Hong Kong and Kazakhstan Pilot SWIFT’s CBDC Solution

Rotonda and Bithumb META to Co-Host Next Block 2023 Conference for Web3 CollaborationsRotonda, a subsidiary of Korean crypto exchange Bithumb and the operator of the Web3 Burrito Wallet, and Bithumb META, the exchange’s metaverse subsidiary, said Friday they will jointly host the Next Block 2023 conference. The conference’s main objective is to explore new business collaboration opportunities in building a new ecosystem for accelerating Web3 projects.“We are pleased to offer a space for interaction where virtual asset exchanges, wallets, and NFT marketplaces — which constitute the core infrastructure of the Web3 industry — can work together to set the stage for an innovative future of blockchain business,” a representative from Burrito Wallet said.Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on UnsplashExploring Web3 and industry insightsThe inaugural Next Block conference is scheduled for September 4 at Amoris Hall in Yeoksam GS Tower located in Seoul.Bithumb is the main sponsor of the conference, and more than 15 companies from various sectors including decentralized finance (DeFi), Play-to-Earn (P2E) gaming, venture capital, and securities are set to attend. A total of ten companies will pitch business ideas, deliver keynote speeches, and participate in panel and networking sessions. Topics to be covered for the event include transitioning to Web3 and discovering new opportunities and paradigms through blockchain.Junbo Yang, investment manager at Hong Kong’s HashKey Capital, and Kim Do-hyung, CEO of blockchain-based investment banking platform Finhaven, will deliver the keynote speeches, discussing the various perspectives of investment and security tokens. Companies like Property Heroes, Oasis, Mineral Hub, and more will participate in the panel discussions.Key business opportunitiesIn particular, the companies that give business pitches will have the chance to present their business models directly to venture capitalists and key industry figures. They can subsequently gain access to broader networking and promotional possibilities.

WEMIX Play Completes Successful Migration to the WEMIX3.0 MainnetSouth Korean gaming company Wemade has announced the successful migration of its global blockchain gaming platform, WEMIX Play, to the WEMIX3.0 Mainnet.Photo by Mathew Schwartz on UnsplashImproved interoperabilityThis transition effectively links all games on the WEMIX Play platform to the WEMIX3.0 Mainnet. Additionally, the launch of the Play Proof Protocol (PPP) further strengthens the network’s interoperability.Instant token tradingThe PPP enables users to instantly trade their tokens for those of their preference, eliminating the need for token swaps between disparate networks. This approach simplifies the process with a single signature, providing users with a more convenient experience.Omnichain strategyAs part of its commitment to fostering a united community, Wemade has adopted an omnichain strategy to connect the WEMIX ecosystem with external chains. Looking ahead, WEMIX Play aims to establish connections with various mainnets, expanding its platform and streamlining token exchanges.Wide variety of games and servicesBoasting a user base of nine million, WEMIX Play offers games of various genres, including massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), strategy games, and social network games. The platform also provides a wide range of services such as gaming tokenomics; the financialization of gaming, known as GameFi; non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces; and community pages.

American crypto exchange and custodian Gemini announced via its blog on Oct. 29 that it has been awarded in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). In an X post on Oct. 23, Dan Clarke, who worked for Gemini in Singapore in an International Marketing & Operations role in 2021, outlined that back then the company ran the first crypto-related full page ad in the Straits Times with the slogan “We’re in Singapore. For Good.” Fast forward three years and it appears that Gemini is making good on that commitment through this latest regulatory-compliant milestone.Photo by Swapnil Bapat on UnsplashSingapore to play a crucial roleThe MPI license will enable Gemini to offer digital payment tokens and cross-border money transfer services in Singapore. Gemini’s Asia-Pacific (APAC) business is headed up by Saad Ahmed. Ahmed commented that Singapore has been at “the heart” of its operational expansion within the APAC region. Expanding on that further, he stated:“While the United States remains our largest market and global headquarters, Asia and Singapore in particular play a crucial role in our global strategy.”  Ahmed outlined that Singapore represents the company’s second-largest market, with plans to double its current Singaporean workforce and move to a larger office space. The Gemini executive believes that this in-principle licensing approval takes the company one step closer to offering services that cater to the needs of residents of the city-state.  Serving users across the APAC regionIn its blog announcement, the firm said that “since establishing our regional headquarters in Singapore, we’ve focused on expanding our footprint, ensuring that we bring a localized, secure, and compliant trading experience to users across the region.” With the regulatory environment in its home market being currently hostile to crypto, Gemini has pursued a strategy followed by many of its peers in looking for growth opportunities overseas instead. In April of last year, the company announced that it was in the process of opening an engineering center in India.  In June 2023 the company publicized its intention to pursue a crypto trading license within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). At the time the company’s co-CEOs, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, referred to the “hostility and lack of clarity” when it came to the regulatory environment within the United States. Regulatory clarity to drive growthAhmed believes that regulatory clarity in Singapore will be a driver of growth, leading to greater adoption across the region. With regard to the U.S., he has the expectation that the crypto industry will grow regardless of whether former U.S. President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris wins the upcoming presidential election.  Notwithstanding that, Gemini’s Winklevoss twins have donated over $2 million to Trump’s campaign, while also contributing funds to a super political action committee (PAC) supporting John Deaton, a Republican challenger to the Senate seat of fierce crypto critic Senator Elizabeth Warren.  Regulatory conditions in Canada have proven to be too much to handle for the company. At the end of September, Gemini announced that it would close all customer accounts in Canada by December 31 as a direct consequence of new regulations which have been introduced by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).