/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S./ TORONTO, March 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Urbana Corporation ("Urbana") (TSX and CSE: URB, URB.A) is pleased to announce that it has made an additional investment of $2 million in Tetra Digital Group Inc. (“Tetra”), Canada’s leading institutional digital technology and financial services provider, by participating in Tetra’s new round of equity financing (the “New Financing”). Funds raised in the New Financing will be used for o ...

Core Insights - Circle Internet Group, Inc. has appointed Kirk Koenigsbauer to its Board of Directors, where he will serve on the Compensation and Risk Committees [1][4] - Koenigsbauer brings over 30 years of experience in global enterprise software and cloud services, currently serving as President & COO of Microsoft's Experiences and Devices Group [2][3] - His leadership at Microsoft includes the transition of Microsoft Office to the cloud and the establishment of Microsoft's Security business, which aligns with Circle's focus on risk management and governance [3][4] Company Overview - Circle is a leading internet financial platform company that aims to build a more open global economy through blockchain infrastructure, digital assets, and payment applications [5] - The company operates the largest stablecoin network anchored by USDC and offers a Payments Network for global money movement [5] Recent Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Circle reported USDC in circulation of $75.3 billion, a growth of 72% year-over-year [8] - The on-chain transaction volume for USDC reached $11.9 trillion in Q4 2025, marking a significant increase of 247% [8] - Total revenue and reserve income for Q4 2025 was $770 million, reflecting a growth of 77% compared to the previous year [8][10]

Core Viewpoint - Bitcoin Bancorp will present at the NIBA's 152nd Investment Conference on March 11-12, 2026, to engage with the investment community and discuss its strategy for expanding its Bitcoin ATM network and digital asset infrastructure [2][4][5]. Company Overview - Bitcoin Bancorp, Inc. is a diversified digital asset infrastructure and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) company focused on expanding secure retail access to cryptocurrency through licensed Bitcoin ATM networks and blockchain technologies [7]. - The company holds foundational patents for Bitcoin ATMs and operates a growing network of compliant retail access points for digital assets [7]. Conference Participation - Executives from Bitcoin Bancorp will deliver a corporate presentation and hold one-on-one meetings with investors and members of the digital asset community during the NIBA conference [4][5]. - The conference provides an opportunity for the company to highlight its strategy for scaling secure and compliant retail access points for digital assets [5]. Strategic Focus - Bitcoin Bancorp aims to pair access to digital assets with strong fraud-prevention and compliance controls, ensuring a safe and transparent in-store experience for consumers [5]. - The company is aligning its retail rollout strategy with recognized convenience-store chains, which will be a focal point during the conference [5]. Long-term Growth Potential - The company is positioned for long-term growth within the digital asset infrastructure sector, particularly through its next-generation licensed Bitcoin ATMs [6].

Core Viewpoint - CIMG Inc. has entered into a memorandum of understanding with iZUMi Finance to explore a strategic partnership focused on digital asset infrastructure and on-chain liquidity services [1] Group 1: Company Overview - CIMG Inc. specializes in digital health and sales development, utilizing technologies and marketing networks to enhance business partners' sales growth and commercial value [1] Group 2: Strategic Partnership - The MOU outlines plans for CIMG and iZUMi to explore a potential transaction for CIMG to acquire certain assets, patents, and technology from iZUMi [1]

Core Insights - ProShares has launched the first money market ETF structured to comply with the GENIUS Act, which is expected to attract a wide range of market participants [1][2] Group 1: ETF Features and Target Audience - The ProShares GENIUS Money Market ETF (IQMM) is designed to appeal to institutional investors, stablecoin treasury managers, financial advisors, and individual investors [2] - The ETF adopts a conservative cash management approach, combining the stability of treasury-focused money market funds with the flexibility of an ETF [3] - IQMM is specifically structured to meet the strict criteria of the GENIUS Act, making it suitable for investment by stablecoin reserve managers [4] Group 2: Liquidity and Cash Management - The ETF offers intraday trading and weekly cash distributions, enhancing liquidity management for both individual and institutional investors [5] - For stablecoin issuers and institutional clients, the fund features a dual net asset value structure and same-day settlement options, providing greater flexibility in managing treasury and reserve assets [5] Group 3: Investment Strategy and Yield Potential - The fund aims to provide potentially higher yields than traditional bank deposits or idle cash balances, depending on prevailing interest rates, while focusing on capital preservation and minimizing credit risk through short-term U.S. Treasuries [6] - The IQMM ETF represents a significant development in the integration of regulated digital asset infrastructure with traditional fixed income investment products [7]

You all probably remember me talking about Ripple becoming a bank. I've been saying this since going all the way back as far as like 2021. You know, we've speculated on it.You know, is Ripple really becoming a bank. Are they going to position XRP at the core of their banking model. And uh even back in 2023, I made a post regarding how, you know, directly from Ripple, they stated that blockchain is already being adopted around the world, citing blockchain developments as recent as of September of 2023.I said ...

Core Insights - Copper, a crypto asset custody company, is evaluating a potential IPO, with the decision dependent on its short-term revenue performance [1] - Major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Citi, and Deutsche Bank may be involved in the IPO process, although Copper has stated there are no definitive plans for an IPO at this time [1] - This development follows the recent IPO of competitor BitGo, which was valued at approximately $2 billion, indicating a market shift from speculative tokens to digital asset custody and settlement infrastructure [1]

Ripple Managing Director Reece Merrick took to X to announce an extension of the blockchain payment firm’s collaboration with Garanti BBVA, a Turkish financial institution. The latter intends to continue using Ripple’s institutional-grade custody technology to secure major crypto assets, including Bitcoin , Ethereum , and XRP . Ripple’s Metaco Finds a Place with Garanti BBVA In his X post, Merrick described Garanti BBVA Kripto as “our Turkish partner,” citing that the new deal is an extension of an exist ...

Core Viewpoint - Ripple has decided not to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) despite a successful $500 million fundraising round that valued the company at $40 billion, indicating a preference to remain private while leveraging strategic investor relationships and a strong balance sheet for growth [1][3]. Group 1: Fundraising and Valuation - The recent $40 billion valuation round included investments from major Wall Street players such as Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities, alongside crypto-native funds like Pantera Capital and Galaxy Digital [2]. - Ripple's strategy focuses on creating digital asset infrastructure for businesses and financial institutions, capitalizing on the growth of Stablecoin payments [2]. Group 2: Company Strategy and Growth - The company plans to remain private, citing a strong balance sheet and interest from strategic investors as reasons for not needing to go public [3]. - Ripple has executed a $1 billion tender offer at the same $40 billion valuation earlier in 2025, demonstrating sustained institutional demand for equity [3]. - Over recent years, Ripple has repurchased over 25% of its outstanding shares, providing liquidity to shareholders while onboarding new partners [4]. Group 3: Acquisitions and Market Position - Ripple has expanded its focus from payments to include custody, stablecoins, prime brokerage, and corporate treasury, leveraging digital assets like XRP [4]. - The company has completed six acquisitions in two years, with two valued at over $1 billion each [4]. - Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin achieved a market capitalization of over $1 billion within seven months of its launch, although it still trails behind competitors like Circle's USDC and Tether's USDT [6]. Group 4: Operational Metrics - Ripple Payments volumes have exceeded $95 billion, supported by 75 regulatory licenses globally [5].

Core Insights - Aurelius Capital Management has acquired a new position in Riot Platforms, purchasing 238,220 shares valued at approximately $4.5 million, marking it as one of the fund's five largest holdings [2][3][6] Company Overview - Riot Platforms is a U.S.-based Bitcoin mining company that provides Bitcoin mining services, engineering solutions, and manufactures power distribution equipment for large-scale commercial and governmental customers [8][9] - The company primarily generates revenue through its Bitcoin mining operations and the sale of custom electrical infrastructure products and services [8] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Riot reported record revenue of $180.2 million, more than doubling year over year, with a net income of $104.5 million and adjusted EBITDA of $197.2 million [11] - Riot ended the quarter with $330.7 million in unrestricted cash, $170 million in working capital, and nearly 19,300 bitcoin worth approximately $2.2 billion [12] Market Position - The new position in Riot Platforms accounts for 8.2% of Aurelius's 13F reportable assets under management, with shares priced at $14.50, reflecting a 30% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500, which is up 16% in the same period [4][5]