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Titi Financial Announces $TITI AirdropTiti Financial, the team behind Titi Protocol, a project that aims to further its $TiUSD algorithmic stablecoin, announced that it is currently distributing the first round of airdrops of its $TITI governance token.Taking to social media, the Singapore-based project encouraged interested parties to check their eligibility for the airdrop on the project’s website. In a Medium blog post, the project stated: “In order to give back to the users who have supported us all the way, TiTi protocol has decided to conduct the first round of airdrops to community users.”An algorithmic stablecoinTiTi Protocol is a decentralized, 100% collateral-backed, ‘use-to-earn’ algorithmic stablecoin. It aims to provide diversified and decentralized financial services based on the crypto-native stablecoin system, with an autonomous monetary policy.Alongside $TITI as the project’s governance token, $TiUSD is the accompanying stablecoin issued by TiTi Protocol.Initial DEX offering (IDO)The airdrop runs until May 9. Once that process has been completed, the project intends to launch on mainnet through an initial DEX offering (IDO). IDO volume will be 10 million $TITI, 1% of total issuance, with an initial price per token of $0.06.Launching on the Ethereum blockchain, the IDO commences on May 10, with the sale running until 8:00 UTC on May 13. Buyers have until 08:00 UTC on May 14 to claim their tokens. Total token supply has been set at 1,000,000,000 $TITI. Purchase amount parameters have been set, with a minimum to maximum range extending from $100 to $3,000. The $TITI token can be purchased using USDC, USDT or DAI stablecoin. The project has advised participants to prepare by having an Ethereum compatible wallet available, such as MetaMask, Gnosis Safe or WalletConnect.$3.5 million fund raiseLast month, the project disclosed that it had been successful in raising $3.5 million in funding. The funding round was led by California-based Spartan Group, a blockchain advisory and asset management firm. Other venture investors included SevenX Ventures, Incuba Alpha, DeFi Alliance, Agnostic Fund, Fourth Revolution Capital and Solidity Venture. A number of individual investors associated with Alpha Venture DAO and 0x1b from Fold Finance also participated.Overcoming algorithmic design shortcomingsIt’s interesting to see a renewed interest in algorithmic stablecoins after the epic collapse of Terra Luna in 2022. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that an institutional investment appetite exists given that backdrop. Lead investor Spartan Group cited the depegging risk alongside poor liquidity as being a known problem where algorithmic stablecoins are concerned. However, the investor believes that the Titi Protocol has the necessary design elements incorporated to counteract these issues.One of the key features of the protocol is that liquidity providers only need to provide single sided liquidity to Titi automated market makers (AMMs). The protocol itself covers the other side of that process, doing the math to mint the equivalent value of TiUSD.In April, the project also announced a partnership with Alpha Venture DAO. The decentralized venture capital fund is financed by its own community. Furthermore, Titi Finance can call on the expertise and skills of the DAOs members.Photo by CoinWire Japan on Unsplash

Korea Fintech Industry Association Establishes Council for Security TokensThe Korea Fintech Industry Association (KORFIN) has recently held a successful kickoff meeting to launch the Fintech Council for Security Tokens. Comprised of 18 members specializing in security token-related fields, including blockchain technology and fractional investments, the council aims to expand its membership by inviting more enterprises interested in security token projects.Current participants in the council include The Seed Partners, a venture capital firm; Lucentblock, a blockchain-based real estate securities platform provider; and Leadpoint System, a blockchain tech developer.Photo by Ethan Brooke on UnsplashActivities for ecosystem growthThe purpose of the council is to foster the growth of the security token ecosystem by undertaking various activities. These activities encompass engaging in discussions to strengthen the security token industry, conducting research on policy development, and seeking expert consultations.Promoting innovationLee Keun-ju, the President of KORFIN, expressed the association’s commitment to supporting fintech companies in realizing their innovative ideas in the industry. In line with this commitment, KORFIN will organize a range of events, including educational courses and seminars, to facilitate knowledge sharing and enable fintech companies to establish valuable business network connections.Growing enthusiasmSince the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) authorized the issuance and trading of security tokens in February, the interest in security tokens has gained momentum within the country. This growing enthusiasm aligns with the global trend, as highlighted in a 2022 report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Singaporean investment platform ADDX, which projected that the global market for illiquid tokenized assets would hit $16 trillion by 2030.

Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, secured approval to renew its registration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP), ending 16 months of regulatory limbo that had clouded the domestic market.Photo by Daniel Bernard on UnsplashAccording to Newsis, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Financial Services Commission (FSC) granted the approval on Dec. 23. Industry participants view the decision as a stabilizing signal for the sector amid the country’s evolving crypto regulations. Under South Korean law, VASPs must renew their licenses every three years. Dunamu submitted its application by the statutory deadline of Aug. 21, 2024, but the review faced prolonged delays due to FIU staffing shortages and overlapping sanctions proceedings. Regulators had flagged Dunamu for alleged violations regarding customer due diligence and transaction restrictions, resulting in a 35.2 billion won ($24.4 million) fine. Prior to the fine, the FIU issued a disciplinary warning to Dunamu’s chief executive and ordered a three-month partial suspension of operations. Dunamu is currently contesting the suspension and warnings in court, with a fourth hearing scheduled for February 2026. Despite the ongoing litigation, the company stated it has addressed all regulatory issues and implemented measures to prevent recurrence. Market clarity fuels expansion, IPO ambitionsWith uncertainty surrounding the market leader resolved, observers expect other exchanges to feel emboldened to pursue expansion, including new business launches and potential initial public offerings (IPOs). Bithumb, the country’s second-largest exchange, is weighing a public listing as early as next year. Securing license renewal would bolster market confidence and expand the company’s strategic flexibility. Other major platforms, including Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax, filed renewal applications late last year. Each faces sanctions proceedings for alleged legal violations, leaving the market closely watching for FIU rulings. Exchanges recruit ex-regulatorsWith regulatory scrutiny remaining a constant challenge, South Korean exchanges are increasingly recruiting former senior financial regulators to navigate the legal landscape. Citing data from the FSC and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Segye Ilbo reported that the flow of senior officials into the crypto sector has accelerated. Between January and November, eight former FSS officials at Grade 4 or above moved to crypto firms—well above the historical norm of one or two annually. Over the past two years, 16 former FSS officials have moved into the crypto industry, with nine joining Dunamu and seven moving to Bithumb. Industry insiders link the trend to the enforcement of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in July 2024, which brought the sector under a formal regulatory framework. Exchanges are seeking the expertise of retired regulators to manage legal risk and strengthen government relations, particularly ahead of planned phase-two legislation focused on stablecoins. TradFi enters as systemic risks watchedAs digital assets move within official regulatory boundaries, traditional financial institutions are accelerating their entry into the sector. On Dec. 26, Korea Investment & Securities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bithumb to collaborate on asset management services, Yonhap News reported. The partnership aims to combine the brokerage's equities expertise with the exchange's digital asset capabilities to offer tailored products. However, the deepening ties between crypto and traditional finance have drawn the central bank's attention. In a Financial Stability Report released Dec. 23, the Bank of Korea (BOK) noted that the correlation between Bitcoin and the S&P 500 has increased since 2020. The BOK attributed this to the introduction of crypto-related financial products, such as ETFs, and increased participation by institutional investors and publicly listed companies holding crypto. Spillover risks in South Korea remain contained given the limited level of corporate participation, despite the government’s move earlier this year to gradually permit corporate crypto holdings. However, the central bank warned that greater institutional participation enabled by regulatory easing could intensify risk transmission. The report underscored the need for safeguards to insulate Korean equities from crypto-market shocks.