Wed Society closes funding round at an $11 million valuation, enabling it to expand its 30-territory footprint, capitalize on 110 million consumer interactions, and build on 61% customer growth.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 19, 2026 — “This Series B is a clear signal: we’re building the most audience-engaging platform in the category—and continuing our trajectory of innovation and market leadership,” said Ashley Bowen-Murphy, cofounder of Wed Society.
“With 2 million weddings annually in the United States, we’re deploying significant resources to expand market coverage, increase member results to exceed other marketing platforms, and scale our technology and fulfillment systems that help our franchisees and members win locally” added Kami Huddleston, cofounder of Wed Society.
Ashley Bowen-Murphy, Kami Huddleston, and David Lewis lead Oklahoma City based Wed Society, the fastest growing wedding planning platform in America.
2025: Six momentum markers that set the stage for 2026
Franchise expansion: 30 territories awarded across 19 states as of Dec. 31, 2025, including 15 new locations signed in 2025.
Breakout consumer reach: Annual social and digital content surpassed 110 million views and interactions from engaged couples, establishing Wed Society as one of the nation’s most visited wedding planning platforms.
Member growth: Vendor memberships increased 61% year-over-year systemwide.
Demand signal: Wedding submissions rose 66% year-over-year, reflecting the demand for local storytelling and a growing appetite from newlyweds and vendors alike to be featured by Wed Society.
Measurable ROI: Platform upgrades to Wed Society’s proprietary technology, The Dashboard, generated 50,000+ booking leads for members nationally.
Brand Leadership: From naming the National Wedding of the Year, to establishing October 1st as Wedding Industry Appreciation Day, and supporting 23 non-profit organizations through Wed Society | Cares, Wed Society is a leadership voice in the North American wedding industry.
Founded in 2007, Wed Society launched its national franchise model in October 2023 and scaled quickly through a locally owned, community-led approach that connects engaged couples with curated local wedding vendors through social and digital content, print products, and market-level programming. Couples can start their wedding planning journey at WedSociety.com.
“2025 proved our unique approach has made Wed Society the fastest-growing wedding planning resource in America,” said David Lewis, chief growth officer of Wed Society. “In 2026, we expect to open 21 additional franchise markets and continue building a category-defining platform for couples and the talented local vendors who serve them”, he added.
About Wed Society Founded in 2007, and franchising since 2023, Wed Society® is a nationwide wedding planning platform, dedicated to showcasing inspirational weddings, connecting engaged couples with curated vendors, and hosting member-exclusive events. Discover more at WedSociety.com.
Financing Round Led by One Investment Management Supports Expansion of Domestic Rare Earth Magnet Production and Facilitates Secondary Share Sale
SAN MARCOS, Texas, Jan. 19, 2026 — Noveon Magnetics, Inc. (Noveon), a leading U.S. manufacturer of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, today announced the close of a $215 million Series C financing led by a $200 million investment from One Investment Management (OneIM). The capital will fuel significant growth of Noveon’s domestic rare earth magnet manufacturing capacity as demand accelerates across key sectors — including automotive, defense, AI, energy, and advanced manufacturing — and as the need to reshore critical U.S. supply chains becomes increasingly important. In addition, today’s Series C financing facilitates secondary sales by certain existing shareholders.
As part of the transaction, OneIM will appoint two new Series C board members.
“This financing marks a pivotal step in scaling Noveon’s production capabilities to meet rapidly growing customer demand,” said Scott Dunn, CEO of Noveon. “With the support of OneIM, we are accelerating deliveries of high-performance rare earth magnets produced entirely in the United States — scaling capacity, capability, and strengthening supply chain resiliency for our customers.”
Noveon was the first company to reshore full-scale production of sintered rare earth magnets to the United States. This investment positions Noveon to accelerate its growth trajectory by expanding capacity beyond 2,000 tons per year, enabling the company to support existing commercial partners and capture growing demand from critical industries requiring high-performance, high-quality magnetic materials.
Rare earth permanent magnets are essential to automotive systems, defense platforms, AI and data storage technologies, robotics, and advanced manufacturing applications. Noveon’s American manufacturing platform directly addresses long-standing supply chain vulnerabilities, delivering reliable, high-performance magnet solutions.
“Noveon is uniquely positioned to lead the reshoring of the rare earth magnet industry at a time when supply chain security and domestic manufacturing capacity are national priorities,” said Rajeev Misra, CEO and Co-Founder of OneIM. “The company has assembled exceptional talent and built the technical skills, operational expertise, and execution discipline required to scale U.S. rare earth magnet manufacturing. We are proud to support Noveon’s next phase of growth and I look forward to supporting the company as it builds capacity that can truly meet the moment.”
Over the last 12 months, Noveon has achieved several significant milestones, including entering into multi-year supply agreements with General Motors and ABB, forming strategic partnerships with Lynas and Solvay to help create a more resilient supply chain, and entering into a closed-loop magnet recycling initiative with LG Electronics and Kangwon Energy. These milestones have strengthened Noveon’s position as a leader in sintered NdFeB magnets and have laid the groundwork for offering a fully domestic, vertically integrated solution for rare earth magnets.
“I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the past year,” added Scott Dunn. “We look forward to building upon our strong momentum with support from our new and existing partners to deliver on our mission to reshore critical magnet production to the United States.”
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Noveon.
About Noveon Noveon is the only operational manufacturer of sintered NdFeB rare earth magnets in the United States and the first to reshore them in over 20 years. Through its proprietary EcoFlux™ technology, Noveon delivers a fully domestic, closed-loop magnet manufacturing capability that maximizes resource efficiency, allows for the beneficial use of recycled materials, and produces superior high-performance finished magnets that meet the full range of commercial and industrial demand. Noveon’s products provide a secure and resilient supply chain solution for critical applications including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, motors, pumps, data storage, consumer electronics, and defense systems. Learn more at https://noveon.co/.
About OneIM OneIM is a global alternative investment manager that invests across the capital structure, in a range of asset classes, industries and geographies. The firm applies a flexible investment approach and focuses on creating long-term value by working with exceptional partners and management teams. OneIM is sector agnostic and focuses on situations where it can leverage its cross-asset class expertise and capital base to achieve differentiated risk-adjusted returns. The firm was founded in 2022 and currently manages approximately $10 billion in assets. The team operates from offices in Abu Dhabi, London, Tokyo and New York.
LONDON, Jan. 19, 2026 — Wrisk Limited (“Wrisk”), the digital insurance platform specialising in embedded insurance for the automotive sector, today announced that Allianz Holdings plc (“Allianz”) has invested in the company as part of its recently announced Series B funding round, which was led by Alma Mundi Ventures and Opera Tech Ventures.
The investment sees Allianz join the list of other strategic shareholders who invested in Wrisk in earlier rounds and it further strengthens Wrisk’s position as a trusted partner to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The backing of a global insurer of Allianz’s scale highlights the growing importance of closer collaboration between insurers and embedded insurance platforms, as OEMs seek more integrated and data-driven insurance solutions.
The investment from Allianz – who have been Wrisk’s primary underwriter for almost 10 years – is particularly significant for Wrisk’s expanding OEM client base, several of whom are looking to build deeper and more strategic relationships with a smaller number of insurer partners. Wrisk’s proximity to OEMs, combined with its platform and data capabilities, enables Wrisk and its insurer partners to develop competitive advantages in areas such as data enrichment, risk selection and pricing.
Wrisk brings together real-time insights from insurance, vehicle, financial and behavioural data to support smarter decision-making across pricing, claims and customer engagement. At the core of the platform is Wrisk’s proprietary embedded data framework, developed specifically for automotive OEMs to harmonise inputs from connected car systems, telematics, transactional records and customer interactions. This foundation enables scalable intelligence, powered by machine learning models that evolve alongside advances in vehicle technology, changing customer behaviour and shifting market dynamics.
The Series B funding, including Allianz’s participation, will support Wrisk’s international expansion and continued investment in its data science and data insights capabilities, as the company scales its platform and deepens partnerships across the automotive and insurance ecosystems.
Nimeshh Patel, CEO of Wrisk, said:
“Allianz’s investment is a strong endorsement of Wrisk’s strategy and our role in helping insurers and OEMs work more closely together. As OEMs increasingly look for fewer, more strategic insurance partners, our ability to combine deep OEM relationships with sophisticated data and technology becomes ever more important. We are delighted to welcome Allianz as a shareholder and look forward to deepening our long-term partnership.”
Ulf Lange, Managing Director, Personal Lines, at Allianz UK, said:
“Wrisk has built a compelling platform at the intersection of insurance, data and the automotive sector. Its close relationships with OEMs and focus on data-driven insurance solutions align closely with Allianz’s strategic priorities, and we are pleased to support Wrisk as it continues to scale its business and capabilities.”
Notes to Editors
About Allianz The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers serving private and corporate customers in nearly 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 761 billion euros* on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.9 trillion euros* of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2024, over 156,000 employees achieved a total business volume of 179.8 billion euros and an operating profit of 16.0 billion euros for the Group.
* As of September 30, 2025.
About Wrisk Wrisk offers an unparalleled blend of technology and customer-centric solutions that empower automotive brands to revolutionise their insurance offerings. Headquartered in London, with a team of 100+ professionals around the world, Wrisk operates with deep industry expertise drawn from insurance, auto OEM, data and technology sectors. Subsidiary companies are set up as regulated MGA entities operating in the UK and EU.
Wrisk’s clients include BMW FS, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo FS, Mercedes-Benz Insurance Services, Stellantis Financial Services UK, Suzuki GB, Toyota Insurance Services
NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16, 2026 — Ouroboros Family Founders Fund I, LP announced this week it will lead a $60 million Series A financing in Cytotheryx, Inc., a preclinical cell therapy company developing transformative treatments for liver disease. The announcement was made during the 2026 Biotech Showcase in San Francisco.
The investment will accelerate multiple programs toward clinical development, expand manufacturing infrastructure, and support regulatory pathway planning. Cytotheryx also announced debt financing to expand its real estate footprint and enable GMP manufacturing capacity.
The transaction reflects strategic alignment between Ouroboros’ Community Wellness investment thesis and Cytotheryx’s mission to address critical unmet needs in liver disease. Ouroboros selected Cytotheryx based on its proprietary bio-incubator platform, ability to produce scalable, functional human hepatocytes, and management’s execution capability across multiple indications.
Richard Tannenbaum, Managing Partner at Ouroboros Family Founders Fund, said: “Cytotheryx represents a high-impact healthcare investment opportunity with substantial commercial potential. The Company has developed a differentiated technology platform that addresses a significant clinical need with limited existing solutions.”
The financing validates continued investor interest in next generation cell and gene therapy platforms despite a challenging biotech investment climate. Cytotheryx’s technology portfolio includes a bio-incubator platform to produce liver cells at scale, a bioartificial liver support system for acute liver failure, and universal liver cells for transplantation.
Subject to closing, Ouroboros will take a board observer seat and provide strategic advisory throughout the development cycle.
Dr. John R. Swart, CEO of Cytotheryx, said: “We are pleased to partner with Ouroboros as we advance our cell therapy platform toward the clinic. This financing provides the resources necessary to scale our manufacturing capabilities and progress multiple programs through critical development milestones.”
About Ouroboros Family Founders Fund I, LP: A private growth capital sponsor focused on Community Wellness investments, providing investments through convertible notes, junior capital, and growth equity structures. Visitwww.obgfund.com.
About Cytotheryx, Inc.: A Mayo Clinic spinout developing scalable production of human hepatocytes for therapeutic use, headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota. Visitwww.cytotheryx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to plans, objectives and expectations for the development of the business. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release.
HOUSTON, Jan. 16, 2026 — Fleetzero, a marine technology company building hybrid and electric propulsion systems for ships, today announced a $43 million Series A financing and the opening of a new manufacturing and R&D facility in Houston, Texas.
The capital will be used to expand manufacturing of Fleetzero’s Leviathan™ hybrid and electric marine propulsion system, which is being deployed globally on commercial vessels.
Steven Henderson, co-founder and CEO, and Mike Carter, co-founder and COO, with the Fleetzero Containerized Leviathan™ Battery System.
“Hybrid and electric propulsion systems are simply cheaper, safer, and cleaner than traditional systems, and the shift in the industry towards electrification is inevitable,” said Steven Henderson, co-founder and CEO of Fleetzero.
Fleetzero’s new headquarters in Houston will serve as the company’s hub for manufacturing and R&D. The facility includes a production line with an initial capacity of 300 MWh/year of marine ESS systems, a marine robotics and autonomy lab, and a marine propulsion R&D center. Fleetzero plans to expand its Houston production capacity up to three GWh/yr over the next five years.
“Houston has the people who know how to build and operate big hardware – ships, rigs, refineries, and power systems,” said Mike Carter, co-founder and COO of Fleetzero. “We’re pairing that industrial DNA with modern batteries, autonomy, and software to bring back shipbuilding to the US.”
The company’s Leviathan™ propulsion system can be used on new or existing ships in a hybrid or all-electric configuration and is designed to lower the total cost of ownership of large commercial ships through maintenance and fuel savings.
“We believe that electrification will be an important part of the mix on our journey to reach net-zero,” said Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition at A.P. Moller-Maersk. “We’re proud to support innovative companies such as Fleetzero.” “Their ambitions that go from battery technology to broader infrastructure make them a great partner for Maersk.”
The round was led by Obvious Ventures, with participation from new investors Maersk Growth and 8090 Industries, as well as existing investors Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Y Combinator, the New Orleans’ Saints owners Benson Capital, Shorewind, and others.
“Fleetzero is making robotic ships a reality today. The team is moving us from dirty, dangerous, and expensive to clean, safe, and cost-effective. It’s like watching the future today,” said Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. “We backed the team because they are mariners and engineers, know the industry deeply, and are scaling with real ships and customers, not just renderings.”
Fleetzero sees electrification as a key enabler of marine autonomy, as well as a strategic opening for US and European shipbuilding to rebound after decades of decline.
“Fleetzero is bringing back maritime technology leadership to this country,” said Rayyan Islam, Co-Founder and General Partner at 8090 Industries. “We invested in Fleetzero because we feel they are uniquely positioned to take shipbuilding from a series of custom construction projects to truly high-volume manufacturing…and this is crucial to building back seapower to the US.”
About Fleetzero Fleetzero is a marine technology company that sells electric and hybrid marine propulsion systems for new and existing commercial vessels. Fleetzero is also developing unmanned cargo vessel technology. Fleetzero is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with operations and partners globally.
About Obvious Ventures Obvious is an early-stage venture capital firm backing visionary leaders building breakthrough solutions to the world’s biggest problems. We invest thematically across planetary health, human health, and economic health. We were founded on a simple belief that the most valuable companies of our time will be the ones scaling these solutions and moving capitalism from scarcity to abundance. That’s our world positive purpose.
About Maersk Growth Maersk Growth is the global partner for external innovation at A. P. Moller – Maersk on a mission to digitise and decarbonise supply chains. Solely focused on Energy Transition, Maersk Growth invests in early-stage startups to support new business models and technologies helping us to achieve our net-zero goals.
About Breakthrough Energy Ventures Breakthrough Energy Ventures is a purpose-built investment firm that partners with, launches, and scales global companies that are building an emissions-free global economy. We seek true breakthroughs and are committed to supporting these entrepreneurs and companies by bringing to bear a unique combination of technical, operational, market, and policy expertise. Backed by many of the world’s top business leaders, companies, and investors, Breakthrough Energy Ventures has raised more than $3.5 billion in committed capital and partnered with more than 110 groundbreaking companies. Breakthrough Energy Ventures is the venture capital arm of Breakthrough Energy, a global network of climate leaders committed to accelerating the world’s journey to a clean energy future. The organization funds breakthrough technologies, advocates for climate-smart policies, and mobilizes partners around the world to take effective action, accelerating progress at every stage.
About 8090 Industries 8090 Industries backs today’s industrialists building physical foundations of the next century. The firm partners with founders scaling category-defining companies across energy, manufacturing, supply chains, defense and national security. Beyond capital, 8090 harbors and deploys deep industrial relationships and hands-on development support to help build real assets, real infrastructure, and enduring industrial enterprises.
Im Rahmen dieser Vereinbarung werden beide Unternehmen technologische Synergien und Möglichkeiten zum Wissensaustausch untersuchen. Die Bank bekräftigt ihr Engagement für technologische Innovationen durch ihre Risikokapitalinvestitionen.
Bit2Me wird seine Expansionspläne in der EU mit Unterstützung seiner strategischen Partner und seiner neu erworbenen europäischen Regulierungslizenz vorantreiben.
MADRID, 16. Januar 2026 — Bankinter hat eine Investitionsvereinbarung mit Bit2Me geschlossen, dem führenden Unternehmen für digitale Vermögenswerte auf dem spanischsprachigen Markt. Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung erwirbt die Bank eine Beteiligung am Kapital des Unternehmens und beteiligt sich damit an der ursprünglich im August letzten Jahres angekündigten Finanzierungsrunde in Höhe von 30 Millionen Euro.
From left to right: Charo Ruiz, directora de Inversión de Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Javier Roca, Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Pablo Lancry, director de Innovación y Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Andrei Manuel, Co CEO de Bit2Me; Leif Ferreira, CEO de Bit2Me; David Ortega, CIO de Bit2Me; Eder Azebedo, director de Compliance de Bit2Me
Das Hauptziel dieser Investition ist es, technologische und wissensbasierte Synergien zu erkunden und zu erzielen. Darüber hinaus positioniert sich Bankinter gemeinsam mit einem nationalen Technologiepartner in der Entwicklung von Lösungen unter Verwendung der Distributed-Ledger-Technologie (DLT).
Für Bankinter spiegelt diese Transaktion das kontinuierliche Engagement des Unternehmens für technologische Innovation und die Schaffung von Synergien mit spezialisierten Fintech-Startups wie Bit2Me wider. Diese Strategie ermöglicht es der Bank, zukünftige Trends in der Finanzlandschaft zu antizipieren.
Diese Investitionsvereinbarung, zusammen mit dem Erhalt der europäischen Regulierungslizenz durch Bit2Me am 29. Juli und der Unterstützung strategischer Partner wie Telefónica, Inveready, Investcorp, Tether und BBVA, wird es dem spanischen Fintech-Unternehmen ermöglichen, seine Expansionspläne in der Europäischen Union zu beschleunigen. Außerdem wird es seine Präsenz in Argentinien und anderen lateinamerikanischen Ländern stärken und damit seine Position als wichtiger Akteur im Krypto-Ökosystem sowohl in Europa als auch in der spanischsprachigen Welt festigen. An der Kapitalstruktur von Bit2Me sind auch Unicaja und Cecabank beteiligt.
Pablo Casadío, CFO von Bit2Me, erklärte: „Diese Allianz bestätigt, dass der Bankensektor unser fundiertes Branchen-Know-how nutzen kann, um sein Angebot zu verbessern. Anstatt zu konkurrieren, bündeln wir unsere Stärken. Spanien und Europa bieten ein unvergleichliches Umfeld, und dank unserer technologischen und regulatorischen Solidität ist Bit2Me der ideale Partner für Finanzinstitute, um von diesem Umfeld zu profitieren und ihren Kunden Zugang zum Krypto-Ökosystem mit maximaler Sicherheit und Garantien zu bieten.”
Informationen zu Bankinter
Bankinter ist die fünftgrößte spanische Bank und laut der Europäischen Bankenaufsichtsbehörde die widerstandsfähigste unter den börsennotierten Unternehmen in der Eurozone. Sie ist ein bedeutender Akteur im europäischen Bankwesen und in Spanien, Irland, Portugal und Luxemburg vertreten. Sie zeichnet sich durch ihre Rentabilität, Effizienz und Vermögensqualität sowie durch eine starke Spezialisierung im Privatkunden- und Firmenkundengeschäft und eine bedeutende Präsenz im Private Banking aus. In ihrer 60-jährigen Geschichte hat sich die Bank als Pionierin der Digitalisierung profiliert und bietet innovative Lösungen für Kunden aller Segmente. Sie war unter anderem die erste Bank in Spanien, die Mobile Banking, den ersten digitalen Broker und den ersten Robo-Advisor eingeführt hat.
Informationen zu Bit2Me
Bit2Me ist das führende Krypto-Asset-Unternehmen in Spanien und bei der CNMV als Krypto-Asset-Dienstleister (CASP) registriert. Das Unternehmen baut seit über 10 Jahren Krypto-Infrastrukturen auf und verfügt über mehrere Zertifizierungen in den Bereichen Cybersicherheit und Einhaltung gesetzlicher Vorschriften, darunter: ISO 27001 (Informationssicherheitsmanagement); ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management); ISO 37001 (Anti-Korruption und Unternehmensethik); ISO 37301 (Compliance-Managementsysteme); UNE 19601 (Management der strafrechtlichen Compliance) und die CSA STAR Level 1-Zertifizierung.
Bit2Me wurde als eine der vertrauenswürdigsten Börsen anerkannt und von Rankia in Italien und Portugal als „Beste Kryptowährungsbörse” ausgezeichnet.
Das Unternehmen engagiert sich auch für die Aufklärung und Einführung von Kryptowährungen durch die Bit2Me Academy, die größte spanischsprachige Bildungsplattform zum Thema Kryptowährungen, die über 450 kostenlose Artikel und zertifizierte Kurse anbietet.
Haftungsausschluss
Wichtige Informationen zu Krypto-Assets. Diese Marketingmitteilung wurde von keiner zuständigen Behörde der Europäischen Union geprüft oder genehmigt. Bit2Me agiert als autorisierter Krypto-Asset-Dienstleister. Es ist wichtig zu beachten, dass Krypto-Assets nicht durch Einlagensicherungssysteme oder Anlegerentschädigungssysteme in der EU abgedeckt sind. Die Wechselkurse sind sehr volatil, und es besteht das Risiko eines Totalverlusts der Anlage. Weitere Informationen über die Risiken finden Sie unter: bit2me.com/legal/riesgos
Grâce à cet accord, les deux entités exploreront les synergies technologiques et les possibilités de partage des connaissances. La banque renforce son engagement en faveur de l’innovation technologique par ses investissements en capital-risque.
Bit2Me est prêt à accélérer ses plans d’expansion dans l’UE grâce à ses partenaires stratégiques et à la licence réglementaire européenne qu’il vient d’obtenir.
MADRID, 16 janvier 2026 — Bankinter a conclu un accord d’investissement avec Bit2Me, la principale société d’actifs numériques sur le marché hispanophone. Selon les termes de l’accord, la banque acquiert une participation dans le capital de la société, rejoignant ainsi le tour de table de 30 millions d’euros annoncé en août dernier.
From left to right: Charo Ruiz, directora de Inversión de Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Javier Roca, Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Pablo Lancry, director de Innovación y Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Andrei Manuel, Co CEO de Bit2Me; Leif Ferreira, CEO de Bit2Me; David Ortega, CIO de Bit2Me; Eder Azebedo, director de Compliance de Bit2Me
L’objectif premier de cet investissement est d’explorer et de réaliser des synergies technologiques et fondées sur la connaissance. De plus, Bankinter se positionne comme un partenaire technologique national dans le développement de solutions utilisant la technologie du grand livre distribué (DLT).
Pour Bankinter, cette opération reflète l’engagement continu de l’entité en faveur de l’innovation technologique et de la création de synergies avec des startups spécialisées dans la fintech comme Bit2Me. Cette stratégie permet à la banque d’anticiper les tendances futures du paysage financier.
Cet accord d’investissement, associé à l’obtention par Bit2Me de la licence réglementaire européenne le 29 juillet, et au soutien de partenaires stratégiques tels que Telefónica, Inveready, Investcorp, Tether et BBVA, permettra à la fintech espagnole d’accélérer ses plans d’expansion dans toute l’Union européenne. Elle renforcera également sa présence en Argentine et dans d’autres pays d’Amérique latine, consolidant ainsi sa position d’acteur clé de l’écosystème des crypto-monnaies en Europe et dans le monde hispanophone. La structure du capital de Bit2Me comprend également une participation d’Unicaja et de Cecabank.
Pablo Casadío, directeur financier de Bit2Me, a déclaré : « Cette alliance confirme que le secteur bancaire peut profiter de notre savoir-faire industriel avancé pour améliorer son offre. Au lieu d’être en concurrence, nous intégrons nos forces. L’Espagne et l’Europe ont un contexte unique, et grâce à notre solidité technologique et réglementaire, Bit2Me est le partenaire idéal pour les entités financières qui veulent profiter de cet environnement, en offrant à leurs clients un accès à l’écosystème crypto avec un max de sécurité et de garanties. »
À propos de Bankinter
Bankinter est la cinquième banque espagnole par la taille et la plus résistante parmi les entités cotées de la zone euro, comme le reconnaît l’Autorité bancaire européenne. C’est un acteur majeur du secteur bancaire européen, présent en Espagne, en Irlande, au Portugal et au Luxembourg. Elle se différencie par sa rentabilité, son efficacité et la qualité de ses actifs, ainsi que par une forte spécialisation dans la banque de détail et la banque d’entreprise, et une présence significative dans la banque privée. Tout au long de ses 60 ans d’histoire, la banque s’est distinguée en tant que pionnière de la numérisation, en proposant des solutions innovantes à ses clients dans tous les segments. Elle a été la première à lancer des services bancaires mobiles, le premier courtier numérique et le premier robo-advisor d’une banque en Espagne, entre autres étapes importantes.
À propos de Bit2Me
Bit2Me est la première société de crypto-actifs en Espagne, enregistrée auprès de la CNMV en tant que fournisseur de services de crypto-actifs (CASP). L’entreprise construit des infrastructures cryptographiques depuis plus de 10 ans et détient de nombreuses certifications en matière de cybersécurité et de conformité réglementaire, notamment : ISO 27001 (gestion de la sécurité de l’information) ; ISO 22301 (gestion de la continuité des activités) ; ISO 37001 (lutte contre la corruption et éthique d’entreprise) ; ISO 37301 (systèmes de gestion de la conformité) ; UNE 19601 (gestion de la conformité pénale) ; et la certification CSA STAR de niveau 1.
Bit2Me a été reconnue comme l’une des plateformes d’échange les plus fiables et a été désignée « Meilleure plateforme d’échange de cryptomonnaies » en Italie et au Portugal par Rankia.
L’entreprise s’engage également dans l’éducation et l’adoption des crypto-monnaies par le biais de Bit2Me Academy, la plus grande plateforme éducative sur les crypto-monnaies en langue espagnole, qui propose plus de 450 articles gratuits et des cours certifiés.
Clause de non-responsabilité
Informations importantes concernant les crypto-actifs. Cette communication marketing n’a pas été examinée ou approuvée par une autorité compétente de l’Union européenne. Bit2Me agit en tant que fournisseur autorisé de services de crypto-actifs. Il est important de noter que les crypto-actifs ne sont pas couverts par les systèmes de garantie des dépôts ou d’indemnisation des investisseurs établis dans l’UE. Les taux de change sont très volatils et il existe un risque de perte totale de l’investissement. Vous trouverez de plus amples informations sur les risques à l’adresse suivante :bit2me.com/legal/riesgos
NEW YORK and LONDON, Jan. 16, 2026 — Moody Aldrich Partners (MAP), a private investment firm based in Boston, has committed US$300 million to funds managed by Sandglass Capital, an investment firm specializing in emerging market special opportunities. Founded in 1988, MAP is a fiduciary for discreet families and institutions with a legacy of supporting high-calibre, specialist managers known for their expertise and disciplined execution.
Sandglass Capital, founded in 2013, concentrates on event-driven investments in sovereign and corporate credit and equity opportunities in Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Asia. Ranked in Global Investment Report’s Top 50 Hedge Funds, Sandglass has more than quadrupled the returns of the Barclay Hedge Emerging Market Index over the past five years and outpaced the S&P 500 over that period.
“We are honoured to have been selected by MAP, an astute long-term investor whom we deeply respect,” notes Genna Lozovsky, Sandglass Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer, “Their commitment enables us to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in emerging markets in the coming years.”
Sandglass co-founder Michelle Kelner adds, “This commitment by MAP adds Sandglass to a very short list of firms to receive its backing over their 37 years of investing. We look forward to a mutually rewarding partnership for years to come.”
Bill Moody, MAP Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer shared, “Uncovering overlooked emerging markets sovereign and corporate opportunities requires the acumen, judgment and expertise we found most evident in Sandglass Capital.”
MAP’s Chief Investment Officer and Co-Executive Officer Eli Kent corroborates, “Sandglass has built an exceptional team. Their acute understanding of and ability to capitalize upon restructurings, turnarounds and market dislocations — as well as their ability to engage with local decision makers and mitigate systemic risks — were some of the many factors that inspired our conviction and decision to invest in the firm.”
About Moody Aldrich Partners (MAP) MAP is a Boston-based, SEC-registered investment advisor formed in 1988 as a private investment office for its founding principals with substantial long-term capital. Established to protect and compound their capital, MAP adheres to a highly selective discipline to identify, invest in, and cultivate distinctive, niche investment opportunities. MAP is an active, strategically aligned capital partner deriving benefit from the manager’s returns while providing anchor capital for distinct opportunities and leveraging its discreet global network of qualified investors to invest into the manager alongside the partners of MAP.
About Sandglass Capital
Sandglass Capital is a global investment management firm that specializes in emerging market distressed and stressed credit. It concentrates on event-driven investments in sovereign and corporate credit, particularly restructurings, turnarounds and market dislocations. Founded in 2013, Sandglass manages a suite of funds investing in public and private securities and in companies and countries facing special situations, focusing on Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. Sandglass has offices in New York, London and Dubai.
Through this agreement, both entities will explore technological synergies and knowledge-sharing opportunities. The bank reinforces its commitment to technological innovation through its venture capital investments.
Bit2Me is set to accelerate its EU expansion plans backed by its strategic partners and its newly obtained European regulatory license.
MADRID, Jan. 15, 2026 — Bankinter has reached an investment agreement with Bit2Me, the leading digital asset company in the Spanish-speaking market. Under the terms of the deal, the bank acquires a stake in the company’s capital, joining the €30 million funding round originally announced last August.
The primary objective of this investment is to explore and achieve technological and knowledge-based synergies. Furthermore, Bankinter positions itself alongside a national technological partner in the development of solutions using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
From left to right: Charo Ruiz, directora de Inversión de Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Javier Roca, Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Pablo Lancry, director de Innovación y Capital Riesgo de Bankinter; Andrei Manuel, Co CEO de Bit2Me; Leif Ferreira, CEO de Bit2Me; David Ortega, CIO de Bit2Me; Eder Azebedo, director de Compliance de Bit2Me
For Bankinter, this operation reflects the entity’s ongoing commitment to technological innovation and to generating synergies with specialized fintech startups like Bit2Me. This strategy allows the bank to anticipate future trends in the financial landscape.
This investment agreement, coupled with Bit2Me’s attainment of the European regulatory license on July 29, and the support of strategic partners such as Telefónica, Inveready, Investcorp, Tether, and BBVA, will enable the Spanish fintech to accelerate its expansion plans across the European Union. It will also strengthen its presence in Argentina and other Latin American countries, consolidating its position as a key player in the crypto ecosystem within both Europe and the Spanish-speaking world. Bit2Me’s capital structure also includes participation from Unicaja and Cecabank.
Pablo Casadío, CFO of Bit2Me, stated: “This alliance confirms that the banking sector can leverage our deep industry know-how to enhance their offering. Instead of competing, we are integrating strengths. Spain and Europe present an unrivaled scenario, and thanks to our technological and regulatory solidity, Bit2Me is the ideal partner for financial entities to capitalize on this environment, providing their clients access to the crypto ecosystem with maximum security and guarantees.”
About Bankinter
Bankinter is the fifth-largest Spanish bank by size and the most resilient among listed entities in the Eurozone, as recognized by the European Banking Authority. It is a prominent player in European banking, with a presence in Spain, Ireland, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Its differentiation lies in its profitability, efficiency, and asset quality, along with a strong specialization in Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, and a significant presence in Private Banking. Throughout its 60-year history, the bank has distinguished itself as a pioneer in digitalization, providing innovative solutions for customers across all segments. It was the first to launch mobile banking, the first digital broker, and the first robo-advisor from a bank in Spain, among other milestones.
About Bit2Me
Bit2Me is the leading crypto-asset company in Spain, registered with the CNMV as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP). The company has been building crypto infrastructure for over 10 years and holds multiple certifications in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, including: ISO 27001 (Information Security Management); ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management); ISO 37001 (Anti-Bribery and Corporate Ethics); ISO 37301 (Compliance Management Systems); UNE 19601 (Criminal Compliance Management); and the CSA STAR Level 1 certification.
Bit2Me has been recognized as one of the most trusted exchanges and awarded “Best Cryptocurrency Exchange” in Italy and Portugal by Rankia.
The company is also committed to cryptocurrency education and adoption through Bit2Me Academy, the largest Spanish-language crypto educational platform, offering over 450 free articles and certified courses.
Disclaimer
Important Information Regarding Crypto-Assets. This marketing communication has not been reviewed or approved by any competent authority of the European Union. Bit2Me acts as an authorized crypto-asset service provider. It is important to note that crypto-assets are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes or investor compensation schemes established in the EU. Exchange rates are highly volatile and there is a risk of total loss of the investment. You can find more information about the risks at:bit2me.com/legal/riesgos
