Blockchain
Surge Holdings Reports 21% Increase in Revenue to $4.9 Million for the Third Quarter of 2019 and Provides Business Update
Reports continued progress with rollout of SurgePays™ Network through AATAC
Asset purchase of ECS prepaid wireless business and software platform adds 9,800 retail locations to SurgePays™ Network
Launches SurgeRewards app enabling wireless customers to earn free unlimited service
Launches SurgePays™ Reloadable Debit Card
Completes investment into SurgeRewards App and Surge Logics InTake CRM Software Memphis, TN, Nov. 15, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Surge Holdings, Inc. (“Surge”) (OTCQB: SURG), developer of the SurgePays™ Network for convenience stores, bodegas and community markets that provide products to the underbanked, today provided a business update and announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.
Brian Cox, CEO and Chairman of Surge Holdings, commented, “I am pleased to report we achieved 21% growth in revenue to $4.9 million for the third quarter of 2019. That said, the R&D portion of the Surge lifecycle is complete, and each of the subsidiaries are rolling out products to market. We believe we have built a solid foundation for accelerated revenue growth in 2020. Surge has raised over $3 million in 2019 to support the development of multiple proprietary software programs and applications. I am happy with our team’s performance in executing our strategic plan for scalable growth.”
“First, we continue to gain traction and are moving ahead aggressively with the rollout of the SurgePays™ Network through AATAC, one of the largest private trade associations, representing over 110,000 retail locations. The SurgePays™ Network offers the merchant a wholesale marketplace to order products from regional manufacturers. At the same time, manufacturers are now able to distribute their products nationwide in a more efficient and effective manner. The AATAC model called for Surge to be coupled with Pastime Foods and Weekend Warrior Wellness’ products to be sold, setup and installed in the c-stores and at the same time to share the cost. During phase one, there was a delay in the packaging for one of the third-party companies. During the delay, Surge negotiated an exclusive master distribution agreement with both Pastime Foods and Weekend Warrior Wellness. Through the SurgePays™ Marketplace Portal, these companies’ products and payments will all be centralized and aggregated, while additionally allowing Surge to realize more than twice the expected revenue per store from the AATAC rollout. Another benefit is AATAC utilizing SurgePays™ as a solution by requiring its DRIP member stores, 40,000 locations, to be set up on SurgePays™ so that AATAC membership fees can be paid through the SurgePays™ portal. By bringing these member stores online, Surge will be able to assist future AATAC product rollouts and become the FinTech solution for AATAC distribution and payments. This bolsters our mid-term goal of 100,000 retail locations.”
“We also announced that we successfully completed the asset purchase of the ECS Prepaid business, which marks a major inflection point for Surge, by immediately adding over 9,800 new retail locations, $48.7 million in additional projected annualized revenue, and 160 ISO salespeople. Our goal is to immediately integrate the SurgePays Network within these new retail locations so that we can upsell both Surge owned and other wholesale products.”
“In August, we announced the successful launch of the SurgePays™ Reloadable Debit Card. According to the FDIC, over 25% of Americans are underbanked, and our card is designed to provide these individuals with a convenient way to manage their money. This integration and onboarding took well over a year, but we feel this was well worth it. Our market rollout will propel forward by requiring SurgeRewards App customers to be a SurgePays™ Reloadable Debit Card holder in order to get their monthly cash reward payments disbursed to their personalized card.” “Another significant investment into software assets was the development and launch of our proprietary SurgeRewards software app. Customers can earn rewards points from the ad impressions that appear when they unlock their phone and by opening the SurgeRewards app to watch videos and ads, as well as by participating in short surveys. The SurgeRewards App allows Surge to more aggressively rollout the SurgePhone Wireless free service offering, since we own and control the app, which should result in more revenue and better results. In addition to our free SurgePhone Wireless service, the app will be preloaded on the Android handsets of True Wireless customers as well as other third-party Lifeline companies’ handsets. This should provide an additional stream of profit through ad network revenue sharing. All these monthly cash disbursements will require these customers to obtain a SurgePays Debit card for monthly cash reward disbursements. We expect this will drive between 15,000 to 20,000 SurgePays™ Reloadable Debit card activations per month, further enhancing brand loyalty and enabling us to maximize our relationship with underbanked customers.”
“Surge Logics completed the development and launch of InTake Logistics, a proprietary CRM software solution that delivers signed retainer services to clients. It is proving to be a direct benefit to clients that do not have the staff and infrastructure to handle the volume of leads Surge Logics generates. A strategic partnership with our affiliate, CenterCom Global, was formed to support these advancements. Forty-two (42) full-time staff members handle intake, reporting and technical support to streamline operations for an efficient and productive workflow. Surge Logics’ exponential growth can be attributed directly to proprietary software development and synergy with CenterCom Global. Surge Logic’s revenue has grown to over $4.4 million year to date as compared to $1.5 million in gross revenue in 2018. We expect the upward revenue trajectory to continue.”
Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2019, revenues were approximately $4.9 million compared to approximately $4.1 million for the same period last year. Operating loss for three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $(1.1 million) versus operating loss of approximately $(399,815) for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately $(1.2 million), or $(0.01) per share, versus a net loss of approximately $(425,724), or $(0.00) per share, in the same period last year.
A copy of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov) and posted on the Company’s website at https://surgeholdings.com/. About Surge Holdings, Inc:
Surge Holdings, Inc. is a retail supply chain company leveraging blockchain technology to provide a virtual distribution hub for retailers, as well as offer telecom services for low income customers and financial payment services for the unbanked and under-banked. Surge products are delivered through a nationwide network of convenience stores and corner markets connected to the SurgePays™ retail blockchain network. This retail platform is designed to transform the traditional supply chain by providing local retailers seamless access to global products, and empowers the corner store to select, order and fulfill delivery of wholesale goods from around the country. This platform also provides manufacturers a cost-effective and efficient platform to access local retailers. For more information on Surge Holdings and its subsidiaries, please visit: https://surgeholdings.com.
Forward Looking Statements Investor Contact: 
This press release contains information that constitutes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results described by the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could contribute to such differences include those matters more fully disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company’s estimates as of the date of the press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company’s estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Crescendo Communications, LLC
Tel: 212-671-1020
Email: [email protected]
A Pivotal Moment for Blockchain’s Many Frontiers
Today’s briefing arrives at a crossroads in blockchain’s evolution. From AI-driven Layer-1 grant programs to gamified resets in Web3, from supply-chain trust revolutions to exchange-driven token incentives, and high-stakes regulatory leadership shifts, the industry is charting new territory on multiple fronts. As builders, investors, and policymakers navigate this shifting terrain, five stories stand out for their potential to reshape blockchain’s trajectory:
-
Lightchain Protocol AI unveils a $150,000 developer grant program to onboard top builders in AI × blockchain.
-
Blockchain gaming experiences its lowest engagement of 2025, signaling a sector reset toward sustainability.
-
Norwegian Seafood Council research highlights blockchain’s trust-building power in global supply chains.
-
MEXC Exchange announces the Einstein (EIN) listing on July 20, 2025, buoyed by a $50 million rewards event.
-
Summer Mersinger, a US CFTC commissioner, is tapped as CEO of the Blockchain Association, marking a pivotal regulatory turn.
In this op-ed–style briefing, we’ll unpack each development, explore its implications for blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs, and assess how these narratives intersect to define today’s momentum.
1. Lightchain Protocol AI’s $150K Grant: Catalyzing Decentralized Intelligence
What happened: On May 15, 2025, Lightchain Protocol AI—a Layer-1 blockchain optimized for AI workloads—launched its Developer Grant & Ecosystem Incentive Program, pledging up to $150,000 in total funding to on-board teams building dApps, explorers, wallets, analytics dashboards, DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and AI-powered modules on its network. Grants are milestone-based (up to $5,000 per milestone), accompanied by technical support, co-marketing, and ecosystem visibility. Source: Bitcoin News
Why it matters: Lightchain’s move underscores the growing fusion of AI and blockchain. By allocating resources to builders at the intersection of these technologies, the protocol signals that the next wave of innovation will hinge on intelligent smart contracts, federated learning coordination, and on-chain decision-making. For developers, this grant lowers barriers to entry and emphasizes sustainable, value-driven growth over token speculation.
> “We’re seeking impactful projects that align with Lightchain AI’s goal of bridging AI and blockchain—everything from AI prediction markets to compute marketplaces.” > — Lightchain Protocol AI Core Team
Implications:
-
DeFi & NFTs: Expect AI-augmented lending protocols and NFT platforms with dynamic metadata driven by on-chain models.
-
Ecosystem Growth: Lightchain’s aggressive grant strategy may spur competitors (e.g., Ethereum layer-2s) to bolster their own builder incentives.
-
Governance & Sustainability: The milestone-based approach aligns funding with tangible progress, a model DeFi DAOs may increasingly adopt for resource allocation.
Source: Bitcoin News
2. Blockchain Gaming’s 2025 Low: A “Reset” Toward Quality
What happened: According to Crypto.news, blockchain gaming saw daily active wallets dip to 4.8 million in April 2025—a 10% month-over-month decline and the lowest point of the year for Web3 gaming. Share of the DApp ecosystem for gaming fell to 21%, now tied with DeFi, while AI projects surged to 16% of on-chain activity. Funding also plunged nearly 70% from March to $21 million in April, though Arbitrum Gaming Ventures deployed $10 million from its $200 million fund to support titles like Wildcard, XAI Network, and Proof of Play. Source: Crypto.news
> “Capital is harder to secure, but that’s not necessarily bad. Weak projects are falling away, and funds are flowing into builders laying the groundwork for the next generation of blockchain games.” > — Sara Gherghelas, DappRadar Analyst
Why it matters: The downturn reflects a market recalibration from token-centric models toward user engagement, game mechanics, and interoperability—key for mainstream adoption. High-profile missteps (e.g., Square Enix shelving Symbiogenesis, Sega’s experimental launch of KAI: Battle of Three Kingdoms) contrast with enduring partnerships like Ubisoft + Immutable’s Might & Magic card game.
Implications:
-
DeFi and Gaming Convergence: As DeFi’s share remains steady, expect crossover innovations (e.g., on-chain staking integrated into gameplay).
-
Investor Focus: Sustainable tokenomics over ‘yin-yang’ hype; capital will favor projects with robust retention metrics and revenue models.
-
NFT Utility: Gaming’s reset may accelerate evolution of NFTs beyond collectibles into dynamic, utility-driven assets.
Source: Crypto.news
3. Deepening Trust in Seafood with Blockchain Transparency
What happened: Perishable News reported on May 15, 2025, that the Norwegian Seafood Council found 89% of consumers desire more information on seafood sourcing. Producers are piloting decentralized blockchain solutions to trace products “sea to shop floor,” sharing immutable data on species, harvest location, handling, and quality checks to reassure ethically conscious buyers. Source: Perishable News
Why it matters: While most blockchain discourse orbits finance and gaming, supply-chain applications represent a mass-market use case for Web3. Immutable provenance data combats fraud, illegal fishing, and mislabelling—an urgent concern as global seafood consumption climbs.
Implications:
-
Consumer Engagement: Brands adopting on-chain traceability can premium-price products by verifying sustainability standards, fair labor practices, and environmental impact.
-
DeFi Integration: Tokenized incentives could reward ethical producers or create staking mechanisms for supply-chain stakeholders.
-
Broader Web3 Adoption: Success in seafood may catalyze blockchain tracking in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods.
Source: Perishable News
4. MEXC’s Einstein (EIN) Listing & $50 Million Rewards Event
What happened: PR Newswire announced on May 16, 2025, that MEXC, a leading global crypto exchange, will list the Einstein (EIN) token on July 20, 2025 (UTC). To celebrate, MEXC has launched a $50 million EIN rewards event, offering incentives through trading competitions, referral bonuses, staking pools, and community tasks. Source: PR Newswire
Why it matters: Large-scale rewards events can drive short-term volume spikes and social engagement, but they also test community loyalty and tokenomics viability. EIN’s positioning as a “science-minded” utility token in educational and research partnerships adds thematic depth to what might otherwise be a routine exchange listing.
Implications:
-
Trading & Community Growth: Expect surges in trading volume, potentially setting new ATHs for MEXC’s platform metrics.
-
DeFi Crossplay: EIN holders may see integration into DeFi protocols for governance, liquidity mining, and educational grants.
-
Regulatory Watch: Large-scale token events continue to attract scrutiny over securities classifications and promotional compliance.
Source: PR Newswire
5. Summer Mersinger Becomes CEO of the Blockchain Association
What happened: Gadgets360 reported that on May 14, 2025, the Blockchain Association confirmed that Summer Mersinger, currently a commissioner at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will step down on May 30 and begin as the Association’s CEO on June 2. Mersinger has championed balanced, consumer-focused digital asset rules and will spearhead advocacy for fit-for-purpose legislation alongside US regulators. Source: Gadgets360
> “Summer’s knowledge of how elected officials think through complex questions will be vital as we await next steps on stablecoin and market structure bills.” > — Blockchain Association
Why it matters: The appointment bridges regulatory expertise and industry advocacy at a moment when Congress is eyeing stablecoin frameworks and broader crypto oversight. Mersinger’s shift signals a blurring of lines between government and industry, with potential to accelerate law-making and foster public-private collaboration.
Implications:
-
Policy Acceleration: Expect renewed momentum on stablecoin legislation, DeFi disclosures, and market-structure rules by August 2025, per administration timelines.
-
Industry Confidence: Firms may feel emboldened to innovate under clearer regulatory signals, supporting growth in DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and tokenized asset offerings.
-
Global Alignment: US-led regulatory frameworks often influence EU and APAC regimes—this leadership change could ripple through the international policy landscape.
Source: Gadgets360
Conclusion: Five Threads Weaving Tomorrow’s Blockchain Fabric
Today’s headlines paint a multifaceted portrait of blockchain’s ongoing maturation:
-
Ecosystem Incentives: Grant programs like Lightchain’s signal a builder-first ethos, turbocharging AI × blockchain synergy.
-
Quality Over Hype: Gaming’s dip reflects a necessary market reset, steering capital to sustainable, engagement-driven projects.
-
Real-World Utility: Supply-chain transparency demonstrates blockchain’s power beyond finance, enhancing consumer trust.
-
Tokenomics in Motion: Exchange listings and rewards events underscore the ever-evolving interplay between liquidity, community, and utility.
-
Regulatory Convergence: Leadership moves like Mersinger’s appointment highlight the tightening feedback loop between policymakers and the Web3 sector.
As blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs continue to intersect, today’s developments underscore a pivotal shift: the industry is moving from speculative frontiers to pragmatic, real-world applications—backed by funding, governance, and policy frameworks that prioritize longevity and trust. Keep these threads in mind as we watch the next chapters unfold.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 16, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
Saudi Arabia Loan Aggregator Market Report 2025: Retail Digital Payments Hit 70% as Tech Adoption Transforms Saudi Financial Services – Competition, Forecast & Opportunities to 2030
Saudi Arabian Loan Aggregator Market
Blockchain
Mercurity Fintech’s Subsidiary Grows Cross-Border Business Advisory Services with New Asia-Pacific Healthcare Client Engagement
-
Blockchain4 days agoBlocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group
-
Blockchain Press Releases4 days agoBullish partners with the Gibraltar Government and GFSC to pioneer world’s first crypto clearing regulation
-
Blockchain Press Releases4 days agoBybit Introduces BOB to P2P: Bolivian Traders Can Now Buy, Sell in Local Currency and Earn Commissions
-
Blockchain Press Releases2 days ago
Fintica AI and Mima Wallet Announce Strategic Partnership and Launch Joint Venture, Fintica Crypto Ltd
-
Blockchain Press Releases4 days ago
Independent Audit from Hacken Confirms MEXC’s Strong Security Standards
-
Blockchain Press Releases5 days agoHashKey Group Announces Launch of HashKey Global MENA with VASP License in UAE
-
Blockchain1 day agoBDM Digital Initiates Promising Dialogue with Stanford Law School in Pursuit of Strategic Partnerships in Silicon Valley
-
Blockchain1 day ago
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 15, 2025 (BTC’s Push, Pi Network Fund, Stablecoin Levers, JPM Pilot, OKX × Man City)
