Ledn to acquire Arxnovum Investments to run asset management subsidiary
Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Online Funding / Investing Portals
How Big Data & AI is Enhancing the Sports Betting Industry for the Greater Good
Oct 18, 2022
For years, sports betting has been one of the most popular forms of gambling. But in recent years, there has been a surge in popularity thanks to the advent of online sports betting. This has allowed people to bet on their favorite teams from the comfort of their own homes. But what has really taken sports betting to the next level is the use of big data and AI.
In this article, we will take a look at how this is the case by explaining how big data and AI is being used, while using the NFL as a prime example, given its popularity as a betting option for many all around the world and the improvements betting on it punters have been able to experience as a result of the innovative technological advancements to have been made.
How Big Data is Used in Sports Betting
Big data is a term that refers to the large amounts of data that are now available thanks to advances in technology. This data can be used to gain insights into everything from player performance to game outcomes. And that's exactly what big data is being used for in the sports betting industry. Sportsbooks are now using big data to help them set lines and determine which bets are more likely to win.
How AI is Used in Sports Betting
AI, or artificial intelligence, is another technology that is being used more and more in the sports betting industry. AI can be used for a variety of tasks, such as identifying value bets and analyzing past performance data. But perhaps the most important use of AI in sports betting is its ability to help you manage your bankroll. Bankroll management is one of the most important aspects of successful sports betting, but it can be very difficult to do manually. That's where AI comes in. By using an AI-powered app, you can have your bankroll managed automatically so that you don't have to worry about it.
How does this all fit in with the NFL?
Given the explanations above, there may be some who are wondering how this all fits with the NFL (or sports in general). Indeed, there are a handful of reasons in which punters and sportsbooks are able to benefit that have been outlined below…
1. Big data and AI are changing the way oddsmakers set lines
These days, sportsbooks are using big data and AI to get a more accurate picture of each team's chances of winning, thus being able to set competitive NFL odds for punters to consider wagering on. As a result, lines are becoming more accurate, which means that bettors who are using big data and AI have a big advantage over those who are not.
2. Big data is providing bettors with more information than ever before
Bettors had to rely on their own knowledge and intuition to make their picks. But these days, thanks to big data, bettors have access to a wealth of information that they can use to make informed choices. With so much data available, bettors can now analyze every aspect of a game before making their pick. They can look at things like weather conditions, player injuries, and even team morale to get an edge on the competition.
3. AI is helping bettors make better picks
AI is not just about gathering data; it is also about analyzing it and making predictions based on that analysis. That is why AI is such a valuable tool for NFL bettors. By using AI, bettors can get an idea of how likely a team is to win based on all of the available data. This helps them make better picks and increases their chances of potentially winning money, or simply enhancing the experiences that they can obtain when participating in this particular pastime.
See: New report explores questions of responsible AI innovation in financial services
It is vital to remember that big data and AI is being applied to all sports across the world by bettors and oddsmakers alike. Whether it be the NFL, NBA, Soccer, Hockey, or even Baseball, the technology can be used to better the sports betting industry in an immense way!
Final Thoughts
Big data and AI are two technologies that are having a major impact on the sports betting industry. Thanks to big data, sportsbooks are now able to set lines with much more accuracy. And with AI, bettors can have their bankrolls managed automatically so that they can focus on finding winning bets. If you are looking to get into sports betting or are looking to enhance your experiences with this activity, be sure to take advantage of these game-changing technologies.
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, 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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Registration Process and Safe Playing at an Online Casino
Oct 14, 2022
It’s easy to find an online casino where you can enjoy some of your favorite games. Today even smaller platforms offer tons of slots and table games, but you do need to think wisely before signing up. If you look at user forums and gambling blogs, you can find lots of negative experiences. People play and win money, and then operators refuse to payout money using different excuses. So, let’s see what are some of the things you should know before registering in order to stay safe.
Only Play on Reputable Platforms
It would be a good idea to play on a site that has a reputation to maintain. Big brands that sponsor soccer clubs usually have enough capital to cover big payouts and jackpot winners. However, it’s understandable if you would like to play on a different platform if they have better promotions. So, to find reputable Toppcasinonorge operators, you can go on a website that reviews and ranks those sites. Here you’ll be able to find casinos based on different categories:
- Top mobile app
- No deposit bonus
- Free spins
- Specific payment methods available
- Best slots
These websites aim to provide readers with useful insight and point them in the right direction. As a result, they mostly rank tried and tested or licensed operators. So, it’s safe to say that you can pick any site from their list. That being said, if the list looks old or outdated, you should check on your own whether a certain operator still has a license. After all, licenses need to be renewed, and operators need to be up to date with the latest regulatory requirements.
Play on Sites Available Locally
Even if you find a licensed operator, it is still better to focus primarily on the sites that are available in your country. First, you won’t have to use VPN to access it, and second, clearing payments will be a lot easier. Licensed websites need to comply with financial regulations as well, and sending international payments isn’t always easy, especially if you are based in a higher-risk jurisdiction. So, if you are located in Chile, for example, it would be a lot wiser to pick a casino online Chile website since money transfers will be a lot smoother. Moreover, you might have to wait for a long time before payment is processed when you opt for a site based in a foreign country.
Registration Process
Different gambling sites have different signup processes. Some are quick and easy, where you just fill in a few fields and verify your email. Alternatively, they might ask for a phone number and send a verification code via SMS. However, just because your account is created, it doesn’t mean it is verified. Typically the verification process will start when you wish to make a withdrawal for the first time. This is when an operator might ask for an array of documents in order to verify your personal identity.
Some of these sites have purposely made a long list of requirements in order to deter people from making withdrawals. Others might need an extensive list of documents in order to clear your payment. Ideally, you want a website that is once again operating in your jurisdiction and has reasonable requirements for profile verification.
Playing Without Signing Up
It is also possible to play online casino games without making an account on their website. This is a new trend in the gambling industry and it is called crypto casinos. Since they primarily do business in cryptocurrencies it doesn’t matter where they are based so long as they are trustworthy. With blockchain payments, both deposits and withdrawals are processed quickly and cheaply, regardless of where you are located. Moreover, you don’t need to share any personal information for a payment to be processed, so there is no need to create an account.
See: What Was the Rationale Behind Ontario’s Online Gaming Regulation?
You will get an URL where you make a deposit and play. This is a big trend because a lot of companies are not forthcoming about their practices. They are potentially selling your data to data brokers and making additional money on the side. This erosion of trust between users and online businesses has led to the increased popularity of cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion
As you can see, it shouldn’t take too long to identify a reliable online gambling site. However, you should always be aware of what you agree to during sign-up. Many casinos have players automatically agree to their welcome offer as they are creating an account. You don’t want to do this especially if you haven’t read the terms and conditions of a welcome offer. So make sure not to tick that bonus box. If you agree to it you might agree to heavy wagering requirements making you ineligible for withdrawal.
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, 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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9 Consumer Trends Currently Impacting the Gaming Industry
Oct 14, 2022
Image: Pexels/Garrett Morrow
The gaming industry sets the pace for many industries that are related to it. As far as size and influence go, it is a behemoth in the larger context of world industries. A fanbase or following of 3.24 billion people across the world makes you safe daily from many of the ups and downs that mess around with other industries, but there are still waves to be ridden in the world of gaming! From playing in the best online casino to driving a racecar on the best tracks in the world to hunting down demons in fantasy land, the gaming industry is prone to outside trends and influences. Trends forming and rolling into the structure that already exists in the world of gaming will help to reshape the industry and help it evolve into the best possible version of itself as time goes by. Let’s look at which consumer trends are currently influencing the gaming industry the most.
1. Diversity and Inclusivity
The understanding that we have imposed an impossible set of beauty standards and an overwhelmingly European or white way of seeing the world onto most industries has been a rocky road, but acceptance and changing of this can only improve any industry! Diversity and inclusivity have been some of the hottest buzzwords of the last few years and have impacted gaming and game development in many ways. More space has been made for women in a typically male-dominated world, characters are being voiced by a far more diverse voice cast, and the characters themselves are developed to include a wider range of body types, genders, and ethnicities.
2. New Generation Consoles
The race for the next big thing has not excluded the gaming world from its quest for domination. Ever since the first console was created, developers have been looking to what comes next, and creating new, better consoles has been what drives this sector. Newer consoles operate differently than the older models in that physical copies of games are often no longer needed. The rise of subscription services has given birth to a whole new sector that looks like it's here for the long haul.
3. New Payment Methods
The subscription services that we mentioned in the previous point are entirely new payment options for gamers. That, along with the fact that a chunk of the new games released, especially on mobile, are largely free to play, is changing the financial landscape for gamers and studios. Instead of paying for a whole game, now they pay for some in-game exclusive content instead!
Image: Pexels/Ivan Samkov
4. Esports
Though eSports may have had humble beginnings, they have become a huge event not only for the players themselves but also for spectators at the events and all over the world. The prize pots for these tournaments have become life-changing.
5. Cloud-Based Everything
The move towards cloud-based computing and gaming is changing the gaming industry slowly but surely. The limitations of individual devices are being bypassed by using remote servers to do all the hard work. The quality of the gaming experience has been radically improved, and as cloud technology and usage improve, this will be a more and more regular occurrence.
6. The Move To Mobile
These days, your smartphone can do most things that our PC or laptop can do and often at the same speed and quality. The move towards smaller, better mobile technology has impacted the gaming industry in a huge way. Mobile gaming has gone from being the smallest and lowest-income sector to having more than half the market cornered. More made-for-mobile games are being released today at a higher quality than ever before.
7. Indie Platforms
As with the rest of the industries in the world, there are currently a number of huge companies who have a very large share of the market. A big consumer trend making waves in gaming is the rise (once again) of the indie platform or competitor. While huge companies may have the financial backing, indie companies are in a position to interact with their audience and customers and interpret their needs from the ground up.
Image: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
8. Creating Hype
Gaming has taken a page out of the books of the fashion and film industries by offering advanced sneak peeks of their work to help build the hype for new releases a long, long way in advance. The more excited your consumer base gets, the more likely you are to have an excellent and profitable release.
9. Reboots and Remakes
Taking another page from the film and fashion industry’s books, the gaming industry has refused point blank to leave the table until they’ve squeezed every drop of goodness from the meal.
See: Future of Web3 Gaming: Play-to-Own (Ecosystems)
Remaking games and rebooting franchises have brought separate generations of fans together over newer versions of old games.
Wrap Up
Consumers' wants and needs dictate the direction that any consumer-based industry takes. We can't wait to see how the gaming industry develops!
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, 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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Ledn to acquire Arxnovum Investments, a fully-registered, Canadian digital asset investment manager
Ledn | Release | Oct 6, 2022
Ledn to acquire Arxnovum Investments to run asset management subsidiary
- TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Ledn Inc. ("Ledn"), a global financial services provider for digital assets, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to acquire Arxnovum Investments Inc. ("Arxnovum"), a regulated Canadian digital asset investment manager.
- The proposed acquisition will allow Arxnovum's fully-registered business to operate as an independent business unit under Ledn, enabling Ledn to offer digital asset investment products to its accredited client base both in Canada and globally.
- The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory approval.
See: Ledn secures $70 million in Series B funding; Announces world’s first Bitcoin-backed mortgage product
- Arxnovum:
- Arxnovum was founded in 2021 by Shaun Cumby and operates as a digital asset investment manager offering investors active and passive strategies to gain exposure to digital assets.
- It is registered with certain securities regulatory authorities in Canada as an Investment Fund Manager ("IFM"), Portfolio Manager ("PM"), Commodity Trading Manager ("CTM") and Exempt Market Dealer ("EMD").
Adam Reeds, Co-founder and CEO of Ledn:
The recent turmoil in the industry emphasized that not all digital asset lenders are created equal and regulation is key to building trust and transparency among customers. While many of our peers suffered losses recently, Ledn continues to drive growth, emerging as a global leader in digital asset financial services, including lending and savings products. With this acquisition, Ledn will become the first digital asset lender to offer yield fund products under the exempt market dealer registration. It will also allow us to offer more investment opportunities to accredited clients in markets that recognize Canadian securities regulations, to increase their digital asset holdings.
See: Bitbuy to Offer Stock Trading to Its Users
Shawn Cumby, Founder and CEO of Arxnovum:
I am excited to build and expand access to digital asset investments with Ledn while continuing to work with my great business partner, Tanvir Sodhi. We look forward to combining our expertise with Ledn's market reach, operational capabilities and robust risk management practices.
View the original release --> here
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, 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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Bitbuy to Offer Stock Trading to Its Users
Betakit |
Bitbuy President Dean Skurka, WonderFi strategic investor Kevin O'Leary and WonderiFi CEO Ben Samaroo (WonderFi)
- Toronto-based Bitbuy, a WonderFi company, to offer stock trading to its users.
- Founded in 2016 by Adam Goldman, Bitbuy claims that it has served over 400,00 users in Canada with $5 billion in crypto traded across its platform. WonderFi acquired Bitbuy for approximately $206 million CAD in shares and cash, was closed in March.
- Bitbuy’s expansion into stock trading is delivered through a partnership with Canaccord Genuity Group and AlpacaDB, a United States company that offers stock and crypto trading APIs The product is expected to become available in the first quarter of next year, and will allow users to invest in around 3000 listed securities, as well as 8000 over-the-counter stocks and exchange-traded funds.
See: Will Crypto Replace the Dollar?
- Consolidation and competition:
- In a statement shared with BetaKit, Bitbuy declared that “WonderFi is taking aim at Wealthsimple and their 2,000,000 Canadian users by offering, what they feel, is a superior stock trading platform.”
- Three-horse race in Canada when it comes to offering crypto investing opportunities, according to Bitbuy, which named its parent company and crypto consolidator WonderFi, Wealthsimple, and Coinsquare (which recently bought CoinSmart).
- The three above-mentioned companies are far from the only players in Canadian crypto exchanges, however. Bitbuy is one of the nine registered crypto platforms under the Ontario Securities Commission, alongside Bitvo, Fidelity Clearing Canada, Netcoins, Newton Crypto, VirgoCX, and Wealthsimple, as well as WonderFi’s Coinberry, and Coinsquare’s CoinSmart.
- In a statement shared with BetaKit, Bitbuy declared that “WonderFi is taking aim at Wealthsimple and their 2,000,000 Canadian users by offering, what they feel, is a superior stock trading platform.”
Continue to the full article --> here
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, 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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Learn to Love Those Bear Market Rallies
Tristram Waye for Bitvo | Oct 6, 2022
Get used to the bears (but don't get too negative)
Crazy is just getting started. Which is saying something after three years of cray cray everywhere you look. And there is a lot to be bearish about overall. Extreme market negativity is more than simply a bias. It’s an emotional commitment. And it’s the kind of commitment that can cloud your judgment and cause you to miss periodic market inflections. These inflections are powerful bear market rallies. And these rallies can represent key opportunities in a bear market.
- Sunday, September 25, the British pound got tagged to lows not seen since the mid-80s.
- The DXY looked like one of Elon’s SpaceX ships heading off into space.
- We are just starting to see destabilizing moves in various assets. Geopolitical events are taking shape into a season of important catalysts.
- Crypto hasn’t been immune to these market moves as it trades around wider market expectations.
- Don't be too negative: And as you look around at the market commentary during this period, you may find yourself experiencing something similar. Everyone is trying to steer your focus, emotion, and action. If it hasn’t happened yet, the onslaught of narrative and “news” may catch up with you eventually. You want to actively avoid getting too negative because being too negative in this environment is more than just an emotion. When you’re this committed, you won’t see a juicy bear rally developing. And these rallies can be an important part of getting through a bad market.
Middle of a moment
- As I’ve written before, I believe we are in the middle of a moment that will define monetary history well into the future. And part of that will be the story of a financial system that was so fragile that it required trillions in stimulus one year, followed by a monetary beat down two years later. You gotta wonder if they would have been better off doing nothing at all.
See: Alberta, The untold history of innovation from Canada’s badlands – Part 1
- Now, every day seems to have another financial surprise.
- A systemically important European bank with exploding credit default swaps, begging the question, Lehman 2?
- A major currency dropping like a bag of hammers. A central bank forced to abruptly change course.
- A tightening labor market in a recession.
- Fragile supply chains.
- Fuel prices that are shaped by policy constraints and catastrophic policy errors.
- Sabotage on the high seas that looks like it’s designed to provoke conflict.
- And the Fed is acting like James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause as it plays chicken with the economy.
See the action through timeframes
- In an environment like this, you have to step back a bit. The way you can do this is to think in timeframes. For example, you could have different trading biases for the short, medium, and longer-term time frames. So you can be short-term bearish and long-term bullish. Or the opposite.
- Whatever your outlook will depend on the way you are approaching the market and what your analysis and expectations are. This gives you space to do things that might not conform with one of your other time frames.
See: FT Partners Oct 2022: Blockchain & Crypto Monthly Market Update and Analysis
- For example, you can use a portion of your trading account to get long for a short-term rally in a bear market. Or you can cover a short and go neutral when your objectives are met, even though you might still be looking for downside. Or you can use these rallies to shovel some out and reposition for a resumption of the trend lower, where you can buy some back cheaper.
How those bear market rallies develop
- You’ve seen liquidations in bitcoin and ether many times. We explored them in an article on leverage and one on technical analysis.
- For a quick review:
- The market gets caught by surprise. Levels get cut through. Positions get blown out, particularly leveraged positions as the margin clerks toss position liquidations into the flaming abyss of a decline. A cascade can develop as a result.
- Stops get triggered. And those that can no longer take the pain, sell.
- Those short into the decline use those liquidations to cover and buy from short sellers late to the party.
- As the liquidations and sell-side flows disappear, there is an air pocket leading to a rally. The bottom fishers flip their positions out for a quick gain.
- Late short sellers run to cover their positions, and off it goes, giving you an opportunity to reposition or lighten up.
- When you’re too negative, you miss these moves because your flexibility disappears, and your creative thinking gets turned off. Keep things tight and your firepower at the ready, cuz it looks like a lot more shizzle might be on the way.
Continue to the full article --> here
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, 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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Kraken Sep 2022 Report: Silver Lining
Kraken Blog | Oct 6, 2022
Hot on the heels of August, September 2022 also trended negatively for cryptoassets overall. Based on market capitalization, all sectors saw negative returns for the month, ranging from -14% to -1%.
Following the overall crypto market trend, NFT market activity also slowed in August. Average daily users and average daily transactions fell -5.7% and -3.1% MoM, respectively. NFT volume also decreased as average daily volume dropped -26.3%. DeFi assets saw mixed returns, ranging from -21% to +27%.
See: Chainanalysis Breaks Down the White House Framework on Crypto
Are the markets poised for recovery in the coming weeks? Find out in our latest market recap and outlook report as the team explores what happened in September and what lies ahead.
Continue to the full article --> here
View the 11 page report --> here
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, 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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