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Glohow to promote UtopiaGames’ blockchain-based casino games on global stage

Web3 & Enterprise·December 20, 2023, 8:09 AM

UtopiaGames, a game developer based in Seoul, has entered into a partnership with Glohow, a global co-publishing service provider and subsidiary of Kakao Games. As per a report by local news website Etoday, this collaboration is aimed at launching comprehensive marketing efforts for UtopiaGames’ blockchain-based social casino gaming platform, “Vegastopia.”

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

 

Global metaverse casino city

The game company anticipates that Vegastopia will introduce innovative elements to the game development industry, as it is conceptualized as a global metaverse casino city. This 3D online gaming platform is developed to mimic a real-life casino setting, offering players an immersive experience. In Vegastopia, virtual gamers can participate in psychological battles, utilizing tactics like bluffing, just as they would in a physical casino environment.

 

150 countries by H1 2024

Vegastopia offers a feature where players can create and manage their own casinos or cardrooms. In these personalized spaces, operators have the autonomy to manage their own point systems. The platform has recently concluded its closed beta testing phase and is now gearing up for a soft launch in select countries, including France, Mexico and Southeast Asian nations. Looking ahead, UtopiaGames plans to launch the service in some 150 countries by the first half of next year.

 

Resolving trust issues with blockchain

An official from UtopiaGames highlighted Glohow’s track record in successfully promoting global game projects from notable gaming firms such as Kakao Games, Sky People, Hidea, Gravity, Wemade, Webzen and Neowiz. With Glohow at the helm of Vegastopia’s marketing, management, customer service and localization efforts, the game’s global presence has notably increased, the person added. The official further pointed out that Vegastopia has garnered significant attention for addressing the issue of trust in online casino games by using blockchain, a key factor in its growing popularity and appeal.

UtopiaGames’ latest advancement comes on the heels of equity investments from SU Holdings and BU Technology. These investments totaled KRW 21 billion, equivalent to approximately $16.2 million.

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Web3 & Enterprise·

May 16, 2023

Japanese Firm Exec Underscores User Experience and Collaboration in Web3

Japanese Firm Exec Underscores User Experience and Collaboration in Web3Hiroshi Tsuruoka, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of UNCHAIN, a Japanese company specializing in Web3 entertainment services, recently underscored the significance of unique experiences and collaboration in the Web3 space. He shared these insights during his conversation with Webmaster Forum, a platform offered by Japanese web content provider Impress Corporation.UNCHAIN, Tsuruoka’s employer, aims to assist companies in entering the Web3 sphere and developing entertainment services that offer users a secure and enjoyable experience. The company provides comprehensive support, including planning, development, and marketing, tailored specifically for the Web3 environment.Photo by Shubham’s Web3 on UnsplashImportance of content qualityDuring the interview, Tsuruoka said that Web3 seems to have lost some of its previous popularity in Japan. Initially, the market experienced rapid growth driven by highly speculative products like NFT artworks and Play to Earn (P2E) games, which attracted participation from many Japanese companies. However, the subsequent downturn of global projects prompted the Japanese blockchain industry to reassess its strategy, recognizing the paramount importance of content quality.Meaningful experiencesAccording to Tsuruoka, the appeal of blockchain games extends beyond their profit potential, deriving more from the unique, enjoyable experiences they offer. He believes that gamers find it meaningful when they play a pivotal role in expanding the gaming market and giving rise to new gaming cultures. Moreover, the incorporation of NFTs in games allows users to retain ownership of their in-game items even if a company discontinues its service, fostering a deeper emotional connection between users and their virtual possessions.This emerging trend fosters a culture of creation, where users, operators, and creators come together in a collaborative space to generate secondary creations and new services. Users delight in actively contributing to this ecosystem and helping it grow.Tsuruoka recognizes that decentralization presents both advantages and challenges. On one hand, it offers individuals greater freedom. However, it also places the full responsibility of data management on the users themselves, in contrast to a centralized environment where the game provider handles data management.Tsuruoka advises against placing excessive emphasis on speculation and financial gain when discussing Web3. Instead, he encourages companies to prioritize delivering meaningful and valuable experiences to users. Tsuruoka believes that emotional experiences, such as owning a distinctive avatar through digital assets, hold tremendous potential in the Web3 realm.Web2 success firstHe asserts that no Web3 project can guarantee success without proving its worth in the Web2 space. Services that proved valuable in Web2 could experience significant growth when combined with Web3 elements.Strong relationshipsTsuruoka highlights the importance of establishing strong relationships between companies and users in the Web3 environment. While platforms like Discord can facilitate these relationships, it is crucial to strategically design user engagement, motivation, and enjoyment before launching a service. Effective community management in the Web3 space requires deep user engagement, which entails ongoing and intensive communication between operators and users.Tsuruoka emphasized the need to heed user feedback. Regardless of the service type, incorporating user opinions and collaborating with them can result in significant community and project growth, with corresponding increases in asset values. He added that this is not limited to the Web3 domain.

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Markets·

Oct 07, 2023

BitMEX Co-Founder Forecasts $750K to $1 Million Bitcoin Price by 2026

BitMEX Co-Founder Forecasts $750K to $1 Million Bitcoin Price by 2026In a recent interview with YouTuber Tom Bilyeu, Arthur Hayes, Co-Founder of the Seychelles-registered cryptocurrency exchange and derivative trading platform BitMEX, has expressed his bullish outlook on Bitcoin’s future price, projecting a valuation of $750,000 to $1 million for the leading cryptocurrency by the year 2026.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashFinite supply to drive price dynamicHayes’ optimism is rooted in several factors that he believes will shape the next Bitcoin cycle. One of the key factors driving Hayes’ projection is Bitcoin’s limited supply. With a maximum cap of 21 million coins, Bitcoin’s scarcity is expected to propel the unit price of the asset in tandem with growing demand as more investors seek to secure a piece of this finite resource.The idea that Bitcoin’s scarcity will drive its value higher has been a fundamental tenet of the cryptocurrency since its inception. In 2010 the leading cryptocurrency’s pseudonymous Founder stated: “When someone tries to buy all the world’s supply of a scarce asset, the more they buy the higher the price goes.”ETF potentialHayes also highlighted the potential for Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to become available in major regulated markets. The introduction of Bitcoin ETFs could attract institutional investors and provide a more accessible way for the broader public to invest in Bitcoin, further boosting its demand.However, Hayes also speculates about the risks associated with a Bitcoin ETF. He stated: “Are we inviting in something that’s going to fundamentally change what Bitcoin is?”Geopolitical factorsGeopolitical uncertainty plays a significant role in Hayes’ forecast also. As global economic and political instability persists, investors may turn to Bitcoin and other alternative assets as hedges against traditional financial instruments.However, it’s important to note that Hayes contextualized his Bitcoin price prediction within a larger bullish macroeconomic environment. From his perspective the surge in asset prices will not be limited to cryptocurrencies alone. He anticipates a substantial boom in financial markets, with not only Bitcoin but also traditional assets like stocks experiencing substantial price growth.Hayes stated: “I think it will be the biggest boom in financial markets we have ever seen in human history. Bitcoin will have a ridiculous price, Nasdaq will have a ridiculous price, S&P will have a ridiculous price.”Known for his thoughtful and insightful writings on the subject area, Hayes wrote in July that he believes that Bitcoin will be the currency of choice when it comes to the growing need for artificial intelligence (AI) to work directly with a means of payment.$1 million BTC by 2026While Hayes’ projection of a $1 million Bitcoin price by 2026 may seem ambitious, his short-term predictions are more moderate. He foresees Bitcoin trading in the $30,000 range for the current year. Building upon that thesis, he maintains that the possibility exists of it reaching $70,000 by 2024.This aligns with the views of other industry analysts who anticipate challenges and headwinds in the near term. There’s little doubt that recent platform failures and speculation with regard to the health of other leading crypto platforms have been retarding market performance more recently.While the road ahead may hold fluctuations and challenges, many experts believe that Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory remains promising, driven by its unique attributes and the changing dynamics of global finance.

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Web3 & Enterprise·

Dec 09, 2025

Abu Dhabi broadens crypto regime with new stablecoin approvals and Binance licensing

While global cryptocurrency sentiment remains subdued, authorities and state-linked investors in Abu Dhabi are deepening their engagement with digital assets through expanded regulation and increased capital allocation. On Dec. 8, stablecoin issuer Tether and cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced they had secured regulatory approvals from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial center and free economic zone in the UAE capital. The moves signal a continued effort by the United Arab Emirates to integrate blockchain technology into its formal financial system, creating a contrast with the broader market’s current “extreme fear” rating of 22 on the Alternative Fear and Greed Index.Photo by DrawKit Illustrations on UnsplashTether, Ripple stablecoins approvedTether confirmed that its USDT stablecoin has been designated as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token within the ADGM. This status allows financial entities licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to conduct regulated activities involving USDT across a broader range of blockchain networks, including Aptos, Celo, Cosmos, Kaia, Near, Polkadot, Tezos, TON, and TRON. The approval builds on previous authorizations for USDT on Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche, and follows the FSRA’s recognition of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin last month. Binance fully cleared for regulated launch Simultaneously, Binance announced it has secured full authorization from the FSRA to operate a regulated platform within the financial center. Pending final operational preparations, Binance is scheduled to commence regulated activities on Jan. 5, 2026. The exchange will operate in Abu Dhabi through a three-entity structure that separates key functions, mirroring traditional financial infrastructure. Nest Exchange Limited (currently Nest Services) will function as the regulated arm for spot and derivatives trading, while Nest Clearing and Custody Limited will manage clearing and settlement. Broker-dealer activities will be handled by a third entity, Nest Trading Limited (currently BCI Limited). Circle awarded FSP for paymentsMore recently, Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, announced the receipt of a Financial Services Permission (FSP) license from the FSRA. The license allows Circle to act as a Money Services Provider within Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre (IFC), enabling it to support regulated payment and settlement services for businesses, developers, and financial institutions across the UAE. Circle has been expanding its regulatory presence in the region throughout the year. In February, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recognized the company’s USDC and EURC tokens as permitted crypto assets under its virtual asset framework. This regulatory expansion comes amid the UAE’s efforts to develop a comprehensive financial compliance framework. A recent report by the Global Finance & Technology Network identified the UAE as one of seven jurisdictions globally that meet three core standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance. Those standards include know-your-customer (KYC) and identity verification, suspicious transaction reporting, and implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule. Institutional capital inflows riseIn parallel with the regulatory push, investment vehicles linked to the Abu Dhabi government have increased their exposure to digital assets. Bloomberg reported that in the third quarter, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, a Mubadala subsidiary, increased its position in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF more than threefold to nearly eight million shares. Separately, the Royal Group, an investment firm associated with the Abu Dhabi royal family, currently holds roughly 6,516 Bitcoin, according to Arkham data. An earlier Crypto Briefing report noted that this acquisition was carried out through its majority-owned subsidiary, Citadel Mining. These simultaneous developments in licensing and capital allocation suggest a coordinated strategy to establish Abu Dhabi as a hub for institutional digital assets, with a focus on long-term infrastructure despite current market fragility. 

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