Indonesia Set to Launch National Cryptocurrency Exchange in July

Binance co-founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has partnered with the authorities in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan to provide advice on crypto regulation and the development and adoption of blockchain technology. It’s understood that CZ has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to this effect with the National Investments Authority (NIA), a state authority that falls under the direction of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. The NIA promotes foreign direct investment, assisting foreign companies in developing business opportunities within Kyrgyzstan. Photo by Abai K on UnsplashCrypto & blockchain ecosystem developmentIn a statement published on X on April 3 by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, the president outlined that in accordance with the MOU, the parties will cooperate on the development of the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. Breaking that down further, the president said that this cooperation will involve the provision of technical, infrastructural and technological support and expertise. Additionally, it will involve collaboration towards the implementation of related educational initiatives. Zhaparov added: “This cooperation marks an important step towards strengthening technological infrastructure, implementing innovative solutions, and preparing highly qualified specialists in blockchain technologies, virtual asset management, and cybersecurity. In light of the rapid global evolution of digital technologies, such initiatives are crucial for the sustainable growth of the economy and the security of virtual assets, ultimately generating new opportunities for businesses and society as a whole.” ‘Crypto adoption one country at a time’CZ reacted to this X post by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, stating: “Kyrgyzstan. Crypto adoption, one country at a time.” He also remarked that this event had brought Zhaparov to X, given that this was his first post on the platform, with an account registered last month. Steve Milton, co-founder and CEO of Web3 wallet project Fintopio and a former Binance marketing executive, commented on the development. Milton stated that Kyrgyzstan is a forward-thinking country, while interpreting CZ's involvement as a step that will help move adoption forward. Additional advisory activityIn another X post, CZ provided details on his advisory activity. He stated: “I officially and unofficially advise a few governments on their crypto regulatory frameworks and blockchain solutions for gov efficiency, expanding blockchain to more than trading. I find this work extremely meaningful.” Reports emerged in January that Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had discussed digital finance policy matters with CZ. The Binance co-founder said that those discussions revolved around digital asset regulation and risks related to such assets. Furthermore, cross-border collaborations and collaborations between industries were discussed. In December CZ met with the King of Bhutan. Prior to that visit, he posted a link to an article on X that outlined that the Kingdom of Bhutan has accumulated in excess of $1 billion in Bitcoin. At that time, the Binance co-founder said that many nation states will use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as reserve assets. In the past, commentators have identified Kyrgyzstan as having considerable potential for crypto mining, given ample hydroelectric generation within the mountainous country. However, crypto mining tax receipts as of the end of last year suggest that crypto mining still remains a niche activity in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Binance and Gulf Energy launch digital asset exchange in ThailandThe world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has teamed up with Gulf Energy Development, a leading energy company in Thailand, to operate a digital asset exchange in the country.Photo by Than Diep on UnsplashInvitation-only launchThe new platform, Binance.th, aims to capture the growing demand for crypto services in Southeast Asia. Binance.th, which is currently in its beta testing phase, is expected to open to the public in early 2024. A filing on Wednesday by Gulf to the Thai stock exchange demonstrates that the platform has received approval from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission to offer exchange and brokerage services for cryptocurrencies and digital tokens. The filing states:“Gulf Binance’s digital asset platform will provide digital asset exchange and digital asset broker services for both cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, prioritizing security and compliance with SEC regulations.”The platform is initially available by invitation only, and the plan is to eventually open the exchange to the general public. It’s understood that the platform will strive to provide a “globally standardized” service that will enhance the level of service in Thailand and promote the development of the country’s blockchain ecosystem.Market opportunityBinance.th enters the Thai crypto market at a time when the local leader, Bitkub, holds a dominant share of 75.4%. Bitkub benefited from the global crypto market downturn in 2022, which affected its competitors such as FTX and Zipmex.Although it has extended market share during the downturn and as a consequence of the demise of other platforms, Bitkub has also struggled with market conditions. In July its parent company Bitkub Capital Group, reduced headcount by six percent. Bitkub recorded $28.6 billion in trading volume last year, out of the total $37.94 billion generated by the top four Thai exchanges.Binance.th hopes to challenge Bitkub’s position by leveraging Binance’s global reputation and expertise in the crypto industry.Legal woesThe launch of Binance.th comes amid Binance’s legal and regulatory troubles in the U.S. and Europe. In September, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Binance, its U.S. subsidiary, and its founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) for allegedly listing unregistered securities in the form of cryptocurrencies.In June, the SEC also accused CZ and Binance of illegally marketing its international platform to U.S. customers.Binance has been trying to improve its compliance and governance standards in response to regulatory scrutiny. The company has hired former regulators and executives from the traditional finance sector to lead its operations in various regions. Binance has also applied for licenses and registrations in several jurisdictions, such as the U.K., Singapore and Japan.The origins of this deal stem from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Binance and Gulf Energy in January 2022. The joint venture business which emerged acquired a digital operator license in Thailand in May of this year.By expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, Binance hopes to tap into the potential of the emerging crypto markets and diversify its revenue streams. Binance.th also marks the first bank-backed crypto exchange in Thailand, as Gulf Energy Development is partly owned by the state-owned Krung Thai Bank.

Bitmain Planning Mining Equipment Support For Aleo BlockchainBitmain, the leading Beijing-headquartered crypto mining rig manufacturer, is set to bolster the proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain network of Aleo with its upcoming Antminer release.The firm announced its intentions via a social media post which was published on WeChat on Monday. The move follows Bitmain’s recent introductions of Filecoin and Kaspa mining machines and its latest series of Bitcoin miners.Photo by RDNE Stock project on PexelsEnhanced privacy through zk proofsBitmain plans to unveil a miner compatible with the forthcoming Aleo blockchain network which is currently in testnet mode. Aleo’s PoW blockchain promises to bring enhanced privacy through zero-knowledge (zk) proofs while retaining programmability. Zk proofs represent a cryptographic advancement insofar as they can verify data while it remains encrypted and undisclosed to the verifying party. The blockchain network adopts a statically typed programming language inspired by Rust, known as Leo.Aleo has been gaining significant attention in the crypto space, much like other venture capital-backed layer 1 blockchains, including Solana, Aptos, and NEAR, before their respective debuts. In April 2021, Aleo’s team successfully secured $28 million in a Series A funding round, with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) leading the way.Aleo’s journey reached new heights in February 2022 when its Series B funding round raised a substantial $200 million, pushing the project into unicorn status. This funding round was jointly led by Softbank Vision Fund 2 and Kora Management LP, with participation from a16z, Tiger Global, Sea Capital, Slow Ventures, and Samsung Next.Latest in series of product launchesBitmain’s announcement is part of a series of product launches in recent months. In July, the company unveiled a mining rig designed for Filecoin (FIL). The following month marked the shipment of Bitmain’s Kaspa (KAS) mining machines. Shortly after the Kaspa deliveries, Bitmain revealed plans for an August release of a Monero (XMR) mining rig. Most recently, Bitmain introduced two next-generation Bitcoin (BTC) miners from the S21 series.The Chinese crypto mining equipment manufacturer has faced financial challenges in recent times. In April, it emerged that the company had been fined by the Chinese authorities for tax irregularities.Earlier this month, reports suggested that the company was experiencing liquidity issues. It failed to pay some of its employees although it later resolved the matter. Reports of staff payment difficulties surfaced two weeks ago. Arising out of that episode, the company subsequently fired three employees for posting information about salary payment issues on social media.Nevertheless, the firm managed to secure two contracts with US-based mining operations following those reports. In these contracts, Bitmain sold a combined 5.8 exahash per second (EH/s) of its new S21 Antminers to Iris Energy and Cleanspark. In September, Bitmain finalized a deal with troubled crypto miner Core Scientific that will see the firm supply the restructured company with 27,000 Bitcoin miners.The company has been blighted by internal conflicts going back a number of years between co-founders Jihan Wu and Zhan Ketuan. Subsequently Wu went on to found Singapore-headquartered crypto cloud mining platform Bitdeer.