Core Viewpoint - Openmarkets Group Pty Ltd has entered into a merger and business combination agreement with Lake Superior Acquisition Corp, which will lead to Openmarkets becoming a Nasdaq-listed company with an estimated enterprise value of USD 300 million upon completion of the transaction in 2026 [1][2]. Company Overview - Openmarkets is an Australian financial services and technology provider headquartered in Sydney, offering brokerage services, options risk management, and wealth management SaaS to various client groups [7]. - Lake Superior Acquisition Corp is a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) formed to effect a merger or business combination with one or more businesses [6][8]. Strategic Initiatives - The merger aligns with Openmarkets' strategy to expand into decentralized finance (DeFi) through cryptocurrency trading and tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) [3][4]. - Openmarkets plans to focus on secure and compliant fractionalization of real-world assets, integrating cryptocurrency trading into its existing platform, and building a unique ecosystem of partnerships [4]. Leadership Insights - Dan Jowett, CEO of Openmarkets, emphasized that the transaction will accelerate growth plans and open new sources of capital while establishing a presence in the US market [5]. - Edward Cong Wang, CEO and Chairman of Lake Superior, stated that the merger represents a significant opportunity for Openmarkets to expand globally and build the future of open finance through DeFi [5].

The Circle Foundation recently announced a significant grant to support the United Nations’ Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS). Circle stablecoin will be used to deliver aid. This initiative aims to use regulated stablecoins to make humanitarian aid payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent. This announcement took place at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos on January 21, 2026, shining a light on how cryptocurrency technology can contribute to global humanitarian efforts. By ...

Core Insights - Affirm has partnered with Esusu to allow renters to pay their rent in two installments, providing a flexible payment option for managing monthly expenses [1][2] - The program will feature 0% interest and no late fees, currently in a pilot phase without a confirmed launch date [2] - Esusu's platform utilizes rental data to build credit and enhance financial stability, covering 5 million units and reaching 12 million people, processing $100 billion in annual gross lease volume [3] Company Developments - Esusu recently raised $50 million in a Series C funding round, which will be used to scale its payment method, Esusu Pay [4] - BLDG Partners, a real estate operator collaborating with Esusu, noted that the offering provides flexibility to residents, reducing financial strain [5] - Esusu has also partnered with Zillow to launch CreditClimb, a tool that allows renters to build credit through rent payments [5] Market Trends - Affirm reported a 30% increase in its merchant count, reaching 419,000, indicating strong demand for 0% installment payment options among various vendors [6]

TOKYO, JP / ACCESS Newswire / January 22, 2026 / Perpetuals.com Ltd (NASDAQ:PDC) ("Perpetuals"), a provider of an AI-driven derivatives trading platform, today announced that it has been recently featured in CoinDesk, a publication covering blockchain and financial technology. The feature highlights the platform's approach to derivatives markets and its launch by industry veterans with experience in European digital asset trading and market infrastructure. ...

Shares of the financial technology company SoFi (SOFI) have been under significant pressure ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings release on Jan. 30. The stock has slipped well below the $30 mark and is now trading about 21.6% below its 52-week high. Several factors have contributed to the recent weakness. The company’s $1.5 billion capital raise has raised concerns about potential shareholder dilution, while some investors appear to be locking in gains following the stock’s earlier rally. At the same time ...

Core Insights - Pagaya Technologies (PGY) is a leading financial technology company specializing in underwriting asset-backed securities (ABS) loans, with a primary focus on personal loans and an expansion into auto and point-of-sale loans [1] Company Overview - Pagaya has established itself in the financial technology sector, particularly in the underwriting of ABS loans [1] - The company is diversifying its loan offerings beyond personal loans to include auto loans and point-of-sale loans [1]

Core Insights - Edelman Financial Engines has transitioned its technology stack to Orion, moving away from Envestnet, which it had used since 2018 [2][4] - This shift is significant for Orion, as Edelman is one of the largest registered investment advisors (RIAs) in the U.S. with over $308 billion in assets under management [1][3] - The change in technology providers comes amid leadership transitions at Edelman, including a new CEO and recent departures of key executives [4][5] Group 1: Company Transition - Edelman has fully onboarded its advisors to Orion's platform, which includes portfolio management, trading, data sharing, and advisor engagement tools [2][6] - The transition to Orion is expected to enhance the integration of systems and improve the tools available to planners, ultimately benefiting client experience [4][6] Group 2: Leadership Changes - Ralph Haberli has recently taken over as CEO of Edelman, succeeding Jay Shah, and has a background from Capital Group [4][5] - The firm has also seen the departure of its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, indicating ongoing changes in its leadership structure [5] Group 3: Market Position - Orion manages approximately $5.8 trillion in assets under administration, while its competitor Envestnet manages around $7 trillion [3][6] - Edelman is majority-owned by Hellman & Friedman and has a minority stake from Warburg Pincus, with founder Ric Edelman being the largest individual shareholder [7]

Core Viewpoint - Diebold Nixdorf is set to release its fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results on February 12, 2026, before the market opens, with a conference call scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Earnings Call Details - The earnings call will take place on February 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET, and will be accessible via a webcast [2]. - A press release summarizing the business and financial results, along with a presentation highlighting key points from the period, will be made available prior to the call [2]. - Registration for the earnings call is encouraged to be completed at least one day in advance to avoid wait times, with live access and replay available on the company's website [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Diebold Nixdorf is a global leader in automating, digitizing, and transforming banking and shopping experiences, serving top financial institutions and retailers [4]. - The company operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide [4].

Group 1 - StoneCo Ltd. will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 financial results on March 2, 2026, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss the results will be held on the same day at 5:00 PM ET [1] - The company will initiate its Quiet Period related to the financial results on February 16, 2026 [3] Group 2 - Stone is a leading provider of financial technology and software solutions that enable merchants to conduct commerce seamlessly across multiple channels [4]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve is facing scrutiny over its financial management, with significant annual losses attributed to rising interest rates and asset purchase decisions, raising concerns about accountability and transparency [1][3][4][5]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Financial Performance - The Federal Reserve is reportedly incurring losses exceeding $100 billion annually due to increased short-term interest rates, which have led to higher interest payments on bank reserves while income from long-term securities remains low [3][4]. - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighted that the Fed's annual losses stem from "mistimed asset purchases," emphasizing the need for accountability in its operations [4][5]. - Inflation in the U.S. peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, the highest in decades, but has since decreased to 2.7% year-over-year, indicating a volatile economic environment that the Fed must navigate [4][5]. Group 2: Accountability and Transparency Concerns - Bessent argues that the Fed's independence should not compromise its accountability to the American public, especially given its unique ability to create money [1][7]. - The ongoing criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, related to his testimony about cost overruns on the Fed's headquarters renovation, raises further questions about the institution's governance [2]. - Bessent's comments reflect a broader concern that the Fed lacks transparency, which is critical given its influence on the economy and the lives of everyday Americans [7].