Tokenpost and PUNKPOLL launch open beta service for Web3 news polling service

Zodia Custody Expands to Hong Kong to Meet Asian Institutional DemandZodia Custody, the crypto arm of British banking conglomerate Standard Chartered, is extending its digital asset custody services to financial institutions in Hong Kong, making further in-roads in terms of the company’s Asia-Pacific expansion.News of the expanded offering came via a CNBC report published on Sunday. Launched in 2020, Zodia Custody was founded to address the growing institutional demand for secure crypto asset storage, making Hong Kong a strategic addition to its service areas alongside its recent foray into the Australian market.Photo by Emily Xie on UnsplashAsia-Pacific expansionCurrently, only two companies, OSL Digital and HashKey, have obtained licenses from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to operate within Hong Kong’s regulated crypto space. In its initial phase of operations in Hong Kong, Zodia Custody intends to offer a limited range of crypto assets to its institutional clients, aligning with its commitment to prudent expansion.Zodia Custody’s expansion into Hong Kong follows a series of moves into other key Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets, including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Moreover, the company remains open to potential partnerships and clientele from regions beyond its current operational footprint.Earlier this month, Zodia Custody made headlines in Australia with the introduction of SAF3, a digital asset custody platform tailored specifically for institutional clients. SAF3 boasts bank-grade cold wallet storage accessible in real-time, complemented by advanced risk management and fraud detection capabilities. Julian Sawyer, the CEO of Zodia Custody, emphasized the importance of responsible institutional adoption, a significant step as Australia’s digital asset industry continues to mature.Institutional demand in Hong KongIn response to the surging institutional interest in crypto assets, Zodia Custody is capitalizing on this market trend, recognizing that Hong Kong’s demand for crypto services is predominantly institutionally driven. Sawyer underlined the unique character of the Hong Kong crypto market compared to other regions, where retail consumers often dominate trading activities. The confluence of institutional demand and Zodia’s specialized services positions Hong Kong as an ideal market for the company’s expansion.Notably, Hong Kong has demonstrated a more crypto-friendly stance compared to its neighboring China, which has taken a stricter approach with crypto bans. Earlier this year, Hong Kong’s SFC introduced a regulatory framework that allows companies to register and provide regulated crypto services. In light of these developments, Zodia Custody is in talks with both the SFC and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to secure regulatory approval within the financial district.Julian Sawyer articulated this opportunity, stating:“The Hong Kong government and the regulators see digital assets as the future and also want Hong Kong to be a hub.” These discussions are poised to pave the way for Zodia Custody to operate within a well-regulated environment.Standard Chartered has been making in-roads into the Asian market, largely through its Singaporean subsidiary SC Ventures. Zodia Custody launched in Dubai in June and in Singapore last month.However, it is not just progressing solely in the Asia-Pacific region. Recently, Zodia Markets, another Standard Chartered subsidiary, achieved registration as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) with the Central Bank of Ireland. In September, Zodia Markets also made significant strides in the Middle East and Africa by securing In-Principle Approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

South Korean gaming publisher Wemade’s layer 1 blockchain WEMIX has announced the listing of stWEMIX — the tokenized form of staked WEMIX — on the global cryptocurrency exchange BitMart, according to an official announcement on WEMIX’s Medium page last Saturday. stWEMIX acts as a liquidity token of the native coin WEMIX that allows users to participate in trading, yield farming and borrowing.Photo by Maxim Hopman on UnsplashBitMart’s servicesEstablished in 2018, BitMart offers services like futures contracts and different types of trading, including currency, over-the-counter, decentralized and network-wide trading. The token was listed for trading on the exchange last Friday at 10 a.m. (UTC) and is currently priced at $3.48 as of this writing. Exclusive eventsThe exchange said that it is independently holding several events with the help of the WEMIX Foundation until Jan. 4 to celebrate the listing. This includes rewards in the form of stWEMIX, which will be distributed to new and existing users alike on BitMart who deposit or buy at least 100 USDT of stWEMIX. 50 users who record highest stWEMIX trading volume during the event period and those who participate in stWEMIX Fixed Savings will also receive rewards. BitMart’s Fixed Savings subscription is a system that pays interest on cryptocurrencies that are deposited during a designated period ranging from a week to one month. Users can redeem their funds only after the period is over, and both the principal and interest are paid to their spot wallets without extra fees.

Busan Introduces Blockchain-Powered Cards for Multi-Children Families to Offer Social BenefitsBusan Metropolitan City, home to South Korea’s largest port, announced on October 20 (local time) a revision in its criteria for “multi-children families” who enjoy social welfare benefits and the launch of new blockchain-powered cards for these families. The city will reduce the requisite number of children in these families from three to two to extend benefits and encourage a higher fertility rate. To qualify for these benefits, at least one child in the family must be under the age of 19.Photo by Minku Kang on UnsplashBlockchain integrationStarting October 31, eligible families can access these benefits through “family love cards,” which will be available on BPASS, a mobile identification card app developed with blockchain technology. Some of these family love cards will be issued in collaboration with credit card company Shinhan Card.Diverse benefitsThe benefits include discounts at public facilities, restaurants, cram schools (commonly referred to as hagwons), and daycare centers. Specifically, public parking lots and sports facilities will offer services at half the usual rate. Meanwhile, other establishments targeting adolescents and women will either waive their fees entirely or provide reductions.On November 1, Busan will host the 16th annual Multi-Children Family Day ceremony at the City Hall’s international conference center. Having started this event in 2008, Busan stands out as the only metropolitan municipality to celebrate this occasion each year.Efforts to boost fertility rateThis year’s ceremony will highlight Busan’s initiatives to enhance support for multi-child families. The event will honor outstanding families and a childbirth-friendly organization, as well as districts and counties that have been exceptional in implementing childbirth promotion policies. Additionally, the occasion will be marked by special commemorative performances.Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon affirmed the city’s dedication to nurturing children alongside their families. He added that Busan will persistently refine and improve its childbirth policies to offer full support.