Hong Kong Analyzes Web3 Approach of Regional Peers

CoinNess, the leading crypto media platform in South Korea, announced today that it has become the country’s largest online community platform for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. 100,000 daily active usersThe virtual asset media outlet revealed that during the second week of January, the average daily active user (DAU) count neared 100,000. The platform also experienced a milestone, with the average concurrent user count surpassing 15,000 for the first time, edging out Coinpan, Korea's preeminent cryptocurrency community website. High ranking in app marketsAdditionally, CoinNess achieved the second position in the Top Charts for free iPhone apps in the news category on the Apple App Store in Korea. The top spot is held by the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. On the Android Play Store, the CoinNess app ranked 82nd in the finance category and is the fourth most popular among crypto-related apps, trailing behind Bithumb, Upbit and Bitget. The significant increase in CoinNess’ user base can be attributed to the recent surge in interest in spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). More and more Korean investors have turned to CoinNess, finding it crucial to stay informed about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of spot bitcoin ETFs and to begin participating in the cryptocurrency market.Korean crypto market’s prominenceThe prominence of the Korean market in the world of cryptocurrency is highlighted by the Korean won's leading role in the fiat currency trading of bitcoin. According to a Bloomberg report, in November, the Korean won made up 42.8% of all fiat currencies used in bitcoin transactions, surpassing the U.S. dollar. Regarding this development, Kim Jung-ho, CEO of CoinNess, said, “Korean investors generally commit substantially more funds to cryptocurrency investments than the average seen globally. They are keenly attuned to international news and market trends, demonstrating a propensity for analyzing the market from diverse viewpoints.” Established in 2018, CoinNess is a news platform specializing in live updates on virtual asset investment. The media expanded to include an online community in 2021, creating a more holistic experience for its users. In Korea, CoinNess prides itself on having the largest active user base in the cryptocurrency media and community sector. Furthermore, CoinNess stands out as the only business-to-business (B2B) provider of live cryptocurrency news in Korea. It delivers real-time crypto updates to prominent platforms, including Coinone and Gopax, which are among the nation's five largest fiat-to-crypto exchanges. English service in Q1Moving forward, CoinNess is gearing up to launch a new service in the first quarter, offering live, around-the-clock updates on cryptocurrency markets in English to a global audience. As a key partner with Ness LAB, the blockchain research firm responsible for the NESS token, CoinNess seeks to enhance Ness LAB’s efforts to cultivate an information economy within the cryptocurrency sector. 

Fake Security Tokens Linked to HD Hyundai Oilbank in CirculationHD Hyundai Oilbank, one of South Korea’s leading refiners, said Wednesday that a counterfeit security token dubbed “HOBT” claiming affiliation to the company has been circulating online. The token is allegedly based on old stock certificates under the company’s former name, Hyundai Oil Refinery, as the underlying assets, though the company had changed its name to HD Hyundai Oilbank back in 2002. Both the token and the underlying asset are invalid and have no relation at all to HD Hyundai Oilbank, the company emphasized, so investors must exercise caution.Fraudulent promotionEntities that are giving away or selling HBOT tokens are attracting investors by promoting a one-on-one exchange of the tokens for old Hyundai Oil Refinery stock certificates. They are also promising to grant shareholder rights through blockchain technology as well as interest payments of 4% every month for a total of 24% over six months.Fraudulent activities like these have recently been on the rise following the legalization of security tokens and the formal issuance of a select few tokens.Investigative measuresThe Incheon Metropolitan Police is currently conducting an investigation into the case. Notably, the old Hyundai Oil Refinery stock certificates that the involved entities are claiming to be underlying assets have been proven to be fake in over ten court rulings. Although owners of these old stock certificates had filed lawsuits against the company related to shareholder registration renewals since the late 2000s, all of them had lost their cases.Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on UnsplashPast events resurfacingThis recent circulation of the forged HOBT tokens is attributed to employees of a disposal company who pocketed the invalid stock certificates and certificate papers, rather than disposing of them as they were required to do.In January 2002, HD Hyundai Oilbank had hired a company to dispose of documents — including those related to the old stock certificates — that had lost their validity during the process of attracting and increasing foreign capital.“In May of that year, we started receiving frequent inquiries about the stock certificates. We filed a legal complaint against the employees and conspirators of the disposal company for illegally distributing the certificates (including the stock certificate papers), and they were subsequently punished for theft and fraud,” the company explained.

SBI Holdings and TradeFinex Partner to Create a Trade Finance JV in JapanJapanese financial services conglomerate SBI Holdings has joined forces with UAE-based TradeFinex to establish a dynamic joint venture. The objective of the partnership is to propel the widespread adoption of the XDC Network within Japan’s trade finance sector.Details of the agreement between the firms emerged last Friday. The strategic collaboration represents a move toward harnessing blockchain technology to infuse transparency, efficiency, and accessibility into the fabric of trade finance and supply chain management.At its core, the XDC Network stands as an enterprise blockchain platform which is compatible with the Ethereum virtual machine (EVM). In recent times, the XDC Network has cultivated partnerships with several international organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). It has pioneered solutions aimed at cost reduction, transaction acceleration, and transparency augmentation within the trade finance sphere.Photo by Timelab on UnsplashBuilding upon related partnershipSBI Holdings, deeply ingrained in Japan’s financial services sector, has taken significant strides to embrace the potential of blockchain technology. Earlier this year, its subsidiary, SBI VC Trade, partnered with the XDC Network, becoming the inaugural Japanese exchange to facilitate the cryptocurrency asset XDC. Building upon this previous collaboration, SBI VC Trade has been proactive in championing the expansion of the XDC Network’s presence in Japan.The freshly minted joint venture between SBI Holdings and TradeFinex has the potential to serve as a catalyst for further XDC Network growth in Japan. A central goal is to localize XDC Network-related information, thereby rendering it more accessible to Japanese businesses and investors.Additionally, the venture is actively scouting for cryptocurrency exchanges who are prepared to use and promote the XDC network, further amplifying its adoption. Exploring collaborations with subnet and layer-2 enterprises forms an integral part of their strategy.Japan’s evolving stance on blockchainThe timing of this collaboration coincides with Japan’s evolving stance on blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Emerging reports indicate the Japanese government’s contemplation of allowing startups to raise capital through cryptocurrency tokens, marking a seismic shift away from conventional stock listing processes.In April the Japanese government released a whitepaper on Web3, in its efforts to explore ways to foster innovation in the emerging sector. Furthermore, Japan’s National Tax Agency has made adjustments to its cryptocurrency-related tax code, underscoring a proactive stance toward regulating the cryptocurrency industry. Related to that, the country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has been exploring tax exemptions relative to unrealized crypto gains.Japan has become known historically as a center of technological innovation. There have been soundings recently that it can rediscover its abilities in that respect through the development of Web3.The strategic alliance between SBI Holdings and TradeFinex charts a promising trajectory for the XDC Network within Japan’s trade finance sector. Anchored in a project that aspires to offer innovation, transparency, and operational efficiency, this joint venture offers considerable potential to spearhead the adoption of blockchain technology within one of the world’s most prominent financial markets.