Sei Labs Raises $50M to Fuel Asian Expansion

GDAC joins hands with Zodia Markets to cultivate global digital asset networkGDAC, a cryptocurrency exchange run by Korean blockchain-based fintech company Peertec, has signed a business deal with Zodia Markets, a European digital asset marketplace under the UK’s Standard Chartered Group. As key institution-first digital asset platforms in their respective regional markets, the two enterprises plan to work together to build a global digital asset and stablecoin network to drive innovation, with a focus on preventing money laundering and reducing financial costs.Photo by m. on UnsplashAbout Zodia Markets and GDACThe Standard Chartered Group established Zodia Markets in 2021 following approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The group’s latest partnership with GDAC represents a step further into the Korean market, in which it is already a major player through its local branch, the Korea Standard Chartered Bank.GDAC has been making strides in cybersecurity by forging partnerships. The exchange teamed up with Genians, a cybersecurity firm listed on the KOSDAQ stock exchange, and attracted investments from it to accelerate the establishment of a global security network. In October, GDAC entered into a collaborative agreement with crypto wallet provider Bitgo, aiming to enhance the security of the exchange’s wallet services.The exchange serves not only profit-oriented corporations but also non-profit organizations, such as the Community Chest of Korea. It also runs the GDAC Fund Service, a digital asset management solution for corporate clients that it jointly founded with Woori Financial Group.Dedication to different client demographics“Through our partnership with Zodia Markets, a subsidiary of the UK’s Standard Chartered Bank, we look forward to providing even higher-value digital financial services to our corporate clients,” said Lee You-ree, CCO of GDAC. “We also plan to continuously launch helpful, high-liquidity digital financial services for individual customers as well through our work with a European digital financial platform.”

US Sanctions Chinese for Enabling Crypto Money LaunderingIn a press release published earlier this week, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the Department of the Treasury in the United States, stated that it had sanctioned two Chinese nationals and a Hong Kong British national for allegedly having aided the North Korean government in crypto money laundering activities.©Pexels/RODNAE ProductionsThe Americans claim that the funds are the proceeds of cyber crime with the laundered money in turn being used to support the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) regime, including its ballistic missile and weapons programs.Illicit OTC crypto tradesThe three OFAC-sanctioned individuals are Wu Huihui (Wu), Cheng Hung Man (Cheng) and Sim Hyon Sop (Sim). Wu is an over the counter (OTC) cryptocurrency trader based within China. OFAC claims that he has facilitated the conversion of millions of dollars worth of stolen digital assets into fiat currency at the behest of a North Korean cyber-crime syndicate.In 2009 OFAC sanctioned a small North Korean bank, Korea Kwangson Banking Corp. (KKBC). At the time, the agency claimed that KKBC had extended financial services to previously designated North Korean banks including Tanchon Commercial Bank and Korea Hyoksin Trading Corporation. Fourteen years on, OFAC has now identified Sim as a facilitator of KKBC money laundering schemes. OFAC claims that Sim represented the sanctioned bank, and in the process, he was the recipient of millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency.Overseas earningsThe agency claims that the source of this money was the earnings of North Korean IT workers who had worked overseas, including within the United States. The North Korean regime has pursued a strategy of sending workers into employment overseas in an effort to raise capital in harder currency.Like Wu, Cheng was also identified as an OTC cryptocurrency trader. It’s understood that Cheng collaborated with Wu, and employed a series of shell companies in order to convert cryptocurrency into fiat money.Blockchain data analysis firm Chainalysis has researched the topic based upon the OFAC and Department of Justice data and information. That analysis has revealed that the North Korean hackers and cyber-crime facilitators make use of cryptocurrency mixers such as Tornado Cash and Sinbad. While other illicit entities utilize these crypto mixers which attempt to obfuscate the origin of digital assets, Chainalysis’ research suggests that the North Korea-affiliated actors use mixers to a far greater extent than others.Reward offeredIt’s understood that the US authorities indicted a fourth person who remains unknown beyond his/her online moniker, “live:jammychen0150.” Properties in the United States connected with the three known individuals have been frozen. The State Department has also outlined its willingness to provide a reward of up to $5 million for any information that leads to the arrest or conviction of Sim. Furthermore, rewards of $500,000 each are being offered relative to the apprehension of two of Sim’s associates, Han Linlin and Qin Gouming.In a statement, Department of Justice Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. said that “the North Korean operatives have innovated their approach to evading sanctions by exploiting the technological features of virtual assets to facilitate payments and profits, and targeting virtual currency companies for theft.”

Korbit hosts its first cryptocurrency investment leagueKorean cryptocurrency exchange Korbit announced yesterday (local time) its inaugural virtual asset investment league, set to begin at midnight between Nov. 26 and 27. This event, a first since Korbit’s establishment, invites any investor with a Korbit account to participate. Interested individuals can join the league by using the mobile app to click on the “Join League” button and consenting to the collection and disclosure of their personal information.Photo by Florian Schmetz on UnsplashRealized returns in Korean wonKorbit’s investment league ranks participants every week, from the start of Monday (00:00) to the end of Sunday (24:00). The ranking is based on the “realized return” in Korean won (KRW), which reflects the profits earned by investors from their cryptocurrency investments. To qualify for the ranking, participants must have made cryptocurrency sales totaling at least KRW 100,000 (approximately $77.4).The exchange will reward the top 100 performers each week in the investment league with KRW points, which can be used for investing in crypto assets on their platform. The first, second and third-place winners will receive KRW 200,000, KRW 100,000 and KRW 50,000, respectively. Additionally, all participants who rank in the top 100 will be awarded KRW 5,000 each.Social trading opportunityThe league offers a great opportunity for social trading, allowing investors to study and emulate the tactics of the market’s top traders. Users can click on the profiles of the top 100 traders to view the three cryptocurrencies those traders engaged with over the week.Moreover, each investor on Korbit will have the ability to monitor their cryptocurrency holdings in real-time. They can also view their total realized return, calculated from the beginning of their trading journey on Korbit up to the present moment, irrespective of the league.Pre-event bonusesTo encourage active participation in the upcoming competition, Korbit launched a pre-event yesterday, scheduled to run until Nov. 26. During this period, the first 10,000 investors who agree to the collection and disclosure of their personal information will instantly receive KRW 1,000. Additionally, the first 1,000 investors who sell crypto assets worth KRW 100,000 or more within the first four weeks following the league’s commencement will be rewarded with an extra KRW 5,000.Commenting on the event, Oh Se-jin, the CEO of Korbit, emphasized that unlike a simulation, this competition involves real investments, offering customers a more authentic and immersive experience. Oh expressed his hope to regularly host such events, aiming to foster a community where investors not only compete for returns but also share information. This approach, he believes, will contribute to cultivating a healthy culture of cryptocurrency investment.