Bitcoin layer-2 project Elastos sees ELA token surge

Upbit Operator Doubles Down on ESG ManagementDunamu, the operator of the popular Korean crypto exchange Upbit, issued a press release on Friday stating it will donate 500 million KRW (~$385,000) to the Korean Red Cross in support of recovery efforts for the recent wildfire damage in Gangneung, a city located east of Seoul.©Pexels/Matthias ZomerESG managementThis is part of its efforts to double down on its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management, according to Korean economic media Biz World.Wildfire recovery effortsLast year, Dunamu also donated 3 billion KRW (~$2.3 million) to Hope Bridge, a disaster relief association in Korea, to support the swift recovery from wildfires that ravaged areas near the cities of Uljin and Samcheok.Metaverse and NFTs for plant conservationUnder the slogan “climate change action,” Dunamu is engaging in various projects. Last month, the exchange operator launched the 2nd foRest campaign in collaboration with the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Forest Welfare Institute.The purpose of this campaign was to encourage citizens to participate in recovering wildfire-affected areas. Every tree planted in Dunamu’s metaverse platform 2nd Block led to the actual planting of two trees in the ravaged areas. More than 30,000 trees were planted through the project, and moreover, 10,000 of the participants were rewarded with coupons that can be exchanged for saplings.Dunamu has also made endangered plant conservation efforts with the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute. Upbit NFT Marketplace showcased ten endangered plants in NFT editions.Veronica Star Light, one of the editions revealed during the first airdrop, sold out within a day, reflecting its popularity. Dunamu will use the fees collected from these transactions to establish a fund for endangered plant conservation.Protecting plant diversityDunamu Chairman Song Chi-hyung said the company has been studying various means to utilize its technology and resources to contribute to society, and that it will continue to make multifaceted efforts to protect plant diversity.

Korea’s Traditional Customer Rewards Program Embraces NFTsSouth Korean tech company SK Planet, the operator of the popular customer rewards program OK Cashbag, made an exciting announcement for points collectors today. In a recent press release, it revealed the launch of its new non-fungible token (NFT) membership program called “Road to Rich.”Photo by Markus Winkler on PexelsRewards program meets NFTsFor over two decades, OK Cashbag has been a beloved membership service for Korean consumers. Now, members can embark on a journey through the Road to Rich program, accompanied by a rabbit character NFT. By completing daily quests, participants will earn rewards such as OK Cashbag points. As they progress on their journey, users can even level up their character, with the ultimate goal of reaching level 5. At this pinnacle, users will receive a tradable TEM NFT, offering customized everyday benefits.Decentralized walletSK Planet, an affiliate of the South Korean conglomerate SK Group, has also introduced a new decentralized wallet called UPTN Station. Built on the Avalanche subnet, UPTN Station empowers users to store and transfer various digital assets, including NFTs. To enjoy the Road to Rich program, the installation of UPTN Station is required.Gaming and rewardsNotably, the Road to Rich program comprises two gaming episodes to further captivate its users and encourage active participation. Any OK Cashbag member aged 19 or older can partake in the first episode and mint their own rabbit NFT at no cost.Kim Kyo-soo, the head of SK Planet’s customer experience division, expressed enthusiasm about the NFT program, highlighting its ability to make Web3 experiences second nature for users. Moreover, he mentioned plans for future collaborations with SK Group affiliates and other partners, aiming to provide an extensive range of services.

Crypto Travel Rule solutions provider CODE obtains ISO/IEC 27001 certificationCODE, a Travel Rule solutions provider and joint venture co-founded by Korean cryptocurrency exchanges Bithumb, Coinone and Korbit, announced on Tuesday (local time) that it has obtained ISO/IEC 27001 certification for information security management systems (ISMS).Photo by Scott Graham on UnsplashEnhanced cybersecurity and operational resilienceThe ISO/IEC 27001 is a standard by which companies can develop, implement, maintain and improve their ISMS to carry out robust risk management, cybersecurity and operational excellence as required by institutions like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR).“CODE will provide a service environment that encourages confidence in our corporate members and the overall market starting with the acquisition of this information security management system certification,” said Lee Sung-mi, CEO of CODE.Consecutive effortsAs a Travel Rule solutions provider, CODE has been ramping up efforts to strengthen its compliance and information security capabilities. The company’s ISO/IEC 27001 certification comes shortly after it obtained ISO 37301 certification from the Korea Compliance Initiative (KCI). ISO 37301 is a standard for compliance management systems (CMS) that assesses organizations based on their compliance with laws, regulations, codes of conduct and more to exercise good governance, transparency and accountability.