• Cryptocurrencies are rapidly growing mainstream as key financial players appear ready to enter the sector
• Investors increasingly seek exposure to cryptocurrency space, but sector depends on efficient mining capacities
• ISWH ready to respond to growing market needs, partners with mining leaders to deliver top-notch solution

ISW Holdings (OTC: ISWH), a global brand-management holdings company focused on telehealth and cryptocurrency mining, appears poised to capitalize on the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency industry. The bitcoin technology market has been flourishing as cryptocurrencies continue to gain broader acceptance. Mordor Intelligence, a market research firm, valued the bitcoin tech market at more than $293.66 million in 2019, expecting it to reach $477 million by 2025 (https://ibn.fm/O8DEG). Rapidly gaining traction as acceptance of both the general and professional public grows, the sector has attracted attention from investors looking to capitalize on this burgeoning market. Once deemed an alternative, this asset is quickly moving into the mainstream. The most recent example is the investment giant JP Morgan, previously a vocal opponent to the cryptocurrency assets. The investment bank has made a radical change, embarking on the cryptocurrency journey to respond to investors’ swelling appetite for cryptocurrency exposure. According to SEC filing, the investment heavyweight has been developing a financial product based on a basket of referenced stocks of companies that own cryptocurrency or operate businesses linked to it (https://ibn.fm/aMaPX). There is no doubt that cryptocurrency is moving rapidly from investment fringes into the mainstream. To grow further, the industry relies heavily on mining hardware, which is why the sector is likely to become increasingly attractive. As a holding company committed to discovering and investing in industries that exhibit robust growth potential, ISW Holdings was quick to move into the cryptocurrency sector. Laser-focused on expanding its position in the cryptocurrency mining space, the company appears poised to capitalize on the sector’s momentum. To fully seize the emerging market opportunities, the company is committed to carefully selecting partners and teaming up with relevant players to deliver solutions that can effectively close the observed market gap. ISWH’s endeavor into the crypto-mining space was no exception. In May 2020, ISW Holdings entered into a joint venture partnership with Bit5ive to build and deliver a powerful and efficient data center pod design. Less than a year later, its revolutionary Pod5 Cryptocurrency Mining Pod was launched at the Bit5ive renewable energy cryptocurrency mining facility in Pennsylvania. Bit5ive is a company that is quickly transforming into the largest cryptocurrency mining and bitcoin farm company in the United States. Although there are many cryptocurrency mining data centers and bitcoin farms, this provider is different. Unlike traditional cloud-mining companies, where customers lease hash rate on annual contracts, Bit5ive allows ISW Holdings to own the hardware and pay monthly fees, covering costs such as electricity network, support, insurance and warranty (https://ibn.fm/xilI5). The partnership allowed ISW Holdings to design, assemble and ship its Pod5ive turnkey mining solution, which the company calls one of the most efficient data center pods in the world. The solution offers a plug-and-play technology that requires virtually no maintenance as it runs operations on a self-managed basis. Although one of the most powerful data center pods globally, it provides an industry best-in-class power usage effectiveness score. The cryptocurrency space seems to be exploding, with evidence mounting that it will continue to snowball in the time to come. The industry depends on miners and their high-performing but also cost-effective mining hardware. As a diversified portfolio company focused on essential business lines, ISW Holdings seeks to collaborate with those partners that can meet large scalability demands and effectively respond to current and anticipated marketplace needs. To deliver the most effective impact in the cryptocurrency space, the company appears adamant to move quickly and join forces with the key providers in the space. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ISWHoldings.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ISWH are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/ISWH

• Researchers struggle to understand the immediate effects of COVID, with no clear census on the long-term neurological impact
• COVID-19 has shown itself to be unique in how it interacts with the brain
• Brain e-tattoos implanted in forehead will be next wave of innovation for neurology

Brain Scientific (OTCQB: BRSF) is meeting the growing need for improved brain monitoring with cost-efficient, disposable, and portable cutting-edge technology. This last year has seen an increased demand for disposable neurological technology accessible to all, adaptable for widespread use, and that provides quick, reliable information on the patient’s condition.

As the pandemic winds down, thanks to dedicated medical workers, social-distancing, mask-wearing and new vaccines, there are still many questions that need to be addressed.

The scientific world is only at the beginning of truly understanding the effects of COVID-19 on the brain. A year into the pandemic, researchers struggle to understand the immediate effects, with no clear census on the long-term impact. Neurological symptoms may go well beyond a loss of taste and smell or “brain fog” to problems with attention, concentration, and multitasking. The question is, how long will these symptoms last, and will patients eventually recover.

The Global Council on Brain Health (“GCBH”) has stated that critical research is needed in assessing how COVID-19 impacts later-in-life cognitive decline or dementia. It is not just the virus that needs to be studied, but also the impact of isolation during the pandemic on older adult brains.

COVID-19 has shown itself to be unique in how it interacts with the brain. Megakaryocytes, cells that produce platelets and primarily reside in bone marrow, have been found in the autopsied brains of COVID victims. This phenomenon has never been seen before. It may block blood flow to the brain and thereby be responsible for brain fog.

Figuring out why some patients are unaffected cognitively from COVID while others are left with significant and possibly long-term effects is essential in understanding this virus. More monitoring is needed to find the answers. That’s where Brain Scientific’s cutting-edge technology comes into play.

The NeuroEEG(TM) device is a portable, wireless, and compact device that acquires, records, transmits, and displays the wearer’s electrical brain activity. This device works in conjunction with the NeuroCap(TM), a hospital-grade disposable EEG headset featuring 19 active channels and 22 electrodes that comes in sizes for adults and pediatric patients. These devices are portable, making it simpler to take the needed tech to the patient rather than bringing the patient to the equipment.

The company is working on development of Brain E-Tattoo(TM) that in the future will provide access to long-term studies and inroads in helping identify root neurological problems. This tiny device will use graphene-based electrodes connected to the micro EEG clipped behind the ear that then transfers data to a cloud application. The data will be continuously analysed by artificial intelligence, which provides 24/7 uninterrupted monitoring.

“COVID-19 put a spotlight on the outdated and inefficient EEG testing protocols,” said Boris Goldstein, BRSF co-founder and executive. “Disposable technology made a significant impact to ensure brain scans could occur safely during the pandemic. Now, brain e-tattoos implanted in the forehead will be the next wave of innovation for neurology. The advancement will allow for long-term monitoring capabilities and uninterrupted data collection from patients with neurological conditions. Clinicians will be able to identify brain wave activity beyond the clinical setting with no impact to the patient’s daily life.”

Thanks to cutting-edge technology such as BRSF’s NeuroCap, NeuroEEG and e-Tattoo, the answers may just lie right around the corner.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.BrainScientific.com/Invest-Now.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BRSF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BRSF

• PACR acquired 250 acres in Fraser Valley, one of most productive farmland areas in Canada
• Fraser Valley location allows PACR to produce superior yields through extended growing season
• PACR leverages genetic technology to produce robust strains with highly potent cannabinoid profiles
• Cultivation approach produced 50 “super-elite” strains and approximately 350 tested cultivars for maximum yields and minimized labor costs

Pac Roots Cannabis Corp. (CSE: PACR) (OTCQB: PACRF) (FSE: 4XM), a Canada-based cannabis company dedicated to producing premium strains and products through a genetics-focused approach, recently completed a massive 250-acre restriction-free land acquisition in Fraser Valley, one of the most intensely farmed and productive agricultural districts in Canada. Along with the company’s “genetics-first” approach, PACR leverages the Fraser Valley’s unique properties to produce top-quality cannabis strains revered by the industry for their potency and overall effectiveness. “I believe this 250-acre asset package that we acquired in early September is a very important addition to our portfolio,” said Pac Roots CEO Patrick Elliott. “It’s land that is undeveloped and is owned outright by Pac Roots. It provides a long development pipeline whereby we can invite and incorporate partners, which lowers our CAPEX and development costs. So, this is a massive project that will take us into 2021 and beyond.” PACR’s yields are further bolstered by the company’s genetics-based cultivation approach that has produced 50 “super-elite” strains and roughly 350 tested cultivars, providing maximum yields, increased profitability and minimal labor costs. The company’s strategic partnership with Phenome One, a plant breeding management and analytics firm, gives it access to some of the world’s most robust cannabis genetics from the most extensive genetic library in Canada, enabling the company to develop unique strains with varying beneficial characteristics such as environmental resiliency and an optimized cannabinoid profile. “We don’t deal with seeds. It’s different from most hemp farmers where seeds are thrown off of the back of a tractor,” said Elliot. “We grow these seedlings, clones, clippings or cuttings from a live plant and we grow them for the first month indoors and plant them. What this does is ensure is that you are going to get exactly what you expect out of that cultivar, and it also survives that first month which is the toughest month.” PACR stands out in the industry through its strong commitment to providing top-shelf cannabis strains to an increasingly knowledgeable customer base. The company’s selective breeding process leverages genetic technology to produce fewer lines with superior characteristics that are prized across the industry. Along with its first-in-class cultivation strategy, PACR’s prime location in the Fraser Valley fortifies the company’s position as a significant player in the rapidly growing cannabis industry. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PacRoots.ca. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PACR are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/PACR

• Rapid testing is cheaper, faster than PCR testing; some fear test sensitivity is too low
• Recent studies show that test sensitivity is secondary to frequency and turnaround time for effective COVID-19 screening
• UME widespread rapid testing gains momentum as safe, reliable and more cost-effective alternative

As a trusted supplier of testing kits, United Medical Equipment (“UME”) is eager to provide assistance and support in the fight against COVID-19 as as research indicates effectiveness of rapid testing for COVID-19 screening (https://ibn.fm/eZoVI). Governments have invested significant resources in scaling up testing capacity as a response to the pandemic outbreak. Because SARS-CoV-2 can spread from individuals with presymptomatic, symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, the containment of the virus and reopening of societies may be facilitated by robust population screening, for which testing is essential. PCR testing is the current gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. However, this type of test is not time effective for quick control of the virus’ spread. It can take several days between conducting the test and getting and acting on a result, leaving a window in which infection may spread. Efforts to reduce the time between testing and results prove essential for minimizing the transmission, but this is difficult to achieve with large-scale PCR testing. This is where rapid tests step in. These rapid tests are an alternative that may contribute to better virus containment via more efficient detection and isolation of infected cases. However, some concerns are emerging that they may have lower sensitivity. As the sole screening mechanism for COVID-19 in real-time population management, PCR is not enough. Rapid antigen testing plays an integral, complementary role to PCR confirmatory testing. Regular testing with rapid results, multiple times a week, can greatly help prevent and control COVID outbreaks. A recently published study explores the effectiveness of repeated population screening, taking into account test sensitivities, frequency and sample-to-answer reporting time. The findings indicate that the screening strategy’s effectiveness is mainly determined by the frequency of testing and speed of reporting. Effectiveness is only marginally improved by high test sensitivity. The study concludes that screening should prioritize accessibility, frequency and sample-to-answer time; analytical limits of detection should be secondary. Rapid testing may thus prove indispensable in the public health response to the pandemic. Rapid tests are most suitable for frequent testing when the goal is to detect people with high viral shedding immediately before and after symptom onset. One of the main benefits of these tests is the ability to provide near-instantaneous results, avoiding delays related to PCR testing. Rapid testing facilitates the timely isolation of the most infectious individuals and their close contacts, thus helping contain the infection’s transmission. With more states and countries embracing rapid testing as an essential part of their COVID-19 strategy, rapid testing kits will become an increasingly important element of the fight against the virus. UME is committed to being an essential part of this new COVID-19 landscape. The company is a trusted supplier of antibody and antigen test kits that address growing public health needs created by COVID-19. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.UnitedMedSolutions.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to United Medical Equipment are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/UnitedMed

• TAAT is building Beyond Tobacco(TM), a nicotine-free and tobacco-free smoking experience, into iconic American brand
• In 2019 sales for legal global tobacco market reached approximately $818 billion, with largest category being combustible cigarettes
• TAAT has created alternative that incorporates all five sensory elements of smoking without harmful side effects

TAAT Lifestyle & Wellness (CSE: TAAT) (OTCQB: TOBAF) has created a nicotine-free and tobacco-free smoking experience that has been launched in Ohio to resounding success. And no wonder. The company is dedicated to providing legal-aged smokers the option of keeping the smoking experience they love but without the harmful side effects of nicotine and tobacco. TAAT has an aggressive marketing strategy to persuade current tobacco smokers of legal age to abandon tobacco cigarettes in favor of an alternative option. The objective is to build Beyond Tobacco(TM), a tobacco-free and nicotine-free alternative offered in a combustible “stick” format, into an iconic American brand. In 2019 sales for the legal global tobacco market reached approximately $818 billion, with the largest category being combustible cigarettes (https://ibn.fm/uflC9). Consumers need suitable alternatives that provide a similar experience without the harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco. Health and wellness saw some strong trends in 2020 during the pandemic, including an active appetite for immunity-boosting products, plant-based foods and mental health awareness (https://ibn.fm/DrUjg). These industries provided quality alternatives and awareness around poor coping techniques at just the right moment. The tobacco and nicotine industry continues because of its addictive qualities, regardless of the growing awareness and multiple products that claim a path toward cessation. The problem is that the experience of smoking is pleasurable. It is a coping mechanism when stressed, a habitual reaction, and is usually coupled with behavioral rituals (https://ibn.fm/kidop). Beyond the nicotine and tobacco, the physical act of smoking can be a pleasurable experience that is missed. The Beyond Tobacco patent-pending base material of TAAT allows the smoker to continue the experience, the coping mechanism and the habitual behavior without the harmful side effects of tobacco and nicotine. What differentiates Beyond Tobacco from other alternative options is that the experience it creates is fundamentally no different from smoking a regular tobacco cigarette — with crucial difference: there is no tobacco. A 14-step process is used to ensure that Beyond Tobacco tastes, smells and smokes just like tobacco but contains no tobacco. All five important sensory elements involved when smoking a tobacco cigarette are involved when smoking a TAAT. This includes the packaging and smoke volume, the crackling when lit, the tobacco-like scent and the hand-to-mouth motor habits. Even the ashes are similar to tobacco ashes and can be “flicked” from the combustible stick. Another added bonus to TAAT as an alternative is the price point, a 43% savings from a pack of Marlboro. Appealing to the pocketbook just one more way to encourage legal-aged smokers to reach for the TAAT alternative and start moving forward into a nicotine and tobacco-free lifestyle. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.TAATGlobal.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to TOBAF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TOBAF

• Current POAI Chairman J. Melville (“Mel”) Engle has been appointed to CEO position
• Engle has held executive positions throughout his career at leading pharma and medical device companies, including Dey L.P. (a subsidiary of Merck KGaA), Allergan, Anika Therapeutics and Thermogenesis
• During his time at Merck’s Dey L.P., Engle transitioned the company from generics to branded products and grew sales from $250 million to $600 million

The world today uses big data for all sorts of predictions, especially consumer behavior. One day, though, big data and technology could prove even more valuable as the catalyst to flip the healthcare script from one that is almost exclusively reactive, to a proactive one that foretells disease at best and eliminates trial and error in therapy decisions after a disease presents at worst. That’s the hope of Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI), a company using an extensive dataset collected over the last 15 years to better inform individualized cancer therapies today as it advances development of its predictive tumor profiling technology rooted in its artificial intelligence (“AI”) platform. The company recently named J. Melville (“Mel”) Engle as chief executive officer. Engle has been a director at POAI since October 2016 and has sat as chairman of the board since January 2020. He will take on the top executive role and continue to serve as the company’s chairman. Engle has a history of success on multiple verticals in business development and a proven track record during more than 20 years holding C-level positions at healthcare and biotechnology companies. His skillset is particularly impressive with regards to properly positioning a company, launching products and expanding sales. That experience will be invaluable as CEO of Predictive Oncology, which operates through three primary subsidiaries, two of which are in the revenue stage. The company’s Helomics division is an area of focus as it targets researchers in pharmaceutical/diagnostic companies to provide cancer treatment recommendations– the market segment where there is unmet need and pharmas have money to spend to improve patient care. For the last decade-and-a-half, the company, through its subsidiaries, has been collecting a trove of more than 150,000 physical models of tumors and generating data valuable to clinicians.  Growing revenue from this portion of the business strategy is integral to funding the requisite clinical research that will validate the AI model in the future. Prior to starting his consulting practice in 2012, Engle was CEO of NASDAQ-listed Thermogenesis. Thermogenesis designed, developed and sold medical devices that enabled the practice of regenerative medicine. In 2002, Engle was recruited by Merck KGaA to serve as president and CEO of Dey L.P, a division of Merck. Dey L.P., a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for respiratory, allergy and other breathing disorders. Under his leadership, Dey was transformed form one selling 90% commodity generics to one selling 90% branded products, during which sales surged from $250 million annually to over $600 million. Engle was also regional director, North America for Merck’s Generics Group, where he led all their North American businesses, including Dey, Genpharm, Inc. (Canada) and Genpharm, L.P. (U.S.) with total sales of $800 million and 1,200 employees. That role was subsequent to spending 14 years as a senior executive (CFO, managing director (Canada), senior vice president (Latin America/Canada), and senior vice president (U.S. Sales) with Allergan. “I believe Predictive Oncology is positioned for success and I look forward to working with our team to achieve its strategic short- and long-term objectives. I am excited about the prospects of making a positive impact in enhancing the value for our stakeholders,” said Mr. Engle in a press release announcing his new CEO position (https://ibn.fm/7v4eB). For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Predictive-Oncology.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to POAI are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/POAI

• Nextech AR Solutions Corp. recently launched the live holoportation feature in its AiR Show app
• During the launch, Nextech CEO, Evan Gappelberg, provided a live demonstration of the holoportation technology, through which viewers could beam his hologram into their homes
• Nextech purchased the AiR Show app from TRICK 3D, and since then, it has rolled out improvements that now make it ideal for use in multiple industries

In a statement released back in February as Nextech AR Solutions (CSE: NTAR) (OTCQB: NEXCF) launched AiR Show version 2.0 – an app that turns people into holograms that users can then interact with or listen to – Nextech’s Director of Interactive Experience, Elliott Rothman, noted that the company had several improvements in the pipeline (https://ibn.fm/E1Qvg). Thus, with the launch of the LIVE holoportation technology on the mobile app on March 26, Nextech made good on its promise to keep revamping the platform. The launch featured a live demonstration that enabled viewers to beam the hologram of Nextech CEO Evan Gappelberg into their homes. Speaking in an interview with Steve Darling from Proactive (https://ibn.fm/I4xCi) that aired shortly after the launch, Evan went into great detail to explain what the app will achieve through the new holoportation technology. He described holoportation as the transportation of a product or person from a particular location, for example, a home or warehouse, virtually, all around the world. Evan also noted that the live holoportation demonstration did not require any sophisticated technology to bring it to fruition and could, in fact, be done from anywhere. “In this case, it was my home,” he explained, “which shows you how little equipment you need. You didn’t need to be in a studio. There were no crazy cameras. It was literally my iPhone 12 Pro, mounted on a tripod, with some lights and a green screen.” Evan also stated that future improvements would eliminate the need for green screens by using artificial intelligence to chroma key out the green screen. Notably, Nextech added AiR Show to its growing list of AR brands in the last quarter of 2020 following an acquisition closed on October 1, 2020. At the time, AiR Show, which was previously owned by TRICK 3D, was primarily used in the music industry. It enabled users to purchase tickets to watch performances from music artists and other people in the comfort of their homes (https://ibn.fm/CwQkh). But Nextech has since expanded this focus to encompass other industries, including automotive, medical, dating, fashion shows (apparel), education and art (for instance, during auctions). “You can beam in a professor from any top school all over the globe,” Evan continued. “This technology could be used to holoport teachers from cities to rural areas, where they normally wouldn’t be able to get access to that kind of education. So, it could be a gamechanger for some countries as far as education.” Nextech views AiR Show as an opportunity to gain more AR revenue and increase its earnings potential in its fast-growing AR business. The purchase of AiR Show late last year was the company’s seventh acquisition and grew its portfolio of AR applications to three. It was part of a strategy to bring together various AR offerings to create the world’s first complete AR ecosystem. With the roll-out of improvements, such as the holoportation technology, Nextech is inching closer to realizing this strategy by availing a product suitable for use in different industries. The company is also looking into using NFT technology in combination with its AR and AirShow app. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NextechAR.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NEXCF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NEXCF

• SBEV inks agreements with Gulf Distributing of Florida, Alabama—one of area’s most-established distributors
• TapouT is first advanced-performance drink that focuses on all three levels of physical support: activation, hydration and recovery

Splash Beverage Group (OTCQB: SBEV), a holding company of leading portfolio of beverage brands, is expanding the reach of its TapouT performance drink into Alabama and Florida. Splash has finalized agreements with Gulf Distributing of Florida and Gulf Distributing of Alabama to distribute TapouT beverages, its complete line of high-performance sports drink that contain a proprietary blend of essential vitamins, minerals and electrolytes (https://ibn.fm/wjqw2). “We have a 20-year relationship with Gulf Distribution and we are extremely excited to be working with their team again,” said Splash Beverage CEO Robert Nistico. “Our brand TapouT joins their blue-chip portfolio of Coors, Heineken, Corona, Red Bull, Essentia Water, 7-Up and Snapple, with statewide coverage in Alabama, including TapouT’s new authorization of 74 MapCo stores in the state. . . . This adds to TapouT’s rapidly growing list of distributors in Southeast United States, particularly in Florida as they will cover Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties.” The two divisions of Gulf Distributing Holdings (“GDH”) manage and operate seven individual beverage distributors that encompass central and southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. One of the most-established distributors in the area, GDH in its entirety represents more than 100 suppliers and services more than 10,000 retail accounts in the Southeastern United States. TapouT is the first advanced-performance drink that focuses on all three levels of physical support — activation, hydration and recovery resulting in increased endurance and performance. The line features a proprietary blend of nine essential vitamins, five minerals and all five electrolytes that are formulated for maximum absorption to enhance cellular health and function. The beverages offer tasty, light and refreshing flavors. The current Splash portfolio features four unique beverage brands. In addition to its TapoutT performance drinks, the company offers Salt Naturally Flavored Tequila, a 100% blanco agave 80-proof tequila that offers a clean and delicate taste; Copa Di Vino, the leading producer of premium “wine by the glass” in the country; and Pulpoloco Sangria, a premium-crafted sangria imported from Spain. Each of these brands offers one or more of the qualities that the company specifically seeks in an acquisition. Specializing in manufacturing, distributing, sales and marketing of various beverages across multiple channels, Splash operates in both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage segments, allowing it to leverage efficiencies and dilute risk. The company’s business strategy is to quickly develop and accelerate pre-existing brands to exit for cash events. The company’s management team has invaluable expertise and insight, and the company strives to identify brands it perceives to have highly visible preexisting brand awareness or pure category innovation. Specifically, the company look for brands and products that are on trend and deliver natural quality, health benefits, freshness and refreshment within their beverages. The company looks to maintain highest performance standards and focus on execution as it works with distributors and retail partners achieve and exceed all goals. In addition, the company offers support for members of the U.S. armed forces, first responders and health-care professionals. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SplashBeverageGroup.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SBEV are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SBEV

• Ideanomics is a New York-based global company driving the adoption of commercial electric vehicles
• CEO, Alf Poor noted at a conference last week that commercial EV adoption is advancing and that the char4ging infrastructure market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.4 percent between now and 2028
• The U.S. Department of Energy has also declared that developing solutions for better and more cost-accessible EV batteries is a critical element of its mission

As the electric vehicle market ramps up worldwide, EV owners are pushing for higher performance from the batteries that power their vehicles, which analysts in turn expect to drive further adoption and help to bring down the costs associated with electric vehicles.

“Battery cost is coming down. This is great for the EV industry because this will put us at a parity with the cost of the competitor in the space, which is obviously the internal combustion engine,” Alf Poor, the COO of Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX) said during a March 25 webinar that discussed the market outlook for batteries and charging solutions (https://ibn.fm/rgM9s).

“(But) battery tech is largely old tech,” Poor said. “The charging experience isn’t there yet and the range anxiety and things that go with that is coming on as a result. We need to see a lot more innovation in the battery sector. The good news is billions of dollars are pouring into battery innovation and the density and charging improvements will obviously follow on from that.”

As a publicly held company working to ease the adoption of commercial electric vehicles, Ideanomics has an interest in seeing its revenue stream become more predictable, which the company hopes to accomplish through a battery leasing model in Asia, Poor said.

China leads the EV trade globally, but industry publication Utility Dive recently reported that the number of electric vehicle models available to U.S. consumers is expected to more than triple during the next three years as well, as ancillary solutions for consumer needs such as battery cost parity take place.

Developing solutions for better EV batteries is a critical element of the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission, the agency’s acting deputy assistant secretary for transportation said during a separate webinar hosted by the DOE in December (https://ibn.fm/vZfK1).

Poor’s presentation during the Future of Green ETFs Summit hosted by KraneShares noted that the global EV charging infrastructure market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.4 percent between now and 2028, reaching revenues of $144.97 billion — a reflection of the enthusiasm and urgency worldwide for Main Street policies to counter global warming trends.

Poor predicted that commercial EVs will move into mainstream use this year and noted that Bloomberg NEF anticipates commercial EV sales worldwide will reach 1.2 million by 2023.

“We have a unique view across what we believe is the value chain because we have operations in China, South Asia, in Malaysia, in Europe and in North America, and we have interesting subsidiaries and operations and investments in everything in the value chain from charging systems through the two-wheelers and three-wheelers, buses, trucks and even EV tractors on the agricultural side as well,” Poor said.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Ideanomics.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IDEX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/IDEX

• FACT Inc. combines advanced forensic technology, analytical tools and blockchain structure in a proprietary software and device solution for collectors worldwide
• F.A.C.T. Software and Methodology are currently patent-pending products
• The company leverages advances in forensic technology to capture surface profiles of an asset for authenticity verification in minutes
• Scanning of the image is done down to two microns, which acts as a “digital fingerprint” showing details as minute as a 50th of the diameter of a human hair
• All information on the pieces is kept in a secured database that standardizes collection management through scans, condition reports and provenance documentation
• In March 2021, FACT announced its plans to integrate Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”) within its blockchain technology platform
• The art market was valued at $64 billion in 2019, with an estimated 50,000 pieces stolen per year

FACT (OTC: FCTI) is a global leader of fine art and collectibles authentication technology that focuses on providing innovative solutions to address the challenges faced in the collectibles industry. The company’s proprietary forensic technology and management platform enable all parties, from collectors to insurers, to manage collections worldwide by leveraging advanced forensic technology, analytical tools and blockchain structure to protect assets. In addition, FACT Inc. will be offering its clients the ability to create Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”) on both their physical and digital fine art assets. It is the only company that can provide a secure link from the digital asset to the physical assets on a seamless platform. FACT Inc. is currently onboarding a system to allow its user to create, sell and trade their NFTs. FACT Inc. was founded in 2020 as a collaboration by a team with art, business and forensics backgrounds. FACT Inc. is led by Patricia Trompeter, its CEO. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, but operates all over the world. The F.A.C.T. Solution FACT’s solution for the collectibles industry is Forensic Asset Certification Technology (F.A.C.T.). The F.A.C.T. Secured Database standardizes collection management through centralized storage of F.A.C.T. scans, condition reports and provenance documentation throughout the life of the work. The patent-pending software and methodology provide solutions that leverage advances in forensic technology to capture an asset’s surface profiles for authenticity verification in a matter of minutes. The F.A.C.T. secured device is the only portable solution of its kind that utilizes “digital fingerprints” from the physical asset for verification and condition reporting.

• Information Management –The F.A.C.T. System provides users with a secure interface that offers unique data entry, scanning specifications and asset information before it is securely stored on the blockchain.
• Visualization – The company’s device can be deployed quickly offsite, allowing for scans to be captured anywhere. These scans are instantaneously transmitted to the F.A.C.T. Secured Database. The scan is then reviewed by F.A.C.T. analytics software. The verification certificates and condition reports are auto-generated and added to the secure reporting.
• Confirmation – Multiple scans of the asset are captured by the F.A.C.T. Secured Device. These scans serve as unique “digital fingerprints” for the asset for verification purposes. To establish authenticity, scans are compared to the originals that are on record for the asset.
• Non-Fungible Tokens – FACT’s service offerings will include the creation of the token, smart contract integration, and dozens of optional terms and conditions. Each NFT is customized to the client’s specifications featuring any number of complex mechanics, such as usage analytics, royalties and value enhancements.

F.A.C.T. Interferometer Scanning The F.A.C.T. Secured Device (patent pending) is powered by a proprietary white-light interferometer that captures ultra-high-resolution scans for comparative analysis that verify the authenticity and assess degradation at the lowest levels possible. The “digital fingerprints” are transferred and stored in the F.A.C.T. database. Each scan with the Secured Device captures the area at a resolution of two microns or better, which is equivalent to a 50th of the diameter of a human hair. The scan can detect and document even the most minute details and characteristics of an asset. “Smart Pixel” Technology offers a 3D image with real-time communication to the master controller. It creates topographic and tomographic renderings while providing up to 100x magnification for viewing the 3D images. The F.A.C.T. Analytic Tools allow for efficient measurement of roughness, layer thickness, wear, volume, patterns and defects of each scan for verification. The F.A.C.T. solution addresses needs in a number of market sectors, including:

• Valuable Assets Insurance– The company’s platform provides records of provenance, verification and condition reports protecting against fraud and simplifying due-diligence. Title insurance for a piece runs between 1% and 7% of the total value of the asset. Insurance companies justify this by claiming that rightful owners are difficult to track down, especially if there are gaps within ownership history records.
• Valuable Assets Secured Lending– Last year, approximately $24 billion in outstanding loans were secured by art. Borrowers face high-interest rates on these loans due to incomplete authenticity, condition and provenance records.
• Valuable Asset Transportation Companies– Over 14,000 paintings and prints were transported across international borders in 2019. Accidental damage during transport accounts for 50% of insurance claims. F.A.C.T. provides security and assistance with on-the-go reporting.
• Valuable Assets Business– Auction houses, museums and dealers can benefit from access to thorough, up-to-date information regarding the condition and provenance of assets.
• Non-Fungible Tokens– NFTs can be created to represent the entire asset or sections of the asset which can be offered as a standalone item or through fractional ownership. This versatility is expected to unlock new opportunities to expand the art and collectibles market and enhance value for collectors.

Collectibles and Asset Market The collectibles market is a multi-billion-dollar industry that is vulnerable to fraud, theft and forgery. The overall art market was valued at $64 billion in 2019, and the numismatic market was valued at $4.1 billion in 2019. Statistics show that:

• Approximately 50,000 pieces of art are stolen each year
• $2 billion is paid for art on the black market annually
• Per Interpol, 10% of the market is subject to fraud
• The FBI estimates that 80% of all art crimes are fraud, forgeries and fakes (not theft)
• The FBI also estimates that 50% of sports memorabilia on the market is fraudulent
• Art crime is the third highest-grossing type of crime

With its unique blend of innovative forensic technology, advanced data analytics and collection management, FACT is primed to capitalize on this market opportunity and provide a wealth of solutions to art collectors worldwide. The company is also strategically positioned to capitalize on the recent growth in interest relating to NFTs. According to data from Statista, global transactions involving NFTs in 2020 were valued at $338.04 million, marking an increase of 138% over the previous year. In March 2021, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s first tweet sold for roughly $2.9 million as an NFT, further highlighting the continued growth of the space. Management Team Patricia Trompeter is the newly appointed CEO of FACT Inc. She has spent over 15 years in the financial services industry working with GE Capital. During her tenure with GE Capital, she held several positions, including CFO, operations leader, controller and M&A coordinator. Ms. Trompeter took a short break to focus on her philanthropic opportunities and family and afterward founded Webbs Hill Partners and Ceres Capital Holdings. She holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics and Management Information Systems from Marquette University. Michael Arbach is the company’s CIO. He has over 17 years of experience working with business-oriented software and a track record of building high-performance solutions for top-tier companies. Code written by Mr. Arbach has processed millions of dollars in securities transactions. Today, some of the biggest banks and organizations rely on his software. Mr. Arbach is also an early blockchain developer and investor. He holds degrees in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and is fluent in four languages. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.FactSecured.com. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to FCTI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/FCTI