Puzzle Monsters Wins Investment from CRIT Ventures for Web3 Game Expansion

India’s judiciary turns down plea to formulate a crypto regulatory frameworkThe Indian courts have declined a consideration targeting the establishment of a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading, following a plea which had been brought to court by a petitioner.Photo by Naveed Ahmed on UnsplashBeyond the court’s purviewIndia’s Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Chandrachud, recently confronted a petition urging the establishment of a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading. According to a local media report, the bench, which included Justices JD Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, dismissed the plea, emphasizing that the demands presented were legislative and thus beyond the court’s direct action purview. This decision points to the judiciary’s recognition of its constraints in crafting laws, particularly in intricate domains like cryptocurrency.The petitioner, Manu Prashant Wig, a former director at Blue Fox Motion Picture Limited currently in custody due to allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, sought relief through a public interest litigation (PIL) for crypto trading regulations in India.The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police accused Wig in 2020 of deceiving investors with promises of high returns from crypto investments, involving 133 reported victims of the scheme. Despite this, during the hearing, the Supreme Court advised Wig to pursue legal remedies through appropriate channels, specifically for bail, underlining its inability to issue directives under Article 32 of the Constitution for legislative matters.Judiciary criticize governmentWhile the judiciary has found that it cannot act itself in putting in place a crypto regulatory framework, the Supreme Court has been critical of the government’s inaction on the matter. In July, India’s highest court criticized the Indian government for its failure to establish clear cryptocurrency regulations.Interestingly, while the government hasn’t acted locally, it has been making efforts to drive regulation at an international level instead. The status of cryptocurrency trading in India remains uncertain, with the country developing a regulatory framework influenced by recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Financial Stability Board (FSB), potentially leading to legal legislation within the next several months.Prime Minister Modi called on authorities internationally to establish a worldwide regulatory framework. At the recent G20 summit, it appears that member states did reach agreement on such a framework.The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the PIL marks a clear distinction between judicial and legislative responsibilities. As India moves closer to formulating a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework, this decision reinforces the imperative for legislative action to address mounting concerns and interests in the crypto market.Awaiting legislative actionThe outcome of these developments is keenly awaited by investors, legal experts and the crypto community, poised to shape the future landscape of cryptocurrency trading in India. The decision signifies the judiciary’s acknowledgment of its limitations and highlights the necessity for a legislative approach to effectively navigate the intricate landscape of cryptocurrency regulation.In this evolving scenario, the verdict amplifies the importance of a well-defined regulatory framework. As the world’s most populous country grapples with the delicate task of balancing innovation and investor protection, the Supreme Court’s decision places the ball firmly in the legislative court.

Lee Bok-hyun, the governor of South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), is set to have a meeting with Gary Gensler, the chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in May. The purpose of their meeting is to discuss whether to classify non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as virtual assets. Currently, NFTs are not seen as virtual assets in Korea, but there is a high likelihood of them being acknowledged as such following the meeting in May, local financial media outlet Edaily reported.Photo by Andrey Metelev on UnsplashLack of definition for NFTsAn NFT is a digital certificate of authenticity that is not fungible or replicable. NFTs tokenize content or assets of various types – from images, music, videos, games and artworks to real-estates – by assigning a unique token ID to them. Many see 2018 as the year NFT technology was first introduced.  Despite its wide range of applications, no legal definition has been made for NFTs. Some view NFTs as technology, and others as virtual assets or securities. The Korean government decided not to recognize NFTs as virtual assets under the Virtual Asset Protection Act (Virtual Asset Act), effective in July. Behind this decision is a perception that NFTs are less likely to pose significant risks to the market, as a large portion of NFTs are now traded by collectors seeking to expand their private collections.  However, NFTs are increasingly seen as speculative destinations by many investors over time, as prices of virtual assets including BTC surge. This shift backs the local movement to recognize NFTs as well as spot bitcoin ETFs as virtual assets. Opposition from NFT businessesBlockchain industry insiders say defining NFTs is of utmost importance, noting that classifying NFTs as virtual assets headfirst could deal a heavy blow to businesses in this sector. One finance insider mentioned that defining NFTs comes down to understanding their purposes and how they are utilized. If NFTs are primarily used for speculative purposes or as currency, they could be recognized as virtual assets, the person said.  The biggest resistance is coming from NFT-related businesses. That is because recognizing NFTs as virtual assets would require these businesses to obtain a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license from the financial authority, which takes significant costs and workforce in the process. A CEO of a blockchain startup, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about the possibility of NFTs becoming virtual assets, saying that such recognition would enable NFT transaction tracing, potentially leading to severe violations of human rights. While many industry insiders expect that the financial authorities will bring NFTs under the forthcoming Virtual Asset Act, the FSS stated that no decisions have been made regarding details of the upcoming meeting with the U.S. SEC. 

Circle and Grab Partner to Pilot Web3 App IntegrationUSDC stablecoin issuer Circle is embarking on a strategic partnership with Grab, Southeast Asia’s multifaceted super app for transportation, deliveries, and payments relative to Web3.Announced via a press release published to Circle’s website on Thursday, the collaboration marks yet another step forward in realizing the promise of Web3 technology in Singapore.Photo by Jason Miraples on UnsplashCircle’s foray into Web3Circle’s latest offering, a Web3 services platform, is set to be seamlessly integrated into the Grab app. The objective of that integration is to enhance Grab user experiences through blockchain-enabled solutions. In that way, the partnership will broaden the horizons of Grab’s already extensive service portfolio, which includes ride-hailing, food delivery, package delivery, ticket bookings, and insurance. Grab hopes that the move will propel the Singaporean super app further into the world of blockchain technology.Grab Web3 WalletNews that Grab was on the road towards rolling out a Web3-related product offering leaked out last week when Chinese crypto reporter Colin Wu tweeted out details related to a Web3 wallet. This official announcement qualifies those initial reports, as one of the key aspects of this collaboration is the introduction of the ‘Grab Web3 Wallet.’The feature, accessible to Singaporean users, enables the easy setup of a blockchain-enabled wallet. Users will have the opportunity to earn rewards in the form of digital collectibles and utilize non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers, thereby immersing themselves in the dynamic world of digital assets.To kickstart this venture, Circle’s Web3 Services will initially support the SG Pitstop Pack NFT vouchers. These vouchers can be redeemed at popular Singapore-based stores in advance of the upcoming F1 Singapore Grand Prix. Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s efforts in collaborating with what he termed “global-scale consumer internet brands to bring everyday utility to users.” Allaire maintains that the partnership with Grab aligns perfectly with that mission.While bringing Web3 technology into everyday use in Singapore, the partnership also lends support to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Orchid initiative. This initiative seeks to demonstrate the real-world application of Purpose Bound Money. Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy, Dante Disparte, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for accelerating blockchain-powered innovation alongside Grab while aligning with Singapore’s vision to be a leading global hub for responsible digital asset innovation.Circle has been steadily establishing its presence in Singapore, with notable achievements including acquiring a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the MAS in June and opening its official office in May.In February, Circle joined forces with Tribe, the first government-supported blockchain ecosystem builder, to launch a unique training and support program aimed at nurturing and upskilling the region’s Web3 developer talent pool.Founded in 2012 in Malaysia as a ride-hailing app, Grab initially entered the scene as a competitor to Uber in the region. Over the years, it has evolved into a true “super app,” offering a myriad of services, including GrabPay (payment services), package delivery, ticket bookings, and insurance. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive services have made it the go-to app for more than 25 million users in Southeast Asia every month.