Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 11:26 AM on Monday, December 30th, 2019
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Bitcoin demand is strong affirms prominent crypto-trader
In a recent thread on Twitter, popular cryptocurrency trader, Scott
Melker, posted his findings on analyzing candle wicks on the monthly Bitcoin charts.
Wicks usually show the extent to which an asset’s price fluctuated
between the open and close of the candle’s time frame. Long upper wicks
near a peak indicate market participants are trying to sell as high as
possible, increasing selling pressure and driving the price down. Long
lower wicks near a valley, however, show traders are looking to buy at
the lowest price possible, increasing buying pressure and driving the
price up.
Melker, who goes by ‘The Wolf of All Streets’ on Twitter, noted that since May, when BTC
nearly touched $14,000, the successive monthly candles’ upper wicks
have been receding in length, becoming shorter and shorter toward
October.
In a similar fashion, he pointed out how the monthly candles after
October showed increasing lengths in their lower wicks, with the month
of October itself showing a balance in length between upper and lower
candle wicks. According to Melker, this indicated strong BTC selling pressure during the rally earlier this year, as well as stronger buying on dips.
Additionally, Melker affirmed his hypothesis that demand is strong by
drawing attention to the previous week’s swing failure pattern.
Further, he claimed that BTC‘s
last weekly candle’s wick crossing under the last swing’s low indicated
the “price was pushed down to fit orders — engineered liquidity.â€
While not a flawless basis on which to expect a bull market, a look at the historical data for Bitcoin‘s weekly price shows candles with long wicks have tended to precede considerable movement in BTC
value. As the market looks to buy at lower and lower levels, it seems
likely that sellers will continue to prop the price up higher and
higher, possibly leading to a gradual rise in Bitcoin value over the coming weeks and months.
Proprietary technology platforms including Electronic Health Records portal and e-Commerce for CBD product distribution
Recently launched CBD extraction facility
First extraction system capacity = 6,000 Kg per year.
CBD based products are poised to be a $20B global industry by 2022
Medical cannabis is poised to be a $100B global industry by 2025
Marijuana On The 2020 Ballot: These States Could Vote
By:Tom Angell
Ever since Colorado and Washington became the first two states to
approve marijuana legalization initiatives in 2012, additional states
have joined them in each biennial election that has followed. And 2020
could be a banner year for cannabis on the ballot.
There are at least 16 states where advocates believe marijuana
measures could go before voters next year—some considering full-scale
recreational legalization while others would focus on medical cannabis.
Getty
Some of these would be citizen-led voter initiatives where activists
collect signatures to qualify a measure for the ballot, while others
would be referendums that lawmakers place before voters.
“Since the first adult-use legalization ballot initiative victory in
2012, the marijuana reform movement has successfully maintained its
momentum,†Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy
Project, said. “For four elections in a row there has been a
legalization victory at the ballot box, and the upcoming election could
deliver more victories in one day than ever before.â€
Of course, not every initiated effort will end up securing enough
funding, or formulating solid enough campaign plans, to collect
sufficient signatures to qualify their measures for voters’
consideration on Election Day—but these are all states where activists
or lawmakers have talked seriously about putting cannabis questions on
ballots.
It’s not feasible to list every measure that activists took the
modest trouble to initially file, and this overview looks primarily at
efforts that seem most poised to advance. This post also doesn’t include
the long list of states that might legalize marijuana through actions
by lawmakers, as opposed to citizens via the ballot—which will be the
focus of a separate piece.
In alphabetical order, here’s a comprehensive overview of the states where marijuana could be on the ballot in 2020.
Arizona
Voters in Arizona narrowly rejected a marijuana legalization measure
in 2016, thanks in part to sizable campaign contributions from the
pharmaceutical industry. In 2020, though, the state’s medical
cannabis companies will be working to pass an initiative making marijuana legal for adults.
The effort, known as Smart & Safe Arizona,
would allow people 21 and older to possess, consume, cultivate and
purchase cannabis from licensed retailers. It would also create a
pathway for individuals with prior convictions to have their records
expunged, and it proposes using some tax revenue from legal sales to
invest in communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition.
Dispensary chains MedMen, Harvest Health and Recreation and Curaleaf
Holdings are helping to fund the campaign. Advocates must collect
237,645 valid signatures from voters by July 2 in order to put the
measure on the ballot.
Arkansas
In 2016, Arkansas voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing
patients to have legal access to medical cannabis. Now, activists are
floating separate measures to more broadly end marijuana prohibition and expunge past records.
In order to place the measures on the ballot, Arkansans for Cannabis Reform must gather 89,151 signatures by July 3, including required minimums in at least 15 counties.
Under the legalization proposal, adults over 21 would be allowed to
to possess up to four ounces of marijuana, two ounces of cannabis
concentrate and edible products containing cannabis with THC content of
200 mg or less. They could also cultivate up to six cannabis seedlings
and six cannabis flowering plants for personal use.
A system of legal and regulated sales would be created, with tax
revenue funding the program’s implementation, public pre-kindergarten
and after school programs as well as the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences.
Under the separate expungements measure, people with certain prior
marijuana convictions would be able to petition courts for relief,
including release from incarceration, reduction of remaining sentences
and restoration of voting rights.
But while Connecticut doesn’t have the initiative process where
activists can collect signatures to place a question on the ballot, some
elected officials have floated the idea of advancing a referendum that
would let voters weigh in on ending prohibition.
Most activists would prefer that lawmakers go ahead and just pass a
legalization bill—because running a public education campaign to ensure a
ballot measure passes would be expensive at a time when resources are
needed in other states. A general referendum question would also require
subsequent implementation legislation, and even putting it on the
ballot in time for 2020 would take a supermajority of 75 percent of
legislators.
Florida
Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize
medical cannabis in 2016. Now, a group called Make It Legal Florida is
working to place a full-scale marijuana legalization measure on the key swing state’s 2020 presidential ballot.
The proposed amendment to the state constitution would allow adults
21 and over to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Existing medical
marijuana dispensaries would be permitted to sell marijuana to adults.
While the measure doesn’t mention a licensing system to establish
separate recreational shops, lawmakers will likely enact detailed
regulations should it pass, as they did with the prior medical cannabis
measure.
The campaign is being backed by cannabis companies such as MedMen and Parallel (formerly known as Surterra Wellness).
A separate group, Regulate Florida, recently acknowledged that its
lesser-funded effort wouldn’t be be able to successfully collect enough
signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Idaho
Idaho is one of only a handful of states in the U.S. that doesn’t
even allow patients to access CBD medications with low-THC content. That
could change, however, under a proposed medical marijuana ballot
measure for which activists are currently collecting signatures.
The Idaho Cannabis Coalition’s
proposal would let approved patients and their caregivers possess up to
four ounces of marijuana. A system of licensed and regulated growers,
processors, testers and retail dispensaries would be established.
Patients would not be allowed to grow their own medicine unless they
qualify for a hardship exemption for those who have have a physical,
financial or distance difficulty in acquiring marijuana at a dispensary.
Those patients could grow up to six plants.
Organizers need to collect 55,057 valid signatures from voters in order to qualify the measure for the ballot.
If the initiative is approved, patients with any of 22
conditions—including cancer, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress
disorder—be allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per 14-day
period.
The secretary of state is expected to announce whether organizers
collected a sufficient number of signatures for ballot access early in
2020.
Now, activists are looking to expand on that with a broader marijuana
legalization. Several different proposed measures to end cannabis
prohibition have been filed
with the secretary of state, but the campaigns at this point seem to be
operating largely under the radar, so it remains to be seen whether any
group will have the funding needed to mount a successful signature
gathering drive.
Last year three separate medical cannabis measures ended up qualifying for the ballot, but two were rejected by voters.
Montana
Montana already has a medical cannabis program, and activists are
looking to expand that to include legal adult use of marijuana in 2020.
The group New Approach Montana is currently in the process of drafting two separate legalization measures—one constitutional and one statutory.
The details of the proposals aren’t yet publicly available, but the
statutory proposal will need roughly 25,500 valid voters signatures to
qualify for ballot access, while the constitutional amendment would
require nearly 51,000 signatures.
The national groups Marijuana Policy Project and New Approach PAC are backing the effort.
A separate group, MontanaCan, has already filed its own legalization proposal.
Under the referendum adopted by the Senate and Assembly, the November
2020 ballot will contain a question that reads, “Do you approve
amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana
called cannabis?â€
If the proposed constitutional amendment is approved, lawmakers would
then get to work adopting regulations for the legal cannabis industry.
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) put marijuana legalization language in his
budget submission earlier this year but, despite support for the idea
from leading lawmakers, disagreement over particulars such as how to
spend tax revenue meant that the proposal didn’t get over the finish
line.
“The opposition Senate position is there is no state that has passed
it without a referendum. It’s never been done just by the legislature,â€
he said in a radio interview this year. “I believe Jersey may be moving
to a referendum also, but Massachusetts, et cetera, the legislature
acted after a referendum. So that’s what the senators who oppose it
say—they think it’s an overreach by the legislature.â€
If lawmakers can’t agree on the details of legalization again this
year, Cuomo may call skittish legislators’ bluff and seek to advance a
cannabis referendum to fulfill what he has said is one of his top agenda
items.
North Dakota
North Dakota voters approved a medical cannabis ballot measure in
2016 and two years later swiftly defeated a proposal to more broadly
legalize marijuana.
But advocates may have another chance in 2020.
While the unsuccessful 2018 measure contained no limits on the amount
of cannabis people could possess or grow, the new initiative, written by
the same group of activists, has robust regulations—including a ban on
home cultivation.
Legalization supporters hope more voters will agree to the narrower proposal this time around.
There is also another proposed legalization measure vying to collect the 13,452 valid signatures needed for ballot access.
Ohio
In 2015, Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected a marijuana legalization
measure that even many longtime activists opposed due its proposed
regulatory structure that would have granted control over cannabis
cultivation to the very same group of wealthy individuals who paid to
put it on the ballot.
Advocates have cited the Buckeye State as a potential target for another try in 2020, though no proposals have yet been filed.
Voters in number of communities throughout the state have in recent years approved measures to decriminalize marijuana possession on a local basis, indicating that there is public support for cannabis reform if placed on the state ballot again next year.
That said, Ohio is a large state, and qualifying initiatives there is
very expensive, so any successful effort will likely need to have
industry support.
Backed by the national New Approach PAC, the new effort will have to
collect 178,000 valid signatures from registered voters to qualify for
ballot access.
Under the measure as initially filed, adults 21 and older would be
allowed to possess, cultivate and purchase cannabis from licensed
retailers. There would be a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana sales,
revenue from which would cover implementation costs and fund schools,
drug treatment programs and other public service programs.
Personal possession would be capped at one ounce and individuals
could grow up to six plants. The proposal would also provide
expungements for those with prior marijuana convictions.
Backers recently withdrew
the initial measure, but plan to redraft it with feedback from the
medical cannabis community, with a new version expected to be filed
soon.
Rhode Island
Lawmakers in Rhode Island have filed marijuana legalization bills for
the last several sessions but they have never been brought to a vote.
In 2019, Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) went so far as to put legalization language in her budget proposal, but it was removed by legislative leaders.
The governor has indicated she will make another attempt in 2020, but if that doesn’t pan out, lawmakers may consider putting the question to voters via a referendum.
In 2016, Raimondo said she is “open to†giving voters a chance to
decide on legalization via a ballot question. And House Speaker Nicholas
Mattiello (D), said that he was “considering the possibility of placing
a non-binding referendum question on the ballot regarding the use of
recreational marijuana.â€
A bill for a marijuana referendum
that was filed in 2018 never received a vote, but it’s an avenue the
legislature might consider pursuing next year as legalization comes
online in more nearby states.
Nebraska
Lawmakers in Nebraska have repeatedly rejected medical cannabis
legislation. Frustrated with their colleagues’ unwillingness to change
the law to let patient legally medicate, two senators in the state’s
unicameral legislature are partnering with local and national advocacy
groups to put the question directly to voters through a ballot initiative.
Under the proposed constitutional amendment,
physicians or nurse practitioners would be able to issue
recommendations to patients, who would then be allowed to “use, possess,
access, and safely and discreetly produce an adequate supply of
cannabis, cannabis preparations, products and materials, and
cannabis-related equipment to alleviate diagnosed serious medical
conditions without facing arrest, prosecution, or civil or criminal
penalties.â€
The measure would also provide for a system of legal and regulated cannabis distribution through dispensaries.
Organizers must collect valid signatures from roughly 122,000 voters in order to make the ballot.
South Dakota
The South Dakota secretary of state’s office certified this month that activists collected more than enough signatures to qualify a medical cannabis measure for the November 2020 ballot.
If approved, patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions
would be allowed to possess and purchase up to three ounces of marijuana
from a licensed dispensary with approval from their doctors. They could
also grow at least three plants, or more if authorized by a physician.
That measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess and
distribute up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to three
cannabis plants. The state Department of Revenue would issue licenses
for manufacturers, testing facilities and retailers.
South Dakota voters rejected medical cannabis ballot measures in 2006
and 2010, but advocates hope that the changing national and regional
climate on marijuana reform means that voters will be more supportive
this time around.
Non-Marijuana Initiatives On State Ballots
Activists in a few states are taking steps to bring broader drug policy reform questions to voters’ ballots in 2020.
A group called Decriminalize California is preparing to soon begin collecting signatures in support of a measure to legalize psilocybin mushrooms.
Separate from the huge number of states where cannabis and drug
policy reform questions could appear before voters on ballots, lawmakers
in many states are expected to consider bills to legalize marijuana.
And with presidential candidates increasingly embracing cannabis
legalization and other far-reaching reforms, 2020 is poised to be the
biggest year for marijuana yet.
“In 2020, hundreds of thousands of Americans will turn out to vote
not for the top of the ticket, but for the rights of cannabis consumers
in upwards of a dozen states,†said NORML Political Director Justin
Strekal. “As we have seen in previous elections, marijuana initiatives
increase voter turnout in nearly every demographic. With public support
growing by the day, 2020 will be the biggest year yet for expanding the
freedoms and liberties of cannabis consumers.â€
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 11:07 PM on Monday, December 23rd, 2019
Announced today that it completed a financing in which the Company received funding pursuant to a Term Loan Agreement with R & D Capital Inc. for a total of CAN $247,500
Loan is guaranteed by an existing security interest in favor of R & D.
MONTREAL, Dec. 23, 2019 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation†or “PyroGenesis”) that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, announced today that it completed a financing in which the Company received funding pursuant to a Term Loan Agreement with R & D Capital Inc. (“R & Dâ€) for a total of CAN $247,500 with respect to its Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax credits (“SR&ED Tax Creditsâ€) for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, (the “Loanâ€).
The Loan is guaranteed by an existing security interest in favor of R
& D. The security interest is on the universality of the Company’s
assets excluding its Intellectual Property but including the refundable
portion of its SR&ED Tax Credits for the fiscal years ending
December 31, 2019.
“This financing, which we did today, is similar to previous SR&ED
type of financings that the Company has entered into which is entirely
non-dilutive to shareholders,†said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and
CEO of PyroGenesis.
In connection with the Loan, the Company paid R&D, fees of $22,275 CAD.
Separately, with respect to the recent decline in the stock price, Mr. P. Peter Pascali commented as follows:
“We have no knowledge of any material news which could explain the
recent decline in the Company’s stock price, and we have reported these
observations to the appropriate authorities,†said Mr. Pascali. “In
fact, this recent decline is even stranger given the recent news the
subject of which is even more imminent than it was when we first
disclosed it, which stands to reason. On a separate note, we expect to
build a solid DROSRITE™ business on top of the recent news as we are
actively working on a number of DROSRITE™ deals in Europe.â€
About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.
PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is the world leader in
the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced
plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing
expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process
equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced
materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental
industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and
technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2
manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage
by remaining at the forefront of technology development and
commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the
way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes,
high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to
the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D
certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded
Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR)
and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”,
“plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”,
“expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which
constitute “forward- looking information” within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the
Corporation’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited
to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the
market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the
capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research
and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new
product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory
approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the
Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in
the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory
authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at
www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ
materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture
Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in
the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.
For further information please contact: Rodayna Kafal, Vice President Investors Relations and Strategic Business Development, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:26 PM on Monday, December 23rd, 2019
Announce that it has acquired 3,000,000 units of St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. at a price of $0.10 per Unit
In consideration, the Company has issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share and made a cash payment in the amount of $50,000.
TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2019 – ThreeD Capital Inc. (the “Companyâ€) (CSE:IDK), a Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on investments in promising, early stage companies and ICOs with disruptive capabilities, is pleased to announce that it has acquired 3,000,000 units (the “Unitsâ€) of St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. (“St-Georgesâ€) at a price of $0.10 per Unit. In consideration, the Company has issued an aggregate of 5,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share (the “Offeringâ€) and made a cash payment in the amount of $50,000. Each Unit of St-Georges consists of one common share (the “Shareâ€) of St-Georges and one share purchase warrant (the “Warrantâ€) of St-Georges, with each Warrant being exercisable to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.185 for a period of 9 months following the date of issuance.
“ThreeD is very pleased to deepen its relationship with St-Georges,â€
said ThreeD Capital’s Founder, Chairman and CEO Sheldon Inwentash.
“We are pleased to have the continuous support of ThreeD in our
financing efforts. The company has been a supportive partner helping us
expand our different business silos and making valuable introductions,â€
commented Mark Billings, Chairman of St-Georges.
All securities issued and issuable in connection with the Offering
are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on April 24, 2020.
About ThreeD Capital Inc.
ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm
focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the Junior
Resources, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain sectors. ThreeD seeks
to invest in early stage, promising companies and ICOs where it may be
the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory
services, mentoring and access to the Company’s ecosystem.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:47 AM on Monday, December 23rd, 2019
Spyder has two current Development Permits in Calgary, Alberta to build cannabis retail stores and has received the building permit for one of the two locations
The second building permit has been submitted and awaiting approval
Vaughan, Ontario–(December 23, 2019) – Spyder Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: SPDR) (“Spyder Cannabis” or the “Company“), an established Canadian cannabis accessory and an alternative to smoking retailer, provides an update to the corporate business development. Founded in 2014 Spyder is an established chain of three high-end alternative to smoking stores and two cannabis accessory stores in Ontario, with locations in Woodbridge, Scarborough, Burlington, Niagara Falls and Pickering. The Spyder brand is defined by its high-quality proprietary line of e-juice, liquids and exclusive retail deals, dispensed in uniquely designed stores creating the optimal customer experience. Spyder is building off this leading retail, distribution and branding platform by pursuing expansion into the legal cannabis market.
Spyder has two current Development Permits in Calgary, Alberta to
build cannabis retail stores and has received the building permit for
one of the two locations. The second building permit has been submitted
and awaiting approval.
Two weeks ago the government of Ontario announced it will abandon the
current lottery system for cannabis retail and move towards an open
licensing system beginning January 6, 2020. Store authorizations will be
issued starting in April, at the rate of 20 per month. Spyder will be
submitting applications on January 6, 2020 for some of the stores
currently operating. These stores are already built out and Spyder does
not expect major renovations will be required to conform to the Ontario
specifications for licenced stores.
Spyder is currently pursuing other locations in Ontario for aggressive expansion of its scalable retail platform.
The Company’s common shares will resume trading on the TSXV at market open on December 24, 2019
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
For more information, please contact:
Spyder Cannabis Inc. Dan Pelchovitz President & Chief Executive Officer Contact: Investor Relations Phone: 1-888-504-SPDR (1-888-504-7737) Email: [email protected]
Cautionary Statements
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.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute
forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or
future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”,
“expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar
expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical
facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based
on the Company’s current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and
timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ
materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking
information relating to the satisfaction of the closing conditions
contemplated under the Agreement. Various assumptions or factors are
typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or
projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions
and factors are based on information currently available to the Company.
Risk factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking
information include, among other things: the TSX Venture Exchange
declining to accept the transaction, the landlord not consenting to the
Lease Assignment, changes in tax laws, general economic and business
conditions; and changes in the regulatory regulation. The Company
cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not
exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this release is
made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update
or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and
assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly
qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:30 AM on Monday, December 23rd, 2019
SPONSOR: BetterU Education Corp.
aims to provide access to quality education from around the world.
The company plans to bridge the prevailing gap in the education and job
industry and enhance the lives of its prospective learners by developing
an integrated ecosystem. Click here for more information.
How Education Technology Has Evolved In 2010s
EdTech (or Education Technology) industry in India, according to a KPMG report, was worth about $247million and could reach $1.96 billion by 2021.
New Delhi:
When Byju Raveendran set up his company, Think & Learn, in 2011,
offering online lessons before launching his main app in 2015, he
wouldn’t have imagined that the decade would end with him becoming a
billionaire. Mr Byju, who developed an education app (Byju’s app )
that’s grown to a valuation of almost $6 billion in about seven years, joined the rarefied club after his company scored $150 million
(roughly Rs. 1,000 crores) in funding in in July this year. That deal,
according to Bloomberg, conferred a value of $5.7 billion (roughly Rs.
39,000 crores) on the company in which the founder owns more than 21
percent.
The business signed up more than 35 million of whom about 2.4 million
pay an annual fee of 10,000 to 12,000 rupees, helping it became
profitable in the year ending March 2019.
EdTech (or Education Technology) industry in India, according to a
2016 KPMG report, was worth about $247million and could reach $1.96
billion by 2021.
A survey done by Gradeup indicated that 70% of students would shift
to online learning if given access to live online classes. Of these,
over 80% cited ‘access to expert faculty’ as the primary reason.
‘A decade ago, EdTech industry did not even exist’
Beas Dev Ralhan, Co-Founder and CEO, Next Edcuation India, says the
industry is engaging latest technologies such as experiential learning
tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Gamification of Learning which
are revolutionising the preparation strategies of students currently and
will continue to do so.
Mr Ralhan says the educational landscape of India has been
transformed by a series of developments in new-age pedagogies and their
popularity is expected to continue in the coming years.
“Conventional methods of education have mostly lost their appeal
among students who are now exploring new strategies to learn and prepare
for exams,” he added.
The increased mobile penetration in the country especially in rural
areas was a major breakthrough for the development of this industry.
“A decade ago, EdTech industry did not even exist. Getting
accessible, affordable and a quality education for students preparing
for competitive exams, especially, in Tier 2,3 cities was a big
challenge. This was the opportunity that Ed-tech industry resolved to
address. This also coincided with the increased mobile penetration in
the country especially in rural areas,” says Shobhit Bhatnagar, CEO and
Co-Founder, Gradeup.
‘Interactive and result-oriented’
Once the issue of accessibility was solved, the startups, which boomed in last one decade, concentrated on the delivery side.
“The preparation had to be effective and result-oriented, for which,
EdTech players introduced live online courses from some of India’s best
teachers through their platform. Classes are interactive, engaging and
allowed students the freedom and privacy to learn at their convenience
from the best. With a structured methodology and day-wise study plan,”
Mr Bhatnagar details how the industry evolved.
Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School,
Bangalore, says the penetration of internet-based smartphones and
gadgets is taking quality learning to students across geographies in
India.
The teacher connect
According to Ms Sastri, by using the internet or software tools,
students can create online groups that connect them in real time with
students and teachers.
“They can receive feedback from their teachers and share questions
and concerns about their lessons. Hence teachers need to integrate
technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an
add-on,” she adds.
“Technology has become a crucial aspect of enabling learning and
empowering teachers with the usage of multiple tools to improve teaching
methodology. With the use of technology, learning and teaching not only
become more interactive and exciting, but also become personalized to
suit the needs of every individual student,” she said.
Classroom experience
The smart boards are gradually replacing the black-boards in the
classrooms wherein the teacher can bring the world inside a classroom,
which broadens the horizons of teaching and learning, says Niru Agarwal,
Trustee, Greenwood High International School.
“Through technology”, Ms Agarwal says “the teacher and students are
always connected which enhances their preparation strategies. Media
presentations are designed in a student-friendly manner, and which can
also be shared easily. Calendar applications help in creating a schedule
for the student, thereby making their goals achievable”.
“Experiential learning tools are being implemented in India in the
form of virtual labs and virtual and augmented reality tools. Virtual
and augmented reality creates immersive, real-life experiences in the
classroom through graphical simulations. On the other hand, virtual
labs help them conduct simulated experiments based on real-world
phenomena via a computer interface,” says Mr Ralhan.
The outcome
According to Zishaan Hayath, CEO and Founder, Toppr , efficient use
of tech in education has led to a reduction in the need for a human
advisor, improving affordability for the student.
“There are about 350 million school-going students in India, one of
the largest population in the world. Stronger implementation of AI and
ML have helped bring out truly adaptive and personalized platforms
addressing real learning needs. The main purpose of these assistive
technologies is to provide a more accessible and on-demand experience
for students that need immediate assistance with certain issues. Tech
tools and software have also allowed to streamline the educational
experience, improve accessibility and offer new resources to students,”
he adds.
However, psychologists and educationists are arguing the
implementation of large scale technological solutions in school
education needs detailed studies on how it’s affecting the cognitive
abilities of a student in the era of “digital natives”.
“In the era of ‘digital natives’, the role of technology in teaching
cannot be overlooked,” says Muhsina Lubaiba, a psychologist who works
among school children.
“As Prensky says,.. rapid dissemination of digital technology…
changed the way students think and process information, making it
difficult for them to excel academically using the outdated teaching
methods of the day. In other words, children raised in a digital,
media-saturated world, require a media-rich learning environment to hold
their attention,” she quoted Marc Prensky, the writer of the book
‘Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants’.
She also said the quality and efficiency of the educational apps available today is debatable.
“I’m of the opinion that, even if genuine and expert evaluated apps
are used by children, it is by no means a substitute for the classroom
teaching. The issue here is that the teachers need to be updated and
should find ways to engage these digital natives using technology, but
their role cannot be completely neglected,” she said.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 3:02 PM on Friday, December 20th, 2019
SPONSOR: Tartisan Nickel (TN:CSE)
Kenbridge Property has a measured and indicated resource of 7.14
million tonnes at 0.62% nickel, 0.33% copper. Tartisan also has
interests in Peru, including a 20 percent equity stake in Eloro
Resources and 2 percent NSR in their La Victoria property. Click her for more information
BGL Metals Insider Says Nickel Forecasted to Shine
While stainless steel has historically been the primary end market for nickel, increased adoption of electrification in vehicle production is shifting demand for the material with advancements in battery technology
This structural shift is expected to change the supply and demand dynamics within the nickel market
CHICAGO and CLEVELAND, Dec. 18, 2019 –Â Technological advancements in the transportation industry are setting the stage for a surge in nickel demand, according to the Metals Insider, an industry report released by Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL). While stainless steel has historically been the primary end market for nickel, increased adoption of electrification in vehicle production is shifting demand for the material with advancements in battery technology. This structural shift is expected to change the supply and demand dynamics within the nickel market.
Technological advancements in the transportation industry are setting
the stage for a surge in nickel demand, according to the Metals Insider,
an industry report released by Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL).
While stainless steel has historically been the primary end market for
nickel, increased adoption of electrification in vehicle production is
shifting demand for the material with advancements in battery
technology.
Industry participants cite battery demand as a transformational
development for the nickel industry, with vehicle electrification and
global tightening of emissions standards key drivers underpinning market
growth:
Market forecasts quantify the shift to electric mobility, which
predict a nearly five-fold increase in electric vehicle (EV) models by
2030, when one in five passenger cars sold globally will be battery
electric vehicles. Government initiatives are driving EV growth, notably
stringent enforcement of emissions standards supported by targeted bans
on internal combustion engine vehicle sales.
Nickel consumption in EV batteries could expand ten-fold by 2025,
with battery demand projected to more than triple to an estimated 15
percent market share– up from 4 percent today.
Major nickel producers are validating the demand shift and investing
to support double-digit volume growth, with nickel integral to
strategic business models. Manufacturing capacity, raw materials
availability, and advancements in new battery technologies are critical
variables that will impact the supply outlook.
The nickel market is expected to undergo a structural shift across
the value chain that will impact supply demand dynamics for stainless
steel and nickel producers, distributors, manufacturers, and the major
end markets they serve, with the oil & gas, aerospace, and food
industries among the large consumers of the nickel- bearing material.
About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown
Gibbons Lang & Company is a leading independent investment bank and
financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm
advises private and public corporations and private equity groups
on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, capital markets, financial
restructurings, valuations and opinions, and other strategic
matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, and San Diego.
The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling
BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world.
Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang &
Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang &
Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 20th, 2019
SPONSOR:ThreeD Capital Inc. (IDK:CSE)
Led by legendary financier, Sheldon Inwentash, ThreeD is a
Canadian-based venture capital firm that only invests in best of breed
small-cap companies which are both defensible and mass scalable. More
than just lip service, Inwentash has financed many of Canada’s biggest
small-cap exits. Click Here For More Information.
How To Keep Your Crypto Safe Against Exchange Hackers
Exchange hacks appear to be one of the critical problems without any kind of a solution in sight.
This year alone, there have been several high-profile attacks.
Despite all the developments and innovations in the cryptocurrency
space over recent years, exchange hacks appear to be one of the
critical problems without any kind of a solution in sight. These days,
cryptocurrencies are far more distributed across hundreds of exchanges
than they were back in 2014 when Mt.Gox was hit, derailing the price of Bitcoin overnight. Nevertheless, exchanges remain prime targets for hackers.
This year alone, there have been several high-profile attacks.
Cryptopia was one of the first, subject two separate incidents that
ultimately crippled the New Zealand-based exchange, causing it to close
its doors for good.
After that, Singaporean DragonEx and
Korean Bithumb were both targeted, before trading behemoth Binance was
hit in May this year. Although the company was quick to reassure users
that their account balances were protected by its insurance fund, the
attack left a smear on Binance’s previously unblemished record of
security.
The latest exchange to fall prey to hackers is Upbit, which lost $50 million worth of ETH in late November.
So, what are crypto users to do, to
keep their funds safe? In light of the ongoing hacking issues, many
exchanges are now starting to sell themselves on their enhanced security
measures.
Going the Extra Mile to Prevent Attacks
For a while, two-factor
authentication was the established means of ensuring user account.
However, many exchanges are now taking additional measures, such as IP
binding. This means that you can restrict access to your exchange
accounts to only a single IP address. If someone attempts to log in from
another machine than your own, you’ll be notified.
Singaporean exchange ecxx
is one example of an exchange following this practice, along with other
measures to help keep your funds safe from theft. The exchange keeps
user funds in cold wallets, requiring multiple signatures from the
company to access.
Earlier this year, QuadrigaCX users found their funds had gone missing after the exchange founder died abroad
as the only person holding the private keys to access his company’s
wallet. Multi-signature wallets are a way of protecting against this
risk.
Furthermore, ecxx has integrated with MyInfo,
the government of Singapore’s user portal. It enables Singaporean
citizens and residents to interact with government agencies and private
companies online. The integration offers local users in Singapore a
trusted means of logging on to the ecxx platform with their existing
MyInfo credentials.
For institutions, ecxx has also partnered with Ledger,
one of the global leaders in digital asset cold storage. Professional
traders and investors can choose to have their funds stored in a Ledger
Vault, meaning that ecxx doesn’t take custody of funds at all.
Decentralized Exchanges – a Non-Custodial Solution
Another option for exchanging tokens
without incurring the security risks of hacking is to use a
decentralized exchange (DEX.) A DEX generally doesn’t take custody of
your accounts, meaning that you’re solely responsible for fund
security.
At this point in the evolution of
cryptocurrency, users have their pick of DEXs, with various different
models for enabling trading. However, a critical challenge of
peer-to-peer DEXs is that many are underused, meaning they suffer from
low liquidity. Unless you’re trading Bitcoin
or one of the major alts, you may find your trade left hanging while
the matching engine searches for a counterpart with whom to trade.
Therefore, it makes sense to find a DEX with high liquidity.
IDEX
is one of the more popular DEXs, meaning that liquidity is less of a
challenge. Users manage their funds via the platform’s Ethereum-based
smart contract. Users can access the smart contract via four methods – a
Metamask wallet, a Ledger Nano S cold storage wallet, a Keystore file,
or a manual private key entry.
Another safe option is to use a
liquidity protocol, which is a kind of DEX using a third token to enable
swaps between a wide variety of tokens. Bancor and Uniswap are both examples of liquidity protocols.
Wallets
If you do prefer to stick with
centralized exchanges, then conventional wisdom says that you should
only keep your funds in your exchange account when you’re actively
trading. Therefore, if you’re planning on keeping your investments in crypto, get yourself a wallet. Hot storage wallets such as Atomic or Edge are very easy to get started using only a smartphone app.
An even safer option for long-term
HODLers is to use a cold storage wallet such as a Ledger Nano S or
Trezor. Just make sure you have a safe method of storing your recovery
seed.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:33 AM on Friday, December 20th, 2019
ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. (TSXV: ZEN) (“ZEN” or the “Company“)
has closed its previously announced private placement of flow-through
common shares of the company and reports that it was oversubscribed. The
company raised $1.21-million in respect of the offering, which will be
used to finance the 2020 environmental baseline field program and
community engagement work on the company’s Albany graphite project.
The offering consisted of the issuance of 3.025 million flow-through
common shares at a price of 40 cents per flow-through common share for
aggregate gross proceeds of $1.21 million. Finders’ fees in an aggregate
amount of $54,840 were paid by the company in connection to the
offering.
The flow-through common shares issued in connection with the offering
will be subject to a hold period until April 20, 2020, in accordance
with applicable securities laws.
Graphene Production and Graphene Oxide Research Update
The Company is moving forward with graphene production and
anticipates that small-scale graphene related production will commence
before the end of Q1 2020. The first batch of equipment for the
purification small-scale pilot plant was delivered this week. In the
coming months, ZEN is aiming to setup small-scale graphite purification
and graphene-related production facilities including Graphene Quantum
Dots (GQDs) and Graphene Oxide (GO). These products will be available
for research and development, application development and for commercial
use.
In addition, the Company reports that Prof. Aicheng Chen and his team
at the University of Guelph was recently awarded a $310,000, three-year
NSERC CRD grant to continue developing an environmentally friendly and
commercially scalable electrochemical process to produce GO and GQDs.
ZEN looks forward to continuing its strong collaborative relationship
with Prof. Chen and his team.
Graphene in Aluminum Products $450,000 Alliance Grant
The Company together with an industrial collaborator in the aluminum
business are jointly supporting a Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council (“NSERC”) Alliance grant application by Dr. Lukas
Bichler, a materials engineer from the University of British Columbia in
Okanagan. This application followed promising results earlier this year
where Dr. Bichler and his team used ZEN’s graphene products in aluminum
alloys. NSERC recently approved the $450,000, three-year Alliance
grant. ZEN looks forward to working with its aluminum industrial
collaborator and Dr. Bichler to create innovative aluminum products for
the automotive industry.
Environmental Baseline Program Update
The Company reports that in late November, the first full open water
field season for the environmental baseline program for the Albany
Project came to a successful close. All the program objectives were met
with a wide range of data collected over a period of eight months. The
collected data initiates the physical and biological characterization of
the site needed for project development planning and regulatory
permitting. ZEN is working closely with ERM Canada Ltd.’s (“ERM”) team
of scientists, biologists, and engineers. Members from the Constance
Lake First Nation (“CLFN”) were also important members of the field
teams providing local knowledge and supported the process of data
collection (click here
to see CLFN videos of the various field activities). ERM is leading the
desktop and fieldwork associated with this program on behalf of ZEN.
ERM is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety,
social and sustainability consulting services with over three decades of
experience in the Canadian mining industry.
About ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd.
ZEN is an emerging graphene technology solutions company with a focus
on the development of graphene-based nanomaterial products and
applications. The unique Albany Graphite Project provides the company
with a potential competitive advantage in the graphene market as
independent labs in Japan, UK, Israel, USA and Canada have independently
demonstrated that ZEN’s Albany Graphite/Naturally PureTM is an ideal
precursor material which easily converts (exfoliates) to graphene, using
a variety of mechanical, chemical and electrochemical methods.
Posted by AGORACOM
at 8:29 AM on Friday, December 20th, 2019
First of two monthly graphite purchase orders to the
value of US$ 6 Million as part of an aggregate US$25,000,000 deal
spanning over 39 months payable in Toda Notes (“TDN”)
The deal between TODAQ and Gratomic Inc. is powered by the TDN digital asset
Graphite to sit in TDN reserve backstop to underpin the true value of the digital asset
Gratomic Inc. (“Gratomic” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:GRAT)(FRANKFURT:CB81)
a vertically integrated graphite to graphenes, advanced materials
development company announces it has received its first two purchase
orders for a total of USD 6 Million following a previously announced
supply agreement on October 17, 2019 (https://gratomic.ca/gratomic-signs-deal-to-supply-graphite-to-todaq/)
for an aggregate of USD $25,000,000 of graphite in an all-digital-asset
deal from TODAQ STAR Program Phase 1 Corp, a subsidiary of TODAQ
Holdings. The purchase orders are each for 600 tonnes of graphite valued
at USD $6,000,000 solely payable in TDN at a price of USD$0.10 per TDN
for an aggregate of TDN 60,000,000 that is to be delivered within 90
days.
Subsequent to the success of the initial delivery, TODAQ will place
one additional order of 600 tonnes of graphite with 30 day intervals
bringing the total to 1800 tonnes of graphite for USD $9,000,000 in
consideration for the issuance of an aggregate of 90 million TDN.
Thereafter, TODAQ will place orders on a monthly basis with the value of
USD $484,848.49 based on both the purchase price for graphite and the
exchange between USD and TDN applicable at the time over a period of 39
months.
The agreement marks the first steps towards a significant journey for
Sovereignty Tech pioneer TODAQ, with a strategic intention towards both
building its TDN rewards program and allowing cryptographic ownership
of commodities so that all business, people and markets can transact
quickly with security and long-term stability. Furthermore, the graphite
will sit in the TDN reserve backstop as part of a diverse set of
commodities to underpin the true value of deployed TDN with physical
substance and utility.
No mineral resources, let alone mineral reserves demonstrating
economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on
the Aukam Property. The Company is not in a position to demonstrate or
disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with
satisfying the terms of the Todaq Supply Agreement.
Gratomic wishes to emphasize that Supply Agreement is conditional on
Gratomic being able to bring the Aukam project into a production phase,
and for any graphite being produced to meet certain technical and
mineralization requirements.
Gratomic continues to move its business towards production and as part of its business plan, expects to obtain a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects technical
report to help it ascertain the economics of Aukam. Presently the
Company uses its existing pilot processing facility to produce certain
amounts of graphite concentrate from accumulated surface graphite.
Risk Factors
The Company advises that it has not based its production decision on
even the existence of mineral resources let alone on a feasibility study
of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability,
and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any
particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery,
including increased risks associated with developing a commercially
mineable deposit.
The Supply Agreement provides that if Gratomic is unable to deliver
graphite in accordance with the orders from Todaq, Todaq has the right
to refuse to take any subsequent attempt to fulfil the order, terminate
the agreement immediately, obtain substitute product from another
supplier and recover from the Company any costs and expenses incurred in
obtaining such substitute product or suing for damages under the
contract.
Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and
technical failure. There is no guarantee that production will begin as
anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be
achieved.
Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact
on the Company’s ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund
operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would
have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cash flow and future
profitability.
Steve Gray, P.Geo. has reviewed, prepared and approved the scientific
and technical information in this press release and is Gratomic Inc’s
“Qualified Person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards
of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
About TODAQ
TODAQ serves businesses, financial institutions and governments,
offering a true digital asset ownership management platform for secure
and efficient settlement. Leveraging the TODA protocol, each asset
maintains an immutable, sovereign record of ownership. TODAQ aims to
enhance the right of ownership over digital assets through the use of
cryptographic and legal techniques to replace intermediaries. In 2019,
TODAQ officially launched the TODA Note (TDN) as a fungible digital
payment and loyalty asset. To learn more about TODAQ and TDN, please
visit https://todaq.net and https://tdn.network, questions should be directed to [email protected].
About Gratomic Inc.
Gratomic is an advanced materials company focused on mine to market
commercialization of graphite products most notably high value graphene
based components for a range of mass market products. Gratomic is
collaborating with a leading European manufacturer of graphenes to use
Aukam graphite to manufacture graphene products for commercialization on
an industrial scale. The company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange
under the symbol GRAT.
For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact:
