Ethereum Foundation targets Asian expansion with Bangkok set for Devcon 7

Gnosis Plans Crypto Visa Card Launch for Singapore and Hong KongGnosis, the Ethereum-centric decentralized infrastructure firm, is launching a Visa card in the UK and the EU, with plans for expansion to Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, and Hong Kong.Photo by Markus Winkler on UnsplashBridging the gapThe Visa card allows users to spend funds from their self-custodial wallets at any merchant accepting Visa. These products are important given that crypto doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and there’s a gap to be bridged between traditional payment methods, such as Visa, and the crypto ecosystem.Traditionally, the crypto industry has struggled with limited usability, but Gnosis wants to erase the divide between crypto and the real world. By enabling users to spend their crypto assets in traditional settings, Gnosis Card paves the way for wider adoption and showcases the potential of DeFi for society as a whole.Expanding reach to AsiaWhile initially launching in Europe, Gnosis Card has ambitious plans for expansion. The company aims to introduce its innovative payment solution to markets beyond Europe. Among the target locations are Hong Kong and Singapore, known for their progressive approach to fintech and in particular, to crypto. By entering these dynamic markets, Gnosis seeks to tap into the growing demand for self-custodial crypto spending options in the Asian region and further empower individuals to utilize their digital assets in everyday transactions.Collaborations for seamless integrationGnosis has partnered with Monerium, the provider of the regulated euro-denominated stablecoin EURe, to facilitate the seamless conversion between traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies. Monerium allows users to connect their wallets to an International Bank Account Number (IBAN), ensuring smooth transactions and interoperability.Additionally, Gnosis Pay, a suite of developer tools, will enable other wallets to issue their own customized payment cards. This collaboration with Fractal, a decentralized identity startup, ensures a smooth know-your-customer (KYC) process. By leveraging strategic partnerships, Gnosis is attempting to create an integrated ecosystem that combines the best of both traditional finance and blockchain technology.Simplifying compliance and securityTo address compliance and security concerns, Gnosis Pay utilizes the Safe smart contract wallet infrastructure. Each user has a Safe account on the Layer 1 chain of Gnosis and another on the Layer 2 Ethereum scaling solution, zkEVM, developed by Polygon.This dual-layer architecture ensures compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) regulations while providing instant payment processing through the Visa network. Gnosis Pay’s partnerships enable effective screening for fraudulent activities and ensure data privacy compliance, empowering users with control over their personal information.With the launch of the Gnosis Card, Gnosis is likely to change the way individuals spend digital assets held within their self-custodial wallets in the real world. Additionally, by expanding to Hong Kong and Singapore, Gnosis Card is set to make a significant impact in vibrant Asian markets.Through strategic collaborations and a user-centric approach, the company is driving the adoption of cryptocurrencies, promoting financial inclusion, and accelerating the integration of blockchain technology with traditional finance.

Korean Game Developers to Benefit from Higher NFT Trading VolumeKorean game companies preparing to launch web 3.0 games are expected to benefit from the higher non-fungible token (NFT) trading volume, according to Korean news outlet Financial News.©Pexels/Tony LitvyakA report from decentralized app analytics platform DappRadar states that the NFT trading volume reached $4.7 billion in the first quarter this year, up 137.04% from the previous quarter. This volume is the highest since the second quarter of 2022.This year’s strong NFT market so far is good news for Korean game developers, which were negatively affected by a slowdown in the crypto industry last year due to various factors, including the Terra USD collapse and the bankruptcy of crypto exchange FTX.In fact, many game and content companies are expanding their ecosystems by tokenizing their game items and intellectual property (IP) rights.NexonOne such example is Nexon, the developer of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game MapleStory. Based on its IP rights, Nexon is creating the MapleStory Universe, an NFT-based blockchain ecosystem. The MapleStory Universe will enable trading of NFTs, which users can obtain while hunting or accomplishing quests. Its first major project, a personal computer game named “MapleStory N,” will be launched to attract gamers worldwide.NetmarbleNetmarble, another Korean game company, will launch Modoo Marble 2: Metaworld on Wednesday for global gamers. The popular mobile board game will be rolled out on the MBX ecosystem operated by Netmarble’s blockchain subsidiary Marblex. Participation in the board game and involvement in the Metaworld would allow users to earn Meta Cash as rewards, which can then be swapped for different virtual assets. The trade of buildings and land within the game would likely be facilitated through the use of NFTs.Com2uS HoldingsCultural content company Com2uS Holdings is also making its own efforts to expand its blockchain ecosystem. Its subsidiary Com2uS Platform recently forged a partnership with animation firm Daewon Media to strengthen its NFT business based on Daewon’s popular IP rights.A game industry official said NFT trading can address issues that caused concerns for gamers who doubted the legitimacy and price of items they traded. The official further elaborated that incorporating elements like NFTs and the metaverse would enhance the gaming experience and excitement for gaming enthusiasts.

CarrieVerse Token CVTX Listed on BingXBlockchain-based Web3 metaverse platform CarrieVerse has recently listed its native token CVTX on the cryptocurrency exchange BingX.Photo by m. on UnsplashMultipurpose tokenBuilt on Polygon, CVTX is integrated into the tokenomics ecosystem of CarrieVerse and its card strategy role-playing game (RPG) SuperKola Tactics. It is also the governance token for the CarrieVerse blockchain gaming platform Cling. It is currently tradable on other international exchanges in addition to BingX, such as Gate.io, MEXC Global, BitMart, and ProBit Global, as well as the Korean exchange GOPAX. CVTX can be traded for USDT on all of the above exchanges except for GOPAX, which offers a CVTX/KRW pair. KRW stands for Korean won.“CVTX has expanded its global presence one step further. We will continue to strive for market expansion through listings on leading exchanges, building on the excitement inspired by gaming and staking,” said David Yoon, CEO of CarrieVerse.About BingXFounded in 2018, BingX is a Singapore-based digital asset exchange that offers spot derivatives, copy trading, and grid trading services to over five million users across 100 countries worldwide. Its spot trading volume over the past 24 hours at the time of publication, according to recent data from CoinMarketCap, stands at $602 million. Notably, it allows for easy transfer of assets between Korean exchanges Bithumb and Coinone, having passed their Travel Rules requirements last year.