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Namaste $N.ca Signs Non-Binding LOI to Acquire Up to 25% Equity in Leading Same-Day Cannabis Delivery Service Pineapple Express Delivery Inc $ACB.ca $HIP.ca $WEED.ca $CMED.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, April 25th, 2018

Nlogo

  • Signed a non-binding letter of intent with Pineapple Express Delivery Inc.
  • Namaste will invest $1,000,000 to acquire 15% of the share capital of Pineapple Express and:
  • Obtain a right of first refusal to purchase an additional 10% of the share capital for an additional $1,200,000

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 25, 2018 – Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste” or the “Company”) (CSE:N) (FRA:M5BQ) (OTCMKTS:NXTTF) is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with Pineapple Express Delivery Inc. (“Pineapple Express”), whereby Namaste will invest $1,000,000 to acquire 15% of the share capital of Pineapple Express and obtain a right of first refusal to purchase an additional 10% of the share capital for an additional $1,200,000.

Pineapple Express currently operates a same-day delivery service for medical cannabis and expects to expand across Canada. Pineapple Express’ management team have a proven track record of launching cross-country same-day delivery services, having sold a previous same-day delivery venture to Just Eat Canada.

The proposed agreement will allow Namaste and Pineapple Express to expand on Pineapple Express’ existing same-day delivery service for medical cannabis platform to provide same-day delivery of medical cannabis across Canada. Namaste intends to assist with the development and marketing of Pineapple Express’ brand and in the optimization of its existing software platform. Namaste will also look to leverage its international exposure and offer Pineapple Express’ fully-integrated software application to international cannabis licensed producers.

The Company along with Pineapple Express will retain exclusive rights to use the Pineapple Express software platform in North America, and Namaste will hold the rights to use the software platform internationally. Pineapple Express has also signed an LOI with Canada’s leading seed-to-sale platform, Ample Organics Inc., to offer same-day delivery to its customers.

Terms of the LOI

  • Namaste will make an initial capital investment of $1,000,000 for 15% of the share capital of Pineapple Express. The initial capital investment will be comprised of $850,000 in cash and $150,000 in Namaste common stock, subject to exchange approval.
  • Namaste will receive a right of first refusal to acquire an additional 10% interest in Pineapple Express for $1,200,000 for 14 months following the closing date of the definitive agreement. This payment would be comprised of $780,000 in cash and $420,000 in Namaste common stock, subject to exchange approval.
  • Namaste will reserve for issuance up to 150,000 common share options (the “Options”) to be issued to Pineapple Express and/or its officers pursuant to consulting agreements entered into on execution of the definitive agreement. The Options will vest on a quarterly basis. Namaste will reserve up to 150,000 Options for issuance each year to Pineapple Express and/or its officers for so long as they have consulting agreements with Namaste.
  • Namaste and Pineapple Express will jointly hold the exclusive rights to Pineapple Express’ software and technology in North America. Namaste will solely hold the exclusive worldwide rights outside of North America to use Pineapple Express’ software and have a right to sublicense.

Management Commentary

Randy Rolph, President and CEO of Pineapple Express: “we are excited by the prospect of partnering with Namaste, as I see this as an excellent fit for both companies. Namaste has built an excellent reputation within the medicinal cannabis industry and has focused on expanding its services so that its customers benefit from a wider array of product offerings. As an extension of these efforts, we believe that our company can ensure their customers get a secure delivery of these products within a very quick turnaround from time of order. Through other businesses, we have successfully offered fast product delivery options for over 10 years across Canada, including same day as well as deliveries in less than one hour. We are familiar with the issues and most importantly the solutions to bring similar levels of service to the medicinal cannabis industry. Customer service has always been our main focus and what has driven the success of our business. We look forward to offering this same level of service to all customers.”

Sean Dollinger, President and CEO of Namaste comments: “We are very pleased to have signed this LOI to acquire shares of an amazing company offering a unique service with a proven record of success. As the cannabis market continues to grow, so too has the competitiveness among our industry peers looking to expand their market share. We believe that our ability to offer same-day delivery service for medical cannabis will provide a competitive edge to the Company in terms of offering an incredible buying experience for our patients. Namaste’s mandate from the outset has been focused on providing patients with unparalleled customer service. This transaction reaffirms our team’s ability to identify shortcomings within the cannabis industry, seek viable solutions, and then explore opportunities that aim to further enhance our patient’s experience. We believe this transaction will not only help Namaste attract new patients, but more importantly, it will help us retain patients who see value in the services we provide. We look forward to working with Pineapple Express’ management team and to grow its business and expand internationally. We are very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to cultivating a strong partnership together.”

About Pineapple Express Delivery Inc.

Pineapple Express’ management team has over 10 years of experience offering same-day 60-minute delivery services in multiple industries across Canada, and has successfully integrated with Ample Organics Inc., Canada’s leading seed-to-sale medical cannabis software platform. Pineapple Express offers a personalized experience for its customers and has established in depth security and delivery protocols to facilitate same-day delivery of medical cannabis across the country. Pineapple Express is dedicated to providing patients with a fully integrated, simple to use, same-day delivery platform which it believes brings great value to medical patients across the country. For more information visit: www.pineappleexpressdelivery.ca

About Namaste Technologies Inc.

Namaste is the largest online retailer for medical cannabis delivery systems globally. Namaste distributes vaporizers and smoking accessories through 24 e-commerce sites in 20 countries and with distribution hubs located around the world. Namaste has majority market share in Europe and Australia, with operations in the UK, Canada and Germany and has opened new supply channels into emerging markets including Brazil, Mexico and Chile. Namaste, through its acquisition of Cannmart Inc., a Canadian based late-stage applicant for a medical cannabis sales license (under the ACMPR Program) is pursuing a new revenue vertical in online retail of medical cannabis in the Canadian market. Namaste intends to leverage its existing database of Canadian medical cannabis consumers, along with its expertise in e-commerce to create an online marketplace for medical cannabis patients, offering a larger variety of product and a better user experience.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Sean Dollinger”

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: +1 (786) 389 9771

Email: [email protected]

Further information on Namaste and its products can be accessed through the links below:

namastetechnologies.com

namastevapes.ca

everyonedoesit.ca

namastevaporizers.co.uk

everyonedoesit.co.uk

australianvaporizers.com.au

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, Namaste assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither reviewed nor approved the contents of this press release.

FEATURE: betterU Education $BTRU.ca – The Only Education Marketplace In India Serving 1.3 Billion Potential Customers $ARCL $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:59 PM on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

BTRU: TSX-V

CONNECTING GLOBAL EDUCATION WITH THE INDIAN MARKETPLACE

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The ONLY Global Education Marketplace Serving India
  • Launched full-scale mass marketing print campaign through Hindustan Times, Hindustan and The Mint last week across India (Check it out)
  • Signed Definitive Agreement With Swift e-Learning Services to Launch e-Template Marketplace to Support India’s Content Development Requirements
  • Launching Education Blockchain Ecosystem Project Read More
  • Executes on Definitive Agreement With One of India’s Largest Media Conglomerates (HT Overseas Pte. Ltd.) for a $10 Million Media Investment (completed first tranche of $1.25M) Read More
  • betterU Partners With Adobe to Deliver Leading Digital Experience Programs in India
  • Executed MOU with the Telecom Sector Skill Council to jointly support both organizations’ efforts towards the skilling of millions of professionals across India’s Telecom sector Read More
  • Capitalizing On Mobile Payments Structure Others Unable To Provide
  • Unique Ability To Collect From 200 Different Payment Methods in India
  • BetterU Receives 20 – 50% Of All Revenues Generated

Tetra Bio-Pharma $TBP.ca Signs Landmark Commercialization Term Sheet for its Lead Pharmaceutical Product, PPP001, in Israel #MMJ #Marijuana $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:14 AM on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

Logo tetrabiopharma rgb web

  • Company has signed a first binding term sheet for the marketing and distribution of PPP001 in Israel with Kamada Ltd
  • Signing of a Definitive Distribution Agreement is expected to follow shortly
  • PPP001 is being developed to be the first smokable cannabis product for advanced cancer pain available under prescription

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(April 24, 2018) – Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. (“Tetra” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:TBP) (OTCQB:TBPMF), announced today that the Company has signed a first binding term sheet for the marketing and distribution of PPP001 in Israel with Kamada Ltd., a leading pharmaceutical company. The signing of a Definitive Distribution Agreement is expected to follow shortly. PPP001 is being developed to be the first smokable cannabis product for advanced cancer pain available under prescription.

This first international market commercialization agreement represents a significant milestone and a validation of Tetra Bio-Pharma’s business model with a leading Israel-based pharmaceutical company. Israel, like Canada, is considered one of the world leaders in the production and development of cannabinoid-based products. Kamada is a company with two FDA-approved products and an Israeli-based distribution segment that has demonstrated continued growth. Tetra Bio-Pharma intends to work closely with Kamada as PPP001 advances towards regulatory approval and commercial launch in Israel.

Under the terms of the anticipated final agreement, Kamada will be responsible for registering the product, as well as all marketing and distribution, in Israel. Tetra will be eligible to receive certain milestone payments and an undisclosed percentage of the sales of PPP001 generated by Kamada in Israel.

About PPP001 

On April 4, 2018, Tetra Bio-Pharma officially started the Phase 3 trial for PPP001 indicated for terminal stage cancer patients with a goal to improving the quality of life of these patients as well as minimizing their pain. PPP001 is being developed to be the first smokable cannabis product for advanced cancer pain available under prescription.

About Tetra Bio-Pharma: Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX VENTURE:TBP) (OTCQB:TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and clinical development. Tetra is focusing on three core business pillars: clinical research, pharmaceutical promotion and retail commercialization of cannabinoid-based products. Tetra Bio-Pharma is currently developing a pipeline of five cannabinoid-based products using different delivery systems such as smokable pellets, oral tablets, eye drops and topical ointments. More information at: www.tetrabiopharma.com

Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GrowPros MMP Inc., to obtain a license for the production of medical marijuana; failure to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company’s business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company’s public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. While no definitive documentation has yet been signed by the parties and there is no certainty that such documentation will be signed The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.
Robert (Bob) Béchard
Vice President Finance and Business Development
[email protected]
M: +1 514 817-2514

For media information, please contact:
Daniel Granger
[email protected]
ACJ Communication
O: +1 514 840 7990
M: +1 514 232 1556

Monarques Gold $MQR.ca produces 4,932 ounces of #gold and generates $9.8 million in revenue in its third quarter $MUX.ca $SII.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:20 AM on Monday, April 23rd, 2018

  • Monarques produced 4,932 ounces of gold in its third quarter
  • Revenues of $9.8 million in the third quarter;
  • From the sale of 4,823 ounces of gold at an average price of $1,624 per ounce

MONTREAL, April 23, 2018 – MONARQUES GOLD CORPORATION (“Monarques” or the “Corporation”) (TSX.V:MQR) (OTCMKTS:MRQRF) (FRANKFURT:MR7) is pleased to report its production results and other highlights for the third quarter ended March 31, 2018. Amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Production highlights

  • Monarques produced 4,932 ounces of gold in its third quarter, a decrease of 9% from the 5,444 ounces produced the previous quarter, mainly due to the breakdown of ore haulage equipment at the Beaufor Mine and a planned shutdown for maintenance at the Camflo mill. As soon as the equipment was repaired, production resumed at the same pace as in the previous quarter.
  • The Corporation recorded revenues of $9.8 million in the third quarter, from the sale of 4,823 ounces of gold at an average price of $1,624 per ounce (US $1,284), combined with revenue from custom milling, which was up 17% for the quarter.
  • Monarques reported the final results of its 2017 drilling program at the Beaufor Mine. The results were from 52 holes totalling 7,157 metres of drilling, including 5 exploration holes (2,651 metres) and 47 definition holes (4,506 metres). The holes were drilled on several areas of the mine, including Zone Q, Zone QH2, Zone 32, and projects 350H, 1700 and Granodiorite East (see press release dated March 27, 2018).

Production statistics

Corporate highlights

  • On February 8, 2018, Monarques announced the results of the updated prefeasibility study for its wholly-owned Croinor Gold property, which showed improved project profitability and an increase in proven and probable reserves (see press release).
  • On February 13, 2018, the Corporation announced that it would prepare gold resource estimates for its McKenzie Break and Swanson properties in accordance with NI 43-101, and that it had retained the services of Géologica of Val-d’Or for the McKenzie Break property and InnovExplo Inc. for the Swanson property (see press release).
  • On February 22, 2018, the Corporation announced that it planned to drill a total of 50,000 metres in 2018 at the Beaufor Mine and the Croinor Gold property (see press release).
  • On March 12, 2018, Monarques closed a non-brokered private placement of units with the Government of Quebec through the Capital Mines Hydrocarbures fund managed by Ressources Québec, pursuant to which the Corporation issued 12,820,513 units at $0.39 per unit for total gross proceeds of $5 million (see press release).
  • On April 5, 2018, Monarques announced that it was investigating a potential game-changer for its Wasamac gold project. It has retained BBA to conduct a study for the transportation of gold-bearing material from the Wasamac deposit to an existing processing plant with an authorized tailings management facility in the region for custom milling (see press release).
  • At March 31, 2018, the Corporation had more than $18 million in cash.

Current project timelines

A summary of the key projects that have been initiated since the start of the third quarter, as well as their timelines, is as follows:

  • 30,000-metre drilling program at the Beaufor Mine: Drilling has started and will be ongoing throughout the year. Some results are expected soon.
  • 20,000-metre drill program at Croinor Gold: Drilling has started and will be ongoing throughout the year. Some results are expected soon.
  • BBA study to confirm the custom milling option for production at the Wasamac deposit: Conclusions are expected in May 2018.
  • Resource estimate for the McKenzie Break and Swanson properties: Conclusions are expected in June 2018.

“Our production results for the quarter were lower than we expected,” said Jean-Marc Lacoste, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monarques. “However, now that we have resolved the issues with the ore haulage equipment, the Beaufor Mine is back to producing at the same rate as in the previous quarter. We also foresee continued growth in our custom milling operations, which bodes well for the coming quarters. Our goal for the next quarters is still to increase production at the Camflo mill based on the Beaufor Mine ore and custom milling activities while cutting production costs. At the same time, we have started a number of projects since the beginning of the third quarter that should enable us to increase our gold resource and our production capacity.”

The technical and scientific content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Marc-André Lavergne, P.Eng., the Corporation’s qualified person under National Instrument 43‑101.

ABOUT MONARQUES GOLD CORPORATION

Monarques Gold Corporation (TSX.V:MQR) is an emerging gold producer focused on pursuing growth through its large portfolio of high-quality projects in the Abitibi mining camp in Quebec, Canada. The Corporation currently owns close to 300 km² of gold properties (see map), including the Beaufor Mine, the Croinor Gold (see video), Wasamac, McKenzie Break and Swanson advanced projects, and the Camflo and Beacon mills, as well as six promising exploration projects. It also offers custom milling services out of its 1,600 tonne-per-day Camflo mill. Monarques enjoys a strong financial position and has more than 150 skilled employees who oversee its operating, development and exploration activities.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Monarques’ actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Monarques Gold Corporation

View original content with multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2018/23/c5352.html

Jean-Marc Lacoste, President and Chief Executive Officer, 1-888-994-4465, [email protected], www.monarquesgold.com; Elisabeth Tremblay, Senior Geologist – Communications Specialist, 1-888-994-4465, [email protected], www.monarquesgold.comCopyright CNW Group 2018

FEATURE: PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Proven Plasma Torch Processes for US military, 3D Powders for Aircraft Engines and Solar Grade Silicon Metal for Solar Industry $HPQ.ca $DDD $SSYS $ PRLB

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 2:47 PM on Friday, April 20th, 2018

PYR: TSX-V

TSX Venture Exchange chooses PyroGenesis to be included in the Exclusive TSX Venture 50®

WHY PYROGENESIS?

  • Q3-2017 Cash Flow Positive on EBITDA (Modified) Basis;
  • Revenues Increase by 7%;
  • Positive Gross Margin of 57%;
  • Current Backlog $7.41MM
  • Traditional lines of business are poised to contribute significantly to bottom line
  • Over $13.5MM in contracts signed
  • Clients include: U.S Air Force, U.S NAVY, Canada Natural Resources
  • Nominated to the shortlist for “Materials Company of the Year” at the 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018.

The medical #marijuana industry is about to get much bigger, CannTrust CEO says $N.ca $NXTTF $TBP.ca $MCOA $ACB.ca $HIP.ca $WEED.ca $CMED.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:11 PM on Friday, April 20th, 2018
  • The ramp up in Canada’s cannabis sector is ongoing
  • Industry estimates of sales eventually adding up to between $5 and $8 billion a year
  • By comparison, Canada produces a little under $3 billion of beer a year and about $1 billion in tobacco products.

April 19, 2018 By Jayson MacLean

Eric Paul

While all eyes are on the launch date for recreational cannabis in Canada —said to come in either late summer or early fall— the medical side of the equation should be getting the attention, as well, because it’s about to get much bigger, says Eric Paul, CEO of licensed producer CannTrust Holdings (TSX:TRST).

The ramp up in Canada’s cannabis sector is ongoing, with industry estimates of sales eventually adding up to between $5 and $8 billion a year. That’s substantial, since by comparison, Canada produces a little under $3 billion of beer a year and about $1 billion in tobacco products.

But while the rec market is getting all the focus, the medical marijuana industry both at home and abroad should be getting its props, since it’s growing by leaps and bounds.

“We’ve been astounded by the growth of the medical marijuana industry in Canada,” Eric Paul, CEO of CannTrust Holdings, tells BNN.

“Roughly ten or 12 per cent of the 80,000 doctors across Canada who could prescribe are prescribing [cannabis], and I would say we’re gaining on that for a number of reasons,” says Paul. “The first being the opiate crisis where doctors are looking for cannabis as a potential first-line therapy for pain management. The second thing is that there is more research coming out; we’re about to announce a couple of major research projects in Canada and one is a major pain management study. As these research projects produce their end result, more doctors are looking at cannabis as an alternate therapy for chronically ill people.”

Statistics Canada has reported that between April and December of last year, the number of clients registered under its Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) has gone from 174,503 to 269,502.

Paul says that CannTrust itself has a 40,000-strong patient base and is looking to jump to 100,000 in 12 months time.

“We’ve had a major expansion in Niagara: a 430,000 sq. ft. state of the art greenhouse which is up and running,” says Paul. “We believe that with that capacity and with the nature of that facility, we’ll be able to supply our current customer demand in the medical market and have sufficient capacity to handle the first generation of recreational demand.”

But aside from Canada’s own growing medical market, the international market is poised to take off in countries like Germany and Australia, and many of the top licensed producers in Canada are now lining up deals outside of Canada.

In March, CannTrust announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with a Danish company to grow and sell medical cannabis.

“The industry is globalizing much faster than any of us expected,” says Paul.

“Various countries are going into medical legislation and Denmark is one of those countries that have announced that we’re fully licensed there, we’ll be building a facility there,” he said. “In that country, the government has decided to fund the cost of it for the consumer, via prescription, and they’re willing to fund 100 per cent for people with palliative or end-of-life care and 50 per cent for chronic illness. That will allow those industries to quickly garner market share. Germany is a similar kind of situation and also Australia.”

Source: https://www.cantechletter.com/2018/04/the-medical-marijuana-industry-is-about-to-get-much-bigger-canntrust-ceo-says/

JPMorgan $JPM National Bank of Canada $NA.ca others test debt issuance on #blockchain $SX $SX.ca $SXOOF $IDK.ca $AAO.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:24 AM on Friday, April 20th, 2018
  • The platform was built over more than a year using Quorum, a type of open-source blockchain that JPMorgan has developed inhouse.
  • Banks have poured millions of dollars to develop blockchain to streamline processes ranging from cross-border payments to securities settlement.
  • JPMorgan is considering spinning off Quorum because the technology has attracted significant outside interest.

Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Pedestrians cross a foot bridge towards the offices of global financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the commercial office block No. 1 Canada Square, in the Canary Wharf financial, shopping and business district in London, U.K.

J. P. Morgan Chase & Co has tested a new blockchain platform for issuing financial instruments with the National Bank of Canada and other large firms, they said on Friday, seeking to streamline origination, settlement, interest rate payments and other processes.

The test on Wednesday mirrored the Canadian bank’s $150 million offering on the same day of a one-year floating-rate Yankee certificate of deposit, they said in a statement. The platform was built over more than a year using Quorum, a type of open-source blockchain that JPMorgan has developed inhouse and is in discussions to spin off.

Participants in the experiment included Goldman Sachs Asset Management, the fund management arm of Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Pfizer Inc and Legg Mason Inc’s Western Asset and other investors in the certificate of deposit.

Banks have poured millions of dollars to develop blockchain, the software first created to run cryptocurrency bitcoin, to streamline processes ranging from cross-border payments to securities settlement.

“Blockchain-related technologies have the potential to bring about major change in the financial services industry,” David Furlong, senior vice president of artificial intelligence, venture capital and blockchain at National Bank of Canada, said in a statement.

JPMorgan is considering spinning off Quorum because the technology has attracted significant outside interest, Umar Farooq, head of blockchain initiatives for JPMorgan’s corporate and investment bank said in an interview.

He said it was taking too much time to field requests for help from users at other companies.

Charging for assistance is not an option because software support is not the bank’s business, a person familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. The source was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The spin-off discussions are in the early stages and the bank has received interest from financial institutions and large enterprise technology companies, Farooq added. He declined to name the companies.

JPMorgan plans to beef up the Quorum team with dozens of engineers from the bank’s other divisions who have become familiar with the technology, he said.

Blockchain is in the early stages of development in the financial industry, but JPMorgan is optimistic about its potential, Farooq said.

“We haven’t really seen a lot of really large scale things go into production yet. There are few cases where blockchain can really shine.”

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/20/jpmorgan-national-bank-of-canada-others-test-debt-issuance-on-blockchain.html

INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca Silicon Discusses Significant Commercial Scale Up Milestones From Gen2 PUREVAP $PYR.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:36 AM on Friday, April 20th, 2018

FEATURE: Monarques Gold $MQR.ca – A PRODUCER With $10.3M In Quarterly Revenues $MUX.ca $SII.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:09 PM on Thursday, April 19th, 2018

Monarquesgold hub large

MQR: TSX-V

Why Monarques Gold?

  • A gold producer with the Beaufor Mine
  • $10.3M in revenues last quarter
  • large portfolio of mining assets, including the Beaufor Mine, two mills (Camflo and Beacon), two advanced projects (Wasamac and Croinor Gold) and eight exploration projects covering more than 240 km2 in the Abitibi region.
  • Upside potential and leverage to the gold price with the Wasamac project.
  • NI 43-101 proven and probable reserves of 162,790 ounces of gold, measured and indicated resources of 1.76 million ounces and inferred resources of 1.67 million ounces
  • Over 150 highly experienced, qualified employees will join the Monarques team.
  • Strong financial position, with cash of $18.2 million

Q2 (Dec 31) Highlights

Beaufor Mine

  • Production and sale of 5,444 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a 62% increase over the 3,380 ounces produced in the prior quarter by the previous owner and a 16% increase over the quarterly average of 4,715 ounces produced during the prior nine-month period.
  • Average selling price of $1,583 (US $1,245) per ounce sold.
  • Production cash cost of $1,338 (US $1,052) per ounce sold, down 31% from $1,929 (US $1,540) in the prior quarter under the previous owner.
  • All-in sustaining cost for Beaufor/Camflo of $1,525 (US $1,199) per ounce sold, down 39% from $2,491 (US $1,989) in the prior quarter under the previous owner.

Mobile Game Study Reveals Interesting Demographics – 63% of #Mobile #Gamers are #Female #Kuuhubb $KUU.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:54 AM on Thursday, April 19th, 2018
  • According to Mediakix, female gamers make up 63-percent of the total,
    • 60-percent playing every day.
  • That’s as compared to 37-percent and 47-percent for males, respectively.
  • Only 31-percent of men spend real money in games compared to a number that appears higher for women with that number being at 36-percent
March 30, 2018 – Written By Daniel Golightly

A new report released by Mediakix has some statistics to show with regard to the demographics of mobile gaming, as well as trends in spending and expected industry growth. There’s actually quite a lot of information revealed by the study but the company has provided a helpful infographic to break down some of the key figures. It should come as no surprise that the market is expected to hit a value of around $115 billion this year or that its expected to increase by $72 billion by 2020. Mobile gaming is already a $50 billion industry and its only March.

The demographics of who those gamers are is very interesting, especially when compared to some other studies that were recently completed. For example, another infographic from earlier this month – conducted by AppOptix for U.S. users- showed only a slight gap between how much time men and women spend on their mobile devices. That gap was only at around 6-percent, with men using their devices more. If those figures hold true, then it turns out women may be playing far more mobile games in that time than men. According to Mediakix, female gamers make up 63-percent of the total, with 60-percent playing every day. That’s as compared to 37-percent and 47-percent for males, respectively. Meanwhile, only 31-percent of men spend real money in games compared to a number that appears higher for women with that number being at 36-percent.

That may or may not need to be taken with a grain of salt, though, bearing in mind that Mediakix study was on the global scale. Figures for age demographics in mobile gaming do appear to be a bit different between sources. Mediakix, for example, says that of the 2.1 billion mobile gamers worldwide, the largest age group for gaming on smartphones at 38-percent is those aged 45-years or more. In the U.S., according to AppOptix, the 45 and older group plays the least. That same study showed that those aged 26 to 36 fell in with only slightly more play time per week, while this new study shows users between 25 and 34 as making up 19-percent of gamers. Some cohesiveness is there to be found, on the other hand, in the fact that both studies show that users under 26 make up the big chunk of mobile gamers. The new numbers place that group at around 22-percent, while the earlier reports showed that group to be the largest. Of course, those aren’t the only figures revealed by the study and the comparisons aren’t necessarily directly correlated. But the figures are well worth examning nonetheless. Anybody interested in learning more can check out the included infographic or head over to the source link below.

 Source: https://www.androidheadlines.com/2018/03/mobile-game-study-reveals-interesting-demographics.html