EDX Markets plans Asian expansion enabled by additional funding

South Korean digital marketing firm FSN has entered into a strategic alliance with Fingo Company, the operator of the music copyright platform Fingo, to jointly work on a tokenized securities project based on the recently raised funds, according to local news site Newsis on Monday (KST).Photo by Chris Liverani on UnsplashUnlocking synergiesThrough this partnership, FSN and Fingo aim to collaborate on a token securities project. As both companies have experience in leveraging IP, they are expected to apply their expertise to the new business. In particular, FSN operates several IP-based Web3 projects such as Sunmiya Club and Bellygom NFT through its subsidiary Finger Labs, through which the firm has been demonstrating its competitive edge. Fingo also owns a variety of content-based IPs and is cooperating with major domestic securities companies. The two firms’ business capabilities are thus expected to create great synergy in the market. Fingo’s service allows anyone to share revenue made from music, a concept referred to as music revenue sharing, which was once limited to creators or singers only. Last year, it took a step into the tokenized securities sphere by signing a business deal with Mirae Asset Securities, the country’s largest asset manager, to establish a token securities service and launch innovative financial investment products. FSN has been gearing up to take on this collaborative project, namely a recent success in raising a total of KRW 10 billion (approximately $7.5 million) in funding. The company explained that with this considerable funding paired with its knowledge of Web3 and blockchain technology and experience in collaborative partnerships, it will be equipped to settle into the tokenized securities market seamlessly. Charting new horizons"As we have secured large-scale funding under stable conditions, we expect to successfully pursue new businesses, including that in tokenized securities," FSN CEO Lee Sang-seok said. "We will steadily expand new businesses by establishing partnerships with companies with competitiveness in various areas, starting with Fingo Company, which has a competitive edge in tokenized securities and music IP," he said.

Strategic Partnership Sees BitKeep Add Mantle Network SupportBitKeep, a Singapore-centric multi-chain wallet project, has recently formed a strategic partnership with Mantle Network, an Ethereum Layer 2 modular network developed by BitDAO.According to a tweet posted by BitKeep on Monday, the collaboration brings with it the opportunity for BitKeep users to now manage and transact their assets on Mantle Network directly through their wallets.The latest version update of the BitKeep wallet incorporates support to enable users to store, transfer, and trade on-chain assets seamlessly within the wallet. This integration streamlines the user experience and provides easy access to the functionalities offered by Mantle Network.Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash10,000 USDT prize poolTo celebrate this partnership and promote the growth of the Mantle ecosystem, BitKeep has announced a campaign open to all Web3 users. The campaign features a prize pool of 10,000 USDT, adding an element of excitement for participants. Additionally, BitKeep plans to further expand the ecosystem by integrating more DApps based on Mantle Network, ensuring diverse offerings and attracting users from various angles.Although at a corporate level, BitKeep is headquartered in the Cayman Islands, leading members of its project team including Founder Kevin Como are based in Singapore.Mainnet alpha releaseMeanwhile, Mantle Network has reached a major milestone by unveiling its highly anticipated mainnet alpha. The announcement took place at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Paris, following an extensive six-month testnet phase. Mantle Network, as the first Ethereum layer-2 chain incubated and governed by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), has already gained attention for its innovative approach.With its modular design, Mantle Network separates key components such as execution, data availability, consensus, and settlement into distinct layers. By employing optimistic roll-up technology and leveraging Ethereum’s network for security, Mantle Network achieves efficient transaction processing at a lower cost and higher throughput compared to Ethereum itself.This unique architecture has been validated during the testnet phase, handling over 14 million on-chain transactions and facilitating the deployment of more than 140,000 smart contracts.$200 million EcoFundThe mainnet launch also marks the activation of a $200 million EcoFund, which aims to fuel the growth and development of the Mantle ecosystem. This substantial fund will support the ecosystem’s progress, ensuring resources are available to drive innovation and attract developers.Moreover, the merger between Mantle Network and BitDAO has created the Mantle Ecosystem, a unified Web3 ecosystem led by a DAO. Under the Mantle.xyz brand, this collaboration harnesses the strengths and resources of both entities. The merger bolsters the tokenized governance system, empowering token holders to govern the use and allocation of the significant treasury inherited from BitDAO.As BitKeep integrates Mantle Network into its wallet, users can expect an enhanced experience and increased accessibility to the Mantle ecosystem. Meanwhile, Mantle Network’s mainnet launch and the activation of the EcoFund signify significant milestones that lay the foundation for continued growth and development in the DeFi space.

Vietnam has launched a five-year pilot program imposing stringent new rules on the cryptocurrency industry, signaling a move toward tighter control over the rapidly growing sector. According to a Sept. 9 report from the Government Electronic Newspaper, cited by Cointelegraph, the resolution put the regulatory framework into immediate effect. The move aims to establish clear rules for the trading and issuance of crypto assets in the country.Photo by Silver Ringvee on UnsplashLocal currency and licensing requirementsUnder the new pilot program, all crypto transactions must be conducted in the local currency, the Vietnamese dong. The rules stipulate that only Vietnamese-registered enterprises may issue digital assets, while foreign investors can access them only through crypto asset service providers (CASPs) licensed by the Ministry of Finance. Firms seeking a license face high barriers to entry. Applicants must demonstrate profitable business operations for the two consecutive years preceding their application. Furthermore, CASPs are required to maintain a minimum capital of 10 trillion dong (approximately $379 million). The pilot also places firm restrictions on the nature of crypto assets themselves. They must be backed exclusively by real, tangible assets. The issuance of assets backed by fiat currencies or securities is prohibited. Broader legal contextThis pilot program follows the country's decision in June to officially legalize digital assets, with the new law set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The legislation categorizes digital assets into two types: virtual assets, used for exchange or investment, and crypto assets, which rely on encryption for validation. The law clarifies that neither category includes securities, digital representations of fiat currency, or other financial instruments already defined under existing civil and financial laws. The framework also mandates that regulatory agencies implement robust measures to ensure cybersecurity and combat money laundering and terrorism financing. High adoption and tech initiativesThe government's focus on regulation comes as no surprise, given Vietnam's position as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption. A recent study by Chainalysis ranked Vietnam fourth in its 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, highlighting widespread grassroots activity across both centralized and decentralized platforms, similar to trends seen in India and Pakistan. Beyond regulation, Vietnam is actively leveraging blockchain technology for national infrastructure. The government has deployed NDAChain, a national blockchain platform designed to authenticate and trace data origins. Developed by the National Data Association, it aims to provide a decentralized layer of trust for critical systems in e-government, finance, healthcare, and education, addressing the vulnerabilities of centralized data models. Hanoi's crypto ambitions also extend beyond its borders. Last month, Vietnam's Military Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit. The partnership is aimed at developing Vietnam’s financial landscape, with Dunamu providing expertise on establishing a crypto exchange, building a regulatory framework, and implementing investor protection measures.