Categoría: Geovanny Vicente

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Future FinTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FTFT) (hereinafter referred to as «Future Fintech», «FTFT» or «Company» «) a leading blockchain e-commerce company and a service provider for financial technology, today announced it has signed a term sheet («Term Sheet») with Blocknance Financial International SRL(«Blocknance»), a company incorporated in the Dominican Republic and the selling shareholders of Blocknance on December 30, 2020. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Company plans to acquire 60% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Blocknance. 

Blocknance provides services for transactions between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, such as Dominican Peso, US dollar, Euro and Russian Ruble for customers through Bitcoin ATM machines and physical offices. All ATMs and physical offices are currently located in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana, and Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic.

Blocknance is headquartered in the Dominican Republic. Its subsidiary Cryptocana SRL works with financial consulting companies to help clients buy, rent and sell residential, commercial, local and international real estate using cryptocurrencies; another subsidiary Blockchain Finance International Inc. is registered in Wyoming, US and officially registered as a Money Service Business (MSB) which is regulated and administered by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). According to the framework agreement, the current total valuation of Blocknance is $1.6 million. Future FinTech or its wholly-owned subsidiary plans to acquire 60% of Blocknance through cash and shares with a purchase price of US $960,000. Future FinTech reserves the right to purchase additional shares from the seller.

Emmy Jude Fortune, the General Manager of Blocknance, stated, «Blocknance is one of the most advanced, semi-decentralized cryptocurrency exchange platforms on the market today. It provides a safe way to exchange Bitcoin and cryptocurrency with fiat currencies for individuals who want to use them to buy and sell goods or services and is the largest Bitcoin transaction service provider in the Caribbean. With the help of our new ATMs, more and more people use cryptocurrency for transactions. Our Punta Cana and Santiago office provides services to more than 10,000 tourists every year, because most tourists do not have local bank accounts. Our physical offices or ATMs provide convenient two-way exchange services of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency to fiat currencies for tourists. Blocknance plans to increase the number of Bitcoin ATMs and expand them to Europe, Asia and other regions pursuant to local regulatory requirements in 2021. FTFT has a great management team in financial services and blockchain technology. The union with FTFT can rapidly expand our operations, continuously improve customer experience and satisfaction, increase service scenarios, and meet the needs of more and diversified customers. «

Shanchun Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Future FinTech said, «Blockchain technology and its application is an important strategic segment and business component of FTFT. Building a complete blockchain financial service system is an important development plan of FTFT. We have been looking for valuable blockchain technology companies to dock with our existing resources. When Bitcoin holders could convert Bitcoin into cash at ATM as Blocknance does in Dominican Republic, cryptocurrency will be gradually accepted by more and more people. We believe that the investment in Blocknance can further expand our business, bring additional income to the Company, and we hope to eventually create a channel that can connect Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with the services of mainstream financial institutions under applicable laws and regulations. «

About Future FinTech Group Inc.

Future FinTech Group Inc. («Future FinTech», «FTFT» or the «Company») is a leading blockchain e-commerce company and a service provider for financial technology incorporated in Florida. The Company’s operations include a blockchain-based online shopping mall platform, Chain Cloud Mall («CCM»), a cross-border e-commerce platform (NONOGIRL), an incubator for blockchain based application projects. The Company is also engaged in the development of blockchain based e-Commerce technology as well as financial technology. For more information, please visit http://www.ftftex.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement                                                  

Certain of the statements made in this press release are «forward-looking statements» within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance, capital, ownership or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as «may,» «will,» «anticipate,» «assume,» «should,» «indicate,» «would,» «believe,» «contemplate,» «expect,» «estimate,» «continue,» «plan,» «point to,» «project,» «could,» «intend,» «target» and other similar words and expressions of the future.

All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our other reports and filings with SEC. Such reports are available upon request from the Company, or from the Securities and Exchange Commission, including through the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date hereof, or after the respective dates on which any such statements otherwise are made.

IR Contact:
Future FinTech Group Inc.,
Tel: +1-888-622-1218
Email: ir@ftftex.com  

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/future-fintech-and-blocknance-signed-term-sheet-for-potential-acquisition-301200156.html

SOURCE Future FinTech Group Inc.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $39.4 billion for the month of November 2020, an increase of 7.0 percent compared to the November 2019 total of $36.9 billion and 1.1 percent more than the October 2020 total of $39.0 billion. Monthly sales are compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and represent a three-month moving average. SIA represents 98 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.

«Global sales of semiconductors continued to rise in November, increasing on a year-to-year basis by the highest percentage since March,» said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. «Annual sales in 2020 are tracking well ahead of the total from 2019, despite substantial headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors. Sales into the Americas remained strong in November, increasing year-to-year by a double-digit percentage for the eleventh consecutive month.»

Regionally, sales increased on a year-to-year basis in the Americas (12.5 percent), China (6.5 percent), Asia Pacific/All Other (6.5 percent), and Japan (5.1 percent), but decreased slightly in Europe (-0.7 percent). On a month-to-month basis, sales increased in Japan (5.2 percent), Europe (3.6 percent), the Americas (2.1 percent), and China (0.1 percent), but ticked down in Asia Pacific/All Other (-0.5 percent).

For comprehensive monthly semiconductor sales data and detailed WSTS forecasts, consider purchasing the WSTS Subscription Package. For detailed historical information about the global semiconductor industry and market, consider ordering the SIA Databook.

Media Contact
Dan Rosso
Semiconductor Industry Association
202-446-1719
drosso@semiconductors.org

About SIA
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America’s top export industries and a key driver of America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors – the tiny chips that enable modern technologies – power incredible products and services that have transformed our lives and our economy. The semiconductor industry directly employs nearly a quarter of a million workers in the United States, and U.S. semiconductor company sales totaled $193 billion in 2019. SIA represents 98 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org.

About WSTS
World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) is an independent non-profit organization representing the vast majority of the world semiconductor industry. The mission of WSTS is to be the respected source of semiconductor market data and forecasts. Founded in 1986, WSTS is the singular source for monthly industry shipment statistics.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-semiconductor-sales-increase-7-percent-year-to-year-in-november-301200399.html

SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)

WENATCHEE, Wash., Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Every 365 days, we pause, consider the year behind us, and anticipate the year ahead. As we reflect now, nothing’s ever looked quite like this. And dentists continue to deal with historical shifts in healthcare with little precedent to lean on. Dental practices ground to a halt in March with mandatory restrictions on elective procedures after a strong start to the year. This historical period led to slow re-openings and loosening of some limitations, but in the most recent American Dental Association (ADA) surveys, practices on average continue to report 80% of previous patient volumes. As COVID-19 cases spike again, unprecedented disruption, anxiety, and loss leave us with uncertainty to start 2021.

The ADA’s Health Policy Institute (HPI) found dental care spending down 38% in 2020, and they project a 20% reduction in 2021. Dental practices need to make strategic, measured decisions soon to navigate through the remaining pandemic. The new year demands calculated adjustments that reassure and attract patients to offset the inevitable attrition brought on by COVID-19.

No one knows what the future holds. But as we study the past and evaluate trends, the following predictions stand:

PREDICTION #1: Dental practices, especially solo practices, will feel extra strain to retain patients and replace churn.

The HPI has tracked consumer sentiment on dental care for the past several months. Every two weeks, the survey connects with people who visited a dental practice in 2019 and gathers their opinion about visiting again. Results in November 2020 revealed the following: 

• 23% were recently active patients who have already been back to the dentist
• 60% are ready to go to their dentist when their next appointment arrives
• 5% are still seeking assurances and may need a little extra signal that it’s safe before they’ll return for their dentist visit
• 12% are waiting to get a vaccine before returning for treatment

The dental industry blends immediate and elective care, which helps maintain a baseline level than many other industries envy. For example, nearly three times as many people report they won’t resume traveling until a vaccination becomes available. But the implications still carry negative weight as 17% of patients express a hesitation to continue dental care.

Economic uncertainty may alter dental expenditures, even for patients who can afford care, however. The personal savings rate hit a record 33% as consumers stockpiled cash during the pandemic; reluctant spending will continue to shape consumer sentiment in the near-term. Practices also face patients who’ve lost their dental insurance benefits associated with vanishing jobs. Patients may delay dental care until their insurance situation and the general economy improves. 

Some people who lose coverage may be eligible for Medicaid. But not all states have dental benefits for adults, and 29 states offer only emergency or limited benefits. Consequently, the benefits for those who are unemployed won’t equal previous employer benefits. Many practices don’t accept Medicaid, so these patients may drop out of the private-pay system.

PREDICTION #2: Staffing shortfalls will continue to impact the dental industry.

The human resource impact of COVID-19 carries into dental offices. Many employees continue to manage remote schooling for their children and juggle childcare loss during working hours. Dental offices face challenges recruiting the right people to fill critical positions in every economic cycle. A strong job market fueled a simmering staffing crisis before COVID-19, but the pandemic accelerated the strain. Additionally, solo dentists’ offices and DSOs rely on full-time employees who possess specific skills and certifications.

According to the ADA, hiring during 2020 for any position in practices hasn’t been without stress. The majority of hiring dentists report that it’s been extremely or very challenging compared to before the pandemic. Nearly 80% reported it was extremely or very challenging to recruit hygienists, and roughly 70% said the same for assistants.

An inconsistent workflow disrupted by shutdowns and restrictions presents another hurdle for dental practices to overcome. Stress-driven dental problems have increased, including TMJ and broken teeth. Emergency visits related to stress and delayed care present another challenge that may accelerate the longer the pandemic goes.

PREDICTION #3: Teledentistry will gain more traction. 
The telehealth revolution came into 2020 at a steady pace. Visits were up 33% before the pandemic, but they escalated as patients sought contactless communication channels. Teledentistry lowers the barrier to care, providing patients with direct access to their dentist from the comfort of their own homes without necessitating a physical visit. In a procedure-based profession, teledentistry plays a limited role. But patients can ask questions, perform some post-op visits, provide smile consultations, and review treatment plans. Practices can bill for the visit and collect reimbursement while keeping patients and staff safe.

Innovate practices began offering teleconsults to help patients during the mandatory shutdown in the spring of 2020. COVID-19 forced the accelerated adoption of teledentistry with creative solutions to patient communication. Teledentistry provides significant benefits to at-risk populations for COVID-19, including older people and those with pre-existing conditions. Plus, Over 80% of patients report high satisfaction with virtual visits in at least four recent studies. These findings bode well for the future of this trend. More dentists will adopt virtual consults as an extension of their practices in 2021, and patients and staff will discover more efficient access to care.

RECOMMENDATIONS for 2021
Communicate regularly with patients.
Dentists are often concerned about inundating patients with too many digital communications. But don’t be afraid to over-communicate with your patients in 2021. Establish systems that identify and manage communication channels preferred by patients through texting, email, social media, chatbots, and phone calls. Make sure you build «safety first» language into your messaging to let your patients know about the precautions you’re taking for their wellbeing. 

Offer your patients and staff convenient, touchless options. 
Safety and comfort remain the number one priority for your patients. Every step your team takes to ensure a safe environment improves the patient experience and your brand story. Plus, offering touchless ways to interact with your team enhances their desire to schedule appointments. Incorporate tools such as online appointment booking, paperless forms, and a pre-appointment comfort survey to help match the user experience found in other industries.

Digital tools also add efficiency and leverage your staff’s time. The need has never been greater as practices juggle recruitment challenges with more patient engagement demands. Every task integrated into a digital workflow frees your team to focus on primary care. Including these vital components can add hours to your team’s availability, reduce stress, and deliver first-class service. 

Attract new patients in 2021.
In 2021, practices will expend more energy attracting new patients and nurturing existing relationships. Most practices will experience economic impacts in navigating the next phase of COVID-19. Address this challenge by taking action now to meet consumer psychology with smart tools. Develop a strategic plan that anticipates new obstacles and recognizes the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. 

Consumers will choose those practices that provide the safe, convenient, and genuine experience they want. Consider an all-in-one Patient Relationship Management (PRM) solution that integrates to your Practice Management Software (PMS). Keep your current patients engaged, attract new patients, and help your staff deliver service that they’re proud to give.

Byline: Dr. Greg Grillo, DDS with Grillo Robeck Dental in Omak, Washington and Korey Korfiatis, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Legwork

About Legwork
Legwork delivers happiness to 20 million dental patients across North America via all-in-one engagement software. Integrating with dental practice management software, Legwork executes dozens of complex tasks, so dental teams don’t have to. Legwork helps streamline the front office, attract new patients, and keep seats filled via our easy-to-use web-based dashboard. From engaging prospects looking for their next dentist to reactivating dormant patients, Legwork covers the entire dental patient journey. Learn more at www.legwork.com

Media contact:
Rachel McKelvey 
rachel@legwork.com 
(509) 888-0233
Legwork

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legwork-three-predictions-that-impact-dentists-in-2021-301199741.html

SOURCE Legwork

OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Modern Niagara has converted AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex into the first Zero Carbon Building™ – Performance Standard certified arena, achieved in December 2020 through the Canada Green Building Council^®‘s Zero Carbon Building™ Program. Modern Niagara is a national mechanical and electrical, building services, and integrated building technology contractor that delivers to its clients a broad spectrum of service offerings, including data-driven energy solutions for retrofits and new construction alike.

«Buildings account for a significant portion of carbon emissions – we believe that what we have accomplished at AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex represents a step in the right direction towards building a more sustainable future. While converting AMPED into the world’s first arena to achieve the Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard certification did not come without challenges, I see this achievement as a great opportunity for Canada’s infrastructure more generally,» said Brad McAninch, CEO of Modern Niagara Group Inc.

Modern Niagara’s work in the arena is recognized by the Canada Green Building Council for its energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. Not only do these measures entail reducing operational carbon, but they also reduce overall energy consumption by optimizing facility operation through intelligent building automation, on-site renewable energy generation, and replacing all fossil fuel consuming equipment on-site, such as gas-fired rooftop units, hot water heaters, and the ice rink dehumidifier.

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is a non-profit national organization that has been working to advance green and sustainable building practices in Canada since 2002. A member of the World Green Building Council, CaGBC recognizes organizations and individuals for their leadership in reducing the environmental impact of the built environment. Through the Zero Carbon Building™ Standard – Performance certification, the CaGBC recognizes highly energy-efficient buildings that produce onsite or procure carbon-free renewable energy or high-quality carbon offsets to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with building materials and operations.

About Modern Niagara
Modern Niagara is a Canadian mechanical, electrical, building services and integrated building technology contractor. With offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, Modern Niagara supports clients through the entire building lifecycle. To learn more, visit modernniagara.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/modern-niagara-converts-amped-sports-lab-and-ice-complex-into-a-zero-carbon-building-zcb-301200315.html

SOURCE Modern Niagara Group Inc.

LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — To facilitate the proposed $1 billion expansion of its Olive Creek facility, Monolith Materials, Inc. (Monolith) and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) signed a letter-of-intent to procure enough renewable energy resources to generate two million megawatt-hours annually. NPPD will secure the generation resources and power to the facility will be delivered by Norris Public Power District, a wholesale customer of NPPD.

«Renewable electricity is the primary input to our proprietary process,» said Rob Hanson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Monolith. «While affordability and reliability are key business considerations, the sustainability of our power supply is also a critical factor for Monolith. We use this renewable electricity to sustainably make essential products for the automotive, industrial and agriculture sectors.»

A $100 million investment, Olive Creek 1 (OC1), Monolith’s first production facility, is already putting into practice the company’s focus on sustainability, utilizing renewable energy credits to offset 100% of its electricity needs. With this agreement, Monolith plans a mix of solar and wind generation resources along with energy storage to provide sufficient renewable power to offset the renewable power needs of its OC1 facility along with its OC2 expansion.

NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent said NPPD will solicit bids for the project through a request for proposals (RFP) for new wind or solar generation, including energy storage, through a Power Purchase Agreement.

«The approximately two million megawatt-hours of generation would create a sufficient number of renewable energy credits (RECs) to meet 100 percent of Monolith’s average annual energy usage and meet their environmental and sustainability goals,» Kent said. «While we are adding additional generation resources, NPPD will continue to maintain our highly competitive rates, which was one of the reasons Monolith moved its operations to Nebraska.» Kent noted that to reach that generation figure, the renewable resource projects could be comprised of wind, solar, or a mix of the two.

NPPD is expecting to enter into power purchase agreements by Sept. 1, 2021, with commercial operations expected to begin no later than Dec. 31, 2025.  NPPD plans to issue the RFP in March 2021. A shortlist will be developed for further negotiations.

About Monolith Materials

Monolith Materials is a next–generation chemical and hydrogen company that uses renewable electricity as part of a proprietary process to convert conventional and renewable natural gas to carbon black and hydrogen in an environmentally advantaged manner. Monolith is backed by Azimuth Capital Management, Cornell Capital LLC, Imperative Ventures and Warburg Pincus. For more information on Monolith Materials visit www.monolithmaterials.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monolith-seeking-2-million-megawatt-hours-of-renewable-energy-annually-for-planned-expansion-301199855.html

SOURCE Monolith Materials