Modern companies struggle with massive data collection tasks and need a stable solution to keep operations running effectively. Why do firms pay for these services instead of using free options? Free tools often leak info or fail during heavy loads – a risk most Canadian enterprises cannot afford to take. Recent figures suggest the market for these tools is expanding rapidly. According to Verified Market Research, the global industry value might reach $9.20 billion by 2033. This growth shows how much companies rely on external info for expansion. A professional proxy provider provides the stability needed for large-scale operations. For instance, Canadian firms tracking retail trends often need high-speed access to public pricing. You can read more about how Canadian retail sales impact the broader economy to see why market data is so important for local businesses.

Why Businesses Choose a Global Proxy Provider

Enterprise users often require private proxy servers to manage multiple work profiles without triggering automated blocks on public websites. Companies can view the web through various geographic lenses (which facilitates verifying localized content). Why waste time on free lists that fail within minutes? Reliable providers help teams avoid the common “connection reset” errors found with low-quality public sources. Also, using SOCKS5 assists when handling non-web traffic types for specialized software. We have tested several setups, and the results show that dedicated hardware consistently outperforms shared virtual environments. And because the internet is increasingly fragmented, having a fixed point of entry in a specific country is a major improvement for accuracy.

Evaluating Pricing and Features

If you decide to buy proxy services, Proxy Seller offers a very straightforward system for picking your locations. Users can buy private proxies for as little as $0.75 per IPv4 address – though prices change based on the specific country. If you need a short-term test, you might buy a proxy for a single week to check a specific project. This pay-for-what-you-need model allows smaller companies to manage their budgets better without long contracts. And while speed is the main draw for datacenter proxies, many teams find residential ones better for tasks that require higher trust scores from websites. Some developers even use web scraping options to gather public pricing from competitors.

Technical Specs for Improved Work Profile Management

Modern platforms often limit how many actions one computer can perform simultaneously. But a proxy provider helps scale these operations by distributing requests across many different addresses. This approach allows teams to use rotating proxies to refresh their connection automatically during long tasks. Is your team struggling with slow info collection? Many find that Proxy-Seller offers lower latency because they own much of their hardware. This technical edge helps when conducting sensitive market research. It also makes sure that automated tools run smoothly without constant manual restarts.

The Realities of Using a Modern Proxy Provider

We checked the service and found both strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the 24/7 support is responsive – usually answering in under 10 minutes. The variety of countries is another plus, with over 50 locations available for selection. On the downside, the website interface feels a bit old-fashioned compared to some newer competitors. And while speeds are generally high, some residential nodes can be slower during peak hours. You might also find that some IPv6 addresses have limited compatibility with older sites. However, these tools are good enough to justify the price in the case of most business requirements.

Choosing the Right Package for Your Team

The table below shows the initial costs of the different options.

When you require hundreds of addresses, the costs can scale rapidly. And it is necessary to select according to your software requirements. If you have to deal with big volumes, you might have to pay attention to high-bandwidth solutions. However, in the case of basic tasks, the less expensive IPv6 plans tend to work.

Final Thoughts

Picking a proxy provider is a technical choice that impacts your daily efficiency. Although Proxy-Seller is not the only choice, its combination of price and location diversity makes it a good contender. Is your current setup satisfactory? Perhaps it is time to consider a more stable solution. This service assists businesses to keep their competitive advantage by paying attention to uptime and support. And with the increasing global data market, the right tools are even more significant in keeping up to date. We found that the flexibility of their plans allows for easy scaling as your project grows. Using proxy provider services is a standard part of modern operations, and finding one that responds to support tickets quickly is a significant advantage.

Web-based betting sites in 2026 give many different choices for sports play and casino fun. FanDuel works in over 23 US states using old-style prize setups, while DraftKings Casino has lossback deals on slot titles for American users. However, Spartans acts as the top sportsbook by changing how the entire betting space works.

This worldwide site mixes wide Winter Olympics betting markets with a first-of-its-kind 33% CashRake system that automatically gives back up to 33% of all deposits through fast cashback and live rakeback.

Unlike other names that require you to live in certain spots and wait a week to use prizes, Spartans gives blockchain-proven honesty, crypto payments, and fast cash-outs all over the earth. For people who want the most value and clear returns, this top sportsbook stands out from the usual betting sites.

FanDuel: A Licensed State-Level Sports Betting Site

FanDuel acts as a top sportsbook in more than 23 US states, giving legal sports play on big leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and world soccer games. The site’s current new-user deal gives people $100 in bonus bets if their first $5 bet wins, and you must put in at least $10.

These bonus bets go away seven days after you get them. The FanDuel phone app stays high with scores of 4.9 on iOS and 4.6 on Android, offering same-game parlays, live play, and parlay safety deals. Payment ways include PayPal, Venmo, bank cards, and wire tranfers, with PayPal cash-outs usually taking 24-48 hours. The site also has a loyalty plan called FanDuel Players Club, giving five points for every dollar bet.

DraftKings Casino: Digital Games With Lossback Safety

DraftKings Casino works in New Jersey and other US states, providing web casino play with slots, card games, and big jackpots. The February 2026 new-player deal has 500 bonus spins on Cash Eruption slot titles, given as 50 spins every day for ten days, plus a 24-hour lossback deal paying back net losses up to $1,000 in casino credits.

These credits have a 1x play rule and go away seven days after you receive them. The deal does not include craps, live dealer titles, or DK Digits. DraftKings Casino requires a $5 lowest deposit and only lets people 21 or older play. Money choices include bank cards, PayPal, Venmo, and web banking, though credit cards are not accepted on the site anymore.

Spartans: Winter Olympics Betting with CashRake Returns

Spartans works as a top sportsbook giving both crypto and cash betting choices to the whole earth, with deep Winter Olympics news for skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and curling. The site takes Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, DAI, ADA, and AVAX, along with normal ways like PEN and CLP, moving money out fast without bank middlemen or slow wait times.

What makes this top sportsbook different from the others is its new CashRake setup, which automatically returns as much as 33% of deposits to every single player. Every bet that loses gets 3% fast cashback put right into your wallet, while up to 33% of the house edge comes back as live rakeback you can see on your own screen. No VIP levels to climb, no monthly goals, and no hidden rules. Every single player gets these returns starting from their very first bet, whether they play $10 or $10,000.

Spartans Originals give special game times you cannot find anywhere else, like high-stakes Baccarat tables made for smart players, many Blackjack types that focus on skill choices, and basic Roulette with clear blockchain proof. The site’s fair system makes sure every result can be checked using blockchain tech, taking away the trust doubts found on old sites.

Winter Olympics betting markets change in real time during the games, letting you place live bets on who wins medals, point totals, and how single athletes do. Spartans is the best pick for players who want the highest value, fast payouts, and full honesty, giving everything from sports play to casino titles under one safe, crypto-ready roof.

Final Thoughts

FanDuel and DraftKings are okay for US players who like old-style prizes and normal payout speeds. However, Spartans is better as the top sportsbook for people who want real value. The 33% CashRake system gives every player fast cashback on bets that lose plus automatic rakeback on every single play, with no wait, no rules, and no exceptions.

While other sites take many days to move your money, Spartans pays out fast in crypto. The Winter Olympics betting markets give live play chances you won’t find on sites with tight rules. When you look at the real returns from betting, Spartans gives more value than old sportsbooks. For clear returns and fast access everywhere, this top sportsbook is the easy winner for serious bettors.

Find Out More About Spartans:

Website: https://spartans.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spartans/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/SpartansBet

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpartansBet

China’s imports of crude oil from Russia are projected to reach a new all-time high in February 2026, extending a three-month growth streak as independent Chinese refiners capitalize on deep discounts and a pivot away from Russian supplies by India.

Data from ship-tracking and commodity analytics firms show Russia’s seaborne oil deliveries into China will likely hit roughly 2.07–2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) in February, up from an estimated 1.7 million bpd in January.

This surge, if realized, would mark China’s highest Russian crude intake on record, underscoring significant shifts in global energy flows amid sanctions, trade realignments, and evolving buyer preferences.

Drivers of the Surge: Discounts, “Teapots,” and India’s Pullback

One of the key factors behind the surge is the steep discounting of Russian crude to meet China’s demand profile. Russian barrels, particularly the Urals grade, have been priced $9–$11 per barrel below benchmark ICE Brent for January/February China deliveries — the lowest in years — making them especially attractive to cost-conscious refiners.

Alongside Urals, export streams such as Sokol, Varandey, and ESPO (Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean blend) are adding to volumes, intensifying competition with alternative sources such as Iranian crude.

China’s independent refiners, known as “teapots”, are among the most active buyers of this discounted Russian crude. These smaller, flexible facilities typically process cargoes from sanctioned suppliers — including Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan origins — and are more willing to buy at steep discounts compared with larger, state-owned refiners.

A senior trader noted that, for refiners focused on margins, Russian supplies have become relatively more competitive than similar quality barrels from Iran, especially in the context of geopolitical uncertainty.

India’s Reduced Russian Imports and Geopolitical Pressures

The record Chinese volumes come as India’s Russian crude imports retreat sharply. After Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine and diplomatic pressure tied to trade negotiations with the U.S., New Delhi’s imports of Russian crude have fallen to estimated multi-year lows. February deliveries to India are estimated at about 1.159 million bpd, down from much higher levels last year.

Analysts say this reduction has redistributed available barrels, which producers have redirected toward China at discounted pricing. India’s reorientation has also opened space for other suppliers, with Saudi Arabia reportedly supplanting Russia as New Delhi’s top crude source in early February, aided by price cuts and logistic advantages.

Uncertainty surrounding potential U.S. military action against Iran has also influenced buyer behavior. Traders and analysts have noted that concerns over the reliability of Iranian shipments — amid the broader political backdrop — have made Russian crude comparatively more attractive and predictable for Chinese buyers.

This dynamic has weighed on Iranian imports into China, which slipped in February relative to January levels, even as overall crude flows remain strong.

Shifting Epicenters of Russian Oil Demand

Russia’s energy export landscape is increasingly bifurcated: while Europe and the U.S. have tightened sanctions, and India is curbing purchases under trade and diplomatic pressure, China has emerged as the dominant absorption market for Russian crude. Since late 2025, Beijing has replaced New Delhi as Moscow’s top seaborne oil client.

The result is a reshaping of global crude supply chains where Chinese refiners — particularly independents — are shouldering more of Russia’s export flows, exerting downward pressure on Urals pricing, and driving broad shifts in regional crude sourcing patterns.

The discounting strategy has helped sustain flows but comes at a cost to Russian oil revenue. With barrels trading at deep discounts and inventories in floating storage swelling, Russia’s ability to maintain export revenue levels is under strain. Additional Western sanctions and logistics pressure may further complicate the outlook.

Should China’s appetite reach saturation — or should state-owned refiners remain cautious due to sanctions enforcement — Russia may eventually face greater systemic pressure to cut output or find alternative buyers.

For Chinese refiners, the ability to secure discounted Russian crude enhances margins in a competitive Middle East supply environment, while also supporting longer-term strategic stockpiles. For Russia, maintaining export volume to China is essential not just for revenue but also for logistical continuity amid sanction-induced disruptions.

The broader context of these shifting flows also reflects how geopolitical pressures, including U.S. and EU sanctions, trade agreements, and regional rivalries, are actively reshaping traditional energy trade patterns.

Bottom Line

• China’s record-breaking Russian crude imports in February illustrate a major realignment in global oil markets:
• China is absorbing historically high Russian volumes, driven by steep discounts and robust refining demand.
• India’s reduced purchases — influenced by sanctions and trade diplomacy — have opened space for Chinese demand.
• Independent Chinese refiners (teapots) are key drivers, willing to capitalise on discounted barrels amid geopolitical uncertainty.
• The interplay of market economics and political strategy is reshaping where and how Russian oil flows, with implications for pricing, refinery margins, and energy security dynamics across Asia and beyond.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed modestly higher on Monday, at 618.52 points (+0.13%), snapping a recent volatile patch as financial shares rallied and investors shifted focus to a packed corporate earnings calendar that could provide fresh insight into the health of European businesses.

Financials led the advance, with the banks sub-index (.SX7P) rising 1.4% and insurance stocks (.SXIP) gaining 0.7%. The rebound came after lenders suffered their largest weekly drop since late March 2025 last week, driven by fears that newer generative AI tools could disrupt traditional banking and insurance models.

“The AI scare trade is on hold as we start a new week,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. “There is a growing sense that fears about AI swallowing up large swathes of global jobs and industries are overdone and this week could see a recovery in some of the sectors that have seen the worst of the selloff.”

The bounce in heavyweight banks helped offset weakness in technology (.SX8P, -1.0%) and luxury (.STXLUXP, -1.9%). French software company Dassault Systèmes fell sharply by 10.4%, weighed down by investor concerns over its challenging 2029 revenue and cloud targets. Basic materials shares also declined 0.6%, pulling back after a recent strong run. Spain’s IBEX index, heavily weighted toward banks, led gains among major regional benchmarks, rising 1%.

The broader recovery followed a better-than-feared early earnings season despite steep U.S. tariffs, which helped the STOXX 600 touch a record high last week and post its third consecutive week of gains. With Monday relatively quiet on the earnings front, attention now turns to results due later this week from Orange, Zealand Pharma, Airbus, and BE Semiconductor.

So far, 60% of European companies have beaten earnings expectations this season—above the typical quarterly average of 54%—while earnings are now expected to have fallen 1.1% year-on-year, a significant improvement from the 4% drop anticipated earlier in the month (LSEG data).On the economic front, euro zone industrial production rose 1.2% year-on-year in December—down from November’s 2.5% increase—but still signaled resilience at a time when investors are anticipating that fiscal stimulus measures could revive the sector.

Orsted gained 4.5% after Kepler Cheuvreux upgraded the Danish offshore wind developer to “buy” from “hold.”The modest advance reflects a broader shift in sentiment. After weeks of volatility in late January and early February—driven by fears that advanced AI tools from Anthropic, OpenAI, and others could squeeze profits in software, financial services, and other knowledge-based industries—investors appear to be reassessing the immediacy and severity of the threat.

A string of better-than-expected earnings results, combined with signs that large corporations are integrating AI to enhance rather than replace existing operations, has helped stabilize sentiment. The financials rally is particularly notable as banks and insurers had been under pressure from concerns that generative AI could automate routine tasks (loan processing, claims handling, compliance checks) and erode pricing power.

The rebound suggests investors are increasingly viewing AI as a tool for efficiency gains rather than an existential threat—at least in the near term.

The week ahead will be pivotal. Earnings from Orange, Zealand Pharma, Airbus, and BE Semiconductor will provide further evidence of corporate health amid tariff headwinds and AI disruption fears. Euro zone industrial production data already showed resilience, and upcoming releases—including U.S. payrolls, CPI, retail sales, and Fed speakers—could influence global risk appetite and yield movements, indirectly affecting European equities.

While AI concerns have eased somewhat, they remain a key risk theme. Sectors with high exposure to routine knowledge work or legacy software maintenance continue to trade at discounted multiples. Conversely, companies demonstrating clear AI integration strategies and resilient end-market demand are seeing relative strength.

The STOXX 600’s recent record high and three-week winning streak indicate that fears of widespread AI-driven profit destruction may have been overdone—at least for now. However, with a busy earnings calendar and macro data ahead, volatility could return quickly if results disappoint or if fresh AI breakthroughs reignite disruption worries.

Currently, the financials-led bounce and focus on upcoming earnings suggest investors are willing to give European corporates the benefit of the doubt, betting that AI will prove more evolutionary than revolutionary for most established businesses in the near term. The week’s results will be critical in testing that optimism.