Korean Police Establishes Task Force to Tackle Virtual Asset-Related Crimes

Startale Group, a Japan-based Web3 solutions provider, has secured an additional $13 million investment from the Sony Innovation Fund, which is financed by Sony Group and focuses on backing venture companies. In a press release, Startale said the new funding would deepen its ongoing collaboration with Sony, with a focus on Soneium—an Ethereum layer-2 blockchain built using Optimism’s Superchain technology. Soneium is positioned as the flagship project of Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture between Startale and Sony Group.Photo by Nikita Kostrykin on UnsplashSince launching in January 2025, Soneium has gained traction in the Web3 sector, according to figures cited by the company. Startale said the network has processed more than 500 million transactions over the past year, supports 5.4 million active wallets, and hosts over 250 decentralized applications.  The collaboration is intended to explore how blockchain technology could be applied to intellectual property management, creator monetization, and fan engagement, areas where Sony has an established global presence. Startale launches stablecoin on SoneiumThe ecosystem expanded further this month with the integration of Startale USD (USDSC), a stablecoin built on infrastructure provider M0 and backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries, according to Startale. The token is now live on Soneium, whose ecosystem includes partners such as Aave, Uniswap, and Chainlink.  Users can purchase USDSC through the Startale App, the company said, and use it for in-app trading, yield generation through deposits, and liquidity provision in the Startale USD pool on Uniswap in exchange for STAR Points. Startale’s push comes as more established Japanese companies explore blockchain-based initiatives at home and abroad. Matsumoto, a Fukuoka-headquartered printing company founded in 1932, has outlined a long-term concept to create a digital asset treasury for students, under which student activities would be recorded on the Solana blockchain. The company has said the records would not be used for ranking or evaluation, but instead to encourage learning and support future career opportunities. The company has also described a broader ecosystem in which business profits could be returned to children and their families through a portfolio of cryptocurrencies, positioning the concept as both an educational incentive and a potential source of financial support. Nomura’s crypto arm seeks U.S. bank charterJapanese firms are also seeking to expand their crypto operations overseas. Laser Digital, the crypto arm of Nomura, has applied to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter, according to The Block.  If approved, the charter would allow the firm to operate nationwide without obtaining custody licenses on a state-by-state basis, though it would not permit the acceptance of retail deposits. The company is also expected to offer spot crypto trading. Approval would place Nomura alongside firms such as Circle, Ripple, and BitGo, which have received conditional approval from the OCC to operate as federally regulated trust banks, subject to final requirements. 

GS Group Supports Blockchain Startups in Korean Retail IndustryThe GS Challenge, an innovative startup accelerator established through a partnership between South Korean conglomerate GS Group and early-stage venture capital fund Bluepoint Partners, has launched a program dedicated to providing support to innovative startups, including blockchain ventures, in the retail industry.Photo by Alexandru Tugui on UnsplashBlockchain & other retail solutionsThe application window for this program opened on June 16 and will remain accessible until July 13. To be eligible, applicants have to be startups that possess retail technology and have a team consisting of two or more members. Retail technology encompasses a wide range of solutions aimed at improving businesses’ understanding of their customers, streamlining inventory management, and optimizing promotional events. These solutions leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT).Three-month programThe screening process for applicants will involve thorough document reviews and meetings conducted by both entities. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive three-month acceleration program scheduled from August to October. This program will offer valuable guidance on various aspects of running a startup, including consultations on legal, human resources, and financial matters.Extensive retail networkAdditionally, the selected startups will gain access to the GS Retail infrastructure to test their technologies and products. GS Retail boasts an extensive network consisting of 16,000 convenience stores, 400 supermarkets, as well as infomercial and e-commerce channels. This opportunity will enable the startups to test their technology and products in a real-world retail environment, facilitating practical application and market integration.Expressing the insights gained from a decade of startup investments, Lee Sung-hwa, the VP of Corporate Development at GS Retail, emphasized the value derived from collaborating with startups. Recognizing the mutual benefits, Lee highlighted that this collaboration would prove advantageous for both GS Retail and the participating startups. GS Retail can foster innovation in the industry, while the startups can accelerate their growth by leveraging the extensive GS Retail network.

FanC – a South Korean blockchain reward project designed for creators and users of the Watch-to-Earn short-form video app CELEBe – has signed a business agreement with Coins.ph, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines. Through this agreement, the two companies aim to expand their respective global ecosystem through fanC’s rewards system, according to an article by local news outlet Daehan Kyungjae.Photo by Lance Anderson on UnsplashEmpowering creators and rewarding viewersThe CELEBe app aims to bring content creators and viewers together through Create-to-Earn and Watch-to-Earn mechanisms. The platform has notably collaborated with some 4,000 well-known figures, ranging from actors and singers to YouTubers and athletes. Connecting communitiesUnder the agreement, fanC's reward token (FANC) will be available for trading on Coins.ph, allowing fanC to deepen its roots not only in the Filipino market but also in the larger Asian blockchain community. "This agreement marks an important step in fanC's global expansion strategy," said Lee Dong-ho, CEO of fanC. "Through our collaboration with Coins.ph, we will build a stronger global network." Meanwhile, fanC plans to continue to strengthen its partnership with Coins.ph through activities like global meetings to lead the growth of its global fan community. The platform is thus committed to consistent technological development and innovation through collaborations with various global partners. Through these efforts, it aims to provide new value by building an ecosystem that connects the global blockchain community.