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FunFair Ventures backs creator of poundtoken blackfridge
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blackfridge, the Isle of Man-based fintech company, has secured financial backing from FunFair Ventures and Gate Ventures to fund its strategic operations and launch poundtoken, the first British-regulated stablecoin fully backed 1:1 by pound sterling (GBP). The pre-A round – blackfridge’s first with outside investors – raised a significant amount between the two new partners. A further round is planned for later this year.
Launching in early July, poundtoken (GBPT) is a regulated stablecoin designed to allow for international transactions 24/7, without delays or costly fees. It guarantees holders that they can redeem their currency for GBP at any moment, as every GBPT is backed by one pound sterling. As the first stablecoin to be regulated in the British Isles, GBPT will provide a trustworthy cryptocurrency pegged to the British pound.
Alongside its financial backing, FunFair Ventures brings its background and expertise in blockchain technologies, to help blackfridge grow at a rapid pace. The company will also offer commercial, marketing, event, and corporate support for blackfridge’s wider fintech work.
Lloyd Purser, Chief Operating Officer at FunFair Ventures, said: “Our future vision of the crypto space aligns closely with blackfridge’s goals, which illustrated its qualities as a long-term partner. We’re excited to bring our many years of blockchain and crypto expertise to their business and build on what blackfridge has already accomplished.”
Additionally, Gate Ventures – a specialist initiative focused on blockchain and crypto – will support blackfridge and list poundtoken on its exchange, Gate.io. The company will also aid with PR and other activities, to accelerate blackfridge’s services. The aim of the fund is to allow blackfridge to focus on its operations, and to scale further in the fintech space.
“Recent weeks have seen why a new approach is needed for stablecoins,” said Kevin Yang, Managing Partner at Gate Ventures. “Strong regulation is vital to the long-term sustainability of cryptocurrencies, and blackfridge’s preliminary work with poundtoken shows how it can be managed in the right way. With protections against volatility acting as a safety net, we’re confident that poundtoken will be the first of many successful activities by blackfridge.”
Michael Crosbie, Chief Business Officer of poundtoken, said: “Our partnerships with FunFair Ventures and Gate Ventures will help blackfridge focus on its growth in fintech, as we drive our exciting projects forward. Their extensive expertise will also aid with the launch of our exciting new cryptocurrency; with their assistance we will meet our aspirations with poundtoken, to make it a global, trusted and regulated stablecoin.”
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Free Ticket Drops
GGPoker Brings Back WSOP Super Circuit with Record $180M Guarantee
GGPoker, the world’s largest online poker platform, is set to host the highly anticipated 2026 WSOP Super Circuit online tournament series, running from March 1 to March 31.
This year’s edition features an unprecedented $180 million in guaranteed prizes, solidifying GGPoker’s reputation as the premier global poker destination.
Players will compete across 18 WSOP Gold Ring events, offering the chance to win one of poker’s most prestigious trophies and significant cash prizes.
Key Events & Highlights:
- #5: $525 Mystery Millions [Final Stage] – March 9, $525 buy-in, $10M GTD ($1M Top Bounty)
- #13: WSOP Super Circuit MAIN EVENT [Day 2] – March 23, $1,700 buy-in, $15M GTD
- #18: GGMillion$ High Roller [Day 2] – March 30, $10K buy-in, $10M GTD
Exclusive Champion Perks
Winners of all 18 Gold Ring events receive:
- A $5K WSOP Paradise package
- Recognition on the official WSOP Rankings leaderboard
$3 Million in Free Ticket Drops
Participants in any WSOP Super Circuit event can win WSOP Express tickets, $5K Ring Passes, or $10K Bracelet Passes. Tickets will be awarded randomly throughout the series, totaling $3 million in free prizes.
Live Coverage
Final tables for the Main Event (#13) and High Roller (#18) will be streamed live on GGPoker.TV and YouTube, hosted by Jeff Gross, with commentary by Daniel Negreanu for the High Roller.
Player and Ambassador Excitement
Daniel Negreanu said: “The 2026 WSOP Super Circuit at GGPoker is absolutely massive. With $180M in total guarantees, including $15M Main Event and $10M Mystery Millions, it’s the perfect time to compete for record-breaking prizes.”
The post GGPoker Brings Back WSOP Super Circuit with Record $180M Guarantee appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino Bonus Features
PopOK Gaming Unveils Macaco Millionario Dual-Grid Slot
PopOK Gaming has launched Macaco Millionario, a vibrant online slot inspired by Chinese symbolism and designed with an innovative double-grid bonus feature.
Rich red and gold visuals, lucky symbols, and a playful Macaco character combine to deliver a visually engaging and rewarding gaming experience.
The game features a 5×3 layout with 30 fixed paylines and two types of Wilds, including Double Wilds that count as two symbols for higher winning potential. The Double Fortune Free Spins round introduces an extra 5×3 reel set, allowing players to spin two grids simultaneously. Wins across both grids trigger multipliers up to x20, and retriggers extend the bonus for bigger payouts.
With a maximum multiplier of x1,732, Macaco Millionario delivers exciting bonus features, including Free Spins, Double Free Spins, Double Win Multipliers, Extra Spins, and a jackpot option. The game offers an RTP of 96.56% and supports bets from EUR 0.02 to EUR 100, fully optimized for web and mobile play. Multi-language support includes English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi.
“Macaco Millionario blends cultural familiarity with a unique bonus structure that delivers thrilling moments in every spin,” said Tsovinar Elchyan, Head of Partnerships at PopOK Gaming. “The double-grid feature sets it apart from traditional slots, offering operators and players something truly innovative.”
The slot is now live and available for integration across all platforms supporting PopOK Gaming content. Operators interested in adding Macaco Millionario to their portfolios can contact PopOK Gaming directly.
The post PopOK Gaming Unveils Macaco Millionario Dual-Grid Slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in lottery
Scientific Games Appoints Rich Wasserman as Senior Vice President of Product Engineering
Scientific Games has appointed Rich Wasserman as Senior Vice President of Product Engineering, reinforcing its commitment to advancing lottery systems technology and digital innovation.
Based in Atlanta, the global lottery provider continues to expand its technology leadership as one of the fastest-growing suppliers of retail and digital lottery solutions worldwide.
Leadership Experience from Amazon, Facebook and Stitch Fix
Wasserman brings more than 20 years of experience leading engineering, data science and product teams across high-performance technology platforms.
He previously held senior leadership roles at:
- Amazon
- Stitch Fix
At Stitch Fix, he served as Vice President of Engineering and Data Science, leading automation, AI-driven systems and platform optimization initiatives. Wasserman holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and a Computer Science degree from the University at Buffalo.
Driving Innovation Across Global Lottery Platforms
In his new role, Wasserman will oversee Product Engineering across Scientific Games’ global portfolio serving more than 150 government-regulated lotteries. His responsibilities include advancing:
- Retail lottery systems
- Digital lottery platforms
- Hardware and software innovation
- Data analytics and AI capabilities
- Consumer engagement technologies
CEO Pat McHugh stated that Wasserman’s experience scaling AI-powered platforms at world-class technology firms will help accelerate innovation and deliver next-generation lottery solutions focused on sustainable growth.
Strengthening Lottery Technology Leadership
Scientific Games continues to invest in technology, analytics and digital transformation to enhance consumer experiences across retail and online lottery channels. The appointment underscores the company’s strategy to integrate advanced analytics and machine learning into its global lottery ecosystem.
The post Scientific Games Appoints Rich Wasserman as Senior Vice President of Product Engineering appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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