Blockchain
Upco International Inc. Announces Second Quarter Results Ended June 30, 2020
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – October 20, 2020) – Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO) (OTC Pink: UCCPF) (FSE: U06) (“Upco”) is pleased to announce it has filed its consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. These documents can be accessed from the SEDAR web site at www.sedar.com.
Upco reported revenues US$ 4,625 (2019 – US$ 36,446) and a net loss of US$ 560,103 (2019 – net loss of US$ 214,815) for its second quarter ended June 30, 2020.
The first 6 months of 2020 has been affected by the turbulent event of the global Covid pandemic. In the same time, Upco International inc. announced the appointment of Mr. Juan Ramos Taboada as Upco’s Head of its Wholesale Telecom business unit and Mr. Sebastiano Massimo Galantucci as Upco’s Head of its Digital Services business unit. Both of them also entered in the Board of Director.
Upco’s new business model will be based on building a Federated Business Platform for the Telco- digital industry. While such platforms are becoming the predominant business model in the digital era, their application to the Telco business is very limited worldwide, and substitute services are gaining momentum. Upco’s model responds to an opportunity to leverage this approach and play a lead role in this new era in the Telco-digital industry.
Therefore, Upco’s strategy will invoke a four-phase approach as follows: 1) leverage core business capabilities and assets (Wholesale Telecom), 2) reinforce the core business by expanding into related areas (Voice and Data), 3) continue adding value to customers through extended offerings (OTT and UpcoPay), and 4) continue growth by leveraging a synergized product mix. Key elements of the plan are targeted for delivery over a three-year period by 2022.
Upco has been working to launch in the coming months UpcoPay which is an innovative, highly secure and convenient eWallet solution to make person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) payments. Users will be able to view multiple account balances, load funds, settle payments and initiate peer-to-peer and FX transfers instantly within the app without the need to create an account or input bank details.
With regard the Q2 Financial Statements, the main focus of the new Management has been on corporate restructuring, reducing the liabilities with an excellent result by decreasing US$ 290,773, in 6 months of work representing the 22,5% comparing the the Year End Financial Statements 2019.
Highlights for the two quarters:
- Announced the agreement with Token.io to leverage its open banking platform for mobile transaction processing. Under the terms of the agreement, UpcoPay, an extension of Upco Mobile Messenger, will use Token Pay™ to enable the delivery of account-to-account (A2A) transfer services and account-to-merchant (A2M) payment services. Token.io is a leading open banking platform provider, connected to more than 6,000 banks throughout Europe. Their platform enables PSD2 compliance, data aggregation and bank direct payments driven by Smart Token technology for banks and TPPs.
Integration with Token’s open banking platform significantly enhances the options that are available via Upco Mobile Messenger, while simplifying A2A and A2M transaction processing. Token’s API provides pan-European bank connectivity so that Upco can quickly and cost effectively establish a connection to any bank to initiate payments and data requests on behalf of its customers. Using Token’s interface, payments are confirmed instantly, and transaction fees are reduced by up to 50%.
- StreamOn (Deutsche Telekom)
Upco Messenger has been successfully tested by Deutsche Telekom, provider of StreamOn. Consequently, Upco will be added as a StreamOn “Social & Chat” Partner effective May 4, 2020. Deutsche Telekom, formed in 1995, is a German telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, and the largest telecommunications company in Europe on the basis of revenue. Via StreamOn, users with a Deutsche Telekom Mobile SIM enjoy EU-wide use of the audio, video, gaming, and social media and messenger services of participating partners without using the data assigned to their contract subscription (i.e. essentially streaming without worrying about data usage).
- Vodafone Passport
Upco Messenger has been successfully tested by Vodafone GmbH. Consequently, The Vodafone Chat Pass program enables subscribers to use currently available Messenger Apps, now including Upco Mobile Messenger, to stay in touch without consuming their high-speed volume. The Pass program includes many major providers, including Facebook Messenger, Threema, and WhatsApp, and Upco has been officially announced as Partner effective July 24, 2020. Vodafone GmbH, a German subsidiary of Vodafone Group plc, provides mobile phone, DSL, LTE, cable internet, landlines, cable TV and IPTV services to customers in Germany. As of the fourth quarter of 2019, the company had 51 million mobile customers in Germany, making it the largest provider of mobile phone services in Germany. Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company, headquartered in London, and ranks fourth among mobile operator groups globally.
- Telecom Targets
Few discussions started after defined the new strategy for M&A, under the Federated Carrier Program (FCP). One of them is particularly in the advanced stage. The signature of the Head of terms has been executed, meanwhile an additional one is going in parallel and should be coming to end by Q3. The two targets are fully complementary and together with an internal growth in the wholesale sector, Upco shall finally achieve the operational step which will allow it to be a player in the global telecom market.
About Upco International Inc.
Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO) is a Vancouver and New York City based telecom and digital services company founded in 2014 that provides price competitive, high-quality and privacy-protected telecom and communication payment social platform in niche markets globally.
The Company operates primarily in the telecommunication industry as a global telecom carrier within the international VoIP (voice over IP) wholesale business with a current focus on wholesale international long-distance traffic termination (the Wholesale Telecom business unit or B2B vertical of the business).
Complementary to the goals in its B2B segment, the Company targets to provide subscribers of partner global and local telecom companies reasonable pricing on high-quality on-network international calls, while still offering its users free texting, international airtime top-up capabilities (the ability to add talk-time/data to a user’s pre-paid mobile phone plan), and other social media features present in most over-the-top applications around the world.
The Company is also presently in the process of consolidating its wholesale business through the reorganization of its operations into Upco System Inc., while trying to develop its own customer base via its attractive rates and flexible calling plans offered through Upco-out in its Upco Mobile Messenger application (the Digital Services business unit or B2C vertical of the business). Additionally, the Company announced the development of UpcoPay to achieve its desired network effects among its customers in the short to medium term.
Please visit www.upcointernational.com for further information.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrea Pagani, CEO and Director
212-461-3676
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively “forward- looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward- looking information is typically identified by words such as: “will” “may” “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “development”, “forthcoming”, “potentially” and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Upco cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Upco is not a guarantee of future results or performance.
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.
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