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The Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) today commended Gov. Kathy Hochul and members of the New York State Legislature for championing responsible kratom legislation that is rooted in science and respects the rights of law-abiding natural kratom leaf consumers.

KCAC singled out for praise an age gate measure, sponsored by state Sen. Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember John McDonald (Senate Bill S4552-A/Assembly Bill A2340-A), that would prevent youth access to kratom products, as well as a labeling bill, sponsored by state Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblymember Phil Steck (Senate Bill S8285/Assembly Bill A5852-A), that would institute labeling requirements to ensure New York consumers are equipped with the information they need to make informed purchases.

“We applaud Governor Hochul, Senators Fahy and Skoufis, and Assemblymembers McDonald and Steck for putting commonsense guardrails on the kratom industry while preserving safe, adult access to this centuries-old botanical,” said Dr. C. Michael White, KCAC’s Chair. “When kratom regulation is driven by discernment and facts, New York consumers and communities benefit.”

The KCAC has produced multiple position statements, informed by open dialogue with individuals on both sides of the kratom debate, on how to appropriately regulate natural kratom. The New York bills, signed into law pursuant to negotiated chapter amendments, align neatly with the recommendations made in these papers with regard to appropriate labelling, preventing youth access, and preserving adult access to natural kratom products. New York’s proposals are in line with the latest science and best consumer protection practices.

The New York measures come as other states take similar actions to preserve lawful, responsible access to natural kratom leaf. There is further opportunity in New York to crack down on concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) — a lab-made derivative that can be more potent than morphine and carries similar risks of dependence, respiratory depression, and overdose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended in July that concentrated synthetic 7-OH be classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, and agency officials have emphasized they are not focused on regulating natural kratom leaf. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not yet adopted the FDA’s scheduling recommendation for 7-OH. 

To learn more about KCAC and its mission, navigate to globalkratomcoalition.org/about-kcac.

About Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC)

The Kratom Consumer Advisory Council (KCAC) is an independent board made up of a clinician-scientist and consumers that uses the strongest available evidence to produce position statements that promote evidence-based policy. The KCAC is supported by the Global Kratom Coalition, which advocates for regulations that protect consumers and curb the sale of adulterated or synthetic products falsely marketed as kratom. For more information, visit globalkratomcoalition.org/about-kcac.

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info@globalkratomcoalition.org

The Stop Gas Station Heroin coalition today praised Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York State leaders and for advancing responsible kratom legislation that strengthens consumer protections, restricts youth access, and preserves adult access to natural kratom leaf.

The new age-gate measure sponsored by state Sen. Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember John McDonald (Senate Bill S4552-A/Assembly Bill A2340-A), along with new labeling requirements sponsored by Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblymember Phil Steck (Senate Bill S8285/Assembly Bill A5852-A), establish important guardrails to ensure kratom products are sold responsibly and transparently. Both measures were further strengthened through chapter amendments advanced by Gov. Hochul.

“These commonsense safeguards will go a long way toward protecting families and communities,” said David Bregger, executive director of Stop Gas Station Heroin and a father who lost his son to an unregulated, highly concentrated product. “Age restrictions and clear labeling give consumers the information they need and help prevent children from being exposed to products they should never have access to. That kind of transparency saves lives.”

By prioritizing consumer education and youth protections, New York lawmakers have demonstrated that thoughtful, science-based regulation can improve public safety without eliminating lawful access for adults. Clear labeling requirements reduce confusion in the marketplace, while age limits help ensure kratom products are kept out of the hands of minors.

Stop Gas Station Heroin supports policies that emphasize transparency, informed decision-making, and responsible retail practices — particularly in convenience stores and gas stations, where misleading marketing has created risks for consumers and families.

Federal health agencies have similarly emphasized the importance of distinguishing between traditional botanical products and unapproved synthetic substances sold with drug-like claims. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated its focus is on dangerous, unregulated, and misleading products by recommending that concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) be scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is reviewing that recommendation.

To learn more about Stop Gas Station Heroin and its mission, visit stopgasstationheroin.com.

About Stop Gas Station Heroin

Stop Gas Station Heroin is a national coalition that aims to educate consumers about harmful synthetic drugs and advocate for smart regulation that distinguishes between legitimate, natural botanicals and dangerous, synthetic drugs, combined with enforcement of current federal laws around unapproved drugs. To learn more, navigate to stopgasstationheroin.com.

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Media Contact
info@stopgasstationheroin.com

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) today applauded Gov. Kathy Hochul and members of the New York State Legislature for embracing well-thought-out kratom legislation aimed at responsibly regulating adult New Yorkers’ consumption of kratom leaf, protecting consumers by establishing commonsense industry guardrails, and instituting strong labeling requirements for kratom products. These bills, signed into law pursuant to negotiated chapter amendments, preserve adult access to natural kratom leaf.

Specifically, the age gate measure sponsored by state Sen. Patricia Fahy and Assemblymember John McDonald (Senate Bill S4552-A/Assembly Bill A2340-A) and the labeling measure sponsored by state Sen. James Skoufis and Assemblymember Phil Steck (Senate Bill S8285/Assembly Bill A5852-A) prevent youth access to kratom products and establish labeling requirements that ensure New York consumers are equipped with the information they need to make informed consumption choices.

“The Global Kratom Coalition has always championed prudent regulation of natural kratom leaf products, grounded in science, that seeks to protect consumers, ensure only adults have access, and enact regulations that hold manufacturers and retailers to account,” said Matthew Lowe, GKC’s executive director. “These bills thoughtfully advance the need for consumer protections while preserving adult access to natural kratom leaf.” 

The New York measures come as other states take similar actions to preserve lawful, responsible access to natural kratom leaf. Other states have appropriately cracked down on concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) opioid products — a lab-made derivative that can be up to 13 times more potent than morphine and carries risks of dependence, respiratory depression, and overdose. 

New York has the opportunity to further address these derivative products in the 2026 session and follow the lead of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which recommended in July that concentrated synthetic 7-OH be classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) still has not adopted the FDA’s scheduling recommendation. Federal health officials have made it clear that their focus is not on natural kratom leaf, which has been consumed for centuries as a supplement. 

To learn more about the Global Kratom Coalition and its mission, navigate to globalkratomcoalition.org/about-us.

About Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of natural kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to natural leaf kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit globalkratomcoalition.org.

Media Contact

Media Contact
info@globalkratomcoalition.org

In a ranking long dominated by established names, a 17-year-old broke through. When Lianhe Zaobao released its top ten celebrity artists list, one ascent stood out: Emiliano Cyrus ranking within the top six as the youngest artist ever to reach that tier.

To casual observers, he may appear an overnight success. Within the industry, he was never new. His output, range, and consistency have distinguished him from peers his age — and many far beyond it.

Recognized by CNA as an international child celebrity, Emiliano debuted at age 9 with his 2017 breakout single “Wonder Boy.” What followed was not simply early fame, but years shaped by discipline, precision, and unusual resilience.

The numbers soon reframed expectations. Across 17 singles, Emiliano has accumulated more than 370 chart placements and 49 No. 1 rankings across Asia — figures more commonly associated with full-career adult artists than a teenager balancing school, recovery, and ongoing neurological treatment.

From Outrunning Rivals to Outrunning Fate

Before the spotlight, there was speed. Before the stages, there were arenas.

Emiliano’s earliest competitive years were spent as an all-round champion gymnast, earning titles across Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. At the age of 10, he delivered a dramatic comeback victory at the Macau International Karting Championship.

He later advanced to the final rounds at the IAME World Finals in France and secured a podium finish in Italy’s WSK series — among the most demanding youth motorsport circuits, globally.

Those years of speed, stamina, and discipline would later prove essential in ways no competition could have predicted.

A Storm No Spotlight Could Dim

In mid-2024, a pufferfish poisoning incident sent Emiliano to the hospital. It was only a prelude.

The real crisis emerged in January 2025. What began as relentless, hard-to-resist fatigue, persistent discomfort, and severe daily and nightly headaches quickly escalated into acute neurological distress. This includes intense nerve pain, sudden collapses, intermittent vision disruption, balance failure, and nosebleeds that often lasted nearly three hours.

Then came what neurologists described as exploding headaches — thunderclap-like episodes so violent they dropped him where he stood. Imaging soon informed the diagnosis: three brain aneurysms.

He has since undergone two brain surgeries with a third still pending. Between hospitalizations, neurological evaluations, and recovery cycles, Emiliano continues his studies and creative work, living alongside the two aneurysms that remain and continuing neurological treatment.

“You can rehearse for a show,” one specialist told his family. “You can’t rehearse for survival.”

The Artist Who Refuses To Slow Down

Prior to his illness, Emiliano’s artistic momentum was already under way — each of his milestones secured uninterrupted, before his health reshaped the equation.

At an earlier breakout at age 10, “The Closest Embrace,” widely regarded as the song that established his reputation and what critics in the media described as the “warmest child voice of the 21st century,” was selected as the theme song for the film “Mountain Flower,” by the film's director in which Emiliano also starred.

Between the ages of 11 and 12, Emiliano received formal industry recognition as the youngest CMG-certified Gold Chart Double-Crown Singer. His works “Long Sword,” composed as the theme song for one of Bilibili's annual 3D animation events, and “Sweet Fragrance,” the film theme song for The Covenant of Slam Dunk — in which he played the lead child role — both reached No. 1 on the Global Chinese Pop Chart. He later released another film theme song, “Autumn Rain,” for Distant Home, starring as the male lead. The track went on to top three major music charts simultaneously, securing four championship titles within its first three weeks of release.

At 13, Emiliano’s music extended into major sports and commercial arenas, earning recognition from the Global Chinese Pop Music Golden Chart. His sports theme song “Faith,” composed for the Adidas TERREX Chongli 168 Ultra Trail, earned a Top 10 Golden Song Award, with Emiliano also named most popular singer. During the same period, “Ignite Dreams,” the official theme song for the 2022 X-Bionic China Triathlon, received another Top 10 Golden Song Award, and Emiliano was further named best male singer.

Between the ages of 14 and 17, Emiliano’s creative focus expanded beyond chart performance into broader cultural and international brand collaborations. Works such as "Eternal Youth"and "Whisper of Dreams"reflected a more mature and cohesive artistic voice, while "Transmutation" was officially designated as “The New Century Youth Anthem” for German audio brand Beyerdynamic.

The Unequaled Trajectory of a 17-Year-Old

Spanning elite sport, music charts, early stardom, and a serious illness, his story shaped by his childhood in the public eye is more about endurance than it is about being a prodigy.

• An international chart-recognized artist igniting the stage at age 9 and being titled an international child celebrity by CNN, debuting before an audience of more than 50,000.
• An all-round champion gymnast.
• A “Speed Superstar” karting champion, recognized by an Italian karting magazine for international kart-racing performance.
• A CMG-certified Gold Chart artist and award winner commanding a multi-ethnic international audience, with 17 singles earning 49 No.1 rankings and honors including "Best Male Singer," "Most Popular Singer," and two Top 10 Golden Song Awards.
• A mixed-heritage, cross-cultural storyteller with a global audience.
• An international tourism ambassador for the Republic of Palau.
• A longstanding charity ambassador engaged in humanitarian work with the United Nations and Singapore’s 124-year-old Sian Chay Medical Institution.
• A survivor of three brain surgeries, living with two remaining aneurysms.
• An international student now standing at a decisive threshold.
• Only at this point does the full trajectory come into focus.

What proves rare is not the point of departure or the height reached, but that after encountering several consecutive obstacles, he has remained at the center of his own narrative — neither erased by time nor written out of the frame.

Additional Information

Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore: www.zaobao.com.sg/entertainment/story20251022-7662743

China Daily: cnews.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202511/28/WS692963f0a310942cc4993fed.html

HotTakes, the free-to-play sports prediction app, today announced the release of version 4.5.0, featuring the launch of its new Marketplace and a comprehensive overhaul of its rewards system. The update represents the platform's largest feature release to date, introducing new ways for users to redeem prizes, earn rewards, and engage with the community.

The centerpiece of the update is the brand-new HotTakes Marketplace, where users can redeem coins earned through gameplay for prizes, unlockables, and real-life experiences. The Marketplace launch coincides with the removal of previous ranking restrictions that limited user earnings, allowing players to accumulate rewards without caps.

"This is the update we've been building toward. The Marketplace gives users more ways to turn their sports knowledge into real rewards they actually want, and it opens up partnerships that make the app better for the end user, not just for advertisers. Everyone wins," said Tyler Amirault, CEO at HotTakes.

Key Features in Version 4.5.0:

• HotTakes Marketplace: A new in-app destination where users can redeem earned coins for prizes, digital unlockables, and real-world experiences
• Earning Limits Removed: Ranking restrictions that previously capped user earnings have been eliminated, enabling unlimited reward accumulation
• Rebet Functionality: Users can now reinvest coin winnings into subsequent picks, allowing for compounding rewards during winning streaks
• Enhanced Bonus System: Expanded rewards distributed throughout the app experience
• Community Win Feed: Real-time visibility into top payouts across the platform, with sharing functionality for personal wins
• Loot Boxes: Mystery reward boxes offering premium prizes including electronics and branded gear
• Profile Customization: New profile banners and username styles unlock as users progress through the platform

Users with earnings accumulated prior to version 4.5.0 can continue to access the existing cash out system through December 31, 2025. After that date, all redemptions will transition to the new Marketplace.

The update also includes performance optimizations and bug fixes to improve overall app stability and speed.

HotTakes is available for free download on iOS and Android devices.

About HotTakes

HotTakes is a free-to-play sports prediction platform where users compete to turn their sports knowledge into real rewards. The app combines social gaming with sports takes, offering a community-driven experience for sports fans. HotTakes provides a legal, accessible way for sports enthusiasts to test their prediction skills and earn prizes. For more information, visit hottakes.com.

Media Contact

Scott Reinen
scott@hottakes.com

Coupler.io is a no-code data integration and AI analytics platform that connects business data from over 400 sources to spreadsheets, data warehouses, business intelligence tools, and AI systems. The platform saves time by automating data collection and reporting. It reduces or entirely eliminates manual workflows and does not require any technical skills to use.

For AI-powered analysis, Coupler.io solves a critical problem. While AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude excel at understanding questions and explaining insights, they struggle with accurate calculations and processing large datasets. Coupler.io bridges this gap by handling all computational work like querying databases, performing calculations, and validating results. Then, the AI tools can query data sets in Coupler.io for interpretation and natural language communication.

What AI capabilities Coupler.io offers AI integrations

AI integrations connect your business data directly to the AI platforms you already use. Instead of manually exporting CSVs or copying data between systems, Coupler.io creates automated data flows that keep AI tools connected to live business information.

Available AI destinations:

• Claude
• ChatGPT
• Perplexity
• Cursor
• Gemini CLI

Top data sources for AI analysis:

• Advertising platforms: Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram), Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, TikTok Ads
• Web analytics: Google Analytics 4, Adobe Analytics
• CRM systems: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
• E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce
• Finance: QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe
• Productivity: Airtable, Google Sheets, Slack
• Marketing automation: GoHighLevel, Mailchimp

The setup process takes minutes: create a data flow in Coupler.io, select your data sources, choose an AI tool as the destination, connect Coupler.io to that tool, and start asking questions in natural language.

Marketing, finance, and sales teams can use ChatGPT for data analytics asking:

• "Compare Facebook Ads and Google Ads performance by cost per conversion last quarter."
• "Calculate our monthly burn rate and project runway for the next 6 months."
• "Show me our top 10 customers by lifetime value and average deal cycle."

Coupler.io AI agent

The AI Agent provides instant data analysis directly inside the Coupler.io platform. No external tools like ChatGPT or Claude for data analytics are required. Users who prefer working within a single interface can access AI-powered insights without switching between applications.

The AI Agent uses the same analytical engine as AI integrations. Coupler.io handles all calculations and data processing, returning only verified results to the AI for interpretation. The difference is convenience: instant access to insights wherever your data lives in Coupler.io, with no need to set up external integrations.

Why do you need Coupler.io for AI-powered data analysis?

Large language models face fundamental limitations when analyzing business data:

• Poor numerical accuracy — LLMs predict text patterns, not truth. They're trained to continue sequences, not execute mathematical operations. This makes them unreliable for calculations; they may confidently state incorrect numbers or make math errors.
• Limited data processing — Context window constraints mean LLMs can only process small amounts of data at once. Large business datasets don't fit in their available memory, making comprehensive analysis impossible without external processing.
• No verification mechanism — LLMs can't check their own work. Errors, compounds, and hallucinations go undetected without external validation systems.
• Inconsistent results — The same question can produce different answers across multiple attempts. This non-determinism makes it difficult to rely on LLM outputs for business decisions requiring reproducibility.
• Missing business context — AI models trained on public information lack nuances about your company's operations, metric definitions, and strategic priorities. They don't understand what specific KPIs mean in your business context.

These limitations make uploading CSVs directly to ChatGPT or Claude a risky approach. You might get confident-sounding answers that are dangerously wrong, like reporting 47% revenue growth when the real number is 23%.

How Coupler.io solves AI tools’ challenges

Coupler.io's analytical engine sits between your data and the AI, creating a division of labor that plays to each system's strengths.

Coupler.io handles:

• Querying datasets using SQL
• Performing calculations, aggregations and joins
• Validating results
• Returning only verified, processed results to the LLM

AI tools handle:

• Interpreting verified data
• Identifying patterns and trends
• Delivering insights in natural language
• Answering follow-up questions

This approach ensures accurate calculations every time, scalability to any dataset size, verified reproducible results, complete audit trails, and seamless multi-source integration.

Security and controlled environment

Beyond accuracy, Coupler.io provides enterprise-grade security and control. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and complies with GDPR, HIPAA, and DORA requirements.

Users maintain granular control over what data AI can access. They can apply filters and manage columns to ensure AI queries only specific datasets; sensitive fields can be excluded before data reaches AI tools.

All data transfers use encryption. Coupler.io acts as a secure intermediary; AI tools never connect directly to your business systems.

Make AI reliable for business decisions

Coupler.io is a core element of modern data analysis infrastructure, not a standalone connector or isolated AI tool. The platform aims to reshape how businesses analyze information and make decisions.

By embedding AI directly into data workflows, Coupler.io supports day-to-day business operations. It also enables faster, more informed decisions, shifting data from a passive asset into an active driver of business growth.

About Coupler.io

Coupler.io is a no-code data integration and AI analytics platform that automates collecting and routing business data across cloud apps. It connects marketing, sales, finance, and productivity services with scheduled refreshes sent to Google Sheets, BigQuery, Looker Studio, Power BI and Excel. In 2025, the platform added integrations with several AI systems, enabling automated analysis and natural-language querying. To learn more, visit, www.coupler.io.

Media Contact

Ivan Burban
Head of Marketing, Coupler.io
ivan.burban@railsware.com

Botanic Tonics, the leader in kava-centric botanical supplements, today announced that Kava Maté is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. This expansion provides customers with enhanced convenience and faster access to the company's groundbreaking formula that unites noble kava root and yerba mate.

Kava Maté, which launched this summer, is one of the first formulas to unite noble kava root and yerba mate. The product delivers what Botanic Tonics calls "chilled energy" — sustained alertness without the crashes and jitters associated with conventional stimulants.

"Making our products as accessible as possible has always been central to how we serve our customers," said Aaron J. Henninger, chief marketing officer, Botanic Tonics. "Adding Amazon.com availability removes barriers and gives people immediate access to Kava Maté when they need it most. Whether someone discovers us for the first time or they're restocking their go-to product, we want the experience to be seamless."

The Amazon.com listing maintains the same quality standards customers expect from Botanic Tonics. Each bottle contains two servings and is manufactured in the company's FDA-registered, cGMP-certified production facility in Oklahoma. The signature blue glass bottle with gold top packaging remains unchanged.

Members can now receive Kava Maté with expedited shipping, addressing customer requests for faster delivery options. Due to broad distribution across Amazon distribution centers, Kava Maté can now in some cases be delivered in as little as one day. The timing proves ideal, arriving at the perfect time for the holiday shopping season.

"We meet people wherever they are, whether on our website, our 27,000 retail locations across the U.S., or now on Amazon," Henninger added. "Our customers have specifically requested Amazon availability because of the convenience factor. We've seen how much people value having reliable access to the botanicals that support their daily routines. This step forward in distribution means we can better serve the growing community of people who choose plant-based alternatives for their energy needs."

Kava Maté combines noble kava root, ceremonially cherished throughout Pacific Island cultures for more than 3,000 years, with yerba mate, valued by indigenous South American communities for centuries. According to the company's chief science officer, Ramsey Atallah, the botanical pairing creates a synergistic effect that helps promote sustained energy, mood lift, and social ease.

The product is available immediately on Amazon.com and continues to be sold directly through botanictonics.com. Select retail locations nationwide will begin carrying Kava Maté throughout the remainder of winter 2025.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based, herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, we produce kava-centric tonics under our feel free brand. Our signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, chilled energy, and enhanced focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility, and we actively support consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. For more information, visit botanictonics.com.

Disclaimer

Warning: This product contains natural kratom leaf which, like caffeine and alcohol, may be habit-forming and harmful if consumed irresponsibly. Avoid if you have a history of substance abuse. When consumed as recommended, feel free CLASSIC has not been shown to cause any serious physical or social harm.

Caution: Not for consumption by or sale to persons under the age of 21. May interact with certain medications — consult a licensed, qualified healthcare professional before use. Do not consume with excessive alcohol. This product is not intended for those who are sensitive to the active ingredients or women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant.

To learn more, visit our Consumer Education page.

Media Contact

Botanic Tonics
media@botanictonics.com

Kesem will launch Joy Out Loud on January 1, 2026, a month-long campaign inviting communities nationwide to recognize Children Facing a Parent's Cancer Month and unleash the joy that every child deserves. Through music, creative expression, and everyday moments of lightness, the campaign aims to connect children impacted by a parent's cancer with the resources, support, and community that can help them live their joy out loud.

Kesem is the nation's largest organization supporting children through a parent's cancer, operating through 115-plus college chapters at universities nationwide. Run by passionate student volunteers, Kesem provides completely free summer camps and year-round programs that create a safe, supportive environment where kids can just be kids.

More than 5 million children in the U.S. are currently affected by a parent's cancer, a population larger than the entire state of Alabama. While cancer patients receive significant attention and support, their children represent a largely invisible population in the healthcare conversation. Research shows these children often experience increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. They take on caregiving roles and struggle to find peers who understand their experience.

"Through widespread participation and storytelling, Joy Out Loud aims to build the kind of awareness that matters most. When a family is affected, our goal is that there's always someone in their circle who knows about Kesem and can connect them to support," said Chris Nielsen, chief marketing officer of Kesem. "When families realize they're not alone and discover that free, specialized support exists, children can experience less isolation, better mental health outcomes, and the freedom to be kids again."

The Joy Out Loud campaign will create multiple pathways for participation:

• Joy Out Loud Playlists: Weekly curated playlists on Spotify featuring uplifting music to share across communities and headlined by Grammy-nominated artist and Kesem supporter Alex Warren. Through his partnership with Plus1, Warren is donating $1 from each ticket sold on his upcoming tour to Kesem.
• The Joy Calendar: Daily prompts for bringing small moments of joy into everyday life — take a walk, dance for two minutes, buy a stranger coffee.
• Joy Bracket TikTok Filter: Social media activations inviting people to share what brings them joy while raising awareness.
• Corporate Partnerships: Leading sponsors including Pfizer, Eisai, Lamar, and La Roche-Posay are supporting employee engagement through the campaign's Joy Kit and hosting events throughout the month.

Reframing January: Turning the 'Saddest Month' into a Movement of Joy

"January has a reputation as the 'saddest month of the year,' marked by post-holiday letdown and seasonal depression," added Nielsen. "But that's precisely why it's the perfect time to spread joy out loud and support Kesem kids. By inviting communities to spread joy during a month when many people struggle, we create a cultural moment that naturally draws attention to kids who carry far heavier burdens. Children living in the shadow of a parent's cancer diagnosis need permission and support to laugh, play, and feel like kids again."

Children Facing a Parent's Cancer Month was founded in 2018 by Kesem and is observed annually in January to raise awareness of the more than 5 million children facing a parent or caregiver's cancer in the United States.

Kesem has supported over 10,000 children annually through its programs, with alumni reporting long-term positive effects on their resilience, mental health, and ability to navigate challenging life circumstances. All Kesem programs are free to families.

To learn more about Joy Out Loud, participate in the campaign, or access resources for families, visit kesem.org/january.

About Kesem

Kesem is the leading national organization that supports children ages 6 to 18 through and beyond a parent’s cancer. Kesem aims to ensure that every child impacted by a parent’s cancer is never alone. College student volunteers at over 115 chapters nationwide deliver free, creative, fun-filled Kesem programs that foster a lasting community. For more information, visit kesem.org, and follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Media Contact

Lisa Dini
lisa@lisadini.com

MOTOR Information Systems today announced that Jeff Nosek has been promoted to deputy group head, Hearst Transportation, effective January 1, 2026. The announcement was made by Steven R. Swartz, president and chief executive officer of Hearst, and Sean Lanagan, president of Hearst Transportation and president and chief executive officer of CAMP Systems International, Inc.

In this expanded role, Nosek will report to Lanagan and will continue serving as president of Hearst-owned MOTOR Information Systems. He will also assume group-level responsibilities across Hearst Transportation’s automotive businesses.

Hearst Transportation is Hearst’s transportation data and software group, bringing together four industry-leading companies: CAMP Systems International, specializing in aviation maintenance tracking and health-monitoring software; Black Book, a provider of vehicle valuation and analytics; MOTOR Information Systems, focused on automotive parts and repair data; and Noregon Systems, delivering diagnostics and prognostics solutions for heavy-duty trucks.

These companies operate within Hearst’s Business Media portfolio, which includes a broad range of B2B software and data services — such as Fitch Group and Hearst’s healthcare businesses — and collectively account for approximately 60% of Hearst’s total profits.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as deputy group head of Hearst Transportation,” says Nosek. “Our transportation businesses are leaders in their respective markets. I look forward to helping align our collective expertise to further strengthen Hearst’s position in the global B2B software and data landscape and to drive continued growth across our automotive businesses.”

Nosek brings more than two decades of experience in software, data, and professional services across the automotive and manufacturing sectors. He joined MOTOR in 2016, serving as senior vice president of sales and later executive vice president of revenue. During that time, he played a key role in repositioning MOTOR’s data licensing business toward cloud-enabled Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) models, fueling new customer acquisition and revenue growth. He was named president of MOTOR in December 2021.

Prior to joining MOTOR, Nosek was vice president of sales at CDK Global and at Automatic Data Processing (ADP). He also held various sales leadership positions within Compuware. Nosek holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of Hearst’s executive development program, Hearst Management Institute.

About MOTOR Information Systems

Founded in 1903, MOTOR Information Systems is one of the world’s premier suppliers of automotive data. MOTOR empowers the industry with trusted, comprehensive solutions spanning service and repair information, parts data, labor times, vehicle configurations, and market insights. A Hearst company, MOTOR continues to drive innovation and efficiency across the automotive ecosystem. Learn more at www.motor.com.

About Hearst

Hearst is one of the nation’s largest global, diversified information, services and media companies. The company’s diverse portfolio includes global financial services leader Fitch Group; Hearst Health, a group of medical information and services businesses; Hearst Transportation, which includes CAMP Systems International, a major provider of software-as-a-service solutions for managing maintenance of jets and helicopters; ownership in cable television networks such as A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and ESPN; 35 television stations; 30 daily and 50 weekly newspapers; digital services businesses; and more than 200 magazine editions around the world. For more information, visit www.hearst.com.

Media Contact

Stephen Carroll
Vice President, Marketing
stephen.carroll@motor.com

While AI companies compete to build ever-larger language models, one startup is proving smaller can be better — and vastly cheaper.

Particula Tech has released a suite of specialized AI models, each under 7 billion parameters, that outperform general-purpose large language models on specific business tasks while costing up to 97% less per operation.

The company's flagship model, Particula-JSON, achieves 99.8% accuracy on structured data extraction at $0.03 per million tokens. Comparable tasks using OpenAI or Anthropic cost up to $600 per million tokens, depending on configuration and model.

"Most businesses don't need a model that can write essays and generate code and answer trivia," said Sebastian Mondragon, Particula Tech's CEO. "They need a model that extracts invoice data perfectly, every time, for pennies."

The compressed models address a growing enterprise concern: AI costs that scale faster than value. As companies move from pilot projects to production deployments, per-operation costs become critical.

A logistics company processing 10 million documents monthly would spend $750,000 annually using a standard LLM API at $75 per million tokens. Particula's specialized model cuts that to $22,500 — a 97% reduction for the same task.

The trade-off is versatility. While ChatGPT handles any text task, Particula-JSON only extracts structured data. Particula-Classify only categorizes text. Particula-Code only generates code.

But for businesses with defined use cases, that limitation is the advantage. Smaller models run faster, require less hardware, and can be deployed on-premise without cloud dependencies.

"We've had clients switch from 70-billion parameter models to our 7-billion parameter alternatives and see accuracy go up," added Mondragon. "Task-specific training beats general capability for production workloads."

The approach reflects broader industry maturation. Early AI adoption prioritized flexibility and experimentation. Now enterprises want predictable costs and reliable outputs for specific jobs.

Particula's models cover common business needs: structured data extraction, text classification, and code generation. The company reports 96–99% accuracy across these tasks, comparable to or exceeding larger models on focused benchmarks.

Industry analysts note the cost advantage matters most at scale. A company processing thousands of API calls daily can save hundreds of thousands annually by switching to task-optimized models.

The startup also develops vertical-specific models for healthcare, legal, and finance sectors, targeting domains where accuracy requirements and compliance needs make general models impractical.

Not every use case fits the small-model approach. Tasks requiring broad knowledge, creative reasoning, or handling unpredictable inputs still benefit from large language models. Particula estimates less than 30% of enterprise AI needs genuinely require large-scale models.

But for the other 70% — data extraction, classification, routine code generation — the company argues smaller models deliver better economics without sacrificing performance.

As cloud providers raise AI inference pricing amid surging demand, cost optimization is becoming as important as capability. Gartner reports 62% of enterprises cite operational costs as a barrier to expanding AI deployments.

Whether task-specific small models become the enterprise standard or remain a cost-saving alternative to general-purpose AI remains to be seen. But the economic pressure is real, and the performance gap is narrowing.

For businesses with specific, repeatable AI tasks, the math is compelling: same accuracy, 97% lower cost, faster processing.

About Particula Tech

Particula Tech provides AI development, consulting, and research services for businesses adopting artificial intelligence. The firm helps startup and enterprise teams identify viable AI use cases, evaluate implementation strategies, and build custom solutions that deliver measurable business results. Particula Tech serves clients across industries including healthcare, finance, logistics, and professional services. For more information, visit particula.tech.

As global financial institutions move from public criticism to full crypto integration, Josip Heit, senior strategy advisor at Apertum blockchain, highlights how Apertum is building a fully decentralized, inclusive, and transparent Layer 1 ecosystem for everyday users, entrepreneurs, and businesses. In its latest security audit conducted by CertiK, the largest Web3 security services provider, Apertum achieved an extraordinarily rare result with zero vulnerabilities identified — a feat seldom seen for any Layer 1 blockchain. This outcome confirms not only the robustness of Apertum’s security, but also the integrity of its fully decentralized architecture, placing the project in the top 0.1% of blockchain projects globally for technical legitimacy.

From Bitcoin and Ethereum’s elite origins to Apertum’s inclusive design

Heit compares the evolution of earlier blockchains with Apertum’s mission:

• Bitcoin (2009): “No price, no exchanges, no institutions — just a PDF and a few cypherpunks.” Early miners received 50 BTC per block, mining over 7,200 BTC daily, accessible only to those with technical knowledge.
• Ethereum (2015): 15-second blocks, low initial gas fees, chaotic developer environment — still highly technical and inaccessible for average users.

Apertum takes a different path.

“Instead of asking people to download strange mining software or run hardware, Apertum integrates through platforms people already know. We made staking, DeFi, and automation simple, transparent, and designed for everyone.” — Josip Heit

How big banks went from ‘fraud’ accusations to selling Bitcoin

To show the dramatic shift in institutional attitudes, Heit highlights public statements from the world’s most influential financial leaders.

Then — Public attacks (2017–2019)

Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan CEO:

• “Bitcoin is a fraud.”
• “It won’t end well.”
• “I’d fire any JPMorgan trader stupid enough to trade it.”

Larry Fink, BlackRock CEO:

• “Bitcoin is an index of money laundering.”

Warren Buffett:

• “Bitcoin is probably rat poison squared.”

Now — Full integration (2023–2025)

BlackRock:

• Operates one of the world’s most successful Bitcoin ETFs.
• Fink: “I had to relook at my assumptions. Bitcoin is digital gold.”

JPMorgan:

• Offers Bitcoin exposure directly inside client accounts.
• Provides custody, structured products, and institutional access.

Heit comments:

“In 2017 you were called stupid for buying Bitcoin. In 2025, those same institutions sell Bitcoin as a premium product. This transition from defamation to adoption is exactly the pattern the crypto industry follows.”

Heit describes this evolution as a three-phase cycle:

1. Defamation
2. Quiet Adoption
3. Full Integration

“Right now, we’re living between Phase 2 and Phase 3.” — Josip Heit

Lessons from Ethereum: Innovation without structure creates chaos

Heit notes that Ethereum’s early years were heavily criticized as a “casino” with scams, gas spikes, and unpredictable behavior — and yet it produced stablecoins, DeFi and NFTs.

“Apertum is the next generation — built after the chaos, not inside it. We don’t reinvent the wheel. We make blockchain understandable, transparent, and usable for real businesses and real users.” — Josip Heit

Apertum’s participation model: Fair, transparent, and accessible

While Bitcoin and Ethereum rewarded early miners with hardware advantages, Apertum deliberately avoids technical barriers.

Heit explains Apertum’s model:

• Accessibility over hardware dominance
• Hybrid ecosystem combining real utility with transparent rewards
• On-chain accountability (Proof-of-Transparency)
• Incentives tied to contribution, not to expensive machines

“Apertum’s early years belong to users, builders, and entrepreneurs — not to GPU farms.” — Josip Heit

Facing FUD: A predictable cycle Apertum is ready for

Heit addresses the recurring phenomenon of fear, uncertainty, and doubt:

“Bitcoin was called fraud. Ethereum was called a bubble. Every new chain faces FUD. The only answer is transparency: no hype, no guaranteed returns, and everything documented on-chain.”

2025: Apertum’s breakthrough year

Under Heit’s strategic leadership, 2025 marked Apertum’s transition:

• From concept to operating ecosystem
• Integration with partners, memberships, automated strategies
• Community focused not only on speculation but on using the tools
• Establishing trust through verifiable on-chain flows

“While big institutions were turning old insults into new ETFs, we built a bridge between the world of bank statements and the world of on-chain truth.” — Josip Heit

2026 and beyond: Standards, interoperability, mainstream adoption

Apertum’s roadmap focuses on:

1. Setting industry standards, not just tools
2. Onboarding mainstream users — not just early adopters
3. Becoming the backbone infrastructure for real businesses
4. Strengthening interoperability across chains and services

Heit’s message to the Apertum community

In closing, Josip Heit emphasizes resilience and vision:

“Early defamation is not a sign something is wrong — it’s a sign something is too right for the old system to tolerate. Apertum is still in its first chapters, but the pattern is clear: the same people who laugh today will quietly adopt our standards tomorrow.”

“Thank you to every builder, partner, and early adopter. This is not the end of the story. This is Block 1 of something much bigger.”

About Apertum

Apertum is a rapidly growing Layer 1 blockchain built on Avalanche’s subnet technology, providing a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient foundation for the next generation of the Web3 ecosystem. With DAO-based governance, deflationary tokenomics, EVM compatibility, and seamless smart contract integration, the project was launched by the Apertum Foundation on January 30, 2025, and built without VC or institutional backing, focusing entirely on organic growth and genuine decentralization.

Its native coin, $APTM, is listed on major global cryptocurrency exchanges including MEXC, BingX, BitMart, P2B, BitexLive, LBank, WEEX, and Poloniex, reaching more than 120 million traders worldwide. Apertum has been recognized with the Top Layer 1 Blockchain Award at the FinanceFeeds and Crypto.News Awards 2025. The Apertum DEX and native blockchain are fully integrated with CoinMarketCap, support over 300,000 unique addresses, and have processed more than 7 million transactions, reinforcing the project’s position as a rapidly advancing and widely adopted blockchain ecosystem.

A recent audit by CertiK found no vulnerabilities in Apertum, an achievement rarely seen in any Layer 1 blockchain. The results underscore the security, robustness, and fully decentralized architecture of the network. To learn more, visit explorer.apertum.io.

Media Contact

Alex Hofman
marketing@apertum.io

Since its establishment, e2Value has approached property risk management with the belief that valuation tools should be straightforward to understand, practical to use, and easy to explain. Moreover, the values they produce should support informed decision-making. As a provider of property-based solutions for risk management, the company has shaped its technology around these principles. That mindset is reflected in the Structure Insurance Score (SIS), a scoring framework designed to help insurance professionals view residential structures more clearly through a risk lens.

SIS evaluates how a home is likely to behave in the event of a covered loss. Rather than focusing on market value or homeowner behavior, it focuses on the structure itself and the way its physical characteristics may influence loss outcomes. The score primarily emphasizes three perils that affect residential properties across regions: fire, water, and weather. Todd Rissel, co-founder and CEO of e2Value, states, “The system also considers additional criteria, but these core perils form the foundation of the model because of their broad relevance and frequency in residential insurance portfolios.”

By examining a home’s construction type, layout, materials, location, and other structural attributes, SIS evaluates how those factors may influence damage patterns. This analysis produces a score that insurers can use as one of several inputs when allocating risk and setting premiums. The process is designed to occur instantaneously and integrates directly into the quoting workflow, allowing the score to be considered alongside more familiar rating factors with minimal friction to underwriting or sales processes.

Rissel emphasizes the importance of making complex analytics usable. “Risk models are most effective when people can work with them,” he states. “Our goal has always been to translate large amounts of structural and loss data into something that fits naturally into how insurers already operate, without asking them to change how they explain decisions internally or externally.” This perspective has guided both e2Value’s valuation tools and the development of SIS as a practical, embedded capability rather than a standalone analysis.

The concept behind Structure Insurance Score draws from a familiar idea within insurance: sharing risk by understanding how individual assets contribute to a broader portfolio. Rissel notes that just as vehicles are evaluated based on how they tend to perform in accidents and how costly they are to repair, homes can be viewed through a similar structural lens. Two houses with the same replacement cost in the same neighborhood may present different risk profiles because their construction responds differently to fire, water intrusion, or weather events. SIS allows those distinctions to be reflected more clearly, supporting insurers in balancing portfolios while maintaining consistency in pricing logic.

Simple structural examples help illustrate this approach. “A one-story home and a two-story home with similar square footage may face different exposures,” Rissel explains. “A one-story structure typically has a larger roof footprint, which may increase exposure to hail or wind-related damage. On the other hand, a two-story home may have less roof area but might experience different patterns of loss when fire or water affects multiple levels.” SIS aims to account for these distinctions while focusing on how physical form influences the likelihood and extent of damage.

e2Value’s broader expertise in property valuation provides context for SIS. Since its founding in 2000, the company has worked with insurers, brokers, and other stakeholders to understand how valuation and risk information are used across underwriting, claims, and portfolio management. Its web-based tools support insurance-to-value assessments and collateral value monitoring for residential, commercial, and farm structures, and that same emphasis on usability carries through to the scoring system. “SIS isn’t intended to replace valuation,” Rissel stresses. “It complements it by adding a structural risk perspective to the financial view of a property.”

Although SIS currently applies to residential homes, its underlying methodology is adaptable. Rissel notes that expanding the score to commercial structures is a potential future direction, reflecting the availability of broader datasets and the diverse construction types found in that segment. Ranches and other specialized properties may also be considered over time.

Overall, the Structure Insurance Score reflects e2Value’s effort to make property risk more visible and actionable within existing insurance processes. By aligning detailed data analysis with practical application, SIS supports a more nuanced understanding of how homes contribute to risk, reinforcing e2Value’s belief that clarity and accuracy are particularly valuable when they work hand in hand.

About e2Value

e2Value is a leading innovator in property valuation technology, providing web-based solutions for residential, commercial, and farm structures. Founded in 2000 by Todd Rissel and George Moore, the company’s tools deliver fast, accurate, and cost-effective valuations that support insurers, lenders, and property owners. For more information, visit e2value.com.

Media Contact

Angela Connolly
aconnolly@e2value.com

The American Kratom Association (AKA) today recognized the signing into law of two New York kratom bills as an important and constructive step toward protecting consumers through responsible, targeted regulation that makes New York the 19th state to enact a Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The legislation establishes age restrictions on kratom sales and requires clearer labeling and consumer warnings, reinforcing safeguards while preserving adult access to lawful products.

The bills signed by Governor Kathy Hochul prohibit the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of 21 and require specific disclosures and warnings on kratom product labels, ensuring that New Yorkers who choose to consume kratom have access to critical information to make informed decisions.

“The American Kratom Association thanks Governor Hochul for signing these bills and for her commitment to consumer safety,” said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the AKA. “Age restrictions and clear, transparent labeling are foundational consumer protections that the AKA has long supported as part of a science-based regulatory framework.”

The AKA also welcomed the Governor’s acknowledgment that additional clarifications and amendments are forthcoming to strengthen product transparency, provide appropriate compliance timelines, and ensure fair and effective enforcement. “We look forward to working collaboratively with the New York Legislature in the upcoming session to make targeted amendments that further strengthen consumer protections, improve regulatory clarity, and avoid unintended consequences for responsible businesses and adult consumers,” Haddow added.

The AKA emphasized that thoughtful regulation — rather than prohibition — best serves public health by ensuring product quality, preventing youth access, and providing consumers with accurate information.

“New York has taken an important first step,” Haddow said. “With continued collaboration, the state can build a robust consumer protection model that reflects the best practices adopted across the country.”

About American Kratom Association (AKA)

Media Contact

Mac Haddow
Senior Fellow on Public Policy
mhaddow@americankratom.org
+1 571-294-5978

The Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight (HRP-C) congratulates Jared Isaacman on his confirmation as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. His appointment marks a significant moment for the future of human space exploration and reflects a growing recognition of the important role commercial spaceflight now plays in advancing scientific understanding and technological progress.

Mr. Isaacman’s leadership across Inspiration4, Polaris Dawn, and other deep-technology initiatives demonstrates a rare combination of operational experience, technical skill, and long-term vision. He has shown a consistent commitment to expanding human participation in space while upholding the principles of safety, scientific rigor, and ethical responsibility that anchor NASA’s highest traditions. His background positions him to guide the agency as it navigates an era defined by commercial partnerships, new human-research frontiers, and increasing global interest in space activity.

As a space biomedical research organization, HRP-C is committed to advancing the health, safety, and performance of civilian space travelers, guided by our mission: “To make it possible for everyone who wishes to enter space to realize that dream through advanced science.” In keeping with HRP-C’s founding principles, our work is research focused, leaving the matters of space medicine practice and regulatory concerns to others. 

We view Administrator Isaacman’s confirmation as an opportunity to deepen collaboration across government, academia, industry, and the growing community of civilian explorers. His personal experience of crew preparation, biomedical risk, operational realities, mission-focused human research, and innovative technology development aligns closely with the scientific priorities that will shape sustainable long-duration human presence beyond Earth.

Administrator Isaacman’s tenure provides a crucial window of opportunity to reinforce these goals. His experience highlights the importance of responsible access to space and the value of generating high-quality human-research data to inform future missions. HRP-C looks forward to contributing to this collaborative ecosystem and supporting NASA’s pursuit of a safe, ethical, and sustainable future for human exploration.

“Jared Isaacman brings a unique understanding of both the human and technological dimensions of spaceflight,” said Dr. Michael Schmidt, President at HRP-C. “His leadership will help ensure that NASA remains a steward of scientific excellence while embracing the innovation that is essential to advancing human presence in space.”

About Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight (HRP-C)

The Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight (HRP-C) is the foundational program to address the health, safety, and performance of civilian space travelers in the commercial space sector. Various government organizations such as NASA, JAXA, ESA, ASI, CSA, Roscosmos, and others have foundational human research programs addressing the needs of professional astronauts engaged in exploration missions. However, to date, there has been no dedicated effort with sufficient scope to address the widespread needs of civilian space travelers. The HRP-C has been established to fill this gap.

In creating the first comprehensive foundational human research program for civilians, the HRP-C recognizes the numerous organizations and programs that currently address specific forms of human research within the civilian space medicine community. The HRP-C effort welcomes collaborations with these groups. Where HRP-C differs is in the comprehensive spectrum of needs that are addressed for civilian space travelers of all nations and for the space industry as a whole. This presents the opportunity for harmonization of methods across mission types and flight providers, yielding the ability to more reliably compare findings from disparate mission conditions. These capabilities are expected to more rapidly accelerate and scale advances in the field to the benefit of our emergent space traveling population. Key among these is the continual development of new countermeasures aimed at supporting civilian health, safety, and performance in space.

For more information, visit hrp-c.org.

Media Contact

Mary Cull
Co-founder, HRP-C
m.cull@hrp-c.org

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has endorsed Marty Lancton for Harris County Judge, backing the former firefighter and public safety leader in one of the most consequential local races in the state.

Lancton, a veteran firefighter and statewide public safety leader, is running for Harris County Judge on a platform focused on public safety, infrastructure, property tax cuts, job growth, and restoring trust and accountability in county government. Harris County is the third-most populous county in the United States and faces ongoing challenges related to crime, flooding, disaster response, and population growth.

“A decorated firefighter and proven advocate for working families. He has earned a reputation for putting principle before politics and people before power,” Abbott said.

Lancton said he was honored to receive the governor’s endorsement and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships to address the county’s most pressing challenges.

“I’m grateful for Governor Abbott’s support and his confidence in our campaign. Harris County deserves leadership that is focused, collaborative, and prepared to keep our communities safe while managing growth responsibly. I look forward to working with leaders at every level to deliver real results for Harris County families," Lancton said.

The endorsement adds momentum to Lancton’s growing coalition of public safety professionals, community leaders, and voters across Harris County who are seeking experienced leadership and a results-driven approach to county government.

As part of his broader strategy in the region, Governor Abbott has allocated $25 million from his campaign war chest toward efforts in Harris County, targeting key legislative districts and GOP voter outreach ahead of the 2026 election cycle. This level of strategic investment underscores the governor’s commitment to supporting Republican leadership and strengthening public safety and governance across the county.

Q&A

Who endorsed Marty Lancton for Harris County Judge?

Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorsed Marty Lancton for Harris County Judge, citing his leadership experience and commitment to public safety.

Who is Marty Lancton?

Marty Lancton is a veteran firefighter and statewide public safety leader running for Harris County Judge on a platform focused on public safety, infrastructure, property tax cuts, job growth and restoring trust and accountability in county government.

Why did Governor Abbott endorse Marty Lancton?

Governor Abbott said Lancton has a proven record of service and leadership and is prepared to prioritize public safety, support first responders, and ensure county government works effectively for residents.

What is Marty Lancton’s platform as a candidate for Harris County Judge?

Lancton’s platform centers on public safety, infrastructure, property tax cuts, job growth and restoring trust and accountability in county government.

What office is Marty Lancton running for?

Marty Lancton is running for Harris County Judge and is seeking the Republican nomination.

Why is the Harris County Judge race important?

The Harris County Judge oversees emergency management, budgeting, and countywide leadership for one of the largest counties in the nation, impacting public safety, infrastructure, and disaster response for millions of residents.

About Marty Lancton for Harris County

A Houston native, Patrick “Marty” Lancton has spent more than two decades serving his community as a decorated firefighter, association president, and civic leader. He is the President of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, Vice President of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, and Chairman of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation. Known for his servant leadership and record of results, Marty has dedicated his career to public safety, emergency management, and advocating for Houston families. Learn more at lanctonforharriscounty.com.

Media Contact

Amanda Orr
amanda@lanctonforharriscounty.com
+1 832-816-3990

Peoria Resources, LLC (“Peoria”), a subsidiary of JAPEX (U.S.) Corp. (“JUS”), the overseas consolidated subsidiary of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (“JAPEX”), today announced the signing of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”) to acquire the operated oil and gas business of Verdad Resources Intermediate Holdings, LLC (“Verdad”) in the Colorado DJ Basin. The signing of the MIPA with Verdad is aligned with Peoria’s strategy to acquire operated assets and leasehold acquisitions across the lower 48.

“We are excited to enter into this agreement to acquire an asset within the DJ Basin which provides size, scale, substantial operated inventory, best-in-class margins and access to premium markets. Acquisition of this top tier asset which includes 101,000 net acres and stacked pay development potential aligns with our strategy to build a healthy, scalable operated oil and gas business, employing top notch staff who deliver quality choices for cash flow and additional equity investment across both short and long-term horizons,” said Greg West, Peoria’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Peoria and JUS partnered earlier this year to pursue the acquisition of operated U.S. onshore oil and gas assets. This acquisition represents a key milestone in that partnership and establishes a strong foundation for continued investment in the U.S. onshore oil and gas sector,” added David Kita, Peoria’s Chief Technical Officer.

“We are pleased to acquire a cornerstone asset with which to grow our onshore U.S. operated business through Peoria. The top tier assets being acquired, combined with the Peoria team’s extensive experience is a great start to our operated business in the U.S.,” said Tetsuo Fukuhara JUS President.

“This acquisition continues to show that our commitment to the U.S. market remains strong. The Verdad acquisition is just the beginning of our journey with the Peoria team to create a long-term sustainable business in the U.S. that provides strong returns for the foreseeable future,” added Josh Karim, JUS Chief Operating Officer.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Peoria, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as exclusive legal advisor to Peoria in connection to the transaction. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will serve as Administrative Agent on Peoria’s credit facility.

JP Morgan Securities LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Verdad, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as exclusive legal advisor to Verdad in connection to the transaction.

About Peoria Resources, LLC

Based in Houston, Peoria Resources, LLC is an exploration and production company pursuing the acquisition and development of operated oil and natural gas assets in the lower 48. The Peoria management team is led by co-founders Greg West, chief executive officer, and David Kita, chief technical officer. Prior to Peoria, West and Kita worked together as part of the management team at Treadstone Energy Partners and have extensive experience in upstream oil and gas. For more information, visit www.peoriaresources.com.

About JAPEX (U.S.) Corp.

JAPEX (U.S.) Corp., which was established in 1980, is a Houston-based overseas consolidated subsidiary of JAPEX (Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd.), focused on domestic U.S. investments in the energy industry. For more information, visit www.JAPEX.co.jp.

Verdent AI today announced major updates to its standalone desktop app, an AI-powered coding tool designed to help human developers juggle parallel tasks with unrivaled speed and clarity. Engineered to support the way developers naturally think and work, the app preserves full context across tasks, enabling seamless, instant, switching between codebases, features, bug fixes and experiments, without losing progress or momentum. This release marks a significant leap forward in developer productivity, establishing Verdent AI as a key enabler of faster, smarter, and more human-centered software creation.

"At Verdent, we believe the future of software development is both more autonomous and more human," said Zhijie Chen, co-founder and CEO of Verdent AI. "Developers shouldn't have to fight their tools. They should be supported by AI that understands complex workflows, keeps every thread of context alive, and works alongside them like a true partner. Our standalone app is smarter, faster and fundamentally more intuitive."

Key features of the desktop app include:

• Seamless multitasking with context reservation: Modern development rarely happens one task at a time — and Verdent is built for that reality. The standalone app allows users to move effortlessly between multiple projects, features, and fixes while keeping every detail in mind. With Verdent’s context‑preserving AI, each task remains fully “alive,” so when users switch focus, they can continue exactly where they left off — without reloading files, retracing logic, or mentally starting over.
• Run parallel tasks without interference: Intelligent workspace orchestration ensures each agent functions in its own isolated environment. Developers can explore different approaches, test alternatives and merge the best results, without conflicts or cross-contamination. No more tangled dependencies or accidental overwrites. When the user is ready, they can easily compare outcomes and merge only what works best. It’s experimentation with confidence and iteration without compromise.
• Parallel agent execution acts as a personal dev team: The system deploys multiple agents simultaneously across different tasks, functioning like a coordinated micro-team. Processes that would take a single agent hours can now be completed in minutes, accelerating complex project cycles 10x times faster than previously. It’s like adding more hands to a user’s workflow — without adding complexity. The user stays in control, while Verdent handles the heavy lifting in the background.

"Developers should be supported by AI that understands complex workflows, keeps every thread of context alive, and works alongside them like a true partner," Chen concludes.

Additional Information

SWE-bench Verified Technical Report

What impact will AI have on the software industry?

How do we see the four levels of AI SWE?

Further details are available in the accompanying video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZvkq8UWNhU

About Verdent AI

Verdent AI is an AI-native software company developing agentic coding tools that empower human developers. Founded in 2025 and led by Zhijie Chen, Verdent AI is pioneering a more autonomous future of software development, where AI handles the grunt work so people can focus on creativity, innovation and building what's next. For more information, visit www.verdent.ai.

Media Contact

Eileen Li
eileen@codeck.ai

The Wyatt Fertility Foundation and the Conceive Fertility Foundation, two national nonprofit organizations committed to expanding access, education, and research in fertility care, today announce the five recipients of their 2025 Fall IVF Grant Program.

Each recipient will receive a $15,000 IVF grant to help offset the cost of IVF treatment. In addition, recipients will receive $1,000 toward preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), generously provided by CooperSurgical, a long-standing leader in fertility and women’s health.

The national grant program first launched in 2024, and the fall campaign drew more than 450 applications from across the United States. Each story reflected the emotional, physical, and financial realities faced by individuals and couples navigating infertility. The recipients were selected following a comprehensive review process and represent diverse family-building journeys.

“While every applicant’s story was deeply personal, a common thread emerged — infertility often brings profound emotional strain alongside physical and financial challenges,” said Dr. Alice D. Domar, health psychologist, chief compassion officer at Inception Fertility, and director of the Inception Research Institute. “Programs like this help shine a light on the lived experience of infertility and reinforce the urgent need for greater access to compassionate, comprehensive fertility care.”

The five grant recipients include aspiring parents who have persevered through a wide range of challenges, including pregnancy and infant loss, failed IUI cycles, endometriosis, and male factor infertility. Despite these obstacles, each remains devoted to their hope of building a family.

The Wyatt Fertility Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Inception Fertility™, the largest provider of fertility services in North America. A 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation is dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve their dreams of parenthood through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The organization was founded by Inception Fertility CEO TJ Farnsworth and his wife, Margaret Farnsworth, who welcomed their first child, Wyatt, through IVF.

“We are honored to support this program and the individuals whose resilience and determination inspire everything we do,” said Margaret Farnsworth, executive director of The Wyatt Fertility Foundation. “As the year comes to a close, we are proud to help provide meaningful support to these recipients as they continue their family-building journeys in 2026.”

The Conceive Fertility Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Caden Lane, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand centered around the birth of a child. A 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation supports individuals impacted by infertility through education, advocacy, and financial assistance. Caden Lane CEO Katy Mimari launched the foundation following her own experience with infertility and a desire to help reduce the financial barriers faced by so many hopeful parents. A portion of Caden Lane’s proceeds supports the foundation’s work. 

“At Caden Lane, family is at the heart of everything we do,” said Katy Mimari, CEO of Caden Lane and The Conceive Fertility Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to partner once again with The Wyatt Fertility Foundation to help make parenthood possible for these recipients. As we head into the holiday season, we are honored to support their next steps and celebrate the hope ahead.” 

About Wyatt Foundation

Wyatt Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of building a family through assisted reproductive technology (ART) by reducing the financial barriers to IVF through scholarships awarded based on financial need and clinical factors determining potential success. The foundation has two main goals: to provide financial assistance to individuals and couples who cannot afford fertility treatments and to fund research in the field of infertility.

The organization was started by TJ Farnsworth the founder and CEO of Inception Fertility™ and his wife Margaret who successfully conceived their first child through IVF. Upon the birth of their son Wyatt, TJ reflected back on his family's experience as patients. He realized that many aspiring parents were carrying the same emotional burden that he and his wife had — and that few fertility clinics took a holistic approach to consider the physical, psychological, financial and mental aspects of infertility.

To learn more, visit: inceptionfertility.com/wyatt-foundation/

About Conceive Fertility Foundation

Founded by Katy Mimari, CEO of Caden Lane, Conceive Fertility Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting individuals affected by infertility through education and grants. Despite insurance covering diagnostics, treatment costs are a significant financial burden and Conceive Fertility is a non-profit organization that exists to help couples who are struggling to conceive. A portion of sales from Caden Lane go to support the mission of the Conceive Fertility Foundation.

To learn more please visit conceivefertilityfoundation.com.

About Inception Fertility

Inception Fertility™ (Inception) is a family of fertility brands committed to helping patients build their own families. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science and medicine in an effort to enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes.

Inception's medical experts are leading pioneers in fertility care. Our doctors are some of the first to use breakthrough assisted reproductive technologies (ART) — including in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and fertility preservation services — and they continue to lead the industry by building on these technologies by through development, research and thought leadership.

Through its growing family of national organizations — which includes The Prelude Network®, the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in North America;  MyEggBank®, one of the largest frozen donor egg banks in North America; BUNDL Fertility™, a multi-cycle fertility service bundling program; HavenCryo™, a long-term reproductive preservation and storage solution provider and NutraBloom®, a premium lifestyle brand with expertly formulated supplements to support individuals' health and wellness goals for preconception — Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible for exceeding patient expectations.

For more information, visit www.inceptionfertility.com.

About CooperSurgical

CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most in life. CooperSurgical is at the forefront of delivering innovative assisted reproductive technology (ART) and genomic solutions that enhance the work of ART professionals to the benefit of families. We currently offer over 600 clinically relevant medical devices to women's healthcare providers, including testing and treatment options.

CooperSurgical is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CooperCompanies (NASDAQ: COO). CooperSurgical, headquartered in Trumbull, CT, produces and markets a wide array of products and services for use by women's healthcare clinicians.

More information can be found at www.coopersurgical.com.

About CooperCompanies

CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on helping people experience life's beautiful moments through its two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, helping to improve the way people see each day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's healthcare company dedicated to putting time on the side of women, babies, and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, CooperCompanies has a workforce of more than 16,000, sells products in over 130 countries, and positively impacts over 50 million lives each year.

For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com. 

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Slurry pumping has become one of the most crucial processes in today's industrial age. It is the process of transferring a mixture of solid particles and liquids, where the solid particles can vary in their size, shape, and nature. The types of solid particles vary by industry and application. This mixture of liquid and solid particles is transferred using specially designed slurry pumps.

The principal mechanism of these pumps is to generate high centrifugal force using rotating impellers to push the accumulated slurries along the pipeline to the desired location or disposal site. These slurry pumps are uniquely designed to be different from other pumps. They are usually made up of wear-resistant materials to withstand harsh pumping conditions. They feature an open-impeller design to prevent clogging and to allow coarse or large particles, abrasive slurries, and dense mixtures to pass efficiently.

Why is Slurry Pumping Crucial?

Industries such as dredging, mining, agriculture, and wastewater treatment rely heavily on slurry pumping, as this process enables them to transfer abrasive, corrosive slurries. Since most slurries in these industries contain particles such as sand, rocks, chemicals, mud, tailings, or other industrial waste, they can damage pumping equipment or cause production interruptions. Other damages may include overheating of the pumps, increased energy consumption, seal failures, increased downtime, and more. Furthermore, environmental concerns escalate alarmingly if slurries are not disposed of properly.

Hence, removing these solid-laden slurries is crucial to maintaining operational efficiency, reliability, and ecological balance throughout the process.

Are Traditional Pumps Enough for Pumping Slurries?

Though traditional pumps have been in use for decades now, they are not efficient enough to pump or transfer slurries. These pumps often fail to withstand the varied nature, size, and shape of slurries and the particles they contain. In most cases, the solid particles present in the slurries cause wear and tear in the pump's internal components. This results in the degradation of pump components, such as impellers, inner linings, casings, pump seals, and other parts. As a result, the pump requires frequent repairs and parts replacement.

Also, since the size of the solid particles in the slurries varies, traditional pumps often clog, increasing downtime and operational costs. Clogging is also a reason pumps overheat over time, resulting in internal damage, leakage, high pressure, poor cooling conditions, and repeated operational failures. Considering all these conditions with the traditional pumps, the overall cost for parts replacement and operational maintenance increases over time, making the slurry pumping process extremely challenging and cost-inefficient.

Introducing EDDY Pump — Globally Trusted for Slurry Pumping

EDDY Pump Corporation is an American pump manufacturer known for its innovation in the dredging and pumping industry. The company is known for its patented pump technology that harnesses the power of synchronized 'eddy current' rather than relying on traditional impellers. This enables EDDY Pump to handle abrasive, large particles, and viscous slurries efficiently.

Today, EDDY Pump is globally known for its range of slurry pumps, including submersible slurry pumps, flooded suction pumps, and self-priming slurry pumps. These pumps are widely used and trusted across industries such as mining, dredging, oil and gas, wastewater management, construction, and others. They feature an open-rotor design that allows 30%–70% of the flow to pass easily without clogging or damaging the pumps. Their unique design can easily handle solids up to 15 inches in size, keeping maintenance costs low and increasing equipment lifetime and operational efficiency.

The build of these pumps is another essential feature that makes them almost invincible to wear and tear. They are built with wear-resistant materials that withstand corrosive, abrasive, and viscous fluids. They are versatile in handling virtually all types of slurries, from chemicals and grit to fly ash and sludge, and everything in industrial waste.

The unique design, patented technology, and robust build of these slurry pumps allow them to deliver maximum power with almost zero failures and minimal downtime. With continuous innovation, high-quality manufacturing, and successful project delivery worldwide, slurry pumps from EDDY Pump have earned the trust of industry leaders worldwide.

EDDY Pump Slurry Pumps in Brief

As a global leader in slurry pumping, EDDY Pump offers a range of slurry pumps designed to handle the toughest of slurries across industries. Their line-up includes: submersible slurry pumps, flooded suction pumps, and self-priming slurry pumps (electric, hydraulic, and diesel)

1. Submersible Slurry Pumps

The submersible slurry pumps from EDDY Pump are designed to operate fully submerged. Meaning, they can operate while being fully submerged in the liquid or source that needs to be pumped. They are designed to eliminate priming and reduce the risk of cavitation. Thus, they are ideal for pumping slurries with high solid concentrations. Additionally, their robust, heavy-duty construction enables them to withstand even the most challenging conditions. Thus, they are ideal for harsh environments and applications such as mining, dredging, and wastewater treatment.

The EDDY submersible slurry pumps range in size from 1 to 16 inches and deliver flow rates up to 12,000 GPM. These pumps can generate heads of up to 350 feet and a solid passage of 15 inches, depending on the model.

2. Flooded Suction Pumps

The flooded suction pumps are designed to operate with the fluid source positioned above the pump. This allows gravity to push or feed the slurry into the pump's suction. As a result, the pump remains primed, resulting in continuous slurry transfer with high efficiency. These flooded suction pumps are ideal for dredging, transferring highly viscous or abrasive material, and handling sludge, muck, and paste. This type of slurry pump can be installed in various configurations to suit the pumping environment, ensuring high efficiency, long service life, and minimal maintenance. They can also be customized with a variety of options to fit specific pumping needs. This makes them a versatile choice in environments that require high output.

The EDDY Pump flooded suction slurry pumps come in 1- to 16-inch sizes, with flow rates up to 12,000 GPM. These pumps have a head capability of up to 350 feet and a solids handling capability of up to 70% solids by volume.

3. Self-Priming Slurry Pumps

The EDDY Pump Self-Priming Slurry Pump is available in three variants — electric, hydraulic, and diesel. As these pumps don't require manual priming, they are highly efficient for applications that require mobility. They are ideal options for emergency dewatering, construction sites, and environmental cleanup applications that require frequent starts and stops.

The electric self-priming slurry pump is ideal for locations or environments with available power options. This pump ensures zero-emission pumping, long runtime, and 24/7 operation. It is a perfect choice for controlled environments with consistent loads. The electric self-priming slurry pump is available in 1- to 16-inch options with a power of 2.5–2000-HP. These pumps can generate a flow up to 12,000 GPM with a head range of up to 350 feet.

The hydraulic self-priming slurry pump is often considered the ideal slurry pump for power and control. As external HPUs power this variant, they can be mounted in remote locations or in mobile operations with limited power options. The hydraulic self-priming slurry pump is available with a power range of 2.5–2000-HP. These pumps can generate a flow up to 12,000 GPM with a head of up to 350 feet.

The diesel-powered self-priming slurry pump is a great combination of power and portability. It is ideal for heavy-duty applications in challenging environments, such as remote mining zones, flood-hit areas, and disaster response operations. The diesel self-priming slurry pump is available with an engine output of 20–2000-HP. Their flow rate can reach 12,000 GPM with a head of up to 350 feet.

EDDY Pump Slurry Pumps vs. Traditional Pumps

Slurry pumps from EDDY Pump stand out for their patented open-rotor technology. While traditional pumps operate with semi-open or closed impellers that typically have tight clearances, EDDY slurry pumps use a non-clogging rotor design. This unique design allows wider clearance between the rotor and valve, enhancing reliability and durability in harsh pumping conditions.

As a result, while traditional pumps become prone to clogging, slurry pumps from EDDY Pump can easily allow solids measuring up to 15 inches in diameter or 30%–70% solids by volume. This technology in the EDDY Pump reduces the contact between the moving parts and abrasive slurry, minimizing wear and maintenance requirements.

Thus, while traditional pumps often break down or require repairs, EDDY Pump slurry pumps operate seamlessly, reducing maintenance costs. With EDDY Pump, there is no frequent repair, downtime, or low efficiency.

All EDDY Pump slurry pumps are self-priming by design, construction, and nature. Meaning they can run dry for more extended periods, enabling easy startup and operation in challenging conditions. On the other hand, traditional centrifugal pumps require constant priming and are highly prone to damage if they run dry for long.

EDDY Pump also stands out for the materials used in its slurry pumps. Unlike traditional slurry pumps, EDDY slurry pumps are constructed from premium materials, including chrome, polyurethane, and stainless-steel alloys. The metals used in these pumps are engineered to withstand the most abrasive conditions and resist the corrosive nature of the toughest industrial wastes and slurries. This results in extended pump life, reduced downtime, and almost zero maintenance costs.

Mining Industry Use Cases

EDDY Pump slurry pumps play an essential role in mining by keeping the production line moving. Be it an open-pit or an underground mine, these slurry pumps keep transferring slurries and other materials that could halt the entire production line. The mining slurry pumps from EDDY Pump are designed to handle challenging conditions and ensure continuous operations and sustainability.

• Ore transportation: The mined ore is transported from the mining site to processing facilities using mining slurry pumps. These pumps further help remove abrasive particles from the ore mixture and maintain a continuous flow of the extracted ore.
• Tailings management: Once the valuable minerals are extracted from the ore mixtures, the remaining waste materials are discharged as a slurry foam called tailings. Mining slurry pumps from EDDY Pump help significantly transfer tailings to the tailings pond and other designated sites.
• Hydro transport: Mines that require transferring extracted materials across long distances use the mining submersible slurry pumps for hydro transport.
• Coke slurry handling: Since coke is an important component in the steel industry, especially in iron production, it requires careful handling and transportation. The mining slurry pumps handle these coke slurries, enabling efficient transport.
• Dewatering: EDDY Pump slurry pumps are designed to remove excess water from mining pits, excavation sites, and other areas, facilitating optimal working conditions.

Conclusion: The EDDY Pump Promise

With an innovative line-up of slurry pumps, EDDY Pump redefines slurry pumping across all heavy-duty industries and applications. Their pump harnesses the fluid dynamics of eddy currents, enabling their slurry pumps to outperform any other pumps in the market. Their open-rotor design has pioneered the transfer of slurries over long distances or in highly challenging environments.

EDDY Pump's range of slurry pumps has redefined slurry pumping and transfer through continued innovation and R&D. As industries today face both operational and environmental challenges, they are shifting towards EDDY Pump to stay ahead by adopting its technology and slurry pumps.

What EDDY Pump Promises

• Non-clog, high viscosity, high specific gravity, high abrasives, low pH pumping design
• 40%–70% solids pumping by volume
• Ability to pump objects of up to 15 inches in diameter
• 100% American made
• State-of-the-art research and development facilities

Businesses face rising complexity in payments, digital assets, software development, and data-driven decision-making as markets evolve in 2025. To help organizations navigate these challenges, StartupMafia has selected seven companies whose services address core operational and strategic needs across multiple industries.

1. LaFinteca

LaFinteca is a transformative payment solutions provider, empowering businesses in Latin America with local, effortless, scalable, and secure financial operations. The company builds intuitive payment infrastructure that simplifies the movement of money.

Its technology unifies local and alternative payment methods into one secure, scalable flow, powered by a regulated payment institution focused on providing businesses with a seamless experience. The goal is not just to process transactions, but to shape a future where financial journeys are simple, borderless, and designed for the people who use them.

2. Blackthorn Vision

Blackthorn Vision is a custom software development company that delivers end-to-end digital products for clients in fintech, healthtech, and energy. It works with startups developing minimum viable products and with established organizations managing long-term engineering programs. Its projects range from compact applications to multi-year platform development initiatives.

The company differentiates itself through its long-horizon engineering approach and industry focus. Blackthorn Vision supports clients throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept and architecture to deployment and scaling. This structure allows businesses to align software development with regulatory, operational, and growth requirements over time.

3. LearningCrypto

LearningCrypto focuses on making cryptocurrency and blockchain education accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. The platform combines educational content with AI-driven personalization, offering users tailored learning paths, portfolio tracking, and real-time market analytics. Its services are used by individuals and professionals seeking to understand digital assets in practical terms.

What sets LearningCrypto apart is its integration of education and data tools in one environment. By pairing expert insights with adaptive technology, the platform helps users move from basic concepts to informed decision-making. This approach addresses the growing demand for structured, actionable knowledge in fast-moving crypto markets.

4. CoinSpot Crypto

CoinSpot Crypto operates as an information resource covering digital currencies, fintech trends, and financial innovation. Founded in 2013, the platform publishes news, analysis, and reviews related to cryptocurrencies, blockchain services, and investment technologies. Its audience now exceeds one million unique users per month.

The platform’s distinguishing feature is the breadth and depth of its data-driven tools and content. CoinSpot’s Coinmonitor service analyzes data from more than one hundred exchanges, updating frequently to provide information on prices, liquidity, and fees. This combination of journalism and analytics supports users seeking transparency in digital asset markets.

5. Directions Magazine

Directions Magazine is a digital publication focused on geospatial technologies, data analytics, and location intelligence. The platform has a long history of covering mapping, GIS, navigation systems, and advanced data visualization used by technology-driven industries.

The publication also explores blockchain and cryptocurrency topics where data visualization plays a critical role. Directions Magazine covers the analysis of on-chain activity, token distribution, and crypto market dynamics through visual and analytical approaches, including blockchain data mapping. By connecting geospatial expertise with crypto and Web3 analytics, the platform provides context for understanding complex digital asset ecosystems.

6. Bloquo

Bloquo provides stablecoin-powered financial infrastructure designed for global trade and cross-border settlement. The company offers an end-to-end stack covering payments, foreign exchange, settlement, and on-chain credit, enabling businesses to manage international transactions within a unified digital framework. Its platform supports operations across more than one hundred countries and currencies, addressing the complexity of global trade finance.

Bloquo differentiates itself through the integration of stablecoin rails with trade finance capabilities. Its recently launched on-chain credit solution allows businesses to access financing backed by real-world trade assets, extending blockchain infrastructure beyond payments into working capital and settlement optimization. Since launching in 2025, the platform has reached over $1 billion in annualized transaction volume, reflecting growing institutional adoption and scalability in regulated trade environments.

7. OxaPay

OxaPay is a global crypto payment gateway that enables online businesses to accept and manage digital asset payments across international markets. The platform provides merchant payment processing, crypto invoicing, payout and settlement tools, payment links, and API-based integrations designed to fit established business workflows. OxaPay supports multiple digital assets, allowing companies to handle cross-border transactions with greater flexibility.

What distinguishes OxaPay is its focus on operational practicality and transparent settlement. The platform is built to support predictable payment flows, clear transaction tracking, and scalable integration for growing digital businesses. By offering a comprehensive set of crypto payment tools within a single system, OxaPay helps companies incorporate digital assets as a functional component of modern commerce rather than an experimental add-on.

Conclusion

Together, these seven companies reflect key business priorities for 2025, including regulated access to digital finance, localized and cross-border payment infrastructure, trade finance innovation, resilient software development, actionable education, transparent market data, and advanced use of location intelligence.

About StartupMafia

StartupMafia is a business media and research platform that tracks emerging companies, technologies, and market trends worldwide. It provides curated insights to help businesses and investors identify relevant solutions in a changing global economy. For more information, visit startupmafia.eu.

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