Cronos Labs launches zkEVM chain testnet

Bitget works towards goal of Bitcoin ecosystem supportBitget Wallet, a Web3 trading wallet offered by the Bitget Seychelles-based crypto derivatives platform, has unveiled a plan designed to bolster its support for and development within the Bitcoin ecosystem.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashEnhancing user experienceIn an effort to elevate user experience and expand trading options, Bitget Wallet is committing to extensive product research, development initiatives and increased investments. The company plans on offering a wide array of services tailored to the Bitcoin ecosystem.This includes robust support for BTC asset management, cross-chain swaps, on-ramping for externally owned account (EOA)-based wallets, multi-party computation (MPC) wallets, Taproot compatibility and streamlined asset transfers for both BRC-20 tokens and NFTs. In October, Bitget announced that it was taking the route of enhanced security by embarking on integrating MPC.Integrated dApp browserThe platform also provides users with insights into macro and micro market trends through Bitget Swap, enabling interaction with popular projects via its dApp browser.Bitget Wallet’s move has already garnered support from several Bitcoin ecosystem projects, with integrations on official websites such as Unisat, ALEX Lab, LifeRestart and Bitmap Explorer. The integrated dApp browser ensures convenient user access to these projects, fostering increased engagement and accessibility.Looking forward, Bitget Wallet aims to capitalize on the medium to long-term market prospects within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The company is directing its efforts towards enhancing both technological infrastructure and product features, with a specific focus on critical areas such as Lightning Network, Nostr, Taproot Assets, BRC-20 and ARC-20 inscriptions.Facilitating cross-chain transactionsAn important facet of Bitget Wallet’s approach involves supporting multiple address formats, particularly within the Lightning Network. By doing so, the platform aims to improve asset transfer efficiency and introduce asset swaps between the Bitcoin mainnet and the Lightning Network. This move is geared towards facilitating cross-chain transactions between BTC and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) assets on Bitget Swap, providing users with increased opportunities for portfolio diversification.Alvin Kan, the Chief Operating Officer of Bitget Wallet, underscored the significance of Bitcoin as the foundational cornerstone of the crypto industry. He emphasized the platform’s commitment to becoming a key player in the growing Bitcoin ecosystem, providing users with robust and seamless ways to manage and grow their assets.Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet stands as Asia’s largest all-in-one Web3 trading wallet, boasting a five-year legacy and over 12 million users worldwide. On a global basis, the non-custodial wallet recently ranked fourth overall in terms of the number of wallet downloads.Bitget acquired the Singaporean startup wallet project in June. Its addition helped the broader Bitget platform to achieve the milestone of 20 million users. The product was rebranded as Bitget Wallet shortly afterwards.The company is keen to support other blockchain networks and ecosystems also. Earlier this month, the company announced an investment into Morph, a layer-2 blockchain that uses zero knowledge roll-up technology in an effort to focus on enhanced consumer experience.Last week, the platform added support for ZKFair, a zero knowledge layer-2 network which is based on the Polygon CDK.

HashKey Launches Wealth Management Service Amid High DemandHong Kong-based HashKey Group, a leading financial technology company in Asia, has launched Hashkey Wealth, a wealth management service in response to significant demand from investors looking for exposure to the digital assets market.©Pexels/Tima MiroshnichenkoPortfolio diversificationWith the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, many investors are seeking ways to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to this emerging asset class. HashKey’s wealth management service provides investors with access to a wide range of digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies, as well as alternative investments such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects.The wealth management program is designed to meet the needs of both institutional and individual investors. It offers a variety of investment strategies, ranging from passive to actively managed portfolios, with different risk profiles to suit investors’ preferences. The program also provides a range of services, including custody, trading, and portfolio rebalancing, to ensure that investors can manage their investments with ease.Established track recordHashKey has a strong track record in the digital asset market, having launched its own cryptocurrency exchange in 2018 and a blockchain accelerator program in 2019. The company has also established partnerships with leading players in the industry, such as Huobi, to expand its reach and provide investors with access to a wider range of investment opportunities.In a statement, HashKey Group CEO, Deng Chao, said, “We are excited to launch our wealth management service and provide investors with access to the emerging digital asset market. Our goal is to provide investors with a range of investment options and strategies to meet their needs, while also providing them with the tools and services they need to manage their investments effectively.”Growing interest in digital assetsThe launch of HashKey’s wealth management service comes at a time of increasing interest in digital assets from both institutional and individual investors. With the market for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets expected to continue to grow in the coming years, it is likely that demand for wealth management services in this space will also continue to increase.Additional servicesThe company also gained approval from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for a Type 9 asset management license which allows it to manage portfolios that are entirely invested in digital assets.Hashkey PRO, its regulated virtual asset exchange, is due to launch in Q2, 2023. In order to facilitate this, the firm has gained SFC approval for both a Type 1 license which covers dealing in securities and a Type 7 license which enables the provision of automated trading services.Overall, the launch of HashKey’s wealth management service and its virtual assets exchange is a positive development for the digital asset market, as it provides investors with a range of investment options and strategies to suit their needs. With the company’s strong track record in the industry and its commitment to providing investors with high-quality services and solutions, it is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for digital asset investments.

Shinhan Bank to Issue NFTs at 2023 Global Blockchain Incheon ConferenceShinhan Bank is set to participate in the 2023 Global Blockchain Incheon Conference (GBIC) from October 30 to 31 at Incheon Songdo Convensia, where it plans to operate a promotional booth to present its blockchain initiatives and issue commemorative non-fungible tokens (NFTs).Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on UnsplashUnveiling the prospects of next-generation technologiesGBIC is an international conference hosted by the city of Incheon and organized by Incheon Technopark. It will focus on exploring the present and future landscape of blockchain and Web3 technology while providing a platform for networking among experts from around the world. The event aims to stimulate the business ecosystem within the field and promote cultural exchange.Exclusive perksTo mark the occasion, Shinhan Bank and the city of Incheon are working together to issue NFTs for visitors, which include records of information like confirmation of event entry and participation, coupon usage, and more. The NFTs will also be given away to the first 1,000 customers who arrive at the event site, offering three benefits — free coffee vouchers as well as entry passes to artificial and virtual reality experiences and other on-site events. Recipients will also have the option to hand over the functions and benefits of the NFTs to others.Those who wish to attend GBIC can pre-register on the official conference website.