Wemade ramps up excitement for upcoming games at Taipei Game Show

Lotte Group’s Bellygom NFT Project Garners Global Fanbase of Over 300KDaehong Communications and Lotte Homeshopping shared yesterday that their NFT project has now garnered a global fanbase exceeding 300,000 members. The two companies are subsidiaries of South Korean industrial conglomerate Lotte Group.Photo by Khinaii van Laren on UnsplashPartnership initiatives as global expansionTheir NFT initiative, operated by the group’s marketing arm Daehong, is based on Bellygom, the pink bear character representing Lotte Homeshopping. As part of its global strategy, the Bellygom NFT project has formed partnerships with various international projects and has been actively involved in communication efforts. Notably, Bellygom’s X (formerly Twitter) account, created earlier this year, has attracted 100,000 followers within a span of five months.At the end of last month, Daehong successfully completed the minting of Bellyland, the second NFT collection of the Bellygom project. The minting event was accompanied by Jelly Adventure, a universe where users can participate in a wide range of missions and games to earn “Bubble Gums.” Notably, Jelly Adventure is not only accessible to Bellyland NFT holders but also to those of other projects such as YogaPetz and Mocaverse.It’s worth highlighting that the minting event achieved the sale of over 5,000 NFTs, even during a period of reduced activity in the NFT market. Despite the declining minting prices and quantities, it managed to raise over 750,000 MATIC.Joining of new international usersAdditionally, the minting event attracted new international users to the Bellygom project, underlining its sustainability. The successful debut of Bellyland NFTs has significantly contributed to the project’s global expansion and presence.Furthermore, Daehong is pursuing a range of initiatives aimed at cultivating a fan-centric ecosystem with the ultimate objective of driving broader adoption of Web3 technologies. With the belief that the fanbase provides a strong foothold for the brand’s growth, the marketing firm plays a crucial role in facilitating the introduction of the Bellygom brand to the Web3 space. To this end, Daehong is constructing a universe with a story that embodies the brand’s identity while seamlessly integrating it with conventional marketing strategies.

Global Blockchain Incheon Conference to Promote Web3 Exchange and AdvancementThe city of Incheon is set to host the Global Blockchain Incheon Conference (GBIC 2023) this year from October 30 to 31 under the theme “The Age of Discovery: Voyage to the New World of Blockchain.” The conference aims to provide a space for the exchange of Web3 technologies that are becoming a part of daily life and facilitating communication between businesses, all in the pursuit of establishing Incheon as a global blockchain hub.Photo by Jiho Choi on UnsplashThe city intends to reveal its master plan to achieve this pursuit, consisting of five major strategy points: citizen participation, sustainable growth, advanced innovation, development of a business-friendly environment, and global technological leadership.Exploring the rich tapestry of GBIC 2023The event will include an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, seminars, and additional activities such as hackathon competitions, photo exhibitions of cutting-edge technologies, and interactive zones. Keynote speakers include Marouen Zelleg, Head of Business Development at Polygon Labs’ Asia-Pacific region; Patrick Yoon, General Manager Korea at Crypto.com; Shun Ishikawa, COO at Astar Foundation; and Christopher Lai, Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Korea branch.There will be sessions centered around various themes such as stepping into the future of blockchain, improving safety for the citizens of Incheon, delivering tangible innovation, integrating blockchain into daily life, venturing beyond regulations into new possibilities, disseminating technology, and innovating industrial ecosystems.In particular, the conference will also hold a demo day, where companies can showcase demos for their products and services to attract potential investors.Diverse experiences for visitorsAttendees will have the unique opportunity to see how blockchain technology is integrated into daily life by receiving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) minted with Incheon’s mascots — Deungdaeri, Bumi, Kkomi, and Aini — and participating in blockchain-powered games. Other NFTs, such as those issued by Shinhan Bank with records of information like confirmation of entry and coupon usage, will also be available.GBIC is also holding other online and offline activities for visitors to participate in, such as quizzes, social media events, and souvenir distributions.“We will demonstrate how digital technology is integrated into daily life through blockchain in the Web3 era that we are living in,” said Son Hye-yeong, Head of the city’s Data Industry Division. “We encourage everyone’s interest and participation in the blockchain presentations and forums led by global leaders.”GBIC will take place at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, an international conference complex located in Songdo International Business District.

India Launches Crypto-Enabled Web Browser InitiativeIn a further leap into the digital frontier, the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), signaling a significant move towards reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign technology.Photo by Julian Yu on UnsplashIndigenous web browserCentral to this ambitious initiative is the creation of an indigenous web browser with an innovative twist — the integration of cryptographic features for digitally signing documents. This advancement is poised to heighten the security and efficiency of online transactions, elevating India’s digital landscape.The launch event for the challenge took place at the India Habitat Centre and showcased a collaborative endeavor involving MeitY, Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).Harnessing blockchain technologyAt its core, this initiative aims to bridge the traditional internet framework with the burgeoning potential of blockchain technology. A press release published by MeitY on Wednesday clarified that the web browser will boast an embedded CCA India root certificate, bolstering the browser’s security framework and upholding the sanctity of data privacy.Sunita Verma, Research & Development Group Coordinator at MeitY, underscored the profound significance of this initiative in India’s digital narrative. She conveyed the message from Alkesh Kumar Sharma, MeitY’s Secretary, emphasizing that this challenge embodies a pivotal stride toward realizing the vision of an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India.Further echoing this sentiment, Verma stated:“Digital India has orchestrated a transformative shift in our nation’s operational fabric. As we journey forward, the convergence of technology and homegrown innovation stands as a critical waypoint. More than just a browser, this is a symbol of a self-sufficient, digitally empowered India.”Progressive use caseIn line with the drive towards digital sovereignty, Arvind Kumar, MeitY’s CCA, illuminated the paramount significance of trustworthiness and security in the realm of digital interactions. He expressed his confidence that the forthcoming browser, fortified with the India Root Certificate, will render the nation more resilient against internet vulnerabilities, ultimately curbing dependence on foreign technology players.The IWBDC extends an open invitation to innovators across diverse domains, encompassing academia, industry, startups, and individuals, to contribute their ingenuity to this groundbreaking venture. The challenge brings with it a substantial prize pool of Rs. 3.41 crore ($0.4 million), offering not only financial incentives but also a chance to shape the trajectory of India’s digital future.While establishment agencies in India have largely been opposed to the legalization of cryptocurrencies, this initiative demonstrates that others are looking to exploit the blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation.While the Indian government has been active in calling for global crypto regulation, the country itself has not as yet finalized any such legislation relative to Web3 and cryptocurrency. Initiatives like this one help to showcase the possibilities that this innovation can bring about. That should serve to steer regulation in India towards a set of rules that enable the further development of that innovation.As the curtains rise on the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, the world’s most populous nation is taking a decisive stride towards asserting its tech self-reliance, intertwining innovation with security, and laying the foundation for a digitally progressive India.