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Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale — yet, announced today that Felicia Delope and Val Burmester of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty have joined the platform as Local Experts for buyers and homeowners across ZIP codes 98033, 98077, 98034, 98075, and 98027 in the Seattle and the Greater Eastside region.

Unlisted’s technology introduces new opportunities across the real estate landscape. Buyers gain new ways to explore homes that align with their lifestyle beyond what appears on the MLS. Homeowners gain clearer insight into interest surrounding their property and the ability to understand demand on their own terms. Real estate professionals gain tools that elevate their local expertise, strengthen community presence, and create more meaningful connections. 

The platform uses publicly available data to create a digital property profile for every home in the country. These profiles can be searched and organized into curated collections that reflect a buyer’s preferences, even when homes are not actively on the market. For homeowners, these records offer a new way to see how their home fits into local trends and potential opportunities.

Each real estate professional in Unlisted’s network is carefully selected and connected to every home within their designated ZIP codes. Only one agent represents each ZIP, reinforcing local knowledge, credibility, and trust. As Unlisted continues to grow, the company remains focused on clarity, connection, and creating value across the real estate ecosystem.

Felicia and Val bring together two distinct Western backgrounds and decades of combined experience to form a partnership rooted in care, intuition, and a deep understanding of what home truly represents. Felicia, raised in Sonoma County, began her career in education before moving into new home development and real estate. Her approach is known for calm guidance, thoughtful listening, and an appreciation for spaces designed to be lived in and loved.

Val, born and raised in Wyoming, brings nearly two decades of top-tier real estate experience in the Seattle area, consistently ranking among the top 1% of agents. With a background spanning journalism, sports media, and entrepreneurship, she is widely respected for her hospitality-driven approach and strong understanding of home design, lifestyle, and long-term value.

Together, Felicia and Val combine heart, experience, and a genuine love of people. Their work is centered on helping clients feel supported, confident, and excited as they move into their next chapter.

“Unlisted aligns perfectly with how we think about real estate. It creates space for curiosity, conversation, and possibility without pressure,” said Delope and Burmester.

“Felicia and Val bring an incredible balance of experience, warmth, and market insight to the communities they serve,” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted. “Their approach reflects exactly what Unlisted stands for, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the network.” 

To learn more about Unlisted, visit UnlistedHomes.com. For Unlisted for Agents, visit UnlistedHomes.com/Agents.

To learn more about Felicia Delope and Val Burmester, visit their Unlisted Profile or their website.

About Unlisted

Unlisted unlocks the potential in homes that aren’t for sale — yet. The company empowers home buyers to join the Waitlist for homes they love that aren’t for sale — in other words, unlisted. At the same time, homeowners collect a Waitlist of interested buyers for whenever the time comes to sell, giving everyone a head start. Unlisted also allows homeowners to control how their home is presented online; they can create a stunning up-to-date property profile that shows off the home’s best features and attracts more interest. With more time and more connection, Unlisted is a more human way to explore real estate that drives better outcomes for all. Selected for TechCrunch’s 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 as one of the top tech startups globally, and backed by HearstLab, Hearst Newspapers, VC414, StageNext Fund, and prominent angel investors, Unlisted gives buyers a competitive edge in today’s challenging housing market. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Maura Racz
maura@unlistedinc.com

RocketshipPR, a mission-driven public relations and strategic communications firm, today released its Year in Review, reflecting on a year defined by impact, growth, and meaningful storytelling — while setting its sights on an ambitious and energized start to 2026.

Founded with a clear commitment to purpose-driven communications, RocketshipPR spent the past year working alongside nonprofit organizations, Jewish communal institutions, and visionary entrepreneurs — helping them amplify their voices, preserve history, and tell the stories that matter most in a rapidly changing world.

“This year reaffirmed why I chose to open a mission-driven PR firm in the first place,” saidWarren H. Cohn, CEO and founder of RocketshipPR. “I’m incredibly proud that we made the intentional decision to focus on nonprofits and entrepreneurs who are truly changing the world — and now we’re doing it, every single day. I’m proud of our growing team, their creativity, their values, and the way they show up for our clients. This is exactly the work I always hoped we’d be doing.”

Preserving Memory, Amplifying the Present

A cornerstone of RocketshipPR’s work this year was partnering with Yad Vashem USA Foundation to help tell the stories of Holocaust victims — stories that occurred less than a century ago, yet are increasingly at risk of being forgotten.

“In a time when historical truth is being distorted and erased, helping elevate the voices and stories of Holocaust victims is not just meaningful — it’s essential,” Cohn said. “These are real lives, real families, and real horrors, and we take that responsibility seriously.”

RocketshipPR also worked closely with NCSY and Jewish Student Union (JSU) to tell a very different — but equally critical — story: the vibrancy, courage, and resilience of today’s Jewish youth.

Through national and regional media efforts, RocketshipPR helped highlight the energy of Jewish teens across the country, their leadership, creativity, and their willingness to stand up to antisemitism with confidence and pride — both on campus and in their communities.

A major highlight of the year was the creation of a new partnership between TessaVeksler and NCSY Southern Region, supporting the launch of the FACTS Campaign — an initiative empowering students with facts, tools, and confidence to confront antisemitism and misinformation head-on.

“We get to tell the stories of young people who refuse to be intimidated by hate,” Cohn added. “Their strength, clarity, and pride are inspiring, and it’s an honor to help amplify their voices.”

Momentum Into 2026

RocketshipPR enters 2026 with strong momentum and a full slate of high-impact initiatives already underway.

In the month ahead:

• NCSY and JSUwill host a major Atlantic Seaboard concert in Baltimore, one of the region’s largest Jewish youth gatherings of the year—bringing teens together for unity, joy, and strength at a critical moment.
• Dani Dayan, World Chairman of Yad Vashem, will join Yad Vashem USA Foundation at several events in Florida, engaging donors and community leaders around Holocaust remembrance and moral responsibility.
• Through the American Middle East Press Association (AMEPA), RocketshipPR will host a briefing featuring Beni Sabti of the Institute for National Security Studies, offering journalists and stakeholders timely insights into Iran and regional security developments.
• Exciting Hinenu Book Launch, By David Shlachter, who will be returning to the US to go on tour and share his experience interviewing over 100 people in his pursuit of showcasing Israel’s diversity and culture. 
• Proud sponsor of the Binyamin Airley Invitational Basketball Tournament, in honor of fallen soldier, Binyamin Airley. The funds raised go to help others in his memory and the tournament The Invitational proudly supports Beit Binyamin, a center in Safed, Israel, established in Binyamin’s memory. Beit Binyamin offers therapeutic retreats, volunteer opportunities, and spiritual-healing programs for IDF soldiers, bereaved families, and others impacted by war.
• “We’re incredibly proud of the work we’re doing every day,” Cohn said. “And we’re just getting started. We look forward to growth in every way in 2026 — our team, our reach, our impact, and the stories we help bring into the world.”

About RocketshipPR

RocketshipPR is a mission-driven public relations and strategic communications firm working with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and organizations committed to meaningful impact. With a focus on media relations, thought leadership, and strategic storytelling, RocketshipPR helps clients amplify their voices, preserve truth, and shape conversations that matter. For more information, visit rocketshippr.com.

Media Contact

Warren Cohn
Founder and CEO, RocketshipPR
warren@rocketshippr.com

In a landmark move positioning California as the convening hub for human-centered AI collaboration, the University of California Systemwide Procurement, Human+Tech Week (HTW), and NativelyAI today announced a strategic partnership creating a year-round Global Human+AI Exchange Platform connecting California with cities and regions worldwide.

The partnership drives economic development, workforce mobility, technology transfer, and trade expansion between California and international partners — enabling UC research, California suppliers, and student talent to scale globally while allowing participating cities to access world-class innovation, co-development capacity, and commercialization pathways.

This historic collaboration seeks to apply UC's innovation capabilities and massive contribution to California’s gross state product (GSP) as a catalyst for shared growth, accelerating economic activity and innovation capacity both across the state and throughout global partner regions.

A Year-Round Engine for Statewide and Global Impact

The partnership integrates UC’s systemwide mission with global innovation networks to drive applied solutions across:

• Human Flourishing & Vision: Advancing human-centered AI solutions that strengthen health, workforce readiness, public services, and societal resilience across communities worldwide.
• Local & Global Economic Development: Expanding market access for California small, local suppliers while creating collaboration pathways for partner cities.
• Workforce & Talent Development: Providing experiential, cross-border career pathways for UC students while enabling international talent participation in California innovation projects.
• Technology & Innovation: Deploying distributed AI research and engineering teams to build solutions that benefit California industries and international public and enterprise sectors alike.
• Global Connectivity & Trade: Positioning California cities as core nodes in a worldwide innovation trade network, facilitating capital flows, joint ventures, and cross-border growth aligned with GO-Biz objectives.

Activation, Operation & Momentum

The team will define statewide priority challenges across workforce, health, equity, infrastructure, and procurement modernization. NativelyAI will then mobilize its global network of over 240,000 developers to execute solution sprints. This delivers procurement-ready technologies for California deployments and partner markets worldwide.

Human+Tech Week serves as the flagship annual convening — uniting city leaders, sovereign investors, corporate buyers, and researchers to launch pilots, structure partnerships, and drive cross-border commercialization. Students can be embedded in solution development to ensure direct workforce readiness tied to real global deployment.

Quotes

Paul Williams, Chief Procurement Officer, UCOP: “By integrating UC talent with international collaboration, we are expanding export markets for California businesses while supporting economic modernization for our partner communities worldwide.”

Nichol Bradford, Founder and CEO, Human+Tech Week: “Human+Tech Week is the catalyst for cities of all sizes to collaborate on applied AI solutions that improve health, economic opportunity, and societal well-being.”

Joseph Spence, Chairman, NativelyAI: “We convert shared priorities across California and cities globally into deployable technology, creating continuous two-way flows of talent, innovation, capital, and trade.”

About Human+Tech Week

Human+Tech Week is the global platform convening leaders across technology, government, and industry to advance human-centered innovation in health, work, and society through a flagship annual event, year-round applied collaboration, and key partner initiatives. For more information, visit www.humantechweek.com.

About University of California Systemwide Procurement (SWP)

SWP coordinates systemwide alignment across the University of California's campuses and research centers, advancing the university's core institutional priorities in economic development and global engagement. To learn more, visit www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/.

About NativelyAI

NativelyAI operates a continuous Global Solution Exchange Infrastructure leveraging a network of over 240,000 developers across more than 130 countries. The platform matches challenges defined by California institutions and partner cities worldwide with global talent teams to build, test, pilot, procure, and scale technology solutions across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. For more information, visit nativelyai.com.

Media Contact

Nerizza Tajanlangit
pr@humantechweek.com

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: FFAI) (“Faraday Future”, “FF” or the “Company”), a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company, today announced several new business initiatives and updates as it outlined its 2026 New Year Outlook at its first-ever Stockholders’ Day in Las Vegas, coinciding with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The updates included sharing comprehensive milestone targets for the FX Super One, along with the Company’s five-year business execution strategy, that plans for between 400,000 and 500,000 cumulative units, mainly driven by the FX Super One, a planned future FX 4 model, and other planned models. The Company also announced an EAI (Embodied AI) robotics strategy under its upgraded Global EAI Industry Bridge. This dual-track growth model could provide a new growth curve for FF.

The Company’s updates were announced by numerous members of the FF and FX leadership teams including YT Jia, founder and global co-CEO of FF, Matthias Aydt, global co-CEO of FF, Jerry Wang, global president of FF, Koti Meka, CFO of FF, and Xiao (Max) Ma, global CEO of the FX brand.

“First and foremost, I want to thank all of our stockholders both in attendance and who joined the livestream online for taking the time to hear these comprehensive updates on the Company’s future from myself and other members of our leadership team,” said Mr. Aydt. “We’ve said it before, but I want to say it again today; this event and all of our forward-facing communications to our stockholders reflects Faraday Future’s commitment to transparency, stockholder engagement, and long-term value creation as the Company accelerates toward its mission of revolutionizing the intelligent electric vehicle space.”

Replay of the event is available at: www.ff.com/us/2026-CES/

FX Super One Roadmap for 2026

The production stages for the FX Super One will be laid out as follows: The first phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q2 of this year. It will primarily focus on deliveries to FX Par partners with a cap of 50 units. The second phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q3 of this year, delivering to industry leaders and B2B partners with a cap of 200 units. The third phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q4 of this year or Q1 of next year. This stage will initiate full-scale deliveries, marking the transition to FX’s broad market rollout in the U.S.

From 2027 onwards, sales targets of Super One are anticipated to include both BEV and HEREV (hybrid extended range EV) models, driving its volume to about 4,900 units in 2027, 18,000 units in 2028, 38,000 units in 2029, and 55,000 units in 2030.

Regulatory and compliance certifications for Super One are progressing smoothly and on schedule. Key component certifications have almost been completed, laying out a solid foundation for full vehicle certification. The Company will complete vehicle-level EPA, CARB, and FMVSS-related homologation as planned by the third quarter of this year.

To support the delivery milestones, FX will complete the build-out of the after-sales and charging services in Q2, including the underlying systems and operational framework. FF recently signed an agreement with Tesla that enables future FX vehicles to have direct access to Tesla's Supercharger network.

Major Forecast for Product Deliveries – Five Year Business Plan

FF’s cumulative five-year production and sales target is 400,000 to 500,000 vehicles, primarily driven by FX Super One, a planned FX 4 model, and other planned models. Key target markets include the United States and the Middle East, where FX Super One deliveries have already begun. Other high-value markets and additional models under the FX brand are also currently under consideration.

Based on its baseline business plan, the Company is targeting to produce and sell approximately 250 units in 2026, scaling to approximately 5,000 units in 2027, and a ramp up more than approximately 22,000 units in 2028, approximately 130,000 units in 2029, and approximately 250,000 units in 2030 aligned with its model introductions and production volumes.

The Company aims to achieve positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization within three years, with an estimated target gross margin rate of 20%.

The Company believes it can achieve these goals underpinned by strong market demand. In addition, FF has made substantial progress across operational and regulatory milestones. This also includes advanced engagement and readiness with key suppliers; meaningful completion of initial homologation activities; and significant assembly readiness progress at its Hanford manufacturing facility, engineering validation, initial crash testing, battery safety certification, software compliance, and other regulatory requirements. These activities have been executed via a combination of in-house capabilities and independent third-party validation.

Over the next 12 months, a primary focus will be disciplined execution and timely delivery of vehicles to the Company’s customers, while maintaining flexibility. FF believes this approach positions itself to mitigate risk and advance steadily toward the objectives outlined in its five-year business outlook.

The Company believes that the successful validation of FF’s business model through scaled production volumes will enable further improvements in operational efficiency, potential access to diversified funding sources, and the development of additional strategic partnerships to support long-term growth.

Embodied AI Robotics

Today, FF also announced the unveiling of a new product category under its upgraded Global EAI Industry Bridge Strategy—Embodied AI Robotics. This expansion could further solidify the foundation of FF’s EAI ecosystem and raise its long-term growth ceiling, creating greater value for its stockholders and retail investors.

AI is entering large-scale deployment and commercialization, while Crypto and Web3 could be poised for a year of breakout growth. EAI is emerging as a strategic direction with the most profound industrial impact and long-term value in this cycle. FF firmly believes that the upcoming FF Global EAI Industry Bridge Strategy will deliver unique and differentiated value to FF and the entire industry.

With this move, FF looks to take the lead in opening a new AI frontier—starting in the United States. The goal is clear: to become a leading U.S. robotics company and one of the first U.S. companies to deliver humanoid robot products to the market. This dual-track growth model, driven by both EAI vehicles and EAI robotics, could define a new growth curve for Faraday Future. 

On Feb. 4 in Las Vegas, FF will hold the FF AI Robotics U.S. Final Launch at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show. FF plans to unveil its first embodied AI robotics products, open public product experiences, and begin sales at the same time.

During the NADA Show, FF will also host the first FX Partner (FX Par) Summit. This will give partners the opportunity not only to join the FX vehicle sales and co-creation network, but also to become early FX Par partners of FF AI Robotics. FF welcomes dealers from the automotive and technology industries to register for the event, and join the Company’s FF Par network, as it works together to open the grand future for EAI EV and AI Robotics.

“The year 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and I hope that it will also be the year for FF to gallop full speed ahead and ride to victory,” said YT Jia. “We will work extremely diligently and fight tooth and nail for the successful production, delivery, and ramp-up of FX Super One as we mark a new era of EAI vehicles and EAI robotics.”

About Faraday Future

Faraday Future is a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company. Founded in 2014, the Company’s mission is to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first, and smart driving experience. Faraday Future’s flagship model, the FF 91, exemplifies its vision for luxury, innovation, and performance. The FX strategy aims to introduce mass production models equipped with state-of-the-art luxury technology similar to the FF 91, targeting a broader market with middle-to-low price range offerings. FF is committed to redefining mobility through AI innovation. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent transportation. For more information, please visit www.ff.com.

Media Contact

John Schilling
john.schilling@ff.com

Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ: FFAI) (“Faraday Future”, “FF” or the “Company”), a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company, today announced several new business initiatives and updates as it outlined its 2026 New Year Outlook at its first-ever Stockholders’ Day in Las Vegas, coinciding with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The updates included sharing comprehensive milestone targets for the FX Super One, along with the Company’s five-year business execution strategy, that plans for between 400,000 and 500,000 cumulative units, mainly driven by the FX Super One, a planned future FX 4 model, and other planned models. The Company also announced an EAI (Embodied AI) robotics strategy under its upgraded Global EAI Industry Bridge. This dual-track growth model could provide a new growth curve for FF.

The Company’s updates were announced by numerous members of the FF and FX leadership teams including YT Jia, founder and global co-CEO of FF, Matthias Aydt, global co-CEO of FF, Jerry Wang, global president of FF, Koti Meka, CFO of FF, and Xiao (Max) Ma, global CEO of the FX brand.

“First and foremost, I want to thank all of our stockholders both in attendance and who joined the livestream online for taking the time to hear these comprehensive updates on the Company’s future from myself and other members of our leadership team,” said Mr. Aydt. “We’ve said it before, but I want to say it again today; this event and all of our forward-facing communications to our stockholders reflects Faraday Future’s commitment to transparency, stockholder engagement, and long-term value creation as the Company accelerates toward its mission of revolutionizing the intelligent electric vehicle space.”

Replay of the event is available at: www.ff.com/us/2026-CES/

FX Super One Roadmap for 2026

The production stages for the FX Super One will be laid out as follows: The first phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q2 of this year. It will primarily focus on deliveries to FX Par partners with a cap of 50 units. The second phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q3 of this year, delivering to industry leaders and B2B partners with a cap of 200 units. The third phase of delivery is expected to occur in Q4 of this year or Q1 of next year. This stage will initiate full-scale deliveries, marking the transition to FX’s broad market rollout in the U.S.

From 2027 onwards, sales targets of Super One are anticipated to include both BEV and HEREV (hybrid extended range EV) models, driving its volume to about 4,900 units in 2027, 18,000 units in 2028, 38,000 units in 2029, and 55,000 units in 2030.

Regulatory and compliance certifications for Super One are progressing smoothly and on schedule. Key component certifications have almost been completed, laying out a solid foundation for full vehicle certification. The Company will complete vehicle-level EPA, CARB, and FMVSS-related homologation as planned by the third quarter of this year.

To support the delivery milestones, FX will complete the build-out of the after-sales and charging services in Q2, including the underlying systems and operational framework. FF recently signed an agreement with Tesla that enables future FX vehicles to have direct access to Tesla's Supercharger network.

Major Forecast for Product Deliveries – Five Year Business Plan

FF’s cumulative five-year production and sales target is 400,000 to 500,000 vehicles, primarily driven by FX Super One, a planned FX 4 model, and other planned models. Key target markets include the United States and the Middle East, where FX Super One deliveries have already begun. Other high-value markets and additional models under the FX brand are also currently under consideration.

Based on its baseline business plan, the Company is targeting to produce and sell approximately 250 units in 2026, scaling to approximately 5,000 units in 2027, and a ramp up more than approximately 22,000 units in 2028, approximately 130,000 units in 2029, and approximately 250,000 units in 2030 aligned with its model introductions and production volumes.

The Company aims to achieve positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization within three years, with an estimated target gross margin rate of 20%.

The Company believes it can achieve these goals underpinned by strong market demand. In addition, FF has made substantial progress across operational and regulatory milestones. This also includes advanced engagement and readiness with key suppliers; meaningful completion of initial homologation activities; and significant assembly readiness progress at its Hanford manufacturing facility, engineering validation, initial crash testing, battery safety certification, software compliance, and other regulatory requirements. These activities have been executed via a combination of in-house capabilities and independent third-party validation.

Over the next 12 months, a primary focus will be disciplined execution and timely delivery of vehicles to the Company’s customers, while maintaining flexibility. FF believes this approach positions itself to mitigate risk and advance steadily toward the objectives outlined in its five-year business outlook.

The Company believes that the successful validation of FF’s business model through scaled production volumes will enable further improvements in operational efficiency, potential access to diversified funding sources, and the development of additional strategic partnerships to support long-term growth.

Embodied AI Robotics

Today, FF also announced the unveiling of a new product category under its upgraded Global EAI Industry Bridge Strategy—Embodied AI Robotics. This expansion could further solidify the foundation of FF’s EAI ecosystem and raise its long-term growth ceiling, creating greater value for its stockholders and retail investors.

AI is entering large-scale deployment and commercialization, while Crypto and Web3 could be poised for a year of breakout growth. EAI is emerging as a strategic direction with the most profound industrial impact and long-term value in this cycle. FF firmly believes that the upcoming FF Global EAI Industry Bridge Strategy will deliver unique and differentiated value to FF and the entire industry.

With this move, FF looks to take the lead in opening a new AI frontier—starting in the United States. The goal is clear: to become a leading U.S. robotics company and one of the first U.S. companies to deliver humanoid robot products to the market. This dual-track growth model, driven by both EAI vehicles and EAI robotics, could define a new growth curve for Faraday Future. 

On Feb. 4 in Las Vegas, FF will hold the FF AI Robotics U.S. Final Launch at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show. FF plans to unveil its first embodied AI robotics products, open public product experiences, and begin sales at the same time.

During the NADA Show, FF will also host the first FX Partner (FX Par) Summit. This will give partners the opportunity not only to join the FX vehicle sales and co-creation network, but also to become early FX Par partners of FF AI Robotics. FF welcomes dealers from the automotive and technology industries to register for the event, and join the Company’s FF Par network, as it works together to open the grand future for EAI EV and AI Robotics.

“The year 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and I hope that it will also be the year for FF to gallop full speed ahead and ride to victory,” said YT Jia. “We will work extremely diligently and fight tooth and nail for the successful production, delivery, and ramp-up of FX Super One as we mark a new era of EAI vehicles and EAI robotics.”

About Faraday Future

Faraday Future is a California-based global shared intelligent electric mobility ecosystem company. Founded in 2014, the Company’s mission is to disrupt the automotive industry by creating a user-centric, technology-first, and smart driving experience. Faraday Future’s flagship model, the FF 91, exemplifies its vision for luxury, innovation, and performance. The FX strategy aims to introduce mass production models equipped with state-of-the-art luxury technology similar to the FF 91, targeting a broader market with middle-to-low price range offerings. FF is committed to redefining mobility through AI innovation. Join us in shaping the future of intelligent transportation. For more information, please visit www.ff.com.

Media Contact

John Schilling
john.schilling@ff.com

Vertical merging defines the future of iGaming because players no longer interact with single-purpose gambling products. iGaming platforms face pressure to connect casino games, sports betting, esports and social formats inside unified systems that share wallets, data and navigation.

The most recent statistics predict that the rapidly expanding industry will generate $153.6 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.9% from the record-breaking global market size of $87.7 billion in 2025. Now attracting more than 882 million players worldwide, everything from increasing regulatory developments, high-speed internet and strategic partnerships is driving market growth.

Our interview with the experts at BETVIBE — India's leading iGaming and sports platform — explains how harnessing vertical merging responds to changing player behaviour and why it sets the direction for iGaming in 2026. While there are thousands of iGaming platforms and operators offering similar, if not the same, games and gaming experience, experts at BETVIBE believe that merging verticals (acquiring mutually beneficial partnerships) is key to the future of iGaming.

The team behind the BETVIBE gaming site, explain what that means and provide a general overview of the future of iGaming. They were able to inform us about the current state of the global iGaming market, including how player habits are transforming the industry and why they believe harnessing vertical merging is the key to iGaming's future.

iGaming is evolving by the minute. iGaming platforms constantly innovate to provide the best gaming experience. Can you tell us more about the current state of the global iGaming market and how player gaming habits have changed?

Yes, you're right to say that iGaming platforms must constantly find ways to be innovative—the market has never been more competitive.

The latest data from Statista states that, for the gambling market specifically, user penetration should reach 1.1 billion by 2030, with more players now having access to high-speed internet, mobile devices and regulated iGaming platforms that have created the player trust the market so desperately needed. Europe's online iGaming market dominates, accounting for 41% of the global market share, but platforms in India, the U.S. (where regulated) and North America are thriving.

Player habits have changed dramatically, shifting to a mobile-first, fast-paced and easily accessible entertainment demand that fits into a modern, on-the-go lifestyle.

In response, iGaming platforms are now making strategic vertical mergers to secure the future of online gambling in a way that conforms to the new market norms and player demands.

BETVIBE believes that harnessing vertical merging is the key to iGaming's future, suggesting that combining different gaming verticals will define the industry's future. Can you explain more about that and why it has the potential to positively impact the market?

Absolutely, merging verticals will shape the future of the iGaming industry. Merging verticals refers to the strategic convergence of multiple gaming segments, including sports betting, online casino games, esports, fantasy sports, social gaming and live-dealer games. The idea is to create a unified platform or closely integrated experiences.

Traditionally, these were distinct offerings. Now, they're merging. For example, a single app might allow a user to place a bet on a football game, play slots or enter a fantasy league, all under a streamlined platform.

It's exactly what we've done on the BETVIBE gaming site to create that all-in-one experience players are asking for. We've combined it with integrating data, payment systems and player accounts across products to engage players more deeply and for longer, keeping players within one ecosystem instead of losing them to niche competitors. Ultimately, that drives higher lifetime value for the business.

You've listed multiple gaming segments there. What trends or developments are you seeing that demonstrate this kind of convergence and can you give some examples of how different verticals are merging?

Certainly, one of the clearest trends we're seeing at BETVIBE is the integration of sports betting and online casino gaming—they're the top two gaming segments. You'll see many operators now providing a seamless experience where users can switch from betting on a match to playing slots or poker with a single login and wallet. Again, it goes back to that all-in-one destination that players are asking for.

All of the major iGaming and sportsbook platforms are doing it, with this sportsbook-casino convergence driven by operators wanting to combine that social gaming element with real-money gambling.

It's evident that the iGaming market is attempting to evolve as quickly as player demands are, so is harnessing vertical merging truly the key to iGaming’s future?

The evidence and expert consensus suggest that effective vertical merging will separate winners from platforms that simply can't keep up. It's fundamentally transformative for the industry. Platforms that can create a cohesive, engaging experience across casinos, sports, esports, social gaming and more will drive the future of iGaming platforms. And we're already seeing it. The largest operators cover multiple verticals and report record revenues.

That said, providing multiple verticals isn’t enough in a market worth $87.7 billion in 2025 — it’s about how well they are integrated and how smooth the player journey is across them. The connections matter as much as the content and operators must focus on APIs, data standards, payment logic, creator tools and compliance frameworks.

Harnessing strategic verticals merging will take the future of iGaming towards a more seamless, well-rounded online gaming experience. Everything that's happening in terms of the evolution of iGaming is focused on the player experience, with over 882 million players worldwide.

As generative AI models achieve wider adoption and  popularity across industries, Pronto Translations, a multilingual communication services provider with 25 years of experience, has released new guidance outlining where AI systems — including the latest versions of ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepL, and ERNIE — continue to fall short of replacing expert human translators.

Over the past two years, Pronto Translations has integrated AI tools into its workflows for preliminary drafts, terminology support, and efficiency gains. However, based on analysis of thousands of real-world client projects across legal, marketing, technical, and corporate communications, the firm has found that AI-generated translations still require rigorous human oversight. Despite continued advances in generative AI in 2025, including new releases from OpenAI, Google, and other developers, Pronto’s analysis shows that professional human translators remain indispensable for accuracy, nuance, and contextual judgment in high-stakes communication.

According to Pronto Translations’ latest report, “Why AI Alone Still Fails in High-Stakes Translation: 21 Critical Risks Every Organization Should Understand in 2025,” the following issues remain the most significant barriers to full automation:

Top 10 Limitations of AI Translation Tools in 2025

1. Incorrect Technical Context Recognition

AI systems continue to misinterpret highly specialized terminology, especially in engineering, medical, legal, and scientific documentation. These inaccuracies can alter the technical meaning of content, leading to operational, safety, or compliance risks.

2. Residual Hallucinations and Fabricated Information

Although hallucinations have decreased in newer models, AI still invents terms, descriptions, or definitions when source material is unfamiliar. Pronto’s internal audits show they still fabricate information when terminology is rare, proprietary, regional, or industry-specific.

In 2025 tests, AI:

• added non-existent product features
• invented corporate departments
• generated technical definitions that did not appear anywhere in the original documents

This is especially dangerous in compliance-heavy sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, and finance.

3. Inconsistent Treatment of Names, Titles, and Proprietary Terms

AI frequently mishandles proper names, brand terminology, and executive titles, either incorrectly transliterating them or replacing them with inaccurate equivalents. Such errors can damage brand identity and professional reputation.

4. Limited Ability to Identify Errors in Source Texts

Human translators routinely detect factual mistakes, typographical errors, and inconsistencies in the original documents. AI, however, generally reproduces errors without flagging them, undermining the reliability of the final translation.

5. Unreliable Handling of Tone, Register, and Formality

Languages with strict formality structures — such as Japanese, Korean, French, and German — require careful judgment. AI often applies tone inconsistently or selects a register that is culturally inappropriate, risking miscommunication in diplomatic, corporate, or legal contexts.

6. Difficulty Preserving Nuance and Cultural Subtext

Idioms, metaphors, cultural expressions, and subtle emotional cues remain challenging for AI. Literal interpretations frequently distort meaning, leading to translations that lack cultural fidelity or shift the intended message.

7. Gaps in Long-Form Document Fidelity

In legal contracts, regulatory submissions, and multi-section reports, AI can omit or compress information, misalign structured elements, or lose continuity across lengthy documents. This compromises completeness and accuracy.

8. Inconsistent Terminology Across Complex Documents

AI often fails to maintain uniform terminology within and across documents, a requirement that is essential in legal, technical, and compliance-driven fields. Human linguists ensure consistency through reference materials, glossaries, and cross-document review.

9. Overuse of Generic Phrasing and Stylistic Flattening

AI relies on statistical averages, resulting in overly generic or repetitive phrasing. This is particularly problematic in marketing, branding, and executive communication, where voice, originality, and precision are essential.

10. Challenges in Interpreting Ambiguous or Industry-Specific Language

Words with multiple meanings — especially in finance, law, technology, and science — require contextual evaluation that AI cannot reliably perform. Human translators assess intent through research, expertise, and clarification, ensuring the correct interpretation.

Pronto Translations Emphasizes a Hybrid Approach

“AI has become a powerful tool in our workflow, but it cannot replace professional linguists,” said Joshua B. Cohen, head of client services at Pronto Translations. “Organizations that rely solely on AI expose themselves to accuracy, cultural nuance, and reputational risks. The most effective model in 2025 is a hybrid one — AI for speed and humans for precision.”

The company’s 2025 assessment concludes that while AI is valuable for initial drafts and terminology support, expert translators remain essential for final review, quality assurance, and culturally informed decision-making.

About Pronto Translations

In business for 25 years, Pronto Translations is a tightly run international organization, with offices in New York, Nîmes (France), Nanjing (China), Seoul, and Osaka, providing high-quality interpretation, translation and localization services.

Pronto’s team includes more than 1,000 translators covering 122 languages, each selected for their specific industry expertise. The translators, many of whom hold degrees from leading universities or certifications from professional associations, work through a secure portal to ensure quality and confidentiality. The operation’s 24/7 availability allows for quick turnaround on urgent projects, even during weekends and holidays.

With more than two decades of experience in transforming corporate messaging into the world’s most spoken and lesser spoken languages, Pronto Translations is the go-to service and solution for the marketing and public relations needs of any firm wishing to communicate with the world’s audiences in their own languages.

To learn more, visit prontotranslations.com.

Media Contact

Joshua B. Cohen
clientservices@prontotranslations.com
+1 646-984-4073

Across sectors, organisations continue to refine crisis manuals designed to guide responses to cyberattacks, outages, reputational incidents, or regulatory problems. Yet when disruption strikes, these documents often fall short. A 2023 PwC survey found that although most organisations maintain crisis plans, fewer than half believe their teams can handle a real, unfolding event. The distinction between “having a plan” and “being prepared” is widening.

A crisis can be defined as any unexpected event with adverse consequences. The breadth of this definition reveals the core problem: crises are not confined to neat categories. They can originate from internal systems, external forces, or personal and family matters affecting senior leaders. They can unfold rapidly, overlap with other challenges, and escalate in unpredictable ways. Written plans are static. Crises are not.

Steve Keogh, head of corporate training at Periculum Security Group and a former Scotland Yard detective, has seen the disparity firsthand. “The biggest misconception is that a plan guarantees a response,” he said. “Crises depend on how people think and act when the situation is unclear, pressured, and emotionally charged.”

The Hidden Risks Organisations Don’t Anticipate

Many organisations assume that a plan addressing a specific scenario — such as a cyber incident — will be sufficient. But crises frequently arrive in combinations that no manual fully anticipates.

One U.K.-based firm discovered this when a data breach struck during a holiday period. The plan required a particular executive to authorise key steps, but he was dealing with an unexpected family emergency. Without clear guidance on how to deviate from the plan, junior staff waited for instructions. The delay extended the breach and worsened the reputational fallout.

Another organisation faced a different challenge: a senior executive’s personal dispute unexpectedly became public. While the company had a detailed communications plan for corporate issues, it had no system for a crisis rooted in an individual’s private life. The absence of a general decision-making method led to hesitation, inconsistent messaging, and uncertainty across departments.

These examples reflect findings from the Institute for Crisis Management, which reports that nearly 70% of crises in 2024 originated from issues not accounted for in corporate documentation. In many cases, the problem was not the absence of planning, but the absence of people capable of applying judgement when conditions diverged from the written scenario.

“Real crises don’t respect the lines we draw around them,” Keogh said. “They overlap, they evolve, and they often start in places organisations never thought to look.”

Why Organisations Need a General Crisis System

Traditional table-top exercises tend to reinforce a belief that documented plans are sufficient. These simulations rarely replicate the emotional stress, time pressure, and contradictory information that define actual crises. A 2022 Deloitte analysis found that more than half of companies that performed regular exercises still experienced decision-making failures during real disruptions.

This is why Periculum Security Group emphasises the need for a general crisis system rather than scenario-based planning alone. Their Now, Where, How® (NWH®) framework draws on decades of criminal investigation work, corporate crisis cases, and risk management experience. It teaches leaders and teams how to think when conditions are ambiguous, fast-moving, or overwhelming.

Unlike scenario plans, NWH is designed for any crisis. It guides individuals to assess what is known, identify the most critical immediate decisions, and determine what must happen next, even when details are missing or the event does not match any documented category.

Keogh’s policing background shapes this philosophy. “In major crime work, you don’t get perfect information,” he said. “You get fragments. The question is whether people can make structured decisions when the pressure is affecting their thinking.”

This framework reflects the reality of modern crises: the specific threat may change, but the cognitive demands remain consistent. Whether facing a cyber intrusion, a supply chain failure, or a personal crisis affecting key staff, leaders must navigate uncertainty.

Preparing the People Who Carry the Plan

The lesson emerging across public and private sectors is that documentation cannot substitute for capability. Plans help, but they cannot compensate for indecision, emotional overload, or fractured communication. Organisations that train teams to function under stress tend to stabilise faster and limit secondary damage.

As crises become more complex and interconnected, the question shifts from Do we have a plan? to Do we have people who can respond when the plan no longer fits the situation?

That shift is where frameworks like NWH aim to operate, not as a replacement for corporate plans, but as a system that allows leaders and teams to think, act, and adapt when reality moves beyond what was written.

Media Contact

Steve Keogh
info@periculumsecuritygroup.com

Ty J. Young Wealth Management, a leading financial services firm, has announced that Michael Young has joined the firm as Vice President of Business Development. Previously serving as a top-ranked sales executive for a Fortune 500 company, Young will lead the firm’s business development as well as acquisitions. 

“It’s an honor and proud moment to have Michael joining our firm,” said CEO Ty Young. “His global sales leadership experience will play an integral role in our continued expansion.”

Ty J. Young Wealth Management continues to expand rapidly nationwide with the acquisition of more than 40 companies in the past six years.

About Ty J. Young Wealth Management

Ty J. Young Wealth Management, established in 1998, is a leading independent wealth management firm committed to providing comprehensive financial solutions. With over $1 billion in assets under management and serving more than 7,000 clients across the nation, the firm is renowned for its expertise in investment management, retirement planning, and insurance. Ty Young and the firm's strategists are frequently sought after for their insights, appearing in prominent media outlets such as CNBC, Forbes, and Fox Business. Discover how Ty J. Young Wealth Management can help you achieve your financial goals at www.tyjyoung.com.

Media Contact

Richard Lorenzen
rlorenzen@fifthavenuebrands.com

More than 32,000 Americans have joined together to oppose a federal ban on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), marking a major milestone in a rapidly growing national movement pushing back against what advocates describe as government overreach that ignores science, real-world data, and lived experience. The 7-HOPE Alliance, (7-HOPE) and The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) announced the milestone today, underscoring a clear shift in the national conversation surrounding 7-OH. Once framed almost exclusively through fear-based narratives, the compound is now increasingly discussed by scientists, consumer advocates, and major media outlets as a potential harm-reduction tool that warrants responsible regulation, not prohibition.

Key Highlights

• The national movement opposing a ban on 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) has surpassed 32,000 signatures on Change.org, marking it one of the largest grassroots responses to a proposed ban in recent years.
• The DEA is actively considering scheduling 7-OH under the Controlled Substances Act, despite growing evidence that the compound does not meet the statutory criteria for prohibition.
• The 30,000th signer, Eric Linkenhoker credits 7-OH with helping him rebuild his life after prescription opioid addiction following a serious back injury.
• Dozens of organizations, including consumer advocates, recovery groups, physicians, veterans’ organizations, and family-focused groups, are urging the DEA to halt the scheduling process and defer to science, data, and harm-reduction principles.
• Major national media outlets are increasingly questioning whether DEA scheduling would repeat the failures of past drug prohibition efforts and push consumers toward far more dangerous substances.

Personal Stories Fuel the Petition Milestone

The petition’s 32,000th signer, Eric Linkenhoker, said his decision to add his name was shaped by his own experience with prescription opioid addiction following a serious back injury. Initially prescribed OxyContin for pain management, Linkenhoker said his dependency spiraled, leading to homelessness and estrangement from his family. He said he eventually turned to 7-OH as an alternative to manage his back pain.

“7-OH gave me a way to manage pain without returning to prescription opioids or the street,” Linkenhoker said. “It helped me get my life back.” Linkenhoker is now housed, reunited with family members, and employed, according to the advocacy groups. His account mirrors thousands of testimonials submitted alongside the petition, which frequently cite opioid dependence, chronic pain and concerns about losing access to what users describe as a lower-risk alternative.

Scientific and Organizational Consensus

The 32,000-signature milestone coincides with the rapid expansion of a national coalition opposing a 7-OH ban. Physicians, veterans’ advocates, recovery organizations, fiscal watchdogs, youth groups, and consumer protection organizations are now publicly warning that prohibition would do more harm than good. These groups agree that banning 7-OH would repeat the failures of the War on Drugs, while cutting off promising avenues for research, recovery, and harm reduction.

Across the spectrum, from medical experts to fiscal watchdogs and youth advocates, the message is the same: regulation, not prohibition, is the path forward.

Moms for America said, “As mothers, we want rules that actually work. Prohibition doesn’t protect families — it drives people toward unregulated, dangerous alternatives and makes things worse, not better.”

Doctors for Drug Policy Reform warned that banning 7-OH would “predictably endanger public health” by pushing people toward unregulated products and blocking vital scientific investigation.

The Grunt Style Foundation stated that removing 7-OH “doesn’t make veterans safer — it pushes them toward contaminated street sources,” noting that many veterans rely on it to manage pain and PTSD without the fog of opioids.

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance called the FDA’s effort a “costly and reckless mission,” pointing out that prohibition “has never worked and always hurts the people it claims to protect.”

Students for Sensible Drug Policy warned that scheduling 7-OH “gives law enforcement one more reason to target young people,” calling instead for education and transparency.

End It For Good cautioned that bans “push people toward fentanyl-laced street drugs and unknown dosages,” undermining public health and safety.

The Consumer Choice Center urged policymakers to pursue “evidence-based regulation rather than criminalization,” protecting both consumers and scientific progress.

Jeff Singer of the Cato Institute said, “The choice is clear: either let 7-OH fall into the hands of cartels or regulate it to reduce harm. America doesn’t need another fentanyl crisis, especially one caused by our own actions.”

Geoffrey Lawrence of the Reason Foundation summed up the coalition’s concern: “Every time Washington schedules another substance, it hands power to cartels and unregulated actors. The answer isn’t banning 7-OH — it’s giving people honest information, clear standards, and the freedom to decide for themselves.”

Moms for America said it joined the coalition after reviewing concerns that a ban could disproportionately affect vulnerable pain patients and families seeking alternatives to prescription opioids.“ When policies remove lower-risk options without offering safe alternatives, families pay the price,” the organization said in a statement. “We believe it is important to ensure that pain patients are not pushed toward more dangerous or unregulated substances.”

Momentum Builds Across Science, Media, and Policy

In recent weeks, key coverage and statements have underscored a turning point in the national dialogue:

• Reason: What is 7-OH and why did the FDA seize this potentially life-saving substance? — Reason Foundation research director Geoffrey Lawrence argues that there’s no basis to conclude that 7-OH products are dangerous. In fact, there’s far more evidence that they may help people overcome opioid addiction.

• Forbes: The Science Behind The Fight Over 7-OH — A national feature asking whether science, not panic, should guide U.S. drug policy, highlighting 7-OH’s safety record, potential role in reducing opioid deaths, and growing calls for research over prohibition.

• Newsmax: D.C.'s War on Some Drugs Short on Sense, Compassion — Policy strategist Charlie Kolean criticized the FDA’s ‘crusade’ against 7-OH as political theater over science, warning that banning a low-risk, natural alternative will push Americans back toward fentanyl and other deadly opioids.”

• OANN / Matt Gaetz Show commentary and interview with Cato Institute’s Dr. Jeffrey Singer: Part 1 and Part 2 — Former Congressman Matt Gaetz argues that the recent push to classify the kratom derivative as a Schedule I controlled substance is about money and power, not safety concerns.

• USA Today: RFK Jr. wants to ban kratom and its compounds. The consequences could be deadly — Consumers and researchers weigh in on 7-OH’s role as a harm-reduction alternative.

• RealClear Health: Sensible Harm Reduction Means Preserving Safer Substitutes — A national op-ed warning that a federal 7-OH ban would drive the market underground, empower cartels, and make use more dangerous, urging regulation and education over prohibition.

Each of these reports points to the same conclusion: the evidence does not support a ban and Americans are rallying to protect access to a safer, natural option.

Looking Ahead: The Fight Is Far From Over

Despite growing public support, organizations involved in the effort say the policy debate over 7-OH is far from settled, with attention now shifting toward coordinated national opposition to what they describe as an unjust regulatory action.

HART and the 7-HOPE Alliance said the campaign has evolved into a nationwide coalition of tens of thousands of consumers, families, recovery advocates and allied organizations, many of whom have mobilized in response to concerns that a ban would remove safer alternatives and repeat the failures of past drug policy.

Jeff Smith, Policy Director of the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, said the end-of-year milestone reflects more than petition growth, particularly as supporters enter the holiday season and prepare for the coming year.

“This has become a national coalition of people who are paying attention and who are ready to engage,” Smith said. “For many, this is personal. They’re thinking about health, recovery and family as the new year begins, and they’re not willing to see those gains undone.”

Jackie Subeck, Executive Director of the 7-HOPE Alliance said the focus heading into the new year will be on sustaining that momentum and ensuring that consumer voices remain part of the policy discussion.

“This coalition is organized, informed, and growing,” Subeck said. “People are standing up for science-based regulation and making it clear that prohibition is not an acceptable path forward.”

About Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART)

The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting evidence-based, transparent policy around natural recovery compounds. HART supports responsible regulation that protects consumers while encouraging innovation in safe, science-driven alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. Learn more at hartsupporter.com.

About 7-HOPE Alliance

7-HOPE Alliance (7-Hydroxy Outreach for Public Education) is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) pending) dedicated to advancing public education, user support, and policy advocacy around 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OHM), a naturally occurring alkaloid in the kratom plant. Through a foundation of science, storytelling, and community, 7-HOPE empowers individuals, healthcare professionals, and policymakers with accurate, balanced information on 7-OHM and its role in harm reduction, natural wellness, and safe, legal access to alternatives. The organization’s mission centers on four pillars: science, education, advocacy, and user support. By confronting misinformation, promoting responsible use, and providing uplifting real-life testimonials, 7-HOPE aims to ensure 7-OHM remains available to the many individuals who find it to be a safe and effective alternative to dangerous painkillers and illegal drugs. For more information or to get involved, visit www.7hopealliance.org.

Media Contact

HART Media
media@hartsupporter.com

7-HOPE Alliance
media@7hopealliance.org

There is enough value in the sector of online gambling that most of the world’s jurisdictions have taken note of it. From states that have had it under control for as long as it has been on the market to those that are having hotly contested discussions about what to do about a rising tide, there is always a percolating movement regarding the state of online gambling.

However, what is it that goes on in many parts of the world where online gambling has proven to be a source of revenue, a societal concern, and, ultimately, an undeniable source of entertainment that millions upon millions are delving into.

This situation requires a dive into the state of gambling legislation across the globe. From continents where legislation is already in place to others where it’s in a nascent state, there are quite a few cases that are worth presenting in the interest of understanding how various cases can inspire others.

Why are gambling regulations indispensable?

The primary conundrum that has garnered the attention of legislative bodies around the world is whether online gambling, just as gambling in general, has any seat at the table of legal entertainment.

This is the face-value question. The real question is whether there is a positive ratio in the calculation that pits risk versus reward. Is there enough of a taxable upside for something that society is obviously delving into? Or is it too much of a danger to the civil society and the health of the citizens?

Legislative bodies from many jurisdictions have already understood that the tide of choosing to gamble online has reached a point of no return. Per the global market growth estimations for the 2020s, there is an immense sum of money that is already flowing into regulated markets.

Then, the issue lies with the issue of illicit online gambling. If there is no protection system in place, there will be no protection for players whatsoever. Digital gambling operations that do business in certain jurisdictions without oversight are those that go unpunished for any one their transgressions.

Finally, the answer to the question in the title of this section is that gambling regulations are indispensable because they set the rules of the game.

The state can collect taxation revenue and have control over those who operate in its jurisdiction. Online gambling operators can operate legally and leverage their models without having to worry about stepping on the wrong foot, all while leveraging their state-mandated trustworthiness. The player, as a consumer, can rely on the fact that there is enough stringency that guarantee a level of safety that protects fairness.

The UKGC and Its Stringency Are the Gold Standard

Online gambling in the U.K. operates on what has proven to be one of the truly landmark pieces of legislation in this field: the Gambling Act of 2005.

As a result, the digitalization of its gambling market has already proven a success in terms of its figures, but also its perception. Per SlotsCalendar’s transparent review methodology, devised as a rating system that understands operational quality, UKGC-licensed casinos operate at the highest standards of security and fairness.

They also have what is, perhaps, the biggest set of pro-responsible-gambling regulations. Every brand that belongs to a UKGC-approved operator has to refer the player to what is a series of government-supported organizations put in place to provide relief.

Moreover, the matter of KYC operates quite closely with country-wide self-exclusion opportunities. Players who, thanks to the obligatory identity confirmation requirements of its gambling legislation (as it is in most of the world), can join self-exclusion programs that keep them away from all existing gambling platforms.

Overall, the U.K. has understood that having a strong foundation, which the Commission adds to whenever there are new (and inevitable) developments on the market, provides the best way to balance the levy generated by the market with player protection measures.

North American Models

The situation in North America, especially in the U.S. and Canada, is a bit more under development, with legality and clear-cut regulatory situations are a bit newer when compared to other jurisdictions.

Starting with Canada, the country has been, for the longest time, open to offshore operations, leaving the responsibility of regulating online gambling to provincial entities. Ontario, the most populous of these provinces and home to its biggest metropolitan area, was the first one to set up a tight regulatory landscape, and the results have spoken for themselves.

In iGaming Ontario’s most recent financial report (as of this article’s redaction), it indicates that the situation is looking encouraging to a degree that one could expect in the context of this type of legalization. Further developments from other provinces will likely follow.

In the U.S., things moved once the floodgates of Murphy v. NCAA resulted in the legalization of sports betting in New Jersey. Once there was no federal control over the matter of state lawmaking, NJ, along with the other states that have legalized online gambling (most of them did with sports betting, rather than allowing casino games as well), opened the doors for decision-making resting with the state legislature.

The ultimate result turned into states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and others maintaining their own regulatory authority that oversees online gambling, regardless of the product that it can market. Gambling advertisement regulations, along with geolocation tools that guarantee that players are within the confines of the state, are some of the most important regulatory pieces in this context.

Naturally, given that regulations are on a state-by-state basis, there isn’t that much unity in their approach, which makes it harder to look at them as a cohesive set of legislative measures.

Malta’s Haven-Like Approach

Malta’s model, spearheaded by the MGA’s presence on the global arena of online gambling, is one of the most important names globally. The status of the Mediterranean island country as a financial haven has done wonders for its status as an attractive market for companies that want to have their headquarters in a fiscally attractive place.

The MGA’s status is one of the most interesting among all the regulators that have a global footprint. While there is a level of incessant openness about it, it is a serious and quite respected authority that, unlike other havens of its kind, is serious about its status being upheld.

The main trait that is definitive of the Maltese legislation model is that it allows its licensees to operate offshore operations. That means that online gambling brands can have their headquarters in Malta and operate with an MGA license, but their markets can be across the world, according to the set of jurisdictions that legally allow casinos registered in Malta and with that specific certification.

Naturally, there are also cases when the operation only has its corporate HQ in Malta, but the operator has licenses across various jurisdictions. In Europe, we can look at the Romanian case, in which brands have their HQ in Malta, but operate on the Romanian market with a license from the very exigent ONJN.

Overall, Malta is one of the top providers of offshore gaming certifications, without compromising on the standards that casinos must adhere to.

Latin American Movements

Latin America, known as the Hispanic cultural space in South and Central America (except Brazil, whose Portuguese-language market stands out, but is still part of LatAm), is a very serious opportunity that, in many cases, is still in a nascent state. It’s the personification of the premise that state authorities simply cannot ignore online gambling anymore.

In some markets, there has already been a rise. Mexico, one of the most voracious spaces for sports betting, has already shown an inclination toward this model, with various brands operating very profitable models that have attracted the attention of many other operators in the field, and that includes affiliate marketing companies.

Such is the case in Brazil, as well. The country, which finally opened the door for legal sports betting in a digital format starting in 2025, has already shown a very significant penchant for this field, with casino gaming being the subject of discussion that, as of writing this article, is still a tabled matter. Nevertheless, things are moving toward integration and legalization.

Australia and New Zealand’s Approaches

In what most of the world calls the Antipode space, gambling is within the cultural fabric, but the online side of the industry is a bit in limbo. Both New Zealand and Australia have an interesting system that still feels a bit rudimentary as of the start of 2026, despite gambling being a hugely popular activity.

Theoretically, the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 prohibits such usage by Australian companies to Australian citizens. However, iGaming companies based in Australia can offer such services to players located outside Australia.

As for the highly enthusiastic players in the market, they can access the services of online casinos located outside the country. Per the ACIP verification procedure, implemented at the end of September 2024, gambling companies must institute identity verification for Aussies, and they also need to provide access to the national self-exclusion registry.

Things are moving in New Zealand. While, for the longest time, legislation felt quite the same as with the Australian case, there has been constant movement that started with an online gambling bill that has gained traction both in the Kiwi legislature and its executive branch.

This would constitute a clear licensing system and a 4% levy on its licensed operators’ GGR, which would come into effect starting January 2027, while other factors would come into effect in the middle of 2026. This situation needs monitoring since the legislative process seems a bit incomplete, but the truth is that New Zealand is moving toward a fully regulated model.

Conclusion

As we can see, there are quite a few markets that exhibit interesting levels of compromise in how they construct their gambling legislation. However, all of them showcase that the constant movement is in the direction of responsible gambling, which is the main protection methodology for their citizens.

Ukrainian bridal and eveningwear brand OKSANA MUKHA continues to expand internationally, entering new markets including Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland, and significantly strengthening its presence in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Austria, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and a challenging climate for the global fashion industry.

In the 2025-2026 season, the company presented its new bridal collection ÉCLAT at leading professional shows Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Chicago National Bridal Market, and Si Sposaitalia Collezioni in Milan, regarded as key gateways for luxury bridal brands seeking global distribution.

According to the company, the ÉCLAT collection features around 70 wedding gown designs, now available through more than 450 partner boutiques in over 70 countries worldwide, across Europe, North America, and Asia. The brand notes increasing demand for Ukrainian couture craftsmanship across both established and newly entered regions.

“International exhibitions remain essential for sustaining export sales and developing long-term partnerships” said founder Oksana Mukha.

Operating Under Wartime Conditions

Based in Lviv, international brand OKSANA MUKHA has worked in couture, custom-made, and ready-to-wear bridal fashion for over three decades. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the brand faced supply chain disruptions, logistics challenges, and uncertainty — issues common among Ukrainian manufacturers.

Despite this, the company maintained production in Ukraine and continued serving international markets with a strategic focus on export growth and participation in global industry events.

Market Context and Outlook

The global bridal market is gradually recovering after the pandemic, yet rising production costs and geopolitical instability encourage brands to diversify sales channels and strengthen cross-border cooperation. Designers from Central and Eastern Europe are increasingly present at global fashion forums, gaining visibility within the luxury bridal segment.

OKSANA MUKHA stated it will continue investing in international partnerships, global exhibitions, and new collections for export markets, reinforcing its long-term expansion strategy.

About OKSANA MUKHA

OKSANA MUKHA operates in the couture bridal and eveningwear segment and has more than three decades of experience in the fashion industry. The brand works with an international retail network of 457 boutiques in over 70 countries and presents its collections at major bridal fashion events in Europe and the United States. For more information, visit oksana-mukha.com.

Media Contact

PR Team
pr@oksana-mukha.com
+380 63 146 0058

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale — yet, today announced that Pearl Glorioso, sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, has joined the platform as the exclusive Local Expert for buyers and homeowners in ZIP code 60154 and the surrounding western suburbs. 

Unlisted’s technology is designed to open up possibilities for everyone in the real estate ecosystem: buyers, homeowners, and agents alike. Buyers gain new ways to discover homes they love beyond what’s listed on the MLS. Homeowners gain tools to better understand interest in their property and connect with potential buyers. Real estate professionals gain a platform that elevates their expertise and brings more possibilities into view for their clients. 

Unlisted uses publicly available data to create a digital property profile for every home in the country. Users can quickly search and organize these homes into curated lists that meet a buyer’s criteria. Even when a home isn’t for sale, buyers can join a Waitlist for the properties they love, creating new touchpoints for connection and giving homeowners insights and options they may not have considered. 

Each vetted real estate professional partnering with Unlisted receives an agent profile linked to every home in their ZIP code. Only one agent is selected per ZIP, highlighting their credibility and deep understanding of the local market. As Unlisted continues to expand nationwide, the mission remains the same: to provide buyers, homeowners, and agents with a platform built on connection, expertise, and meaningful insights. 

Glorioso’s story is rooted in the western suburbs, where she was born, raised, and shaped by the values of hard work, service, and community. She began serving customers at the age of 11 in her family’s restaurant, later earning a marketing degree from Elmhurst College and building a successful career in retail as a buyer and a department store manager. These years instilled in her the skills that now define her real estate practice: attentive listening, thoughtful negotiation, and an ability to excel in fast-moving markets. 

For the past 15 years, Pearl has brought that same dedication and care to real estate, guiding buyers, sellers, and families through every step of the process with integrity, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping others. Her mission is simple and unwavering: to meet every client’s needs with expertise, speed, and efficiency while ensuring the experience is just as rewarding as the outcome.

“My passion has always been serving people, and Unlisted lets me expand the way I support homeowners and buyers in my ZIP code,” said Glorioso. “I’m excited to be a resource and to bring innovative tools and clarity to the community I’ve loved my whole life.” 

“Pearl has a genuine connection to the western suburbs, and it shows in the way she serves her clients,” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted. “Her dedication to this community and the care she brings to every relationship perfectly reflects the heart of what we’re building.” 

To learn more about Unlisted, visit UnlistedHomes.com. For Unlisted for Agents, visit UnlistedHomes.com/Agents. 

To learn more about Pearl Glorioso, visit her Unlisted Profile or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago.

About Unlisted

Unlisted unlocks the potential in homes that aren’t for sale — yet. The company empowers home buyers to join the Waitlist for homes they love that aren’t for sale — in other words, unlisted. At the same time, homeowners collect a Waitlist of interested buyers for whenever the time comes to sell, giving everyone a head start. Unlisted also allows homeowners to control how their home is presented online; they can create a stunning up-to-date property profile that shows off the home’s best features and attracts more interest. With more time and more connection, Unlisted is a more human way to explore real estate that drives better outcomes for all. Selected for TechCrunch’s 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 as one of the top tech startups globally, and backed by HearstLab, Hearst Newspapers, VC414, StageNext Fund, and prominent angel investors, Unlisted gives buyers a competitive edge in today’s challenging housing market. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Maura Racz
maura@unlistedinc.com

Perfect Payday, a leading Australian loan comparison platform, today released its updated guide to bad credit loans in Australia for 2025, helping consumers compare options from 23 ASIC-registered lenders.

The guide provides Australians with poor credit histories a comprehensive comparison of bad credit personal loans, including interest rates, approval criteria, and repayment terms. With traditional banks rejecting increasing numbers of applicants due to credit history concerns, alternative lending options have become essential for many households facing emergency expenses.

"Australians with bad credit shouldn't be left in the dark about their borrowing options," said Michael Chen, CEO of Perfect Payday. "Our platform connects borrowers with licensed lenders who specialize in loans for bad credit, helping people make informed decisions about emergency funding."

Perfect Payday's comparison service covers various loan types including same day bad credit loans, poor credit personal loans, and emergency loans for bad credit. The platform's algorithm matches applicants with suitable lenders based on their specific circumstances, improving approval likelihood while maintaining responsible lending standards.

Key features of the Perfect Payday platform include:

• Comparison of bad credit loans Australia from 23 licensed lenders
• Free service with no obligation to proceed
• Average application completion time of under 5 minutes
• Mobile-optimized application process
• All partner lenders are ASIC-registered and compliant with National Consumer Credit Protection Act requirements

The updated 2025 guide helps borrowers seeking instant loans for bad credit, online bad credit loans Australia, and quick loans for bad credit find appropriate lending partners.

"Whether someone needs cash loans for bad credit for an unexpected car repair or is looking for more structured personal loans for poor credit to consolidate debt, our goal is transparency and accessibility," Chen added.

Perfect Payday has helped thousands of Australians access emergency funding through its network of licensed lenders. The platform maintains strict data security protocols and partners exclusively with lenders who adhere to responsible lending practices.

About Perfect Payday

Perfect Payday is an Australian loan comparison platform connecting borrowers with licensed lenders across the country. The platform specializes in bad credit loans, payday loans, and personal loans for Australians with non-traditional credit profiles. Perfect Payday partners exclusively with ASIC-registered lenders and maintains high standards of data security and responsible lending practices. For more information, visit www.perfectpayday.com.au.

Media Contact

Michael Jenkins
michael@tinyventures.com.au

CES 2026 once again highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in consumer technology. With exhibitors from more than 150 countries and regions and over 4,500 companies in attendance, the event made one thing increasingly clear: as AI continues to move beyond software, its next chapter is taking physical form. Embodied intelligence — AI systems designed to operate in real-world environments — is no longer confined to research labs.

Against a backdrop of robots largely designed for industrial or experimental use, Vbot’s debut at CES stood out for a different reason. The company presented a vision not of machines performing isolated tasks, but of robots designed to coexist with people, operating autonomously within homes, yards, and shared family spaces.

Vbot is a consumer-focused embodied AI company dedicated to building robots for everyday living environments. Its flagship product, the global edition of Vbot SuperDog, is designed as a physical-world agent capable of navigating complex spaces without remote control. With autonomous following, intelligent load carrying, and dynamic video tracking, the robot demonstrated how embodied AI can function continuously within real household settings rather than controlled demonstrations.

At CES, Vbot SuperDog showcased full-terrain mobility alongside an ability to interpret complex physical environments in real time. This combination resonated particularly with audiences from North America and Europe, where detached homes and outdoor private spaces are common. Equipped with high-grade sensors and long-legged mobility, the robot moved fluidly between indoor and outdoor environments, including navigating uneven terrain and performing yard patrol tasks.

Beyond mobility, Vbot SuperDog is designed to interact naturally with people. Featuring 14 degrees of freedom — including articulated head movement — the robot can visually track individuals in real time and respond through lifelike motion and subtle anticipatory gestures. During live demonstrations, it interacted with children through English-language communication and expressive body language, creating interactions that felt responsive rather than scripted.

In outdoor and travel scenarios, the robot demonstrated a more utilitarian role. With a payload capacity of up to 12 kilograms and towing capability of up to 100 kilograms, Vbot SuperDog supported activities such as family outings and camping. One technology creator at the event noted that the robot’s ability to transport heavy beach gear and luggage across challenging terrain addressed a common, practical pain point for families — something consumer robots have historically struggled to do.

The attention surrounding Vbot SuperDog at CES reflects a broader shift in how consumers and industry observers evaluate embodied AI. Rather than prioritizing technical spectacle, interest is increasingly centered on whether robots can adapt across environments, cultures, and household needs, and whether they can meaningfully reduce friction in everyday life. In this context, Vbot’s reception suggests growing demand for embodied intelligence that prioritizes usability over novelty.

According to the company, the global edition of Vbot SuperDog is scheduled to launch soon. Availability is expected in Q2 2026, with the first batch debuting in markets including North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Compared with earlier generations of commercial robots that often carried price tags in the tens of thousands of dollars, this positioning signals a step toward broader household accessibility.

As embodied AI continues its transition from experimental technology to consumer product, Vbot’s approach offers a glimpse into what that future may look like: robots designed not as showcases of engineering, but as functional participants in everyday life.

About Vbot

Vbot is a consumer technology company specializing in household robots. We are dedicated to developing innovative products that seamlessly integrate into everyday life and enhance user experiences. For more information, visit www.vita.cn.

The unregulated online gaming era in New Zealand is set to come to an end, with a deadline for 2026 looming overhead. Specifically, a new online casino gambling bill has been introduced by the New Zealand government, which will see the launch of a competitive auction for 15 licences. This race will be overseen by the DIA (Department of Internal Affairs), and the expected commencement date is set for 2026. Naturally, this bill was proposed for a number of reasons, with the primary motives focusing on minimising harm (a safety-first approach) and capturing the large iGaming tax revenue streams.

Currently, while iGaming is banned in NZ, it is completely legal for locals to access and game at offshore casino sites. As a result, the country has seen a significant amount of money flow to these offshore platforms, with the numbers ranging between NZ$700 million and NZ$900 million annually. One contributing factor in this mass spending is the high-quality offerings these platforms offer residents. At any reputable offshore NZ online casino, it is common to get access to fast, flexible payment methods (POLi, Westpac), RNG and live dealer table games, and large bonuses.

This is in addition to game fairness, data privacy, and clear international licensing from regulatory bodies like Anjouan and Curaçao. However, the introduction of these new extra-territorial laws will completely change how these platforms normally function. Instead, operators will be forced out of their legal grey area and have to choose whether they want to partake in the NZ licensing program or completely remove themselves from the market. In total, the licensing process will have three stages, which include the operator's expression of interest, an auction, and then the submission of a full application for them to operate under the new law officially.

Of course, this transition has a timeline, with any international operators expected to comply with the new framework by July 1, 2026. If the necessary steps are not completed within the specified time frame, then the specified operator will face total prohibition on serving NZ citizens. Already, large industry players (Bet365, 888) have their eyes on these developments, biding their time to claim one of those 15 licenses. In fact, the limited number of licenses forms part of the government's strategy to manage regulatory complexity. This is a smart move, as it prevents this new market space from immediately becoming oversaturated and hard to oversee.

Additionally, a "one per platform" rule applies to this licensing process. Specifically, each brand or website can only hold one license, whereas a single operator (so those who own the brand/website) can hold up to a maximum of three licenses. This means that, should the operators applying be big enough, all 15 licenses could be issued to a small number of companies. It is also vital to factor in the licensing terms, as each license is valid for three years. To ensure the government can evaluate operator suitability on a regular basis, a once-off five-year renewal option will be available for each license issued.

When discussing the new licensing framework, it is important to acknowledge the taxation rates alongside any other economic discrepancies. As with most casino licenses, these are no different in that they will incur specific tax deductions. For one, a 12% duty will be deducted from each online casino's gross betting revenue, and this is besides an additional 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax) fee. While this will be the standard for 2026, this online casino duty will increase by 4% in 2027 to account for any community returns. This leaves the 2027 expected duty at 16%.

Naturally, the government has begun forecasting revenue expectations, and there is a large gap between the National Party's and the IRD's (Inland Revenue Department) predictions. To break this down, the latter has a more conservative stance, expecting around NZ$35 million annually, whereas the NP is projecting a generous NZ$176 million. Beyond forecasts, this new licensing process will also come with new, stricter advertising limits that prevent any ads between 6:00 am and 9:30 pm while completely banning any social media influence or sponsorships. This is besides the consumer protection tools (deposit limits, time tracking), these platforms need to be put in place to encourage responsible play.

These protection measures will also include a 1.24% gambling levy for support services. Ultimately, this is a monumental move for New Zealand, with the country opting for formalised oversight as opposed to grey market operations. The bill is set to come into effect in early 2026, with the first license issued by December 2026. 

Global prime broker EXANTE has released its latest research report, "From the Abraham Accords to AI to FTAs: How to Trade the New Middle East," unveiling a view of how the GCC is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most strategically important investment regions. The report was launched during an exclusive investor briefing held with CME Group at the prestigious Capital Club in Dubai.

The report argues that 2025 marks a structural inflection point for the Gulf, driven by the convergence of AI acceleration, shifting trade alliances, energy-transition investment, and an increasingly multi-aligned geopolitical strategy.

"The Middle East is no longer merely reacting to global change — it is driving it," said Dr. Renée Friedman, global head of research at EXANTE. "AI infrastructure, new free-trade agreements, and the economic dividends of the Abraham Accords are not isolated trends — together they are rewriting the region’s investment landscape. Those who map these linkages early will have a clear advantage."

Key Findings From the Report

1. AI is becoming the region’s next economic engine. Massive capital flows into data centres, cloud capacity and next-generation digital infrastructure are positioning the UAE and Saudi Arabia as global AI power hubs, leap-frogging legacy systems found elsewhere.
2. FTAs are reshaping the region’s global footprint. The UAE’s more than 25 CEPAs — and the GCC’s widening trade network — are embedding the region deeper into global value chains, boosting resilience and unlocking new markets for non-oil sectors.
3. The Abraham Accords are delivering sustained economic dividends. Bilateral trade between Israel and the UAE continues to grow, underpinned by tech collaboration, investment flows and shared innovation priorities — creating a durable new economic corridor.
4. The energy transition is redefining long-term growth. With oil’s share of GDP slowly declining, Gulf states are investing heavily in renewable energy, green hydrogen, carbon-capture technology and critical minerals — securing relevance in the global decarbonisation cycle.
5. GCC macro fundamentals remain exceptionally strong. Despite monetary-policy divergence, global debt stress and tariff volatility, the region continues to post low inflation, healthy current-account balances and relatively robust sovereign wealth buffers.
6. New geopolitical alignments are giving the region more strategic autonomy. Multi-aligned diplomacy — balancing the U.S., China, BRICS, and emerging Asian partners — is enabling Gulf states to secure trade deals, capital flows and technology partnerships on their own terms.

The report concludes that the Middle East now represents one of the most compelling investment frontiers of the decade, offering opportunities across digital infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, healthcare, financial services and advanced manufacturing — but emphasizes the need for timely and sophisticated analysis to navigate fast-moving risks.

The full report, "From the Abraham Accords to AI to FTAs: How to Trade the New Middle East," is now available here.

About EXANTE

EXANTE is a leading global prime broker offering access to 50-plus markets, eight asset classes and more than one million instruments from a single multi-currency account. Its proprietary platform combines advanced trading tools, analytics, and a resilient infrastructure to support institutions, professional investors, high-net worth clients and partners worldwide. For more information, visit exante.eu

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any investments or related services that may be referenced here. Investing involves a high level of risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Media Contact

Julia Chapman
jch@exante.eu

The Japanese sword market has entered a new era. What was once a niche hobby for martial artists and historical collectors has become a mainstream consumer category, driven largely by anime franchises like “Demon Slayer,” “One Piece” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Industry analysts project the global swords market will exceed $5 billion by 2031.

But rapid growth has attracted more affordable options. Online marketplaces are flooded with decorative pieces that fail under any real use. For buyers seeking functional, well-crafted blades, choosing the right retailer matters as much as choosing the right sword.

To understand what drives purchasing decisions in this rapidly evolving market, we analyzed consumer sentiment across collector forums, surveyed enthusiast communities, and spoke with industry veterans. Several trends emerged: buyers increasingly prioritize retailers with direct forge relationships over anonymous dropshippers; steel specifications and heat treatment transparency have become baseline expectations; and influencer validation particularly from established YouTube reviewers, now carries significant weight in purchase decisions.

The retailers below were evaluated against these criteria, with particular attention to selection breadth, quality control infrastructure, and customer experience.

Swordis — The Market Leader

Swordis has emerged as the dominant aggregator in Western katana e-commerce. The platform launched in 2021 as Sword Encyclopedia, an educational blog, before pivoting to commerce in late 2023, a content-to-commerce playbook that built trust before asking for transactions.

The company now lists virtually every major production forge under one storefront: Hanwei, Citadel, Dragon King, ShadowDancer, Hanbon Forge, Jkoo, Ryan Swords, Z-Sey, and Thaitsuki. Pricing spans $150 to $4,500 for stocked inventory.

The platform's competitive edge is its custom katana builder, offering over 500 configurable components across two tiers: the "Essentials Collection" through Hanbon Forge ($130–$750) and the "Premium Series" through ShadowDancer ($280–$7,500). Endorsements from Doug Marcaida and prominent YouTube reviewers reinforce credibility.

Pros:

• Unmatched brand aggregation in a single storefront
• Double-the-difference price guarantee
• Free shipping over $250 with U.S./E.U. tariffs included
• 3–4 day delivery on stocked items
• Intuitive custom builder with educational guidance

Cons:

• No physical warehouse for hands-on evaluation
• Damage claims require video documentation within 48 hours

RVA-Katana — The Specialist Retailer

Richmond, Virginia-based RVA-Katana operates a rare hybrid model: e-commerce backed by a physical storefront where customers can handle inventory before purchasing. The owners personally inspect every sword before shipment.

The company serves as exclusive U.S. distributor for Cloudhammer Steelworks, known for high-performance S5 shock steel blades. Active engagement on Reddit and collector forums has cultivated strong community loyalty.

Pros:

• Physical storefront for in-person evaluation
• Personal inspection before every shipment
• Exclusive U.S. distribution for Cloudhammer performance blades
• Strong community presence and personalized support
• Straightforward domestic returns

Cons:

• Smaller inventory than major aggregators
• No custom configuration options

ShadowDancer — The Premium Forge

ShadowDancer has built its reputation on fit and finish. The forge is known for attention to detail in its custom fittings — brass and copper components rather than the zinc alloy standard at lower price points, and blade geometry that adheres more closely to traditional Japanese specifications.

The brand also works with tamahagane and crucible steels, materials rarely offered at production-sword prices. For buyers seeking replicas that approximate genuine nihonto craftsmanship without antique pricing, ShadowDancer has become a frequently cited option in collector discussions.

Pros:

• Higher-grade materials than budget competitors
• Superior polish and blade geometry
• Accessible ordering through Swordis builder integration

Cons:

• Direct customer service response times measured in days or weeks
• Dated website interface for direct orders

Hanbon Forge — The Entry-Level Leader

Hanbon Forge dominates the entry-level custom market with builds starting around $120, an accessible entry point that has made the forge a default recommendation for beginners.

The brand serves both martial arts practitioners and cosplay markets, offering colored blades, laser engravings, and thematic designs. Owner Yao has built a reputation for responsive communication and pre-shipment verification photos.

Pros:

• Industry-leading price-to-performance ratio (from $130)
• Extensive aesthetic customization options
• Responsive owner communication via email and WhatsApp
• Pre-shipment photos available on request

Cons:

• Fit and finish inconsistencies on some builds
• Longer lead times for custom orders

Ryansword — The Catalog Giant

Ryansword operates one of Longquan's largest production facilities, functioning as both OEM supplier and direct retailer. For buyers seeking uncommon blade types, Nagamaki, Odachi, unusual geometries, the catalog depth is unmatched.

Knowledgeable buyers who provide exact specifications can commission highly customized work at manufacturer-direct pricing.

Pros:

• Deepest blade catalog in production swords
• Willingness to attempt complex custom specifications
• Cost leadership as primary manufacturer
• Access to rare historical blade types

Cons:

• Handle wrapping quality historically inconsistent
• Complex orders require careful specification verification

Jkoo (SinoSword) — The Technical Option

Jkoo serves buyers who prioritize blade specifications over convenience. The forge offers genuine geometry customization — motohaba and motokasane adjustments, enabling task-optimized blades for serious practitioners.

Traditional hazuya stone polishes and complex laminations (Sanmai, Kobuse) are available at accessible prices.

Pros:

• True blade geometry customization
• Traditional hazuya polish options
• Complex lamination types available
• Technical focus for knowledgeable buyers

Cons:

• Communication errors common on complex orders
• Quality control inconsistencies reported

Z-Sey — The Collector's Choice

Z-Sey produces blades that approach traditional Japanese sword aesthetics more closely than any other production forge. For collectors prioritizing art over cutting performance, Z-Sey bridges the gap between production swords and genuine antiques.

Blade geometry is exceptional, with proper kissaki and niku. The forge specializes in Sashikomi polish with refined silver-accented fittings.

Pros:

• Blade geometry closest to genuine Nihonto
• Traditional Sashikomi polish specialization
• Superior fittings with refined aesthetic details
• Bridges production and antique quality

Cons:

• Premium pricing ($800–$1,500+)
• Limited production creates frequent stock shortages
• Extended lead times

Evolution Brand (Motohara) — The Performance Standard

Evolution Blades produces the Motohara line, widely considered the benchmark for production cutting swords. Led by bladesmith Jason Yoon, the brand prioritizes tameshigiri physics using L6 Bainite and SGT steels.

Swords are assembled in South Korea with ergonomic handle shaping and exceptional fit tolerances.

Pros:

• High-performance L6 Bainite and SGT steels
• Korean assembly ensures tight tolerances
• Ergonomic handle design optimized for cutting
• Preferred choice of serious JSA practitioners

Cons:

• High entry cost ($2,000–$4,000+)
• Lead times often exceed six months
• Benefits primarily serve advanced practitioners

Romance of Men — The Social Media Play

Romance of Men targets younger buyers through TikTok and Instagram marketing. Pricing ($100–$300) makes functional swords accessible to first-time buyers, with designs optimized for visual impact.

Pros:

• Accessible entry-level pricing
• Visually striking designs
• Responsive customer service
• Effective gateway for new collectors

Cons:

• Documented concerns about review suppression
• Limited to entry-level offerings

Kult of Athena — The Industry Veteran

Kult of Athena has operated as the largest U.S. sword retailer for over two decades, earning trust through warehouse-based fulfillment and secondary inspection before shipment.

However, the company's expertise centers on European weaponry. Katana selection lacks the specialized depth of focused competitors.

Pros:

• Secondary quality inspection before shipment
• Straightforward domestic returns
• Immediate shipping for in-stock items
• Two decades of established trust

Cons:

• European sword focus — katana selection secondary
• No custom builder or configuration options
• Dated website interface

The Verdict

For most buyers, Swordis represents the logical starting point — broad selection, competitive pricing, and an educational framework that helps newcomers navigate unfamiliar territory. Buyers prioritizing domestic logistics and hands-on evaluation should consider RVA-Katana. Budget-conscious newcomers will find accessible entry points at Hanbon Forge and Romance of Men, while serious practitioners should evaluate ShadowDancer, Evolution Brand, and Z-Sey.

The universal advice: verify steel specifications, check forum reputations, and seek independent video reviews before purchasing. In a market where appearances often deceive, third-party testing footage remains the most reliable quality signal.

Nulo, the premium pet food brand dedicated to fueling healthier, happier lives for pets and the people who love them, today unveiled the release of a new 30-second television spot titled “Journey to Glory,” part of the second iteration of its award-winning* “Fuel Incredible” campaign. 

Developed in partnership with Nulo’s in-house creative team and directed by Kelly Lipscomb of Widespread Creative, the spot highlights a roster of Team USA athletes — Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Alex Ferreira, Brenna Huckaby, Maddie Mastro, Kristen Santos-Griswold and Jordan Stolz — preparing for competition in Milan-Cortina, accompanied by their beloved pets. The creative will begin airing nationally on NBC on January 7, with additional placements across NBC and Peacock appearing throughout this year’s Winter Games. 

“Fuel Incredible has always been about celebrating the emotional bond between athletes and their pets, highlighting the unconditional support and companionship pets provide through every challenge and triumph,” said Michael Landa, Nulo founder and CEO. “With ‘Journey to Glory,’ we’re proud to extend that story into this next chapter of inspiration, showing how athletes prepare to compete on the world stage with the help of invaluable mental and emotional support they receive from their four-legged family members.”

Building on the campaign’s successful launch tied to the 2024 Paris Games, “Fuel Incredible” continues Nulo’s mission to showcase the meaningful role pets play in the lives of elite athletes. The heartfelt new spot reinforces how pet companionship supports performance, resilience and wellbeing beyond the arenas of training and competition.

The new creative captures moments of daily life and preparation with U.S. athlete ambassadors and their pets, emphasizing the connection between physical performance and emotional support. The “Fuel Incredible” campaign spans broadcast, digital and social channels to reach sports fans and pet parents alike.

For more on Nulo athletes and their pets, visit nulo.com/be-inspired or follow their journeys to Milan-Cortina on Instagram.

* Winning award submissions from Nulo’s Fuel Incredible campaign include: 2025 Digiday Streaming & Video Award Best Ad “Every Dream They Hold”; 2025 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards, Marketing Campaign category; Muse Creative Awards Platinum Winner — Video-Sports, Video-Pets & Advertising-Advertising Campaign; 2024 MarCom Awards Platinum Winner in Strategic Communications, Advertising/Marketing & Video/Audio categories.

About Nulo

Nulo is on a mission to fuel the inner athlete in every pet. With a wide range of ultra-premium food formats available in more than 6,500 pet specialty retailers nationwide, Nulo ensures pets enjoy the best in digestive and immune health, skin and coat care, mobility, and weight management. Recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's "Most Innovative Brands at Retail," Nulo's offerings are rich in animal-based proteins and low in carbs, crafted to keep pets thriving alongside their human companions. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Nulo continues to inspire pet parents and athletes alike. For more information, visit www.nulo.com.

Media Contact

Taylor Strategy
nulo@taylorstrategy.com

A new survey of 600 teachers has found that forming student groups for lessons and activities is closely linked to concerns about bullying, social exclusion and conflict. The research was conducted by an interactive random-selection platform used in classrooms and events worldwide, Spin the Wheel.

Although group allocation is often seen as a routine admin task, more than half of teachers describe it as stressful and say the emotional responsibility of getting it wrong weighs heavily on them.

Key findings

• 52.5% of teachers say forming student groups is stressful
• 59.7% worry about a student becoming isolated within a group
• 52.4% are concerned about conflict or bullying arising from group combinations
• 40.3% say stress linked to grouping affects their wider teaching activity
• Over half believe digital random-selection tools could reduce pressure.

Teachers reported that the decision-making process is shaped by issues such as friendship dynamics, prior incidents, safeguarding concerns and the risk of complaints if a grouping leads to problems.

“One decision about who works with whom can change a child’s day”

Alan Phillips, CEO, Spin the Wheel, said:

“People often imagine that forming groups is a quick administrative task, but teachers know it can be a student-safety decision as much as a practical one. One decision about who works or sits with whom can change a child’s entire day — whether they feel included, ignored or singled out. That is a significant emotional responsibility to carry again and again during the school year.”

He added:

“This research shows that teachers are not just arranging seats. They are trying to prevent conflict, protect vulnerable students and manage social dynamics while teaching. It is no surprise that many find the process stressful.”

Digital tools seen as a way to reduce pressure and perceived bias

More than half of respondents said that using a digital random-selection tool such as Spin the Wheel could help reduce the stress associated with forming groups. They associated such tools with:

• Greater fairness and transparency
• Fewer accusations of bias
• Reduced personal responsibility for difficult outcomes
• Higher student engagement through a game-style experience

Commenting on this, Alan Phillips said:

“There is no suggestion that technology should replace professional judgement. However, when a fair and transparent tool removes the sense that every outcome rests on one teacher’s shoulders, it can ease pressure and free up energy for the work that matters most — teaching.”

Teachers who would like to try a digital random-selection tool for group formation can use Spin the Wheel at spinthewheel.io.

Methodology

The survey gathered responses from 600 teachers working in primary and secondary education. Participants included school leaders, full-time teachers and part-time instructors. Questions covered frequency of group allocation, time spent, stress levels, concerns about student wellbeing, and attitudes towards digital random-selection tools.

About Spin the Wheel

Spin the Wheel is a software app studio focused on developing digital tools and content-driven experiences that support decision-making and boost engagement across educational and professional environments. The flagship platform is used more than 6 million times per month and offers intuitive, visually engaging ways to make random choices for teachers, hosts, creators and teams. It is available at spinthewheel.io and as native apps on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit spinthewheel.io.

Media Contact

Angelika Attwood
theadmin@spinthewheel.io