Matrixport Bullish Despite Bitcoin’s Price Standoff

DigiFT, a Singapore-based regulated exchange for real-world assets (RWAs), has brought its latest product offering to the digital asset market by introducing its U.S. Treasury bill depository receipt (DR) tokens. These tokens offer investors fractional ownership in U.S. Treasury bills, providing an avenue to engage with the traditionally secure U.S. debt market without requiring significant upfront capital, as detailed in a press release issued by the company on Monday.Photo by Karolina Grabowska on PexelsDemocratizing market accessThe conventional route to investing in U.S. Treasury bills typically demands substantial financial resources. DigiFT's DR tokens aim to democratize access to this market by enabling investors to purchase fractional shares of these bills. Henry Zhang, the founder and CEO of DigiFT, highlighted the innovative nature of the DR structure, noting its capacity to address challenges within the current market and empower investors with direct ownership of assets and returns. Zhang emphasized the company's intent to expand the scope of traditional financial assets in the Web3 space, leveraging the DR model to enhance investor protection and transparency. The DigiFT U.S. Treasury Tokens (DRUST) represent the inaugural offering in a series under the DR structure. These DR tokens, a type of security token, offer fractional ownership of an underlying asset. In the case of DigiFT, these tokens are specifically backed by U.S. Treasury bills, providing investors with exposure to the secure US debt market. Each DRUST token is directly backed by AA+ rated, highly liquid and short-term U.S. Treasury Bills, offering stability and tailor-made solutions for stablecoin issuers and Web3 product developers seeking regulatory-compliant treasury and cash management options. Pursuing regulatory complianceIn its latest announcement DigiFT has outlined its intention to pursue regulatory compliance, a facet intended to instill confidence and assurance among investors. Having been established in 2021 and previously operating within the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) FinTech Regulatory Sandbox, DigiFT obtained a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license and was acknowledged as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) in December 2023. By adhering to regulations, DigiFT aims to simplify the investment process and broaden accessibility for investors. DigiFT highlights that institutional and accredited investors can access DRUST tokens from authorized self-custodial wallets using fiat currency or stablecoins, providing flexibility and convenience. Growing popularityThe growing popularity of tokenized funds, particularly those tied to U.S. treasuries, is evident in recent reports. Moody’s revealed a surge in the value of tokenized funds, driven by the increasing tokenization of U.S. treasuries. Both public and private blockchains are witnessing the inclusion of various assets, reflecting a broader trend toward asset tokenization. Tokenized funds offer numerous benefits, including enhanced liquidity, accessibility, reduced costs, fractionalization, decreased reliance on intermediaries, shortened settlement times, automated processes through smart contracts and improved transparency. Last June, Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency firm Finblox provided details of a tokenized version of U.S. Treasury Bills it has been working on. In November, the Bureau of the Treasury in the Philippines announced the issuance of one-year tokenized bonds to the value of $179 million. Binance Research has identified real-world asset tokenization as a key theme in crypto for 2024, noting its potential to improve transparency and efficiency by bringing off-chain assets onto blockchain networks.

LDP Working Group Proposes Web3 Industry Plan to Japan’s Prime MinisterJapan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced that its Working Group for Digital Society Promotion presented a proposal related to the Web3 industry to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Tuesday. The information was made public on the party’s website and later reported by the Korean crypto media outlet Tokenpost.Photo by Jezael Melgoza on UnsplashImproved crypto regulationsThe comprehensive 35-page study favorably reviewed the enhanced cryptocurrency regulations implemented by the Japanese government following the 2014 Mt. Gox breach and the 2018 Coincheck hack. The study credits these improved regulations for nurturing Japan’s robust Web3 ecosystem, which received global attention amidst the recent crypto winter. This term refers to a period marked by a sustained downturn in cryptocurrency values.Japanese crypto exchanges demonstrated prudence by refraining from listing most of the problematic tokens on their platforms, thereby averting panic within the market. This cautious approach was supported by Japanese law, which mandates crypto exchanges to securely store customers’ staked tokens separately. As a result, they were shielded from the repercussions of the FTX bankruptcy, which arose due to a liquidity crisis of FTT, the global crypto exchange’s native token.Significance of security tokensThe paper optimistically projected that Japan could lead the way in passing through the crypto winter ahead of other countries, citing the nation’s track record of overcoming numerous challenges in the industry. The authors highlighted the exit of speculative projects from the sector, balanced by the rise and continuous growth of new blockchain-based businesses. The report underscored the significance of tradable security tokens, which leverage blockchain technology to represent assets or rights.The adaptable nature of blockchain technology was emphasized, particularly its potential to incentivize social activities like volunteering. This versatility enables the broader public to actively participate in monitoring and addressing issues related to deteriorating infrastructure, thereby reducing associated management costs across society.Crypto taxationThe proposal also addressed the issue of crypto taxation, arguing for enhancements to the token investment environment to bolster blockchain-driven businesses. Currently, Japan taxes tokens held by corporations, discouraging domestic investment and stifling the growth of the Japanese Web3 ecosystem. To rectify this, the paper suggested exempting tokens issued by a third party from taxation if they are not intended for short-term trading.Moreover, the authors addressed the high taxation rates facing retail investors in Japan, which can reach up to 55% on income from crypto trading. This stricter tax regime compared to other countries has led many taxpayers to seek investment opportunities abroad. The authors suggested improvements to create a more investor-friendly environment.Token listing procedureThe proposal also included recommendations concerning token listings. In Japan, crypto exchanges are currently obligated to undergo a preliminary review conducted by the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA) before listing tokens. It was suggested that the review process should be further refined to enhance efficiency.Yen stablecoinsThe authors emphasized the importance of introducing and circulating yen stablecoins to foster the growth of the Japanese Web3 industry, necessitating the development of a sustainable business model for these stablecoins.Content & Web3Furthermore, the proposal underscored the need for clear guidelines to discourage gambling behaviors and promote responsible usage within the NFT space. It advocated for the establishment of an industry organization bridging the content industry and the Web3 industry, which would facilitate collaboration and collective efforts towards a robust NFT ecosystem in Japan. Measures to protect Japanese content and data from unauthorized monetization by foreign entities were also recommended.According to an industry official who spoke with Tokenpost, Japan’s extensive preparations for the Web3 initiative have instilled confidence in the sector. The official highlighted that the country is currently exploring ways to establish connections between these new projects and existing industries, with the goal of maximizing their economic potential and generating fruitful outcomes.

Exhibition in Goyang City presents blockchain’s use in digital mediaDigital Media Tech Show 2023 (DMTS 2023) is underway from today, Nov. 2, through Nov. 4 in Hall 4 at the Korea International Exhibition Center, commonly known as KINTEX, in Goyang City. The event gives audiences a chance to explore the present and future of digital content and cutting-edge technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.Photo by Julius Drost on UnsplashFrom smart tech to NFTsThe exhibition explores cutting-edge realms, including smart technology, media and content innovations, extended reality and the metaverse as well as the ever-evolving world of NFTs and blockchain. These technologies not only enhance content creation and distribution but also amplify its value and reach.DMTS is hosted by Gyeonggi Province and Goyang City. It’s organized by KINTEX, the Goyang Industry Promotion Agency and the Korean Commission for Corporate Partnership, with sponsorship from the Ministry of Science and ICT.Last year, the show saw 153 companies display 419 booths and welcomed buyers from 24 countries. The event generated KRW 20.7 billion ($15.4 million) from consultations and KRW 12.1 billion from contracts.Two more simultaneous exhibitionsConcurrently, two other major exhibitions at KINTEX captivate visitors. The Digital Future Show in Hall 5 presents glimpses of future lifestyles, highlighting virtual reality and the metaverse. Meanwhile, Contents Korea in Hall 3 focuses on a wide range of content assets, including movies, games, and music. It also explores their ties to intellectual property, the technologies behind their creation, and marketing strategies. Hosting these shows simultaneously at KINTEX is anticipated to produce a synergistic impact, drawing domestic and international buyers.Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang City, underlined the city’s strategic focus on nurturing emerging sectors like video production, content, and drones. He also conveyed his hope that the exhibition would enhance collaboration among top-tier companies and spotlight Goyang as a central gathering place for high-tech businesses.