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ZeroLend to Shut Down After Three Years
DeFi lending protocol ZeroLend is winding down operations after citing unsustainable economics, shrinking liquidity and growing security risks.
ZeroLend announced it will shut down after three years of operation, citing unsustainable economics, shrinking liquidity across supported blockchains, and escalating security risks. The protocol said persistent losses, inactive chains, and reduced oracle support made continued operations unviable in the current market environment.
The team’s immediate priority is enabling users to withdraw assets safely, particularly from low-liquidity networks such as Manta, Zircuit, and XLAYER. Most lending markets have been set to a 0% loan-to-value ratio to halt borrowing while withdrawals are processed and smart contracts are gradually updated to release locked funds.
The closure underscores structural pressures in decentralized lending, where thin margins, fragmented liquidity, and recurring exploits continue to challenge long-term sustainability. ZeroLend also confirmed partial refunds for users impacted by last year’s LBTC exploit on Base, funded through its LINEA token allocation.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Steak ’n Shake Says Bitcoin Payments Drove Sales Growth
Steak ’n Shake reports a sharp rise in same-store sales after integrating Bitcoin payments and directing crypto revenue into a strategic reserve.
Fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake said its adoption of Bitcoin payments nine months ago has led to a significant increase in same-store sales and lower transaction costs. The company routes all crypto payments into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which it uses in part to fund employee bonuses, creating a closed-loop treasury model tied to customer spending.
The firm began accepting Bitcoin through the Lightning Network in May 2025, initially reporting a 10% uplift in comparable sales and roughly a 50% reduction in payment processing fees. It has also added $10 million worth of Bitcoin to its corporate treasury and introduced Bitcoin-themed menu items, signaling a broader integration of digital assets into its brand and financial operations.
The development reflects a wider trend of corporates experimenting with crypto payments as both a cost-efficiency tool and treasury diversification strategy. As traditional payment fees remain elevated, selective retail adoption of digital assets is increasingly being evaluated alongside loyalty incentives and alternative reserve management frameworks.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Kraken Backs Wyoming Newborn Savings Accounts Initiative
Kraken will sponsor savings accounts for all Wyoming newborns in 2026, reinforcing its alignment with crypto-friendly state policy and long-term regulatory positioning.
Crypto exchange Kraken said it will sponsor “Trump Accounts” for every child born in Wyoming in 2026, linking the firm to a federal savings program funded with $1,000 per eligible child through 2028. The announcement was first disclosed by Senator Cynthia Lummis and later confirmed by the company.
The move comes as crypto firms increasingly deepen ties with jurisdictions offering regulatory clarity. Wyoming has positioned itself as a key US hub for digital asset companies through early legal frameworks, including special-purpose banking charters and tailored compliance structures for crypto businesses.
The initiative also follows a broader easing of US enforcement actions after the US Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its 2023 case against Kraken. Analysts view the sponsorship as a strategic signal of long-term institutional alignment with supportive policy environments rather than a purely philanthropic effort.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
SBI Holdings Targets Majority Stake in Singapore Crypto Exchange Coinhako
Japan’s SBI Holdings plans to acquire a controlling stake in Singapore-based crypto exchange Coinhako, signaling deeper expansion into regulated Asian digital asset markets.
Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings is seeking to expand its global crypto footprint through a planned acquisition of a controlling stake in Singapore-based exchange Coinhako. The firm announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SBI Ventures Asset, has signed a letter of intent with Coinhako’s parent company, Holdbuild, to inject capital and purchase shares from existing investors.
If finalized, the transaction would make Coinhako a consolidated subsidiary of SBI Holdings, pending regulatory approvals. Chairman and CEO Yoshitaka Kitao framed the move as part of a broader strategy to build international digital asset infrastructure, including tokenized securities and stablecoin ecosystems. Financial terms and final ownership structure have not yet been disclosed, as negotiations remain ongoing under the nonbinding agreement.
The acquisition would provide SBI with a licensed operational base in Singapore, a major regulated hub for digital asset businesses in Asia. Coinhako operates its trading platform through Hako Technology, a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, positioning it as a compliant gateway to regional retail and institutional crypto markets.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Stablecoins Expand into Payroll and Daily Payments
A new global survey shows rising use of stablecoins for salaries and everyday spending, highlighting growing real-world utility beyond trading.
Stablecoins are increasingly moving beyond trading and into real-world financial activity, with a new global survey indicating that 39% of crypto users receive income in stablecoins and 27% use them for everyday payments. The findings, based on responses from 4,658 users across 15 countries, underscore the growing role of digital dollar-pegged assets in cross-border transactions and wage distribution.
The data suggests that cost efficiency and speed remain the primary drivers. Respondents using stablecoins for international transfers reported roughly 40% lower fees compared with traditional remittance channels, reinforcing their appeal in regions with limited banking infrastructure and high foreign exchange costs. Adoption was notably higher in emerging markets, where ownership rates reached 60% and climbed to 79% in parts of Africa.
Institutional integration is also accelerating as regulatory clarity improves. Frameworks such as the GENIUS Act in the United States and Europe’s MiCA regime are encouraging fintech firms and payroll platforms to incorporate stablecoin settlement into existing systems. Surveys show 77% of respondents would open a stablecoin wallet through a bank or fintech provider, signaling potential convergence between traditional finance and blockchain-based payment rails.
At the same time, the stablecoin market’s growth to over $300 billion in supply reflects broader macro demand for stable, programmable digital cash. As enterprises explore cross-border payroll, embedded finance, and debit card integrations, stablecoins are increasingly positioned as a transactional layer rather than a purely speculative asset class.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Dalio’s World Order Warning Reinforces Case for Bitcoin as Neutral Money
Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio warns that the breakdown of the post-WWII rules-based order will drive demand for apolitical financial assets and neutral money.
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has signaled the official breakdown of the post-World War II international order. In a recent analysis, Dalio described a transition into a “law of the jungle” phase where power dynamics supersede established rules in trade and capital flows. This shift forces major powers into escalatory cycles, increasing the likelihood of economic instability.
Internal economic stressors often lead governments to favor monetary debasement over explicit defaults during periods of geopolitical tension. Global M2 money supply has climbed from $26 trillion in 2000 to an estimated $142 trillion in 2025, according to Econovis data. This environment of sustained currency devaluation traditionally bolsters hard assets that exist outside the immediate control of central banks.
Market participants are using this framework to advocate for Bitcoin as a neutral monetary rail. As asset freezes become standard geopolitical tools, the demand for apolitical infrastructure may intensify. While Dalio’s warnings are not direct forecasts, they reinforce the structural case for Bitcoin and gold as hedges against a fracturing global financial system.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Crypto ETPs Record Fourth Consecutive Week of Global Outflows
Global digital asset investment products saw $173 million in weekly outflows, marking a month of continuous withdrawals as US selling pressure offsets international gains.
Global crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) recorded a fourth consecutive week of outflows, with $173 million withdrawn last week. Cumulative redemptions over the past month have reached $3.74 billion. Trading volumes cooled significantly from $63 billion to $27 billion.
US-listed products accounted for $403 million in weekly outflows, offsetting significant demand in international markets. In contrast, European and Canadian funds absorbed $230 million in inflows, led by Germany and Switzerland. This geographic split suggests that while American institutional appetite has softened, global investors are capitalizing on price volatility and shifting macroeconomic conditions.
Asset-specific data shows Bitcoin and Ethereum leading redemptions with $218 million in combined outflows. However, altcoins like XRP and Solana demonstrated resilience, attracting $64 million in new capital. The exit from short-Bitcoin products suggests investors perceive a potential market floor. Stabilization following recent inflation data points to a cautious but maturing institutional sentiment.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Harvard Endowment Trims Bitcoin Position, Initiates Ether Stake
The Harvard Management Company reduced its Bitcoin ETF holdings by 21% while initiating a new $86.8 million position in BlackRock’s Ethereum Trust.
Harvard University’s $56.9 billion endowment has adjusted its digital asset strategy, reducing its Bitcoin exposure while establishing a position in Ether. Recent SEC filings reveal that the Harvard Management Company (HMC) purchased approximately 3.9 million shares of the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), valued at $86.8 million. Simultaneously, the university trimmed its holdings in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) by 21%, though Bitcoin remains its largest public digital asset holding at $265.8 million.
This reallocation coincides with a broader institutional trend where IBIT ownership fell significantly in the fourth quarter. Analysts suggest the shift reflects the unwinding of trades targeting the premium to net asset value of Bitcoin treasury companies. As premiums on firms like Strategy compressed, institutional investors liquidated arbitrage-focused positions to capture realized gains or minimize exposure to narrowing spreads.
Beyond crypto, the endowment shifted its equity focus toward semiconductor firms like Broadcom and TSMC. The pivot toward Ether suggests strategic diversification within the digital asset class. This rebalancing allows Harvard to maintain blockchain exposure while mitigating concentration risk after Bitcoin’s significant price appreciation throughout the previous year.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Nexo Re-Enters US Market Following Regulatory Recalibration
Digital asset wealth platform Nexo has officially resumed operations in the United States, offering a suite of regulated services powered by Bakkt. The move follows a three-year hiatus after the firm previously exited due to regulatory challenges.
Nexo has officially re-launched its digital asset wealth platform in the United States, marking a return after its 2022 departure. The company’s re-entry is powered by infrastructure from Bakkt, ensuring a regulated environment for its suite of offerings. These services include fixed and flexible yield programs, crypto-backed credit lines, and an integrated exchange featuring fiat on- and off-ramps via ACH and wire transfers.
The platform’s return comes amid shifting US policy, with Nexo leadership citing a more favorable regulatory landscape under the current administration. By partnering with a domestic custodian, Nexo aims to avoid the multi-agency friction that led to its previous withdrawal and $45 million settlement in 2023. Currently managing $11 billion in assets, the firm is positioning its institutional-grade liquidity and portfolio management tools to capture renewed domestic demand.
This domestic expansion is part of a broader global growth strategy that includes the acquisition of regional platforms like Argentina’s Buenbit and high-profile sports sponsorships. The firm has processed $371 billion in global transactions to date, reflecting its scale as it re-enters the American market.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Animoca Brands Secures Dubai VASP License for Institutional Services
Animoca Brands has obtained a VASP license from Dubai’s VARA to offer broker-dealer and asset management services. The move comes as the emirate strengthens its regulatory framework by tightening oversight on privacy tokens and stablecoins.
Animoca Brands has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This authorization allows the Web3 investment firm to provide broker-dealer and asset management services to institutional and qualified investors within the emirate. The license covers operations across broader Dubai, excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and marks a significant expansion for Animoca’s portfolio of over 600 companies.
The regulatory approval coincides with a broader tightening of crypto oversight in the United Arab Emirates. Recent mandates from the DFSA have prohibited licensed entities from facilitating privacy-focused tokens and have introduced more stringent definitions for fiat-pegged stablecoins.
For Animoca, the Dubai hub serves as a strategic base for scaling institutional products, particularly in the real-world asset (RWA) sector. This move underscores a growing trend where major digital asset players prioritize high-compliance jurisdictions to ensure long-term operational stability and institutional integration.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Wall Street Cuts Coinbase Price Targets After Q4 Miss
Coinbase shares rose 12% despite missing Q4 revenue and profit estimates, as analysts lowered price targets citing weak trading and macro pressures.
Coinbase shares rose 12% on February 13 despite the exchange missing fourth-quarter revenue and profit expectations. The company reported net revenue of $1.71 billion, below the Wall Street consensus of $1.81 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of $566 million, short of the estimated $653 million. GAAP net losses totaled $667 million, driven by $718 million in unrealized losses on its crypto portfolio and $395 million in strategic investment losses.
Several analysts responded by lowering price targets. Barclays reduced its target to $149, citing weak transaction and subscription revenues alongside higher operating costs. Benchmark halved its target to $267 while maintaining a buy rating, highlighting growth in derivatives, stablecoin adoption, and product diversification. Clear Street and JPMorgan also cited near-term earnings pressure, weak retail engagement, and macroeconomic headwinds in their revisions.
Despite the shortfall, Coinbase emphasized its growing derivatives platform, stablecoin infrastructure, and subscription offerings. The company continues stock buybacks and bitcoin accumulation, supported by $14.1 billion in liquidity, signaling resilience and diversification beyond trading revenues. Institutional adoption and multiple revenue streams provide context for the stock’s positive market response.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Boerse Stuttgart Digital and Tradias to Merge in Push for European Crypto Hub
Boerse Stuttgart will merge its digital asset arm with Tradias to form a regulated European crypto unit offering trading, custody, staking and tokenized asset services.
Boerse Stuttgart Group will merge its crypto subsidiary with Frankfurt-based trading firm Tradias to create a regulated European digital asset unit focused on institutional clients. The combined platform will offer brokerage, trading, custody, staking and tokenized asset services under a unified structure of roughly 300 employees.
The deal highlights rising institutional demand for compliant crypto infrastructure in Europe, especially under the EU’s MiCA regulatory framework. Boerse Stuttgart has been expanding its regulated crypto operations, positioning itself as a gateway for banks and asset managers entering digital assets.
Tradias contributes execution and liquidity expertise through its BaFin-licensed trading bank structure, strengthening the merged entity’s market depth. Although financial terms were undisclosed, the transaction signals ongoing consolidation as traditional financial institutions scale regulated crypto capabilities across Europe.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
US Spot Bitcoin ETFs See $410M Outflows as BTC Falls Below $66K
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $410 million in net outflows as bitcoin slipped below $66,000, reflecting macro-driven pressure and weaker institutional flows.
US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds posted $410.37 million in net outflows in a single session, marking the second consecutive day of withdrawals as bitcoin traded near $65,000. None of the twelve funds recorded positive inflows, with the largest redemptions coming from major issuers, reflecting broad-based institutional risk reduction.
The outflows coincided with Bitcoin’s decline to around $65,266, roughly 48% below its October 2025 peak of $126,080. Stronger-than-expected US payroll data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain higher interest rates, dampening appetite for risk assets, including digital assets. Over a two-day period, total ETF withdrawals reached approximately $686 million.
Despite the short-term pressure, cumulative net inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs remain significant at over $54 billion since launch, with holdings representing a notable share of Bitcoin’s market capitalization. Analysts say macro conditions and revised institutional forecasts are shaping sentiment, while ETF flow dynamics continue to serve as a key barometer of institutional engagement with the crypto market.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
South Korean Police Lose Seized Bitcoin from Cold Wallet
Authorities in Seoul confirmed that 22 BTC seized in 2021 was drained from a police-held cold wallet, prompting an internal investigation into evidence custody practices.
South Korea’s Gangnam Police Station has confirmed the loss of 22 Bitcoin that had been stored in a USB cold wallet since being seized in a 2021 investigation. The assets, valued at roughly $1.5 million, were reportedly transferred out of the wallet without the physical device being stolen.
The incident came to light during a broader nationwide inspection of investigative agencies’ digital asset custody procedures. Officials said the Bitcoin had remained untouched for years due to a suspended case, allowing the unauthorized transfer to go undetected until the recent audit. The Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency has launched an internal probe to determine the cause of the breach and assess possible internal involvement.
The loss follows a separate case involving hundreds of seized Bitcoin reportedly drained from another investigative body after a phishing-related error, underscoring systemic operational risks. The developments highlight growing institutional challenges around secure storage, chain-of-custody protocols, and governance standards for confiscated digital assets held by law enforcement.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.
Aave Labs Proposes $50M Grant to Align Revenue with DAO
Aave Labs is seeking a $50 million funding package in exchange for redirecting all product revenue to the Aave DAO treasury.
Aave Labs has submitted a governance proposal requesting a funding package of roughly $50 million in stablecoins and AAVE tokens in exchange for routing all revenue from Aave-branded products to the Aave DAO treasury. The plan includes up to $42.5 million in stablecoin grants tied to milestones and 75,000 AAVE tokens, with payments streamed over time if approved by tokenholders.
In return, Aave Labs would direct 100% of revenue generated from products such as aave.com, the planned Aave App, Aave Card, Aave Pro, and other ecosystem tools to the DAO. The proposal also seeks formal ratification of Aave V4 as the protocol’s long-term technical foundation and outlines the creation of a foundation to steward the Aave brand under a more DAO-centric structure.
Community reaction has been mixed, with some governance participants raising concerns about treasury allocation and the potential concentration of voting power tied to the token grant. Critics have called for clearer revenue definitions and separate votes on key elements, while supporters view the framework as a structural shift toward aligning value accrual and long-term protocol growth under DAO governance.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned by NuvexMedia LLC, providing news, research, and market insights. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with various companies across the digital asset and technology industries. Despite these partnerships, CoinScreamer operates with full editorial independence to deliver accurate, timely, and objective information about the crypto market. Below are our current financial and business disclosures. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All Rights Reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of professional advice.