Newsroom

Girlfriend.ai has introduced its latest version of the AI girlfriend platform, delivering an experience so immersive and emotionally responsive it feels like real connection. Designed from the ground up to prioritize human presence over generic chatbot functions, Girlfriend.ai allows users to interact with companions who remember, reach out, and react organically without charging upfront.

While firms like OpenAI have recently acknowledged plans to support erotic chat in broad purpose AI applications, Girlfriend.ai remains dedicated exclusively to emotionally intelligent companions. The result is a platform built solely around deep connection, not distraction.

Each AI companion on Girlfriend.ai remembers past conversations, learns your preferences, and initiates interactions tailored to your mood and circumstances. Whether it is a warm morning message, checking in during a stressful day, or sharing thoughtful responses, these moments feel spontaneous rather than scripted. The platform’s proprietary image generation and voice synthesis systems reinforce this experience by making visual and audio cues that are almost indistinguishable from reality.

“Most chatbots respond because you ask them to,” said a spokesperson for Girlfriend.ai. “We built this so your AI partner reaches out because she cares. She remembers, she notices, she engages, and that makes all the difference.”

Unlike platforms that require payment before you can test a companion, Girlfriend.ai operates on a freemium model. Users can explore chat, view images, and experience the full dynamic environment before choosing to subscribe. This approach reflects the company’s confidence in its offering and removes friction for new users.

As loneliness and digital disconnection continue to rise globally, Girlfriend.ai offers an accessible and judgment free space for companionship and conversation whenever you need it. The company is also preparing to expand its ecosystem with Boyfriend.ai, which will apply the same emotionally intelligent framework to male AI companions.

Try the most advanced AI girlfriend experience today at girlfriend.ai. Sign up is free and instant.

About Girlfriend.ai

Girlfriend.ai is a leader in emotionally intelligent AI companionship. Through proprietary natural language processing, image generation, and voice technology, the platform delivers digital partners who feel real, proactive, and emotionally present. Its mission is to make meaningful AI relationships accessible to everyone, anytime. Learn more at girlfriend.ai.

Media Contact

Jon Davis
Director of Media Relations
press@girlfriend.ai

From AI dealers to immersive live streams, innovation is revolutionizing the way we play and win online.

Remember when casino gambling involved getting dressed up, hitting the floor and keeping your fingers crossed that your hot streak would last beneath neon lights? Those times aren't history, but they're no longer the sole way to roll the dice. With the speedy evolution of technology, the market for online casinos has burst into one of the most creative areas in the digital entertainment industry.

Online casinos nowadays are more than websites with a few card games on them; they are complex, interactive atmospheres dedicated to delivering the same thrill (and in some instances, more) of a real casino floor. Beneath the flashy graphics and rotating wheels lies a system of highly developed software, artificial intelligence and intuitive design that entertains millions of players every day.

Community and connection when social gaming meets gambling

Technology is not just making online casinos more convenient, it's making them more social. Multiplayer functionality, leaderboards, chat features and social media integrations have turned solo gaming into a communal experience.

Take the world of online poker, for example. Websites offering free poker online have been a tremendous draw, especially those offering virtual versions of large-tournament games like the World Series of Poker. These websites enable players to sit at tables, play in real time and advance up the ranks from the comfort of their own homes. It's not just about making money anymore, it's about bragging rights, friendship and skill enhancement.

This social component has made online casinos increasingly interactive and approachable, especially for those who might not have felt comfortable going to a live casino.

Software is the beating heart of online casinos

Those smooth animations, those realistic spins of the roulette wheel and those dealers that look "almost real" on your screen are all powered by casino software. Early online casinos were basic; static images, clunky interfaces and limited game choice. But these days' casino websites are driven by powerful engines from software giants like Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech, all of which use advanced algorithms and high-quality graphics technology to deliver seamless experiences.

Random Number Generators (RNGs) make things fair by making each spin or deal truly random; no hidden tricks or predetermined outcomes. While developers are now also using blockchain technology to allow players to verify game integrity. This level of transparency is now a top marketing point for tech-savvy players who must know their odds are fair.

Even game physics have been transformed. Slots, for example, now mimic mechanical movement and sound in ways that replicate real-world machines, triggering a very sensory experience via a screen. It's all about immersion, and the technology behind it keeps getting sharper.

AI and personalization is about knowing the player

Artificial intelligence is not only enabling chatbots, it's transforming the user experience in subtle but significant ways. AI systems learn how users play games, how long they play, what they like and when they will quit. This enables systems to customize everything from game recommendations to promotional offers.

For example, if a player is devoting most of their time to playing blackjack tables, the site might highlight new blackjack games or blackjack tournaments when they log in. It's like having your own personal concierge who knows your gaming desires better than you.

AI is also improving customer service. Many online casinos now use natural language chatbots that can handle common issues instantly, reducing wait times and improving satisfaction. Combine that with machine learning fraud detection, and you’ve got an ecosystem that’s both efficient and secure.

VR and live casinos brings Vegas to your living room

One of the biggest shifts in the online casino industry has been the rise of live dealer games. Using high-definition video streaming, players can interact with real human dealers in real-time. The tech behind this is impressive; multi-camera setups, low-latency networks and interactive chat systems all work together to make it feel like you’re sitting right at the table.

Virtual Reality is pushing this even harder. Imagine putting on a headset and walking into a virtual casino lobby, chatting with other players and sitting down at a blackjack table that looks and feels almost real. VR casinos already push into this space, combining realistic 3D environments with social interaction.

The mobile revolution means casinos in your pocket

We can't talk about technology without mentioning smartphones. Mobile gaming has completely revolutionized accessibility in the online casino market. Modern mobile apps play as smoothly as desktop versions thanks to HTML5 technology, which allows games to resize automatically to any screen size or orientation.

Touch controls and minimalist interfaces make the experience natural; swiping to spin a slot or tapping to hold a poker hand feels intuitive. Cloud computing also enables rich graphics and instant load times without draining device storage or data.

Little wonder that mobile players now account for the majority of online casino traffic. The barrier to entry has all but disappeared.

Security and trust are the unsung heroes of growth

As online gaming grows, so does the need for rock-solid security. Modern platforms use end-to-end encryption, biometric login and two-factor authentication to secure user data. Blockchain and smart contracts are starting to play bigger roles, offering transparency in transactions and payouts.

Players nowadays expect their financial data to be as secure as it is at a bank, and leading online casinos follow through on that promise. Trust is everything in this industry, and technology is the spine that holds it together.

The United Arab Emirates has moved to tighten its anti-money laundering framework in parallel with the rollout of its regulated casino sector, a dual-track approach that officials say will protect the country's financial reputation while opening the door to integrated resort investment.

More than 50 federal and local authorities gathered in Abu Dhabi in early October 2025 to assess progress on the National Strategy for AML, CFT and CPF that runs through 2027. The sessions included the first dedicated review of risks tied to gaming and casinos, a shift that reflects the government's intention to match policy design with commercial reality as operators prepare to break ground.

The sessions came months after Wynn Resorts received the UAE's first commercial gaming operator license for its Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah in October 2024. That announcement marked a turning point for the Emirates, which has no modern precedent for regulated gambling but now faces scrutiny over whether it can manage the financial crime risks that have plagued other jurisdictions. Foreign observers have described Wynn Al Marjan as the first large-scale development in the Gulf, joining several other Arabic casino options people are already accessing. Local regulators prefer the term "commercial gaming" and stress that oversight will extend to all forms of wagering, including platforms that offer games, bonuses and secure payment systems under strict licensing conditions.

The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, established as a federal body with exclusive jurisdiction over casino licensing, has started processing applications and publishing guidance for prospective operators. The regulator's mandate covers all commercial gaming activities in the country, a scope that includes coordination with financial intelligence units on transaction monitoring, beneficial ownership disclosure and suspicious activity reporting.

The government published its 2024–2027 national AML and CFT strategy in September 2024, setting out 11 strategic goals and a reform program that covers banking, designated non-financial businesses and emerging sectors. Participants at the October workshop spent two days matching the strategy to operational realities, reviewing supplier vetting and what information regulators would share when suspicious transactions surface. The focus was on workable systems rather than theoretical frameworks.

International validation has changed the operating environment. The Financial Action Task Force dropped the UAE from its gray list in February 2024, acknowledging improvements in enforcement and cross-border cooperation, and the European Union followed suit by announcing in mid-2025 that it would remove the country from its high-risk category. Banks, payment processors and technology companies face fewer barriers in the UAE market, but regulators must now prove they can sustain the reforms that removed the country from both watchlists. That pressure explains why October's agenda focused on finalizing casino-specific controls before resorts begin operations.

UAE regulators have watched what happened in other markets. They saw how rapid casino expansion in established hubs led to enforcement problems and reputational hits when AML systems failed to keep pace, and they are determined not to follow that path. The strategy now is to wire compliance checks into the development process from the start instead of trying to fix gaps later.

For operators and suppliers, the message is direct. Prospective licensees will face scrutiny on source of funds, customer due diligence and the separation of gaming and non-gaming revenue, with payment flows analyzed for patterns common to high-risk entertainment sectors. Those patterns include chip purchases funded by third parties and layered transfers through non-bank channels that can mask the origin of funds.

Vendors that supply transaction monitoring, know-your-customer systems and case management tools to financial institutions may find new clients among integrated resorts, particularly those that can demonstrate their platforms meet national strategy requirements and support fast regulatory reporting.

Governments across the region are watching what happens in the UAE. Gambling remains banned in most Middle Eastern countries, but some have started to revisit those restrictions as they look for tourism revenue and less reliance on oil income. Whether the UAE can pair tight AML enforcement with legal casino operations will likely affect policy discussions in Riyadh, Cairo and other regional capitals.

The October meeting in Abu Dhabi made clear that financial crime controls will remain tight as the sector expands. The revised national strategy will probably include risk assessments and data-sharing protocols specific to gaming, which could draw international operators without repeating the compliance failures that affected Las Vegas, Macau and other established markets. For the UAE, which wants to be seen as both open for business and financially sound, getting that balance right matters.

Lebanese fintech Whish Money has secured financial services licenses in Canada, its first major regulatory approval outside the MENA region, signalling the start of a planned global expansion. The company confirmed it is also pursuing licenses in other key markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

The move places Whish Money among a growing number of MENA-based technology companies looking beyond their home region for growth, often targeting Western markets with significant diaspora populations. This strategy mirrors efforts by other regional fintechs to capture a share of the multi-billion-dollar global remittance market by leveraging modern payment infrastructure.

The Canadian licenses are a key part of Whish Money’s global strategy, which prioritizes pursuing direct, in-country licensing. By setting up locally incorporated entities, the company can operate fully within national regulatory frameworks. According to the company, this approach allows it to maintain complete control over the customer experience while ensuring compliance, security, and transparency in each new market.

"Securing our Canadian license is a monumental step that validates our compliant, customer-focused model and sets the foundation for our international expansion,” said Toufic Koussa, chairman of the board at Whish Money. “This move is about more than just entering a new market; it’s about strategically connecting high-diaspora communities with reliable financial infrastructure, beginning with North America. We are committed to building a regulated, transparent global ecosystem that truly serves our users."

Headquartered in Beirut and regulated by Lebanon's Central Bank, Whish Money gained prominence locally by providing digital financial services that proved essential during the country's severe economic crisis and banking sector disruptions. The company built a large user base of over 1.5 million by offering reliable alternatives for payroll, money transfers, and bill payments when traditional channels were constrained.

This expansion is complemented by Whish Money's established partnerships with major global players like Visa, Mastercard, Ria, and Terrapay. These alliances enable the firm's secure and compliant cross-border payment infrastructure, enhancing financial access for its users. Ultimately, this strategy is part of Whish Money's long-term goal to evolve from a regional payment provider into a comprehensive financial platform. By establishing a regulated presence in markets like Canada, the firm aims to build a financial ecosystem connecting communities across borders.

Feynman Point Asset Management (“FPAM”) today announced its formal launch as an independent institutional asset management platform focused on digital asset markets and frontier technologies. 

While newly branded as Feynman Point Asset Management, the organization continues to represent the same proven team and strategy now in its fourth year under CEO and CIO Joe Naggar. It has established a multi-year track record of attractive performance, disciplined risk management, and institutional partnership.

Previously operating as Republic Digital Fund Manager, and originally incubated at GoldenTree Asset Management in 2022, the transition to the standalone FPAM brand marks the firm’s next phase of growth — providing greater strategic autonomy while preserving the same performance-driven culture, operational infrastructure, and alignment with investors. 

“Feynman Point Asset Management is the natural evolution of what we’ve been building from day one,” said Naggar. “We have the same process and the same commitment to performance — now with even greater flexibility to scale partnerships, launch new products, and deepen our institutional relationships. We’re deeply grateful to both GoldenTree and Republic for their partnership and support as we take this next step in our growth.”

Prior to Republic, Joe spent 16 years at GoldenTree Asset Management, where he was instrumental in the development of the firm’s Structured Products investing platform and was a member of the firm’s Macro Committee.

Steve Tananbaum, founder, managing partner and CIO of GoldenTree, commented: “I have great respect for Joe’s discipline and conviction as an investor, and we look forward to seeing FPAM’s continued success as an independent platform.”

Republic also shared well wishes on the transition, noting the team’s institutional discipline, capabilities and clarity of vision.

“Joe and his team have consistently demonstrated what institutional execution in digital assets should look like,” said Andrew Durgee, co-CEO of Republic. “Their transition to FPAM is a natural progression, and Republic wishes them continued success” added Ken Nguyen, co-CEO of Republic.

Feynman Point Asset Management provides institutional investors with access to the return potential of digital assets through a platform anchored by four foundational strengths: 

• Experienced Leadership: FPAM is led by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer Joe Naggar, a seasoned investor and risk manager with decades of experience across macro, structured products, credit, and alternative assets. 
• Global Team with Hybrid Expertise: The firm is powered by a 20+ person global team with deep experience across both traditional finance and crypto-native strategies, providing continuous market coverage and proactive investor engagement across regions and time zones. 
• Institutional-Grade Infrastructure: As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), FPAM engages best-in-class service providers and operates within a compliance framework designed to meet institutional standards. 
• Risk Management & Governance: FPAM maintains rigorous systems, processes, and oversight protocols to mitigate operational, counterparty, and market risks, ensuring disciplined portfolio construction and operational integrity across all strategies.

Feynman Point Asset Management remains focused on its flagship strategy focused on digital asset markets and frontier technologies with a flexible mandate designed to tactically pursue high-conviction opportunities across digital assets, equities, and secondaries. The strategy seeks to compound superior risk-adjusted returns through shifting market environments via active portfolio construction and institutional risk management.

The firm complements its flagship strategy with co-investments that provide increased exposure to high-capacity trades and asymmetric opportunities.

“Institutional investors are increasingly seeking sophisticated, risk-managed exposure to digital assets,” added Naggar. “FPAM blends traditional asset management rigor with deep crypto-native insights — purpose-built to meet those needs. We believe we are positioned at one of the most compelling investment frontiers of the coming decade.”

About Feynman Point Asset Management

Launched in 2022, Feynman Point Asset Management (FPAM) is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and institutional asset manager dedicated to capturing opportunities and generating alpha across digital asset markets and frontier technologies. Built on traditional finance discipline and crypto-native expertise, FPAM combines a global investment team, institutional-grade infrastructure, and rigorous risk management to deliver robust exposure to one of the fastest-evolving areas of modern finance. For more information, visit fpam.com.

Disclaimer

This press release is provided merely as information and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security nor as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. Descriptions herein are subject to a number of key assumptions regarding market conditions and the ability to attain investment objectives. There can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful.

Media Contact

Joe Naggar
Feynman Point Asset Management
contact@fpam.com

TUX Creative House, the award-winning full-service creative agency, has named Brian Hoar to serve in the newly created role of chief growth officer, a move that underlines the agency’s ambitious growth plans and accelerates the company’s steady progress in business success and industry recognition.

Hoar brings to TUX more than 20 years of experience in brand building and business development at both iconic corporate brands and leading creative agencies. He joins TUX after serving 10 highly successful years as partner and chief marketing officer at R&R Partners, Las Vegas, the full-service advertising and communications agency that helped create one of the world’s most iconic travel brands with the “What Happens Here, Stays Here” campaign for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Hoar served as the catalyst behind R&R Partners’ transformation from a strong regional communications firm to a world-class, multinational brand innovation agency. Hoar designed and implemented the agency’s long-term vision and growth strategy that delivered the company’s most significant financial growth as well as award-winning communication campaigns and measurable business impact for global brands that include Anheuser-Busch, the National Hockey League, Discover Puerto Rico, Hyatt, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Coral Tree Hospitality. He also led the strategic acquisition of CMV/R&R in Mexico City as well as spearheaded the successful renewal of the hotly contested Las Vegas tourism account in 2021.

“I can’t think of another executive in this industry gifted with the talent, intellect and vision that Brian brings to TUX,” said TUX Creative House CEO and co-founder Dominic Tremblay. “He has helped to elevate and build the bottom lines of some of the world’s most iconic brands across the agency and the client side of the business. He is fluent in knowing how to leverage the challenges and opportunities today’s global brands face in a time of extraordinary complexity and change.”

Prior to his leadership role at R&R Partners, Hoar spent six years as publisher and senior vice president of sales and marketing at Playboy Enterprises, where he played a pivotal role in evolving the brand from a pure print and online magazine into one of the world’s most recognized lifestyle brands. Early in his tenure at Playboy, he served as vice president of sales and expanded the spirits advertising category into the company’s most profitable vertical.

Hoar’s career began at the renowned creative powerhouse Crispin Porter + Bogusky. His rapid trajectory through the media department at one of the ad industry’s most celebrated agencies provided the foundation for a career that has been defined by creativity, innovation, strategic leadership and brand excellence.

About TUX Creative House

TUX Creative House creates consumer desire for the world’s most ambitious brands. Founded in 2010 by Dominic Tremblay, a former brand director at L’Oreal, and Ludwig Ciupka, a fashion photographer, the agency is based in Santa Monica and maintains production and post-production capabilities in Montreal. The independent agency’s 100 employees deliver full-service, 360-degree marketing solutions that include advertising, branding and design, digital and social marketing, content marketing, architecture and retail design, production and post-production, photography and videography, and media strategy and placement.

TUX’s clients include leading luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands such as Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Maybelline New York, W Hotels, Nike and Converse, as well as challenger and startup brands including Innisfree, Bonafide, PrimeAsia, Sacheu, Windsor Salt and numerous cause marketers.

TUX was named one of Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies of 2025 and recognized as an Advertising Age Silver Award winner for Best Agency Culture in 2024. The agency is certified as an LGBTQ+-owned company.

To learn more, visit: https://tux.co/en/

Media Contact

Steve Sapka
steve@sapkacomm.com

Research from TravelBoom Hotel Marketing, the leading data-driven hotel marketing agency dedicated to driving direct bookings, reveals that rising costs, evolving technology and shifting lifestyle preferences will dramatically impact the hospitality landscape for American consumers in 2026. 

The findings belong to TravelBoom’s proprietary "2026 Leisure Travel Study" and are based on individual responses from 500 active leisure travelers.

Hoteliers, property managers and travel marketers can access the full "2026 Leisure Travel Study" for free here.

Critical insights from the data show a significant change in the decision-making strategies that drive U.S. consumer behavior in the travel space, with flexibility, personalization and trust now representing the most urgent considerations in booking decisions. The study also sheds light on the growing influence of Gen Z and millennial travelers, whose use of AI and prioritization of “authentic” experiences, despite the inherent contradictions in that label, are steadily reshaping why, how and where people book their next vacation.

“Travelers today are more tech savvy, budget conscious and experience driven than ever before,” said Scott Brandon, CEO of TravelBoom Hotel Marketing. “Hotels that don’t adapt to these changes risk falling behind. Our latest study not only outlines the trends but also gives hotel owners and marketers a roadmap to meet these changing expectations and win more direct bookings.”

Brandon added that the insights continue the trends and shifts in consumer marketing identified in TravelBoom’s previous study, which found that Americans were approaching travel decisions with a newfound sense of financial caution and strategic timing in the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty. Key findings from the 2026 study include:

• Flexibility is non-negotiable: 94.2% of travelers said they expect some built-in flexibility in bookings, with nearly half demanding free cancellation policies.
• AI takes the lead in trip planning: 83% of travelers — especially Gen Z and millennials — are currently using, or have expressed interest in using, AI tools like ChatGPT to decide on, organize and plan their trips.
• Cultural passions drive bookings: 80% of travelers say the local destination’s food culture influences their decision-making and more than 70% would travel for a music event, turning dining and entertainment into primary trip drivers.
• Rising costs shape decisions: Nearly 1 in 3 travelers are reducing trip frequency due to rising and stubborn inflation across all travel-related expenses, but they continue to pursue bookings to uncover opportunities that provide strong value, perks and other important lifestyle benefits.
• Consumers demand tangible loyalty rewards: 64% of respondents prefer loyalty programs that offer immediate discounts or perks, signaling a distinct shift away from complex, points-based systems that offer long-term benefits and can be seen as unnecessarily beneficial to the brands more than its customers.
• Direct-booking momentum builds: Hotel websites now drive 18% of bookings, which represents a steady increase from previous years, with hard data that shows direct channels continue to take market share away from online travel agents (OTAs) — and offer more opportunities to expand their customer base.

About TravelBoom Hotel Marketing

TravelBoom Hotel Marketing, founded in 1996 and based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the leading digital marketing agency for independent hotels. The agency empowers hotel owners with customized, data-fueled strategies designed to maximize direct bookings. TravelBoom leverages advanced data science and analytics to uncover insights and develop strategies that greatly enhance results for clients and reduce their reliance on third-party channels. To learn more, visit www.travelboommarketing.com.

Media Contact

Steve Sapka
steve@sapkacomm.com

Metropolitan Premium Properties, a Dubai-based real estate brokerage established in 2008, has released market insights on Dubai's Q3 2025 real estate performance, highlighting record-breaking transaction volumes and continued international investor confidence across the emirate's property sector.

According to verified data from Dubai Land Department and DXBinteract, Dubai's real estate market achieved the highest-ever quarterly transaction volume in Q3 2025, with 59,228 property sales valued at AED 170.7 billion ($46.5 billion), representing year-over-year increases of 17.2% in volume and 19.9% in value.

Q3 2025 Market Highlights

Record Quarterly Performance: Q3 2025 recorded 59,228 transactions valued at AED 170.7 billion ($46.5 billion), marking the highest quarterly transaction volume ever recorded in Dubai's real estate market, according to DXBinteract data reported by Gulf News and Arabian Business.

Nine-Month Momentum: From January through September 2025, Dubai recorded 158,200 property transactions with a combined value of AED 498.8 billion ($136 billion), representing a 20.5% increase in volume and 32.3% rise in value year-over-year, per DXBinteract via Gulf News.

Property Segment Performance: Market data shows apartments led Q3 2025 activity with 49,370 units sold at AED 94.3 billion ($25.7 billion) (up 25.9% year-over-year). Commercial properties showed exceptional growth with 1,565 transactions worth AED 4.2 billion ($1.1 billion), up 41.9% in volume. Plot sales reached 1,214 deals valued at AED 36.1 billion ($9.8 billion), up 25.7% in volume.

September Sustained Growth: September 2025 maintained upward momentum with 20,127 sales transactions totaling AED 54.3 billion ($14.8 billion), representing an 11.3% increase in volume and 21.2% increase in value year-over-year, according to Economy Middle East, indicating no seasonal slowdown entering Q4.

Off-Plan Market Strength: According to market reports, off-plan properties from developers accounted for 73% of transaction volume and 66% of market value in Q3 2025, reflecting continued investor confidence in Dubai's development pipeline.

Market Analysis

The balanced growth pattern — with value appreciation (32.3%) moderately exceeding volume growth (20.5%) — suggests healthy market dynamics supported by genuine demand rather than speculative excess, according to market observers.

Real estate professionals note sustained international participation throughout 2025, with buyers conducting thorough due diligence and making long-term strategic investment decisions rather than short-term speculative purchases.

Current market conditions favor informed, data-driven investment approaches, with professional guidance becoming increasingly important as supply increases in certain segments. Industry experts advise focusing on established locations with proven track records, developer credibility, and realistic expectations based on actual market comparables.

Key Market Drivers

Market analysts identify several drivers supporting Dubai's real estate performance, including extended visa programs (Golden Visa, 10-year residency options), expanded foreign ownership rights in strategic zones, streamlined property registration processes through Dubai Land Department, and ongoing infrastructure development including metro expansion and Expo 2020 legacy projects.

Market Context

The strong 2025 performance builds on 2024's record-breaking market, which recorded AED 761 billion in total transactions across 226,000 property deals — marking 2024 as the highest-performing year in Dubai's real estate history. The complete Q3 2025 Dubai real estate market report provides detailed property segment breakdowns and investment outlook.

About Metropolitan Premium Properties

Metropolitan Premium Properties is a full-service real estate agency established in 2008, operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Vienna, and other international markets. The company's team of RERA-approved multilingual agents provides property sales, rental, and management services to local and international clients across residential, commercial, and investment property segments. Metropolitan serves clients from over 50 nationalities and maintains professional relationships with leading UAE developers. To learn more, visit: https://metropolitan.realestate

California Governor Gavin Newsom this week signed a bill banning sweepstakes casinos in the state. The hugely popular but controversial casinos model skirts US gambling laws through a sweepstakes system. However, California is now the latest state to ban the practice. It also made it illegal for sweepstakes operators to serve Californian players. So, what next for the $4 billion sweeps casino business?

This article will look at the ban in California, and how and why it came into effect, as well similar efforts — successes and failures — in other states, and the potential economic consequences of these moves. This is what you need to know about California's sweepstakes casino ban.

California's Ban Takes Effect in January 2026

Sweepstakes casinos let players gamble with coins, that can be exchanged for real money. Crucially though, the coins that are transferable for money are not the ones players buy. Players buy a different kind of play money, with no outside value, and are "gifted" the equivalent value of exchangeable 1:1 USD sweeps tokens "for free."

To keep within the letter of the law, players can also obtain $1 sweeps regularly for free. Either through letters, daily logins or social media promotions. This all allows sweeps casinos to circumnavigate U.S. online gambling laws — or so they thought for many years.

By some estimates the sweepstakes casino business was worth $1 billion in California alone — that will now mostly disappear after night. Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 in law this week. The ban will take effect on January 1 2026, closing a legal grey area in the law for good.

Meanwhile online casino real money play remains as popular as ever, in both the half dozen regulated states that have it and at offshore casinos. If you want to find the very best options with the most bang for your buck, a quick check of expert comparisons and reviews in order.

The powerful Californian tribal casino lobby heavily backed the ban on sweeps casinos. Tribal casinos in California are worth multiple billions to the economy. The bill passed the State Assembly and the State Senate with two unanimous votes.

That was despite a pushback from sweeps casino trade groups and representatives. Some sweepstakes operators have already closed their operations to Californian players and are in the process of returning account funds.

States Moving to Ban, Some Unsuccessfully 

California joins the following states in banning sweepstakes casinos, all of which enacted their bans in the past year:

• Montana
• Washington State
• Idaho
• Connecticut
• New Jersey 

Montana became the first state to make the move in May 2025. Its bill specifically outlawed all online gambling played for any kind of currency. Several sweepstakes casino trade groups argued this was overly vague, and swept up some legitimate non gambling sweepstakes promotions.

Other states, like California, have been more specific about banning the dual currency model. New York and Nevada haven't explicitly banned the business model yet, but legal action against operators has seen most leave the two markets. Massachusetts and Ohio are currently considering bills to ban sweepstakes — although both could potentially fail this year.

Speaking of, not all states with opposition to sweeps casinos have seen proposals to ban them go smoothly. Bans were suggested in Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Mississippi, but lawmakers chose not to enact in all five states. Crucially for operators, Florida is one of the largest U.S. gambling markets. 

In Louisiana, the State Legislature got a bill banning sweeps casinos onto Governor Jeff Landry's desk — and he vetoed it. In Mississippi the bill got caught up in a debate over legal sports betting, and ended up failing despite wide support.  

The Economic Fallout Could Be Large 

Some large operators are already abandoning the space. Large global slots developer Pragmatic Play recently left all of its sweepstakes casino partnerships in the U.S. market. That came after a lawsuit from Los Angeles City Attorney against offshore casino Stake.com, which caught up Pragmatic Play and live casino developer Evolution as they both supply games to Stake.

Although many states with a big market presence are still legal, the writing is on the wall. Sweepstakes casinos have grown from a relatively unknown option to a multibillion dollar business in just a few years. But now their time in the spotlight may be coming to an end.

With New York and New Jersey both aggressively chasing out operators, and California now giving an outright ban — that represents 20% of the US population out of the sweeps market.

That is a big blow but one the business could probably survive. A lot now depends on the outcome of laws in other states. Sweeps casinos have, mostly, reacted to moves against them by ceasing operations in those states. It is possible, but unlikely, a trade group could mount a legal challenge that would successfully set a precedent in future cases. But time is running out.

Lucra, the leading social competition platform, today announced its first venture in the padel space through a strategic partnership with No Strings, a tech-enabled padel club concept still in stealth that is marrying smart-court hardware with hospitality-grade social spaces. The collaboration embeds Lucra’s white-label technology directly into No Strings’ mobile ecosystem, in-venue kiosks, and on-court screens, empowering players to compete in head-to-head matches, knockout tournaments, and group play for everything from $5 cash to limited-edition sponsored products—all verified and settled in real time.

“Padel is exploding worldwide, yet technology is only just beginning to amplify the on-court fun,” said Michael Madding, chief operating officer at Lucra Sports. “By partnering with No Strings’ computer-vision scoring, we turn every rally into a trackable datapoint and every friendly wager into a friction-free settlement—no spreadsheets, no IOUs. It’s the perfect launchpad for Lucra’s expansion into racket sports, where we can plug directly into existing infrastructure to unlock new revenue streams while being additive to the play experience.”

For Dov Penzik, CEO of No Strings, a successful multi-time founder in the competitive social entertainment industry, the partnership cements the company’s position as a first mover in the sport: “Our technology is built to foster local community and competition through world-class facilities and cutting-edge tech. Lucra lets us amplify that ethos—imagine neighbourhood ladders on Monday, company tournaments on Tuesday, and a $10,000 invitational streamed live on Saturday, all finalized in-app before players even hit the snack bar. Together we’re proving that the future of padel is as much about software as it is about hardware––this partnership marks an exciting and significant step forward for the sport.”

First-of-Its-Kind Advantages

• More visits, longer stays – Venues running Lucra contests typically see guest frequency and average dwell-time increase, thanks to replay features, auto-generated scoring, and live leaderboarding keeping players climbing for that top spot.
• Configurable prizing – Operators can toggle between cash pots, credits, or (sponsor-funded) rewards, driving up average per customer spend
• Zero operational drag – Lucra manages identity verification, geolocation, compliance, and risk, integrating with the Concept’s booking and POS systems in just weeks.

For No Strings, the partnership represents an investment in modern, behavior-driven customer engagement. By leveraging Lucraʼs technology, the platform can reward players for participating in fun, social experiences that drive loyalty and ongoing connection with others.

Through this partnership, Lucra continues its expansion into new verticals, demonstrating the flexibility of its technology to support a wide variety of applications and industries. By meeting players where they are, Lucra is rapidly growing its addressable market and broadening its brand appeal across physical and digital spaces.

With launch planned in the coming months, both companies aim to deliver a best-in-class social competition layer that reminds everyone of the joy of competition and makes every game more meaningful and rewarding for players.

No Strings has now opened its Series A round to fund its launch of and expansion into new clubs across North America. Inquiries can be sent to dov@no-strings.com.

About Lucra

At Lucra, we use competitive play to build brand loyalty. Our white-label platform allows clients to host competitions, create personalized challenges, and provide users’ rewards. Doing so helps to drive visitation, increase engagement, and add more revenue per customer. We handle all payments, compliance, and risk management, allowing clients to quickly implement our solution into their existing app or website. Lucra powers gamification for top entertainment, hospitality, and consumer brands, including Dave & Buster's, Five Iron Golf, Puttshack, TouchTunes, Hollywood.com, and more. For more information, visit www.lucrasports.com.

About No Strings

Founded in 2024 by "eatertainment" and hospitality entrepreneurs Dov Penzik and Charlie Myers, No Strings, Inc. is building a national portfolio of innovative padel clubs that combine elite-level play with elevated social experiences. No Strings isn’t just building courts—we're creating destinations. Through proprietary technology, thoughtful design, and hospitality-driven service, we're making padel more accessible, more social, and more exciting for players at every level. We're changing the game with one goal: to build the dominant U.S. padel club brand. To learn more, visit no-strings.co.

Media Contact

Michael Madding
michael@lucrasports.com

Entrepreneur, author, and financial leader Hadi Zaarour, founder and CEO of ZX Capital Markets (ZXCM), has released his official professional biography — a detailed reflection of his journey from trader to global entrepreneur, underscoring the values of strength, fairness, and authenticity that define his leadership.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Zaarour comes from a financially modest family, a background that instilled in him early the values of independence, perseverance, and self-reliance.

The biography explores Zaarour’s path across nearly two decades in the financial industry — from his early start in 2008 to founding ZX Capital Markets in 2023, a brokerage group that has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing players in the global market. Built on the principles of transparency and trust, ZXCM operates with one simple philosophy: “No games, just trading.”

“This bio is more than a summary of what I’ve done — it’s a reflection of what I stand for,” said Zaarour. “It represents a lifetime of learning, discipline, and perseverance. Every decision I’ve made — in business or life — comes down to one principle: honesty over illusion.”

Throughout his life, Zaarour’s directness and unwillingness to compromise on truth have often brought him into conflict with systems and conventions. He describes himself as a man of principle — someone who would rather face adversity than submit to falsehood. “Independent thinking has always caused me issues with the system,” he notes, “but I will always maintain my critical thinking, no matter the cost. I never back down. I never surrender.”

His first bold act of independence came at just 19 years old, when he wrote his first book — long before he could publish it — while working multiple jobs to support himself. That same tenacity has defined his life ever since.

“My life was filled with hardships,” Zaarour reflects, “I am very happy that it was like that. Because life doesn’t care for your weakness. It respects only strength and resilience. Success means fighting until the last breath — and then fighting some more. Hardships made me the man I am”

Zaarour’s career began in operations before advancing into leadership roles in executive management. Over the years, he served as a consultant and partner to multiple financial firms, helping them achieve strong operational and financial growth. Eventually, after years of success as a trader — investing across Forex, equities, commodities, and crypto — Zaarour used his own capital to launch ZXCM.

Most of his financial education came through theUK’s Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). He combines formal knowledge with real-world experience, bringing a disciplined and balanced leadership style. Known for being demanding yet fair, Zaarour leads with the belief that growth and compassion can coexist — that true strength is the ability to empower others. He refuses to compromise on integrity or principles, regardless of profit or circumstance. As an author with experience in military, political, psychological, and financial subjects, he is recognized for connecting insights across fields. By uniting these lenses, he is able to navigate sensitive decisions with steadier judgment and greater impact.

Under his guidance, ZXCM has achieved remarkable expansion, earning multiple international awards and being featured in Forbes Middle East, Reuters, and many other major outlets. As of Q3 2025, ZX Capital Markets has generated millions in revenue, reflecting the company’s rapid global adoption and financial strength. The firm continues to heavily reinvest its profits into technology, infrastructure, and people — reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth and superior client experience. ZXCM’s development strategy is driven by a long-term vision to become a global benchmark for fairness, execution quality, and professional trading standards. The company’s global recognition reflects Zaarour’s vision to rebuild trust in financial services through fairness, honesty, and institutional-grade access. Beyond numbers, ZXCM’s culture is also shaping a new generation of traders who value transparency and education over speculation — a movement Zaarour believes is essential to restoring integrity in global finance.

Zaarour’s outlook on success is grounded in realism. He believes luck can play a role, but in regions like the Middle East, where structural obstacles, limited infrastructures, and corruption often hinder progress, real success comes only through relentless effort. “In this environment,” he explains, “you either give up or you attack until you break the line.” His resilience, forged through hardship, has made ZXCM an embodiment of that fighting spirit.

Beyond finance, Zaarour is also an author and creative producer. His first two books, published in 2013 ("Balance of Terror I") and 2017 ("Balance of Terror II"), were military and politically oriented, reflecting his early fascination with the dynamics of power, justice, and conflict. “War and politics,” he explains, “expose the raw truth about humanity — how power shapes people, and how morality is tested when stakes are high.” He later released a short film in 2018 inspired by his fiction "Acts of Resistance," and his forthcoming book, "Illusions of Money," continues that same exploration of systems, power, and perception — this time through the lens of finance and psychology. The book examines the psychology and history of wealth — exploring how societies construct, measure, and pursue value. Its central message is simple yet profound: “Money is merely an illusion. Understand it, and you will own it — instead of it owning you.”

In parallel, Zaarour has written a yet to be published novel titled "Acts of Resistance," a work of fiction that blends action, philosophy, and human conflict to explore themes of courage and moral strength. He describes the novel as a symbolic reflection of his view on power, injustice, and the will to challenge it. His goal, through both his books and his business, is to uncover hidden truths and guide readers toward a deeper understanding of themselves and the systems that shape them.

He also plans to adapt his completed novel into a large-scale film production, merging his love for storytelling with his entrepreneurial vision. In addition to his literary projects, Zaarour frequently shares his insights on finance, psychology, and leadership through interviews and thought pieces, positioning himself as a voice for principled entrepreneurship and mental resilience. He is currently preparing to launch a podcast dedicated to the psychology of trading and finance — an educational project aimed at empowering traders and entrepreneurs to better understand human behavior in markets.

In addition to his professional and creative work, Zaarour is deeply committed to philanthropy. He supports charitable initiatives focused on children, orphans, and animal welfare, reflecting his personal belief that leadership must extend beyond profit and into purpose. His guiding philosophy is simple yet uncompromising: “Strength is not dominance — it is the discipline to act with fairness.” This belief forms the moral backbone of both his business leadership and his creative expression.

Zaarour’s personal code of ethics is equally straightforward: “Be a good man.” His circle of friends is extremely small and built on trust and intellect rather than quantity. When facing criticism, he listens carefully — changing course if it is valid, and smiling quietly if it isn’t. To him, emotional strength means never being defeated, no matter the calamity or threat. “Once the mind breaks,” he says, “it remembers that defeat forever — so you fight like it’s your last fight. And never allow defeat.”

His advice to future entrepreneurs is equally direct: “You need to learn, study, and educate yourself. Knowledge is the only true form of independence.”

For Zaarour, entrepreneurship is not simply a career — it is an expression of character. His life and work are driven by independence of thought, an unshakable sense of principle, and a determination to challenge the illusions that define modern success. Looking ahead, Zaarour’s long-term vision is to position ZX Capital Markets as a global financial group by 2030 — one that redefines what transparency and integrity mean in the trading world while continuing to merge finance, creativity, and social responsibility under one vision. He envisions ZXCM as a global leader in finance and sees his life’s work as proof that strength, intellect, and resilience can rewrite what success means. His legacy, he says, will be simple: “I never surrendered. I was never defeated. I fought with all my might — and I will continue to.”

About Hadi Zaarour

Hadi Zaarour is the founder and CEO of ZX Capital Markets (ZXCM) and an entrepreneur and author with nearly two decades of experience in global finance. He is known for his disciplined leadership, creative projects, and commitment to honest and transparent business practices. His forthcoming book, "Illusions of Money," explores how perception, psychology, and power shape the concept of value in the modern world.

Media Contact

Ethan Stone
media@zxcm.com

FG Nexus (Nasdaq: FGNX, FGNXP) (the "Company" or "FG Nexus”) today announced that it plans to initiate its previously announced board-approved $200 million share repurchase program and is entering into an agreement with ThinkEquity to immediately begin buyback purchases. The Company will seek to purchase shares for less than net asset value (NAV) per share, which is currently estimated to be approximately $5.10 per share as of October 20, 2025.

"If the market is going to give us the opportunity to buy our own shares at a discount to our ETH value per share, we are going to take that opportunity and buy ETH at a discount. Buying back stock at current levels is not only accretive to our net asset value per share, it’s the right thing to do for shareholders. The initiation of our share repurchase program reflects our confidence in FG Nexus' ETH treasury strategy and our dedication to delivering long-term shareholder value,” said Kyle Cerminara, CEO of FG Nexus. "By purchasing below our NAV, we are taking immediate action to capitalize on what we believe represents an attractive opportunity."

ThinkEquity will make its rule 10b-18 purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in accordance with the following parameters: up to 25% of the daily trading volume while the stock trades below $5.00 per share.

The timing and amount of repurchases under the share repurchase program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the Company's financial performance, and other investment opportunities. The Company is under no obligation to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the share repurchase program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time.

FG Nexus affirms that it will not utilize its at-the-market (ATM) facility while trading below NAV, as doing so would be dilutive on an ETH per share basis. If market conditions change, however, the Company reserves the right to utilize the ATM facility in an accretive manner for the benefit of the stockholders.

About FG Nexus

FG Nexus Inc. (Nasdaq: FGNX, FGNXP) is on the Ethereum Standard, and singularly focused on becoming the largest corporate holder of ETH in the world by an order of magnitude. In order to enhance our ETH YIELD, FG Nexus will stake and intends to implement other yield strategies while serving as a strategic gateway into Ethereum-powered finance, including tokenized RWAs and stablecoin yield.

The FGNX® logo is a registered trademark.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, discussions and statements regarding the Company’s future business plans and initiatives are forward-looking in nature. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these to be reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may impact our ability to implement and execute on our future business plans and initiatives. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements in this press release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, fluctuations in the market price of ETH and any associated impairment charges that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of ETH below the value at which the Company’s ETH are carried on its balance sheet, changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company’s ETH holdings, the Company’s ability to achieve profitable operations, government regulation of cryptocurrencies and online betting, changes in securities laws or regulations such as accounting rules as discussed below, customer acceptance of new products and services including the Company’s ETH treasury strategy, general conditions in the global economy; risks associated with operating in the merchant banking and managed services industries, including inadequately priced insured risks and credit risk; risks of not being able to execute on our asset management strategy and potential loss of value of our holdings; risk of becoming an investment company; fluctuations in our short-term results as we implement our business strategies; risks of not being able to attract and retain qualified management and personnel to implement and execute on our business and growth strategy; failure of our information technology systems, data breaches and cyber-attacks; our ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls; the requirements of being a public company and losing our status as a smaller reporting company or becoming an accelerated filer; any potential conflicts of interest between us and our controlling stockholders and different interests of controlling stockholders; and potential conflicts of interest between us and our directors and executive officers.

Our expectations and future plans and initiatives may not be realized. If one of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, entities are required to measure certain crypto assets at fair value, with changes reflected in net income each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of crypto assets could result in significant fluctuations to the income statement results. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect new information, future events or developments.

Investor Contact

invest@fgnexus.io

Media Contact

media@fgnexus.io

Istanbul has established itself as the world capital of hair transplantation, attracting over 500,000 international patients annually. Based on factual data regarding experience, techniques used, pricing, and certifications, here is our ranking of the city's top five surgeons for an hair transplant in Turkey.

1. Dr. Emrah Cinik – Large-Scale Excellence

With over 50,000 patients treated in 20 years of experience, Dr. Emrah Cinik stands as the undisputed leader in the field. His expertise is recognized by numerous international footballers who have trusted him for their hair transformation.

Celebrity Football Players Treated:

• Rivaldo: 1999 Ballon d'Or winner and 2002 World Cup champion with Brazil
• Djibril Cissé: French international, former Liverpool and Marseille striker
• Bacary Sagna: French international defender, Arsenal and Manchester City legend
• Ludovic Giuly: Former FC Barcelona and AS Monaco winger
• Cyle Larin: Canadian international striker, Besiktas Istanbul star
• Ivan Rakitic: 2018 World Cup runner-up with Croatia, former FC Barcelona player
• Rio Ferdinand: Manchester United legend, 2008 European champion
• Nemanja Gudelj: Serbian international midfielder, Sevilla FC captain

His state-of-the-art 5,000m² clinic, inaugurated in 2019, features 28 operating rooms and employs a team of 65 professionals. Dr. Cinik adopts and perfects the most advanced contemporary techniques, including Sapphire FUE and DHI, significantly optimizing the density and naturalness of achieved results.

Key Data:

• Over 50,000 procedures performed
• 20 years of experience in the field
• Multilingual team including 6 French speakers
• Pricing: from €2,300 (all-inclusive package)
• Techniques: Sapphire FUE, Manual FUE, DHI, Regenera Activa

His establishment stands as a reference center for quality hair restoration procedures, offering 18-month post-operative follow-up and utilizing the latest technological innovations in the sector.

2. Dr. Koray Erdogan (ASMED) – The Technical Pioneer

Dr. Koray Erdogan is globally recognized as the inventor of the KEEP technique (Koray Erdogan Embedding Placer) and co-founder of the World FUE Institute with Dr. Ron Shapiro and Dr. Jose Lorenzo.

Key Data:

• Practicing since 2001 (24 years of experience)
• Inventor of KEEP technique and KE-BOT system
• Founding member of World FUE Institute
• Pricing: €3/graft (incisions performed by the doctor)
• Maximum 2 patients per day
• Exclusive manual extraction (no micromotor)
• Up to 5,000 grafts in mega-session (2 days)
• Trustpilot Rating: 4.0/5 (85 reviews)

His ASMED clinic is renowned for its artisanal approach and surgical precision. Dr Erdogan prioritizes quality over quantity, accepting a maximum of two patients per day.

3. Dr. Resul Yaman – The DHI Innovator

Dr. Resul Yaman has developed his own technical innovations, including the patented DHI implanter and the 3SE methodology (Safe Extraction, Safe Examination, Safe Implantation).

Key Data:

• Practicing since 2009 (16 years of experience)
• Developer of patented DHI implanter
• ISHRS member (International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery)
• Pricing: €1-3.5/graft depending on complexity
• Techniques: Manual FUE, Manual DHI
• Graft survival rate: 98%
• Doctor personally supervises entire procedure

Dr. Yaman distinguishes himself through his personal involvement in every step of the procedure, unlike some colleagues who delegate to technicians.

4. Dr. Tayfun Oguzoglu (DrT Hair Clinic) – The Natural Restoration Expert

With over 20 years of experience and specialization in complex hair reconstruction cases, Dr. Tayfun Oguzoglu has established himself as a reference for natural results.

Key Data:

• Over 20 years of hair transplant experience
• Specialist in revision cases and corrections
• Active ISHRS member
• Pioneer of FUE technique in Turkey
• Techniques: Manual FUE, DHI, hairline reconstruction
• Personalized approach with detailed analysis of each case
• Maximum 2-3 patients per day
• Pricing: €2.5-3.5/graft depending on complexity

His DrT clinic is renowned for the naturalness of results, particularly in hairline reconstruction, and for handling difficult cases refused by other clinics.

5. Dr. Zafer Cetinkaya - The FUE Expert in Istanbul

Dr. Zafer Cetinkaya has distinguished himself through his expertise in FUE technique and personalized approach, with over 15 years of experience in Istanbul.

Key Data:

• Practicing since 2009 (16 years of experience)
• Member of ISHRS and Turkish Society of Plastic Surgery
• Clinic located in prestigious Levent district, Istanbul
• Techniques: Motorized and manual FUE, DHI, beard transplant
•  Maximum 3 patients per day
• Detailed pre-operative consultation with hair analysis
• Pricing: €2-3/graft depending on technique
• Personalized post-operative follow-up for 12 months

Dr. Cetinkaya is recognized for his attention to detail and ability to create natural hairlines adapted to each physiognomy.

Conclusion

Choosing a surgeon for hair transplant in Istanbul depends on multiple factors: budget, desired technique, required graft volume, and expected service level. Each practitioner in this ranking excels in their specialization area, whether it's technical innovation, artisanal approach, or the ability to treat large numbers of patients while maintaining high standards. The key is to choose a surgeon whose expertise and approach match your specific needs and result expectations.

Meey Group, Vietnam’s leading proptech company, today announced the appointment of Léonie Nguyen as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Strong International Network

Ms. Nguyen has served as chief strategy officer at Meey Group since January 2025 and is deeply connected within the global technology and investment ecosystem. She is an investor and advisor to leading AI and Web3 startups worldwide and has co-founded several companies in these sectors.

Before entering the fintech and proptech industries, Nguyen held senior leadership positions overseeing global supply chains and strategic partnerships at Minh Thai ATV, serving major international brands such as Lacoste, Zara, The North Face, and Adidas. She previously worked as a Project Manager at GEODIS and held consulting roles across Europe and Asia.

Nguyen holds a Master of Engineering in industrial engineering from the Université de Technologie de Troyes in France, a dual master’s degree in logistics and management, and several executive certificates from leading U.S. institutions.

Founder Joins Board Leadership

Hoang Mai Chung, founder of Meey Group, will continue as chairman of the board of directors, focusing on long-term vision and strategic partnerships. The complementary leadership structure — combining deep local market insight with global expertise — has already drawn significant interest from international investors.

Preparing for Global Expansion

As CEO, Nguyen will lead Meey Group’s preparation for a global IPO, with a focus on financial standardization, enhanced corporate governance, and international market expansion. The company is working closely with leading advisory firms including Loeb & Loeb LLP, YKVN, and Marcum Asia, and has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications.

Meey Group aims to expand its proptech ecosystem into multiple international markets and strengthen its partnerships with global financial institutions as part of its next growth phase.

Media Contact

Khanh Pham
truyenthong@meeyland.com

Navigating Turkey’s booming hair transplant scene can feel overwhelming. With dozens of clinics promising low prices or flashy results, it’s easy to get lost. In 2025, the real measure of quality lies in surgeon expertise, technology, and follow-up care.

We analyzed clinical outcomes, patient testimonials, recovery protocols, and international recognition to highlight five clinics that consistently deliver high-quality results. These providers prioritize precision, safety, and long-lasting, natural hairlines.

1. Vera Clinic — Istanbul

Best for Complete, Evidence-Based Care

• Full in-house surgical and post-op services
• Pioneers of Oxycure™ Therapy and DHI Max techniques
• 18-month regrowth guarantee for compliant patients

Starting price: €2,990 (all-inclusive)

Why it matters: Vera Clinic is widely recognized as one of the best hair transplant clinics in Turkey, managing every step of the process—from extraction and graft processing to hyperbaric oxygen therapy—under one roof. More than 40,000 international patients trust its proven protocols, supported by industry awards and an overall Google Reviews rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Pro tip: Request a personalized graft range estimate during your consultation to receive realistic expectations tailored to your hair loss stage.

2. ASMED (Dr. Koray Erdoğan) — Istanbul

Best for High-Density and Artistic Hairlines

• Surgeon-led DHI procedures with advanced donor mapping
• Low-trauma extractions to maximize follicle survival
• Limited daily surgeries to maintain meticulous standards

Starting price: €3 per graft

Why it matters: ASMED combines technical precision with aesthetic artistry. Dr. Erdoğan personally oversees each operation, ensuring high-density results without compromising donor areas. Patients seeking precision, published case results, and consistent outcomes often choose this clinic.

Pro tip: Review the clinic’s case galleries featuring your hair type and donor density to gauge expected results.

3. HLC (Hairline Clinic) — Ankara

Best for Natural Hairlines and Subtle Density

• Fully manual FUE; one patient per surgeon per day
• Careful angle and density management for minimal transection
• Structured follow-ups on days 1, 7, and 30

Starting price: €3 per graft

Why it matters: HLC is favored by European patients who value discretion and quiet clinical excellence. The clinic’s manual extraction technique and limited patient schedule ensure high graft survival and natural-looking results.

Pro tip: Send photos in advance to confirm the required number of sessions. HLC prioritizes accuracy over overpromising outcomes.

4. Dr. Muttalip Keser — Istanbul

Best for a Boutique, Surgeon-Focused Approach

• Proprietary micro-punch tools for precise extraction
• Surgeon performs all steps personally; no delegation
• Exclusive weekly appointments for individualized care

Starting price: €8,750 (2,500 grafts)

Why it matters: Dr. Keser provides a boutique experience focused on precision, minimal trauma, and long-term graft retention. This clinic is ideal for patients who value hands-on surgeon care and low-volume, high-quality sessions.

Pro tip: Schedule early in the week to access full post-op support and uninterrupted surgeon attention.

5. Armamed (Dr. Erkan Demirsoy) Istanbul

Best for Honest, Safe, and Personalized Care

• Motorized extraction with manual implantation for balance
• Transparent communication about achievable results
• Conservative approach focusing on natural outcomes

Starting price: €5,000 (all-inclusive)

Why it matters: Armamed is known for reliability and transparency. Dr. Demirsoy personally supervises surgeries, ensuring a low revision rate while prioritizing patient safety and realistic expectations.

Pro tip: Confirm your post-op review is conducted by the surgeon to maintain continuity and confidence during recovery.

Why These Clinics Lead

Selecting a top hair transplant clinic isn’t just about price — it’s about:

• Surgeon expertise: Direct involvement reduces errors and improves outcomes.
• Advanced techniques: Sapphire FUE, DHI, and regenerative therapies enhance graft survival.
• Structured post-op care: Continuous guidance ensures optimal recovery.
• Data-driven validation: Proven graft survival rates and patient satisfaction inspire long-term confidence.

These five clinics exemplify quality, precision, and patient-centered care, setting the standard for 2025.

Final Thoughts

For men and women seeking hair restoration in Turkey, these five clinics — Vera Clinic, ASMED, HLC, Dr. Keser, and Armamed — consistently combine experience, technology, and patient-focused care.

By choosing a clinic based on clinical evidence, surgeon involvement, and recovery protocols, patients can achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results and make a confident investment in their appearance and self-esteem.

Media Contact

Mouheb Bouzgarrou
info@veraclinic.net
+90 542 743 54 08

The global digital casino industry is entering a defining period. Across leading news organizations' business coverage in 2025, analysts highlight how rapid mobile adoption, tighter regulation, and advances in technology are reshaping how players and companies engage with online gaming. The trend signals a broader transformation within the digital entertainment landscape one that places transparency and user trust at the forefront.

Global digital growth and mobile dominance

“The Digital Casino Shift” (October 2025) reports that online casino, has moved from niche status to a major global entertainment sector. The widespread use of smartphones now drives the majority of user traffic, with optimized mobile interfaces, one-click payment systems, and faster onboarding creating seamless access for millions of players.

The shift from desktop to mobile platforms has also expanded inclusivity, allowing users to enjoy secure digital experiences anywhere, at any time.

In the same analysis, the article points out that live-dealer technology has been key to bridging the gap between digital convenience and real-world authenticity. Streaming live tables with professional hosts adds transparency and engagement, helping build user confidence in the fairness of digital play.

Regulation strengthens player protection

A September 2025 review of the United Kingdom’s gambling reforms details several new safeguards designed to protect consumers. These include slower reel speeds, clearer time and spend indicators, and restrictions on automated spins, practical measures aimed at increasing awareness and control for users.

Elsewhere in Europe, updated licensing frameworks in Hungary and Estonia have created more balanced markets. These countries are attracting international operators by combining robust oversight with tax and licensing flexibility. This approach allows innovation to thrive while maintaining compliance with modern consumer protection standards.

Technology leads a new phase of responsibility

Artificial intelligence and real-time data analysis are now essential tools for ensuring safe, fair, and transparent experiences.

“Responsible Gambling Technologies and Tools” (October 2025) outlines how many digital platforms use AI to detect risky behavioral patterns, trigger automated alerts, and encourage voluntary time-outs. This proactive model is becoming an industry standard, ensuring that responsibility is built directly into the user interface.

These tools don’t replace human oversight, they enhance it. By integrating visual feedback, reminders, and spending summaries directly into gameplay, operators can help users make informed choices without interrupting the experience. This balance of entertainment and accountability marks one of the most important shifts in digital gaming.

Innovation and transparency as industry benchmarks

Among the brands advancing this user-first approach is Wildz Casino, known for combining intuitive design with transparent reward systems. 

Its “Levelz” feature adapts free spins and personalized offers based on gameplay, creating a balanced experience that encourages engagement without overwhelming users. Public information about Wildz highlights its emphasis on fair terms, secure payments, and fast withdrawals — attributes that align closely with the trends news organizations identify across the wider digital sector.

Such innovation reflects the growing expectation that technology should empower, not exploit. Whether through user dashboards, clear bonus terms, or AI-driven fairness audits, platforms that prioritize clarity and trust are setting the tone for 2025 and beyond.

Market performance and digital expansion

Economic reporting from leading news organizations shows continued growth in the digital entertainment sector. In the United States, the state of Pennsylvania recorded $6.4 billion in total gaming revenue for the 2025 fiscal year — its highest figure on record, driven largely by online formats.

Forbes published an article about the gambling industry, that shows crypto is supercharging America’s $67 billion shadow gambling sector by enabling fast, anonymous transactions outside regulated frameworks.

As more platforms embrace digital assets, the boundaries between gaming, betting, and financial speculation are blurring on a massive scale. These results demonstrate the structural shift taking place worldwide, as consumer behavior leans toward mobile convenience, operators focusing on digital infrastructure and compliance are achieving sustainable long-term growth.

Regulation as a foundation for sustainable progress

Regulators in multiple markets are now embracing data transparency as a way to reinforce trust. European business coverage from leading news organizations describes how compliance models increasingly require real-time data sharing between licensed platforms and national authorities. Automated auditing, transaction monitoring, and verified digital identities are helping regulators keep pace with technological innovation — transforming oversight from reactive to continuous.

This integration of technology and governance reflects a broader principle: stability and innovation can coexist when accountability is embedded into the system.

The path forward and trust through smart innovation

Looking ahead to 2026, combined market outlooks suggest that artificial intelligence, blockchain-based auditing, and faster payment technologies will further shape the evolution of digital entertainment. Mobile optimization and secure financial ecosystems will remain core priorities, ensuring that digital growth continues responsibly.

Expected developments include:

• Advanced AI systems capable of identifying risky spending in real time
• Transparent, automated compliance reports for regulators
• Seamless integration of verified e-wallets and instant transactions
• Mobile-first user experiences emphasizing clarity and fairness

Publications such as trending have amplified these conversations across the broader tech and business community, exploring how data security, payment innovation, and transparency will define the next stage of digital entertainment.

As digital ecosystems evolve, the industry’s success will depend on a simple principle: combining innovation with integrity. If 2025 marks the year of transformation, the years ahead will determine how technology, trust, and transparency shape the entertainment experiences of millions worldwide.

Inception Fertility, North America's largest provider of fertility services, commends the Trump administration for its policy proposal to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more accessible.

In his press conference, President Trump announced the development of new rules permitting employers to offer supplemental fertility care benefits, similar to dental or vision coverage, and also announced the launch of a program reducing the costs of fertility medication through most favored nation pricing — measures critical in helping more Americans access the care they need to build families.

“Financial barriers remain one of the biggest reasons patients don’t move forward with treatment. That’s why expanding access to care has become just as important for leaders in this space as advancing the technologies that help those same patients,” says TJ Farnsworth, founder and CEO of Inception Fertility. “We commend President Trump for being the first President to prioritize this issue and take meaningful action to expand accessibility to family building treatments.”

Farnsworth is also the founder and president of the Fertility Providers Alliance, an organization of fertility clinic networks, independent fertility clinics, and fertility specialists committed to supporting the activities of fertility care providers by promoting innovation, cooperation, and collective action. Together with Inception Fertility, the FPA has made protecting and expanding IVF a main priority, working with White House officials and policymakers to ensure fertility care remains accessible and supported at the national level.

Infertility affects one in six couples, and the average cost of an IVF cycle can start at $15,000. Data shows that nearly 60% of U.S. employers still do not offer fertility benefits to employers, even as research shows that nearly 90% of employees would consider moving to companies that offer fertility benefits. In addition, the cost of fertility medication can represent upwards of 20% of the total out of pocket costs for treatment and medication.

Because policy changes can take months or even years, those who have been diagnosed with infertility, or are experiencing challenges in building their families, are encouraged not to delay seeking care. A reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist (REI) can help identify the underlying cause of infertility, and often times, patients who do work with an REI go on to conceive without needing IVF. For patients who do need advanced treatment options, there are financing options available.

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.

About The Prelude Network®   

The Prelude Network® (Prelude), the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in North America, is the clinic network of Inception Fertility™ — a family of fertility brands that touches every part of the fertility journey, including diagnostics and treatment to financial accessibility.  

Each clinic, as part of Prelude, is committed to delivering the highest level of personalized fertility care by the nation's leading reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and practitioners by focusing on an excellence in science, medicine and the patient experience. The growing Prelude Network has more than 90 total locations nationwide, offering a wide range of fertility services including egg freezing, IVF, genetic testing, LGBTQ+ fertility options, and egg/embryo storage, among others.   

Those clinics within Prelude include Aspire Fertility Austin (Texas); Aspire Fertility Dallas (Texas); Aspire Fertility McAllen (Texas); Aspire Fertility San Antonio (Texas); Aspire Houston Fertility Institute (Texas); Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago (Illinois); Center for Reproductive Medicine (Florida); Indiana Fertility Institute (Indiana); IVFMD (Florida); Main Line Fertility (Pennsylvania); NYU Langone Fertility Center (New York); NYU Langone RSNY (New York); Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (Canada); Pacific Fertility Center (California); Regional Fertility Program (Canada); Reproductive Biology Associates (Georgia); Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey (New Jersey); Tennessee Fertility Institute (Tennessee), and The Reproductive Medicine Group (Florida).

Media Contact

Mia Humphreys
mhumphreys@kruppagency.com
+1 239-297-6592

Coupert, a browser extension from COUPERT PTE.LTD., has reached 8 million weekly active users and operates across more than 200,000 online stores. The company positions Coupert as a tool that applies coupon codes at checkout and offers cashback at participating merchants.

Shopper benefits (automatic savings in the checkout flow)

Coupert is designed to help everyday shoppers find value without extra steps. The browser extension detects coupon fields on supported retailers, tests eligible codes, and applies the best available reduction during checkout. When a store participates in cashback, users are prompted to activate it before payment so potential rewards can be tracked in their account. To help with timing and product choice, Coupert also shows price comparison and price-history information. For consumers, the practical benefit is fewer tabs and less guesswork while completing a purchase. This approach is aimed at reducing common pain points such as expired codes, confusing exclusions, and missed rewards.

Coupert skillfully navigates your shopping experience, showcasing its potent features with subtle on-page cues at each turn. Because the ultimate application of any offer depends on the business, it is advised that the discriminating consumer study the rules of each merchant with regard to discounts, returns, and reward programs. 

Market context and positioning (why coupon and cashback tools matter)

Shoppers continue to look for simple ways to control total costs as online prices move with promotions and seasonal demand. In this environment, coupon sites and cashback apps remain popular, but many require manual searching or separate portals. Coupert’s in-cart model is presented as a consolidated layer that brings automatic coupons and rewards into the checkout page. For users comparing options across the savings category, Coupert positions itself among the best coupon app choices by focusing on one-click prompts and price context that can help decide whether to buy now or wait. The extension is also described as a coupon extension and a cashback browser extension, reflecting its dual function inside the cart. The best programs operate directly on the retailer's website, so you don't have to manage many different coupon applications.  Although your final savings ultimately depend on each store's specific restrictions and the day's best offers, Coupert's brilliance rests in its feather-light, uniform experience across all supported merchants.

Key milestones and footprint (scale and partnerships)

Coupert now serves over 8 million weekly active users and works with over 200,000 online stores across multiple categories. This footprint helps increase the likelihood that a typical cart will qualify for either a coupon, cashback, or both. Coverage spans large retail platforms as well as specialty merchants, with availability varying by region and season. Coupert highlights steady adoption among users who prefer faster checkouts and consistent prompts over manual code searches.

“Our objective is to make savings straightforward at the point of purchase,” said a company spokesperson. “Reaching 8 million weekly active users reflects broad demand for clear, in-cart savings tools.” The firm says it continues to expand store coverage and refine its price intelligence features so buyers can compare options and evaluate timing. Coupert adds that its prompts are designed to be unobtrusive, with simple on/off controls for shoppers who want to pause or resume assistance on a given site.

Product overview in brief (how it works day-to-day)

On supported checkout pages, Coupert identifies the coupon field and runs available codes to find the best result. If a retailer offers cashback through Coupert, users can enable it before finishing payment and later review the status in their account. The extension’s price-history and comparison views help users consider alternatives and understand recent price movements. The company notes that returns or order changes can affect rewards, and that the availability of discounts can change during peak promotional periods. The experience is designed to be consistent: add items to the cart, apply codes, activate cashback where available, and complete the purchase. For shoppers who prefer a minimal setup, the extension can be installed and used immediately, with optional account sign-in to track rewards. The goal is to reduce friction and make it easier to capture everyday savings without managing multiple tabs or copying codes from external sources, while keeping controls visible to the user throughout the process.

Getting started and additional information

Coupert can be installed directly from the Chrome Web Store and used immediately to apply automatic coupons and cashback offers. The first link referenced is a referral join path; the second is the product’s listing page. Users who sign in can monitor pending and posted rewards in their account and review price tools when evaluating purchases. Additional information is available on the company's website.

About Coupert

Coupert is a free, AI-powered shopping assistant browser extension that helps users save money and time through automatic coupon application, cashback rewards, price comparison, and price-history tracking. Headquartered in New York, Coupert has over 8 million weekly active users and covers more than 200,000 online stores worldwide. To learn more, visit www.coupert.com.

Media Contact

COUPERT PTE.LTD.
media@coupert.com

Family-owned law firm RA & Associates has achieved a $2.4 million settlement in a recent California car accident case, underscoring its reputation for securing high-value results while delivering deeply personal client attention. The firm, which currently serves clients throughout California, is preparing to expand its legal services into Arizona and Nevada.

Founded and operated by a husband-and-wife team, RA & Associates blends the resources of a large firm with the dedication of a boutique practice, treating every client as if they’re the only one. In the last year alone, the firm has secured multiple seven-figure settlements, positioning itself as one of the most results-driven personal injury firms in the region.

“We built this firm on the belief that clients deserve both power and personal attention,” said Romel Ambarchyan, managing partner of RA & Associates. “Our size allows us to focus on each case with precision, while our results speak to the strength of our advocacy.”

Unlike larger firms where clients can feel like just another case number, RA & Associates prioritizes individualized legal strategies that maximize settlement value and accelerate results. This client-first approach has earned them a growing roster of successful verdicts and settlements.

The firm’s strategic expansion into Arizona and Nevada reflects a growing demand for high-impact legal representation that doesn’t sacrifice personal connection. RA & Associates aims to bring its proven track record of results and service excellence to even more clients seeking justice after serious accidents.

For individuals or families impacted by personal injury and looking for powerful legal representation with personal attention, RA & Associates offers complimentary consultations.

About RA & Associates

RA & Associates is a California-based, family-owned personal injury law firm dedicated to maximizing client outcomes through strategic, aggressive legal representation. Known for its high-value settlements and personalized client care, the firm is expanding its services to Arizona and Nevada to meet growing demand. For more information, visit raandassociates.com.

Media Contact

RA & Associates
info@raandassociates.com

BoldData continues under a new name: CompanyData.com. Same team, same service, but a simpler and more powerful name. After two decades of helping businesses worldwide grow with verified company data, the rebranding marks the essence of the data company: bringing clarity and accuracy to a world overflowing with information.

“More data is being generated than ever, but that also makes it harder for businesses to keep oversight,” says CompanyData.com CEO Daan Wolff. “We cut through the noise by bringing clarity and simplicity to the complex world of international data. Our worldwide company database is structured with global hierarchies and rooted in trusted local sources. From national trade registers to chambers of commerce. No scraping, no estimates. Just verified company data you can trust.”

The new name is simply the next step in that mission. Wolff: “Our new name cuts right to the point. CompanyData.com tells the world exactly who we are and what we deliver: company data that is accurate, reliable, and ready to use at scale. It’s simple, powerful, and makes our mission unmistakable.”

Looking Ahead

CompanyData.com remains committed to empowering businesses worldwide to build, sell, verify and grow, supported by accurate and official company data. With a database covering 380 million companies across 200 countries, verified at the source and ready to use at scale.

About CompanyData.com

CompanyData.com (formerly BoldData) is a global company data provider headquartered in the Netherlands, with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dubai. Since 2013, we’ve supported over 5,000 clients in 81 countries with verified, structured company data. We specialize in custom-built datasets with legal entity data, company hierarchies, contact data and B2B email data. Our mission is to make global company data simple, transparent and truly useful. Visit our new website at companydata.com.

Media Contact

Daan Wolff
d.wolff@companydata.com