Animoca Brands, leader del gaming Web3, has officially become part of the MultiversX PoS (Proof of Stake) network.

Animoca Brands becomes a validator of the MultiversX PoS network: a new chapter for Web3 gaming

Andrea Orcel has made another surprise move in the fight to dominate the Italian financial system.

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UniCredit SpA has made a surprise new move in the fight to dominate the Italian financial system by unveiling a minority stake in Assicurazioni Generali SpA.

UniCredit reveals a strategic 4.1% stake in Generali, as its CEO sharpens focus on Banco BPM and Commerzbank investments.

UniCredit's Stake In Generali Raises Eyebrows In Italian Finance - Finimize

In a different notification, HDFC Bank revealed that it has also obtained RBI approval to purchase a share of up to 9.5 per cent in Capital Small Finance Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Until January 2, 2026, this approval is still in effect. The apex bank's letter, dated January 3, 2025, permits ...

HDFC Bank Gets Nod From RBI To Purchase 9.5% Stake In AU Small Finance Bank

At COP29, nearly 200 nations are expected to agree on a new finance goal beyond 2025.

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Saudi Arabia-based United Electronics Co., known as Extra, will proceed with the listing of a 30% stake in its financial services unit on the Saudi main market.

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At Yahoo Finance, you get free stock quotes, up-to-date news, portfolio management resources, international market data, social interaction and mortgage rates that help you manage your financial life.

Magnetar Financial LLC Acquires New Stake in Comtech Telecommunications Corp

Petersburg, Florida, who works out of the local Subway sandwich shop and likes placing big bets in the stock market and at the poker table. He’s put down $8 million wagering there’s solid potential in the financially struggling retailer — especially if a real buyout artist comes out of ...

Florida Man Amassing Container Store Stake Is No Buyout King

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Cybercriminals are now attacking larger organizations for bigger payouts. With ransom demands doubling between the first and fourth quarters of 2022, as demonstrated in Fig 1, they currently exceed $1 million, making it crucial for enterprises to bolster their defenses. Notably, this trend where larger organizations are getting targeted for higher ransoms by attackers comes when these firms have increased their reliance on remote work, digitalized control, and cloud-based operations, adopting lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are various steps you can take to safeguard your organization from this growing cybersecurity threat. They include employee training and awareness, data backups, regular software and application updates, antimalware software, network segmentation, optimized email protections, application allowlisting, access protection, and regular penetration testing. How to Safeguard Your Organization Against Ransomware Attacks How to Safeguard Your Organization Against Ransomware Attacks Employee Training and Awareness Employee Training and Awareness The first step in safeguarding your organization against ransomware attacks is employee training. All workers must understand ransomware attacks as part of their cybersecurity awareness campaigns. Make sure to enlist the assistance of renowned organizational cybersecurity companies to engage in both online and physical training. Employees must know and understand the risk points, ransomware response frameworks, developments in ransomware attacks, and how to react to suspicious online and offline activity. Proper training and awareness ensure your organization and its employees are ready for attacks. Backup All Critical Data Backup All Critical Data Backing up all critical data using the 3-2-1 methodology protects an organization's data against attackers, making recovery from attacks easier and faster. The 3-2-1 methodology entails saving all critical organizational data as three separate copies in two different types of data storage and ensuring one copy is always offline and air-gaped. Consider using high-tech, solid-state, large-capacity portable hard disks with encryption capabilities for offline storage. Also, cloud-based storage complements hard disks, and I am considering working with reputable companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Egnyte Business Storage, and Tresorit Business Cloud Storage. Always prescribe for business packages when dealing with cloud storage options because they have higher security functionalities and offer high-capacity, immutable storage. Keep all Software, User Passwords, and Systems Updated Keep all Software, User Passwords, and Systems Updated Various malware like viruses and ransomware evolve to evade aging cybersecurity systems and software. Therefore, you should continuously update your systems to the latest version to benefit from in-built cybersecurity features. Also, an organization elevates its ransomware protection by updating its software regularly to keep abreast of ransomware mutations. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which crippled the UK's healthcare infrastructure, Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica, and Taiwanese tech giant TSMC was caused by laxity in updating cybersecurity software and the Microsoft operating systems. User Passwords are common access points through which ransomware makes its way into organizational networks that rely on remote access. According to socradar.io, up to 21% of all ransomware attacks in 2020 were attributable to weak passwords in the access management systems of organizations, as demonstrated in the infographic in Fig 2. Therefore, one must consider teaching password management practices like creating long, multi-symbolic alphanumeric passwords that can only be used for a limited period. If the user fails to update their password, they are locked out of the system. After creating a new, similarly strong password, they must utilize multiple-factor authentication to access the network. Phishing attacks rely on weak passwords and other reckless practices in weak access management systems. Also, combining biometric information with card-based passwords makes cards useless when their verifiable owners are absent. socradar.io Install and Use Renowned Firewalls and Antivirus Software Install and Use Renowned Firewalls and Antivirus Software Firewalls are the first defense against attacks targeting online software and hardware. It would help if you sourced the latest firewalls from reputable companies like Sophos, pfSense, and FortiGate. Always seek firewalls designed for business applications because they have advanced ransomware defense capabilities. Also, VPN-specific ransomware detection functionalities should be included to protect businesses that rely on remote access operations and cloud-based storage. Combine high-level firewalls with reputable antivirus software for enterprises like Norton, ESET, and Bitdefender. The IT technicians serving your company or organization must set these two levels of ransomware defenses to scan the entire system daily. Weekly full system scans are advisable as they take longer and may interrupt operations. Segment Your Network Segment Your Network Network segmentation entails dividing the organization’s operational environment and infrastructure into smaller tiers or sub-networks that are wholly isolated but work in coordination. This ransomware mitigation strategy aims to reduce the access and damage attacks can render to the organization. Ransomware attacks rely on network integration to spread from their entry point into other hardware and software components. Network segmentation isolates the malware to certain levels of the organization’s systems and infrastructure, reducing damage and improving recovery from the attack. One of the best implementations of network segmentation is physical architecture, where individual hardware items are maintained in separate subnets. However, physical architecture may limit operational efficiency due to the difficulty of remotely managing the isolated physical components. Physical segmentation may incorporate static IP addresses and advanced features at the levels of switches and routers to isolate external access attempts. An emerging trend in organizational protection is intent-based segmentation, where network semantics dictate why the network has segmented itself from the central system. This form of network segregation benefits small and more significant business organizations with additional security features like zero-trust network principles. This segmentation approach is also essential in organizations with discrete operations that rely on need-to-know data requiring higher security levels, even from internal operators. Micro-segmentation is also taking off as an advanced form of network segmentation that incorporates virtual local area networks (VLANs) and access control lists to dictate segment access in conjunction with intent-based protocols. Update Email Protections Update Email Protections Emails are integral to how ransomware accesses business organizations through downloadable suspicious email attachments, links to infected software, and social engineering. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), emails are the leading entry methods for ransomware into business organizations, accounting for more than 54% of all ransomware attacks in 2020. Therefore, consider updating the organization's email protections to protect yourself from email risk points. First, employees should never open emails from unknown senders. This includes clicking on the email’s bodies, and they should report such emails immediately to the IT department personnel and management. Secondly, constantly update client email applications to benefit from high-level cybersecurity features. Thirdly, establish Sender Policy Frameworks (SPFs), which entail designating specific servers from which client emails can only come for additional security. Fourth, establish DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), which involves digital signatures and an encryption key for emails from verified and known senders. Finally, email protection must include Domain Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC), which combines SPF and DKIM functionalities in a dynamic package, as demonstrated below in Fig 3. Application Whitelisting Application Whitelisting Application whitelisting is a network security feature that designates which applications a network can download, open, and use in its functionalities and infrastructure. Malware ordinarily piggybacks on legitimate applications, imitating appearance, authentication, and functionalities. Other malware used in ransomware attacks utilize macros to trick unsuspecting or reckless organizational personnel into downloading trojans and viruses by hiding in MS Word documents. Whitelisting prevents such malware from executing through advanced detection processes. Ransomware morphs at a very rapid rate to avoid detection and imitate various legitimate applications. However, regardless of how fast such malware morphs to avoid detection, if it is not on the application whitelist serving the network’s cybersecurity purposes, it cannot gain access to data or systems. Applications whitelisting best practices dictate that whitelisted applications gain access to the network using zero-trust architecture. Also, only authorized network administrators who require access to such applications and network sections or functionalities are allowed to use such applications on the network. One of the most common whitelisting apps is Windows AppLocker, which could enable the user to benefit from additional Microsoft ransomware detection and management functionalities. End-User Device and Access Privilege Protections End-User Device and Access Privilege Protections End-user protection during ransomware mitigation entails detection and authenticating end-user access to protected networks. Herein, your organization must be able to detect all forms of access, whether through laptops, smartphones, tablets, flash disks, or hard drives, physically or remotely. Consider employing advanced End Point Detection and Response (EDR) services and applications like Bitdefender EDR and Cisco Advanced Malware Protection for Endpoints in your organization, as they provide continuous monitoring, detection, and response to network access and suspicious hardware or software activities. Standard EDR tools combine antimalware, data encryption, intrusion detection, mobile and desktop security, and web browser security with real-time notification and alert functionalities. Notably, least privilege strategies of access management can also contribute to safeguarding your organization against ransomware attacks. This strategy entails providing authenticated and verified users on the network with only access and data necessary to perform predetermined activities. Also, the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) policy helps prevent ransomware through access and end-user management. Only verified users with specific roles are granted access to data and systems relevant to their intended and reported activities in the network. These strategies for access control are complemented by multi-factor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust architecture. Regular Intrusion and Readiness Testing Regular Intrusion and Readiness Testing Regular intrusion and readiness testing is the final safeguard against ransomware attacks. This strategy entails simulating breaches using various known and cutting-edge ransomware strategies in discrete and random tests to test personnel readiness, system preparedness, and mitigation strategy performance. In addition, organizations must consider regularly re-evaluating access points and user privileges, identifying new or mutated system vulnerabilities, and creating new security protocols in keeping with the best industry standards. Regular intrusion and readiness testing also involves retraining all organizational personnel on common points of risk like regular password changing with solid alternatives, safe web surfing, and browsing, implementation of robust VPNs by avoiding public Wi-Fi zones, and recognition of suspicious and malicious files or online content. The organization must also regularly train its personnel on the most up-to-date social engineering practices. It is best practice to engage renowned organizational cybersecurity firms periodically in training and retraining activities to understand the developments and needs of the firm fully. Conclusion In conclusion, ransomware attacks are increasingly growing and targeting larger organizations in what is now known as 'big fish hunting.' The frequency of such cyberattacks is increasing, as are the ransom amounts demanded by the attacks. This unfortunate cybersecurity trend coincides with the post-COVID-19 pandemic, where most medium and large organizations have adopted additional online functionalities and embraced remote working. However, you can safeguard your organization from ransomware through employee training and awareness, data backups, regular software and application updates, antimalware software, network segmentation, optimized email protections, application whitelisting, access protection, and regular penetration testing. References References https://www.coveware.com/blog/2023/4/28/big-game-hunting-is-back-despite-decreasing-ransom-payment-amounts
https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/ransomware-wannacry
https://socradar.io/top-five-causes-of-ransomware-attacks/
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/enterprise-network-security/intent-based-network-security-aag.html#:~:text=Intent-based network security is,the distributed network it exists.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-the-internet-crime-complaint-center-2020-internet-crime-report-including-covid-19-scam-statistics
https://blog.mdaemon.com/dmarc-best-practices-securing-your-email-communications
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/malware/macro-malware
https://www.digitalguardian.com/blog/what-role-based-access-control-rbac-examples-benefits-and-more https://www.coveware.com/blog/2023/4/28/big-game-hunting-is-back-despite-decreasing-ransom-payment-amounts https://www.coveware.com/blog/2023/4/28/big-game-hunting-is-back-despite-decreasing-ransom-payment-amounts https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/ransomware-wannacry https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/ransomware-wannacry https://socradar.io/top-five-causes-of-ransomware-attacks/ https://socradar.io/top-five-causes-of-ransomware-attacks/ https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/enterprise-network-security/intent-based-network-security-aag.html#:~:text=Intent-based network security is,the distributed network it exists. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/enterprise-networks/enterprise-network-security/intent-based-network-security-aag.html#:~:text=Intent-based network security is,the distributed network it exists https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-the-internet-crime-complaint-center-2020-internet-crime-report-including-covid-19-scam-statistics https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-the-internet-crime-complaint-center-2020-internet-crime-report-including-covid-19-scam-statistics https://blog.mdaemon.com/dmarc-best-practices-securing-your-email-communications https://blog.mdaemon.com/dmarc-best-practices-securing-your-email-communications https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/malware/macro-malware https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/malware/macro-malware https://www.digitalguardian.com/blog/what-role-based-access-control-rbac-examples-benefits-and-more https://www.digitalguardian.com/blog/what-role-based-access-control-rbac-examples-benefits-and-more

The High Stakes of Big Game Hunting in Cybersecurity

Agile is a Balancing Act. Stakeholders Want Everything. Your Team Can’t Do It All. Agile is a tightrope walk. One moment, you’re helping the team hit their sprint goal. The next, a stakeholder drops in with a "quick request" that could throw everything off balance. If you push back, you risk frustrating them. If you say yes, you overload the team and compromise quality. Sound familiar? If you work in an agile environment—especially as a BA, PM, or Scrum Master—you know the drill. You’re constantly managing expectations, juggling priorities, and, let’s be honest, playing defense against scope creep. If you don’t learn to push back strategically, you’ll either: ✅ End up in "yes-mode", where every new request delays progress. ❌ Be labeled as "the blocker", even though you’re just keeping things under control. Neither is great. But here’s the good news: you can say no—without making enemies or derailing projects. Saying No is Hard, But Saying Yes to Everything is Worse Let’s face it: no one enjoys being told “no.” Especially stakeholders who: Think everything is top priority.
Believe adding “just one more thing” is simple (spoiler: it’s usually not).
Have leadership breathing down their necks for faster delivery. But here’s the reality: Saying yes to everything means missed deadlines, exhausted teams, and a bloated product roadmap.
Saying no the wrong way makes people feel ignored—or worse, they escalate their request to leadership. Your job isn’t to reject ideas outright—it’s to manage them strategically so the team stays focused on what truly matters. The Right Way to Push Back (Without Sounding Like a Roadblock) 🔥 Tactical Framework: The “A.R.O” Method (Align, Redirect, Offer) 🔥 Instead of just shutting down requests, use this three-step approach to keep things positive and solution-focused: 1️⃣ Align → Show You Understand Their Request Before you push back, acknowledge the request. Make the stakeholders feel heard. ✅ “That’s a great idea—I see how that could help [business goal].” ✅“I get why this is important, and I know it would improve [specific use case].” 🎯 Why? Because people hate being dismissed. A little validation goes a long way in keeping the conversation productive. A stakeholder once requested a custom email template/update to an existing template in the middle of a sprint. Instead of shutting it down, I responded: ✔“Customizing text makes the template more relevant and effective—I see why this matters. (ALIGN)." ✔“Right now, we’re focused on completing the current tasks in the sprint, and adding this would delay that release. (REDIRECT)." ✔“But we can review this in backlog refinement and see where it fits best. (OFFER).” They didn’t love the answer—but they understood the trade-off, and that’s what mattered. 2️⃣ Redirect → Shift Focus to Priorities & Constraints Once they feel heard, gently guide the conversation back to the team’s existing commitments. ❌ Instead of: “We don’t have time for this.” ✅ Say: “Right now, we’re committed to [priority feature], and adding this would push back that timeline.” OR, if leadership is involved: ✅“I’d love to explore this! But based on our roadmap, it would require shifting priorities. Would you like to discuss what we can trade-off?” 🎯 Why? Because this turns the conversation into a prioritization discussion instead of a hard rejection. 3️⃣ Offer → Find a Path Forward (That Doesn’t Derail Everything) Stakeholders don’t just want an answer—they want options. Even if you can’t say yes, offer a reasonable next step. ✔ “We can look at this for the next sprint.” ✔“If we deprioritize [X], we might be able to fit this in. Is that an option?” ✔“We can do a lightweight version now and expand on it later. Would that work?” 🎯 Why? Because this keeps the conversation collaborative rather than combative. Handling Difficult Stakeholders (Because Some Won’t Take No for an Answer) Even if you use this approach, some stakeholders will still push back. Here’s how to handle the most common scenarios: 📌 Scenario 1: “I need this ASAP.” 🚀 Your Response: “I hear you. Let’s look at trade-offs—what are you okay with delaying so we can fit this in?” 👉Forces them to recognize the impact of their request instead of assuming it can just be added in. I once had a feature request to add/copy over an existing feature for a different set of users right before the launch of the application. Instead of rejecting it, I asked: ✔“If we prioritize this, it means delaying the feature your team requested in the last sprint. Do you want to make that trade?” Once they realized the impact, they backed off. 📌 Scenario 2: They Go Around You to Leadership. 💡 Your Response: “I understand why this is important. Let’s get leadership involved so we can collectively decide how to prioritize it.” 👉This keeps the conversation structured instead of turning it into a conflict. 📌 Scenario 3: They Keep Changing Requirements Mid-Sprint. ⏳ Your Response: “I get that priorities shift, but once a sprint starts, any changes need to be considered for the next sprint so we don’t disrupt progress. Let’s queue this up for the backlog.” 👉This reinforces that agile is structured, not an on-the-fly request system. Your Playbook for Handling Stakeholders Like a Pro Want to make these conversations easier? Set expectations before they become a problem. ✅ Create a Transparent Roadmap→ If stakeholders know what’s planned, they’re less likely to demand last-minute changes. ✅Use Data, Not Just Words → Instead of “We don’t have time,” say “This request would take ~4 weeks, which would push back [X].” ✅Make Prioritization a Shared Responsibility → If they want to add something, they should help decide what gets cut. Final Thoughts: Saying No is About Protecting Value, Not Rejecting Ideas Agile BAs aren’t note-takers—they’re decision facilitators. ✅ Your job isn’t to say no—it’s to make sure the right things get built at the right time. ✅ The more strategic you are in these conversations, the more respect you earn from both stakeholders and your team. ✅ Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s guiding stakeholders toward better decisions. Your Turn: I know every BA has a war story about pushing back on a wild stakeholder request. What’s yours? What’s the toughest ‘no’ you’ve ever had to deliver? Let’s hear it in the comments! Agile is a Balancing Act. Stakeholders Want Everything. Your Team Can’t Do It All. Agile is a Balancing Act. Stakeholders Want Everything. Your Team Can’t Do It All. Agile is a tightrope walk. One moment, you’re helping the team hit their sprint goal. The next, a stakeholder drops in with a "quick request" that could throw everything off balance. "quick request" If you push back, you risk frustrating them. If you say yes, you overload the team and compromise quality. Sound familiar? If you work in an agile environment—especially as a BA, PM, or Scrum Master—you know the drill. You’re constantly managing expectations, juggling priorities, and, let’s be honest, playing defense against scope creep. If you don’t learn to push back strategically , you’ll either: defense push back strategically ✅ End up in "yes-mode" , where every new request delays progress. "yes-mode" ❌ Be labeled as "the blocker" , even though you’re just keeping things under control. "the blocker" Neither is great. But here’s the good news: you can say no—without making enemies or derailing projects. you can say no—without making enemies or derailing projects. Saying No is Hard, But Saying Yes to Everything is Worse Saying No is Hard, But Saying Yes to Everything is Worse Let’s face it: no one enjoys being told “no.” Especially stakeholders who: no one enjoys being told “no.” Think everything is top priority. Believe adding “just one more thing” is simple (spoiler: it’s usually not). Have leadership breathing down their necks for faster delivery. Think everything is top priority . top priority Believe adding “just one more thing” is simple (spoiler: it’s usually not). Have leadership breathing down their necks for faster delivery. But here’s the reality: Saying yes to everything means missed deadlines, exhausted teams, and a bloated product roadmap. Saying no the wrong way makes people feel ignored—or worse, they escalate their request to leadership. Saying yes to everything means missed deadlines, exhausted teams, and a bloated product roadmap. yes to everything missed deadlines, exhausted teams, and a bloated product roadmap. Saying no the wrong way makes people feel ignored—or worse, they escalate their request to leadership. no the wrong way Your job isn’t to reject ideas outright —it’s to manage them strategically so the team stays focused on what truly matters. reject ideas outright manage them strategically The Right Way to Push Back (Without Sounding Like a Roadblock) The Right Way to Push Back (Without Sounding Like a Roadblock) 🔥 Tactical Framework: The “A.R.O” Method (Align, Redirect, Offer) 🔥 Tactical Framework: The “A.R.O” Method Instead of just shutting down requests , use this three-step approach to keep things positive and solution-focused: shutting down requests three-step approach 1️⃣ Align → Show You Understand Their Request 1️⃣ Align → Show You Understand Their Request Before you push back, acknowledge the request. Make the stakeholders feel heard. ✅ “That’s a great idea—I see how that could help [business goal].” “That’s a great idea—I see how that could help [business goal].” ✅“I get why this is important, and I know it would improve [specific use case].” 🎯 Why? Because people hate being dismissed. A little validation goes a long way in keeping the conversation productive. Why? goes a long way A stakeholder once requested a custom email template/update to an existing template in the middle of a sprint. Instead of shutting it down, I responded: a custom email template/update to an existing template ✔“Customizing text makes the template more relevant and effective—I see why this matters. (ALIGN)." ✔“Right now, we’re focused on completing the current tasks in the sprint, and adding this would delay that release. (REDIRECT)." ✔“But we can review this in backlog refinement and see where it fits best. (OFFER).” They didn’t love the answer—but they understood the trade-off, and that’s what mattered. 2️⃣ Redirect → Shift Focus to Priorities & Constraints 2️⃣ Redirect → Shift Focus to Priorities & Constraints Once they feel heard, gently guide the conversation back to the team’s existing commitments. gently guide the conversation back to the team’s existing commitments. ❌ Instead of: “We don’t have time for this.” “We don’t have time for this.” ✅ Say: “Right now, we’re committed to [priority feature], and adding this would push back that timeline.” “Right now, we’re committed to [priority feature], and adding this would push back that timeline.” OR, if leadership is involved: ✅“I’d love to explore this! But based on our roadmap, it would require shifting priorities. Would you like to discuss what we can trade-off?” 🎯 Why? Because this turns the conversation into a prioritization discussion instead of a hard rejection. Why? this turns the conversation into a prioritization discussion 3️⃣ Offer → Find a Path Forward (That Doesn’t Derail Everything) 3️⃣ Offer → Find a Path Forward (That Doesn’t Derail Everything) Stakeholders don’t just want an answer—they want options . Even if you can’t say yes, offer a reasonable next step . options a reasonable next step ✔ “We can look at this for the next sprint.” “We can look at this for the next sprint.” ✔“If we deprioritize [X], we might be able to fit this in. Is that an option?” ✔“We can do a lightweight version now and expand on it later. Would that work?” 🎯 Why? Because this keeps the conversation collaborative rather than combative. Why? collaborative Handling Difficult Stakeholders (Because Some Won’t Take No for an Answer) Handling Difficult Stakeholders (Because Some Won’t Take No for an Answer) Even if you use this approach, some stakeholders will still push back. Here’s how to handle the most common scenarios: will still push back. 📌 Scenario 1: “I need this ASAP.” 📌 Scenario 1: “I need this ASAP.” 🚀 Your Response: “I hear you. Let’s look at trade-offs—what are you okay with delaying so we can fit this in?” Your Response: “I hear you. Let’s look at trade-offs—what are you okay with delaying so we can fit this in?” 👉Forces them to recognize the impact of their request instead of assuming it can just be added in. I once had a feature request to add/copy over an existing feature for a different set of users right before the launch of the application. Instead of rejecting it, I asked: ✔“If we prioritize this, it means delaying the feature your team requested in the last sprint. Do you want to make that trade?” Once they realized the impact, they backed off. they backed off. 📌 Scenario 2: They Go Around You to Leadership. 📌 Scenario 2: They Go Around You to Leadership. 💡 Your Response: “I understand why this is important. Let’s get leadership involved so we can collectively decide how to prioritize it.” Your Response: “I understand why this is important. Let’s get leadership involved so we can collectively decide how to prioritize it.” 👉This keeps the conversation structured instead of turning it into a conflict. 📌 Scenario 3: They Keep Changing Requirements Mid-Sprint. 📌 Scenario 3: They Keep Changing Requirements Mid-Sprint. ⏳ Your Response: “I get that priorities shift, but once a sprint starts, any changes need to be considered for the next sprint so we don’t disrupt progress. Let’s queue this up for the backlog.” Your Response: “I get that priorities shift, but once a sprint starts, any changes need to be considered for the next sprint so we don’t disrupt progress. Let’s queue this up for the backlog.” 👉This reinforces that agile is structured, not an on-the-fly request system. Your Playbook for Handling Stakeholders Like a Pro Your Playbook for Handling Stakeholders Like a Pro Want to make these conversations easier? Set expectations before they become a problem. Set expectations before they become a problem. ✅ Create a Transparent Roadmap → If stakeholders know what’s planned, they’re less likely to demand last-minute changes. Create a Transparent Roadmap ✅ Use Data, Not Just Words → Instead of “We don’t have time,” say “This request would take ~4 weeks, which would push back [X].” Use Data, Not Just Words “We don’t have time,” “This request would take ~4 weeks, which would push back [X].” ✅ Make Prioritization a Shared Responsibility → If they want to add something, they should help decide what gets cut. Make Prioritization a Shared Responsibility Final Thoughts: Saying No is About Protecting Value, Not Rejecting Ideas Final Thoughts: Saying No is About Protecting Value, Not Rejecting Ideas Agile BAs aren’t note-takers—they’re decision facilitators . aren’t note-takers—they’re decision facilitators ✅ Your job isn’t to say no—it’s to make sure the right things get built at the right time. ✅ The more strategic you are in these conversations, the more respect you earn from both stakeholders and your team. ✅ Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s guiding stakeholders toward better decisions. Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s guiding stakeholders toward better decisions. Your Turn: Your Turn: I know every BA has a war story about pushing back on a wild stakeholder request. What’s yours? What’s the toughest ‘no’ you’ve ever had to deliver? Let’s hear it in the comments!

The Art of 'No': Navigating Stakeholder Expectations in Agile Teams

Ritesh Lad is an expert in strategic proposal writing, specializing in crafting competitive proposals for government and commercial tenders in IT, consulting, financial services, and digital marketing. Currently, he serves as a Senior Proposal Writer at Talantage LLC (USA), where he is responsible for developing and managing tender documentation for government and corporate clients. Having worked on numerous large-scale, global, and complex multi-million-dollar opportunities with an impressive 96% success rate, Ritesh has seen firsthand that a well-crafted proposal is a powerful marketing tool in itself. It’s not just about securing a contract, it’s about establishing credibility, building client trust, and reinforcing brand’s authority in the industry. In this interview, Ritesh shares his insights on what it takes to achieve a high success rate in proposals, how he navigates challenges, and why a creative approach is essential in proposal writing. Ritesh, you initially studied Computer Engineering, but later on, your career path shifted towards Marketing, Business Analysis, and Proposal Management. Why did you choose these fields? My career has been an evolution of skills and interests rather than a shift. When I pursued Computer Engineering, I was fascinated by the power of technology, how systems are built, and the logic that drives them. But as I delved deeper into the industry, I realized that technology alone is not enough, it needs a compelling story, a strategy, and a market-driven approach to truly create an impact. That’s where my interest in the fields you mentioned started taking shape. That curiosity led me to pursue an MBA in Information Technology, where I refined my ability to connect technical solutions with business needs. How did your career develop further? During my early career in IT services and consultancy, I became deeply involved in proposal writing and business development. I enjoyed not just working with technology but translating it into real business value, helping clients understand why a particular solution was the best fit for them. Later, my Master’s in Marketing further strengthened my understanding of brand positioning, sales enablement, and digital marketing in the IT space. Now, my role revolves around crafting winning proposals that don’t just check compliance boxes but tell a compelling, persuasive, and strategic story. I believe that marketing in the IT sector is about more than just promotion. It’s about understanding market trends, client pain points, and how technology can solve real-world problems in a way that resonates with decision-makers. Can you please tell us more about your current role of a Senior Proposal Writer? At Talantage LLC, we specialize in talent solutions, business consulting, and workforce strategy. My role as a Senior Proposal Writer is to develop proposals that secure high-value contracts, particularly in the public and commercial sectors. My job is not just about writing responses to RFPs but about crafting market-driven narratives that align our capabilities with the client’s needs in a persuasive and strategic manner. I work closely with leadership to identify win themes, position solutions effectively, and ensure that our proposals are not just compliant but truly compelling. It’s a mix of strategic marketing, business development, and content expertise, and it allows me to leverage both my technical background and marketing skills in a way that drives real business results. You have worked on large projects across multiple industries. What are the most significant projects you have contributed to, and what role did you personally play in their implementation? I’ve had the privilege of working on high-stakes, multi-million-dollar proposals where the difference between winning and losing is often in the details. One of the most significant projects I worked on was a $50M+ digital transformation initiative for a Fortune 500 company. The challenge was to demonstrate why our IT solution was superior, not just in terms of technology but also in terms of cost-effectiveness, scalability, and long-term ROI. My role was to develop a strong win theme, create persuasive messaging, and align our proposal with the client’s strategic priorities. Through targeted storytelling and data-backed insights, we successfully secured the contract. Another major success was a $30M proposal in the financial services sector. The client was hesitant due to concerns about regulatory compliance and integration risks. My approach was to simplify complex technical jargon into business-friendly language and reinforce our proposal with real-world case studies and competitive differentiators. By focusing on how our solution improved operational efficiency and reduced risk, we won the contract. What do you believe contributed to the high success rate? What solutions did you propose to achieve these results? The key to these wins was my ability to blend marketing strategy with proposal development, ensuring that every response was not just a document but a strategic business tool that convinced decision-makers. A crucial factor in achieving a high success rate in proposals is a combination of data-driven decision-making, competitive analysis, and marketing-oriented storytelling. Every proposal I work on starts with a deep dive into market research and client insights. Understanding the client's challenges and aligning our solutions with their business goals and industry trends is essential. One of the most impactful strategies I use is value-driven messaging. Instead of simply listing technical features, I frame our solutions in terms of their business impact, how they improve efficiency, reduce costs, or drive innovation. For example, in IT transformation projects, I integrate benchmarking data, industry best practices, and customer success stories to reinforce credibility. Another major factor is compliance without compromise. Many companies focus so much on meeting RFP requirements that they miss the opportunity to differentiate themselves. I ensure that proposals are not just compliant but also engaging, visually appealing, and strategically positioned to highlight competitive advantages. Can you share a specific proposal or project where you had to overcome significant challenges to achieve success? One of the most challenging proposals I worked on was a one of the high-stakes government bank RFP in India for a digital transformation initiative. The project was particularly complex because it involved strict compliance regulations, aggressive deadlines, and a highly competitive bidding process. The biggest challenge, however, was that the client was skeptical about security and cost efficiency in transitioning their legacy systems into a cloud-based infrastructure. Time was against us, we had less than three weeks to put together a proposal that not only met technical and compliance requirements but also convinced the client of the long-term business value of our solution. To tackle this, I took a marketing-driven approach to the proposal. Rather than focusing solely on technical specifications, I emphasized ROI projections, operational efficiency gains, and real-world case studies demonstrating successful cloud migrations. I collaborated with our cybersecurity experts to develop a risk-mitigation strategy, detailing how our solution adhered to security standards. I also integrated interactive visual storytelling elements into the executive summary, infographics, security framework diagrams, and comparative cost-benefit analyses to simplify complex concepts for non-technical stakeholders. Despite the tight deadline, the proposal was submitted on time and with precision. The client was highly impressed by how clearly we articulated both technical feasibility and business benefits. The result? We won the contract, and the client later praised our approach as one of the most comprehensive and compelling proposals they had reviewed. What knowledge and skills should a Proposal Writer have today to succeed in the market? One of the most crucial skills is the ability to analyze market trends and customer needs. Clients today are looking for more than just technical specifications; they want to understand the business impact of a solution. This means a successful Proposal Writer must be able to translate complex IT solutions into compelling business cases that highlight ROI, competitive advantages, and innovation. Another essential skill is data-driven decision-making. The use of AI, automation tools, and CRM systems like Salesforce has changed the way we approach proposals. Today’s Proposal Writers must leverage data analytics to optimize proposals, ensuring they align with client expectations, industry benchmarks, and past proposal performance. Additionally, digital transformation has led to an increased focus on visual storytelling. Static, text-heavy proposals are becoming outdated. Instead, organizations are incorporating infographics, interactive elements, and video summaries to make proposals more engaging. This means Proposal Writers must also have a basic understanding of design principles, content marketing strategies, and digital engagement tactics. How do you think this role will evolve in the near future? Looking ahead, I see it evolving further with AI-generated content, hyper-personalized proposals, and real-time collaboration platforms that will make the proposal process even more dynamic. The writers who will stand out are those who can strategically integrate technology, storytelling, and marketing insights to create proposals that not only comply with requirements but also leave a lasting impact. What helps you stay creative in your work? Creativity in proposal writing is about finding innovative ways to capture attention, engage decision-makers, and tell a compelling story. I stay creative by constantly exploring new storytelling techniques, design strategies, and digital marketing trends. Inspiration comes from advertising campaigns, brand storytelling, and even behavioral psychology, all of which help me craft proposals that stand out. Can you give an example of a time when you had to develop a creative solution to meet a client’s needs? One example was a strategy I developed for a highly competitive IT services proposal where the client was overwhelmed with vendor responses. Instead of submitting a traditional PDF proposal, I suggested creating an interactive digital experience. We built a customized landing page for the proposal that included video testimonials and interactive infographics to visualize the solution’s benefits. This approach allowed decision-makers to explore key content at their own pace, making the proposal not just informative but also engaging. The client was highly impressed, and we won the contract, primarily because we differentiated ourselves through an innovative, client-focused approach.

“Winning and Losing is Often in the Details.” Ritesh Lad on the Art of High-stakes Proposal Writing

How P2P.org Manages $10B+ in Staked Assets: An Interview with CRO Alex Loktev

Cómo P2P.org gestiona más de 10 mil millones de dólares en activos en stake: entrevista con el director de inversiones Alex Loktev

P2P.org が 100 億ドル以上のステーク資産を管理する方法: CRO アレックス・ロクテフ氏へのインタビュー

Ny fomba hitantanan'ny P2P.org ny $10B+ amin'ny fananana staked: Resadresaka nifanaovana tamin'i CRO Alex Loktev

P2P.org 10 тэрбум долларын хөрөнгө оруулалтыг хэрхэн удирддаг вэ: CRO Alex Loktev-тэй хийсэн ярилцлага

P2P.org ले कसरी $१० अर्ब+ को स्ट्याक गरिएको सम्पत्ति व्यवस्थापन गर्छ: CRO एलेक्स लोकतेभसँगको अन्तर्वार्ता

Kamoo P2P.org Laola $ 10B + ka Staked Matlotlo: Poledišano le CRO Alex Loktev

Imaynatachus P2P.org $10B+ kaqmanta Apuestas kaqpi kamachin: CRO Alex Loktev kaqwan rimanakuy

Cum gestionează P2P.org peste 10 miliarde USD în activele pariate: un interviu cu CRO Alex Loktev

Nigute P2P.org icunga $ 10B + mumitungo ifunze: Ikiganiro na CRO Alex Loktev

Sida P2P.org u maamusho $10B+ ee Hantida Saaran: Wareysi lala yeeshay CRO Alex Loktev

Paano Pinamamahalaan ng P2P.org ang $10B+ sa Staked Assets: Isang Panayam kay CRO Alex Loktev

ILawula njani i-P2P.org yeedola ezili-10B+ kwii-Asethi eziSetyenzisiweyo: Udliwano-ndlebe kunye ne-CRO Alex Loktev

**HONG KONG, Hong Kong, February 20th, 2025/Chainwire/--**Hong Kong-based investment group Avenir Group has emerged as a major institutional player in the digital asset market, with its recent disclosure revealing a significant $599 million investment in Bitcoin ETFs. This strategic move not only underscores Avenir's confidence in the future of digital assets but also marks a pivotal moment in its brand evolution and business strategy. Avenir Group holds 11.3 million shares of IBIT, valued at approximately $599 million Leading Institutional Investment in Bitcoin ETFs Avenir Group's latest 13F filing revealed a significant increase in Bitcoin ETF exposure, positioning it as Asia's largest institutional holder of Bitcoin ETFs. As of December 31, Avenir owns 11.3 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), valued at approximately $599 million. This strategic investment makes Avenir the largest holder of Bitcoin ETFs in Asia, highlighting its commitment to digital assets and financial innovation. Institutional Surge in Bitcoin ETFs Accelerates Mainstream Adoption The latest SEC 13F filings reveal a growing institutional appetite for Bitcoin ETFs. According to K33 Research, institutional investors held 25.4% of spot Bitcoin ETF assets by Q4 2024, totaling $26.8 billion. Throughout the quarter, major institutions—including investment firms, hedge funds, banks, and pension funds—significantly increased their holdings. Originally established as Li Lin’s family office, Avenir Group has evolved into a leading investment group specializing in financial innovation and emerging technologies. The firm’s multi-asset, multi-strategy approach spans quantitative trading, public markets, private equity, and digital asset investments. Under its umbrella, DeepTrading operates independently as a high-frequency trading team, while the Avenir Foundation focuses on technology education and innovation. Avenir Group firmly believes that the convergence of digital assets with traditional finance, alongside the fusion of financial innovation and emerging technologies, will redefine global markets. Committed to compliance and globalization, Avenir is strategically positioning itself to drive long-term, sustainable growth in the industry. With deep industry insights, exceptional investment performance, proprietary data models, and robust risk management systems, Avenir Group continues to pioneer new frontiers in Web3 and digital asset investments. Demonstrating a Commitment to the Crypto Ecosystem Avenir’s increased investment in Bitcoin ETFs aligns with its strategic initiatives to drive innovation in the digital asset market. In September 2024, the firm launched the $500 million Crypto Partnership Program to collaborate with top-tier quantitative trading teams worldwide. This program empowers high-performing teams with advanced technology to tackle key challenges in crypto trading. By fostering a technology-driven, highly efficient trading ecosystem, Avenir reinforces its commitment to the long-term growth and evolution of the global digital asset market. About Avenir Group Avenir Group, founded by Li Lin and named after the French word for "a better future," is a pioneering investment group specializing in investments in financial innovation and emerging technologies. With a global presence spanning the U.S., U.K., Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the firm leverages deep industry insights, outstanding performance, and self-developed data models and risk management systems, and maintains a leading position in the Web3 and digital asset sectors. The group also operates its sub-brand DeepTrading, which focuses on high-frequency trading in the cryptocurrency market and runs the Avenir Foundation, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting technology education and innovation, fostering global technological development, and talent cultivation.  For more information, users can visit https://avenir.hk/. Contact Brand Representative Shawn Su Avenir Group shawn.su@avenir.hk This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here **HONG KONG, Hong Kong, February 20th, 2025/Chainwire/--**Hong Kong-based investment group Avenir Group has emerged as a major institutional player in the digital asset market, with its recent disclosure revealing a significant $599 million investment in Bitcoin ETFs. This strategic move not only underscores Avenir's confidence in the future of digital assets but also marks a pivotal moment in its brand evolution and business strategy. Avenir Group holds 11.3 million shares of IBIT, valued at approximately $599 million Leading Institutional Investment in Bitcoin ETFs Avenir Group's latest 13F filing revealed a significant increase in Bitcoin ETF exposure, positioning it as Asia's largest institutional holder of Bitcoin ETFs. As of December 31, Avenir owns 11.3 million shares of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), valued at approximately $599 million. This strategic investment makes Avenir the largest holder of Bitcoin ETFs in Asia, highlighting its commitment to digital assets and financial innovation. 13F filing 13F filing Institutional Surge in Bitcoin ETFs Accelerates Mainstream Adoption The latest SEC 13F filings reveal a growing institutional appetite for Bitcoin ETFs. According to K33 Research, institutional investors held 25.4% of spot Bitcoin ETF assets by Q4 2024, totaling $26.8 billion. Throughout the quarter, major institutions—including investment firms, hedge funds, banks, and pension funds—significantly increased their holdings. Originally established as Li Lin’s family office, Avenir Group has evolved into a leading investment group specializing in financial innovation and emerging technologies. The firm’s multi-asset, multi-strategy approach spans quantitative trading, public markets, private equity, and digital asset investments. Under its umbrella, DeepTrading operates independently as a high-frequency trading team, while the Avenir Foundation focuses on technology education and innovation. Avenir Group firmly believes that the convergence of digital assets with traditional finance, alongside the fusion of financial innovation and emerging technologies, will redefine global markets. Committed to compliance and globalization, Avenir is strategically positioning itself to drive long-term, sustainable growth in the industry. With deep industry insights, exceptional investment performance, proprietary data models, and robust risk management systems, Avenir Group continues to pioneer new frontiers in Web3 and digital asset investments. Demonstrating a Commitment to the Crypto Ecosystem Avenir’s increased investment in Bitcoin ETFs aligns with its strategic initiatives to drive innovation in the digital asset market. In September 2024, the firm launched the $500 million Crypto Partnership Program to collaborate with top-tier quantitative trading teams worldwide. This program empowers high-performing teams with advanced technology to tackle key challenges in crypto trading. By fostering a technology-driven, highly efficient trading ecosystem, Avenir reinforces its commitment to the long-term growth and evolution of the global digital asset market. About Avenir Group Avenir Group , founded by Li Lin and named after the French word for "a better future," is a pioneering investment group specializing in investments in financial innovation and emerging technologies. With a global presence spanning the U.S., U.K., Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the firm leverages deep industry insights, outstanding performance, and self-developed data models and risk management systems, and maintains a leading position in the Web3 and digital asset sectors. Avenir Group Avenir Group The group also operates its sub-brand DeepTrading, which focuses on high-frequency trading in the cryptocurrency market and runs the Avenir Foundation, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting technology education and innovation, fostering global technological development, and talent cultivation.  For more information, users can visit https://avenir.hk/ . https://avenir.hk/ https://avenir.hk/ Contact Brand Representative Shawn Su Avenir Group shawn.su@avenir.hk This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here here here

Avenir Group Solidifies Position As Asia's Largest Bitcoin ETF Holder With $599 Million Stake

አቬኒር ግሩፕ እንደ እስያ ትልቁ የቢትኮይን ኢቲኤፍ ያዥ በ599 ሚሊዮን ዶላር ቦታ ያፀናል

Avenir Group consolida su posición como el mayor accionista de ETF de Bitcoin de Asia con una participación de 599 millones de dólares

קבוצת אווניר מגבשת את העמדה כמחזיקת תעודות הסל הביטקוין הגדולה באסיה עם החזקה של 599 מיליון דולר

एवेनिर ग्रुप ने 599 मिलियन डॉलर की हिस्सेदारी के साथ एशिया के सबसे बड़े बिटकॉइन ईटीएफ धारक के रूप में अपनी स्थिति मजबूत कर ली है

Grupa Avenir učvršćuje poziciju najvećeg držatelja Bitcoin ETF-a u Aziji s udjelom od 599 milijuna dolara

アベニール・グループ、5億9900万ドルの保有でアジア最大のビットコインETF保有者としての地位を固める

ກຸ່ມ Avenir ແຂງກະດ້າງຕໍາແຫນ່ງເປັນຜູ້ຖື Bitcoin ETF ທີ່ໃຫຍ່ທີ່ສຸດຂອງອາຊີດ້ວຍເງິນ 599 ລ້ານໂດລາ.

Avenir Group umacnia swoją pozycję jako największy posiadacz Bitcoin ETF w Azji, posiadając udziały o wartości 599 milionów dolarów

د ایونیر ګروپ د ۵۹۹ ملیون ډالرو ونډې سره د آسیا ترټولو لوی بټ کوین ETF لرونکی په توګه خپل دریځ پیاوړی کوي

Itsinda rya Avenir Rishimangira Umwanya Nka Aziya Nini ya Bitcoin ETF ifite imigabane ingana na miliyoni 599

அவெனிர் குழுமம் $599 மில்லியன் பங்குகளுடன் ஆசியாவின் மிகப்பெரிய பிட்காயின் ETF வைத்திருப்பவராக நிலையை உறுதிப்படுத்துகிறது.

Avenir Group 持股 5.99 亿美元，巩固亚洲最大比特币 ETF 持有者地位

BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (“BTCS” or the “Company”), a leader in blockchain infrastructure and technology, is pleased to announce its partnership with Figment Inc. (“Figment”), one of the world’s foremost blockchain infrastructure providers, for the launch of its Staker Protection Plan. This solution is designed to enhance transaction inclusion and state preservation, addressing a critical pain point for traders and end-users who demand greater certainty for their high-value and time-sensitive transactions. WonderFi Technologies Inc. (TSX: WNDR) (OTCQB: WONDF) (“WonderFi”), a top digital asset company, will join as Figment's first customer in the pilot program. Partnership and Pilot Program Highlights This collaboration underscores BTCS and Figment’s shared commitment to advancing the blockchain ecosystem by addressing critical challenges in wider adoption. With WonderFi’s participation, stakers on the WonderFi-owned Bitbuy and Coinsquare platforms will be the first to enjoy the benefits of the program. The pilot program is anticipated to go live on mainnet in March 2025 in connection with Ethereum’s Pectra update. The Staker Protection Plan program is designed to deliver key benefits, including: Providing end-users with greater confidence that their transactions will be included in a particular block.
Addressing complexities and heightened risks of high-value transactions in cross-chain and cross-venue operations, ensuring timely and predictable trading outcomes.
Optimizing staking rewards rate (SRR) for stakers through improved compliance and performance. Stakers interested in participating in this solution, which is designed to meet applicable regulatory requirements and benefit from increased SRR can contact Figment’s customer success team. End-users seeking information about transaction execution and enhanced features can reach out to the BTCS team for more information. Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS, stated: “By partnering with Figment and integrating WonderFi as the first participant, we are laying a strong foundation for staker empowerment and ecosystem growth. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to delivering solutions that foster revenue growth and operational excellence.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3Ct7-XR8kQ Lorien Gabel, CEO of Figment, added: “At Figment, we are committed to driving innovation in blockchain infrastructure to enhance the Ethereum ecosystem and increase adoption. Our partnership with BTCS on this innovative solution demonstrates our dedication to addressing critical challenges in staking operations. By providing solutions that ensure fairness and enhance transaction inclusion, we are fostering a more reliable and fair network for all participants.” Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, stated: “Participating in BTCS’s Staker Protection Plan pilot is a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and growth. We believe that this program will not only enhance our validator operations but also increase revenue for our shareholders and ultimately, higher staking rewards to our customers. We’re excited to be at the forefront of initiatives that have the potential to redefine validator strategies.” About BTCS BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its Ethereum blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in Ethereum network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Users can explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com. For more information, users can follow on: Twitter: https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS About Figment Figment is the leading provider of staking infrastructure. Figment provides the complete staking solution for over 700 institutional clients and $15B in assets staked across asset managers, exchanges, wallets, foundations, custodians, and banks, to earn rewards on their digital assets. For more information, users can visit www.figment.io. Partnering with BTCS for the Staker Protection Plan exemplifies Figment’s dedication to innovation in the ecosystem and empowerment of stakers. About WonderFi WonderFi is the largest regulated crypto trading platform in Canada and a global leader in centralized and decentralized financial services and products. With over $2.2B in assets under custody, WonderFi is well-positioned to service crypto participants on a global scale with trading, payments, and decentralized products, including purpose-built blockchains and non-custodial wallet applications. Designed to provide investors with diversified investment exposure across the global digital asset ecosystem, the Company has a proven track record of launching new products and obtaining applicable licenses. It is also the owner of market-leading brands, including Bitbuy, Coinsquare, SmartPay and Tetra Trust. As the world continues to move on-chain, WonderFi is strategically placed to capture both market and wallet share through ongoing innovation within the digital asset space. For more information, users can visit www.wonder.fi Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our anticipated launch on mainnet and revenue growth. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation regulatory issues, unexpected issues with the Staker Protection Plan and launch as well as issues with Ethereum’s planned Pectra update, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on March 21, 2024. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. BTCS Investor Relations: Charles Allen – CEO X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS Email: ir@btcs.com Figment Contact: Email: marketing@figment.io WonderFi Investor Relations: Charlie Aikenhead Email: Invest@wonder.fi This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS ) (“BTCS” or the “Company”), a leader in blockchain infrastructure and technology, is pleased to announce its partnership with Figment Inc. (“Figment”), one of the world’s foremost blockchain infrastructure providers, for the launch of its Staker Protection Plan. BTCS BTCS This solution is designed to enhance transaction inclusion and state preservation, addressing a critical pain point for traders and end-users who demand greater certainty for their high-value and time-sensitive transactions. WonderFi Technologies Inc. (TSX: WNDR) (OTCQB: WONDF) (“WonderFi”), a top digital asset company, will join as Figment's first customer in the pilot program. Partnership and Pilot Program Highlights This collaboration underscores BTCS and Figment’s shared commitment to advancing the blockchain ecosystem by addressing critical challenges in wider adoption. With WonderFi’s participation, stakers on the WonderFi-owned Bitbuy and Coinsquare platforms will be the first to enjoy the benefits of the program. The pilot program is anticipated to go live on mainnet in March 2025 in connection with Ethereum’s Pectra update. The Staker Protection Plan program is designed to deliver key benefits, including: Providing end-users with greater confidence that their transactions will be included in a particular block. Addressing complexities and heightened risks of high-value transactions in cross-chain and cross-venue operations, ensuring timely and predictable trading outcomes. Optimizing staking rewards rate (SRR) for stakers through improved compliance and performance. Providing end-users with greater confidence that their transactions will be included in a particular block. Addressing complexities and heightened risks of high-value transactions in cross-chain and cross-venue operations, ensuring timely and predictable trading outcomes. Optimizing staking rewards rate (SRR) for stakers through improved compliance and performance. Stakers interested in participating in this solution, which is designed to meet applicable regulatory requirements and benefit from increased SRR can contact Figment’s customer success team. End-users seeking information about transaction execution and enhanced features can reach out to the BTCS team for more information. Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS, stated: “By partnering with Figment and integrating WonderFi as the first participant, we are laying a strong foundation for staker empowerment and ecosystem growth. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to delivering solutions that foster revenue growth and operational excellence.” Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS, stated: “By partnering with Figment and integrating WonderFi as the first participant, we are laying a strong foundation for staker empowerment and ecosystem growth. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to delivering solutions that foster revenue growth and operational excellence.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3Ct7-XR8kQ https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3Ct7-XR8k Q https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3Ct7-XR8k Lorien Gabel, CEO of Figment, added: “At Figment, we are committed to driving innovation in blockchain infrastructure to enhance the Ethereum ecosystem and increase adoption. Our partnership with BTCS on this innovative solution demonstrates our dedication to addressing critical challenges in staking operations. By providing solutions that ensure fairness and enhance transaction inclusion, we are fostering a more reliable and fair network for all participants.” Lorien Gabel, CEO of Figment, added: “At Figment, we are committed to driving innovation in blockchain infrastructure to enhance the Ethereum ecosystem and increase adoption. Our partnership with BTCS on this innovative solution demonstrates our dedication to addressing critical challenges in staking operations. By providing solutions that ensure fairness and enhance transaction inclusion, we are fostering a more reliable and fair network for all participants.” Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, stated: “Participating in BTCS’s Staker Protection Plan pilot is a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and growth. We believe that this program will not only enhance our validator operations but also increase revenue for our shareholders and ultimately, higher staking rewards to our customers. We’re excited to be at the forefront of initiatives that have the potential to redefine validator strategies.” Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, stated: “Participating in BTCS’s Staker Protection Plan pilot is a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and growth. We believe that this program will not only enhance our validator operations but also increase revenue for our shareholders and ultimately, higher staking rewards to our customers. We’re excited to be at the forefront of initiatives that have the potential to redefine validator strategies.” About BTCS BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its Ethereum blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in Ethereum network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS Inc. BTCS Inc. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Users can explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com . For more information, users can follow on: www.btcs.com www.btcs.com Twitter: https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS About Figment Figment is the leading provider of staking infrastructure. Figment provides the complete staking solution for over 700 institutional clients and $15B in assets staked across asset managers, exchanges, wallets, foundations, custodians, and banks, to earn rewards on their digital assets. For more information, users can visit www.figment.io . Partnering with BTCS for the Staker Protection Plan exemplifies Figment’s dedication to innovation in the ecosystem and empowerment of stakers. Figment Figment www.figment.io www.figment.io About WonderFi WonderFi is the largest regulated crypto trading platform in Canada and a global leader in centralized and decentralized financial services and products. With over $2.2B in assets under custody, WonderFi is well-positioned to service crypto participants on a global scale with trading, payments, and decentralized products, including purpose-built blockchains and non-custodial wallet applications. WonderFi WonderFi Designed to provide investors with diversified investment exposure across the global digital asset ecosystem, the Company has a proven track record of launching new products and obtaining applicable licenses. It is also the owner of market-leading brands, including Bitbuy, Coinsquare, SmartPay and Tetra Trust. As the world continues to move on-chain, WonderFi is strategically placed to capture both market and wallet share through ongoing innovation within the digital asset space. For more information, users can visit www.wonder.fi www.wonder.fi www.wonder.fi Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our anticipated launch on mainnet and revenue growth. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation regulatory issues, unexpected issues with the Staker Protection Plan and launch as well as issues with Ethereum’s planned Pectra update, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on March 21, 2024. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. BTCS Investor Relations: Charles Allen – CEO X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS @Charles_BTCS @Charles_BTCS Email: ir@btcs.com ir@btcs.com ir@btcs.com Figment Contact: Email: marketing@figment.io marketing@figment.io marketing@figment.io WonderFi Investor Relations: Charlie Aikenhead Email: Invest@wonder.fi Email: Invest@wonder.fi Invest@wonder.fi Invest@wonder.fi This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here This story was distributed as a release by Chainwire under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Learn more about the program here here here

BTCS Unveils Strategic Partnership With Figment And WonderFi Leading Its Staker Protection Plan

BTCS раскрывае стратэгічнае партнёрства з Figment і WonderFi, якія ўзначальваюць план абароны стакераў

BTCS otkriva strateško partnerstvo sa Figmentom i WonderFi-jem koji predvode svoj plan zaštite stekera

Το BTCS αποκαλύπτει τη στρατηγική συνεργασία με το Figment και το WonderFi να ηγείται του σχεδίου προστασίας Staker

BTCS revela una asociación estratégica con Figment y WonderFi para liderar su plan de protección de los participantes

BTCS presenta unha asociación estratéxica con Figment e WonderFi que lideran o seu plan de protección de staker

BTCS חושפת שותפות אסטרטגית עם Figment ו-WonderFi שמובילים את תוכנית ההגנה על המעריצים שלה

बीटीसीएस ने फिगमेंट और वंडरफाई के साथ रणनीतिक साझेदारी का खुलासा किया, जो इसके स्टेकर प्रोटेक्शन प्लान का नेतृत्व करेगा

BTCS、ステーカー保護計画を主導するFigmentおよびWonderFiとの戦略的パートナーシップを発表

BTCS ເປີດເຜີຍການຮ່ວມມືຍຸດທະສາດກັບ Figment ແລະ WonderFi ນໍາພາແຜນການປົກປ້ອງ Staker ຂອງຕົນ

BTCS ले आफ्नो स्टेकर सुरक्षा योजनाको नेतृत्व गर्दै फिगमेन्ट र वन्डरफाइसँग रणनीतिक साझेदारीको अनावरण गर्‍यो

BTCS e Utolla Selekane sa Togamaano Le Figment Le WonderFi e Eteletšego Pele Leano la Yona la Tšhireletšo ya Batšeakarolo

BTCS Yashyize ahagaragara Ubufatanye Bw’ibishushanyo na WonderFi Biyobora Gahunda Yayo yo Kurinda

The TechBeat: EIP-7002:  A Better Way To Stake On Ethereum (1/27/2025)

Tailor Your Data Visualization Design Choices for Key Stakeholders to Create Organizational Buy-In

Adapteu les vostres opcions de disseny de visualització de dades per a les parts interessades clau per crear una acceptació organitzativa

Adapte sus opciones de diseño de visualización de datos a las partes interesadas clave para generar aceptación organizacional

Adaptez vos choix de conception de visualisation de données aux principales parties prenantes afin de susciter l'adhésion de l'organisation

התאם את אפשרויות עיצוב הדמיית הנתונים שלך לבעלי עניין מרכזיים כדי ליצור רכישה ארגונית

Adapte chwa konsepsyon vizyalizasyon done w yo pou moun ki gen enterè kle yo pou kreye yon acha òganizasyonèl

Sesuaikan Pilihan Desain Visualisasi Data Anda untuk Pemangku Kepentingan Utama guna Menciptakan Dukungan Organisasi

主要な利害関係者に合わせてデータ視覚化デザインの選択肢を調整し、組織の賛同を得る

Pritaikykite savo duomenų vizualizavimo dizaino pasirinkimą pagrindinėms suinteresuotosioms šalims, kad sukurtumėte organizacijos įpirką

Willayta Rikuchiy Diseño Akllanakunaykita ruway llalliq interesadokunapaq Organizacional rantiyta ruwanapaq

Shushanya amakuru yawe Yerekana Igishushanyo mbonera Guhitamo Abafatanyabikorwa Bingenzi Kurema Ishirahamwe-Kugura

Tailor Yako Dhata Kuona Dhizaini Sarudzo dzeVabatiri Vakakosha Kugadzira Sangano Kutenga-In

Përshtatni zgjedhjet e dizajnit të vizualizimit të të dhënave tuaja për palët kryesore të interesit për të krijuar një blerje organizative

The latest AI developments turn empathy into just another product for sale, raising questions about ethics and regulation. Imagine your customer service chatbot isn’t just solving your problem – it’s listening, empathizing, and sounding eerily human. It feels like it cares. But behind the friendly tone and comforting words, that ‘care’ is just a product, finetuned to steer your emotions and shape your decisions. Welcome to the unsettling reality of empathetic AI, where emotions are mimicked – and monetized. In 2024, empathetic AI took a leap forward. Hume.AI gave large language models voices that sound convincingly expressive and a perceptive ear to match. Microsoft’s Copilot got a human voice and an emotionally supportive attitude, while platforms like Character.ai and Psychologist sprouted bots that mimic therapy sessions. These developments are paving the way for a new industry: Empathy-as-a-Service, where emotional connection isn’t just simulated, it’s a product: packaged, scaled, and sold. This isn’t just about convenience – it’s about influence. Empathy-as-a-Service (EaaS), an entirely hypothetical but now plausible product, could blur the line between genuine connection and algorithmic mimicry, creating systems where simulated care subtly nudges consumer behavior. The stakes? A future where businesses profit from your emotions under the guise of customer experience. And for consumers on the receiving end, that raises some deeply unsettling questions. A Hypothetical but Troubling Scenario Take an imaginary customer service bot. One that helps you find your perfect style and fit – and also tracks your moods and emotional triggers. Each conversation teaches it a little more about how to nudge your behavior, guiding your decisions while sounding empathetic. What feels like exceptional service is, in reality, a calculated strategy to lock in your loyalty by exploiting your emotional patterns. Traditional loyalty programs like the supermarket club card or rewards card pale in comparison. By analyzing preferences, moods, and triggers, empathetic AI digs into the most personal corners of human behavior. For businesses, it’s a goldmine; for consumers, it’s a minefield. And it raises a new set of ethical questions about manipulation, regulation, and consent. The Legal Loopholes of Empathetic AI Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), consumer preferences are classified as personal data, not sensitive data. That distinction matters. While GDPR requires businesses to handle personal data transparently and lawfully, it doesn’t extend the stricter protections reserved for health, religious beliefs, or other special categories of information. This leaves businesses free to mine consumer preferences in ways that feel strikingly personal – and surprisingly unregulated. The EU AI Act, introduced in mid-2024, goes one step further, requiring companies to disclose when users are interacting with AI. But disclosure is just the beginning. The AI Act doesn’t touch using behavioral data or mimicking emotional connection. Joanna Bryson, Professor of Ethics & Technology at the Hertie School, noted in a recent exchange: “It’s actually the law in the EU under the AI Act that people understand when they are interacting with AI. I hope that might extend to mandating reduced anthropomorphism, but it would take some time and court cases.” Anthropomorphism, the tendency to project human qualities onto non-humans, is ingrained in human nature. Simply stating that you’re interacting with an AI doesn’t stop it. The problem is that it can lull users into a false sense of trust, making them more vulnerable to manipulation. Empathy-as-a-Service could transform customer experiences, making interactions smoother, more engaging, and hyper-personalised. But there’s a cost. Social media already showed us what happens when human interaction becomes a commodity – and empathetic AI could take that even further. This technology could go beyond monetizing attention to monetizing emotions in deeply personal and private ways. A Question of Values As empathetic AI becomes mainstream, we have to ask: are we ready for a world where emotions are just another digital service – scaled, rented, and monetized? Regulation like the EU AI Act is a step in the right direction, but it will need to evolve fast to keep pace with the sophistication of these systems and the societal boundaries they’re starting to push. The future of empathetic AI isn’t just a question of technological progress – it’s a question of values. What kind of society do we want to build? As we stand on the edge of this new frontier, the decisions we make today will define how empathy is shaped, and sold, in the age of AI. Lead image credit: Adobe Stock | #681726866 The latest AI developments turn empathy into just another product for sale, raising questions about ethics and regulation. The latest AI developments turn empathy into just another product for sale, raising questions about ethics and regulation. Imagine your customer service chatbot isn’t just solving your problem – it’s listening, empathizing, and sounding eerily human. It feels like it cares. But behind the friendly tone and comforting words, that ‘care’ is just a product, finetuned to steer your emotions and shape your decisions. Welcome to the unsettling reality of empathetic AI, where emotions are mimicked – and monetized. In 2024, empathetic AI took a leap forward. Hume.AI gave large language models voices that sound convincingly expressive and a perceptive ear to match. Microsoft’s Copilot got a human voice and an emotionally supportive attitude, while platforms like Character.ai and Psychologist sprouted bots that mimic therapy sessions. These developments are paving the way for a new industry: Empathy-as-a-Service, where emotional connection isn’t just simulated, it’s a product: packaged, scaled, and sold. This isn’t just about convenience – it’s about influence. Empathy-as-a-Service (EaaS), an entirely hypothetical but now plausible product, could blur the line between genuine connection and algorithmic mimicry, creating systems where simulated care subtly nudges consumer behavior. The stakes? A future where businesses profit from your emotions under the guise of customer experience. And for consumers on the receiving end, that raises some deeply unsettling questions. A Hypothetical but Troubling Scenario A Hypothetical but Troubling Scenario Take an imaginary customer service bot. One that helps you find your perfect style and fit – and also tracks your moods and emotional triggers. Each conversation teaches it a little more about how to nudge your behavior, guiding your decisions while sounding empathetic. What feels like exceptional service is, in reality, a calculated strategy to lock in your loyalty by exploiting your emotional patterns. Traditional loyalty programs like the supermarket club card or rewards card pale in comparison. By analyzing preferences, moods, and triggers, empathetic AI digs into the most personal corners of human behavior. For businesses, it’s a goldmine; for consumers, it’s a minefield. And it raises a new set of ethical questions about manipulation, regulation, and consent. The Legal Loopholes of Empathetic AI The Legal Loopholes of Empathetic AI Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), consumer preferences are classified as personal data, not sensitive data. That distinction matters. While GDPR requires businesses to handle personal data transparently and lawfully, it doesn’t extend the stricter protections reserved for health, religious beliefs, or other special categories of information. This leaves businesses free to mine consumer preferences in ways that feel strikingly personal – and surprisingly unregulated. The EU AI Act, introduced in mid-2024, goes one step further, requiring companies to disclose when users are interacting with AI. But disclosure is just the beginning. The AI Act doesn’t touch using behavioral data or mimicking emotional connection. Joanna Bryson, Professor of Ethics & Technology at the Hertie School, noted in a recent exchange: “It’s actually the law in the EU under the AI Act that people understand when they are interacting with AI. I hope that might extend to mandating reduced anthropomorphism, but it would take some time and court cases.” Anthropomorphism, the tendency to project human qualities onto non-humans, is ingrained in human nature. Simply stating that you’re interacting with an AI doesn’t stop it. The problem is that it can lull users into a false sense of trust, making them more vulnerable to manipulation. Empathy-as-a-Service could transform customer experiences, making interactions smoother, more engaging, and hyper-personalised. But there’s a cost. Social media already showed us what happens when human interaction becomes a commodity – and empathetic AI could take that even further. This technology could go beyond monetizing attention to monetizing emotions in deeply personal and private ways. A Question of Values A Question of Values As empathetic AI becomes mainstream, we have to ask: are we ready for a world where emotions are just another digital service – scaled, rented, and monetized? Regulation like the EU AI Act is a step in the right direction, but it will need to evolve fast to keep pace with the sophistication of these systems and the societal boundaries they’re starting to push. The future of empathetic AI isn’t just a question of technological progress – it’s a question of values. What kind of society do we want to build? As we stand on the edge of this new frontier, the decisions we make today will define how empathy is shaped, and sold, in the age of AI. Lead image credit: Adobe Stock | #681726866 Lead image credit: Adobe Stock | #681726866 Adobe Stock | #681726866

Empathy-as-a-Service: When AI Feels Too Human, What’s at Stake?

EIP-7002:  A Better Way To Stake On Ethereum

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