Joining us this morning with some thoughts, Bob Griffeld, managing partner at Cornerstone Financial Technology Management, of course, former CEO of NASDAQ. Bob, good to see you again. Thanks for joining us.>> Glad to be here. >> Sounds like you think this is kind of Nvidia's moving up the stack a little bit. >> Exactly.When you think about him talking about CPUs versus GPUs, we understand that CPUs were commoditized. So basically, I would state that over time hardware consistently has been commoditized. So ...

London, United Kingdom, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For years, artificial intelligence computing power has been the domain of large technology companies, top research labs, and institutions with massive data centers. Now, JDH AI (JDH WEALTH LTD), a UK-based fintech innovation company, has announced the upcoming launch of its AI-powered digital asset management platform. JDH AI aims to combine AI and blockchain technologies, marking a new chapter in smart finance—the fusion of AI automation, blockchain ...

We recently published 10 Stocks Racking Up Big Gains. Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) is one of the top performers of last week. Circle Internet extended gains for a second day on Friday, jumping 10.04 percent to close at $79.93 apiece, as investors resorted to bargain-hunting to take advantage of its cheap valuation. The rally followed the stock’s significant 37 percent drop in just one month from $126.98 on October 31. Notably, November saw Circle Internet Group’s (NYSE:CRCL) share price trade back ...

Core Insights - XYRA Corp. has secured a license agreement to accept and process digital assets in real time, including USDC stablecoin and major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether, with instant conversion to U.S. dollars or local fiat currencies [1][3] Group 1: Company Overview - XYRA Corp. is a subsidiary of Cavitation Technologies, Inc., focused on the crypto technologies market and holds an exclusive license for CTI's patented Cavitation Non-Thermal Plasma™ technology [5] - The company aims to capitalize on opportunities in cryptocurrency mining and data center immersion cooling markets [5] Group 2: Infrastructure and Technology - XYRA is developing proprietary infrastructure that enables instant settlements, global reach, and significantly lower fees compared to traditional banking, which typically incurs delays of 2-5 days and costs of 6-8% [2][3] - The newly secured infrastructure will allow XYRA to bring core functionality online faster while expanding its AI-driven, quantum-secure architecture [3] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships - XYRA has formed a strategic partnership with Bitcoin Bancorp, Inc. to integrate its payment and security infrastructure into Bitcoin Bancorp's licensed ATM network across North America [3][4] Group 4: Market Positioning - The company aims to enable merchants to accept crypto or stablecoin seamlessly without altering their existing workflow, providing instant settlements in fiat and supporting transactions in multiple currencies and digital assets [8]

Core Viewpoint - BLAQclouds, Inc. has launched ApolloCASH, a zero-knowledge settlement protocol that connects global cash payment platforms with blockchain liquidity, aiming to revolutionize the remittance and payment landscape [1][3]. Group 1: ApolloCASH Features - ApolloCASH utilizes a unique architecture that includes Autonomous Protocol for One-Time Liquidity & Ledger Operations using CASH Rails, allowing users to convert fiat payments into on-chain liquidity through automated, single-use liquidity pools (SULPs) [1][2]. - The protocol employs advanced cryptographic techniques such as zkTLS and zkEmail to verify transactions without exposing user data, ensuring privacy and security [2]. - The "one pool per transaction" design minimizes liquidity fragmentation and risks associated with traditional pooled-liquidity models [2]. Group 2: User Experience and Benefits - ApolloCASH integrates the speed of Web2 payments with the security of Web3, enabling users to send money globally without changing their existing payment habits [3]. - Users can send money through familiar applications like Cash App, PayPal, and Revolut, and can instantly convert funds into local currencies, bypassing regional restrictions [3][11]. - The system promises instant settlement and conversion, reducing reliance on traditional payment processors and enhancing the overall user experience [16]. Group 3: Market Context and Competitive Advantage - Global remittance flows are projected to reach approximately $887 billion in 2024, with traditional remittance services averaging a cost of 6.35% and taking 1 to 5 days for transactions [9]. - ApolloCASH aims to significantly reduce transaction latency and costs, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to legacy remittance platforms [9][11]. - The protocol is designed for compliance and scalability, catering to consumers, merchants, and institutions, thereby bridging traditional finance with decentralized ecosystems [14][17]. Group 4: Transaction Costs and Structure - ApolloCASH features a flat fee structure based on the amount sent, with transaction costs ranging from $5.95 for amounts up to $100 to $149.95 for amounts between $5,000 and $10,000, all with delivery under 60 seconds [12]. - The maximum transaction limit is set at $10,000, with multiple transfers allowed per day [12]. Group 5: Ecosystem Integration - ApolloCASH is being integrated across the full suite of BLAQclouds platforms, creating a unified, compliant, and cryptographically verified settlement engine [13]. - The official rollout of ApolloCASH is scheduled for December 15, 2025, with initial integrations for developers and enterprises planned for Q1 2026 [14].

Core Insights - Treasure Global Inc. projects over 500% revenue growth for 2026, supported by key operational milestones in its fintech and digital asset ecosystem [1][6] - The company forecasts revenues of approximately USD 1 million for the upcoming quarter, a significant increase from USD 182,527 reported in the previous quarter [2] Key Operational Milestones Fueling 2026 Growth - The OXI Wallet is set for market introduction in the first half of 2026, designed to accommodate up to USD 10 billion in user-held digital assets, featuring institutional-grade security and multi-chain interoperability [3] - Treasure Global has secured an exclusive partnership as the treasury manager for 200 million UNIRWA tokens, projected to hold a value of USD 100 million, targeting the real estate and hospitality sectors in Southeast Asia [4] - The acquisition of Quarters Elite, managing approximately USD 150 million in client assets, is expected to provide efficient distribution for the OXI Wallet and unlock a long-term revenue opportunity of USD 150 million [5] Management Commentary - The CEO of Treasure Global emphasized the synergy between OXI Wallet, UNIRWA token, and Quarters Elite, positioning the company for recurring revenue and scalable fintech solutions [6] - The company remains focused on revenue-driven execution, operational efficiency, and partner expansion to achieve its ambitious growth objectives for 2026 [6] Company Overview - Treasure Global is a Malaysia-based technology solutions provider specializing in platforms that drive digital transformation in retail and services, with its flagship product being the ZCITY Super App [7] - As of June 2025, ZCITY has attracted over 2.7 million registered users, establishing Treasure Global as a key player in Malaysia's digital economy [8]

Company Overview - PayPal Holdings, Inc. is a leading global fintech company based in San Jose, California, providing digital and mobile payment solutions for consumers and merchants to manage money across online and in-person channels [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $58.7 billion and operates a broad payments ecosystem that includes services like Venmo, Braintree, Xoom, and Honey, supporting e-commerce and global transactions [1][2] Stock Performance - PayPal's stock (PYPL) has experienced a significant decline, dropping 33.1% from its 52-week high of $93.66 on December 9, 2024, and has fallen 10.5% over the past three months, underperforming the Nasdaq Composite's 7.7% increase during the same period [3] - Year-to-date, PYPL stock has plunged 26.6%, and over the past 52 weeks, it has decreased by 27.6%, notably lagging behind the Nasdaq's 21% surge in 2025 [4] Market Sentiment - On November 21, shares of PayPal rose by 4.4% due to increased investor optimism regarding a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December, following comments from New York Fed President John Williams [5] - Market expectations for a December rate cut increased from 37% to 70%, contributing to a rally in financial stocks, which positively influenced sentiment around PayPal [5] Competitive Position - Compared to its peer Block, Inc., PayPal has underperformed, with Block achieving a 24.8% gain over the past 52 weeks and a 21.4% rise in 2025 [6] - Despite the underperformance, PayPal maintains a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating among 42 analysts, with a mean price target of $80.88, indicating a 29% upside potential from current price levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - Large-cap stocks like Amazon and Adyen are expected to outperform broader equities over the next decade due to their established market positions and growth potential [2]. Group 1: Amazon - Amazon is a leader in multiple markets including video streaming, music streaming, e-commerce, digital advertising, and cloud computing, showcasing impressive performance across these sectors [3]. - The digital ads segment is one of Amazon's fastest-growing areas, benefiting from high margins and strong traffic to its platform, which is expected to drive increased ad demand [4]. - Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a significant contributor to Amazon's operating profits and is poised for growth, particularly due to advancements in artificial intelligence [6]. - Amazon's healthcare initiatives, such as Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon One Medical, are gaining traction, leveraging its large Prime membership base of over 200 million [7]. - Despite its current market cap of $2.5 trillion, Amazon has substantial upside potential for long-term investors [8]. Group 2: Adyen - Adyen is a leading fintech company that provides an integrated platform for multinational corporations to process various payment methods, enhancing efficiency and risk management [9]. - The company has experienced solid revenue and earnings growth, with a 20% year-over-year revenue increase to €1.09 billion ($1.3 billion) in the first half of the year, and an EBITDA margin of 50% [12]. - Adyen is focusing on expanding its presence in markets like the U.S. and targeting large-format retail clients, which could provide significant growth opportunities [13][14]. - The company has established high switching costs and a strong brand within its niche, positioning it well for future performance [14].

Core Insights - Sezzle is positioned in the buy now, pay later (BNPL) market, which is expected to experience strong growth over the next 7 to 10 years, benefiting all players in the space [2][17] - The company differentiates itself by focusing on credit building for younger, mid to low-income customers, which is a significant market segment in the U.S. [15][18] Company Background - Sezzle was co-founded by Charlie Youakim, who transitioned from a previous mobile payment company called Passport to focus on retail payments and BNPL after recognizing its potential [4][7] - The company initially faced challenges in the mobile payment space but pivoted to BNPL, which has since seen rapid growth [7] Market Dynamics - The BNPL market is characterized by a rising tide that benefits all players, with Sezzle aiming to capture a larger market share through innovation and competition [17] - Sezzle's customer base primarily consists of younger individuals who are more likely to use BNPL as a budgeting tool, contrasting with traditional credit card users who may face debt cycles [9][12] Financial Performance - Sezzle maintains strong gross margins, with a principal loss rate (PLR) of about 2% and top-line revenue percentage around 11%, indicating resilience even in economic downturns [12] - The company can quickly adjust credit limits and stop further credit extensions in response to customer financial difficulties, providing a safety net that traditional credit cards do not offer [12] Customer Usage - Sezzle's customers are increasingly using the service for essential purchases, moving beyond initial categories like beauty and fashion to include general retail [13] - The average transaction amount for Sezzle is in the low hundreds, significantly lower than typical credit card balances, which can average around $6,000 [10] Competitive Landscape - Sezzle competes with established players like Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal, but believes that the market is still in its early stages, allowing for multiple successful players [17] - The company emphasizes its unique offerings, such as credit building and open-loop products, which allow customers to use Sezzle at various retailers without being tied to specific merchant websites [15][18]

When Brazilian fintech firm Méliuz (CASH3) reviewed its balance sheet in late 2024, it found something startling: it was profitable, debt-free, and growing, yet the market had valued its business at zero. “If you excluded the cash on hand,” Diego Kolling, Head of Bitcoin Strategy at Méliuz, told CoinDesk at the Blockchain Conference Brasil 2025. “The company was worth nothing.” That cash, roughly R$250 million at the time, was mostly parked in government bonds. After taxes and inflation, returns were nega ...