XPLA and PERPLAY join forces to bolster rewarding mechanism to Web3 games

Hong Kong-based game software company Animoca Brands has announced its foray into the Bitcoin industry by endorsing the Opal Foundation, a novel Bitcoin ecosystem protocol. The move involves the Opal Protocol and BLIF token, initiated by Animoca Brands and Darewise, a metaverse technology platform. On April 30, Animoca Brands disclosed its plans to become the "largest Web3 ecosystem" for gaming, education and culture built on Bitcoin. The company aims to establish the Opal Protocol and BLIF token as key components of this ecosystem.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashBLIF token and Opal ProtocolThe BLIF token, also known as the Opal Protocol Runes token, is hailed by Animoca as a means to enable a "true digital life" on Bitcoin. According to Animoca's executive chairman and co-founder Yat Siu, Bitcoin is now primed for Web3, transitioning from a mere store of value to a store of culture for the Web3 age. Six of Animoca Brands' portfolio companies have already joined as Genesis members, signaling a strong start for the Opal Protocol. Additionally, all future Bitcoin-based projects from Animoca Brands will collaborate with the Opal Foundation. Launched in 2024, the Opal protocol positions itself as a decentralized ecosystem protocol on Bitcoin, powered by BLIF. Its litepaper describes it as a seamless blend of virtual and real-life experiences, offering digital extensions of reality across various domains such as banking, entertainment, education and social interactions. The launch date of the Opal protocol and BLIF airdrop is yet to be announced, but Opal's Telegram group has hinted at its impending arrival. Despite not being operational, Opal's X profile already boasts over 270,000 subscribers. Strategic partnershipAnimoca Brands is hailed as the first strategic launch partner for the Opal Foundation. The company's collaboration aims to integrate its vision into the open Opal protocol on Bitcoin and ordinals. Animoca's venture into Bitcoin coincides with the recent trading debut of spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETF) in Hong Kong. However, the initial trading volumes of these ETFs were relatively modest compared to spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in the United States in January 2024. 

Bizplay Improves Payment Experiences for Foreign Tourists in South KoreaBizplay, a cost management solutions provider, is gearing up to introduce a mobile payment service for international visitors to South Korea. This innovative service will empower tourists with the convenience of seamless transactions across a nationwide network of 1.75 million merchants who accept ZeroPay, a QR code-driven mobile payment platform.Photo by Federica Bisso on UnsplashBlockchain involvementOn September 7, Bizplay joined HIVEX Network, the cross-border payment system of blockchain tech company TBCASoft. This collaboration opens up opportunities for Japanese and Taiwanese tourists in South Korea to access the same payment services they are accustomed to in their home countries.Native apps and currenciesBy the first half of next year, these tourists will be able to readily identify ZeroPay-accepting merchants in their native apps without having to install a separate app, and they will have the ability to pay in native currencies such as Japanese yen and New Taiwan dollars without the cumbersome process of currency conversion.Once integrated with the HIVEX Network, Bizplay’s services will be available in all member countries of the HIVEX Network. By strengthening its partnerships with global payment companies, Bizplay aims to facilitate easy payments for the 4.5 million Korean users of its BeplePay, another app similar to ZeroPay, when they travel abroad in the latter half of 2024.Kim Hong-ki, CEO of Bizplay, expressed his excitement that international tourists in Korea will soon be able to enjoy a convenient travel experience by easily making payments with their native apps at ZeroPay-accepting shops. He further emphasized the company’s commitment to leveraging its technology and extensive global network to expand its services, with the aim of meeting the diverse needs of consumers.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a step toward global tax transparency in digital assets, opening a public consultation on how it will implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and confirming a formal commitment to the regime. The UAE Ministry of Finance said it has joined the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement, enabling the automatic exchange of information under CARF, following its intention announced last November. Implementation is slated to begin in 2027, with the first cross-border exchanges of data expected in 2028.Photo by Saj Shafique on UnsplashGlobal rules for crypto tax reportingDesigned by the OECD, CARF establishes standardized rules for collecting and sharing tax-relevant information on crypto activity. UAE officials say the framework will provide greater certainty for industry participants while aligning the country with international tax transparency standards. As part of the rollout, the ministry is seeking input from across the market. Advisory firms, intermediaries, traders, custodians, exchanges, and other stakeholders are invited to weigh in on potential impacts and areas needing clarification. The consultation began on Sept. 15 and runs until Nov. 8, with the aim of shaping clear, effective rules that reflect expert insight and market realities. Solana treasury companyThe policy moves come amid brisk momentum in the UAE’s digital asset ecosystem. A recent announcement outlined the planned launch of Solmate, a Solana (SOL)-based digital asset treasury firm that will emerge from the rebranding of Nasdaq-listed, Ireland-based holding company Brera Holdings. The venture is supported through a $300 million private investment in public equity (PIPE) sponsored by UAE-based Pulsar Group. Brera, known for its multi-club football ownership strategy across three continents, will have that business carried forward under Solmate, which counts the Solana Foundation, RockawayX, and ARK Invest among its investors. Former Kraken chief legal officer (CLO) Marco Santori is also set to become CEO. Tokenization and real estateReal-world asset (RWA) tokenization is another area gaining traction in the UAE. Mavryk, a layer-1 network, has raised $10 million in a round led by financial derivatives provider MultiBank Group. The investment builds on a partnership targeting the tokenization of more than $10 billion in UAE real estate via MultiBank’s RWA platform. Fireblocks will provide multiparty computation wallets to secure tokenized assets on Mavryk’s network. Beyond tokenization, RAK Properties has signed a strategic deal with Hubpay to let foreign buyers acquire homes in the UAE, most notably in Ras Al Khaimah, the country’s sixth most populous city, using cryptocurrencies such as USDT, Bitcoin (BTC), and Ethereum (ETH). Taken together, the UAE’s alignment with CARF and the burst of private sector initiatives point to a market moving toward clearer rules and broader institutional participation, even as the details of implementation are refined through the current consultation.