Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Enterprise, Scaleup
Proven Outreach Strategies by SalesAR That Drive Results
Aug 19, 2025
Image: Freepik
SalesAR has built its reputation on proven outreach strategies that consistently deliver measurable results for B2B companies. Specializing in outbound lead generation and appointment setting, the team focuses on precision targeting, tailored messaging, and data-backed execution.
Outreach strategies by SalesAR deliver measurable results by blending deep research, personalized messaging, and proven cold email outreach best practices within a multi-channel approach.
With more than 30,000 booked meetings and 650+ clients worldwide, they’ve shown time and again that a structured, performance-driven approach can fill pipelines faster and more reliably than guesswork.
The Core Principles Behind SalesAR’s Outreach Success
Their strategy is multi-channel by design, blending email, LinkedIn, and direct calls to keep prospects engaged without being intrusive. This mix not only increases touchpoints but also builds familiarity and trust. The result is a consistent flow of qualified leads that directly translates into pipeline growth and predictable, repeatable sales opportunities.
Step 1 — Deep ICP & Persona Research
Every successful campaign begins with knowing exactly who you want to reach. SalesAR defines the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) with laser focus, mapping out industries, company sizes, geographies, and budgets that match the client’s best opportunities. From there, they pinpoint the real decision-makers—whether that’s a CMO, IT director, or procurement lead—and identify the buying triggers most likely to spark interest.
Before launching targeted outreach campaigns, the team follows cold email outreach best practices alongside a complete data verification and enrichment process. This ensures every contact is accurate, up-to-date, and worth engaging, eliminating wasted effort and keeping reply rates high from day one.
Step 2 — Personalized, High-Impact Messaging
Once the right audience is defined, the next step is speaking their language. SalesAR’s copywriters craft subject lines that consistently drive open rates of 50–70%, cutting through crowded inboxes. But personalization doesn’t stop at using a first name—it’s about referencing the recipient’s industry, addressing specific pain points, and timing the outreach when it’s most relevant.
Every message is designed to deliver value quickly. Concise, actionable content helps busy decision-makers see the benefit in responding without wading through fluff, making each touchpoint more likely to move the conversation forward.
Step 3 — Multi-Channel Outreach for Maximum Reach
Relying on a single communication channel limits results. SalesAR uses multichannel outbound for lead generation that combines tailored email sequences, LinkedIn connection requests with ongoing engagement, and direct calls when the timing is right.
This synchronized approach ensures prospects see the message in multiple contexts, boosting familiarity and trust. By aligning touchpoints across channels, the team consistently achieves higher engagement rates and keeps momentum strong throughout the outreach cycle.
Step 4 — Consistent Follow-Up & Nurturing
Most deals don’t happen after the first or second contact—they happen after the fifth or later. SalesAR builds in automated follow-up sequences that still feel personal, maintaining relevance while avoiding repetition.
Using cold email outreach best practices during nurturing ensures prospects stay warm until the timing is right. Whether it’s sharing valuable insights or checking back after a known trigger event, this steady communication ensures no opportunity slips away simply because it wasn’t nurtured.
Step 5 — Appointment Setting That Converts
Outreach success isn’t measured by replies alone—it’s about securing sales-qualified appointments that lead to real opportunities. From the first touch to the booked meeting, SalesAR’s multichannel outbound for lead generation process qualifies prospects to ensure only high-fit decision-makers make it onto the calendar.
With clear metrics like reply rates and meeting-to-close ratios, clients can see exactly how outreach performance translates into revenue. The result: fewer wasted meetings, more deals closed, and a stronger sales pipeline.
Why SalesAR’s Outreach Works When Others Don’t
Many outreach efforts fail because they ignore cold email outreach best practices and rely on guesswork. SalesAR combines precise research, meaningful personalization, and data-backed decision-making to outperform generic campaigns consistently. Their team brings together SDRs, strategists, copywriters, and analysts who know how to align efforts for maximum impact.
See: Strategies for Achieving Product-Market Fit in Web3
The process is built to scale using multichannel outbound for lead generation without sacrificing quality. Every touchpoint is intentional, relevant, and designed to move prospects closer to a meaningful conversation.
Conclusion
SalesAR’s proven outreach strategies deliver measurable results by blending deep research. If you’re ready to fill your calendar with sales-qualified appointments and accelerate growth, it’s time to see what SalesAR can do for you.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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CEO Exits as GitHub Absorbed into Microsoft’s CoreAI
AI | Aug 18, 2025
Microsoft Integrates GitHub into CoreAI as CEO Thomas Dohmke Prepares to Depart
GitHub’s era of independence has ended.
On Aug 11 2025, Microsoft announced that GitHub will be folded into its CoreAI division, aligning with the planned departure of CEO Thomas Dohmke who confirmed with GeekWire that he will remain until the end of 2025 before starting a new venture, after leading GitHub since 2021 and driving Copilot’s rapid adoption.
Since Microsoft's acquisition of GitHub in 2018 for $7.5 billion, the platform operated under a quasi-independent model to reassure developers of neutrality. But with GitHub Copilot now reaching 20 million users and enterprise adoption up 75% quarter over quarter, the platform is now key to Microsoft’s AI strategy. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella even noted last year that Copilot had grown into a larger business on its own than all of GitHub was at the time of acquisition.
Implications on GitHub
Analysts at IDC argue that embedding GitHub into CoreAI will allow Microsoft to keep Copilot at the forefront in an increasingly competitive market for AI-assisted software development, and natural extension of Copilot’s trajectory. Adding AI engineer resources into CoreAI will also accelerate Microsoft's ability to commercialize breakthroughs.
See: Goldman Sachs Deploys Agentic AI Engineer Devin
But the change has courted warnings from analysts and media outlets. Runtime News called it “the end of an era,” referring to the erosion of GitHub’s independence that once made it the world’s trusted open source commons. Tom’s Hardware editors are drawing comparisons to Microsoft’s earlier acquisitions of Skype and Xamarin, which lost relevance after deeper integration, warning that GitHub’s unique identity is at risk.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Enterprises and Microsoft partners view the GitHub consolidation as a win. Consulting executives quoted by CRN argue that GitHub’s alignment with CoreAI will deliver tighter synergies across Azure, Copilot, and enterprise developer tools, unlocking greater efficiency for corporate teams.
Analysts are being pragmatic saying that the integration ensures GitHub is positioned to compete against quickly advancing rivals such as Google’s agentic coding efforts and startups like Cursor and Windsurf.
See: Fintech Leader Insights on DeepSeek’s AI Disruption
Developers and open source advocates are far more skeptical. Reddit threads reflect concerns over Microsoft leveraging public repositories for training AI, frustration that GitHub marketing focuses almost exclusively on Copilot, and fear that openness and independence will erode. One top voted comment lamented, “AI everywhere, no mention of Git anymore”.
Will a GitHub 2.0 Appear?
The GitHub integration into Microsoft will likely accelerate competition. Developer-first AI powered coding editors like Cursor are growing rapidly. If GitHub continues to tilt heavily toward AI and corporate adoption, it could create an opportunity for a decentralized or community-owned “GitHub 2.0.” Whether that becomes mainstream will depend on whether GitHub balances its role as Microsoft’s AI flagship with its responsibility as the global repository of open source code.
Closing Outlook
Enterprises will benefit from richer integrations across the Microsoft stack, but the open source community faces the challenge of trusting a platform that is no longer arm’s-length from its parent. For Microsoft, the move cements GitHub as a strategic pillar of its AI ecosystem.
Read: Cohere Raises $500M at $6.8B for Enterprise Agentic AI
GitHub must now prove it can remain the world’s trusted commons while advancing as a commercial AI platform. The outcome will determine not only the trajectory of Copilot, but also whether a new generation of developer platforms rises to challenge GitHub’s dominance.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Cohere Raises $500M at $6.8B for Enterprise Agentic AI
Financing | Aug 18, 2025
Image via Cohere's funding announcement 2025
Cohere Secures $500M at $6.8B Valuation, Strengthening Canada’s AI Ecosystem
On Aug 14 2025, Cohere announced its latest $500 million raise at a $6.8 billion valuation in an oversubscribed round led by Radical Ventures and Inovia Capital, with participation from AMD Ventures, NVIDIA, PSP Investments, Salesforce Ventures, HOOPP, and others. The fresh capital will help Cohere accelerate efforts to build the next generation of secure enterprise and sovereign AI solutions. Cohere is positioning its security-first agentic AI as an alternative to repurposed consumer models, emphasizing local data control, regulatory compliance, and digital sovereignty.
Jordan Jacobs of Radical Ventures commented:
“Cohere is fulfilling the promise of building privacy-first, cloud-agnostic models and agentic AI applications that drive extraordinary productivity gains for enterprises and governments worldwide.”
See: Canada Invests $240M in Cohere for AI Data Centre
Patrick Pichette of Inovia Capital now joining Cohere’s board, said:
"[The company's] relentless focus on data privacy, customization, and time-to-value” [places it at the forefront of global enterprise AI]."
Over the past year, Cohere doubled its annual recurring revenue to more than $100 million USD and launched North, its flagship agentic AI platform, deploying solutions across sectors with partners like Oracle, Dell, RBC, Bell, Fujitsu, LG CNS, SAP, and Ensemble Health Partners. Cohere is also expanding its leadership team, as part of its growth strategy with Joelle Pineau, former VP of AI Research at Meta and professor at McGill University, joining as Chief AI Officer, and Francois Chadwick, former Uber acting CFO, joining as Chief Financial Officer.
Aidan Gomez, Co-founder and CEO of Cohere:
“Cohere is becoming the world’s chosen partner for integrating AI into critical industries. We are at a pivotal moment in accelerating the delivery of secure AI that empowers enterprises worldwide.”
Canada’s AI Ecosystem Continues to Scale
Cohere’s trajectory is part of a much broader Canadian AI scale-up story. The country benefits from deep academic research centres (Mila, Vector, Amii), growing pools of venture capital, and the federal government Scale AI innovation cluster in Montreal which channels hundreds of millions of dollars into commercialization projects. Together these forces are turning Canadian AI from research excellence into global market strength. Below are some Canadian AI companies operating at scale.
See: Why AI Investment Is Missing What Workers Actually Want
- Cohere – Raised $500M USD in Series E funding, valuation at $6.8B, fueling enterprise-grade AI expansion
- Tenstorrent – Secured >$693M USD Series D at a $2B pre-money valuation, backing chip and open-source stacks
- Waabi – Raised $200M USD Series B, bringing total to over $280M; accelerating generative AI trucking tech
- Clio – Vancouver-based legaltech raised $900M USD Series F at $3B valuation
- Docebo – AI-powered LMS raised approx. $167M USD across rounds including post-IPO
- 1QBit – Raised $45M USD Series B in quantum software
- Ada (Ada CX) achieved unicorn status with $130M USD Series C round
- Sanctuary AI – Raised >$140M CAD/USD across strategic rounds
Why It Matters
Cohere’s $500M raise demonstrates Canada’s growing capacity as a hub for enterprise-level AI innovation, alongside other Canadian-founded scale-ups like Tenstorrent, Waabi, Clio, Docebo, 1QBit, Ada, and Sanctuary AI. Canada's momentum shows that we're not only incubating promising ideas and startups but supporting scale-ups that are impacting global AI markets with capital, partnerships, and converging talent.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Deal Flow Without Dead Zones: The eSIM Playbook for Canada’s Fintech Leaders
Aug 18, 2025
Boarding calls feel a lot like closing calls—fast, slightly chaotic, and unforgiving if you miss a step. If you’re a Canadian founder, VC, or compliance lead working across borders, your phone is the deal room in your pocket: MFA prompts, treasury dashboards, secure messengers, and data rooms all depend on an instant, stable connection. Before your next investor day or regulator meeting, install Holafly's esim for travelers so you land with data and keep business moving while everyone else is still hunting for airport Wi-Fi.
Why Fintech Can’t Afford Connectivity Gaps
In fintech, minutes matter. Miss a multi-factor prompt and your banking session times out. Lose maps at a new venue and you miss the panel you flew in for. Drop a call and that LP introduction goes cold. An eSIM removes the fragile parts of travel:
- MFA continuity: SMS/voice codes keep hitting your Canadian line while the eSIM powers data.
- Data rooms & secure apps: No more “we’ll upload from the hotel later”—ship updates on cellular now.
- Compliance on the road: KYC refreshes, screenings, and geo-fenced portals load reliably without risky café
- Frictionless arrivals: Activate before takeoff; step off the jet bridge already online.
eSIM 101 for Executives (Three Minutes, No Paperclips)
An eSIM is a digital SIM profile your phone can download and use for mobile data. You keep your Canadian number active for calls/SMS (Dual-SIM), while all your apps route over the eSIM’s data line.
Quick Start
- Check device & unlock (recent iPhone/Pixel/Galaxy; remove carrier lock if any).
- Buy plan & scan QR from your confirmation email.
- Assign data to the eSIM; keep your physical SIM for calls/SMS and MFA.
- Roaming toggle: on for the eSIM only.
- Test once at home, then disable data until landing to save battery.
Label your lines (e.g., Home CA / Travel Data). At 6 a.m. in a security queue, that clarity is priceless.
Dual-SIM: Keep Your Identity, Add Internet
Think of Dual-SIM as the clean split between who you are and how your apps move:
- Identity & trust: Your +1 Canadian number stays live for bank OTPs, authenticator fallbacks, and call-backs from counsel.
- Throughput & tools: Encrypted chat, portfolio dashboards, FX feeds, and calendars use the eSIM’s data.
- Border agility: Cross NYC→Lisbon→Singapore with the same setup; your phone selects partner networks automatically.
The CFO’s Table: Cost, Continuity, and Control
| Option | Setup at Arrival | Keep CA Number Active | Multi-Country Flex | Cost Predictability | Risk Profile |
| Travel eSIM | None (activate pre-flight) | Yes (Dual-SIM) | Excellent | High (day-based) | Low (cellular) |
| Carrier Roaming | None | Yes | Good | Low/Variable | Low–Med (cost exposure) |
| Airport SIM Kiosk | Queue, ID, swap | Only on dual-SIM phones | Low–Med | Med | Med (time, public Wi-Fi) |
| Public Wi-Fi | Find, log in, hope | N/A | Low | “Free,” time-costly | High (security) |
For board packages and budgets, the advantage is obvious: predictable spend and zero arrival downtime.
Compliance, Security & Good Hygiene (Travel Edition)
- Least-privilege permissions: Camera for QR, location “while using,” background refresh only where needed.
- MFA resilience: Keep SIM-based codes on your Canadian line; backstop with app-based authenticators.
- Prefer cellular for sensitive work: If Wi-Fi is unavoidable, use a VPN and avoid credential-heavy tasks.
- Lost phone plan: Enable device-finder, strong passcode/biometrics, and know how to remotely disable the eSIM profile.
Field Playbooks: Founder, VC, and Compliance Use Cases
Founder: Toronto → NYC → London
- Gate at YYZ: eSIM active, decks synced.
- JFK AirTrain + Subway: Buy transit in-app, arrive on time for a breakfast pitch.
- Afternoon edits: Tether for 10 minutes, ship a revised term sheet; hotspot off to save battery.
- Overnight flight to LHR: Touchdown, your phone latches onto a partner network; calendar, maps, and messages pick up mid-stride.
VC: Vancouver → Singapore
- LP meetings & expo: Group chats, booth drop-ins, and calendar invites flow without kiosk detours.
- On-site diligence: Upload factory walk-through videos via cellular, avoid unknown Wi-Fi.
- Next-stop Tokyo: Same eSIM, seamless handoff, no tray swaps.
Compliance Lead: Montreal → EU Partner Audit
- KYC refresh on demand: Screening tools and secure portals load on arrival.
- Geo-fenced access: Cellular beats captive portals for SSO; no timeout limbo.
- Audit trail intact: Notes and photos sync immediately to the case file.
Hotspot & Battery: Power Moves for Road-Warriors
- Burst strategy: Hotspot for ten minutes to send a model or deck, then toggle off.
- Pack a 10–20 k mAh bank and short USB-C cable; keep it in the same pouch as your passport.
- Tame background hogs: Pause OS updates and heavy cloud backups until secure hotel/office Wi-Fi.
- Data Saver on socials: Kill autoplay; keep bandwidth for what matters (calls, docs, maps).
Micro-Routines That Save Hours (and Deals)
- Offline first, live second: Download city maps and key files; let live data handle only what’s dynamic.
- Name your networks: Clear labels reduce errors under stress.
- Capture & sync discipline: Scan receipts to your expense app as you go; avoid end-of-trip admin pileups.
- Calendar hygiene: Buffer 15 minutes between sessions for uploads and approvals—your future self (and CFO) will thank you.
Troubleshooting in Motion
- No data after landing? Toggle airplane mode; ensure data roaming is enabled on the eSIM; let the phone auto-select a network.
- MFA texts missing? Confirm your home SIM remains the voice/SMS line.
- Uploads crawling? Pause non-critical syncs, step into an open area, and retry on cellular.
- Hotspot blocked? Some plans limit tethering—choose a plan that includes it or shift large files to evening Wi-Fi.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Meta AI Rules Trigger Calls for Stricter Oversight
AI Ethics | Aug 15, 2025
Image: Freepik AI
Leaked Meta AI Rules Reveal Troubling Chatbot Interactions with Children and Race
A Reuters investigation into Meta’s AI content standards has revealed internal guidelines that allowed the company’s chatbots to have interactions with children, generate racially demeaning content, and produce false medical information if a disclaimer was included.
See: Tragic Incident Highlights AI Chatbot Risks for Teens
The 200-plus page policy called, "GenAI: Content Risk Standards", applied to chatbots across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Meta confirmed the document was authentic and said some sections have now been removed. Meta described the controversial examples as “erroneous and inconsistent” with its policies, but admitted its enforcement was inconsistent.
Reuters reviewed internal policy materials that included Meta chatbot guideline examples related to children and examples related to race. These outlined scenarios the company considered acceptable and unacceptable under its AI behaviour standards.
Lawmakers Push for Investigation and New Rules
The leaked rules have triggered a bipartisan backlash in Washington. As reported by Reuters on the U.S. Senate response, Republican senators Josh Hawley and Marsha Blackburn have called on congress to investigate, linking the AI ethics gap to the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The bill would require platforms to take stronger measures to protect minors. Democratic senators Ron Wyden and Peter Welch also condemned the policies. Wyden argued that Section 230 protections for online platforms should not apply to generative AI chatbots. Welch said the findings show the urgent need for enforceable AI safeguards.
Why This Matters for Canada’s AI Sector
Canada introduced a Voluntary Code of Conduct for generative AI in September 2023 that includes commitments to safety testing, fairness, transparency, human oversight, and privacy protection. These commitments aim to prevent the kind of harm seen in Meta’s internal examples, but the code isn't legally binding, and no AI specific enforcement exists until the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act is passed. So until then, it means that AI guardrails in Canada is largely up to companies to self police and public pressure, unless existing laws such as the Criminal Code or hate speech provisions are triggered.
Conclusion
Unchecked AI rules can allow GenAI outputs that many see as ethically unacceptable. Canadian fintechs, AI developers, and digital platforms should build stronger, enforceable guardrails before regulators step in.
See: NIST Insights: GenAI Risk Management Framework
With the U.S. now advancing legislation like KOSA, Canadian companies could soon face a higher ethics bar at home and abroad.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Perplexity’s $34.5B Chrome Bid Fuels Google Antitrust Heat
AI | Aug 14, 2025
Image: Freepik/pikisuperstar
Perplexity’s Record Offer for Chrome Ignites Global Scrutiny of Google’s Market Power
On August 12, 2025, AI search giant Perplexity stunned the tech world with a bold $34.5 billion bid for Chrome, adding to the mounting antitrust pressure currently facing Google. Now Chrome, the world's most widely used browser with over 3 billion users is at the center of regulatory discussions that could force Google to sell Chrome after a US federal judge ruled the company maintains an unlawful monopoly in online search.
Perplexities proposal however is unlikely to succeed immediately, as regulators weigh remedies that could drastically change the browser market, expand competition, and challenge Google’s dominance.
A Startup Takes Aim at a Tech Giant
Founded in 2022, Perplexity is currently valued at $18 billion USD (July 2025) and built a reputation as one of the fastest growing AI companies. Its platform processes hundreds of millions of monthly queries and recently launched an AI driven web browser called Comet.
According to a term sheet seen by Reuters, Perplexity's bid promises to keep Chromium open source, invest $3 billion over two years and make no changes to Chrome’s default search engine (preserving user choice).
See: Perplexity’s Security Flaws A Red Flag for Industry
Aravind Srinivas, CEO Perplexity, said the offer to buy Chrome was “designed to satisfy an antitrust remedy in highest public interest by placing Chrome with a capable, independent operator.” It's certainly a bold move, highlighting AI's role in the future of internet access.
Regulatory backdrop and timing
The bid is closely aligned with findings from the US Department of Justice's antitrust case where Judge Amit Mehta has ruled that Google’s agreements with device makers and carriers unlawfully entrenched its dominance in search.
Potential remedies are still being reviewed and could include a forced sale of Chrome. The possibility has already attracted interest from OpenAI, Yahoo, and Apollo Global Management.
Industry Reaction and Market Implications
Some analysts argue that Chrome’s integration with Google’s ad ecosystem and its dominant market share could justify a higher valuation than Perplexity’s offer. Others see the move as a calculated play to raise Perplexity’s visibility ahead of any divestiture decision. A forced sale could become one of the largest transactions in tech history and alter how billions of users access and navigate the web.
See: Canada Sues Google Over Anti-Competitive Ad Practices
Google has offered no sign that it's prepared to sell Chrome and is expected to appeal any divestiture order, which could delay a resolution for years. Google CEO Sundar Pichai testified at a U.S. antitrust trial that forcing the company to share search data with rivals would give away its intellectual property, hurt innovation, and make it easy to copy Google Search. Google says any forced sale of Chrome would threaten user privacy and cybersecurity, and damage complementary services, partners, and competition, and it plans to appeal if it loses.
Conclusion
This case is a reminder that entrenched market dominance in digital infrastructure can face real legal challenges in countries that take competition seriously, and that strategic timing matters when entering regulated, high barrier markets. A forced sale of Chrome could set precedent for similar actions in fintech, payments, and AI driven services, creating risks and opportunities for companies ready for the next iteration of the internet.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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From SPAC Setback to $10 Billion Bullish IPO
Crypto IPO | Aug 14, 2025
Image: Freepik AI
Bullish’s $10B NYSE Debut Confirms 2025 as a Breakout Year for Crypto IPOs
Bullish is a Cayman Islands based crypto exchange focused on institutional grade digital asset trading and market intelligence, and also the media owner that also operates CoinDesk. Bullish first tried to go public through a SPAC deal in 2022 during a difficult period for crypto markets but that plan was abandoned. The company waited for market conditions to improve before trying again.
See: Trump Seeks Bank Plans for Fannie and Freddie IPO
By Q2 2025 sentiment toward both crypto and IPOs flipped positive. Supportive policy developments on stablecoin regulation from Washington helped stoke interest from big investors. At the same time Bitcoin was trading near $120,000 and other high profile fintech IPOs like Circle and Figma had delivered strong first day gains, fuelling expectations for Bullish.
The IPO Event
Bullish priced its IPO at $37 per share which was above its revised range of $32 to $33 and well above its original $28 to $31 range. The company sold 30 million shares and raised about $1.11 billion at a valuation of $5.41 billion at the offer price. JPMorgan, Jefferies and Citigroup were among the underwriters. BlackRock and ARK Invest each indicated plans to invest up to $200 million.
The shares began trading on the NYSE under the ticker BLSH on August 13 2025. They opened at $90 and quickly climbed to $118, which led to multiple trading halts for volatility. By the close the stock was at $68, an increase of about 84% from the offer price, valuing the company near $10 billion.
Outlook
Institutional interest in Bullish is significant. The company’s mix of a trading platform and media data outlet set it apart from competitors like Coinbase and Binance.
See: 10 Fintech and Crypto IPOs 2025 – Boom or Bubble?
Also the timing of the IPO, expectations for an interest rate cut in September, a rising crypto market and signs of clearer regulation in the United States, all contributed to this success.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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