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The Market Online
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Market Online
Crypto's value proposition: Perspectives from Consensus 2025
If you've yet to dive into the world of cryptocurrency and its underlying blockchain technology, you've probably heard about it, and may find yourself wondering if it will all turn out to be a fad or prove to have long-term viability. While blockchains were only proposed in a paper by cryptographer David Chaum in 1982, with their industrial application only coming into full force with the creation of Bitcoin during the Global Financial Crisis, their utility is readily recognizable. It saves more time, money and effort to record transactions automatically, leveraging a decentralized network, compared to hiring an institution to sit in the middle of buyer and seller. This concept can be applied to literally any industry, streamlining operational costs, optimizing systems and ultimately improving the consumer experience and investors' prospects for a satisfactory return. The use-cases for cryptocurrencies, which are used to settle transactions on blockchain networks, are considerably less certain. Firstly, they are far from universally recognized as valid currencies and/or investment vehicles, with restrictions in terms of legality and/or banking in place in many countries across the world. Secondly, while many tokens have posted phenomenal returns over the past 5 to 10 years, a great number have tanked, combining into a volatile track record too short to hang much conviction on or escape the category of speculative asset. That said, many investors have room in their portfolios for asymmetric risk-reward opportunities, making cryptocurrencies and blockchain companies popular ways to aim for the upside of extreme volatility. These investments, like any other, rely on a thesis delineating their success, but stand alone in terms of the strong conviction required to hold on through the turmoil any nascent asset must endure to earn differentiated returns. I attended the first day of Consensus 2025, one of the top global cryptocurrency and blockchain conferences, with eyes on measuring this conviction from the floor, hopefully offering interested investors a sense of what entrepreneurs believe about the industry's ability to create long-term value. Ndax My fancy first took me to a presentation called Beyond the Game: the New Era of Sports Partnerships, Crypto and Culture, where Bilal Hammoud, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ndax, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Canada, spoke about the company's mission to educate and become more approachable to those who may find crypto overwhelming, as most recently highlighted by a partnership with the NHL. 'As one of the top trading platforms in Canada, we want people to learn about crypto by understanding and less so by speculation,' Hammoud stated. 'Given that the NHL shares our main pillars of trust, community, education and authenticity, the partnership was a no-brainer.' From left to right: Randy Osei, CEO of Athlete Technology Group; Brayden Jackson, a basketball player for St. Bonaventure University; Max Paulsen, Vice President of Global Business Development for the NHL; Bilal Hammoud, CEO of Ndax; Adrian Wojnarowski, General Manager of St. Bonaventure Basketball. 'Crypto has been through numerous cycles and it can be intimidating to this day,' Hammoud added. 'We figured that, if people were able to see our brand beside their favorite teams on the ice, it would create a sense of approachability and build a bridge for them to see that crypto is the future of finance.' Ndax is playing an active role in spearheading this future, having executed over C$18 billion in transactions since 2018 and earned an enviable Appstore rating of 4.8, in addition to recently launching Ndax Ice, an official NHL playoff prediction game where users can earn crypto and exclusive prizes, aiming to spread the word about its regulated platform where both retail and institutional investors can diversify into crypto. Kula I next found my way to a booth occupied by Kula, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) focused on securing and tokenizing real-world assets, including water, timber, agriculture and commodities, granting ownership stakes to communities that stand to be affected by future development. Moving beyond mere portfolio diversification, the Kula platform gives communities a say in the spaces they live in, demonstrating that crypto and blockchain can be drivers of positive change where moral and financial values align. 'We go into typically opaque or corrupt companies and bring transparency, opening them up to investors around the world,' Micah Yeackley, Kula's Co-Founder and CEO, commented from the floor at Consensus 2025. 'When investors get to see the heart of these projects, then blockchain has created value in companies or countries that struggled to see investment before.' 'Real-world mining was the heart of Kula at the start, beginning with a limestone mine in Zambia, but we soon realized that our model can be copied and pasted into any industry,' Yeackley added. 'So, we're working with hydropower in Nepal, timber in Malaysia, agricultural farms in Zambia, as well as copper, cobalt and lithium miners, all of it wrapped in our DAO, looking to make an impact for communities surrounding these assets.' Proven in the market with 9 MOUs, 5 contracts, 15 partnerships and over US$17.5 million in seed funding and capital raises to date, Kula believes its potential to scale remains largely untapped. S&P Global After a fair bit of aimless strolling, one of the conference goer's chief joys, I landed at S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI), one of the top market data providers, whose expertise helps governments, businesses and individuals across the world make high-conviction decisions. Its diversified offerings include sustainability, investment analysis, credit ratings (world leader), benchmarks (world leader), as well as analytics and workflow solutions, all in service of ushering projects up to full potential. I approached Chuck Mounts, Chief Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Officer at S&P Global Ratings, in the hopes of gaining an established institution's perspective on cryptocurrency and blockchain's long-term prospects, and he did not fail to deliver. 'We think the transformation of markets has begun, with blockchain rails replacing traditional market structures and providing a host of opportunities for investment capabilities,' Mounts said. 'S&P Global is actively deploying our historical expertise to help investors and market participants navigate this new landscape, shining a light on its inherent risks and providing benchmarks to improve decision making, market liquidity and price discovery. I would say we're in the very early stage of this market transformation, with a lot of traditional firms onboarding digital asset capabilities over the past few years, a lot of momentum building up on the policy side of things, particularly in the United States, and increased client engagement combining to catalyze mass adoption of blockchain among traditional market players.' While cryptocurrency and blockchain assets have only been investable going on 20 years, they are enabling tangible change in the lives of everyday people, helping to bring efficiency to legacy systems and transparency where none existed before while creating significant value. Case in point, total cryptocurrency market capitalization has grown by over 884 times from C$5.3 billion in 2015 to C$4.67 trillion as of May 14, according to Coin Market Cap, warranting strong optimism about the future as use-cases extend into gaming, voting, real estate, authentication, healthcare, insurance, metaverse building and data storage, among dozens of other industries, with the list likely to continue growing as tokenization extends into non-traditional assets and more people experience the benefits of not having to rely on centralized institutions to save, spend, invest or borrow against their hard-earned funds. All this is to say that, it seems clear that digital assets are here to stay, but the end-state of their ongoing evolution remains anyone's guess. So make sure to risk-adjust your positions, hold close to due diligence and keep updated on the latest crypto market moves as you explore this exciting asset class and put money to work. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about Consensus 2025 on Stockhouse's Bitcoin, cryptocurrency and blockchain bullboards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here. This is sponsored content issued on behalf of Consensus, please see full disclaimer here.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bangladesh's Garments Revolution: New Report Challenges Global Fashion to Rethink Outdated Narratives
NEW YORK, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve years after the Rana Plaza tragedy, Bangladesh's garment industry has undergone a profound transformation. A new report from the Center for Media and Peace Initiatives (CMPI) urges global brands, policymakers, and media to recognize Bangladesh not as a cautionary tale, but as a model for ethical, sustainable, and resilient manufacturing. The report, Beyond the Stereotype: Rethinking Bangladesh's Textile Industry, highlights Bangladesh's emergence as a leader in ethical and sustainable apparel production. With 240 LEED-certified green factories—more than any other country—and a surge in unionized labor, Bangladesh is redefining the global garment landscape. Yet outdated media narratives continue to obscure this progress. This report corrects these narratives, dismantling the myth of Bangladesh as a low-compliance, low-quality producer. The report reveals how sweeping reforms have transformed the industry into a leader in labor rights, environmental responsibility, and scalable industrial innovation. "The world faces a triple threat: fractured supply chains, worsening climate shocks, and rising worker exploitation," said Taiwo Meghoma, a contributor to the report. "Bangladesh has done the hard work to confront these challenges – now it's time for the rest of the world to [reassess] how it engages with sourcing countries." "In an era of fractured supply chains and escalating protectionism, Bangladesh is not just ready to step in – it already has," adds report author Dr. Uchenna Ekwo. "What's needed now is a shift in how the world engages – with policies, sourcing strategies, and capital flows that reflect the Bangladesh of today, not the one remembered from a decade ago." Key Findings: Safety Overhaul: The Accord on Fire and Building Safety, signed by over 200 brands, has led to more than 56,000 inspections and 140,000 safety upgrades, safeguarding over 2 million workers. Green Leadership: Bangladesh now boasts 240 LEED-certified garment factories, including 98 with Platinum certification, positioning it as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing. Empowered Workforce: Registered garment-sector unions have increased from fewer than 300 in 2012 to over 1,300 in 2025, reflecting a significant shift towards worker empowerment. Gender Equality Initiatives: Programs like the Gender Equality and Returns initiative have trained thousands of women for higher-paid roles, promoting inclusivity and economic advancement. Economic Resilience: With apparel exports reaching $38.4 billion in 2024, Bangladesh has become a preferred sourcing destination amid global trade realignments. A Call to Action: Despite these advancements, outdated perceptions persist. CMPI calls on global stakeholders to: Adopt Strategic Sourcing: Recognize Bangladesh's leadership with fairer, long-term contracts that reward ethical performance. Implement Policy Reforms: Align trade and compliance regulations with current performance metrics, moving beyond outdated reputations. Ensure Media Accountability: Prioritize accurate reporting that reflects verified progress over sensationalist narratives. About the Center for Media and Peace Initiatives: The Center for Media and Peace Initiatives (CMPI) is a New York-based think tank with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). CMPI has worked with leading U.S. platforms and institutions, including the U.S. Institute for Peace, where it hosted a landmark event in 2014, and the United States–Africa Leaders' Summit organized by the Obama Administration that same year. In 2020, CMPI partnered with YouGov and Arab News to deliver programming around the U.S. presidential election, further cementing its role as a bridge between global and American media-policy ecosystems. Through its research publications, international conferences, and editorial outreach, CMPI engages a readership concentrated in Washington, New York, and key U.S. academic and diplomatic circles, while also reaching policy influencers in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. About the Authors: Beyond the Stereotype: Rethinking Bangladesh's Textile Industry was authored by: Taiwo Meghoma: With a distinguished record of contributions to international fashion diplomacy – including serving as Fashion Director for the Royal African Society's 120th Anniversary Gala under the patronage of HRH Prince William –Meghoma has consulted at New York and Portugal Fashion Weeks and collaborated with over 20 embassies to spotlight ethical fashion on the world stage. He is a recognized speaker on branding across global fashion and business communities. Dr. Uchenna Ekwo: President of the Center for Media and Peace Initiatives and research faculty at CUNY's Medgar Evers College, Dr. Ekwo is a journalist-turned-scholar specializing in global media systems and public policy. He has worked across Africa and the U.S. to promote media reform, narrative justice, and ethical governance. Dr. Nathalie Beasnael: A global health leader and climate advocate, Dr. Nathalie Beasnael is the founder of Health4Peace, which delivers critical medical support to hospitals across West and Southern Africa. As Diplomatic Envoy of the Republic of Chad to the United States, she represents her nation on global development platforms, including the UN's COP28 summit. She is also an actress and activist. Full biographies available upon request. The full report can be found here: For media inquiries or interviews with the report authors, please contact: Dr. Uchenna Ekwo at: uchenna@ View original content: SOURCE Center for Media & Peace Initiatives
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A 4-year degree at a quarter of the cost? Yes, it's possible
For too many people, the dream of a college degree — and the opportunities it offers — is overshadowed by the looming threat of student debt. More than half U.S. adults without a college degree cite the cost of a degree as the primary reason for not enrolling, according to Gallup and the Lumina Foundation. When I took the helm of Scottsdale Community College in July 2022, I knew that we could do something about that. And so, after years of dedicated work by our faculty and staff, Scottsdale Community College now offers its first-ever, four-year degree program, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. By offering this new program at one-quarter of what it costs at other institutions, we hope it will create opportunities for more students to achieve their educational goals and follow their passions without the heavy financial burden usually associated with obtaining a bachelor's degree. SCC's Bachelor of Business Administration program is about more than just dollars and cents, though. I've spoken to many of our students, and they've told me how difficult it can be to find affordable, practical programs that lead directly to job opportunities. This degree is for them. Opinion: Why high schoolers need to know advanced manufacturing Our team developed this curriculum based on extensive collaboration with local business leaders, who made it clear that they need graduates with skills they can apply from day one. The coursework emphasizes practical knowledge and real-world applications, so students are fully prepared to enter and thrive in the workplace. While this four-year degree is a new offering for students, it's not a new direction for the college. Instead, I see it as an extension of SCC's missing to expand access to quality education for all, especially underserved communities. SCC serves approximately 10,000 students each year, nearly half of whom represent minority and underserved student populations. More than a quarter of our student population self-identifies as Hispanic. This is a game-changer for SCC students, allowing them to pursue an affordable bachelor's degree and open many new possibilities for future careers. We're also seeing tremendous interest in the bachelor's program from graduates of SCC occupational programs, such as culinary, interior design and computer information systems. These graduates are now in the workforce and recognize that they need a bachelor's degree to move into leadership roles. Obtaining formal training in how to help run their organizations effectively will help complement their current skill set and set them on a pathway for greater success. Combine that with small class sizes and meaningful relationships with our expert faculty, and I'm truly proud that SCC can offer this tremendous value to our community. Maricopa Community Colleges now offer 11 bachelor's degree programs across nine institutions, an effort that has led to marked enrollment gains since the first offerings in 2023. Beyond the considerable tuition cost savings, students in these bachelor's programs appreciate the greater emphasis on hands-on, real-world skills that they can apply to their work immediately, rather than the greater focus on theory present at four-year universities. This is just the beginning. Our commitment to expanding educational opportunities will continue, and we're excited about the possibilities ahead as we prepare more students for leadership roles in their communities. I've always believed in the power of education to change lives, and with our new Bachelor of Business Administration, I know we'll be changing many more. Dr. Eric Leshinskie is president of Scottsdale Community College. Reach him at This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Community college is an affordable bachelor's degree option | Opinion
