Acquisition

Western Union will acquire International Money Express, Inc. (Intermex) for $16.00 per share in cash, a deal valued at approximately $500 million. The acquisition aims to strengthen Western Union’s North American retail presence, expand its reach beyond Latin America, and accelerate digital customer acquisition. Western Union anticipates $30 million in annual cost synergies within 24 months. The deal, unanimously approved by both boards of directors, is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and Intermex stockholder approval.

Boba Mint Holdings has completed its acquisition of the remaining 50% of Werd Studios, a blockchain gaming company, for $1.4 million, issuing 7 million common shares to Werd’s CEO, Andrew Shore. Werd Studios brings blockchain/crypto games like Cafe Disco Party and Moon Poker. The issued shares are subject to lock-up periods. Shore’s ownership in Boba Mint doubles to 13.04%. Negative aspects include share dilution and lengthy lock-up periods which require monitoring.

Blues

DAT Freight & Analytics is acquiring the Convoy Platform from Flexport, enhancing its freight-matching capabilities. The acquisition brings automation, fraud prevention technology, and a mobile-friendly platform to DAT One. Key Convoy Platform personnel, including Bill Driegert, will join DAT. Flexport views the sale as beneficial for the industry, DAT, and themselves, after improving and decoupling the platform. DAT aims to integrate the Convoy Platform to offer brokers automated and manual freight-matching options, while carriers benefit from streamlined load discovery and faster payments.

Chinese soda brand Dà Yáo, a barbecue staple, is attracting significant attention. Private equity firm KKR is set to acquire an 85% stake in Dà Yáo Guest Drinks, potentially giving them indirect control. The move follows Dà Yáo’s national expansion and marketing push featuring action star Wu Jing. While the current management team remains, acquisition rumors have circulated, including earlier speculation of interest from Coca-Cola. Dà Yáo, alongside Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, controls a substantial portion (92.87%) of the domestic soda market. The company reiterates its commitment to long-term brand development despite market speculation.

AI programming startup Windsurf has abandoned a $3 billion acquisition by OpenAI in favor of a $2.4 billion licensing deal with Google. Google’s DeepMind is recruiting Windsurf’s key personnel, including its CEO and co-founder. Google gains a non-exclusive license to Windsurf’s technology. This collaboration signals a trend of tech giants leveraging talent acquisition and licensing instead of outright acquisitions. Windsurf’s head of operations will become interim CEO, and the majority of the team will remain, ensuring business continuity. Windsurf’s rapid growth and developer-focused AI programming tools made it a target for both OpenAI and Google.

Ki Corporation and Public Storage, operating as a Consortium, have made a revised non-binding offer to acquire Abacus Storage King for A$1.65 per security. Both parties agreed to due diligence, signaling progress. Public Storage sees growth potential in the Australian self-storage market. The deal is non-binding and subject to conditions, including regulatory and securityholder approval. Public Storage will not provide further updates unless a definitive agreement is reached.

Shareholders of Till Capital approved Silver Storm Mining’s acquisition deal on July 10, 2025. The court-supervised transaction requires final approvals from the B.C. Supreme Court (hearing July 15) and TSX-V to close around July 17. This expands Silver Storm’s Mexican silver assets, primarily the past-producing La Parrilla Complex. Reactivating La Parrilla relies on historical data, not updated feasibility studies, increasing operational uncertainty. Completion remains contingent on court and exchange approvals.

Barton Gold is acquiring the Wudinna Gold Project for A$5.5 million. The deal involves A$500,000 cash and A$5 million in Barton shares. Cobra Resources’ shareholder vote is set for July 24, 2025, with strong initial support. This acquisition will leverage Barton’s central Gawler Craton infrastructure for future production growth.

Xiaohongshu has officially denied rumors of an acquisition by Alibaba, labeling the speculation as “groundless.” This isn’t the first time such rumors have surfaced, with similar claims made in 2019. Xiaohongshu, founded in 2013, has seen its valuation reportedly surge to $26 billion, a significant increase from its previous $17 billion valuation at the end of 2023. Alibaba has not yet commented on the reports.