Archives March 2026

Nearly Half of Global C-Suites Plan U.S. Expansion Within 12 Months, as Supply Chain and Capital Access Drive Growth

Business Wire India

 

• 45% of C-level executives plan to establish a U.S. legal entity within the next 12 months; a further 27% say they will consider entry within two to three years
• 65% cite supply chain or manufacturing efficiency as the primary driver for U.S. expansion
• 88% identify federal and state tax reporting as the most burdensome area of U.S. compliance

 

Nearly half (45%) of global C-suite leaders plan to establish a legal entity in the United States within the next 12 months, highlighting continued demand for access to the U.S. market. This finding from the latest research by CSC—the leading provider of global business administration and compliance solutions—demonstrates the U.S. continues to attract investment from around the world, even as companies face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

 

CSC surveyed 300 C-level executives at large organizations headquartered in Europe, the U.K., Asia Pacific, and South America to examine global sentiment toward U.S. market entry, including expansion plans, strategic drivers, and regulatory challenges.1 CSC’s report Navigating U.S. Market Entry: Insights, Risks, and Opportunities for Global Businesses details the results.

 

 

The research highlights strong forward momentum toward U.S. expansion. In addition to the 45% planning to establish an entity within the next 12 months, a further 27% say they will consider entry over the next two to three years.

 

 

Operational and strategic benefits are the dominant drivers for expansion. Almost two-thirds of the executives (65%) cite supply chain or manufacturing efficiency as the main motivation for establishing a U.S. presence. Strategic positioning—including partnerships and mergers and acquisitions opportunities—is cited by 56% of respondents, while 56% also highlight access to capital markets as a key motivator.

 

 

“We’re seeing a clear trend of U.K., European, and Asia-Pacific multinationals incorporating a U.S. entity to reach the approximately 340 million consumers or investors in the U.S.,” said Myrna Reijnders, market leader, Americas at CSC. “It’s a significant movement across sectors—from retail, real estate, insurance, healthcare, and biotech to energy, AI, and technology, including critical infrastructure, such as data centers.”

 

 

Despite strong enthusiasm, companies acknowledge entering the U.S. market is far from straightforward. Almost nine-in-10 (88%) respondents view federal and state tax reporting as the most burdensome compliance requirement, followed closely by employment and labor regulations (80%).

 

 

Many companies underestimate the realities of operating in the U.S. Half (50%) of companies with some degree of U.S. presence say they were surprised by the complexity of tax and financial reporting requirements once operations were underway.

 

 

As a result, they increasingly see outsourcing as a practical strategy for managing compliance and operational risk. A significant 79% of executives indicate they will likely outsource U.S. compliance or governance functions to a specialist provider, with 62% stating this is “very likely.”

 

 

“Companies assume doing business in the U.S. means you’re working in one jurisdiction. But rules and requirements can vary at the federal, state, and local levels,” added Jenn Kenton, chief commercial officer at CSC. “That’s where the challenge lies. Successfully setting up and maintaining a U.S. business means navigating those differences. It’s also where CSC has supported companies for over 125 years. Our goal is to ensure companies are set up to operate and remain compliant in the U.S. and beyond.”

 

 

CSC has been helping organizations incorporate, operate, and maintain compliance in the United States since 1899. Today, the company provides U.S. governance and compliance services, including registered agent representation in all 50 states, entity formation and management, annual report filing, business license management, and compliance monitoring to help organizations maintain good standing.

 

 

To download a copy of CSC’s Navigating U.S. Market Entry: Insights, Risks, and Opportunities for Global Businesses, visit cscglobal.com/service/campaigns/us-market-entry-report/

 

 

1CSC, in partnership with PureProfile, surveyed 300 C-level executives at large organizations headquartered in Europe, the U.K., Asia Pacific, and South America to understand their strategies, priorities, and challenges when expanding into the United States.

 

 

About CSC

 

 

CSC is the leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions, offering industry-leading expertise and unmatched global reach to alternative fund managers and capital markets participants. Leveraging deep institutional experience and a tailored approach, CSC delivers a comprehensive suite of fund administration, trust, agency, and compliance services to support a wide range of private and public market transactions, complex fund strategies, and scalable operations.

 

 

As the trusted partner of choice for more than 75% of the PEI 300 and 90% of the Fortune 500®, CSC helps clients navigate operational and transactional complexities across more than 140 jurisdictions and various asset classes. With extensive worldwide capabilities, our expert teams provide solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Privately held and professionally managed since 1899, we combine global reach, local expertise, and innovative solutions to help our clients succeed.

 

 

We are the business behind business®. Learn more at cscglobal.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Samsung Introduces Galaxy A57 5G, Galaxy A37 5G with Exciting Offers in India

Samsung Introduces Galaxy A57 5G, Galaxy A37 5G with Exciting Offers in India

Mumbai, Mar 27:  Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today introduced the Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, the newest additions to the Galaxy A series for young users who prioritise photography, performance, AI-enabled everyday features and durability.

New Design Language with Enhanced Durability

Galaxy A57 5G comes with an aluminium frame, and at 6.9mm, it is the slimmest Galaxy A series device so far. The slimmer bezels on Galaxy A57 5G improve the device’s visual balance and allows for a more immersive viewing experience.

Galaxy A57 5G features a 120Hz refresh rate and comes with Vision Booster technology, with 1900nits peak brightness that allows users to view content clearly in outdoor conditions and enjoy HDR content. Both Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G come with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, improving resistance to scratches and drops. The devices also carry an IP68 rating for safety against water and dust. Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G are built to last with six Android OS upgrades and six years of security.

Night Photography Designed for Social Media and Low-Light Content

Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G feature a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation and a 1.0µm (micron) big pixel sensor, paired with enhanced image signal processing (ISP) and a Low Noise Mode. The result is brighter photos with sharper detail in low-light environments.

Galaxy A57 5G has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 5MP macro camera. Galaxy A37 5G includes a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 5MP macro camera. Both devices have a 12MP HDR front camera for clearer selfies and video calls.

The camera software on the new A series also includes AI-driven editing tools. The Best Face feature supports up to five people, allowing users to select the best facial expression from each person in a group shot. The Object Eraser tool runs on device and works 33 percent faster, enabling users to remove unwanted elements from images without an internet connection.

Processor and Performance Improvements

Galaxy A57 5G packs Exynos 1680 that delivers 33 percent higher NPU, while Galaxy A37 5G is powered by Exynos 1480 that delivers 162 percent improvement in NPU performance for

faster on-device AI tasks. Both devices come with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, which reduce application load times and improve file transfer speeds.

Galaxy A57 5G includes a flagship-size vapor cooling chamber, which is 13 percent larger than the previous generation for managing heat during extended gaming or heavy workloads.

Battery Life and Faster Charging

Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G have a 5000mAh battery that can last up to 2 days. With 45W charging support, the new devices reach 60 percent battery in 30 minutes.

AI-Powered One UI 8.5 Experience

Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G run One UI 8.5, which integrates AI-driven tools—Samsung Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity—designed to support everyday tasks. The enhanced Circle to Search with multi-object recognition allows users to search objects directly from the screen and find related information or similar products.

Direct Voicemail allows voice messages to be stored directly on the device without relying on a network operator’s voicemail system. Voice Transcription is new to the Voice Recorder app, making it easier to revisit important details from meetings, lectures or calls by quickly transcribing and translating call recordings or turning voicemail audio into text. Real-time call transcription converts voice conversation into on-screen text during calls.

Security and Privacy with Samsung Knox Vault

Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G come with Samsung Knox Vault, which stores data in dedicated tamper-resistant hardware and monitors for hardware-level attacks. The devices also include software-level protections, alerting users in cases of data breach.

Availability and Offers

Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G will be available across retail stores, Samsung Exclusive Stores, Samsung.com and other online platforms. Customers can choose among three attractive offers: INR 3000 Bank/UPI Cashback or a 24-month zero interest, zero down payment EMI plan or INR 3000 upgrade bonus.

Venture Global and Edison Announce Calcasieu Pass Arbitration Settlement

Business Wire India

Today, Venture Global and Edison jointly announced the signature of a commercial agreement for the settlement of the pending arbitration between the two companies concerning the Calcasieu Pass project.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326559130/en/

 

 

Completion of the settlement is expected by the end of Q2 2026, at which point the arbitration will be terminated. The agreement fully resolves the arbitration in its entirety. As part of the settlement, Edison and Venture Global have also agreed to the delivery to Europe of additional cargoes beyond those envisaged under the long-term contract, to support gas supplies primarily to the Italian market. The first delivery is scheduled for May 2026, in Italy, at the Adriatic LNG Terminal.

 

 

The agreement represents a significant step in strengthening commercial cooperation between the parties and it establishes a foundation for further future deliveries in the context of the disruption caused by ongoing geopolitical events.

 

 

Both parties welcome this agreement, as it further consolidates long‑term deliveries and enhances the commercial partnership between Venture Global and Edison which is an important foundational customer of the Calcasieu Pass project. The parties look forward to continuing to work together to pursue Venture Global’s mission of stabilizing global LNG/gas markets and to further consolidate Edison’s role in guaranteeing the stability and security of Italy’s energy supply.

 

 

 

 

 

Omdia: YouTube Expected to Approach 3 Billion Global Users by 2027 as Netflix Surpasses 1 Billion

Business Wire India

Netflix is forecast to reach over 1 billion monthly active users globally by 2027, while YouTube is expected to approach 3 billion users worldwide according to Omdia.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326155411/en/

 

 

Netflix and YouTube are the first choice video services in France

Netflix and YouTube are the first choice video services in France

 

The new data, presented by Maria Rua Aguete, Head of Media & Entertainment at Omdia, at Series Mania, showcases how global platforms are reshaping video consumption across Europe.

 

During her session with Justine Ryst, Managing Director of YouTube France and Southern Europe, Aguete highlighted that Netflix and YouTube are the leading first-choice options for video services in France, ahead of traditional broadcasters and pay TV. Netflix leads the market at 18%, followed by YouTube at 12%.

 

 

The session, “How to Turn YouTube into an Asset for Your Series?”, underlined the evolving role of YouTube in the content ecosystem. While there is significant audience overlap between YouTube and major French broadcasters such as France TV, TF1+, and M6+, the data also shows that a substantial portion of YouTube’s audience sits outside these services, making it a critical platform for incremental reach.

 

 

This dual-dynamic positions YouTube as both a complementary platform – enhancing reach among existing TV audiences – and a gateway to new viewers that broadcasters may not otherwise capture.

 

 

In the UK, the market reflects a balanced ecosystem between global and local players. Netflix (17%), Sky (15%), and YouTube (9%) rank as the leading first-choice services, highlighting the continued relevance of premium pay TV alongside streaming.

 

 

“Scale and reach are critical, but so is complementarity. Platforms like YouTube not only amplify content but also unlock entirely new audiences, while Netflix continues to lead in premium storytelling and engagement,” said Rua Aguete.

 

 

The findings reinforce a key industry shift: success increasingly depends on combining global scale with local relevance, leveraging platforms not just as competitors, but as strategic partners to grow total audiences.

 

 

ABOUT OMDIA

 

 

Omdia, part of TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, make our market intelligence our clients’ strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward.

 

 

 

 

 

Biocytogen Announces FDA IND Clearance for Partner NEOK Bio’s NEOK002 Targeting Solid Tumors

Business Wire India

 

Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (Biocytogen, SSE: 688796; HKEX: 02315), a global biotechnology company that drives the research and development of novel antibody-based drugs with innovative technologies, today announced that its partner NEOK Bio, Inc. recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an investigational new drug (IND) application for NEOK002, an EGFR/MUC1-targeting ADC program for solid tumors. NEOK Bio plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study in the second quarter of 2026 and expects to report initial data in 2027.

 

This IND clearance marks an important milestone for NEOK002, an EGFR/MUC1-targeting ADC candidate developed by NEOK Bio and built on a bispecific antibody originally developed by Biocytogen and licensed in 2024. According to NEOK Bio, NEOK002 is being advanced for solid tumors and may offer differentiated efficacy and safety compared with monospecific ADC approaches directed at either target alone.

 

 

Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, said: “We are pleased to see one of our partnered molecules reach this important stage of development. This milestone further validates the quality, developability, and therapeutic potential of fully human bispecific antibodies discovered using our RenLite® platform, which features a common light chain design. We look forward to the continued clinical advancement of the program.”

 

 

About Biocytogen

 

 

Biocytogen (SSE: 688796; HKEX: 02315) is a global biotechnology company that drives the research and development of novel antibody-based drugs with innovative technologies. Founded on gene editing technology, Biocytogen has established a dual-engine platform combining a fully human antibody library with an extensive target-humanized mouse model portfolio, enabling a systematic approach to accelerating global drug discovery and development.

 

 

Biocytogen has independently developed its proprietary RenMice® (RenMab®/RenLite®/RenNano®/RenTCR™/RenTCR mimic™) platforms for fully human monoclonal/bispecific/multispecific antibody discovery, bispecific antibody-drug conjugate discovery, hu-VHH discovery, and TCR mimic antibody discovery, and has established a sub-brand, RenSuper™ Biologics, to explore global partnerships for an off-the-shelf library of >1,000,000 fully human antibody sequences against over 1000 targets for worldwide collaboration. “As of December 31, 2025, more than 350 agreements for therapeutic antibodies and clinical assets—spanning co-development, out-licensing, and transfers—have been established globally, including landmark partnerships with leading multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs).”Biocytogen pioneered the generation of drug target knock-in humanized models for preclinical research, and currently provides a few thousand off-the-shelf animal and cell models under the company’s sub-brand, BioMice™, along with preclinical pharmacology and gene-editing services for clients worldwide. Headquartered in Beijing, Biocytogen has branches in China (Haimen, Jiangsu, Shanghai), the USA (Boston, San Francisco, San Diego), and Germany (Heidelberg). For more information, please visit https://biocytogen.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Tata Power secures ‘Next Leaders’ position in IiAS Corporate Governance Scorecard Assessment, 2025

Chandigarh, Mar 27:  Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies has been positioned in the ‘Next Leaders’ category of the Indian Corporate Governance Scorecard Assessment 2025 undertaken by the Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd (IiAS) for 2025.

The inclusion is an outcome of an annual assessment of the S&P BSE 100 companies on the Indian Corporate Governance Scorecard framework, which has been jointly developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), BSE, and IiAS and is based on the G20/OECD principles of Corporate Governance and assesses company level governance practices across four equally weighted pillars: rights and equitable treatment of shareholders, sustainability and resilience, disclosures and transparency, and responsibilities of the board.

This was the 10th edition of  IiAS Indian Corporate Governance Scorecard, marking a decade of tracking the evolution of governance practices in corporate India. The 2025 assessment indicates a more mature governance landscape, with the focus shifting beyond formal compliance toward the quality of oversight, resilience, transparency, and long-term value creation.

Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Limited (IiAS) is an advisory firm that provides capital markets with independent opinions, data, and analysis on governance and ESG, including voting recommendations and ESG ratings in India, through its wholly owned subsidiary IIAS Sustainability Solutions. The Indian Corporate Governance Scorecard, originally developed by IFC-BSE-IIAS, is built around the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. IiAS is a SEBI Research Analyst body.

Rubedo Life Sciences Announces Positive Preliminary Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results for Lead Drug Candidate RLS-1496 in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, and Skin Aging

Business Wire India

 

  • The Phase 1 study of RLS-1496, the first human trial of a GPX4 (selective glutathione peroxidase 4) modulator, met its primary endpoint and also demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between target engagement and clinical improvement in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
  • RLS-1496 is a first-in-class disease-modifying mechanism targeting pathological senescent cells that drive inflammaging and chronic degenerative diseases of aging
  • A second study for RLS-1496 – a Phase 1b/2a study in actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions) – is underway in the United States, with completion expected later this year
  • Rubedo CEO Frederick Beddingfield, III, MD, PhD, FAAD, to moderate panel on senescence and skin at the Dermatology Innovation Forum (DIF) during the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting on Thursday, March 26, at 1:05 pm MT in Denver
  • Oral presentation of data accepted at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) from May 13-16, 2026, in Chicago

 

Rubedo Life Sciences, Inc. (Rubedo), an AI-driven, clinical-stage biotech focused on discovering and rapidly developing selective cellular rejuvenation medicines targeting aging cells, today announced preliminary results from a single-center, ascending-dose, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial in patients with plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and skin aging (photo-aged skin). The recently completed Phase 1 clinical trial, conducted in the European Union, was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, clinical effects, plasma bioavailability, and pharmacodynamics of topical RLS-1496—the first-ever GPX4 (selective glutathione peroxidase 4) modulator to be studied in human trials, and the first specifically targeting cellular rejuvenation, an area of great interest to the scientific community as a new therapeutic pathway. The study met its primary endpoint, with RLS-1496 also demonstrating early signs of efficacy.

 

Preliminary Trial Results

 

 

  • RLS-1496 was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events (AEs) and no discontinuations due to AEs or tolerability issues during the 4-week study
  • In psoriasis patients:
    • Clear dose-response seen during the trial (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0%); all doses were well-tolerated so only 1.0% dose will be evaluated moving forward
    • Dose-related target engagement of RLS-1496 and GPX4
    • Overall reduction in senescent cells seen with RLS-1496 in the mid- and high-dose cohorts
    • Some subjects treated with RLS-1496 had a reduction of senescent cells, which was associated with a reduction of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-19 and S100A7; this reduction was not seen in the vehicle cohort
    • An average 20% reduction in epidermal thickness was observed on histology in subjects treated with RLS-1496 for one month
    • A statistically significant relationship was seen between target engagement and improvement in clinical psoriasis severity
  • In atopic dermatitis patients:
    • Even higher levels of target engagement and substantial clinical improvement were seen in atopic dermatitis subjects on RLS-1496
    • After one month of treatment, 25% of subjects on RLS-1496 had a >/=4-point change in pruritus (or itching) on the numeric rating scale (NRS); no vehicle subjects had a 4-point or more change on the NRS
  • Early photo-aging data show:
    • Dose-dependent target engagement in non-lesional photo-aged skin
    • Histology, proteomics, and spatial transcriptomics indicate that collagen gene and protein expression increase with treatments over time, in particular, spatial transcriptomics shows an effect in dermal fibroblasts
    • Spatial transcriptomics show indication that SASPs and inflammatory biomarkers decrease with treatments over time in keratinocytes

 

“We’re pleased by the positive safety and tolerability seen in the trial, with the additional preliminary results exceeding our expectations by showing very promising and clinically meaningful results across multiple measures including histologic, cellular, biomarker, and clinical evaluations in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and photo-aged skin,” said Rubedo CEO Frederick Beddingfield, III, MD, PhD, FAAD. “It’s uncommon to see clinical effect in a Phase 1 dermatology study given the shorter study duration and smaller sample size, and we are excited by the potential of this treatment with the clinical and biomarker changes we have observed already.”

 

Dr. Beddingfield will preview these results during a panel he will moderate on senescence and skin at the Dermatology Innovation Forum (DIF) during the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting on Thursday, March 26, at 1:05 pm MT in Denver. Additional results from this trial will be presented during an oral presentation at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) from May 13-16, 2026, in Chicago.

 

 

A second study for RLS-1496 – a Phase 1b/2a study in actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions) – is underway in the United States with completion expected later this year. In both trials, all subjects have their photo-aged skin treated with RLS-1496 in addition to their lesional skin relating to their medical condition. From these trials, Rubedo expects to obtain a large dataset on the treatment of aging skin from approximately 70 subjects.

 

 

Rubedo Chief Scientific Officer and Founder Marco Quarta, PhD, said, “This is one of the first comprehensively evaluated trials of a senotherapeutic drug that targets aging pathologic cells and regenerates healthy cells, and also the first human trial of a GPX4 modulator. These preliminary results show the drug working mechanistically as expected and even better than should be expected clinically in a 4-week trial. We are excited for the upcoming comprehensive results from this trial, as well as the results of the ongoing trial in actinic keratosis.”

 

 

About RLS-1496 and GPX4 Modulation

 

 

Rubedo’s lead candidate RLS-1496, being developed for topical and oral administration, is a potential first-in-class, disease-modifying GPX4 modulator selectively targeting pathologic senescent or “aged” cells that drive chronic degenerative diseases and conditions associated with biological aging processes. These include immunology and inflammation (I&I), dermatology and skin aging, metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes, liver fibrosis), sarcopenia, and neurodegenerative disease.

 

 

In certain pathologic cells, aging is associated with an imbalance in GPX4. Modulation of GPX4 sensitizes cells to ferroptosis, which is a type of programmed cell death and is believed to be an Achilles heel of senescent cells. By modulating GPX4 in ferroptosis-sensitive senescent “aged” cells, RLS-1496 may be able to clear these cells to not only fight disease, but also support healthy cells to function properly and restore tissue homeostasis. Beyond its targeted senolytic function in triggering selective ferroptosis within pathological senescent cells, RLS-1496 could also act as a restorative modulator that induces a vital ‘redox-reset’ in stressed neighboring cells, effectively clearing the source of chronic inflammation while actively re-establishing healthy tissue homeostasis.

 

 

RLS-1496 uses Rubedo’s proprietary, AI-driven drug discovery platform ALEMBIC™, which identifies targets within pathologic senescent cells and develops selective cellular rejuvenation medicines for these targets.

 

 

About Rubedo Life Sciences

 

 

Rubedo Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biotech developing a broad portfolio of innovative selective cellular rejuvenation medicines targeting aging cells that drive chronic age-related diseases. Our proprietary AI-driven ALEMBIC™ drug discovery platform is developing novel first-in-class small molecules to selectively target pathologic and senescent cells, which play a key role in the progression of pulmonary, dermatological, oncological, neurodegenerative, fibrotic, and other chronic disorders. Our lead drug candidate – RLS-1496, a potential first-in-class disease-modifying GPX4 modulator – is currently in Phase I clinical trials. The Rubedo leadership team is composed of industry leaders and early pioneers in chemistry, AI technology, longevity science, and life sciences, with expertise in drug development and commercialization from both large pharmaceutical and leading biotechnology companies. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, CA, USA, and has offices in Milan, Italy. For additional information, visit www.rubedolife.com.

 

 

 

 

 

M1X Global Announces Public Launch and Oversubscribed $3 Million Angel Round to Scale On-Chain Sovereign Finance

Business Wire India

M1X Global, a sovereign financial infrastructure and technology company, today announced its public launch alongside the close of an oversubscribed $3 million angel round. The funding, spanning strategic investments and grants, will support platform development and accelerate regulated institutional adoption of USDM1, the first USD-denominated, treasury collateralized sovereign debt instrument issued natively by a sovereign on public blockchain infrastructure.

 

The $3 million in funding drew participation from leading figures across global capital markets and digital asset infrastructure, including Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase; Tama Churchouse, CEO of Cumberland Labs; Richard Gorelick, former Head of Market Structure at DRW; and Dan Robichaud, former CIO at Intel. Institutional participation from FJ Labs and grant funding from Stellar Development Foundation reflect strong alignment between private capital and mission-driven partners advancing blockchain-based market development.

 

 

M1X Global is building infrastructure that enables governments to issue and manage financial instruments natively on-chain while maintaining compatibility with global institutional frameworks. Its flagship initiative, USDM1, developed in public-private partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), provides a working example of this model. Issued directly by the government of the RMI, USDM1 is a U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign bond fully collateralized (1:1) by short-duration U.S. Treasury instruments and structured under New York law, designed to provide holders with a perfected first-priority security interest in collateral. USDM1 is not a tokenized or wrapped instrument and maintains programmable, 24/7 settlement.

 

 

USDM1 supports the world’s first nationwide Universal Basic Income program as a disbursement rail in the RMI, enabling instant delivery of funds to citizens via the Lomalo digital wallet across one of the world’s most geographically dispersed island nations.

 

 

Mark Lurie, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of M1X Global, said:“M1X Global is focused on modernizing sovereign financial infrastructure for a digital, always-on capital market environment. With USDM1, we’ve demonstrated how sovereign debt can be issued as a programmable, digitally native instrument without compromising institutional standards. This funding allows us to scale that model and deepen integration across government use and institutional markets.”

 

 

Jordan Goldman, Co-Founder and COO of M1X Global, added: “USDM1 was structured to function across domestic and regulated institutional markets. As a Treasury-backed sovereign financial instrument with look-through maintained, it can serve as high-quality collateral – improving capital efficiency and optimizing balance sheet treatment across 24/7 institutional trading and financing workflows.”

 

 

Dr. Peter Dittus, former Secretary General of the Bank for International Settlements and M1X Global advisor, said:“USDM1 applies established sovereign debt principles in a digitally native format that supports institutional capital treatment. This is a critical distinction from privately issued digital dollar instruments – and one that enables broader adoption across regulated financial institutions.”

 

 

Following its public launch, M1X Global is coordinating and scaling regulated institutional use of USDM1. By combining sovereign exposure with U.S. Treasury collateralization, USDM1 introduces a new category of digitally native, collateralized sovereign debt that integrates with trading, financing, and liquidity workflows with institutional compatibility and legal certainty.

 

 

Proceeds from the round will fund expanded institutional access for USDM1, pilot programs with derivatives and capital markets participants, and continued development of M1X Global’s platform for sovereign issuers operating in 24/7 on-chain markets. M1X Global’s advisory board includes Dr. Peter Dittus supporting capital treatment and regulatory positioning and Leon Marshall, former CEO Europe at Galaxy Digital (Nasdaq: GLXY), supporting institutional distribution and market development.

 

 

ENDS

 

 

About M1X Global

 

 

M1X Global is a sovereign financial infrastructure and technology company bridging public finance and on-chain capital markets. Operating in public-private partnership with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, M1X coordinates legal, compliance, technology, custody and institutional infrastructure required to integrate sovereign digital instruments and global markets.

 

 

About USDM1

 

 

USDM1 is USD-denominated sovereign debt issued natively on-chain by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, secured 1:1 by short-duration U.S. Treasury instruments held in bankruptcy remote custody. The RMI operates exclusively on the U.S. dollar standard under its Compact of Free Association with the United States, which establishes the dollar as its sole legal tender. For more, see the government’s white-paper “Financial Access and the Path to USDM1.”

 

 

USDM1 is structured in the style of a fully collateralized Brady bond under New York law, with an explicit customary waiver of sovereign immunity. USDM1 provides holders with a perfected first-priority security interest in collateral. Unlike privately issued digital dollar instruments, USDM1 is structured as sovereign debt with collateral perfected by control under UCC, enabling compatibility with ISDA netting frameworks and supporting inclusion in ISDA netting sets. As institutional-grade collateral, USDM1 supports integration in institutional margin, repo and financing workflows and operates within existing legal, accounting, and capital frameworks, improving capital efficiency and balance sheet treatment.

 

 

Cleary Gottlieb serves as issuer’s counsel and advised with respect to the structuring of the instrument under New York law with the participation of partners specializing in sovereign debt, UCC and secured transactions, creditors’ rights, netting and digital asset market infrastructure.

 

 

 

 

 

Tendo named to Forbes Top Startup Employers for third consecutive year

 

Recognition Highlights Momentum in Tendo’s Insights and Marketplace Products

Philadelphia, PA — Mar 27 — Tendo, a healthcare technology company that partners with patients, clinicians, employers, and care navigators to put clinical quality at the center of every care decision,  has been named one of Forbes’ Top Startup Employers for the third consecutive year. The recognition reflects the company’s growth, product innovation, and strong culture as it continues to scale its provider quality and two-sided healthcare marketplace offerings.

Forbes’ annual list, developed in partnership with Statista, evaluates privately held U.S. companies based on employer reputation, employee satisfaction, and sustained growth. Tendo’s third-year recognition underscores both its expanding national footprint and the team driving its software innovation.

“Earning this recognition for a third year reflects both our growth and the values that guide how we build Tendo,” said Jennifer Goldsmith, CEO and Co-Founder of Tendo. “As we expand our healthcare marketplace and quality analytics offerings, we remain focused on attracting and supporting exceptional, mission-driven people who are passionate about improving how care decisions are made.”

Tendo’s platform addresses a critical moment in healthcare, as traditional fee-for-service models become increasingly complex and costly for both consumers and employers. With the rise of self-insured employer plans and consumer self-pay care, greater transparency and visibility into provider quality have become essential. Today, Tendo supports a growing national network of employers, care navigators, and healthcare providers using its platform to guide high-value care decisions at scale. By enabling more informed choices, transparent and predictable pricing, and quality-based differentiation for providers, Tendo helps support better outcomes and a more sustainable healthcare delivery system.

India’s Health Insurance Sector Grows 9%, Premiums Top Rs.1.2 Lakh Crore

New Delhi, March 27 (BNP): India’s health insurance sector continued its strong growth trajectory in 2024–25, with total premium collections crossing ₹1.2 lakh crore, reflecting rising awareness, improved access to healthcare financing, and increasing demand for financial protection against medical expenses.

The sector recorded an approximate growth rate of around 9 per cent during the financial year, underlining sustained expansion driven by demographic shifts, higher coverage uptake, and evolving consumer needs.

India’s Health Insurance Sector Grows 9%, Premiums Top Rs.1.2 Lakh Crore

 

To enhance efficiency and ensure timely support for policyholders, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has prescribed specific timelines for the settlement of cashless health insurance claims. As per the norms, insurers are required to provide cashless pre-authorisation within one hour and final authorisation within three hours, aimed at reducing delays and facilitating quicker access to treatment.

The rise in health insurance premiums has been attributed to factors such as ageing policyholders, expanded coverage, and the inclusion of enhanced features in insurance products. The regulator’s 2024 guidelines mandate that insurance products be priced fairly, based on relevant risk factors, while ensuring long-term viability and value for customers. Pricing is subject to periodic review by appointed actuaries using credible data and customer feedback.

On claims performance, the claims paid ratio (by number of claims) improved to 87.50 per cent in 2024–25, compared to 82.46 per cent in 2023–24 and 85.66 per cent in 2022–23, indicating better settlement outcomes.

According to data from IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa portal, a total of 1,37,361 general and health insurance grievances were reported during FY25, of which 1,27,755 cases, or 93 per cent, were resolved within the same financial year.

Industry data suggests that instances of claim disallowance or repudiation are largely linked to specific policy conditions, including exceeding the sum insured, co-payment clauses, sub-limits, deductibles in top-up policies, room rent caps, proportionate charges, and exclusions such as non-medical expenses.

The regulator has also undertaken multiple measures to improve transparency, streamline claims processing, and strengthen policyholder confidence. Experts note that a balanced and informed approach by all stakeholders will be key to building a more transparent and trustworthy health insurance ecosystem in the country.