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SoftBank Corp. Participates in Blockchain Project Oasys for Social Implementation of Web3

Oasys

SINGAPORE / TOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach - 16 February 2023 - Oasys Pte. Ltd. ("Oasys") today announced that SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank"), a Japan-based telecommunications operator, has joined as an official validator of Oasys, a gaming-optimised blockchain designed for gamers and developers alike, with a focus on the future of blockchain gaming. SoftBank's recognition of Oasys' superior mechanism that serves both users and IP (intellectual property) holders, along with its advanced technological capabilities, has led to their decision to participate in the Oasys blockchain. This partnership extends beyond Softbank's role as validators, as the two companies explore potential collaboration, including the development of blockchain-based services, in the future. Bandai Namco Research, SEGA, Square Enix, Netmarble, and 17 other companies are among the 21 initial validators for Oasys. Starting with SoftBank, Oasys will invite other companies with a high level of trust and performance on a global scale to participate as validators, further stabilising and strengthening the Oasys network. In the next batch of validators, four more companies will be joining the network, bringing the total to 25. In the medium-term, Oasys plans to further decentralise the network by enabling public participation through a council and removing the limit on the number of validator slots as long as the necessary requirements are being met. Keiichi Makizono, Senior Vice President & CIO of SoftBank, said "We are very excited about the Oasys blockchain's flexible, user-centric architecture, which meets the needs of both users and IP content owners, and look forward to working with Oasys to promote Web3's social implementation and resolve social issues." Daiki Moriyama, Director of Oasys, said "We are honoured that SoftBank shares our vision for Oasys and has chosen us as a business partner for Web3. With SoftBank coming onboard as a validator, Oasys will not only expand the stability and ecosystem of the Oasys chain, but also aim to strengthen business collaboration with Oasys. We look forward to working with SoftBank to develop the blockchain gaming industry by fostering relationships and synergies with its group companies and partners." In just over a year since its formation, Oasys has fully launched its mainnet blockchain protocol, with over a dozen playable games available on its blockchain. On 31 January 2023, the company announced plans to list on the leading Japanese crypto exchange, bitbank. About Oasys Oasys was established in February 2022 to increase mainstream play-and-earn adoption, and at launch, committed to partnering with 21 gaming and Web3 tech companies to act as validators, such as Bandai Namco, SEGA, Ubisoft and Yield Guild Games. Led by a team of blockchain experts and joining forces with the biggest gaming company names to serve as the initial validators, Oasys is revolutionising the gaming industry with its Proof-of-Stake (PoS) based eco-friendly blockchain.With a focus on creating an ecosystem for gamers and developers to distribute and develop blockchain-based games, Oasys solves the problems game developers face when building games on the blockchain. The trifecta approach of the fastest network powered by the gaming community, a scalable network powered by AAA game developers and the blockchain offering the best user experience with fast transactions and zero gas fees for users, readies participants to enter the Oasys and play. More information on Oasys is available at: Website: https://www.oasys.games/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/oasys_games Discord: http://discord.gg/oasysgames About SoftBank Guided by the SoftBank Group's corporate philosophy, "Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone," SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) provides telecommunications services and combines them with advanced technologies to develop and operate new businesses in Japan and globally. In the fiscal year ended March 2022, SoftBank Corp. registered 5.7 trillion yen of revenue, 985.7 billion yen of operating income, and, at the end of December 2022, had 319 group companies (245 subsidiaries and 74 affiliates), both in Japan and abroad. SoftBank Corp. has 39 million mobile subscribers and 8 million broadband subscribers in Japan, and through its group companies Yahoo Japan Corporation, PayPay Corporation and LINE Corporation, 86 million online media users, 54 million smartphone payment users and 92 million communication app users, respectively (as of February 3, 2023). With this strong business foundation and compelling number of customer touchpoints, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its "Beyond Carrier" growth strategy while further growing its telecom business. Also, by fully harnessing the power of 5G, AI, IoT, Digital Twin, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications, and other key technologies, SoftBank Corp. aims to realize the "Implementation of Digitalization into Society." In recognition of its ESG initiatives, SoftBank Corp. was selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, FTSE4Good, 2022 Constituent MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index and other leading global ESG investments indices. To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/ Contact Details Oasys oasys@wachsman.com Company Website https://www.oasys.games/

February 16, 2023 12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Bidstack expanding in-game advertising strategy into North American market

Bidstack Group PLC

Bidstack CEO James Draper and chief revenue officer Jude O'Connor joined Proactive's Natalie Stoberman to discuss the company's latest expansion in North America. Draper said the expansion is led by O'Connor, who will be leading teams across sales, publishing, marketing, and strategy while scaling the company’s local teams and steering a go-to-market strategy centered on educating the US market on Bidstack’s in-game technology. Bidstack is the leading in-game advertising and video game monetisation platform that bridges the gap between the interactive entertainment industries and advertisers by enhancing the gaming experience with immersive advertising. Contact Details Proactive Investors US +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

February 15, 2023 01:57 PM Eastern Standard Time

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ARway Corp announces six new deal for its wayfinding solution

ARway

ARway Corporation CEO Evan Gappelberg joined Proactive's Steve Darling with the news that the company has inked six new deals for its augmented reality (AR) wayfinding platform ARway. Gappelberg told Proactive the company continues to see growing interest from AR agencies, large corporations and brands, with the company in negotiations for multiple full-service AR wayfinding contracts that have millions of square feet to map. Contact Details Proactive Investors Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

February 15, 2023 01:42 PM Eastern Standard Time

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From Retail to Institutional: The Shift in Crypto Investment

Ledgible

The cryptocurrency & digital asset sector has long been dominated by retail investors. However, with more and more institutions entering the market, the industry inches toward full adoption. With the buildout of tools that enable visibility and compliance, the institutional investment landscape for digital assets can reach new heights. During the 2017 bull run, specialty funds cracked open the institutional doors into cryptocurrency investing. This move grew over the years by emulating the lead of retail investors into the sector. The industry, however, has long awaited the mass arrival of established institutional investors and LPs (mutual funds, hedge funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds to name a few). Given these types of institutions comprise over 85% of the trading volume in US stocks, the entry of these entities is expected to escalate cryptocurrency market capitalization significantly. However, this influx of institutional capital brings the necessity of new infrastructure. In other words - products built to bridge the gap between traditional finance products and digital assets. Institutional vs Retail Investment Several key differences exist between retail and institutional investment in the digital asset sector. The most notable difference is investment size, as institutional investment managers allocate much larger sums compared to retail investors. Additionally, institutional investors employ more advanced analytics-driven strategies and pay more attention to risk. Institutions also have to adhere to strict governance and compliance rules, which can impact the way they handle digital assets. For example, they may not actually hold the assets, as their clients are the owners. Cryptocurrencies and digital assets have introduced new accounting and compliance challenges for institutions and enterprises. The lack of established regulatory guidelines force these organizations to navigate complex reporting requirements and tax implications. The decentralized and anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies creates difficulties in tracking transactions and auditing records. Furthermore, the risk of fraud, hacking and money laundering associated with the crypto market exacerbates these challenges, requiring institutions to implement robust security measures and conduct thorough due diligence on counterparties. Despite these challenges, many institutions and enterprises are still exploring the potential benefits and opportunities presented by cryptocurrencies and digital assets – and are actively working towards finding solutions to these compliance and accounting hurdles. Barriers to Institutional Investment Despite the growing interest in the crypto sector, there are still several factors holding back institutional investment. These include a lack of market liquidity, concerns about market manipulation, and a lack of regulatory clarity. Though the market cap of Bitcoin hit $1 trillion in 2021, this is a fraction of the global equities market's cap of $250 trillion and the bond market. Additionally, issues concerning market manipulation and unethical practices like wash trading have deterred institutions from investing in crypto. Not least of all concerns, the regulatory uncertainty has made it difficult for institutions to comply with know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, as the nature of most blockchains can make it challenging to identify the other party in a trade. However, the landscape of institutional investment in digital assets is evolving rapidly, and these challenges are being addressed as the industry matures. The ecosystem required to support institutional-grade investments is emerging, and regulations are also evolving to keep up with the changes. Building the Infrastructure for Institutional Adoption The Ledgible digital asset tax and accounting platform is a comprehensive solution for institutions and enterprises looking to navigate the complex world of digital asset investing, compliance, and management. SOC 1 & 2 Type 2 certified, the Ledgible platform provides a high level of security and trust. Cryptocurrencies present several challenges for traditional financial services firms: non-standard naming conventions, 24/7 trading, increasingly complicated transaction types, fragmented liquidity, and variable revenue streams to name a few. Without the proper tools, institutional crypto adoption may feel a little like fitting a square peg into a round hole. To support at the required scale, systems ranging from Trading and Risk to Treasury and Accounting will each need to be “crypto enabled” – whether extending decimal precision, messaging into new trading venues, or supporting new concepts like hard forks or airdrops. In addition, those systems will need to connect with the fragmented and constantly evolving world of digital asset liquidity. Only by solving both can traditional financial firms support digital assets using existing technology and operational teams. To help turn this concept into reality, Ledgible has partnered with industry leaders in the Tradfi space, to form a normalized source of post-trade data to capture all that is necessary to properly account for digital assets no matter where a firm chooses to trade. By using this new source of data for digital assets, firms can easily connect the wide array of centralized exchanges, liquidity providers, Defi protocols, blockchains and custodians in the crypto space into the many downstream accounting and risk platforms that need to consume such information. The platform bridges the gap between traditional financial (TradFi) and digital assets, offering a seamless integration of the two. With its cutting-edge technology and focus on compliance, Ledgible is the ideal partner for institutions and enterprises looking to invest, manage and stay compliant with their digital assets. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. The Ledgible Platform is a cryptocurrency tax & accounting solution designed for Institutions, Enterprises, and Professionals.Financial institutions, corporations, and accounting firms use the Ledgible platform globally for crypto tax, crypto accounting, and crypto audit for billions of dollars of crypto assets. For firms and enterprises seeking traditional financial verification, reporting, and assurance, Ledgible provides the tools they need to confidently embrace cryptocurrency in their work through a SOC 1 & 2 Type 2 Audited Solution. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Jan Jahosky jan@verady.com Company Website https://ledgible.io/

February 15, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

OPPO Globally Launched Its New Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League

OPPO

SHENZHEN, CHINA - Media OutReach - 15 February 2023 - Global smart technology company OPPO, Official Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League, today unveiled its latest flagship foldable smartphone - Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League. “We are glad to launch our new Find N2 Flip to the global markets” said William Liu, President of Global Marketing at OPPO. “With its large smart cover screen, industry-leading Flexion Hinge, long-lasting battery life, and outstanding camera performance, OPPO Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League, is the perfect device for fans to both capture and experience true-to-life content from their favorite football games.” As part of the partnership, the Find N2 Flip will be used by official UEFA Champions League photographers to capture the action of the game at close range along the sidelines，framing the inspiring and exciting moments. The best photos will then be shared in an OPPO Gallery on the UEFA Champions League website and the OPPO UEFA Champions League landing page. Equipped with the industry’s most advanced Flexion Hinge, Find N2 Flip supports multi-angle FlexForm mode, allowing the screen to be set at any angle between 45-110 degrees. This completely new form factor opens new creative possibilities when it comes to photography and video, as well as providing added convenience for viewing content. In addition, the Find N2 Flip will also be displayed at OPPO’s booth at the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, Turkey to showcase itself as the champion flip phone to more fans. The foldable phone features the largest and only vertically oriented cover screen of any flip phone on the market. The cover screen’s 17:9 vertical aspect ratio is almost identical in form to the phone’s main screen, making it completely intuitive to use. Without flipping the phone open, the cover screen can be used to respond to messages, browse apps, or answer calls. OPPO Find N2 Flip also offers the largest battery capacity and fastest charging of any vertically foldable device on the market, making it the go-to option for both newcomers and existing flip phone users. To celebrate the launch of Find N2 Flip, OPPO will also offer some surprise for users. Customers who buy the phone will have the chance to get an exclusive OPPO and UEFA Champions League gift and enter a raffle to win tickets to the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Final. As the first Chinese brand to partner with the UEFA Champions League, OPPO will work closely with UEFA to bring more passion and inspiration to sports through its world-leading devices and technologies while helping fans witness, capture, and share the magic of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. To learn more about OPPO Find N2 Flip, click here. Detailed information about the sales gift, please refer to local OPPO Store. About OPPO OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world. Contact Details OPPO Media Contact press@oppo.com

February 15, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Sekur Private Data Announces Its 2023 Budget Is Fully Covered With Existing Cash Flow

Sekur Private Data Ltd

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQX: SWISF) (CSE: SKUR) (FRA: GDT0) is a US-listed cybersecurity and internet privacy company with roots in Switzerland that provides private and secure communications solutions. It uses its own servers and military-grade encryption security and combines them with its proprietary encryption and Swiss data privacy laws. The company is best known for its corporate products like SekurMail and SekurMessenger which offer users complete privacy. Capitalizing on the strict Swiss privacy laws, Sekur has built a brand that prides itself on state-of-the-art technology allowing for secure communication. The company has seen great success in Latin America and even recently announced its advancement into the privacy markets with its new VPN product, SekurVPN. Sekur also recently announced a partnership with Nobleus, an American all-encompassing e-commerce platform that offers customers tools and resources to run a successful online business. The agreement will allow Nobleus the rights to distribute and resell Sekur services and products to its client base. Nobleus is expected to provide these services to its clients in Q1 2023. This agreement will help position Sekur as an alternative security and privacy communications platform and allow online American businesses to become more independent from big-tech platforms. Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data said: "We are very pleased to have partnered with Nobleus. Nobleus is an innovative company and is progressing very nicely on all fronts in its e-commerce platform rollout. We believe partnering with Nobleus will provide substantial growth opportunities for Sekur to reach the consumer masses through their unique distribution model. Our prime directive is to provide private and secure communications for everyone.” Sekur Announces Its 2023 Finalized Budget In another exciting announcement, Sekur announces that it is entering 2023 with no debt and no need to raise cash to meet its 2023 budget obligations. As of the announcement, the company had approximately $3 million in cash and an established budget of $2,360,000 for 2023. The 2023 budget includes all of its expenses. The company reported a 50% decrease in the budget from 2022 for its marketing, hardware, and general and administrative needs. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y67PiL8Pcig" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> The company is looking at an increase in gross sales and is confident in its ability to succeed in these goals, largely due to the expansion of products launched at the end of 2022, as well as upcoming launches in 2023, like SekurVPN. Alain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data said: "We are pleased to announce that we have been able to cut close to 50% of our expenses for 2023, and still expect an increase in sales. Some of the assumptions are due to the new marketing plan we have and some of the sales increases are attributed to the B2B relationships we have signed and established in Latin America and the USA. There has been a lot of chatter, on some investment forums notably, about our need to raise funds in 2023, and we can now demonstrate with certitude that we have no need for new funding to meet the needs of the Company for the 2023 fiscal year. 2023 will increase focus on establishing more B2B relationships and on SMB marketing, as we continue to expand our direct-to-consumer base. As we are not connected to any Big Tech platform, we offer a truly independent, private and secure means of communications without any data mining, through our proprietary technology and our secure servers based in Switzerland. We look forward to continuing to offer true data privacy to all individuals and their businesses and protect their intellectual property, and their privacy, from data miners and malicious hackers." This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Sekur Private Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure communications and secure data management. The Company distributes a suite of secure cloud-based storage, disaster recovery, document management, encrypted e-mails, and secure communication tools. Sekur Private Data Ltd. sells its products through its websites www.sekur.com and www.sekursuite.com, and approved distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. Sekur Private Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Corporate Department corporate@sekurprivatedata.com Company Website https://sekurprivatedata.com

February 15, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Applied UV’s (NASDAQ: AUVI) Subsidiary Embarks On Research Partnership With Johnson Controls And Ushio America To Study The Efficacy And Safety Of Filtered Far UV-C Disinfection Technology

Applied UV, Inc.

By Ernest Dela Aglanu, Benzinga Applied UV Inc. (NASDAQ: AUVI) is leading a new wave of innovation in the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection equipment industry. This is good, considering the critical role UV plays in keeping indoor spaces and medical facilities free of pathogens. UV disinfection has been a proven technology for the disinfection of pathogens on surfaces and in air and water for several decades. A particular spectrum of UV radiation between 200 and 280 nm – the UVC spectrum – has been employed extensively as the germicidal range of UV radiation. Global health crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the scientific and engineering potential of applying UV disinfection technologies for biocontaminated air and surfaces as the major media for disease transmission. More businesses and institutions, such as healthcare facilities, shopping malls and airports, are increasingly adopting UV devices for disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and circulating air streams. The increasing adoption of UV disinfection is translating into a positive growth outlook for the market, something investors are always looking out for. Grand View Research projects the global disinfection equipment market will reach $6.17 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030. So, for a player like Applied UV, which develops and acquires proprietary infection prevention and control technology in the healthcare, commercial and public venue, food processing and storage, cannabis, and education markets, the advancing growth of the market presents opportunities. The company has two wholly owned subsidiaries — SteriLumen Inc. and Munn Works LLC. SteriLumen owns and markets a portfolio of products with advanced pathogen elimination technology, branded Airocide® by SteriLumen, Scientific Air™ by SteriLumen, Airoclean™ 420 by SteriLumen, and Lumicide™ by SteriLumen. Research Collaboration To Study The Efficacy And Safety Of Far-UVC Disinfection Technology In a quest to advance and enhance its technology, Applied UV recently announced that its subsidiary, PURO Lighting LLC, a proven innovative UV technology solutions leader, Johnson Controls International PLC. (NYSE: JCI), a leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, and Ushio America Inc., have announced a research collaboration to study the efficacy and safety of far-UVC disinfection technology. Far-UVC is a narrow band of UVC light centered at 222nm, which is proven to inactivate pathogens at levels that are safe for human exposure and can be used in spaces where people are present. While the efficacy of filtered far UV-C light disinfection is widely known, there is limited research on the ancillary effects that occur from the inactivation of pathogens using far UV-C light. Therefore, the planned study being embarked upon by PURO and Ushio will allow for a better understanding of the possible positive and negative impact the elimination of pathogens has on the surrounding air. “The further validation of the safety and efficacy of filtered far UV-C technology presents tremendous opportunity for PURO to accelerate market adoption by sponsoring this critical research,” Brian Stern, president of PURO, said in a press release. He further noted that the research will help demonstrate the benefits and potential cost savings that continuous disinfection of air and surfaces can bring to workplace settings, including hospitals, schools, government buildings, commercial offices and other shared indoor spaces. Tyler Smith, vice president of Healthy Buildings, Johnson Controls, on his part explained that “Better indoor air quality (IAQ) is increasingly important to our customers and our employees, and it’s critical we evaluate all of the factors that go into the IAQ equation.” “We are intrigued and excited by the early promise of far UV-C as a supplement to our leading IAQ solution portfolio. By testing PURO and Ushio’s market-leading far UV-C technologies, we will be able to provide customers with additional, proven, safe and effective solutions to ensure that the air and surfaces in indoor spaces are healthier and more sustainable,” he added. For Ushio, the research collaboration presents an opportunity for the company to build on its existing research and findings to further prove the efficacy and safety of Care222 filtered far UV-C technology. “The capability to provide continuous UV disinfection of air and surfaces in occupied spaces has become the industry standard. This research will help provide the confidence to customers that the technology is not only effective but safe,” Shinji Kameda, COO of Ushio, said. The research agreement, which includes technologies and products from PURO and Ushio, will focus on testing regulatory-approved filtered far UV-C lighting technologies. The research will be conducted by leading U.S.-based universities and certified laboratories over the next six to eight months. The findings from the results will be provided as they become available. A recently released white paper from Johnson Controls highlights that better indoor air quality can conservatively lead to a $750 to $800 return per employee per year by reducing absenteeism from health issues and the reduction in productivity due to poor air quality. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Applied UV is focused on the development and acquisition of technology that addresses infection control in the healthcare, hospitality, commercial and municipal markets. The Company has two wholly owned subsidiaries - SteriLumen, Inc. (“SteriLumen”) and Munn Works, LLC (“Munn Works”). SteriLumen’s Airocide® air purification devices are research-backed, clinically proven, and developed for NASA with assistance from the University of Wisconsin. Airocide® is listed as an FDA Class II Medical device, utilizes a proprietary photo-catalytic (PCO) bioconversion technology that draws air into a reaction chamber that converts damaging molds, microorganisms, dangerous airborne pathogens, destructive VOCs, allergens, odors, and biological gasses into harmless water vapor and green carbon dioxide without producing ozone or other harmful byproducts. Airocide® applications include healthcare, hospitality, grocery chains, wine-making facilities, commercial real estate, schools, dental offices, post-harvest, grocery, cannabis facilities, and homes. SteriLumen’s connected platform for Data-Driven Disinfection™ applies the power of ultraviolet light (UVC) to destroy pathogens safely, thoroughly, and automatically, addressing the challenge of healthcare-acquired infections ("HAIs"). Targeted for use in facilities that have high customer turnover such as hospitals, hotels, commercial facilities, and other public spaces, the Company’s Lumicide™ platform uses UVC LEDs in several patented designs for infection control in and around high-traffic areas, including sinks and restrooms, killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens residing on hard surfaces within devices’ proximity. The Company’s patented in-drain disinfection device, Lumicide Drain, is the only product on the market that addresses this critical pathogen-intensive location. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Brett Maas- Hayden IR brett@haydenir.com Company Website https://www.applieduvinc.com/

February 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

The SPIKES® Index Might Be A More Stable, Accurate Measure Of Volatility Than VIX®

Benzinga

By Rachael Green, Benzinga SPIKES Volatility Index is a measure of the 30-day expected volatility for the S&P500 ETF (SPY) and may be gaining in popularity as the new way to look at volatility, especially among traders. Volatility trading has become a popular means of hedging portfolios or turning market assumptions into tradable opportunities, and subtle differences in the methodologies used to calculate SPIKES and VIX could make the former a more suitable index for those kinds of short-term trades. Here’s a quick look at how the two volatility measures differ and why that matters. How VIX Methodology Works and Why Traders May Want an Alternative VIX generates a quantified measure of future volatility by tracking options contracts, which grant the holder the right to buy or sell an underlying asset at a future date for a guaranteed price. An investor might buy a put option to sell a stock at $20 per share in 30 days if they believed the stock price might dip below $20 in that time period, for example. Alternatively, they might buy a call option to buy a stock at $20 per share in 30 days if they believed the stock’s price would rise above that price. That function of either hedging losses or realizing gains the investor assumes will happen in the future is precisely why the options market is such a useful way to gauge near-term volatility and why VIX is sometimes called the “fear gauge.” As useful as it is, VIX methodology for calculating its value comes with some limitations. Namely, it only tracks options traded on the CBOE Options Exchange and only the less liquid SPX options on that exchange. That limited dataset gives a peek into the S&P 500 options market but not the full picture. SPX options are European-style options based on the S&P 500 index itself. That means the option contracts are larger (and more expensive), can’t be exercised before their expiration date, and trading stops the day before they expire. Those features make them less liquid and prone to wider spreads. One drawback to that lack of liquidity and larger spread is that it can impact the midpoint formula the VIX uses to calculate options prices. The formula sets the price of options as the midpoint in their bid-ask spread. This more or less creates a theoretical “average” contract price rather than the actual price the contracts are trading at. Finally, the VIX updates every 15 seconds, which isn’t a problem for long-term investors using it to check in on market sentiment and volatility. For short-term trading, however, those 15 seconds can be the crucial difference between a trade generating yield or losing money. What the SPIKES Index Does Differently The SPIKES Volatility Index (SPIKE) was designed specifically to address some of the limitations of VIX. While both are a measure of 30-day expected volatility of the S&P 500, one of the most notable differences is SPIKES use of SPY options rather than SPX options. SPY options are the most actively traded exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the world, with strong liquidity and potentially smaller spreads. By tracking SPY options, the SPIKES Volatility Index seeks to minimize the impact of spread on price movements and provide a more precise measure of volatility. Another means of increasing that precision is the use of options data from all 16 U.S. options exchanges instead, whereas SPX options are only traded on one exchange. Finally, SPIKES utilizes a proprietary price-dragging technique for capturing live options prices as an alternative to the midpoint pricing used for VIX. Rather than approximating an average price, SPIKES uses pricing data from actual trades. And instead of updating the index price every 15 seconds, it updates every 100 milliseconds for pinpoint accuracy, making it a viable tool for short-term traders. Differences In Methodology Became Clear In The Aftermath Of Interest Rate Hikes On Sept. 21, 2022, stock prices slumped after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates another 0.25% and provided a clear example of how SPIKES methodology results in a more stable index during moments of low liquidity or high volatility. While SPIKES and VIX move in tandem with each other most of the time, VIX diverged nearly 10% from SPIKES in the five-minute window following the Fed’s rate hike press release. During that window, SPIKES vacillated in the high 27s but VIX spiked above 30 and didn’t move until 2:06 p.m. when it tipped back down to realign with SPIKES. While you can’t trade the Index directly, there are options, futures, and ETFs available on SPIKES. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. The information contained in this document is the proprietary information of Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), however its accuracy and completeness is not expressly nor implicitly guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The information in this document is provided for information purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for financial or legal advice. The information herein is presented “as is” and without representations or warranties of any kind. MIH shall not be liable for loss or damage, direct, indirect or consequential, arising from any use of this information. Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Copies are available from your broker, by calling 1-888-OPTIONS or from The Options Clearing Corporation at www.theocc.com. No statement within this document should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell a security or futures contract or to provide investment advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

February 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

UA Multimedia Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Minority Stake in AI Technology Company Pascal Studio

UA Multimedia, Inc.

McapMediaWire -- UA Multimedia, Inc. (OTC: UAMM ), a technology holding company and solution provider in the areas of blockchain, digital asset, Web3, and electric vehicle, is pleased to announce its signing of a Letter of Intent to acquire a minority stake in Pascal Studio, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology company. Pascal Studio ( https://pascal.studio ) leverages the power of AI and advanced graph technologies with a unique user interface to help deliver fast time to value and unparalleled predictive insights. Its platform, currently focused on supply chain management, is built to integrate all of its clients’ data from within and across the supply chain and financial operations. At the core of the platform is an advanced Machine Learning model with decision assistant that provides early warning and optimizes execution through exception-based management. Pascal currently has a multi-billion dollar company as a major client. In addition, it is in discussions with and expects to secure another large international company as a client in the near future. Under the terms of the agreement, UA has the rights to acquire 30% of Pascal Common shares with 15% priced at early stage valuation and 15% priced at the current valuation. The Company plans to finance the acquisition via two year convertible notes. It has received a verbal commitment for a partial amount and expects to secure the total amount in the next few months. Pending favorable outcomes, Minh Chau, Pascal’s CEO, will also join UA Multimedia’s management team to assist with business development. Discussions are on-going to identify and conceptualize AI applications for other vertical markets. Due to the recent downturn in the crypto sector, the Company has put further development of its own products on hold. It will continue to offer development of blockchain and digital asset applications as a service. In addition, the Company will leverage Pascal’s expertise to provide AI and software technical services. “Recent introduction of ChatGPT by OpenAI and Stable Diffusion by Stability AI has revealed the huge potential of artificial intelligence and how it could disrupt the way people live and work in the near future,” commented Michael Lajtay, CEO of UA Multimedia. “We are a firm believer in AI technology and have been in discussion with Pascal to collaborate and expand our respective businesses as well as to collectively build a global technology company via mergers and acquisitions.” About UA Multimedia, Inc. UA Multimedia, Inc. is a technology company and solution provider with a focus in blockchain, digital asset, Web3, electric vehicle, and AI. It is also a holding company seeking to acquire domestic and foreign entities who are in the same space. Corporate Website: https://www.uammedia.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uamultimedia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/uamultimedia Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and section 21e of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management team. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Accomplishing the strategy described herein is significantly dependent upon numerous factors, many that are not in management's control. UA Multimedia, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements. Contact Details UA Multimedia, Inc. Investor Relations +1 949-229-1208 ir@uammedia.com

February 15, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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