Indian Crypto Exchange CoinDCX Implements Workforce Reduction

The Dubai Court of First Instance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has notched up another milestone relative to the continuing rollout of the use of and legal status of cryptocurrency by recognizing crypto as a legitimate means of payment where salaries are concerned. The groundbreaking decision, which was revealed in the court via case number 1739 of 2024, gives confirmed legal recognition to the validity of crypto as a means of payment for salaries, which may be stipulated in an employment contract.Photo by David Rodrigo on UnsplashRuling reflecting a progressive approach to cryptoThe outcome hit the radar of a number of crypto-centric UAE-based lawyers, with Web3 lawyer Irina Heaver, a partner at NeosLegal, pointing out that the decision marks a shift from previous relevant case law in the UAE in 2023 when a similar set of circumstances led to crypto not being recognized for the purposes of salary payment. Commenting on the ruling of that previous case, she stated: “This decision reflected a traditional viewpoint, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence when dealing with unconventional payment forms.” Ecowatt (EWT) tokensIn this latest case, the circumstances revolved around a dispute whereby an employee claimed for unpaid salary, termination compensation and further benefits. The employee’s contract of employment outlined a payment in both fiat currency, alongside 5,250 Ecowatt (EWT) tokens.  Ecowatt is a renewable energy blockchain project which claims to serve a purpose in reducing carbon impact on a global basis through the tokenization of green energy. It was the failure of the employer to pay out the tokenized portion of the employee’s salary that led to the dispute and the subsequent lawsuit. The court ultimately sided with the employee, agreeing that the employer must fulfill its contractual obligation and pay out the remainder of the employee’s salary and benefits in Ecowatt tokens. The judgement stated: “As the respondent did not provide evidence of payment in EcoWatt tokens, the court orders the respondent to pay the claimant the value of her wages in EcoWatt tokens.” In weighing up this latest adjudication, Heaver concludes that the move is congruent with the progressive approach that is being taken to digital assets within the UAE. “This decision reflects a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency in employment contracts and highlights the court’s recognition of the evolving nature of financial transactions within the Web3 economy,” she stated. Mahmoud Abuwasel, partner at Wasel & Wasel, an international firm with a presence in Abu Dhabi, also noted the relevance of the ruling, posting on the matter on legal update database, Lexology.  Greater legal clarityLittle by little, greater clarity is emerging in jurisdictions worldwide with regard to the status of cryptocurrency and digital assets within the context of international legal systems. In 2023, a Chinese court recognized virtual assets as legal property, affirming the legal status of virtual assets as protected property under Chinese law.Earlier in 2023, the courts in the Chinese autonomous territory of Hong Kong determined cryptocurrency to be property “capable of being held in trust.” Not all decisions have been positive however, with a Singaporean court determining in April 2023 that crypto is not money, albeit that the judge did acknowledge that the matter would require a more detailed examination of evidence in another court. 

Upbit Operator Dunamu Assists Indebted Youths in Rebuilding Credit ScoresDunamu, the operator of South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, has announced an initiative aimed at helping indebted youths rebuild their credit scores. The company will accept applications from July 19 through August 20. Eligible individuals must be residents of Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, or Incheon, aged between 19 and 39, and have successfully completed debt workout arrangements.Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashGiving backThe project, called Dunamu Next Dream, is part of the company’s efforts to give back to the community by using revenue generated from Luna Classic (LUNC) transaction fees. In September of last year, Dunamu committed to allocating the LUNC transaction fee profits of 239.13025970 BTC to investor protection. After consulting with an external advisory committee, the exchange operator decided to donate around 3 billion KRW ($2.3 million) to public organizations and utilize the remaining funds to provide financial and credit support.To implement the Dunamu Next Dream project, Dunamu entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (CCRS) and the Social Solidarity Bank (SSB) in April.Two componentsThe project consists of two main components: financial consulting and emergency loans. The initial focus will be on financial consulting, which includes support for living expenses. The aim is to assist indebted youths in developing healthier financial habits. Financial experts will provide six sessions of financial consulting, addressing their recurring indebtedness and fostering financial independence. Additionally, each individual will be granted a living expense of 1.2 million KRW ($950) to ensure they can meet timely interest payments.Dunamu will collaborate with the CCRS and the SSB to conduct a comprehensive review of applicants and select 150 deserving beneficiaries. The selection process will involve thorough evaluation through paper screening and interviews, allowing applicants to demonstrate their dedication and financial responsibility.The second component of the project, emergency lending, will launch in September. It aims to provide interest-free loans of up to 2.5 million KRW to individuals facing immediate needs, such as medical fees.Dunamu CEO Lee Sirgoo highlighted the importance of this project, emphasizing the challenges faced by young people who are the future leaders of society. The economic struggles they encounter can have significant repercussions for society as a whole. Accumulating debts has made it difficult for young individuals to achieve financial stability and advance their careers. Lee stressed the need for public awareness regarding this issue, as it is crucial for young people to establish themselves promptly within society.

Seoul and Baobab Partners Face Controversy Over Unpaid Prize Winnings for SWF2023 HackathonThe city of Seoul has come under public scrutiny for failing to pay the winners of the Seoul Web3 Festival (SWF2023) Hackathon a cash prize worth KRW 150 million (approximately $112,000). The Seoul Metropolitan Government has argued that since it was simply a naming rights sponsor, the responsibility for paying the prizes lies with Baobab Partners, who co-hosted the event. However, critics argue that the city did not properly vet Baobab Partners more rigorously before hosting the event.Photo by okaybuild on PixabayUnpaid prizes lingerThe SWF2023 Hackathon took place from July 31 to August 2 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and was co-hosted by the city of Seoul, the Seoul Design Foundation, and Baobab Partners. It offered a total prize pool of KRW 150 million attracting 417 participants who made up 115 teams.However, although over two months have passed since then, the winners are yet to be paid their prize money. “Baobab Partners initially proposed the SWF2023 event, and they were responsible for gathering the necessary sponsorship funds to run the event,” said a city representative.According to industry sources on Monday, the company’s CEO, Choi Jin-beom, issued a handwritten apology last Friday regarding the incident. “We promised to pay the winners by today, but we were unable to deliver on that promise. We explored multiple avenues, including investors, new contractors, and other assets, but were ultimately unable to secure the funds to do so,” he said. “The narrative that the funds were diverted elsewhere or invested in cryptocurrencies or stocks is untrue,” he added, clarifying that related information was transparently disclosed to the city of Seoul.Baobab Partners’ swift rise raises industry eyebrowsBaobab Partners had previously participated as an event planner at last year’s Blockchain Week in Busan, which turned out to be a success. “We also spoke with the Busan city government, who gave a positive opinion of the company,” the representative added. It was under this context that Seoul entered into a naming rights agreement with Baobab Partners. The agreement stipulated that the company would be in charge of attracting and managing sponsorships, and the prize money and operational costs would be covered by corporate sponsorship funds.Nevertheless, questions have arisen within the industry about Baobab Partners’ short track record and its successive collaborations with public organizations. Baobab Partners is a startup that was founded in May 2021. In November of the same year, the firm signed memoranda of understanding with three blockchain companies during NFT Busan 2021, a large-scale NFT fair held in the southern port city to share the latest blockchain trends. As a result of its efforts, it was listed alongside prominent companies such as Coinone and Onther despite only six months passing since its establishment. Subsequently, Baobab Partners relocated from Seoul to Busan, and the following year, it participated as an event planner at Blockchain Week in Busan.Accumulating allegationsSpeculation suggests that this success was not solely due to Baobab Partners’s capabilities. The company’s CEO is believed to have political connections, according to an anonymous industry insider. Choi denied such claims and stressed that its technical expertise should not be downplayed, citing the fact that Baobab Partners was the first entity in Korea to develop virtual reality (VR) banking technology and had received a KRW 15 billion investment from Finger, a KOSDAQ-listed company.Baobab Partners has also been mired in controversy over supposedly unpaid wages. In response to a claim made by an industry source that many former employees of Baobab Partners have still not received their due wages, a Seoul representative stated that there is no such dispute according to conversations with company representatives, seeking to dispel the dispute. Choi further explained, “We didn’t have wage disputes until last year. The difficulty in paying wages began in January this year due to the failure to execute promised investment funds.”The city said that it is currently conducting legal examinations and looking into necessary measures for two matters involving Baobab Partners, including the handling of hackathon winnings.