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Visa partners seven new startups to accelerate payments innovation in Asia Pacific
Amidst a challenging economic environment, startups with the right value proposition are poised for growth as consumers continue embracing the digital habits they adopted during the pandemic.
Visa, a world leader in digital payments, today announced seven new startups it will partner as part of its Visa Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific. The seven startups selected as part of the 2023 program are from India, Mainland China, Thailand, Singapore and Germany and they will be working on solutions in the areas of Web 3.0, global money movement, embedded finance, merchant and small business enablers, and open banking solutions.
The startups selected for the 2023 cohort are Dowsure (Mainland China), Doxa Holdings (Singapore), Kadmos (Germany), Pi-xcels (Singapore), Playbux (Thailand), Transpure (India) and Twid (India). Over a course of six months, these startups will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with Visa’s payment experts, business development teams and customers to co-develop, test and iterate their solutions, while validating them against commercial opportunities with Visa’s extensive network of financial institutions, merchants and digital partners.
“The Visa Accelerator Program offers selected startups a path to rapid commercialisation,” said Kunal Chatterjee, Head of Innovation, Asia Pacific, Visa, “Our collaboration with past cohorts of startups has yielded multiple commercial partnerships, joint intellectual property (IP) creation and new product developments with Visa and our clients in Asia Pacific. Success in payments requires strong collaboration and Visa is committed to partnering with and investing in startups that share our vision to build new digital commerce experiences.”
The seven startups for the 2023 cohort were selected from a pool of more than 450 applicants. They are:
- Dowsure (Mainland China) provides digital financing experiences for cross-border merchants on global e-Commerce platforms.
- Doxa Holdings (Singapore) offers a collaborative trade platform that enables automated procure-to-pay and financing workflows for companies operating in a cross-industry ecosystem.
- Kadmos (Germany) offers an end-to-end salary payments platform for migrant workers, bringing fintech, low margins, and transparent FX to traditional industries.
- Pi-xcels (Singapore) digitises paper receipts instantly to provide offline retailers with real-time actionable shopper data, via a single tap.
- Playbux (Thailand) provides a fully integrated Web 3.0 community platform with commerce activities, blockchain technology, NFTs, and virtual communities.
- Transpure (India) provides technology to minimise friction, build seamless and cost-effective solutions for cross-border payments and remittances.
- Twid (India) is a rewards-based payment network that brings together various issuers’ rewards points systems to enable them as a mode of payment across merchants.
The trend of consumers continuing to embrace the convenience and security that digital commerce, banking, and payments have brought to their lifestyles is set to stay and Visa is collaborating with the selected startups to build new digital commerce experiences together.
Visa partners with Plug and Play, one of the world's most successful global innovation platforms for the Visa Accelerator Program 2023. Plug and Play will bring their expertise as a highly successful investor and their experience working with other major corporate accelerator programs, to identify, attract and accelerate startups who want to solve industry challenges and scale new technologies.
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Byron Pei, CEO of Dowsure says, “Through the Visa Accelerator Program, we want to help address the challenge where e-Commerce merchants and small businesses have limited access to financial solutions and aids due to lack of data for underwriting and effective approaches to risk management. Leveraging Visa’s expertise in embedded finance, we want to collaborate to co-issue credit cards to provide new payment solutions for cross-border e-Commerce merchants.”
Edmund Ng, Co-founder and CEO of Doxa says, “Visa’s strong reputation in payments and innovation is a huge draw and we see a lot of synergy with what we are trying to achieve. The mentoring through the Visa Accelerator Program will be invaluable in the areas of digitising B2B invoice and payments as well as growing virtual accounts. We want to use this opportunity to help businesses not just digitalise their manual procurement workflow but embed and automate digital payments as well.”
Sasha Makarovych, Co-founder of Kadmos says, “Joining the Visa Accelerator Program is timely and provides us the right expertise as we are rapidly scaling, hiring, as well as fundraising. Our goal is to focus on creating a holistic salary payments solution for migrant workers, especially those in the Asia Pacific region, and Visa’s experience and expertise in enabling and fast-tracking digital payments will help us take our business to the next level.”
Daniel Lim, Co-founder and CEO of Pi-xcels says, “The biggest draw of the Visa Accelerator Program is its emphasis on developing a proof of concept that has the potential to succeed in the market. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Visa, and we look forward to exploring ways together to further advance innovation in tap-to-phone technology with the main goal to create an even more secure and seamless payment solution that benefits both businesses and consumers.”
Sarun Vichayabhai, Co-founder of Playbux says, “Our prior collaboration with Visa in Thailand has helped us grow tremendously and we are excited to be given this opportunity to extend our partnership through the Visa Accelerator Program. Similar to Visa, we see the potential of simplifying payments using blockchain and on Web3.0 and want to work together on accelerating a payments platform that can link fiat to crypto currency.”
Sandeep Chandalia, Co-founder and CEO of Transpure says, “We are delighted to be chosen to be part of the Visa Accelerator Program as we see the synergies and opportunities in bringing innovation to the cross-border payment space. As an entrepreneur, I see great value in Visa’s experience and expertise to further our growth and enhance the capabilities of our core products.”
Amit Koshal, Founder and CEO of Twid says, “We are excited to be part of the Visa Accelerator Program and that both teams will be co-creating innovative solutions to elevate the customer payments experience by leveraging Visa and TWID's network strength. We are also very excited to work with Visa’s network of banks and partners to co-create new rewards experiences for their customers.“
Jupe Tan, Managing Partner of Plug and Play Asia Pacific says, “We are excited to partner with Visa for the Visa Accelerator Program 2023. Through this partnership, we will work hand in hand with Visa to identify and nurture the most promising startups in the financial services sector by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and access to our global network necessary to drive meaningful impact.”
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.


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Al Hilal Publishing & Marketing GroupPO Box 1100,
Kingdom of Bahrain
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FAMILIES will be flocking to City Centre Bahrain today for a thrilling Hotel Transylvania experience being staged in the kingdom for the first time.
The activities at the popular mall will form part of the celebrations marking the fourth edition of Shop Bahrain, in partnership with Bahrain Exhibitions and Tourism Authority.
The fun continues until Saturday and children will also be invited to enter the mall’s Central Galleria Ghostbuster activity zone with ‘thrills guaranteed’.
The stage has been set for four daily 20-minute thrilling and fun family shows featuring Hotel Transylvania characters made famous in the hit movies.
Duaij Al Rumaihi, senior mall manager, City Centre Bahrain, is confident the latest event will add to mall operator Majid Al Futtaim’s determined bid to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’.
The organisers of Shop Bahrain 2018 are delighted too. “We would like to thank City Centre Bahrain for all its support throughout the years,” said Shop Bahrain director, Yousef Al Khan. Visitors to the mall are promised ‘compelling and exclusive discounts, as well as bigger winning opportunities than ever before’ during the campaign.

domain: news


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CAT owners in Burton have been issued with a stern warning following a large number of accidental poisonings over recent months.
The issue, raised by animal charity PDSA, came after vets reported more than 20 cases of accidental poisoning every month caused by owners using flea treatments intended for dogs on their cats.
The flea products can be fatal if given to cats due to a highly toxic insecticide called permethrin, which is found in some products.
Some owners are also failing to follow the on-packet guidance relating to dosage.
Stephanie Hu, head nurse at Companion Care Vets in Burton, said: "I have seen cases like this where people are using the wrong product and often it is because they are buying it from over the counter rather than having it prescribed by a vet.
"People don't realise just how toxic the products can be if given to the wrong animal or in the wrong amounts.
"We try to educate people about the importance of getting flea treatments prescribed at a vets, but from what I have seen about 60 per cent of the pet owners I speak to buy the products off the shelf and do it in their own homes."


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Trip.com Group, a leading travel service provider, announced today the signing of a new NDC agreement with LATAM Airlines Group.
This agreement between the two companies aims to provide a contemporary and streamlined ticketing experience for global travellers.
It also offers unparalleled connectivity to over 144 destinations covered by LATAM Airlines across 22 countries and regions, including Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania.
The key benefit of this agreement is the adoption of NDC standard technology. This technology gives customers access to a complete and more comprehensive selection of airline offerings and the option to buy additional products, services, and add-ons such as baggage allowance and seats.
Moreover, customers can access a broader range of ancillary services and more detailed information by browsing the change and cancellation policy section during checkout, leading to improved Trip.com Group and LATAM Airlines Group’s after-sales services.
Juan Villanova, Sales Manager of Trip.com for Spain and Latin America, comments: “Trip.com is a cutting-edge online travel company that leads the way in technology.
“Our commitment is to improve our product offerings to guarantee the highest customer satisfaction. With this tech solution, our passengers will have access to an improved and more competitive selection of flights and products.”
The agreement will include integrating a shopping engine for ticket sales via some of Trip.com Group’s leading brands, offering a cost advantage to both suppliers and customers.
Henk Van der Velde, Regional Director for Southern Europe and Latin America for Trip.com Group’s flight Department, adds: “We are delighted to collaborate with LATAM Airlines Group in the implementation of an NDC standard, and offer solutions for everyone via a shopping engine, which has yielded excellent results.
“I look forward to continuing this collaboration and bringing new features that positively impact our customer’s travel experience.”
Andreas Schek, Vice President of Sales and Branding of LATAM Airlines Group, adds: “We are proud of this collaboration with Trip.com Group on the implementation of the NDC standard, as it allows us to explore ways to enhance its efficiency further.
“This is a significant milestone in the future of distribution that will benefit our global customers.”


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It's not the first time we have seen hiring escalating as automakers expand their network of renewables partners. Rivian was ramping up staffing earlier this year, we wrote at Thinknum Media, when it picked up a big check and a partner in Ford in April ($F). Job postings have increased 194% since March 1, 2019.
As for Amazon - when it announced an ambitious plan to fight climate change and put itself ahead of energy efficiency goals in line with the Paris climate change accord - it plans to be 100% on renewable energy by 2030 and report emissions on an annual basis. Separate from its investment from Ford, Rivian also picked up a big check earlier this year from Amazon to develop its autos.
Rivian has been on a tear raising funds from strategic investors, as others have struggled in the space this year. Earlier this month the company picked up a third 2019 check, of $350 million, from Cox Automotive, operator of auto sales sites like Autotrader.
About the Data:
Thinknum tracks companies using information they post online - jobs, social and web traffic, product sales and app ratings - and creates data sets that measure factors like hiring, revenue and foot traffic. Data sets may not be fully comprehensive (they only account for what is available on the web), but they can be used to gauge performance factors like staffing and sales.
- How Hasbro bought Peppa Pig and somehow got Death Row Records
- America's cheeseburgers mapped
- Despite reports to the contrary, hiring at Amazon is down 22%


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Potter publisher's wizard buy
You've read the books, next year you'll see the film, soon you can buy the diary and the address book. Harry Potter's publisher Bloomsbury has bought the British rights to printed merchandising over the junior wizard from the film's maker, Warner Brothers, for an undisclosed amount.
Chief executive Nigel Newton said: 'As we have had the good fortune to be involved with Harry Potter right from the start, we are closely in touch with the market. We will be marketing journals, diaries, calendars and other print merchandise of the highest quality. We are being cautious in our initial approach but there are no comparisons. Harry Potter is one of the largest core markets ever seen.'
The merchandising will be launched in March ahead of the release of the film in November. Bloomsbury has bought the rights for two years.
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Samsung Galaxy A90 to come with 5G and Snapdragon 855
The internet has new details about the top tier of the Samung A Series device – Galaxy A90.
The Samsung Galaxy A90 is tipped to come equipped with a flagship Snapdragon 855 SoC along with triple camera setup on the rear which puts the A90 on par with the Galaxy S10.
According to the source, the Galaxy A90 will have two versions: SM-A905 and SM-A908 (both on Snapdragon 855). The first one is equipped with a 6.7-inch screen with a built-in fingerprint reader, a 4G modem, a triple camera with 48, 12 and 5 megapixel sensors and some new technology called Tilt OIS. Judging by the designation, it will be some kind of advanced optical stabilization.
In the SM-A908 version there will be a similar screen, but the resolution of the sensors of the main camera is slightly different – 48, 8 and 5 Mp. But the most important thing is that in this version there will be a 5G modem.
According to data published on the Web earlier, the Galaxy A90 will also receive support for 45-watt fast charging and 32-megapixel front cameras .
Apparently, the Galaxy A90 will be presented as a more affordable version of the Galaxy S10.


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Seattle, WA—March 31, 2014— Today, PayScale, Inc. – the leader in cloud compensation data and software for businesses and individuals – announced 30 technology companies have subscribed to its cloud compensation service in last three months. New PayScale customers in the high tech industry include internet domain registrar and web hosting company GoDaddy, customer service software provider Zendesk, and e-discovery and information management vendor Recommind. These companies join PayScale’s roster of existing technology customers that includes HTC, Clarabridge, Mozilla, and Strongview. More than 400 technology companies of all sizes use PayScale’s salary data and market insights to attract and retain the right people in today’s hot talent market.
“Waiting for an annual market survey, or significantly increasing our survey participation, wasn’t an option for us, so we chose PayScale’s real-time compensation management solution,” said Jack Connell, Vice President of Total Rewards at GoDaddy. “As a result, we are able to fill open positions more quickly, develop and implement our first pay structure, and maximize our employee retention.”
Increasingly, technology companies find themselves competing for talent across many other industries as IT continues to proliferate throughout our economy. In addition, compensation levels alter drastically because the demand for specific skills is in constant flux as new programming languages, applications, and frameworks come to market, replacing previous hot trends. PayScale’s recent 2014 Compensation Best Practices Report found many technology companies consider retention a primary concern in 2014, particularly in geographies that are considered tech hot spots. All these factors demonstrate how effective compensation management providing better, real-time data is becoming more important for high tech companies of all sizes.
“Technology companies inherently recognize the value of innovation for addressing business problems, so it makes sense that so many of these companies select PayScale to improve their compensation management,” said PayScale’s President and CEO, Mike Metzger. “High tech is a particularly volatile market and these customers trust our service to help them attract and retain the qualified software engineers, developers, data scientists, and other professionals who can ultimately drive their success in a competitive economy.”
PayScale has more than 3,000 subscription customers across all industries, impacting salary decisions for more than two million employees worldwide. For more information about PayScale’s solutions for businesses of all sizes, please visit www.payscale.com/hr
Creator of the largest database of individual compensation profiles in the world containing more than 40 million salary profiles, PayScale, Inc. provides an immediate and precise snapshot of current market salaries through its online tools and software. PayScale’s products are powered by innovative algorithms that dynamically acquire, analyze and aggregate compensation information for millions of individuals in real-time. Publisher of the quarterly PayScale Index™, PayScale’s subscription software products for employers include PayScale MarketRate™, PayScale Insight™, and PayScale Insight Expert™. PayScale customers include Cummins, Warby Parker, Zendesk, Clemson University and Covenant Dove. For more information, visit: www.payscale.com or follow PayScale on Twitter: http://twitter.com/payscale.


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This time, the letter was directed to Astellas, and it isn’t the first one.
According to an Astellas press release that was issued today, the company stated that it received an approvable letter for its NDA for FK 506 Modified Release formulation – an immunosupressant for the prophylaxis of organ rejections in patients who receive liver transplants. FK506 is a once daily formulation of the existing product Prograf (tacrolimus).
No FDA reasoning for the approval letter was stated by the company.
This is the second approvable letter that the company has received for this product for this indication, having gotten one in January 2007 13 months after filing the NDA in December 2005. After submitting a response in July 2007, the company received the second approvable letter April 30, 2008 and announced its receipt today.
The company also states in the release that it received an approvable letter for once-daily Prograf for use in kidney transplantation in January 2007 and again in March 2008 and got a not approvable letter for use in heart transplantation, also in January 2007.


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Market America Worldwide Launches Sezzle’s Top Rated Buy Now, Pay Later Online Payment Platform on Its Top 100 Ecommerce Site, SHOP.COM
GREENSBORO, NC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2021 / Today, America market in the world, a global e-commerce and product brokerage company and owner of the award-winning global e-commerce site SHOP.COM, officially launched Sezzle’s “Buy Now, Pay Later” online payment platform at SHOP.COM. Not only is this convenient online payment option available to all US consumers, it has also been made available to the company’s US distributors, known as UnFranchise® Owners.
“While a lot has happened in the past 15 months, what has remained the same is our company’s unwavering commitment to providing the most relevant options with the most benefits to all of our buyers. online – 24/7. Today we are adding Sezzle’s Buy Now online payment platform, Pay Later, allowing our customers to buy what they need today and divide the total cost of their order into four interest-free payments on a period of six weeks. Working with Sezzle, Market America Worldwide is focused on the immediate product needs of our customers by providing the highest rated and most user-friendly online payment platform available, ”said Marc Ashley, President and CEO of the operation of Market America Worldwide.
Sezzle, a publicly traded fintech company, gains popularity with its ‘buy now, pay later’ online payment option, as millions of buyers opt for the convenience of paying in four out of six easy installments weeks, without interest. Among similar buy-now, check-out platforms, Sizzle is gaining ground as the most user-friendly, reliable and performance-driven post-payment solution for online retailers. Sezzle regularly wins 4.9 Trustpilot scores among consumers – and with an approval rating of around 90% for new applicants, marketers understand that Sezzle’s offering drives higher conversions, sales and carts. Sezzle is a bridge to millions of buyers who prefer an interest-free option to credit cards with interest and fees. Sezzle empowers users to budget responsibly and helps thin-file credit builders improve their credit scores and increase purchasing power by providing financial education and payment reports. The latter is a “Sezzle Up” feature that provides on-time payment histories to major credit bureaus.
“We are excited to launch Sezzle’s Buy Now, Pay Later solution on SHOP.COM, bringing our highest rated payment option to all Market America Worldwide customers, including its UnFranchise owners. Sezzle brings value by increasing average order value and basket size while opening the door to millions of SHOP.COM for buyers to access the next generation of Sezzle’s breakthrough payments, ”said Veronica Katz, Sezzle Chief Revenue Officer.
As Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM now offers Sezzle’s ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ online payment option, it joins a number of well-known e-commerce sites, such as Target and GameStop, to only cite a few. Future plans include making the “Buy Now, Pay” platform available later to online shoppers on Market America Worldwide’s multitude of e-commerce platforms, including Isotonix.com, Motivescosmetics.com, Lumieredevie .com and GetLayered.com, to name a few.
About Market America:
America market in the world | SHOP.COM is an award-winning global e-commerce and product brokerage company that specializes in one-on-one marketing and is the creator of The Shopping Annuity®. Its mission is to provide a robust shopping system for entrepreneurs while giving consumers a better way to shop. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and with offices around the world, Market America Worldwide was founded in 1992 by the Founder, President and CEO of Market America Worldwide | SHOP.COM JR Cavalier. Through the company’s award-winning leading shopping website, SHOP.COM, consumers have access to millions of products, including exclusive brands from Market America Worldwide and thousands of leading retail brands. SHOP.COM ranks 19e in News week Magazine’s Best Online Stores 2021, # 52 in Digital Commerce 360’s (formerly Internet Retailer) 1,000 Top Online Markets 2021, # 79 in Digital Commerce 360 in Top 1,000 Online Retailers 2021 and # 11 in the primary merchandise category of Digital Commerce 360 in 2021 500. The company is also a two-time winner of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics and was ranked # 15 in The Business North Carolina Top 125 Private Companies for 2020. By combining the entrepreneurial business model of Market America Worldwide with the powerful comparative buying engine of SHOP.COM, Cash back program, Good deals, ShopBuddy®, Express Pay, integration of social shopping and countless other features, the company has become the ultimate destination for online shopping.
For more information on Market America Worldwide: MarketAmerica.com
For more information on SHOP.COM, please visit: www.SHOP.COM
About Sezzle Inc.
Sezzle is a rapidly growing fintech company on a mission to financially empower the next generation. Sezzle’s payment platform increases the purchasing power of millions of consumers by offering interest-free payment plans in online stores and select stores. Sezzle’s seamless, inclusive and transparent payment option empowers consumers to control their spending, be more responsible, and access financial freedom. When consumers apply, approval is instantaneous and their credit scores are not affected unless the consumer chooses to opt for a credit creation feature called Sizzle Up.
This increase in consumer purchasing power leads to increased sales and basket size for the more than 34,000 active merchants who offer Sezzle.
For more information visit Sezzle.com.
For additional assets and news on Sezzle, please visit https://my.sezzle.com/news/
America market in the world
SOURCE: America market in the world
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Pesapal clinches Visa Innovator Award
By Judith Gicobi
Pesapal, a facilitator of payment solutions, was awarded the Visa Innovator for 2021, confirming its leadership role in offering cutting-edge digital financial services for customers and businesses in Kenya and across East Africa.
The annual Innovator Award honors Fintechs (financial technology firms) that collaborate with banks to create new transaction solutions through innovative payment methods such as Visa Direct, tokenization, and electronic wallet. On January 27, 2022, the winners of this year’s competition were declared at an award event in Nairobi.
Customers have come to favor digital financing options with as few steps as possible, according to Pesapal’s Brand Manager, Janette Ronoh.
We must adapt and react to market demands by offering goods that provide clients with a faster and more seamless experience, regardless they pay online or in a physical store.
“We are honored to receive the Visa Innovator Award. This recognition reflects the strength of our merchant payment solutions in meeting the current and emerging needs of the customers,” Ms. Ronoh said.
“More than ever, the global society relies on innovation in payments to facilitate commerce. And the products and solutions used by merchants to accept and protect payments need to be highly adaptable and responsive to emerging trends, which is what we strive to deliver across all verticals and geographies that we serve.”


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Publisher: Microfinance Opportunities
Benchmarking Financial Inclusion in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands: Findings from the First National Demand Side Surveys
Publisher: Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP)
Publisher: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Mongolia: IFC and Financial Regulatory Commission Join Hands to Develop Green Finance and Improve Access to Funding for Small & Medium Enterprises
The initiative aims to develop green financing, as well as improving access to financial products and services for the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises.
The collaboration enables UNFCU members to transfer money to mobile wallets in select countries in local currencies.
A new agreement between IFC and the Mongolian Bankers Association will help improve access to funding for 200,000 micro, small and medium enterprises cumulatively over the next five years by developing a vibrant market for value chain finance in Mongolia.
How was the sector affected by the crises brought about by the pandemic and how can it recover?
Publisher: Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Fijian Parliament passed the National Payment System Act, paving the way for this reform program to boost access to affordable payment services through digital solutions and support the drive for greater financial inclusion.


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A Preston business is planning an eye-watering record attempt to mark the start of a new beginning.
Body piercing outfit Capellli Remi is hoping to see hundreds of customers through their doors during a marathon session later this month.
Boss Daniel Kynaston hopes the number of piercings can reach a minimum of 1,000 with the business due to soon move into the new market facility in the heart of the city.
He told the Lancashire Post: “The event is a mark of thanks to our customers. We started off upstairs in the markets, with just one stall and a small selection of body jewellery.
“The single stall soon turned into two stalls, then three and four and now we’re a successful company with branches throughout Lancashire, a huge selection of products and a training academy.”
Staff had hoped to set a world record for the among of piercings in one day but have opted instead to set an unofficial benchmark, citing high fees associated with verifying an official record.
It will be the third annual event to coincide with Black Friday at Capelli Remi but the first with the added competitive element.
Customers can kick-off the piercing action from 7am.
Daniel added: “As it will be the last in the markets, we hope to make it as big and as memorable as possible. Preston market has been so good to us over the years and we are very excited to be moving into the new markets.”


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From January to April, China had issued more than 35,000 industrial robots — growth compared to the same period of 2016 more than 50%
In 2013, the share of China in world consumption of industrial robots accounted for 20%, which made this country the largest consumer of industrial robots. In 2014, the figure rose to 25%, and in 2016 — up to 33.3%. According to the forecast International Federation of Robotics in 2019, the share of China will increase to 40%.
Industrial robots named as one of the priorities of the 13th five-year development plan of China. It is not surprising that the local production of these products is growing rapidly, as evidenced by the data given by the source, citing the Agency Forward Business and Intelligence.
In 2016, China released 72 400 robots that on 34,3% more than in 2015. In the period from January to April this year was released 35 073 robot that 51.7% increase over the same period of the previous year.
In the Chinese market in 2016 year has sold 34 000 industrial robots local production. This year is expected to increase this indicator up to 43 000.
High demand for robots is due to two factors: on the one hand, rising wages, and so the use of robots becomes economically justified, and on the other hand, the complication of technological processes makes it too difficult for manual labor.


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Consumed day by day by billions of individuals world wide in bread and different flour-based merchandise, wheat is a fundamental meals staple, making present document costs for the cereal a world concern.
PARIS – Consumed day by day by billions of individuals world wide in bread and different flour-based merchandise, wheat is a fundamental meals staple, making present document costs for the cereal a world concern.
Low rainfall or droughts in main producing international locations had been already inflicting worries earlier than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February despatched markets hovering.
Since then, wheat-exporting powerhouse Ukraine has struggled to promote and sow its crops, placing shoppers in poor international locations vulnerable to poverty and even famine.
Sebastien Abis, head of the Demeter agricultural suppose tank in Paris and an knowledgeable on the Institute for International and Strategic Relations, explains what’s at stake:
Is it potential to interchange wheat with one thing else?
“It’s very difficult. Wheat is the most important cereal for global food security: it is eaten by billions of humans in the form of bread, flour or semolina.
“Corn is grown in bigger portions however is usually used for animal feed or for industrial functions.
“Beyond its nutritional qualities, wheat is a very social and democratic product, enabling people to make low-cost food – and it is often subsidised.”
But costs are placing it past the attain of shoppers in some international locations equivalent to Lebanon or Yemen?
“Yes, because of shortages and because you can’t produce it just anywhere. You can grow it in temperate climates, but there are only a dozen countries that produce a lot and can export it, particularly Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Australia.
“In latest years, the United States has produced much less and fewer as a result of they’re switching to corn and soya . After the Soviet interval, the 2 international locations that surged forward had been Ukraine and Russia.
“Ukraine accounted for 12%-13% of global exports in recent years.”
Is the dearth of Ukrainian manufacturing the explanation for the present state of affairs?
“We have at the same time a dreadful geopolitical situation, with multilateralism faltering, to which we must add worrying climatic events, with droughts in the southern Mediterranean basin, worries in the United States and in Europe.
“India, which had an distinctive harvest final 12 months and reserves that enabled it to promote extra on the markets, has been hit with a horrible drought and will be unable to export.
“Prices that were already high before the war are now exploding: wheat reached €440 a tonne on the Euronext market on Monday.”
That got here after India introduced it will now not export wheat. Why?
“India had announced a rather ambitious target of exporting 10 million tonnes. It had sold around 3-3.5 million tonnes before it put its export ban in place, so one of the questions is whether it will honour its commitments.
“The state of affairs is tense as a result of there isn’t any nation that may put greater than standard into the export market. Perhaps Russia will if it has harvest.
“But even if the war stopped, Ukraine’s production and exports will not bounce back immediately.”
Have we reached the height of the disaster, forward of the harvests within the US and Europe this summer time?
“We have real long-term risks. We still haven’t seen all the shocks, because on global markets for the last two months we’ve been seeing fulfilments of contracts signed before the Russian invasion. We’re now entering the hard part.”
What about shares?
“For wheat, we have around 270 million tonnes for a planet that consumes around 800 million a year. Around half are in China which has one year’s consumption in reserve.
Excluding China, cereal stocks are at their lowest level in 25 years.
“We want worldwide solidarity and cooperation. We cannot go away international locations to wrestle on their very own for meals safety however on the similar time you possibly can’t be stunned that some international locations are looking for themselves initially.
“We need to produce everywhere where we can produce, notably in Africa. But for that we need peace and security”.


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Top quality sirloin steaks produced in Lincolnshire have butchered most of the opposition at a renowned worldwide competition judging prime cuts of beef.
The Lincolnshire Quality steak bagged a coveted silver medal in the World Steak Challenge, competing against beef from Australia, Japan, Ireland, Canada, Germany and the USA.
Lincolnshire Co-op butchers entered steaks that were Lincoln Red, crossed with British Blue.
The Lincoln Red breed is one of the UK’s oldest breeds of native beef cattle, with its meat known for being succulent and full of flavour with a fine marbled texture.
Steaks in the competition were judged both before and after they were cooked; raw categories in which they could win marks included appearance, aroma and colour while the cooked meat could score points for tenderness, succulence and flavour among other things.
Lincolnshire Co-op’s Supply Chain Manager Nicola Berry said: “We believe it’s important to know what you’re eating – that’s why all of our Lincolnshire Quality meat is born and reared on 20 local farms.
“It’s really exciting that our dedication to quality local meat has been recognised and we’re thrilled that the judges felt our steak was worthy of a silver medal.”


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The father of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg, likely never imagined today’s digital world. He invented the printing press in the 15th century, and it forever changed the world. Fast forward some 600 years, the written word now appears everywhere from hard copy books to digital signs.
Javeed Gire with Richmond Printing understands the power of the modern day printing industry. Gire’s thriving family-owned business on Houston’s southwest side is this month’s feature story in our Keep Rising Series.
Richmond Printing started in 1985 as modest print shop. Gire said the business proved successful and eventually grew into an industrial printing facility – handling clients from across southeast Texas. Gire said while they still literally print with giant presses, they rely on connectivity to help them deliver stellar customer service. He explained high-speed Internet helps them print brochures, magazines and pamphlets.
“Being in the 21st century, connectivity is critical and essential in any business. We are a technology-based company that requires connectivity all the time. Downloading and uploading files. Huge files require all the date to be transferred instantaneously,” Gire said. “Comcast Business has been able to provide us higher connectivity – download and upload speeds. That has helped us tremendously in our business. We’re probably one of the few that you can count on one hand that’s a family-owned business. We’re not part of any consortium or conglomerate.”
Gire said reliable connectivity from Comcast Business allows them to collaborate with their customers from the design process to the finished product. He said that’s the moment that truly makes the work worthwhile.
“I love what I do here because I get to meet different people from different industries,” Gire said with a smile. “Nothing is of more joy to me than to see a customer open up the boxes, flip through them and smell the fresh printing. They get to see and feel the product itself versus what they’ve been dreaming of and creating on the computer … finally it’s put now to life.”
Richmond Printing is a Comcast Business customer and one of nearly 800 Comcast RISE recipients in Texas. Comcast RISE is a free business support program which provides grants along with marketing services and technology makeovers to eligible small business owners.
Gire said Richmond Printing received a technology make over which helped the printing house supercharge their Internet speeds.
“We are really appreciative of that … real thankful,” Gire said. “I urge all the other small businesses out there to go out there and apply for these grants in technology makeover. Once you receive them, you’ll understand and realize how important they are and helpful they are.”
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Search Result For
Result(s) found: 18
The rise of ZLD in India!
Installing zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology is beneficial for the plant’s water management; encouraging close monitoring of water usage, avoiding wastage and promotes recycling by conventional and far less expensive solutions.
Archroma confirms ZDHC commitment
Archroma, a global leader in colour and speciality chemicals towards sustainable solutions, has joined the ZDHC Foundation as a contributor.
Sustainable textiles - The need of future
With awareness and demand, ecological parameters for all consumer goods gain significant importance. Market preferences have led buyers to lay down ecological specifications and eco labels have made their presence felt, feels Edward Menezes, Director of Rossari Biotech.
Eliminating toxic chemicals, the ZDHC way
ZDHC may sound like Latin and Greek to some, but to eco-conscious industries and citizens, this acronym for The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals is a Foundation registered in Amsterdam, that puts all its efforts into a mission of eliminating,etc.


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The Nissan Qashqai was Ireland’s best-selling car for the 181 sales period with the 3,045 new buyers who made it their car of choice also cementing its position as the undisputed leader of its segment. The result also reaffirms the Nissan Qashqai’s status as Ireland’s best-selling crossover of all time with over 50,000 units sold since its launch just over 10 years ago. The choice of petrol engines that is available across the entire Qashqai range is driving demand for the car with Nissan reporting a massive 63% year-on-year increase in new Qashqai petrol car sales as the trend of drivers switching back to petrol continues apace. Demand for the car is also been driven by the significant premium enhancements introduced to the new upgraded Qashqai in 2017 and by Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility features which are changing the way people interact with their cars.
The upgrades, which focus on exterior design, interior quality, driving performance and New Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, helped Nissan to a 3.49% share of the new car market up to the end of June. A key factor in Nissan’s success has been the introduction of its autonomous drive technology ProPILOT in the new Qashqai, giving customers new levels of driving flexibility and greater freedom when they want it. Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility technologies such as Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Park Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Still Assist have also attracted new buyers.
“We are delighted that the Nissan Qashqai continues to be the undisputed leader in its segment. Nissan’s Intelligent Driving Systems have taken the driving experience to the next level, acting like a partner to give drivers a whole new level of confidence,” said James McCarthy, CEO, Nissan Ireland.
“Nissan believes that everyone has a right to an exciting car no matter how much they pay. We are redefining how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society and the Nissan Qashqai has proven to be the real winner, increasing safety, control and comfort for drivers,” he added.
As the car industry shifts its focus to the 182 sales period Nissan is giving new car buyers and those thinking of buying a new Qashqai the opportunity to save money by buying two cars together as part of its Car Combo offer.
The Nissan Car Combo offer is geared towards families, presenting them with a limited opportunity to buy two brand new cars from as little as €341 per month through PCP, or to save as much as €11,800 if they decide to do a cash deal. To avail of the offer customers must buy two new 182 Nissan passenger car models and both new cars need to be registered in the same family name and address between July 1st and up to July 31st when the offer ends. Customers must choose a new Nissan Qashqai or X-Trail as their first car and they can choose from a New Micra, Juke, Pulsar or Qashqai for their second car to create their ideal car combo.
PCP customers combining a new Qashqai 1.2XE and Micra 1.0XE as part of the Nissan Car Combo offer can buy both cars for €340.38 per month, based on 6.9% APR and a 30% deposit. The cost of the two new cars is just €54 more than the €290 cost per month of buying one Qashqai 1.2XE under the same PCP terms. The Nissan Car Combo offer is a limited offer and available at participating dealers only. Terms and conditions apply. For further details and information contact your local Nissan dealer or visit www.nissan.ie


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The headline news is Consumers Boost Borrowing at Fastest Pace in 4 Months Despite Energy Prices, Housing Slump.
Consumers boosted their borrowing in March at the fastest pace in four months, showing resilience in the face of rising energy prices and a painful housing slump.
The Federal Reserve’s report, released Monday, showed consumer credit increased at a brisk annual rate of 6.7 percent in March. That marked a pickup from February’s 2.8 percent growth rate and was the biggest increase since November.
Consumer spending is indispensable to a healthy economy. The economy grew at an anemic 1.3 percent pace in the January-to-March quarter, the weakest in four years, due to fallout from the housing slump and belt tightening by businesses. Consumers, however, managed to continue spending, an important factor in keeping the economy moving.
Use of revolving credit, primarily credit cards, rose at a sizzling pace of 9.2 percent in March. That was up from a 2.9 percent growth rate in February and was the biggest increase since November.
Demand for nonrevolving credit used to finance cars, vacations, education and other things, also picked up. Nonrevolving credit use rose at a 5.2 percent pace in March, compared with a 2.7 percent growth rate in February.
The Fed’s measure of consumer borrowing does not include mortgages or other loans secured by real estate. The March increase pushed total consumer debt up by a whopping $13.46 billion to a record $2.43 trillion.
Energy prices, meanwhile, have surged to a record nationwide average of $3.07 per gallon, oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday. The previous record was $3.03 per gallon on Aug. 11, 2006.
Is that headline backwards? Perhaps revolving credit is soaring because of high energy prices. Unable or unwilling to extract mortgage equity, but still needing to meet mortgage obligations, rising food prices, and rising gasoline prices, consumers simply said “Charge-It”.
Here is the official Consumer Credit Release. Note that the release was for March which puts this spending in the first quarter. For all that spending, first quarter GDP clocked in at a mere 1.3%.
This huge increase in revolving debt right in the face of a slowing economy smacks of inability to service current debt. And ability to service debt depends on jobs and rising wages. So what are consumers going to do for an encore given the slowdown in jobs and wages as discussed in
Consumers can only postpone the inevitable for so long (and even then only as long as they have a job). The slowdown in MEW (mortgage equity withdrawal) took away one leg of support, and a slowdown in jobs will take away another. Foreclosures and bankruptcies are now both set to soar.
With that backdrop it is probably fitting that superbear Richard Russell throws in the towel.
“We saw something that is extremely rare [on April 20 and April 25], in fact I can’t remember ever having seen this before. What I’m referring to is that on those two dates all three Dow Jones Averages — Industrials, Transports, and Utilities closed at simultaneous historic highs. To me, a fellow steeped in Dow Theory for over half a century, this was like a clap of thunder… My take on the situation is that the stock market (and the Dow Theory) told us that an unprecedented world boom lies ahead.”
Russell acknowledges that what he has written will surprise many who are accustomed to his long-standing caution about the stock market. He imagines that we will want to respond by saying “But Russell, you’re usually so conservative, so restrained. How can you possibly talk this way? Now you’re talking about a worldwide boom. Are you smoking something we don’t know about?”
“I stopped smoking over 40 year ago. No, I’m simply relating to you my interpretation of what the market is saying. I believe the markets talk in their own secret language. And when the market does something that has never been done before, that serves as a ‘kick in the pants’ for me. It’s telling me, ‘Russell, wake up. Something very unusual is going on. Get up out of your chair — and pay attention’.”
This post originally appeared on Minyanville. Kevin Depew also talked about consumer spending this morning in “Five Things“. Here are a few snips.
You have to give the consumer some credit. No, seriously, you have to because that’s apparently how they’re paying their bills.
So consumers “showed resilience” by borrowing at the fastest pace in four months… while the economy grew at its slowest pace in four years? Huh? We don’t think this is resilience at all. It’s desperation.
Mike Shedlock / Mish/


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Critical Unresolved Security Flaw Detected in Belkin Wemo Smart Plugs
Belkin's Wemo Mini Smart Plug's second-generation model has been identified to have a significant buffer overflow vulnerability. This security flaw could potentially be exploited by cybercriminals to remotely execute arbitrary commands.
The vulnerability, designated as CVE-2023-27217, was unearthed and reported to Belkin by Sternum, an Israeli IoT security firm, on January 9, 2023. Sternum's team was able to discover this flaw by reverse-engineering the device and gaining access to its firmware.
The Wemo Mini Smart Plug V2 (F7C063) provides users with the convenience of remotely controlling electronic devices through a companion app on a smartphone or tablet.
The vulnerability originates from a feature that allows users to rename the smart plug to a more user-friendly name. By default, the device is named "Wemo mini 6E9."
Security researchers Amit Serper and Reuven Yakar noted in a report to The Hacker News that the name length is restricted to 30 characters or less. However, this rule is only enforced by the app, not the firmware code.
This means that by using a Python module named pyWeMo to bypass the character limit, a buffer overflow condition can be created. This condition can then be exploited to either crash the device or manipulate the code to execute malicious commands, thereby gaining control over the device.
Belkin has responded to these findings by stating that it does not intend to rectify this vulnerability. The reason given is that the device is nearing its end-of-life (EoL) and has been superseded by newer models.
The researchers warned that this vulnerability could potentially be activated via the Cloud interface, even without a direct connection to the device.
In light of the lack of a fix, it is recommended that users of the Wemo Mini Smart Plug V2 avoid connecting them directly to the internet. If these devices are used in sensitive networks, appropriate segmentation measures should be implemented.
Igal Zeifman, Sternum's vice president of marketing, commented on the situation, saying, "This is the outcome when devices are released without any built-in protection. If manufacturers rely solely on reactive security patching, they will always be one step behind attackers, and eventually, the patches will cease to be released."


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Taxify Kenya has partnered with Total to give Taxify drivers fuel discounts and competitive product offers at Total service stations. Taxify drivers will access these great benefits by applying for the Total Card therefore spending less on fuel and consequently bring in better earnings.
Anne-Solange Renouard, Total Kenya’s Managing Director, says: “This partnership will ease Taxify drivers lives, result in significant brand synergies for the two partners and benefit the whole community by facilitating the development of mobility solutions that are key in our everyday life.”
Alex Mwaura, Taxify Nairobi City Manager comments: “We are always looking out for partnerships and opportunities that will enable drivers reduce the cost of doing business and have better earnings. We have always believed that happy drivers translate into better customer service to riders. Drivers are excited about reducing their fuel cost especially since the discount is instant at the pump.”
expenditure. Additionally, the card can be used to access a wide range of products and services at Total’s
over 190 service stations countrywide.
Total says it remains committed to ensuring her operations add value to the communities she operates in, adding this has been achieved by leveraging on the synergies created through strategic partnerships similar to this one.


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If you had an older iPhone that slowed down, you might be eligible to receive money from a class-action settlement with Apple.
Apple is paying up to $500 million in the settlement after it was accused of slowing down older iPhones as it launched new models. It has agreed to pay a minimum of $310 million up to a maximum of $500 million, according to court documents dated Feb. 28.
The settlement comes after customers alleged that Apple slowed down older iPhones after installing new operating systems or software updates when newer models were released, leading some owners to buy new batteries or new phones.
Consumers claimed Apple slowed down the phone to force buyers to upgrade to the latest iPhone, but in Dec. 2017, Apple said it used the software updates to limit performance of older iPhones that may have battery issues that would cause unexpected shutdowns.
After an initial outcry, Apple offered replacement batteries for $79, later lowering that price to $29 in January 2018.
The class-action settlement covers people who bought an Apple iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE devices running the iOS 10.2.1 or later operating system, and who ran these iOS versions before Dec. 21, 2017, according to court documents.
iPhone users who submit a claim could receive $25 per affected device. A separate claim must be filed for each device owned.
Here are the eligible devices:
- iPhone 6 (running iOS 10.2.1 or later)
- iPhone 6 Plus (running iOS 10.2.1 or later)
- iPhone 6s (running iOS 10.2.1 or later)
- iPhone 6s Plus (running iOS 10.2.1 or later)
- iPhone SE (running iOS 10.2.1 or later)
- iPhone 7 (running iOS 11.2 or later)
- iPhone 7 Plus (running iOS 11.2 or later)
If you’re filing a claim, you must submit your device’s Serial Number. You can find that by going to your iPhone’s “settings,” “general,” and then “about” to find the number.
If you no longer have your iPhone, you can check the barcode on your device’s original packaging or refer to the original receipt or invoice.
Apple’s most recent iPhone launch included the Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max.


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Made.com has slashed its full-year outlook, citing supply chain costs and low consumer confidence.
The online furniture retailer has lowered its annual sales and earnings outlook and does not anticipate an increase in demand for big-ticket items, such as sofas, anytime soon.
For 2022, Made.com now expects gross sales to fall between 15% and 30%, having previously guided a flat to down 15% performance.
The company also forecast a core loss between £50m and £70m, down from previous guidance for a loss of £15m to £35m.
As a result, Made.com has announced a strategic overhaul, with management “actively addressing all non-strategic fixed costs” across the business.
This will ensure the business operating model is flexible for the new environment and better positioned to deliver the long-term strategic goals.
Key areas of focus include looking at forward stock buying, warehousing and sourcing markets, and reviewing operational structure and headcount.
“It’s clear that things are tough for consumers at the moment. Understandably, we’ve seen a worsening in consumer confidence since May and this has had an impact on this period’s performance,” Made.com chief executive Nicola Thompson said.
“As such it’s prudent for us to take a conservative view of what we can expect in the second half of this year.
“It’s thanks to the hard work and determination of our team at Made that we’ve made strong strategic progress over this period, despite the challenging macroeconomics. Looking at our performance over recent years, we have managed to grow the business by 57% since 2019, our last undisrupted year, and increased our market share.
“To enable us to continue executing on our strategy we’re taking steps to address the non-strategic costs in the business, as well as considering options to allow us to strengthen the balance sheet sufficiently to navigate what will undoubtedly continue to be challenging conditions. We’re confident that this will put us in a strong position for the coming years.”


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The 520 square foot store is located at TurnStyle, the underground marketplace located below Columbus Circle at Eighth Avenue, between 57th and 58th Streets. Beauty, known for its extensive range of prestige inspired cosmetics and passionate community of nearly 30 million fans, officially opens doors at its TurnStyle location on Friday, November 18 with consumer festivities through Sunday, November 20. The opening weekend will feature a complimentary lash bar, product with purchase, and gift cards for the first 50 people to arrive at the store each day.
Poyer and Powell also issued a declaration on April 10th to justify their mutiny. In the declaration they argued that they were true to Parliamentarian ideals and were upholding the true ideals which they had fought for and which were being cast aside in the the new ruling elite in the Parliament. The declaration by Poyer and Laugharne was a way to try to broaded their support as it also dug into the issue of religion appealing to conservatives and governing of the country arguing that the war was fought not to overthrow the king but to establish a system where Parliament and king would rule together.
Immediately he would notice an artist’s palette containing bold splashes of reds, yellows, and greens that adorn the dinner plate. Cooking is so much more than flavor and texture. For me, meal preparation is about the ingredients, the different hues, and the presentation.
I don think I ever saw her sit down. It was her love, humor and magic touch that made our house a home. I learned so much from her, and we shared so many good times together that I cannot be sad on Mother Day, even though she is no longer with us. A press release, Macy also pointed the finger at shoppers demanding Thanksgiving hours as an explanation for this year change. On Thanksgiving evening, consistent with many other retailers. The truth is that stores wouldn be open if it wasn in their best business interest, just as stores wouldn launch holiday season deals in September if shoppers didn have an appetite for it.
The Federalist Society describes itself on its website as group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of legal order. Turner Legal Association, say Jones comments reveal a strong ethnic bias. They are pushing for an investigation that could lead to her removal from the bench.
One study conducted by the Cancer Research Center of the School of Medicine, Southampton Hospital in the United Kingdom, found that watercress was as effective as the chemotherapy drugs, tamoxifen and herceptin. Scientists at Southampton University found that eating 80 grams of watercress daily, the equivalent of a single vegetable portion, could increase the level of cancer fighting molecules within hours after consuming the watercress. They also found that watercress could inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.


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Better Cotton Initiative announces five targets for 2030
The Better Cotton Initiative, a non-profit group that campaigns for sustainability in the cotton industry, has announced its 2030 strategy, which includes five impact target areas and a climate approach.
One of the target impacts comprises "global soil health, helping to re-balance its chemistry, structure, biology, organic content and ability to retain water.” By striving to realise sustainable agriculture across 21 countries, Better Cotton is a significant contributor to the United Nations' goal of achieving better global water sustainability.
Better Cotton has been fighting for better standards in cotton farming and practices since 2005. The non-profit group is now campaigning for the betterment of the cotton industry in 21 countries.
In 2017, the multistakeholder governance initiative accounted for 14% of global cotton production. 1.3 million licensed BCI Farmers produced 3.3 million metric tonnes of lint in the 2016-2017 cotton season.
By the end of 2017, Better Cotton already had 1,197 members, comprising 85 retailer and brand members, 1,039 supplier and manufacturer members, 32 producer organisation members, 31 civil society members and 12 associate members.
The importance of better farming
Better Cotton aims to raise awareness of the importance of soil health while also speeding up soil regeneration in cotton farming, particularly within its network.
To achieve these goals, Better Cotton provides farmers with education programmes that can help farmers to gain better yields by improving soil quality and reduce the use of harmful pesticides.
Improving soil quality and reducing the use of harmful pesticides, in turn, helps farmers in cutting labour costs while also reducing pests by using environmentally friendly pesticides.
In the 2018-19 cotton season, farmers within the network were already using less harmful chemical pesticides, with those in Tajikistan using 38% less, 6% less in India, and China using 10% more organic fertiliser.
"Regenerative agriculture and improving soil health are not just key to strengthening the global agricultural ecosystem and mitigating the effects of climate change," Better Cotton CEO Alan McClay said. "Any business stands to benefit from these improved practices in the long-term. Ultimately, by improving soil health, we can increase the environment's resilience to climate change whilst simultaneously enhancing productivity and ensuring sustainable, long-term income for farmers.
"On a consumer-level, sustainable products are no longer a 'nice to have', as customers want to know that the businesses they support are not damaging the environment. So, increasing sustainable farming through soil health not only increases yields and safeguards the global ecosystem, but farmers can also ensure their products are competitive in the changing marketplace."


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Israelis are stitching together fashion and technology. Image via www.Shutterstock.com
Technology – and specifically Israeli technology –is changing the way people shop for styles, from fashion discovery sites, virtual fitting rooms and online personal styling to barcode-scanning apps, social shopping games and fashion omni-channels.
Joining ISRAEL21c reporter Viva Sarah Press on TLV1 Radio are Yael Kochman, organizer of the Fash & Tech Meetup group in Israel; Yarden Michaeli, COO of Grab It; and Ohad Greenshpan, founder and CEO of Fashioholic.
To listen to other ISRAEL21c shows on TLV1 click here.
For over 16 years, ISRAEL21c has brought you the faces and places of Israel every day, spreading the word about Israel to millions of people in virtually every country around the globe. First of its kind, our content is originally researched, written and produced by seasoned experts directly from Israel.
We cannot do this without financial support from people like you. Become a GEM member and enjoy exclusive briefings from our staff and more - for $18 a month.


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Rising costs have caused a fall in profits at Wales-based Nisa retailer CK Foodstores despite healthy sales growth.
Operating profits fell 34% at the business to £756k in the year to 30 April 2019 as a result of higher administrative costs, including an inflated wage bill, newly filed accounts showed. Pre-tax profits slipped by 17.6% from £1.2m to £955k.
The decline came despite a 9.2% rise in turnover to £50.6m and a stabilisation of margins during the period.
CK opened two more stores during the year to take its estate to 28 sites across Wales, including supermarkets, high street stores, convenience outlets and fuel stations.
The business was started in 1988 by MD Chris Kiley after acquiring a small store based in Llandeilo, Dyfed.
“All stores have progressed satisfactorily and in accordance with the company’s long-term plans, maintaining expected margins and turnover,” Kiley wrote in the Companies House accounts.
Gross profit percentage in the 2018/19 financial year rose from 23.7% to 24.6%, representing a stabilisation of margins, which had been squeezed in recent years by lower-margin fuel sales and the company absorbing inflationary increases in food prices.
However, administrative costs jumped 7.5% in the period to £12.6m, including staff costs of £7.2m, up from £6.7m in 2017/18. The business employs more than 500 staff in its shops, warehouse and head office.
CK Foodstores did not return a request for a comment.


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We won’t have to wait long to see that long-awaited T-Mobile-branded iPhone. In an interview Reuters at CES 2013, T-Mobile USA CEO John Legere said the iPhone would begin appearing on store shelves in the next three or four months.
Though Legere and T-Mobile haven’t said explicitly which Apple device or devices the carrier would sell, the timing would put T-Mobile in line to retail the current-generation iPhone 5 a good four to five months before the smartphone is likely to be refreshed this fall. There’s also the off chance that T-Mobile might be a candidate for the rumored “cheap iPhone” Apple is supposedly developing.
Neville Ray, CTO, T-Mobile (c) 2012 Pinar Ozger firstname.lastname@example.org
What’s more, T-Mobile probably wouldn’t have to sell the iPhone as a mere 3G device as many international operators and smaller U.S. carriers are forced to do. T-Mobile CTO Neville Ray revealed at T-Mo’s big CES event that he would have a good portion of his LTE network online by mid-2013. Couple that with Ray’s rapidly accelerating HSPA+ network upgrade around the country, and T-Mobile will be able to support all of the iPhone 5’s connectivity capabilities in many of its markets at launch. Not bad for a carrier that couldn’t get anything more than a 2G signal to the iPhone just six months ago.
T-Mobile originally planned to launch LTE in the second half of this year, making it the last U.S. operator to deploy the latest generation mobile broadband technology. T-Mobile is still behind its primary competitors, but management has apparent lit a fire under Ray’s engineering team. At CES, Ray said T-Mo’s first LTE systems would go online in Las Vegas in the next few weeks, which would put him five months ahead of schedule.
The iPhone won’t be the only device benefiting from T-Mobile’s accelerated LTE plans. The Verge is reporting that T-Mobile will soon offer an LTE version of the Samsung’s popular Galaxy S III smartphone. Though The Verge didn’t name a launch date, the device could hit shelves well in advance of the actual LTE launch since T-Mobile could activate its LTE radios at any time with a simple over-the-air software update.
T-Mobile had a big CES. In addition to the LTE and iPhone revelations, T-Mobile made multiple updates to its technology and service plans.


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BOISE, Idaho — In the days following the repeal of the city of Boise's mask mandate, local businesses are now faced with the decision of whether to require masks for customers and staff.
Across the city, business owners are on both sides of the issue. Despite their differing opinions, however, two Boise business owners are simply looking for more clarity.
"When things get sprung on people that quickly, it's just kind of do what you think is best," said Josh Davis, owner of JD's Bodega in Boise.
Following the city's latest guidance, Davis made masks optional at the downtown store.
"It's hard trying to run a business and then policing customers and at the same time trying not to create the aggravation," he said.
To avoid confrontation and still provide a safe place for customers, Davis is still requiring his employees to wear masks.
"We are all trying to figure it out. It's been a little frustrating I guess," he said. "Because basically they just change all the parameters and don't give a lot of guidelines or expectations of what we are supposed to do."
Sierra Heavin Hunter, owner of the Dragonfly Boutique in downtown Boise, agrees that the decision to repeal the mask mandate came as a surprise. For that reason, she is still requiring masks to be worn in the store.
"I wish we could have had a meeting or something with downtown just to know what was going on because yeah, it does feel very sudden," Heavin Hunter said. " I would love to say 'It's fine everybody, let's just all not wear masks,' but I don't know. It's scary to me."
While the owners are on opposite ends of mask use, both said they do not feel comfortable asking customers for proof of vaccination or thought it was not allowed.
Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order more than a month ago that will not permit state agencies to request proof of vaccination, or "vaccine passports."
The order, however, only applies to state agencies.
"That order by its terms only applies to state agencies, so when talking about public accommodations and restaurants, hotels, things like that, that order wouldn't have an effect," said Professor John Rumel, a law professor at the University of Idaho College of Law.
Businesses can decide who they want to do business with but cannot exclude those protected in the Civil Rights Act, according to Rumel. Additionally, experts say the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) cannot protect customers from having to show their vaccination card.
"HIPAA only covers what are known as covered entities, and so unless a restaurant or hotel is also a medical provider, HIPAA would not have any application in this context," Rumel said.
For now, it is up to individual business owners to decide what is best for their business and their customers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to provide clarity to its updated mask guidance in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the city of Boise said they have not heard any concerns or questions about the new guidance but will support whatever decision the CDC makes. They will also support the decisions of local businesses in Boise.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
See our latest updates in our YouTube playlist:


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A week ago Tinder’s moms and dad team privately found inside the a finances label so it manage prevent battery charging users all over the world additional pricing based on how dated they are.
Brand new relationship software is free of charge to make use of, yet, if your top selfies aren’t getting the newest fits you want, you could potentially purchase short-name accelerates or lingering memberships to stand in the fresh new swiping crowd.
Years appeared to be a significant factor operating the costs one more users watched to possess Tinder Together with, a low subscription level, based on a new around the globe case study create now. The research states Tinder pricing plus did actually vary together with other situations, also intimate positioning, intercourse, and you may place, nevertheless studies wasn’t statistically high.
Tinder claims it got rid of decades-centered pricing throughout the You.S. and you can Australia just last year, plus the new U.K. when you look at the 2022. The organization claims the new routine will minimize worldwide by the end from Summer.
The company denies one to gender, sexual positioning, or other personal otherwise demographic studies has previously starred good part in the pricing during the Tinder.
Although not, u sers can get “nonetheless get a hold of specific quick variations in pricing” according to platform they are using to access Tinder, or in the event the team really does rate investigations, according to a spokesperson getting Suits Group, and therefore possesses Tinder and several almost every other relationship programs. The firm didn’t provide facts about why Tinder was conclude age-based costs.
Brand new studies recruited 96 Tinder pages each nation in Brazil, Asia, the netherlands, and The brand new Zealand, as well as the U.S., anywhere between . The research and additionally recruited 48 users in the Southern Korea; scientists say they recruited merely heterosexual-determining users in this nation to stop hazards to participants.
Profiles after that recorded the purchase price they were quoted for a single-few days subscription so you’re able to Tinder Together with, and therefore unlocks a lot more swipes and you will a keen undo key.
Some other members spotted widely varied cost, each other inside countries and you can across the limits. Such as for example rates “could be hit using an algorithm, using a combination of study points to understand what price so you’re able to bring to each private consumer,” according to the investigation, which had been presented by People Globally (a consortium of groups filled with Consumer Profile) while the Mozilla Basis.
Seven within the 10 People in america contradict custom prices, forty two percent “highly,” considering a nationwide representative questionnaire from dos,341 adults because of the User Account (PDF) conducted inside the .
Such as for instance prices seems to be extensive on the web, but businesses barely change consumers when they are are billed different quantity for the very same activities. Gurus point out that decreased openness will provide companies a shady advantage.
“It’s unfair once the users don’t know it is happening,” states Jeffrey Moriarty, new professional manager of one’s Hoffman Cardiovascular system to possess Company Integrity in the Bentley College in the Waltham, Size. “These are typically to try out the overall game of the legislation you do not learn about and just have maybe not accessible to because they are carrying it out rather than your own education.”
Particular differences in prices, such as for instance college student and you can elder coupons, try legal, however other forms away from price discrimination was against the law. “Typically it has been found to be illegal whenever rate discrimination is predicated on things such as competition, intercourse, ages, faith, marital standing, federal supply, or impairment,” says Robert Weiss, a partner in the firm Barnes & Thornburg for the Chicago just who focuses primarily on information technology rules.
K. which was put-out from the 2 weeks ahead of Tinder revealed their pricing policy change
The latest search observe a couple training you to definitely discovered comparable rates differences with the Tinder, that hookupdates.net/pl/brazilcupid-recenzja/ conducted in australia from inside the 2020 and one from the You. In a news release, Tinder says it got provided price offers “while making Tinder sensible for these in school or early in its jobs.”


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IMAGE: A $400 million financing agreement between China Development Bank and African Export-Import Bank for SMEs in Africa
In a significant development that holds promise for African businesses and economic growth, the China Development Bank (CDB) has signed a crucial agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Under this agreement, CDB is set to provide a substantial $400 million term loan facility to Afreximbank.
This collaboration between the state-funded CDB and Afreximbank signifies a major boost for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the broader economy.
Afreximbank plans to use the $400 million loan to help African small and medium-sized businesses that are either trading with other African countries or are involved in sectors that produce goods in countries where Afreximbank operates. In simpler terms, they want to support local businesses that are selling their products within Africa.
The $400 million loan will be available for seven years. They can either give this money directly to eligible African small businesses or give it to local banks and organizations, which will then lend it to these small businesses.
According to the President and Chairman of Afreximbank, Benedict Oramah, African SMEs continue to struggle to access adequate and affordable financing for growing their businesses, and that


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Rebel Office Supplies online store adds personalized promotional goods to the product range
December 17, 2007 (PRLEAP.COM) Business NewsUK online office products supplier Rebel-Rebel.co.uk will be adding a new product range of promotional goods that can be personalized, from mugs to suitcases and pens.
"Rebel-Rebel.co.uk offers 2000 items in the new range. It's a brand new market for us, but one that we know is growing rapidly. Staff will be on hand to provide quotes on all of this exciting new range", explains Mark Dodson, Managing Director of Rebel Business Supplies.
"Being a dealer of OSCARnet, Rebel Business Supplies is lucky to use many advantages of all major developments which make OSCARnet the slickest online ordering system in the marketplace. The latest is full integration with Google Analytics, a leading web statistics tool that helps website owners to track visitors and look at their browsing patterns. OSCARnet dealers who already use Google Adwords will now be able to analyse in detail the value of their marketing spend with Google.
Mark Dodson continues, “Being able to track where customers go once they log on to http://www.rebel-rebel.co.uk has been of great use to our web site management team. The analytics reports have enabled us to ensure that we are spending our marketing budget as effectively as possible,” concludes Mark Dodson.


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Oppo has officially announced that it will showcase a live demo of its new 10x hybrid zoom technology at MWC 2019, which was revealed a few days back in China. The company shared an official teaser on Weibo declaring that its conference will take place on February 23 in Barcelona where the world’s biggest mobile tech show will kick off next month.
The 10x hybrid zoom utilizes a triple-camera setup as compared to a dual-camera on the 5x hybrid optical zoom. There’s ultrawide-angle camera, a primary camera, and a telephoto camera with a periscope style setup. These three cameras will ensure a seamless transition from 1x to 10x lossless zoom. Also, due to the periscope-style lens implementation, the camera module is slim enough to include in a regular smartphone without making it very thick. The zoom goes all the way from 15.9mm all the way to 159mm also preserving image details during the process, as claimed by the company.
Apart from that, the company may also demo the improved in-screen fingerprint reader that was also unveiled last week. Oppo had previously displayed it’s technological breakthroughs such as the 5x hybrid optical zoom at MWC 2017, and Super VOOC as well. Hence it comes as a no surprise that the new breakthrough will be showcased next month.
Watch: Oppo F9 Pro First Look
Oppo also demonstrated a new optical in-display screen fingerprint scanner with 15 times larger active area than currently used sensors. Oppo also confirmed last week that this tech will be used in a flagship smartphone in 2019. It’s possible that we will see both these new breakthroughs in a single smartphone next month at MWC 2019. Right now, it is not certain, but we could either see a new Find series handset or even an R series device since these two are the most premium lineups in Oppo’s portfolio.


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By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN
NEW YORK (AP) — A mint condition Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for $12.6 million Sunday, blasting into the record books as the most ever paid for sports memorabilia in a market that has grown exponentially more lucrative in recent years.
The rare Mantle card eclipsed the record just posted a few months ago — $9.3 million for the jersey worn by Diego Maradona when he scored the contentious “Hand of God” goal in soccer’s 1986 World Cup.
It easily surpassed the $7.25 million for a century-old Honus Wagner baseball card recently sold in a private sale.
And just last month, the heavyweight boxing belt reclaimed by Muhammad Ali during 1974’s “Rumble in the Jungle” sold for nearly $6.2 million.
All are part of a booming market for sports collectibles.
Prices have risen not just for the rarest items, but also for pieces that might have been collecting dust in garages and attics. Many of those items make it onto consumer auction sites like eBay, while others are put up for bidding by auction houses.
Because of its near-perfect condition and its legendary subject, the Mantle card was destined to be a top seller, said Chris Ivy, the director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions, which ran the bidding.
Some saw collectibles as a hedge against inflation over the past couple years, he said, while others rekindled childhood passions.
Ivy said savvy investors saw inflation coming down the road — as it has. As a result, sports memorabilia became an alternative to traditional Wall Street investments or real estate — particularly among members of Generation X and older millennials.
“There’s only so much Netflix and ‘Tiger King’ people could watch (during the pandemic). So, you know, they were getting back into hobbies, and clearly sports collecting was a part of that,” said Ivy, who noted an uptick in calls among potential sellers.
Add to that interest from wealthy overseas collectors and you have a confluence of factors that made sports collectibles especially attractive, Ivy said.
“We’ve kind of started seeing some growth and some rise in the prices that led to some media coverage. And I think it all it all just kind of built upon itself,” he said. “I would say the beginning of the pandemic really added gasoline to that fire.”
Before the pandemic, the sports memorabilia market was estimated at more than $5.4 billion, according to a 2018 Forbes interview with David Yoken, the founder of Collectable.com.
By 2021, that market had grown to $26 billion, according to the research firm Market Decipher, which predicts the market will grow astronomically to $227 billion within a decade — partly fueled by the rise of so-called NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, which are digital collectibles with unique data-encrypted fingerprints.
Sports cards have been especially in demand, as people spent more time at home and an opportunity arose to rummage through potential treasure troves of childhood memories, including old comic books and small stacks of bubble gum cards featuring marquee sports stars.
That lure of making money on something that might be sitting in one’s childhood basement has been irresistible, according to Stephen Fishler, founder of ComicConnect, who has watched the growing rise — and profitability — of collectibles being traded across auction houses.
“In a nutshell, the world of modern sports cards has been going bonkers,” he said.
The Mantle baseball card dates from 1952 and is widely regarded as one of just a handful of the baseball legend in near-perfect condition.
The auction netted a handsome profit for Anthony Giordano, a New Jersey waste management entrepreneur who bought it for $50,000 at a New York City show in 1991.
“As soon as it hit 10 million I just turned in. I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore,” Giordano, 75, said Sunday morning. His sons monitored the auction for him. “They stayed up and called me this morning bright and early to tell me that it reached where it reached.”
The card was one of dozens of sports collectibles up for auction. In all, the items raked in some $28 million, according to Derek Grady, the executive vice president of sports auctions for Heritage Auctions.
“Sports collectibles are finally getting their due as an investment,” Grady said. “The best sports items are now starting to rival artwork, rare coins and rare artifacts as a great investment vehicle.”
The switch-hitting Mantle was a Triple Crown winner in 1956, a three-time American League MVP and a seven-time World Series champion. The Hall of Famer died in 1995.
“Some people might say it’s just a baseball card. Who cares? It’s just a Picasso. It’s just a Rembrandt to other people. It’s a thing of art for some people,” said John Holden, a professor in sports management law at Oklahoma State and amateur sports card collector.
Like pieces of art that have no intrinsic value, he said, when it comes to sports cards, the worth is in the eye of the beholder — or the pocketbook of the potential bidder.
“The value,” Holden said, “is whatever the market’s willing to support.”
Follow Bobby Caina Calvan on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BobbyCalvan


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Earnings Season update for July 23rd
Bottom Line: We started 2018 with companies weighing the benefits of tax reform, along with tariffs and rising interest rates after seeing record profits in 2017. Early in the year we experienced corrections, declines of 10% of more, in every major stock index. Despite lots of volatility often driven by trade and tariff fears we've seen all indexes recover substantially from those lows reached in February/March and all major indexes are in positive territory for the year. And with good reason. Earnings have simply been amazing thus far in 2018. Last quarter earnings growth came in at 25% year over year. It's hard to ask for much more than that... And here we are in the early stages of the second quarter earnings reporting season.
For companies that've reported so far in this season the news has been outstanding. Coming into earnings season the average estimate for earnings growth was 20% year over year. Here's where we stand so far...
17% of companies have reported
87% have reported positive earnings surprises
77% have topped sales targets
Earnings growth is averaging 20.8%
Expectations were high and once again companies in the early going are exceeding them once again. We're pacing the second-best earnings growth since 2010 out of the gate with record overall earnings for the quarter. We're now clearly seeing the impact of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act washing through in these reports and projections going forward. There's still lots of room for optimism.
Market reaction over the short run is unpredictable but fundamentals matter most overtime and the fundamentals of our businesses are about the best they've ever been.


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Tourism exchange held in Airlie Beach
THE Whitsunday’s tourism industry connected with key representatives from national and international travel companies at the inaugural Whitsundays Tourism Exchange held in Airlie Beach yesterday (Wednesday).
Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited (WMDL) chief executive officer Danial Rochford said he was proud to see that the inaugural Whitsundays tourism exchange was a great success.
“WMDL in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) have been organising the event and we were overwhelmed with the great response from both travel trade and our industry,” Mr Rochford said.
“On the day, more than 40 local tourism businesses built new and strengthened existing relation- ships with 35 key product buyers from major wholesalers and online travel agents such as Flight Centre.
“Events such as the Whitsundays Tourism Exchange are vital to ensure that what’s on offer here in the Whitsundays region reaches the consumer through the different national and international distribution networks,” Mr Rochford said.
“Together with TEQ we have managed to bring travel trade into the region to promote the Whitsundays and its various experiences and products.”
“I strongly believe that we have tightened our industry’s bond with Australia’s travel trade networks by inviting them to our stunning destination,” Mr Rochford said.


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Ikea has notified 150 employees of their imminent termination. Approximately 100 of them are employed in Sweden, according to Swedish media. The reason is stated as more focus on online sales.
According to Sydsvenskan, approximately 90 employees in Malmö, and 20 inHelsingborg will be affected.
The downsizing is a part of the company’s new strategy, with increased investment in selling furniture and other Ikea products online.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today


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LONDON: Global gold demand soared in the fourth quarter of 2021 as inflation rocketed, helping to recoup much of the drop triggered by the pandemic, industry data showed Friday. Viewed as a haven investment in times of economic unrest, gold saw demand surge 50 percent in the final three months of last year compared with the October-December period in 2020, the World Gold Council said in a report.
Overall last year, “demand recouped much of the COVID-related losses sustained during 2020”, the WGC said, adding that total physical purchases jumped 10 percent to 4,021 tons. Gold demand “in the consumer-driven jewelry and technology sectors recovered throughout the year in line with economic growth and sentiment, while central bank buying also far outpaced that of 2020”, the Council added. Looking ahead, it said expansion of 5G telecoms infrastructure should help support demand for gold in the sector. “But demand faces some risks from a slowdown in China as well as COVID-related restrictions,” the WGC warned.
Gold jewelry demand jumped by more than half in 2021 on strong buying in India and China, as celebrations including marriages postponed by COVID finally took place. In India, “millions of people get married, and that involves a certain amount of gold”, WGC spokesman John Mulligan told AFP. Elsewhere, global bar and coin investment reached an eight-year high.
“Inflation concerns were a key driver, especially in the US and Germany, which both saw record annual demand,” the report said. However global holdings of gold exchange-traded funds-that allow investment outside of futures market-fell by $9 billion, or five percent, last year. Overall, “gold drew direction chiefly from inflation and interest rate expectations in 2021”, the WGC concluded. Central banks are raising interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. “Investment may struggle in 2022 amid competing forces but consumer demand should hold strong and central banks will likely keep buying.” The gold price dropped four percent last year. — AFP


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Cryptocurrencies have taken the world by storm and Canada wasn’t left out. Data shows the cryptocurrency ecosystem in the country has been steadily growing over the last few years, although retail interest has remained relatively low throughout the recent bull run.
A study from the Bank of Canada in 2018, referring to data from 2017, revealed that awareness of bitcoin, measured by the response to the question “have you heard of bitcoin?” rose 21% year-over-year to 85% in the country, with some regions going as far as 93%.
That same study found that in 2016 2.9% of Canadians owned BTC, while in 2017 the figure moved up to 5%. Most BTC users in the country, however, bought relatively small amounts below 0.1 BTC. In Canada, according to a study from the Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) there are 280 companies employing 1,600 workers in the blockchain ecosystem.
Vancouver and Toronto are the leading centres of the new blockchain-based economy in the country, employing 65% of the total workforce with 60% of the companies based there. A large percentage of the companies in Canada are crypto mining businesses, which move there thanks to the low climate and low energy costs.
CryptoCompare data shows that trading volumes in the country’s currency, the Canadian Dollar (CAD) exploded in late 2017 when the price of BTC hit a new all-time high near $20,000, and haven’t recovered since, despite the cryptocurrency’s price recovery to over $19,000 this month.
Crypto Regulations in Canada
Canada’s stance towards cryptocurrencies is permissive, and users are allowed to buy and sell cryptoassets as they want to, and are allowed to use them as a payment method for goods and services. The government’s page on cryptocurrencies reads:
You can use digital currencies to buy goods and services on the Internet and in stores that accept digital currencies. You may also buy and sell digital currency on open exchanges, called digital currency or cryptocurrency exchanges.
The page warns, however, that digital currencies such as bitcoin are not legal tender in Canada, unlike the Canadian dollar. The Currency Act, it adds, defines legal tender as “bank notes issued by the Bank of Canada under the Bank of Canada Act” and “coins issued under the Royal Canadian Mint Act.”
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not issued by any government or financial institution. In Canada, when you file taxes you must report gains or losses from buying and selling cryptoassets.
Digital currencies, the government’s website ads, are considered a commodity and are “subject to the barter rules of the Income Tax Act.” Not reporting income from crypto transactions is illegal, it adds.
It’s important to consider several factors when looking at cryptocurrency exchanges to buy your crypto assets, as an unsecure platforms may mean a lot of trouble. As no authority controls a cryptocurrency’s network, your funds are at risk with unregulated entities.
The following points should always be considered:
- Regulatory and banking relationships
- Closed-loop or open-loop
- Trading and transaction fees.
It’s common practice for most cryptocurrency exchanges to keep the majority of deposited funds offline in so-called cold storage, a cryptocurrency exchange must also secure banking relationships so they can process deposits and withdrawals with ease and maintain their operations.
Seemingly, regulatory relationships are crucial. Popular derivatives trading platform BitMEX was earlier this year charged with failing to prevent money laundering, and the result was an exodus from the platform.
Understanding whether an exchange is closed-loop or open-loop is simple. Closed-loop exchanges are those that do not allow users to transfer funds out of their platform: PayPal, Robinhood, and others are closed-loop platforms. While users can gain exposure to cryptoassets, they cannot transfer them to a wallet to which they own the private keys of.
On the other hand, open-loop exchanges let users withdraw their funds to wallets under their control.
Finally, trading and transaction fees can easily eat away users’ profits, defeating the purpose of investing in the cryptocurrency space. Exchanges should be transparent about their fee schedule.
Options to Buy Crypto in Canada
For Canadian users there are several options out there to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies. Some are closed-loop trading platforms, so It’s important to be aware. Here are some of the most prominent options:
3iQ is a digital asset management firm that is behind The Bitcoin Fund (QBTC), whose net asset value (NAV) is now above the $300 million mark, and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
With the fund it’s easy to buy BTC using either USD or CAD on the exchange, but being on such a platform means it’s a closed-loop exchange. Moreover, each unit of the fund has 0.001114 BTC in it, meaning you’d need to buy 897.34 units to own one whole BTC. The fund has a management fee of 1.95%.
WealthSimple is a popular firm in Canada for its equity investment and stock trading products. It has released cryptocurrency trading solutions as well, via the WealthSimple Crypto (WSC) platform.
The platform is registered as a Restricted Dealer with the Canadian Securities Administrator’s Regulatory Sandbox and assets purchased through it are not protected by insurance. Users are limited to buying BTC or ETH on WSC and the platform runs a closed-loop system.
The firm has zero withdrawal, deposit or trading fees. WealthSimple does charge a spread in market prices to make a profit on its cryptocurrency operations.
Cryptocurrency Exchanges – NDAX
The last option is to trade cryptocurrencies directly on exchanges, these allow users to buy various cryptocurrencies – not just BTC or ETH – in an open-looped system, which means the funds can be withdrawn and moved to a wallet under your control.
The National Digital Asset Exchange (NDAX) is a popular solution among Canadian users. It’s registered with the Financial Transactions and Reports and Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) as a Money Service Business (MSB).
The firm has a banking relationship with a Canadian Crown-owned financial institution with insurance protection for user funds, and holds the majority of cryptocurrency funds deposited offline in cold storage, away from hackers.
NDAX, as other top crypto exchanges, runs an open-looped system and lets users buy several cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, XRP, EOS, and LINK. It charges a 0.2% trading fee, and has standard withdrawal fees meant to cover the costs of moving funds on the blockchain.
You can read a full review of NDAX here.
Featured image via Unsplash.