw him employed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (MGA), and, later, at the American think-tank, Brookings Institution. It was here he was struck with inspiration to retrain in finance by a former manager, Roberta Cohen.
Driest says: “She said if I didn’t go back to school she would fire me. This was probably my biggest inspiration. It amazes me that her voice is always in the back of my head, and when she told me that, it was about two decades ago.”
F&M Banks’s new Chief Experience Officer hasn’t exactly been short of inspiration, either: “I’ve been really lucky because I’ve had a lot of influencers in my career, with bosses and managers who have pushed me to take on new risks that perhaps I didn’t feel I was ready for, but gave me a great opportunity to learn.”
Beginning his banking career after reeducating in New York and returning to Virginia, Driest was again inspired to follow a digital path in his career. “One of the first CEOs I worked for taught me a valuable lesson; it’s how I got into the digital side of the banking business.
“At the time we didn’t have a good grasp of our digital spending at the organisation. My CEO asked me to break down the numbers to explain to executive management where the money was going. So I sifted through 12 months of invoices and began asking operational questions: where’s our money going? How do we better manage this?
“This is when I found out the business had these operational holes, while we didn’t have the right insights into the capabilities available to us that we were using. So my CEO said: ‘You found the problems, go fix them’. This is what got me into digital banking, furthering my career by putting me into a situation I wouldn’t necessarily have been comfortable in initially.”
This valuable experience in digital banking saw Driest become F&M Bank’s Director of Digital Banking sometime after, a role he had for “14 to 15 months” before being promoted to F&M Bank’s Chief Experience Officer.
Despite his brief time in the role so far, Driest says: “Taking on three new reports has been a lot of fun. I really enjoy the personnel management aspect of things. I like watching the development of people. From my perspective, I really like to see the process of a team getting onto one page, because it has a powerful multiplying effect. The pace of work speeds up when everybody is in sync.”
Achieving synchronisation for the now is key to driving growth in the future, according to Driest, who has deep excitement for the future of banking as the proliferation of fintechs continues, believing community banking will endure despite the growth of technology.
He concludes: “I’ve seen some of the biggest developments in banking over the years, and I feel even with all the fintechs out there, I think ultimately, community banking will survive. If there’s one thing banks are very good with, it’s about integrating technology that is focused on the customer.
“For anyone that talks about the speed of fintech growth, fundamentally, it still relies on people, and people don’t change habits that quickly. The arc of change and the pace of change will always be constrained by people at the end of the day. So, as long as you’re making good decisions and always looking ahead by two to three years at a time – it doesn’t matter what type of bank you are – you’ll probably end up in a good place.”
F&M Bank has been featured in the July issue of FinTech Magazine
In this exclusive interview, Charles Driest, Chief Experience Officer, discussed striking the right balance between digital innovation and a personal customer approach.
“The future is technology and people, that’s what is going to win the day – not one or the other”
BizClik’s FinTech portfolio connects banking, financial services, payments, technology & consulting brands and their most senior executives with the latest FinTech trends, industry insight, and influential FinTech, InsurTech & Crypto projects as the world embraces CX, Business Transformation and Digital Ecosystems. FinTech Magazine and its entire portfolio is now an established and trusted voice on all things FinTech, engaging with a highly targeted audience of 113,000 global executives. We provide key industry players with the perfect platform to showcase their brands, develop content syndication plans, webinars, white papers, demand generation as well as a global set of events (In-Person & Virtual).
BizClik is a UK-based media company with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities.
BizClik’s portfolio includes Technology & AI, Finance & Insurance, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Energy & Mining, Construction, Healthcare, Mobile & Data Centres and EV. For further information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/
You can read the report in the latest issue of FinTech Magazine by clicking HERE
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fm-bank-driving-digital-while-staying-personal-301868270.html
Blockchain Press Releases
Bybit launches Crypto Surf: Copy Traders and Bots Battle for 250K USDT

DUBAI, UAE, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is making waves with its latest trading showdown: Crypto Surf: Ride the Waves with Trailing Stops. This high-octane competition invites traders to rally behind either copy trading or trading bots, battling it out for their share of a prize pool worth up to $250,000 in USDT.
Running from April 18 to May 19, 2025, at 12 a.m. UTC, the event introduces a squad-based structure where users choose their camp, trade strategically, and compete across PnL, ROI and trading volume leaderboards. With a dynamic reward structure, participants can also win by predicting which squad will come out on top.
Prize Pool Distribution Highlights:
- 40% to the champion squad
- 30% to the runner-up
- 25% to the top 100 individual traders by volume
- 5% to users who correctly predict the winning squad
The event brings together the best of both worlds: the strategic finesse of copy trading and the automated power of trading bots. It celebrates innovation, user choice, and the thrill of crypto trading.
Participants must hold a minimum wallet balance of $1,000 in USDT, generate at least $10,000 in squad volume, and complete identity verification Level 1 to qualify. Users can only register for one squad and vote once to predict the winner. Rewards will be distributed within 14 business days of the event’s completion.
The total prize pool will scale in line with event volume milestones, starting at $1.2 billion and unlocking up to $2 billion in traded volume for the full $250,000 in USDT.
Bybit continues to redefine the competitive trading landscape – bringing fun, strategy and serious rewards to its global community.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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Blockchain Press Releases
Tomorrowland Brasil 2025 General Sale in Full Swing — Exclusive Cashback for Bybit Cardholders

DUBAI, UAE, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, highlights that general ticket sales for Tomorrowland Brasil 2025 are currently ongoing, with exclusive benefit available to Bybit Card and Bybit Pay eligible users such as 20% cashback.
The Bybit Card is designed for global use and supports both fiat currencies—ARS, BRL, EUR, USD—and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies. Integrated with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, it offers users up to 10% cashback on everyday purchases, 8% APR through Auto-Savings, free worldwide delivery, and $100 in monthly ATM withdrawals at no cost—without any annual fees.
Returning to the vibrant setting of Parque Maeda in Itu, São Paulo, Tomorrowland Brasil 2025 will take place from October 12 to 14, promising three days of music, imagination, and cultural exchange. Famed for its theatrical stages, global audience, and meticulously curated lineup, Tomorrowland is more than a festival—it’s a world of its own. With each edition, it transforms into a breathtaking playground of light, sound, and storytelling, drawing music lovers from over 100 countries to celebrate unity through electronic music.
This year’s Brazilian edition will feature performances from some of the world’s most sought-after artists, including David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Vintage Culture, Mind Against, Steve Aoki, James Hype, Alesso, Nervo, and I Hate Models. Special acts include Alok’s “Something Else” concept, ANNA b2b Vintage Culture, and a powerful b2b set from Matisse & Sadko and Third Party. With more names still to be revealed, the event is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions yet.
“Tomorrowland Brasil is one of those rare experiences that transcends music—it creates lasting memories and connects people from every walk of life,” said Joan Han, Head of Payment business unit at Bybit. “We’re proud to support this global celebration by offering our users exclusive benefits that make it easier to be part of something truly unforgettable.”
Tomorrowland Brasil continues to be a beacon of creativity, community, and connection, standing at the intersection of music, technology, and art.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
About TOMORROWLAND BRASIL
Tomorrowland Brasil 2025 will take place on October 10-12 in the beautiful festival area of Parque Maeda in Itu, a municipality in São Paulo. The festival will revolve around the mesmerizing ‘LIFE’ theme, set against the backdrop of Brazil’s enchanting natural beauty. A story set in the mythical realm of Silvyra, it’s a world unto its own, filled with creatures, plant life, and people living in harmony, each with their own stories, with the diversity of Silvyra’s lush nature represented in the spectacular ‘LIFE’ Mainstage. Offering the ultimate escape from the city during three days of bliss, guests will be treated to breathtaking performances by more than 150 of the world’s finest electronic artists across 6 mesmerizing stages.
The first two festival editions of Tomorrowland Brasil took place in 2015 and 2016 in the beautiful festival area of Parque Maeda in Itu, São Paulo. After years of dreaming of a return, Tomorrowland finally headed back to Brazil in 2023, becoming a yearly highlight once again.
Tomorrowland Brasil 2025
October 10-12, 2025
Parque Maeda, Itu
brasil.tomorrowland.com

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Blockchain Press Releases
MEXC Announces Listing of Initia (INIT) with a 115,000 INIT and 50,000 USDT Prize Pool

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the listing of Initia (INIT) on April 24, 2025 (UTC), accompanied by a celebratory event featuring a 115,000 INIT and 50,000 USDT prize pool for new and existing users.
Initia is the first interwoven optimistic–rollup network, reconstructing multichain architecture with native interoperability and shared liquidity. As a full–stack Layer 1+2 platform, Initia supports both EVM & Move VM, enabling seamless cross–ecosystem collaboration. Developed by veterans from top DeFi and blockchain security teams and backed by YZi Labs(Binance Labs), Hack VC, Delphi Digital, and Theory Ventures.
$INIT is the native utility token of the Initia ecosystem, powering key functions such as gas payments, staking, governance, cross-chain transfers, and liquidity provision. Through these utilities, $INIT drives user participation and supports the growth of a secure and decentralized Initia ecosystem.
To celebrate the listing, MEXC will launch an Airdrop+ event, running from April 18 to May 4, 2025 (UTC). The event will include the following activities:
- Deposit and share 90,000 INIT (exclusive to new users)
- Spot Challenge – Trade to share 10,000 INIT (for all users)
- Futures Challenge – Trade to share 50,000 USDT in futures bonus (for all users)
- Invite new users and share 15,000 INIT (for all users)
MEXC has established itself as a leading exchange by consistently offering users early access to high-potential crypto assets. In 2024 alone, the platform listed 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC led the industry with 461 spot listings between November 1, 2024, and February 15, 2025. During this period, the exchange maintained a high listing frequency, consistently ranking among the top six platforms, demonstrating its agility in capturing emerging market trends. MEXC will continue to expand its asset offerings and help users seize timely opportunities in the fast-moving crypto market.
For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website| X | Telegram |How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mexc-announces-listing-of-initia-init-with-a-115-000-init-and-50-000-usdt-prize-pool-302432359.html
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