Blockchain Press Releases
Cuentas Announces OLB Group’s Purchase of Controlling Interest In Cuentas SDI, and the Black011.com Commerce Platform, Enabling the Companies to Offer an Increasing Array of Next-Generation Location-Based Physical and Digital Services to Accelerate the Growth of Cuentas SDI’s Network of Over 31,000 Local Convenience “Bodega” Stores
This Announcement is Designed to Add More Power and Reach to Cuentas’ Growing Portfolio of Financial and Lifestyle Solutions for the Unbanked and Underserved, Enabling the Companies to Offer Next-Generation Location-Based Digital Services to Cuentas SDI’s Growing Network of over 31,000 Local Convenience “Bodega” Stores In the Greater New York / New Jersey Area Alone With the Opportunity to Expand Across the Nation.
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., July 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN) (Nasdaq: CUENW) (“Cuentas”), the Company that is creating an alternative financial ecosystem for a hard working population who do not have access to traditional financial alternatives, announced today that OLB Group (NASDAQ: OLB), a leading provider of fintech, digital assets and payment, has acquired the remaining controlling interest of Cuentas SDI LLC (Cuentas SDI). Cuentas is a minority shareholder of Cuentas SDI which has over 31,000 convenience stores in its network, with locations across the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri state area. Cuentas had been seeking a new partner to acquire the outstanding 80% and invest in the expansion of and innovation around SDI. Management is very excited to see OLB take the stake. Subject to the acquisition, Cuentas will retain its 19.99% share in Cuentas SDI and will be providing additional services to the network, including the Company’s new Cuentas Mobile Wireless Service. Management’s goal is to use its growing partnership with OLB to increase its offerings to the underserved markets, providing an exciting new array of digital and traditional commerce services, from telco, OmniCommerce, discounts, debit, and credit opportunities, that can be fulfilled digitally or directly in store via OLB’s innovative POS solutions.
Cuentas further plans to work with its partner InComm, the global financial services giant, with whom the Company announced a partnership in 2022, to add innovative digital product offers and other services to its growing network ( Link CUENTAS and Incomm). Through these partnerships, Cuentas is working to connect the physical world to the digital world, bringing together digital point of sale solutions, physical incentives and cards, digital commerce and financial solutions, with Cuentas’ telecom and communications solutions, to provide deeper and more meaningful access to the underbanked and underserved who frequent the Company’s growing convenience store network. In a world where suburban big-box retailers threaten the smaller, urban outlets, Cuentas wants to empower convenience stores to offer similar levels of connectivity and digital resources including many of the biggest brands in today’s market.
“These small stores are often the heart and soul of the communities they serve,” said Cuentas Founder and CEO, Arik Maimon. “With this announcement we are well on the way to enabling Bodegas and other convenience stores to compete head-to-head with the big-box retailers”, added Maimon.
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), there are over 150,000 convenience stores in the US. (SOURCE NACS: LINK), and according to CNBC, over 60% of convenience stores are privately owned. Convenience stores are so common across the United States that 93% of Americans live within just a few minutes of one, yet many of these stores are struggling to stay relevant in a changing economic landscape (SOURCE CNBC LINK). Many of the Bodegas that are part of Cuentas SDI’s network are the first stop for local residents who need instant access, not only to goods but also to digital services from mobile phone bills to discount and prepaid cards. Cuentas SDI was established as a platform to enable individual convenience stores and larger groups to come together and take advantage of the network effect, combining offers, digital connectivity, modern Point of Sale (POS) solutions, and other innovations to enable stores to become increasingly important to their local communities. Management believes this announcement accelerates that journey.
“The Bodega is the place where locals go for a range of critical services beyond shopping, from paying bills to wiring funds, to obtaining discount and debit cards for a range of services,” said Cuentas President and Co-founder, Michael De Prado. “We are revolutionizing that relationship from both a physical and digital perspective,” added De Prado.
OLB has already worked with Cuentas on other initiatives and acquired the remaining equity in Cuentas SDI in this latest transaction. The Companies plan to re-brand the platform and integrate additional services to provide new revenue streams for the store owners, potentially including instant loans and advanced services to their network of customers. Both Cuentas and OLB share the mission of working together to provide new and increasingly innovative solutions to underbanked and underserved communities across North America, which has been estimated to be a trillion-dollar market opportunity.
Ronny Yakov, CEO of OLB Group, said, “We are excited to move forward with this exciting next step in our relationship with Cuentas. Our plan is to immediately focus on adding as many as 1,000 new stores to the network in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut area and then ramp up from that initial base.”
The OLB Group will offer additional products and programs from its list of services to store owners, including wallets with instant credit loaded based on approvals, potentially issuing loans, and providing other novel services as well as building out a common point of sale network that enables store owners to participate in larger promotions and initiatives.
“There is a growing urgency and need to reinvent old financial systems to accommodate the needs of capable, deserving Americans who been increasingly left out of the system,” concluded Cuentas’ Maimon. “This announcement puts us in the heart of the communities we serve and one step closer to providing the most meaningful alternatives for this growing segment of the population who need it the most!”
About The OLB Group, Inc.
The OLB Group, Inc. is a diversified Fintech eCommerce merchant services provider. The Company’s eCommerce platform delivers cloud-based merchant services for a comprehensive digital commerce solution to over 10,500 merchants in all 50 states.
About Cuentas SDI
Cuentas SDI, LLC. is the company that owns the platform of Black011.com and the network serving over 31,000 convenience stores (“Bodegas”) in and around New York and New Jersey. The Company is managed and controlled by The OLB Group, Inc. Cuentas Inc., and is a shareholder in Cuentas SDI, LLC. Black011.com is the network that will deliver a range of services to the network’s customers, including digital incentives, promotions, gift cards, discounts, top up services, telecommunication services, money transfer solutions and other digital and physical products and solutions true the network of financial partners.
About Cuentas
Cuentas, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUEN & CUENW) is creating an alternative financial ecosystem for the growing global population who do not have access to traditional financial alternatives. The Company’s proprietary technologies help to integrate FinTech (Financial Technology), e-finance and e-commerce services into solutions that deliver next generation digital financial services to the unbanked, under-banked and underserved populations nationally in the USA. The Cuentas Platform integratesCuentas Mobile, the Company’s Telecommunications solution, with its core financial services offeringsto help entire communities enter the modern financial marketplace. Cuentas has launched its General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Card, which includes a digital wallet, discounts for purchases at major physical and online retailers, rewards, and the ability to purchase digital content. In Q1 of 2023, Cuentas launched Cuentas Casa, an alternative housing development initiativethat secured a 10-year supply agreement for a patented, sustainable building system that will provide the bridge between its technology solutions and the affordable housing market. Cuentas has made investments to date in affordable housing projects for over 450 apartments. LINK: https://cuentas.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined in section 27a of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21e of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements that are preceded by, followed by, or that include such words as “believe,” “plan,” or “expect” or similar statements are forward-looking statements.
Investor Relations
Cuentas, Inc.
800-611-3622
[email protected]
Blockchain Press Releases
WSPN Partners with Viction and Ninety Eight Ecosystem to Boost WUSD Adoption and Expand Market Reach
SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN) is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Viction, a global Layer-1 blockchain that empowers builders at every level through accessible and scalable infrastructure, along with holistic guidance. In collaboration with the Ninety Eight (formerly known as Coin98) ecosystem, this partnership aims to expand WUSD’s reach, strengthening its role as a stable and accessible digital asset across the evolving Web3 landscape. Together, WSPN, Viction, and Ninety Eight will enhance interoperability, boost liquidity, and drive local market adoption, with a strong focus on growth in emerging markets.
Expanding WUSD as a Native Stablecoin on Viction
WSPN will deploy WUSD natively on Viction, supporting integration across Web3 applications and enhancing liquidity for users and developers. With WUSD as a core asset, Viction’s ecosystem will foster secure, stable transactions, empowering dApps, protocols, and platforms with increased interoperability and cross-chain functionality.
Market Expansion, CEX Listings, and Joint Community Outreach
To expand WUSD’s presence in Vietnam, Viction will tap into its resources alongside the Ninety Eight ecosystem to drive local adoption through strategic partnerships and collaborative community outreach. Listing WUSD on major centralized exchanges will increase accessibility, reaching a broader audience. This joint effort benefits both WSPN and Viction, with WUSD enhancing visibility for Viction’s technology and ecosystem, while Viction’s strong local network and Ninety Eight’s established connections boost WUSD’s growth. Through initiatives like webinars, ambassador programs, and developer workshops, the partnership will engage the community and build a lasting foundation, fostering an understanding of both WUSD’s value and Viction’s strengths.
Collaborative Responsibilities and Support
WSPN will oversee WUSD’s deployment on Viction and foster collaborations within its ecosystem, while Ninety Eight and Viction will support liquidity management, integrating WUSD into the Coin98 Super Wallet and strengthening infrastructure to ensure effective interoperability. Marketing initiatives led by WSPN and Viction will drive awareness and engagement for both ecosystems, reaching institutional audiences and building lasting adoption across the region.
Together, WSPN, Viction, and Ninety Eight are setting a new standard for collaboration in the Web3 space: Uniting technology, community, and accessibility to create a robust ecosystem. By empowering local markets and driving sustainable growth, this partnership is paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative blockchain future. The journey is only beginning, and the potential is limitless.
About WSPN
WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Their flagship product, WUSD stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar and aims to optimize secure digital payments for Web3 users. WSPN ‘s Stablecoin 2.0 approach prioritizes user-centricity, community governance, and accessibility, paving the way for widespread stablecoin adoption.
Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn
About Viction
Viction is a global layer-1 blockchain that empowers builders at every level, provides both the foundation and enhancements necessary for projects to achieve stability and soar to their higher selves.
Viction provides seamless interoperability, scalability, flexible development, zero gas fees, enhanced security, and speed to enable builders with tech capabilities.
Beyond technical advantages, Viction offers holistic guidance through consultation, resources, funding, and strong network connections to foster project growth.
About Ninety Eight
Ninety Eight is an ecosystem of innovation companies with a shared mission to enable and empower human potential. They found and fund blockchain companies that make Web3 accessible for everyone.
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SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, today unveils its latest research on crypto and its impact on the much anticipated U.S. presidential election. This marks the first time that crypto has become a key issue in a U.S. election, and the report, titled 2024 U.S. Election For Crypto: A Potential Turning Point from Tight Regulation and Ban to Support and Innovation, aims to discuss the reasons behind it and analyze what crypto will potentially look like after the election.
Both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, have leveraged crypto in their campaigns to garner support from the crypto community. As the report suggests, there are four reasons that crypto has come to the center of the stage.
First of all, crypto is becoming more important to the U.S. On the one hand, no matter which candidate wins, the U.S. deficit and debt burdens are likely to go worse, and “as a decentralized and scarce asset, Bitcoin can serve as an effective tool for governments and investors to hedge against inflation and risk. In particular, it holds potential strategic significance in the face of debt and inflation pressures,” the report points out. On the other hand, stablecoins can help expand the international influence of the U.S. dollar. The growing significance leads to the second reason that the voters are more and more interested in crypto.
Thirdly, as the Biden administration implemented tight regulation on crypto, the industry now calls for a new regulatory framework which is more relaxed.
Lastly, crypto companies have become the main contributors to political donations in 2024. The report indicates that, “these funds not only influence presidential candidates’ policies but also push for congressional election strategies in favor of cryptocurrency. As a result, the crypto industry has moved from behind the scenes into the public eye, becoming a vital force in U.S. politics.”
The report then compared the two candidates’ crypto policies. Harris is expected to be more crypto-friendly than Biden. However, she has made limited statements on crypto policies, and is cautious on key issues like taxation, Bitcoin mining, and self-custody.
Trump, on the other hand, has shown strong interest in the digital asset industry, claiming that he aims to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the world”. He has proposed a series of crypto policy proposals, including creating a strategic Bitcoin stockpile, establishing a crypto Presidential Advisory Council, and barring the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital currency. The report anticipates that, should Trump win, there will be a clearer and more relaxed regulatory environment that benefits crypto startups and DeFi. Meanwhile, as Trump has promised to substantially lower U.S. interest rates if he is re-elected, the prices of crypto assets may be driven up thanks to increased liquidity.
The report also discusses the emergence of on-chain prediction markets. Compared to the centralized betting providers, they utilize smart contracts and decentralized ledgers to create transparent global markets, ensuring that these platforms are fair and tamper-proof.
Polymarket is the most successful platform in the sector, which secured 80% of the volume brought on by wagers on the U.S. presidential election. It has been adopted by multiple mainstream media outlets as an alternative news source. As a Web3 prediction market, Polymarket has surpassed its Web2 competitors and holds the largest market share, which is extremely rare. “Prediction markets’ impact has extended into various fields such as public opinion, financial hedging, and business decision-making,” the report states.
To read the full report, please visit: 2024 U.S. Election For Crypto: A Potential Turning Point from Tight Regulation and Ban to Support and Innovation
About HTX Ventures
HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With more than a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.
HTX Ventures currently backs over 300 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active FOF (Fund of Funds) funds, HTX Ventures invests in 30 top global funds and collaborates with leading blockchain funds such as Polychain, Dragonfly, Bankless, Gitcoin, Figment, Nomad, Animoca, and Hack VC to jointly build a blockchain ecosystem. Visit us here.
Feel free to contact us for investment and collaboration at [email protected]
Contact Details
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Blockchain Press Releases
KuCoin Shines at The Gateway Event, Advocating for Blockchain Innovation Through TON
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a global leader in the cryptocurrency exchange arena, is thrilled to announce its active participation at this year’s premier TON community event, The Gateway. The annual conference, renowned for uniting key players in the TON ecosystem, aligns perfectly with KuCoin’s mission to democratize cryptocurrency and expand its reach across the globe.
Representing KuCoin at the event was Alicia, who took part in the insightful panel discussion on “Perspective Sectors on TON for VCs and Exchanges.” Her presence underscored the vibrant potential of the venture capital market within emerging blockchain technologies, particularly the TON ecosystem. Alicia’s discussion highlighted how TON’s seamless integration with Telegram presents unique opportunities for innovation and user engagement, resonating with KuCoin’s strategic initiatives to bridge social connectivity with financial transactions.
“TON’s integration with Telegram not only simplifies the user experience but also amplifies it, making it a gateway for millions to engage with Web3 technologies,” Alicia stated. She emphasized KuCoin’s commitment to leveraging this synergy to enhance secure, user-friendly trading experiences, thus furthering its mission of putting crypto in every pocket.
KuCoin’s participation in The Gateway event reinforces its dedication to fostering a secure, robust, and accessible trading environment, paving the way for a new era of crypto and blockchain integration.
About KuCoin
Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a leading cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community engagement. It offers over 800 digital assets across Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P Fiat trading, Futures trading, and Staking to its 36 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. KuCoin ranks as one of the top 6 crypto exchanges. KuCoin was acclaimed as “One of the Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges of June 2024” by Forbes Advisor and has been included as one of the top 50 companies in the “2024 Hurun Global Unicorn List”. Learn more at https://www.kucoin.com/.
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