Blockchain
Upco International Inc. Announces New Directors in the Board
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – May 25, 2020) – Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO) (OTCQB: UCCPF) (FSE: U06) (“Upco”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gerben Borsje, Mr. Juan Ramos Taboada and Mr. Sebastiano Massimo Galantucci to the Board of Directors, and Mr. Trent Collett as Executive Vice President Corporate Development and Investor Relations North America. Mr. Andrea Pagani Chief Executive Officer, Upco International Inc. was appointed as Chairman of the Board effective May 8, 2020.
Mr. Borsje and Mr. Ramos Taboada were elected by shareholders at the Company’s AGM held on December 20, 2019. Mr. Ramos Taboada consented to act as Director effective from the date hereof. Messrs. Franco Zanichelli and Sergio Mistrali were not re-elected as directors at the AGM and the Company would like to thank Messrs. Zanichelli and Mistrali for their service to Upco. Mr. Galantucci was appointed as the fourth member of the Board of Directors effective May 8, 2020.
Mr. Borsje is a self-made sales and distribution entrepreneur with extensive experience and a proven track record with fast moving products. Over the past more than two decades, he has successfully built a number of consumer brands on a global and pan-European scale. In this context, he has gained considerable experience managing negotiations for commercial agreements on an international level. Mr. Borsje’s contributions as a director will draw on his broad experience, innovative approach, and focus on building win-win relationships.
Prior to joining Upco International Inc. in the capacity of Executive Manager responsible for the Telecom Division and M&A strategy, Mr. Ramos Taboada was the Vice President Latinamerica and Caribbean at KPN ibasis (based in Argentina). He has extensive experience playing lead roles in building successful mobility and telecom companies including iBasis, which grew to be one of the largest carriers of international voice traffic in the world. From 2011 to 2015 he was the COO of Business Telecommunications Systems (revenues USD $350m), where he was responsible for world operations. He has also worked as a strategic advisor for SKYPE, where he was instrumental in helping to develop its Latin American footprint.
Mr. Galantucci joined Upco Systems in 2019 as COO and, effective January 1, 2020, became the Executive Manager responsible for the Digital Division at Upco International, which includes UpcoPay. He joins the Board with more than twenty years of diverse experience in the traditional telecom sector, and more recently in the digital arena. His broad experience in cross-cultural business management ranges from leading local teams to executive management positions. Prior to joining Upco, Mr. Galantucci was involved in building a Digital Enabler focusing on innovative telecom (OTT) and fintech solutions, with operations in London, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Manilla. His key areas of interest are M&A and business development.
Mr. Collett, based in Victoria, BC, is a senior business consultant with international experience, specializing in venture capital / financing and investor relations. His proven track record includes successful capitalization and business development of assorted ventures in the international mining exploration sector, with more recent diversification into telecom and Fintech ventures. In his new role, Mr. Collett will focus on business development activities in North America, as well as investor relations.
Mr. Andrea Pagani Chief Executive Officer, Upco International Inc., commented, “Upco International is at a turning point in terms of its corporate management, and is in the process of restructuring to better respond to a number of significant opportunities. We are very fortunate to have engaged these four gentlemen on our Board and senior management team. Their successful track records to date reflect proven expertise in their respective fields, as well as entrepreneurial competence. The diverse backgrounds, business acumen and international experience they bring to Upco will be invaluable as we continue to build the depth and vision needed to diversify offerings and expand within Europe and into the Latin American and North American markets.”
Upco also announces that Mr. Andrea Pagani, CEO, has loaned USD $150,000.00 to Upco International Inc.
Additionally, Upco announces that it has issued 5,531,704 common shares in its capital at a deemed price of $0.07 per share to arm’s length parties and insiders in settlement of CAN $387,225 in debt. The shares are subject to a statutory 4-month hold and are so legended.
As three of the creditors are “insiders” of Upco, part of the debt settlement constitutes a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). Upco is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirement and the minority approval requirement set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) respectively of MI 61-101 (Fair Market Value Not More Than 25% of Market Capitalization).
About Upco International Inc.
Upco International Inc. is a cloud-based mobile service company which provides high-quality voice termination to a market driven by the growing activity in online communications and commerce. Upco is a licensed Global Telecom Carrier within the international VoIP (voice over IP) wholesale business. Upco has designed a software application for Apple iOS and Android, similar to SKYPE and WhatsApp. With the forthcoming addition of the Upco e-Wallet using Blockchain Payment Services, users will be able to: send invoices, approve payments, transfer international funds, convert international currencies, and track transfers and payments. The application will also allow vendors to securely share account information with their clients.
Please visit upcointernational.com or upcomobile.com for further information.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrea Pagani, CEO Upco International Inc., Upco Systems Inc.
+1 (212) 461 3676
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the statements of historical fact, the information contained herein is of a forward-looking nature. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by statements containing forward-looking information. Such factors include continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that statements containing forward looking information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on statements containing forward looking information. Readers should review the risk factors set out in the Company’s Filing Statement as filed on SEDAR.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/56533
Blockchain
Bitget Blockchain4Youth sostiene l’innovazione del Web3 e dell’IA all’hackathon “Build with AI” di Google Developer Group

Bitget, società Web3 e uno dei principali exchange di criptovalute, ha ottenuto un riscontro significativo in occasione del recente hackathon “Build with AI”, tenutosi dal 2 al 5 maggio 2025 presso la Constructor University. Spingendosi oltre la semplice sponsorizzazione, l’iniziativa Blockchain4Youth di Bitget ha coinvolto attivamente più di 130 studenti di talento.
L’evento, organizzato dai Google Developer Groups (GDG) on Campus, ha offerto a Bitget uno spazio dinamico per entrare in contatto diretto con gli innovatori tecnologici di nuova generazione. Nel corso di una presentazione dedicata, è stato introdotto il programma Blockchain4Youth Builder, che mostra l’impegno di Bitget nel formare giovani talenti all’interno dello spazio del Web3. Questa partecipazione evidenzia l’approccio lungimirante di Bitget nell’integrare la formazione in materia di blockchain con i settori emergenti come l’IA, riconoscendo il loro potenziale combinato.
Gli studenti hanno lavorato alla creazione di modelli basati sull’IA e di prodotti in fase iniziale utilizzando gli strumenti avanzati di Google, mentre la presenza di Bitget ha offerto una prospettiva unica su come la blockchain possa migliorare ed essere integrata nelle soluzioni di IA. Questa interazione con il mondo reale ha fornito preziose indicazioni agli studenti, colmando il gap tra conoscenze teoriche e applicazione pratica all’interno del panorama tecnologico in rapida evoluzione.
“La formazione rimane un principio fondamentale della nostra missione e, attraverso iniziative come Blockchain4Youth, intendiamo fornire alle nuove generazioni le competenze necessarie non solo per esplorare, ma anche per plasmare attivamente questo settore dinamico”, ha commentato Vugar Usi Zade, COO di Bitget. “Collaborare con comunità come il Google Developer Group offre una base preziosa per connettersi con talenti di spicco e aiutarli nel percorso di utilizzo della blockchain per creare soluzioni di impatto. Blockchain4Youth continuerà a espandere la sua portata, favorendo la crescita dei futuri leader del Web3 in grado di cogliere le numerose opportunità offerte da questa tecnologia”.
Il coinvolgimento mostrato all’hackathon “Build with AI” di GDG è un elemento chiave del più ampio programma Blockchain4Youth di Bitget, l’iniziativa aziendale dedicata alla Responsabilità Sociale d’Impresa (RSI). Questo programma mira a favorire la prossima generazione di leader Web3 attraverso opportunità formative ed esperienze pratiche.
Tra le iniziative più recenti del programma Blockchain4Youth c’è il lancio del Graduate Program di Bitget, concepito per reclutare i migliori laureati nel settore blockchain e Web3. Inoltre, l’espansione del programma Bitget Builders continua a fornire agli individui più promettenti del Web3 un’esperienza diretta attraverso gli eventi offline, i programmi formativi e la crescita strategica della community.
A proposito di Bitget
Fondata nel 2018, Bitget è una società Web3 tra i principali exchange di criptovalute al mondo. Con oltre 100 milioni di utenti in più di 150 Paesi e aree geografiche, l’exchange Bitget si impegna ad aiutare gli utenti a fare trading in modo più smart con la sua pionieristica funzione di copy trading e altre soluzioni di trading.
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Blockchain
India’s Fintech Market to Reach $990 Billion by 2032 at 30.2% CAGR – Fintech Firms Eye Untapped Indian Digital Payments Market with Secure, Low-Cost Digital Financial Solutions
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025 | Robinhood, Solana, Tether, China, Women in Web3

Today’s blockchain landscape pulses with innovation, expansion and strategic jockeying. From established trading platforms laying the groundwork for international tokenized US asset markets to fresh efforts empowering women in Web3, the industry is evolving at frantic pace. Solana-based tokenization pathways, China’s state-driven blockchain masterplan and Tether’s push onto new Layer-1 rails further underscore diversification. In this daily op-ed, we unpack five major developments—examining what they mean for DeFi growth, NFT marketplaces, regulatory contours and the ongoing quest for greater inclusivity in crypto.
1. Robinhood’s European Blockchain Trading Ambitions
News Summary
Robinhood Markets Inc. is reportedly constructing its own blockchain infrastructure to facilitate trading of U.S. equities and other assets in European markets. Insiders suggest the project seeks to leverage distributed-ledger technology for settlement efficiency, near-real-time clearing and reduced reliance on legacy central counterparties. The move signals Robinhood’s ambition to transcend its domestic brokerage roots and capture European retail and institutional order flow.
Key Details
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Infrastructure Build: A private, permissioned ledger governed by Robinhood and selected counterparties.
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Asset Scope: U.S. equities, ETFs and potentially tokenized debt instruments.
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Regulatory Interface: Engagements with the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to align on custody and market-making rules.
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Timeline: Internal pilots slated for Q4 2025, with public rollout in mid-2026.
Analysis & Opinion
Robinhood’s pivot underscores a broader industry trend: exchanges and brokerages striving to “own the rails” rather than simply interface with existing clearinghouses. By internalizing settlement on a bespoke blockchain, Robinhood hopes to slash settlement times from T+2 to near-instant, a boon for liquidity providers and high-frequency traders. However, risks include the complexity of cross-border regulatory compliance and the operational challenge of maintaining robust on-chain and off-chain reconciliations.
From a DeFi convergence standpoint, Robinhood’s ledger could bridge traditional and decentralized finance, enabling tokenized margin lending and programmable corporate actions directly on-chain. Should Robinhood open permission to DeFi protocols, we may witness new hybrid liquidity pools that blend CEX order books with AMM liquidity. This would mark a milestone in mainstream DeFi adoption—and potentially pressure incumbents like Nasdaq to innovate their own on-chain settlement layers.
Source: Bloomberg
2. Women in Web3: Cultivating Greater Gender Diversity
News Summary
A recent deep-dive from Cointelegraph spotlights the persistent gender gap in blockchain and crypto. Despite Web3’s ethos of decentralization, women represent less than 20 percent of crypto investors and under 10 percent of core development teams. The article outlines initiatives—from targeted grants and incubation programs to mentorship networks—aimed at lowering barriers and attracting more female talent.
Key Details
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Current Statistics: Women account for approximately 17 percent of crypto traders globally; in development, the share dips below 8 percent.
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Notable Initiatives:
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Women in Blockchain Fund: USD 50 million allocated for early-stage female founders.
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Global Web3 Sisters Network: Mentorship platform pairing novices with veteran executives.
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University Partnerships: Scholarships for women studying blockchain engineering and cryptography.
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Analysis & Opinion
Web3’s promise of equal-opportunity innovation rings hollow if half the population remains sidelined. Heightened grant funding and mentorship can help, but systemic change requires cultural shifts within DAOs, core teams and investor circles. Projects and protocols must adopt policies—like blind code reviews, diversity hiring quotas and inclusive governance frameworks—to ensure sustainable participation.
Moreover, as the industry grapples with regulatory scrutiny, diverse leadership can foster better risk management and community trust. Women leaders have often been at the forefront of compliance, ethics and consumer protection—even in traditional finance—qualities sorely needed in crypto’s maturing phase. Token projects that embed gender-diverse advisory boards may see stronger reputational profiles and wider community buy-in.
Source: Cointelegraph
3. SOL Strategies: Tokenizing Shares on Solana
News Summary
SOL Strategies, a financial-services startup, is exploring a pathway to tokenize private and publicly traded shares on the Solana blockchain. Their recently filed whitepaper proposes a framework where equity is represented as SPL tokens, enabling fractional ownership, 24/7 trading and programmable dividend distributions.
Key Details
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Token Standard: Extension of Solana Program Library (SPL) with “Equity Token” schema.
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Custody Model: Licensed custodian holds underlying shares; token holders have legal claim via smart-contract link.
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Compliance Layer: On-chain KYC/AML middleware to restrict token transfers to approved wallets.
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Pilot Partners: Early engagements with two mid-cap European tech firms eyeing capital-raising via tokenization.
Analysis & Opinion
Tokenized equity stands to revolutionize capital markets by lowering minimum investment thresholds and unlocking global liquidity. On Solana, with its sub-second finality and low fees, fractional shares could trade seamlessly—outpacing Ethereum’s scalability challenges. Yet the critical hurdle lies in regulatory acceptance: will securities regulators view these tokens as bona fide equity or as unregistered securities?
SOL Strategies’ integrated custody approach could mollify regulators, replicating existing T+2 standards while enabling T+0 settlement on-chain. Should they secure regulatory sandbox approvals in the U.K. or Singapore, other blockchains—like Stellar and Polkadot—may race to develop similar tokenization toolkits. For DeFi protocols, tokenized equities could become collateral in lending pools, further intertwining traditional and decentralized finance.
Source: Newsfile Corp.
4. China’s Blockchain Playbook: Infrastructure, Influence & New Frontiers
News Summary
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published an extensive analysis of China’s state-driven blockchain strategy. Beyond its digital yuan rollout, Beijing is investing in cross-border infrastructure, influencing global standards bodies and forging Belt and Road blockchain corridors across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Key Details
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Key Initiatives:
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BSN 2.0: Blueprint for national and international consortium chains.
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International Standards: Active lobbying in ISO/TC 307 for governance models favoring state-actors.
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Tech Diplomacy: Blockchain MOUs with Pakistan, Indonesia and several African union members.
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Strategic Goals: Extend digital yuan acceptance, export Chinese ledger tech, shape global governance.
Analysis & Opinion
China’s multi-pronged approach signals blockchain’s emergence as a theater of geopolitical competition. By undercutting SWIFT dependency and offering turnkey consortium-chain solutions, Beijing enhances its financial influence in Belt and Road countries. Western governments and multinationals must navigate this blockchain bifurcation—between open public rails and permissioned state-backed consortia.
For crypto projects, the CSIS report offers both caution and opportunity. While the digital yuan may corner state-aligned corridors, decentralized networks remain resilient by design. Projects focusing on interoperability—such as Polkadot bridges and Cosmos IBC—can link fragmented chains and preserve open value transfer. Investors should monitor on-chain metrics in emerging markets, as Chinese-backed consortium chains gain traction in cross-border trade finance.
Source: CSIS
5. Tether Expands Stablecoin Reach to 196 Million Users via Kaia
News Summary
Tether has launched USDT on the Kaia blockchain, bringing its flagship stablecoin to Kaia’s user base of approximately 196 million. Kaia, a burgeoning Layer-1 optimized for high-throughput mobile applications, opens new corridors for USDT in gaming, remittances and micro-trading in emerging markets.
Key Details
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Technical Integration: USDT issued as a native Kaia token, supported by Tether’s reserve-backing audit framework.
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User Impact: Near-zero fees for micro-transactions; sub-second confirmation times even on mobile networks.
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Partnership Scope: Integration with Kaia’s wallet SDK and gaming marketplace; joint launch of an educational DApp for fiat-on-ramp literacy.
Analysis & Opinion
By deploying on Kaia, Tether diversifies its blockchain footprint beyond Ethereum, Tron and Solana, underscoring a multi-chain thesis for stablecoin ubiquity. Emerging-market users—often plagued by volatile local currencies—stand to benefit immensely from a mobile-first, low-cost remittance rail. Moreover, Kaia’s developer incentives may spawn DeFi lending dApps collateralized by USDT, fueling localized credit markets.
Yet healthy competition among blockchains for stablecoin volume could concentrate risk: reserve transparency, network stability and regulatory compliance will differentiate winners. Tether’s public attestations and reserve audits are critical, but as US regulators intensify scrutiny on stablecoin giants, projects deploying on smaller chains may face fresh legal complexities around money-transmission licensing.
Source: Bitcoin.com
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
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Institutional On-ramp Acceleration: Robinhood’s European chain signals major brokerages view blockchain as core infrastructure—not mere gadget.
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Inclusivity Imperative: Women’s underrepresentation remains a blindspot; targeted grants and cultural reforms are needed for equal Web3 participation.
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Tokenization Tide: Solana’s high-speed rails may host the next wave of equity tokens, bridging capital markets and DeFi.
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Geopolitical Battlegrounds: China’s consortium chains and digital-yuan corridors illustrate how blockchain is reshaping global influence.
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Stablecoin Multichain Strategy: Tether’s Kaia integration reflects the logic of diversifying rails to reach underserved, mobile-first users.
As blockchain advances, the interplay between technological innovation, regulatory frameworks and social inclusion will define whether the next chapter of crypto fulfills its vision of open, equitable finance—or replicates old hierarchies in digital garb. Today’s headlines underscore that the path forward lies in cross-chain interoperability, proactive policy-shaping, and a relentless focus on broadening the community that stewards and benefits from these transformative networks.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025 | Robinhood, Solana, Tether, China, Women in Web3 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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