Business
Jellyfish Pictures Suspension Reveals Outsourcing Opportunity, Says BruntWork

Jellyfish Pictures, a well-known UK visual effects studio, has temporarily shut down due to financial struggles. The company, recognized for its work on major films and streaming projects, is searching for buyers or investors while halting all ongoing work. This situation has raised concerns across the visual effects industry, which is already dealing with economic pressures, labor disputes, and production changes. BruntWork, one of the top outsourcing companies, sees this as an opportunity for companies to reassess how they operate and how outsourcing can help VFX studios lower costs and stay financially stable.
A Leading Studio Brought to a Standstill
Jellyfish Pictures started as a small operation in 2001 and became a respected name in visual effects. With multiple offices in London and a portfolio of high-profile projects, the studio built a strong reputation. However, rising costs and growing competition from lower-cost studios made it harder to stay profitable. Financial pressure mounted, forcing the company to suspend operations.
Clients relying on Jellyfish Pictures are now left searching for alternative vendors to complete their projects. The suspension has also put hundreds of employees in a difficult position, leaving them uncertain about their future. Company leaders have stated they are looking into all possible options, including selling the business or bringing in outside investors.
Why VFX Studios Are Struggling
Visual effects companies have long worked with tight profit margins. The financial setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made things even tougher. Many VFX studios kept projects moving remotely but struggled with delayed payments and cancellations. In 2023, the global VFX industry was valued at $11.3 billion, but continued production delays and tighter budgets are making it difficult for companies to grow.
The writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 added more complications. With productions on hold, many VFX studios found themselves with fewer projects in the pipeline. A recent industry survey found that 72% of VFX companies faced financial struggles due to the combined effects of the pandemic and the strikes. Mid-sized studios with high fixed costs, like Jellyfish Pictures, have been hit the hardest.
Winston Ong, CEO of BruntWork, believes this situation exposes weaknesses in traditional business models. “Studios operating in expensive cities like London face overwhelming costs that outsourcing could help reduce,” he says.
The Role of Outsourcing in Keeping VFX Studios Afloat
Some experts believe outsourcing can help visual effects companies manage financial risk. According to Ong, studios that rely entirely on in-house teams in high-cost cities struggle to keep expenses under control, while those that blend in-house work with outsourcing can operate more efficiently.
The shift to remote work during the pandemic showed that collaboration across different locations is possible. Data from outsourcing firms suggests that studios using a mix of in-house creative direction and outsourced production can lower expenses by 40-60% without sacrificing quality. Some companies have already moved in this direction, allowing them to stay competitive without driving up costs.
Beyond production outsourcing, some VFX studios are also exploring ways to streamline marketing efforts. Hiring a digital marketing virtual assistant allows companies to manage campaigns, social media, and client outreach more efficiently. This helps studios maintain a strong industry presence without the overhead costs of full-time marketing teams.
Still, outsourcing comes with potential risks. Some industry veterans warn that relying too much on external teams can lead to quality issues and production delays. Studios must find the right balance between saving money and maintaining the level of quality audiences expect from high-end visual effects.
What Comes Next for Visual Effects?
Jellyfish Pictures’ troubles have sparked discussions about how VFX studios can stay in business. More flexible production models, outsourcing, and smarter budgeting could become the standard technique. Advances in technology continue to make remote collaboration smoother, allowing studios to complete projects without keeping all operations in expensive locations.
“This reflects a larger problem across the industry,” says Ong. Studios that adjust their operations and use outsourcing effectively may be better prepared for economic swings. Companies that maintain strong creative leadership while using global production teams seem to have an advantage.
For many, this also extends to marketing. Some of the most successful VFX firms are those that recognize the benefits of outsourcing digital marketing to specialists who can handle branding, social media, and client engagement without the high costs of in-house teams. This allows studios to maintain visibility and credibility even in uncertain market conditions.
Larger firms may continue to acquire struggling studios, but smaller businesses that improve their financial strategies could stay independent. The challenge is finding a way to keep artistic vision intact while managing expenses.
Moving Toward Stability
Jellyfish Pictures’ shutdown is a warning for the visual effects industry. High operating costs and unpredictable changes in production schedules show why studios need flexible business strategies. Some will turn to outsourcing, while others may merge with larger firms or adopt hybrid models to stay competitive.
For mid-sized studios, financial stability must be a priority without sacrificing creativity. The next few years could bring more studio buyouts, with bigger companies taking over smaller ones. However, independent studios that adjust how they work could still succeed by reducing costs without lowering the quality of their output.
“Adaptability is what matters. Studios that adjust their structures and use global talent wisely will be the ones that remain strong in this industry, ” Ong concludes.
Business
Remote Professionals Getting More Value for Their Work Thanks to Borderless Banking

Not too long ago, the idea of working remotely from an island in Thailand or a co-working space in Berlin sounded like the kind of fantasy only tech moguls or backpacking freelancers could afford.
Fast forward to today, and it’s as good as a global reality. Millions of professionals have cut the cord from traditional office life in exchange for flexibility, freedom, and a work-life balance that fits their personal rhythm and not their employer’s timezone.
However, as remote work has reshaped how people earn a living, it’s also pointed out the existing limits to most of the world’s financial systems. Traditional banking simply wasn’t built for a workforce that’s always on the move, operating in multiple currencies, and getting paid across borders.
Thankfully, that’s where borderless banking like Black Banx have proven vital, and has quietly transformed the way money is managed for people vacationing and working overseas alike.
The Rise of the Remote Work Economy
Remote work isn’t just a pandemic-era trend that faded with Zoom fatigue—it’s become a defining feature of the modern workforce. A recent survey revealed that over 39% of Gen Z and Millennials planned to live and work abroad for extended periods this year, many staying six months or more in a single location. That’s beyond a short trip, and can be considered as good as a sabbatical with a substantial lifestyle shift.
According to recent estimates, the digital nomad economy now also contributes as much as US$787 billion annually to the global economy. And this isn’t just entry-level gig work. A third of digital nomads earn between US$100,000 and US$250,000, while another third take in US$50,000 to US$100,000 annually.
It is indeed evident that the manner in which many make a living has changed. Unfortunately, most financial systems haven’t kept up.
Where Traditional Banks Are Still Falling Short
For those who have ever tried to open a bank account abroad or receive payment from a foreign client, they already know the drill: the paperwork is endless, delays are frustrating, and the fees? So much to do, even for the smallest amounts of money.
Just to name few of the hurdles remote workers still face with conventional banking:
- Account setup restrictions: Need proof of residence, tax IDs, or a local job offer—things many digital nomads simply don’t have.
- Slow international transfers: Payments can take days to process, which is a nightmare when rent’s due.
- High foreign exchange fees: Currency conversions often come with steep, hidden costs.
- Limited multi-currency support: Most banks still force users to operate in a single currency, making financial planning chaotic at best.
And perhaps most tellingly, many banks have digitized their operations but haven’t personalized their services. According to Accenture’s 2025 Banking Trends Report, while digital transformation has improved efficiency, it often sacrifices the customer experience. That’s not great news for people who live outside the lines.
Borderless Banking for Professionals Across the Globe
The concept of borderless banking goes far beyond wiring money internationally. Fundamentally, it’s also about being able to eliminate the friction between people and their money, no matter where they are in the world, and maintaining an ecosystem where geography, bureaucracy, and currency don’t stand in the way of financial freedom.
A working example of this is Black Banx, a Toronto-based fintech founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer. Since launching globally in 2015, it has grown to serve over 78 million clients in 180+ countries as of Q1 2025, proof that people take to digital banking solutions when it is accessible, affordable, and is useful in just about any locale.
In the first three months of this year, Black Banx had also earned US$4.3 billion in revenue and US$1.6 billion in pre-tax profit, more than double from the same quarter the previous year and showing it has consistently delivered tangible value to global customers—remote professionals included
How Borderless Banking Maximizes Value for Remote Workers
1. Instant Account Access—No Strings Attached
The times of hunting down local branches or collecting endless documents just to open an account are finished. With borderless banks, users can open an account in minutes using just a photo ID—no proof of address or income required. That’s a lifesaver for anyone living outside their passport country or hopping from one location to another.
2. Multi-Currency Mastery
Managing money in multiple currencies used to mean juggling several accounts—or worse, losing money on conversions. Borderless platforms like Black Banx support 28 FIAT currencies and allow real-time currency conversions at competitive rates. That means remote workers can:
- Invoice clients in one currency
- Spend or save in another
- Hedge against local currency fluctuations
- Avoid excessive conversion fees altogether
3. Seamless, Real-Time Global Payments
Getting paid late, or paying others late, isn’t just inconvenient; it can damage relationships and disrupt your cash flow. With real-time payment support, remote workers can receive funds instantly, no matter where their clients are. This is particularly valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs juggling multiple contracts across time zones.
Plus, bulk payment features and API integration streamline processes for those running teams or businesses.
4. Built-In Crypto Options
It isn’t surprising that many digital nomads are already deep into crypto. Whether it’s for investment, faster transactions, or avoiding traditional finance red tape, crypto is becoming essential.
Since 2016, Black Banx has allowed users to send, receive, and convert crypto (like BTC and ETH) within their accounts. That integration saves users from having to manage separate crypto wallets, and adds another layer of flexibility to their financial toolkit.
5. Secure Transactions
Remote workers often log in to work from cafés, coworking spaces, and airports, to name a few. Of course, this flexibility of being able to work almost anywhere should never come at the cost of security. Borderless banks like Black Banx use end-to-end encryption, AI fraud detection, and two-factor authentication to keep accounts safe from risky elements.
Financial Freedom, Not Just Convenience
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of borderless banking is the freedom it provides. Not just to access money, but to fully participate in the global economy. For millions of professionals in underbanked regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, borderless banking has become a gateway to financial inclusion and a way to take on opportunities that typically wouldn’t be available to them if not remote.
By removing barriers to entry, platforms like Black Banx empower underserved individuals to both take control of their finances and increase their earning power by working with companies from higher paying markets. This democratization of finance isn’t just good for individuals, it’s good for the global economy as a whole.
As Black Banx CEO Michael Gastauer put it: “Our multi-currency solutions enable businesses to tap into global talent without worrying about payment complexities. We make cross-border transactions as seamless as local ones.”
The Road Ahead
By 2030, the number of digital nomads worldwide is expected to soar past 60 million, according to the Forbes Technology Council. That means tens of millions of workers will be navigating foreign currencies, time zones, and financial systems—all while expecting the same seamless experience they’d get at home.
Indeed, remote professionals aren’t just looking for places to work—they’re looking for systems that work for them. In a lifestyle built on flexibility, traditional banking is proving too rigid, too slow, and too expensive.
Borderless banking services like those offered by the likes of Black Banx, on the other hand, offer exactly what today’s global workforce needs: instant access, multi-currency support, real-time payments, crypto integration, and enterprise-level security—all in a streamlined experience.
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