LONDON: Beeks Financial Cloud Group plc (AIM: BKS), a cloud computing and connectivity provider for financial markets, is delighted to announce that it has signed a significant new Exchange Cloud contract with Kraken, one of the longest-standing, most liquid and secure cryptocurrency exchanges, based in San Francisco. With Exchange Cloud already delivering results in the Tier…
Foresight proposes to acquire Harmony Energy Income Trust for £190.8 million
LONDON: Harmony Energy Income Trust plc (HEIT) announced Monday that its board has agreed in principle to financial terms proposed by Foresight Group LLP for a potential acquisition of HEIT’s entire share capital. Under the proposed agreement, HEIT shareholders would receive 84 pence per share in cash, valuing the company’s ordinary share capital at £190.8 million. The…
AstraZeneca signs definitive agreement to acquire EsoBiotec for $1 billion
LONDON: AstraZeneca has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire EsoBiotec, a biotechnology company pioneering in vivo cell therapies that has demonstrated promising early clinical activity. The EsoBiotec Engineered NanoBody Lentiviral (ENaBL) platform empowers the immune system to attack cancers and could offer many more patients access to transformative cell therapy treatments delivered in just minutes rather…
archTIS enhances security capabilities with Direktiv acquisition
SYDNEY: archTIS Limited (ASX:AR9) announced the acquisition of Direktiv’s technology assets, workforce, and customer base. The acquisition is valued at $750,000, to be paid in three installments over 12 months. This integration will enable archTIS to incorporate Direktiv’s attribute-based access control (ABAC) technology, enhancing its zero trust security frameworks. The technology aims to secure sensitive…
DigiCo REIT targets strategic capital partnerships and expansion pipeline
SYDNEY: DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT), a diversified owner, operator, and developer of data centres, is exploring opportunities to accelerate growth through capital partnerships. The company aims to introduce capital partners to its U.S. operations and Australian colocation assets, targeting leveraged project IRRs of 8-12% and 15-30%, respectively. This strategy is expected to provide additional funding…
Understanding the Private Law Aspects of Token-Based Central Bank Digital Currencies
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are gaining significant attention worldwide, with many central banks exploring their potential. As of late 2023, 94% of 86 surveyed central banks are actively researching CBDCs, and three countries—The Bahamas, Nigeria, and Jamaica—have already issued their own CBDCs. However, the legal foundations of CBDCs, particularly under private law, are often…
China Eastern Airlines new route between Shanghai and Abu Dhabi to start next month
China Eastern Airlines (CEA) just announced the launch of a new direct route between Shanghai Pudong and Abu Dhabi. The service, set to commence on April 28, will make CEA the first Chinese airline to connect the two cities. The flights will be operated under a joint partnership with Etihad Airways. The new route, designated as…
bd-capital closes second fund at €430 million, surpassing target
LONDON: bd-capital, the pan-European, operator-led investment firm, has announced the final closing of its second fund, bd-capital Fund 2 (“Fund 2”), at €430 million. The fund exceeded its target of €350 million by more than 20% after less than twelve months in the market. With the closing of Fund 2, bd-capital’s assets under management now total…
U.K. economy shrinks by 0.1% in January
LONDON: The United Kingdom’s economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% month-on-month in January, according to official figures released on Friday. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributed the decline primarily to a contraction in the production sector. Economists polled by Reuters had anticipated a 0.1% growth in the country’s GDP for January. The U.K. economy had previously…
Digitalbox acquires The Life Network from Media Chain Group
Completion of Acquisition of The Life Network from Media Chain Group LimitedLONDON: Digitalbox plc (AIM: DBOX), the mobile-first digital media business has exchanged contracts to acquire the digital assets of The Life Network from Media Chain Group Limited for a total consideration of £200,000. The acquisition is subject to completion of satisfactory testing by Digitalbox, as set…
HgCapital Trust plc announces investment in Scopevisio AG
LONDON: HgCapital Trust plc (HgT) today announced an investment in Scopevisio AG, a leading innovator in cloud-based business automation. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. HgT will invest approximately £4.8 million in Scopevisio, with other institutional clients of Hg investing alongside HgT through the Hg Mercury 4 Fund. HgT, whose shares are listed on the…
Software Circle plc acquires Total Drive Software for £7.5 million
LONDON: Software Circle plc (AIM: SFT) announced today the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Total Drive Software Limited, an end-to-end software solution provider for driving instructors. The acquisition is valued at up to £7.5 million, to be satisfied in cash on a debt-free and cash-free basis. The deal is projected to be cash flow…