Latest news with #TRACE
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
After raising $38M, African e-commerce startup Sabi lays off 20%, pivots to traceable exports
African B2B e-commerce startup Sabi has laid off around 20% of its workforce (~50 employees) as it pivots from its original retail-focused platform to double down on a growing business in commodity exports. The layoffs, confirmed by the company on Thursday, are part of a broader restructuring aimed at aligning resources with what it describes as rising demand for traceable, ethically sourced commodities, an area it began building out last year under a new vertical called TRACE (Technology Rails for African Commodity Exchange). Launched in Lagos in 2020, Sabi began as a software platform helping informal retailers digitize inventory and sales amid COVID-19 disruptions. It later expanded into a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketplace with embedded finance, scaling across Nigeria and Kenya. By mid-2023, Sabi claimed over 300,000 merchants and $1 billion in annualized GMV. That momentum helped it secure a $38 million Series B round at a $300 million valuation. But like many startups in the B2B e-commerce space in Africa, Sabi faced structural headwinds: thin margins, capital intensity, and tough unit economics. Unlike competitors that burned through capital, Sabi maintained an asset-light model and stayed profitable. Still, the market shift has been clear. What African B2B e-commerce startups can learn from OmniRetail's profitable run In March, the company launched TRACE as a new business line, alongside FMCG. The new vertical targets mineral and agricultural exports such as lithium, cobalt, tin, and cash crops, where global buyers increasingly demand transparency, ESG compliance, and traceability. Sabi says it now exports over 20,000 tons of such commodities monthly to buyers across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. It has also launched operations in the U.S. and made senior hires to support that expansion. 'Sabi is entering its next chapter, with a focused commitment to commodity trade and traceability for global customers,' it said in a statement. 'We're doubling down on the part of our business seeing the most demand, built on the strong foundation we've laid since 2021 by supporting African merchants and their growth. To align with this momentum, we've made the difficult decision to restructure parts of our team.' The transition underscores a broader theme: as informal commerce platforms in Africa search for sustainability, Sabi is showing that evolving into infrastructure plays for global trade is possible. While this strategy offers higher margins and clearer paths to profitability, it can also lead to internal shakeups as Sabi's restructuring shows. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
a day ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
After raising $38M, African e-commerce startup Sabi lays off 20%, pivots to traceable exports
African B2B e-commerce startup Sabi has laid off around 20% of its workforce (~50 employees) as it pivots from its original retail-focused platform to double down on a growing business in commodity exports. The layoffs, confirmed by the company on Thursday, are part of a broader restructuring aimed at aligning resources with what it describes as rising demand for traceable, ethically sourced commodities, an area it began building out last year under a new vertical called TRACE (Technology Rails for African Commodity Exchange). Launched in Lagos in 2020, Sabi began as a software platform helping informal retailers digitize inventory and sales amid COVID-19 disruptions. It later expanded into a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketplace with embedded finance, scaling across Nigeria and Kenya. By mid-2023, Sabi claimed over 300,000 merchants and $1 billion in annualized GMV. That momentum helped it secure a $38 million Series B round at a $300 million valuation. But like many startups in the B2B e-commerce space in Africa, Sabi faced structural headwinds: thin margins, capital intensity, and tough unit economics. Unlike competitors that burned through capital, Sabi maintained an asset-light model and stayed profitable. Still, the market shift has been clear. In March, the company launched TRACE as a new business line, alongside FMCG. The new vertical targets mineral and agricultural exports such as lithium, cobalt, tin, and cash crops, where global buyers increasingly demand transparency, ESG compliance, and traceability. Sabi says it now exports over 20,000 tons of such commodities monthly to buyers across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. It has also launched operations in the U.S. and made senior hires to support that expansion. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW 'Sabi is entering its next chapter, with a focused commitment to commodity trade and traceability for global customers,' it said in a statement. 'We're doubling down on the part of our business seeing the most demand, built on the strong foundation we've laid since 2021 by supporting African merchants and their growth. To align with this momentum, we've made the difficult decision to restructure parts of our team.' The transition underscores a broader theme: as informal commerce platforms in Africa search for sustainability, Sabi is showing that evolving into infrastructure plays for global trade is possible. While this strategy offers higher margins and clearer paths to profitability, it can also lead to internal shakeups as Sabi's restructuring shows.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Graduates urged to embrace challenges, not be too selective in job hunt
Dr Annuar addresses the audience during the event. – Photo by Galileo Petingi KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 18): Graduates should not be overly selective when searching for a job, as challenges in the workplace are vital for both personal and professional growth, said Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee. Speaking at the Talent Recruitment and Career Exhibition (TRACE) event held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) here yesterday, he acknowledged the difficulties graduates face in securing employment, but urged them to focus on gaining experience rather than prioritising convenience. 'Many people choose jobs based on location, often wanting to stay close to their hometowns. However, I believe that the further you go, the more challenges you face — and life without challenges holds no meaning,' he said. Dr Annuar, who officiated the event on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, also cautioned against frequent job hopping solely for salary increment, emphasising that expertise in a field requires time and dedication. 'Yes, money is important, but the experience gained in a job is irreplaceable. Constantly switching jobs means repeatedly starting from scratch. 'To become a specialist, one must commit to a role for at least five years before considering a career change or pursuing further studies,' he explained. Moreover, Dr Annuar highlighted the pressure graduates face upon completing their degrees, particularly in dealing with student loans, such as the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). 'The moment a graduate finishes their studies, the first question they are asked is, 'Have you found a job?' 'It is a stressful situation, especially when financial obligations come into play,' he said. He also expressed hope that TRACE would provide valuable guidance to students as they navigate their journey toward employment. dr annuar rapaee education fresh graduates job opportunities
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SMD Semiconductor Calls On Young Talents To Explore Careers In Chip Design At TRACE 2025
KUCHING, June 15 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's homegrown semiconductor company, SMD Semiconductor, is calling on the next generation of talents to explore exciting career opportunities in chip design by visiting its booth at the upcoming Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Talent Recruitment and Career Exhibition (TRACE) 2025. The event will take place on June 17 and 18 at the UNIMAS Kota Samarahan campus. In a statement today, SMD chief executive officer Shariman Jamil said the company is actively seeking Sarawakian talents and aims to showcase the real-world impact of a career in chip design — a field that goes far beyond technical work. 'Chip designers are behind the technologies that power smartphones, electric vehicles, medical devices, and smart homes. With strong global demand, this industry offers long-term job stability, competitive salaries, and the satisfaction of seeing your innovations come to life,' he said. Shariman added that SMD provides multiple pathways for local graduates, from internships to full-time career placements, in areas such as chip design, semiconductor engineering, and AI development. He highlighted the company's flagship Semiconductor Mastery Programme, a six-month specialised training course focused on Analog Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and IC Test Solution Development Engineering. The programme is run in collaboration with several key partners, including the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD), Melexis NV, a Belgium-based global semiconductor supplier, X-Fab Sarawak, a German semiconductor foundry, and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS). In addition, SMD works closely with local universities to deliver advanced training and education, including a postgraduate microelectronics programme in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. 'At our booth, visitors will be able to meet industry professionals, submit their CVs directly, and explore opportunities to join our team or enrol in specialised training at the SMD Academy, which is focused on preparing Sarawakians for high-value careers in the digital industry,' he said.
Business Wire
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Tradeweb Reports May 2025 Total Trading Volume of
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW), a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets, today reported total trading volume for the month of May 2025 of $55.4 trillion (tn) 1. Average daily volume (ADV) for the month was $2.5tn, an increase of 33.3 percent (%) year-over-year (YoY). Excluding the impact of the ICD acquisition, which closed on August 1, 2024, total ADV for the month of May was up 20.3% YoY. In May 2025, Tradeweb records included: ADV in global repurchase agreements May 2025 Highlights RATES U.S. government bond ADV was up 22.6% YoY to $236.0 billion (bn). European government bond ADV was up 22.6% YoY to $50.8bn. U.S. government bond ADV was led by strong activity across the institutional and wholesale client channels. Robust European government bond ADV was driven by strong volumes in our institutional client channel. Strong activity in the U.S. and Europe was supported by an increased number of clients trading across a diverse set of trading protocols. Mortgage ADV was up 16.8% YoY to $230.2bn. To-Be-Announced (TBA) activity was primarily driven by strong roll volume and elevated trading activity from real and fast money accounts. Tradeweb's specified pool platform reported strong volumes driven by a record number of clients executing on the platform. Swaps/swaptions ≥ 1-year ADV was up 1.6% YoY to $492.0bn and total rates derivatives ADV was up 13.5% YoY to $890.3bn. Swaps/swaptions ≥ 1-year saw strong increases in risk trading activity YoY driven by market volatility due to changes in U.S. tariff policy and an active Treasury yield curve. This was partially offset by a 21% YoY decline in compression activity, which carries a relatively lower fee per million. Quarter to date compression activity as a percentage of swaps/swaptions ≥ 1-year is trending lower than 1Q25. CREDIT Fully electronic U.S. credit ADV was up 25.0% YoY to $8.3bn and European credit ADV was up 8.6% YoY to $2.4bn. U.S. credit volumes were driven by increased client adoption of Tradeweb protocols, most notably in Portfolio Trading and request-for-quote (RFQ). Tradeweb captured 17.8% and 8.3% share of fully electronic U.S high grade and U.S. high yield TRACE, respectively, as measured by Tradeweb. We also reported 25.3% total share of U.S. high grade TRACE and 11.0% total share of U.S. high yield TRACE. European credit volumes in May were driven by heightened use of Tradeweb AllTrade® and continued client engagement in our Automated Intelligent Execution (AiEX) tool. Municipal bonds ADV was up 38.3% YoY to $494 million (mm). Municipal bonds reported strong growth across the retail and institutional platforms, outpacing the broader market, which was up 13.6% YoY. 2 Credit derivatives ADV was up 94.9% YoY to $17.0bn. Increased hedge fund and systematic account activity YoY, along with heightened credit volatility, led to increased swap execution facility (SEF) and multilateral trading facility (MTF) credit default swaps activity. EQUITIES U.S. ETF ADV was up 43.4% YoY to $8.8bn and European ETF ADV was up 42.6% YoY to $3.3bn. U.S. and European ETF volumes were supported by a growing client base and increased adoption of Tradeweb's AiEX tool. On the Tradeweb institutional platform, U.S. ETF and European ETF volumes were up 84.9% YoY and 42.7% YoY, respectively. MONEY MARKETS Repo ADV was up 28.8% YoY to $779.7bn. Record global repo trading activity was supported by increased client participation across the platform. In the U.S., strong growth was driven by the effects of the Fed's balance sheet unwind, in addition to balances in the Fed's reverse repo facility (RRP) remaining at relatively low levels. In Europe, volumes were driven by increased government bond issuance as well as market volatility. Other Money Markets ADV was up YoY to $269.5bn. Other money markets volume growth was driven by the inclusion of ICD volumes in May 2025. Please refer to the report posted to for complete information and data related to our historical monthly, quarterly and yearly ADV and total trading volume across asset classes. About Tradeweb Markets Tradeweb Markets Inc. (Nasdaq: TW) is a leading, global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets. Founded in 1996, Tradeweb provides access to markets, data and analytics, electronic trading, straight-through-processing and reporting for more than 50 products to clients in the institutional, wholesale, retail and corporates markets. Advanced technologies developed by Tradeweb enhance price discovery, order execution and trade workflows while allowing for greater scale and helping to reduce risks in client trading operations. Tradeweb serves more than 3,000 clients in more than 85 countries. On average, Tradeweb facilitated more than $2.2 trillion in notional value traded per day over the past four fiscal quarters. For more information, please go to Basis of Presentation All reported amounts are presented in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated. In determining the reported U.S. dollar amounts for non-U.S. dollar denominated securities, the non-U.S. dollar amount for a particular month is translated into U.S. dollars generally based on the monthly average foreign exchange rate for the prior month. Volumes presented in this release exclude volumes generated by (i) unbilled trial agreements, (ii) products billed on an agreement basis where we do not calculate notional value, and (iii) products that are not rates, credit, equities or money markets products. Please see the footnotes on page 3 of the full report for information regarding how we calculate market share amounts presented in this release. Amounts for preliminary average variable fees per million dollars of volume traded and preliminary fixed fees for rates, credit, equities and money markets included in this release and in the related report are subject to the completion of management's final review and our other financial closing procedures and therefore are subject to change. Beginning with the publication of the December 2024 Monthly Activity Report, Tradeweb adjusted its methodology for reflecting acquisitions in its reported average daily volume figures. For average daily volume derived from acquisitions, the denominator is now the number of trading days that have elapsed from the acquisition date to the end date of the reporting period, and not the total number of trading days in the reporting period, which was the previous methodology. Beginning in December 2024, this methodology was applied retroactively to restate the impact of both 2024 acquisitions; the average daily volume attributable to acquisitions occurring prior to 2024 was not restated. Market and Industry Data This release and the complete report include estimates regarding market and industry data that we prepared based on our management's knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate, together with information obtained from various sources, including publicly available information, industry reports and publications, surveys, our clients, trade and business organizations and other contacts in the markets in which we operate. In presenting this information, we have made certain assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on such data and other similar sources and on our knowledge of, and our experience to date in, the markets in which we operate. While such information is believed to be reliable for the purposes used herein, no representations are made as to the accuracy or completeness thereof and we take no responsibility for such information. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements related to, among other things, our outlook and future performance, the industry and markets in which we operate, our expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, prospects and assumptions and future events are forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While we believe these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' in the documents of Tradeweb Markets Inc. on file with or furnished to the SEC, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, preliminary average variable fees per million dollars of volume traded and preliminary fixed fees for rates, credit, equities and money markets are subject to the completion of management's final review and our other financial closing procedures and therefore are subject to change. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future events or performance and future events, our actual results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and the development of the industry and markets in which we operate, may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. In addition, even if future events, our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and events in the industry and markets in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this release, they may not be predictive of events, results or developments in future periods. Any forward-looking statement that we make in this release speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release. 1 Tradeweb acquired ICD on August 1, 2024. Total volume reported includes volumes from the acquired business subsequent to the date of the acquisition. 2 Based on data from MSRB.
