KISA Seeks Partners for Regional Blockchain Innovation Support Center Project

Fingerlabs teams up with Metaclub to gather users for Web3 membership platformFingerlabs, a subsidiary of South Korean digital marketing company FSN, has decided to collaborate with reward points app Metaclub to expand user engagement for its Web3 membership platform Bling, according to an official press release on Wednesday (KST).Photo by NordWood Themes on UnsplashInnovating rewards systems and digital marketingMetaclub is a lifestyle platform that allows users to accumulate and spend reward points that can be used at various brands and websites. It currently boasts 80,000 members and hit a cumulative transaction value of KRW 30 billion (approximately $22.7 million) within a year after its launch. On the other hand, Bling is a marketing solution that allows businesses to create and manage NFTs that offer membership benefits to their customers. Users can create customizable characters on Favorlet, Fingerlabs’ NFT wallet and customer management service, using clothing or accessories called “parts.” These parts are linked to various benefits offered by Fingerlabs’ partner firms.Unique membership experienceThrough this collaboration, Bling and Metaclub are holding a promotional event where users who fill their Metaclub account with more than KRW 200,000 and collect Metaclub parts NFTs on their Bling account will be eligible to receive 3% in reward points.“By working with Metaclub, which has a high number of users in their 20s and 30s, we believe that Bling can quickly establish itself as a next-generation Web3 membership service,” said Kim Dong-hoon, CEO of Fingerlabs. “We have a clear understanding of the features and capabilities of both platforms, so we will be able to build our membership base through various collaborative projects.”

Global Blockchain Incheon Conference to Promote Web3 Exchange and AdvancementThe city of Incheon is set to host the Global Blockchain Incheon Conference (GBIC 2023) this year from October 30 to 31 under the theme “The Age of Discovery: Voyage to the New World of Blockchain.” The conference aims to provide a space for the exchange of Web3 technologies that are becoming a part of daily life and facilitating communication between businesses, all in the pursuit of establishing Incheon as a global blockchain hub.Photo by Jiho Choi on UnsplashThe city intends to reveal its master plan to achieve this pursuit, consisting of five major strategy points: citizen participation, sustainable growth, advanced innovation, development of a business-friendly environment, and global technological leadership.Exploring the rich tapestry of GBIC 2023The event will include an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, seminars, and additional activities such as hackathon competitions, photo exhibitions of cutting-edge technologies, and interactive zones. Keynote speakers include Marouen Zelleg, Head of Business Development at Polygon Labs’ Asia-Pacific region; Patrick Yoon, General Manager Korea at Crypto.com; Shun Ishikawa, COO at Astar Foundation; and Christopher Lai, Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Korea branch.There will be sessions centered around various themes such as stepping into the future of blockchain, improving safety for the citizens of Incheon, delivering tangible innovation, integrating blockchain into daily life, venturing beyond regulations into new possibilities, disseminating technology, and innovating industrial ecosystems.In particular, the conference will also hold a demo day, where companies can showcase demos for their products and services to attract potential investors.Diverse experiences for visitorsAttendees will have the unique opportunity to see how blockchain technology is integrated into daily life by receiving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) minted with Incheon’s mascots — Deungdaeri, Bumi, Kkomi, and Aini — and participating in blockchain-powered games. Other NFTs, such as those issued by Shinhan Bank with records of information like confirmation of entry and coupon usage, will also be available.GBIC is also holding other online and offline activities for visitors to participate in, such as quizzes, social media events, and souvenir distributions.“We will demonstrate how digital technology is integrated into daily life through blockchain in the Web3 era that we are living in,” said Son Hye-yeong, Head of the city’s Data Industry Division. “We encourage everyone’s interest and participation in the blockchain presentations and forums led by global leaders.”GBIC will take place at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, an international conference complex located in Songdo International Business District.

Blockchain Council Exec: Philippines Poised for Crypto AdoptionDonald Lim, the Founder of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP), believes that the country has all the necessary elements for mainstream crypto and blockchain adoption.In a recent interview with Cointelegraph, Lim discussed the potential for crypto adoption in the Philippines and explained why he is optimistic about the success of blockchain projects in the country.Photo by Krisia on PexelsFinding its place in blockchainAccording to Lim, the BCP recognized the global shift towards Web3 and organized the Philippine Blockchain Week to explore the ecosystem’s potential. That activity revealed to the organizers that the country has a vibrant community eager to find its place in the world of blockchain. Lim expressed confidence in the Philippines becoming the blockchain capital of Asia, citing the country’s technical expertise, young population with a median age of 25, and its ability to adapt quickly, as demonstrated by the popularity of the play-to-earn game Axie Infinity.Crypto interestAxie Infinity, a play-to-earn blockchain game, gained significant traction in the Philippines in 2021, with 40% of its player base coming from the country. This increased awareness of Web3 concepts and the creation of crypto wallets. Additionally, research carried out recently suggests the Filipinos are among the most interested in crypto in the region.Lim noted that international organizations have been eager to enter the Philippine market due to favorable demographics and the government’s open stance on crypto and blockchain. The executive emphasized that the government is not seeking to stifle innovation in the sector. On the contrary, it welcomes blockchain and Web3 projects, creating an environment conducive to their growth.Ethan Rose, founder of Pouch, a wallet service supporting the Bitcoin Lightning Network in the Philippines, corroborated this sentiment. Pouch has successfully onboarded over 400 businesses in the country to accept Bitcoin payments. While the onboarding of Filipino merchants into the crypto space is a positive step, Lim believes that it will take time before living solely on Bitcoin or crypto becomes a reality.Adoption inevitableHowever, he remains optimistic about the future, stating that it is only a matter of time before crypto adoption snowballs into something more significant.Lim highlighted the need for infrastructure development, expecting it to mature within the next four to five years. As the infrastructure improves, crypto will not only be used for payments but also for activities such as purchasing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and participating in the metaverse. This comprehensive adoption will pave the way for a crypto-powered future in the Philippines.Philippine regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), recently delayed publication of its crypto regulatory framework. However, it appears that the move stems from an abundance of caution in getting the regulation right. Earlier this year, Robert De Guzman, Head of Legal Compliance at Philippines-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coins.ph, expressed his optimism that the authorities are developing a progressive regulatory framework for crypto in the Southeast Asian country.The Philippines shows promising potential for crypto and blockchain adoption, fueled by its young population, technical expertise, and supportive government. As the infrastructure continues to evolve, crypto adoption is expected to expand beyond payments, encompassing various aspects of the digital economy.