Led by ICONIQ, the round brings Rain’s total funding to over $338M and values the company at $1.95B — up more than 17x in just 10 months

The new funding enables Rain to scale its global, compliant footprint, deepen platform capabilities, and invest in new products that redefine how payments work worldwide

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Rain, the enterprise-grade infrastructure for stablecoin-powered payments, today announced a $250 million Series C funding round led by ICONIQ, with participation from Sapphire Ventures, Dragonfly, Bessemer Venture Partners, Galaxy Ventures, FirstMark, Lightspeed, Norwest, and Endeavor Catalyst. The round values Rain at $1.95 billion, brings the company’s total funding to over $338 million, and comes just four months after its Series B and 10 months after its Series A.

Stablecoins have rapidly evolved from a speculative corner of crypto markets into one of the largest value-transfer rails in the world. The next phase of adoption is about making tokenized money the default way that businesses move funds and consumers get paid, save, and spend. Crossing that chasm requires infrastructure that lets enterprises shift to onchain payment rails while preserving the familiar experiences their users already trust. Rain’s technology is built to do exactly that.

“Stablecoins are quickly becoming the way money moves in the 21st century, but adoption by users worldwide requires cards and apps that just work,” said Farooq Malik, CEO & Co-founder of Rain. “In the last year, our active card base has increased 30x and our annualized payment volume has increased 38x, but we’re still in the early innings. This funding lets us bring that infrastructure to new markets and help additional enterprises go live and scale quickly everywhere.”

Rain’s end-to-end payments platform allows companies to work with a single partner to launch compliant stablecoin cards that work everywhere Visa is accepted, offer rewards, convert fiat into stablecoins, power secure wallets, and facilitate payouts. Today, Rain’s technology facilitates more than $3B in annualized transactions for over 200 partners, including Western Union, Nuvei, and KAST. Programs built on Rain can reach over 2.5 billion people and power everything from everyday consumer purchases like a morning coffee or airline tickets, to critical business expenses such as cloud services and digital advertising.

“We believe we’re witnessing a shift from legacy payment networks to programmable digital-asset infrastructure, and there is a brief window to help define the default platform enterprises will rely on,” said Kamran Zaki, Partner at ICONIQ. “In our view, Rain has a rare combination of full-stack technology, regulatory readiness, and real-world scale. Their focus on making tokenized money mainstream, rather than a niche financial experiment, may resonate and align with what large enterprises are looking for as they move from exploration to production.”

Rain will use the Series C capital to expand its presence in key licensed markets across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, so partners can seamlessly launch compliant solutions around the world. The funding will also enable Rain to deepen its full-stack stablecoin payments platform, including through strategic acquisitions, and to invest ahead of the curve in new products that make stablecoin-powered payments feel invisible to businesses and consumers.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal advisor to Rain on its Series C financing.

About Rain: Rain is the global stablecoin payments platform for enterprises, neobanks, platforms, and developers. Its technology allows partners to move, store, and use stablecoins instantly and compliantly through global payment cards, rewards, on/offramps, wallets, and cross-border rails. As a Visa Principal Member, Rain issues cards that work anywhere Visa is accepted, powering millions of purchases in over 150 countries. Built natively for stablecoins and trusted by more than 200 organizations worldwide, Rain delivers secure, scalable infrastructure that makes money move freely and instantly around the world. Learn more at https://www.rain.xyz/.

About ICONIQ: ICONIQ is a global investment firm catalyzing opportunity through extraordinary community. Our venture and growth investment platform partners with visionaries defining the future of their industries to achieve uncommon outcomes. Drawing on the insights and connectivity of our extraordinary community, we support our portfolio companies’ success at every inflection point, from inception to IPO and beyond. Our robust portfolio includes Adyen, Airbnb, Alibaba, Alteryx, Airtable, Anthropic, Automattic, BambooHR, Braze, Canva, Chime, Coupa, Databricks, Datadog, DeepL, ElevenLabs, Figma, Gitlab, Glean, Groww, Netskope, Procore, ServiceTitan, Sierra, Snowflake, Writer, Zoom and 1Password, among others. For more information visit https://www.iconiqcapital.com/growth.

Media Contact:
Lucas Piazza
Marketing Lead, Rain
lucas@rain.xyz 

ZHUHAI, China, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Kingsoft Office, a leading Chinese office software company, and global IT services provider, FPT, today announced the signing of a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Under the MoU, the two parties will collaborate closely on the localization of WPS 365 in Vietnam, user growth initiatives, joint solution development, and global delivery services, with the shared goal of accelerating digital transformation for organizational users in Vietnam and across global markets.

Deepening Engagement in Vietnam to Accelerate WPS 365 Localization

As one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies, Vietnam’s digital economy accounted for 18.3% of GDP in 2024, growing at over 20%—more than three times the country’s overall GDP growth rate. This rapid expansion positions Vietnam as a key global growth market for collaborative office solutions.

With digital transformation elevated to a national priority by the Vietnamese government, demand for intelligent and integrated workplace tools continues to rise. This strategic partnership is well aligned with Vietnam’s market-specific localization requirements and evolving enterprise needs.

Pursuant to the MoU, Kingsoft Office and FPT will jointly advance the deep localization of WPS 365 in Vietnam, including Vietnamese language optimization and the development of localized features. Leveraging their respective product, technology, and solution capabilities, the two parties will pursue functional integration and co-develop joint solutions.

Through joint go-to-market and marketing initiatives, the partners aim to deliver co-branded, end-to-end intelligent office solutions tailored to the Vietnamese market, accelerating adoption across industries and driving user growth among enterprise, government, and individual segments.

Kingsoft Office has previously established a strong user base in Vietnam, with nearly 5 million monthly active devices achieved through the Vietnamese version of WPS Office. This has laid a solid foundation for the localization and market expansion of WPS 365.

Building on WPS Office, WPS 365 integrates core workplace applications, including messaging, meetings, calendars, email, and task management into a unified platform. With features such as compatibility with mainstream Office formats, intelligent productivity capabilities, seamless cross-device synchronization, and real-time multi-user collaboration, WPS 365 enables Vietnamese users to manage end-to-end work processes within a single platform, significantly enhancing productivity and collaboration efficiency.

This partnership is expected to further strengthen both parties’ combined capabilities in Vietnam’s digital workplace and delivery ecosystem, injecting new momentum into the digital transformation of organizational users nationwide.

Expanding Global Reach Through Professional Delivery Service

The MoU also reflects a shared commitment by both parties to jointly expand into global markets. Under the partnership, FPT will serve as Kingsoft Office’s global delivery partner, providing WPS 365 implementation, training, and technical support in international markets, including Vietnam and Japan.

Kingsoft Office will provide product, technical, and enablement support, while both parties will work together to enhance customer success and overall service delivery capabilities across overseas markets. In parallel, Kingsoft Office will leverage its local ecosystem resources to support FPT’s expansion in China, jointly empowering the global growth of Chinese enterprises.

Mr. Jiang Zhiqiang, Senior Vice President of Kingsoft Office, commented: “Since 1988, Kingsoft Office has been committed to the development and innovation of office software and has built a strong global user base. We look forward to working closely with our partners to combine our respective strengths and bring WPS 365 to global markets, delivering secure, efficient, and intelligent one-stop collaborative office solutions to users worldwide.”

Mr. Phạm Thanh Tuấn, CEO of FPT China, FPT Corporation, added: “With our experienced expert teams and extensive global customer network, FPT is pleased to deepen its strategic cooperation with Kingsoft Office. Together, we aim to build a comprehensive and sustainable partnership that creates long-term business value for both parties and supports our joint expansion into international markets.”

About Kingsoft Office

Kingsoft Office is a leading Chinese provider of office software products and services. With a comprehensive and diversified product portfolio, the company offers WPS Office, the WPS 365 collaborative office platform, and WPS AI applications, collectively addressing a full spectrum of needs ranging from individual productivity to enterprise-level collaboration.

Leveraging its strong product capabilities and long-term technology expertise, Kingsoft Office now serves users in more than 220 countries and regions worldwide. As of September 2025, its major products recorded 669 million monthly active devices and are available across a wide range of mainstream platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS.

About FPT Corporation

FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, operating in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. Over more than three decades, FPT has consistently delivered impactful solutions to millions of individuals and tens of thousands of organizations worldwide. As an AI-first company, FPT is committed to elevating Vietnam’s position on the global tech map and delivering world-class AI-enabled solutions for global enterprises. FPT focuses on three critical transformations: Digital Transformation, Intelligence Transformation, and Green Transformation. In 2024, FPT reported a total revenue of USD 2.47 billion and a workforce of over 54,000 employees across its core businesses. For more information about FPT’s global IT services, please visit https://fptsoftware.com. 

PANAMA CITY, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 AI company, is excited to introduce BingX TradFi, an innovative feature that enables users to trade futures on a diverse range of global assets, including commodities, forex, stocks, and indices. With a remarkable variety in the choice of assets, outstanding trading experience, and top-notch security, BingX TradFi demonstrates its strong capability in providing a comprehensive solution to TradFi for crypto enthusiasts.

With this launch, BingX takes a significant step beyond cryptocurrency trading by integrating real-world financial assets into its platform. BingX TradFi creates an all-in-one portal where users can diversify their portfolios and capitalize on emerging market opportunities, with the recent addition of new commodity assets like aluminum, lead, cocoa, and soybeans, as well as new forex pairs including USDSGD, EURSGD, GBPSGD, and USDBRL. Accessible directly via futures trading, BingX TradFi streamlines the trading experience without additional steps.

Backed by robust infrastructure and security measures, BingX TradFi offers deep liquidity, low fees, and leverage options of up to 500 times, providing greater flexibility for trading strategies. Step by step, BingX has expanded its ecosystem to cover over 50 underlying assets, including precious metals such as gold and silver, energy resources like oil and gas, major forex pairs such as EURUSD and USDJPY, prominent stocks like TSLA and NVDA, and leading indices such as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100.

“In today’s dynamic trends in the market, BingX TradFi opens up more opportunities for traders and serves our commitment to empowerment.” Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, commented. “Over the years, BingX has established itself as a leader in futures trading, consistently expanding our asset offerings to connect traders with more diverse markets. We are dedicated to driving innovation and making global financial opportunities more accessible to our users.”

The addition of BingX TradFi marks another milestone in BingX’s evolution, blending traditional financial instruments with the speed, precision, and versatility of cryptocurrency trading. Leveraging its position as one of the top 5 crypto derivatives platforms, BingX TradFi scales up the trading space for users with more possibilities. This launch further solidifies BingX’s reputation as a pioneering platform in the crypto space and underscores its efforts to cater to the evolving needs of traders in a fast-changing market.

About BingX 

Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange and Web3 AI company, serving a global community of over 40 million users. With a comprehensive suite of AI-powered products and services, including derivatives, spot trading, and copy trading, BingX caters to the evolving needs of users across all experience levels, from beginners to professionals. Committed to building a trustworthy and intelligent trading platform, BingX empowers users with innovative tools designed to enhance performance and confidence. In 2024, BingX became the official crypto exchange partner of Chelsea Football Club, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports sponsorship.

For more information, please visit: https://bingx.com/

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics, today announced the launch of PUDU T150, a Light-payload Industrial Delivery Robot designed for internal material delivery in manufacturing and warehouse environments.

Built for 150 kg payload applications, PUDU T150 emphasizes fast deployment, stable operation, and high cost efficiency. The new model is intended to lower the entry barrier to industrial automation for manufacturers and logistics operators, particularly in 3C electronics, plastic components, and small-item warehousing for FMCG, beauty, and fast fashion industries.

PUDU T150 will be initially available in Mainland China and the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions, and selected high-growth markets, including Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey.

Addressing the Gap in Light-Load Industrial Logistics

As manufacturing continues to evolve toward leaner and more flexible production models, internal logistics automation has become a growing priority. However, many small and mid-sized manufacturers still face significant challenges in adopting industrial robots due to high costs, complex deployment processes, and operational barriers.

Building on its established industrial delivery robots, PUDU T300 and PUDU T600, Pudu Robotics developed PUDU T150 to address this unmet demand. The robot targets light-load, high-frequency transport scenarios where reliability, simplicity, and ease of use are critical, enabling more companies to deploy automation quickly and effectively.

PUDU T150 is available in two configurations:

• a lifting version designed for automated integration and more advanced workflows;
• and a standard version optimized for cost-effective, point-to-point material delivery.

Designed for Fast Deployment and Practical Use

PUDU T150 is designed for rapid, practical deployment in real-world industrial environments.

Unlike traditional AGV systems that rely on site modifications, markers, guide rails, and complex network or API integration—often requiring weeks or months before becoming operational—PUDU T150 works straight out of the box. No environmental changes are needed, and mapping can be completed within 10 minutes directly on the robot, with stable operation achieved in as little as one hour.

The robot also supports multi-robot collaboration without local servers or complex network infrastructure, enabling faster rollout and easier scaling across facilities.

Stable Navigation in Dynamic Environments

PUDU T150 combines VSLAM-based visual localization with dual LiDAR sensors to deliver full 360-degree environmental perception.

Powered by PUDU’s proprietary algorithms, the system supports dynamic map updates and stable positioning, ensuring reliable, long-term navigation even in complex, changing industrial environments. This architecture enables consistent performance in facilities with moving obstacles, layout adjustments, and high traffic density.

Aerospace-Grade Structural Design with One-Piece Integrated Chassis

PUDU T150 is built with aerospace-grade, high-strength materials and features a one-piece integrated chassis, creating a rigid and durable structure for demanding industrial environments. This construction improves resistance to impact and deformation, allowing the robot to maintain stable performance during high-frequency, long-duration operations. With a service life of up to five years, PUDU T150 helps reduce maintenance frequency and lowers long-term costs associated with repairs and component replacement.

Simple Operation for Frontline Workers

PUDU T150 features intuitive, tablet-like operation that anyone can use without training. An onboard touchscreen running PUDU’s self-developed software allows users to issue tasks, switch modes, and adjust parameters quickly and easily.

In addition to on-device control, the robot supports remote operation, enabling users to dispatch and manage tasks without needing to walk to the robot. Integration options include remote call devices, PUDU Link, and open APIs, making PUDU T150 adaptable to different workflows and management systems.

Industrial-Grade Safety and Continuous 24/7 Operation

PUDU T150 complies with the ISO 3691-4 industrial safety standard, ensuring safe and reliable operation under long-term, high-frequency workloads.

To support continuous logistics operations, the robot offers flexible power options, including wired charging, automatic recharging, and fast battery swapping, enabling near 24/7 operation and stable material flow.

Expanding PUDU’s Industrial Delivery Portfolio

With the launch of the PUDU T150, Pudu Robotics further strengthens its industrial delivery portfolio, extending the T-series to cover payloads from 150 kg to 600 kg and offering greater flexibility across a wide range of industrial scenarios.

Designed for fast deployment and streamlined integration, the PUDU T150 enables more manufacturers and logistics operators to adopt autonomous delivery solutions with ease, supporting broader adoption of automation across small and mid-sized operations and accelerating intelligent transformation in the industrial sector.

About PUDU

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the service robotics sector, is dedicated to enhancing human productivity and living standards through innovative robot technology.

With a focus on R&D, manufacturing, and sales of service robots, Pudu Robotics emphasizes three core technologies: mobility, manipulation, and artificial intelligence. Pudu Robotics has taken the lead in establishing a comprehensive range of specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robotic products in the industry. Currently, PUDU offers four product lines: service delivery robots, commercial cleaning robots, industrial delivery robots and embodied intelligent robots, which are deployed across ten major industries, including food and beverage, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment and sports, industrial facilities, education, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has successfully shipped over 100,000 units to a variety of markets, with a presence in more than 1,000 cities across 80+ countries and regions worldwide. For more information on business developments and updates, follow PUDU on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

• The Kia EV2 – the brand’s sixth dedicated electric model – debuts at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show
• Compact B-SUV designed to support diverse modern lifestyles, delivering class-above interior space and an emotionally engaging electric driving experience
• Up to 448 km driving range, EV Route Planner, Plug & Charge and bidirectional V2L
• EV3 GT, EV4 Hatchback GT and EV5 GT also revealed, expanding Kia’s electric performance portfolio

BRUSSELS and SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Corporation today unveiled the EV2 at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, marking the global premiere of a compact electric SUV designed to make electric mobility more emotional, intuitive and accessible.

“With the Kia EV2, we are expanding the reach of Kia’s electric mobility to customers who want a compact car that still feels spacious, capable and emotionally rewarding. EV2 reflects our commitment to practical innovation — bringing advanced EV technology, thoughtful design and everyday usability into a model created for the way people live and move in cities around the world.” — Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia

Alongside the EV2, Kia also revealed the EV2 GT Line and introduced the latest electric GT models — EV3 GT, EV4 Hatchback GT and EV5 GT — underscoring the brand’s commitment to both accessible electrification and engaging performance.

EV2: A New Emotional Gateway to Electric Mobility

The EV2 plays a strategic role within Kia’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) portfolio. As the most compact electric SUV in the lineup, it is designed as a gateway model for first-time EV drivers and new Kia buyers, while remaining versatile enough to serve as a primary household vehicle — easy to live with, yet emotionally rewarding.

Kia’s new compact SUV delivers an experience beyond its class thanks to:

• A calm, welcoming cabin atmosphere
• Class-above interior space and flexibility
• Easy, confidence-inspiring urban driving dynamics

Production and Launch Timing

Production of the EV2 will begin in the first quarter of 2026 with the standard-range model, followed by long-range and GT Line variants throughout the year. Market launch timings will be announced closer to the start of sales.

The EV3 GT, EV4 Hatchback GT and EV5 GT are scheduled to enter production in the second half of 2026.

For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center for more.