Crypto.com moves to further global reach with Hong Kong license application

Gumi joins XPLA mainnet as newest validatorJapanese gaming company Gumi has joined South Korean gaming corporation Com2uS Group’s layer 1 blockchain mainnet XPLA as a new node validator, according to an official announcement on XPLA’s Medium page on Monday (local time).Photo by Shubham’s Web3 on UnsplashEmpowering the XPLA ecosystemThrough this partnership, Gumi is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing transparency, stability and scalability as a validator in the XPLA ecosystem. The collaboration aims to explore new possibilities in blockchain technology and integrate them into the gaming industry, thereby maximizing the benefits for all participants in the ecosystem and connecting game developers with players.Over a decade of global impactSince its establishment in 2007, Gumi has been active in the Japanese and global markets, engaging in various mobile gaming and blockchain projects. Recently, the company has not only been involved in the production of and investment in Web3 games but also operates as a key node operator in multiple blockchain projects. By working with Gumi, XPLA anticipates solidifying its position as a global Web3 gaming industry leader and expanding its influence in the Japanese Web3 market.“Through this partnership, we will gain insights into the Japanese market and strive to create a more reliable ecosystem,” said Paul Kim, leader of the XPLA team.Fortifying trust and redefining the Web3 landscapeXPLA’s validators are responsible for verifying the integrity of the blockchain, analyzing on-chain data to improve operations and ensuring the security of the XPLA ecosystem. By passing a proposal to increase the number of validators from 50 to 80 this year, XPLA aims to create an environment that accommodates more validators, thus building a more robust and trustworthy ecosystem.XPLA is an L1 mainnet that hosts numerous Web3 companies like Oasys, Animoca Brands, YGG, Blockdaemon, Cosmos Station and LayerZero as participants. It has onboarded multiple IP-based hit games like Summoners War: Chronicles, Minigame Party, Ace Fishing: Crew, Idle Ninja Online and The Walking Dead: All-Stars, effectively becoming a global Web3 content and gaming hub.

Seongnam City Hosts Seminar on Industry 4.0 AdvancementSeongnam City of Gyeonggi Province announced that it held a seminar on Tuesday under the theme “Seongnam: 50 Years Today, 50 Years Tomorrow” at the city hall to discuss the vision and prospects of the city’s identity as a technological hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Some 100 individuals were in attendance, including the city’s mayor, Shin Sang-jin, and the Director of the Seongnam Research Institute, Im Jong-soon, along with other experts, citizens, and city officials.Photo by Sandro Katalina on UnsplashPath to the Fourth Industrial RevolutionFor Seongnam to develop further, Shin emphasized the need for a specific vision for the city’s future growth. “Gathering individual talent and corporations to drive innovation is the key to leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he said.Shin presented seven major tasks required to achieve this goal, including the establishment of a next-generation semiconductor cluster, a bio cluster, an Industry 4.0 cluster, a special zone dedicated to blockchain and the metaverse, a metaverse platform, and a smart city, as well as a Digital Twin City project. Director Im Jong-soon pledged that the Seongnam Research Institute would support the city’s development through extensive research.During the seminar, multiple experts also gave presentations on various topics, such as the growth process of Seongnam’s industry, digital transformation, and the city’s tasks in becoming an Industry 4.0 hub.Following the presentations, a panel discussion was led by Jang Yoon-jong, a research fellow at the Korea Development Institute. The discussion included participation from Lee Kwang-yong, Head of Policy Strategy at Naver; Kim Seo-gyun, Secretary-General of the Korea Fabless Industry Association; and Kwon Soon-bum, a research fellow at the Seongnam Research Institute. The panelists engaged in a lively debate on the prospects of Seongnam’s development.Innovation and research for a vibrant futureThe Seongnam Research Institute was established on July 3, becoming the first of its kind among cities with a population of over 500,000 to provide policy alternatives and improve the quality of life for citizens through systematic research on current issues.

Circle and Grab Partner to Pilot Web3 App IntegrationUSDC stablecoin issuer Circle is embarking on a strategic partnership with Grab, Southeast Asia’s multifaceted super app for transportation, deliveries, and payments relative to Web3.Announced via a press release published to Circle’s website on Thursday, the collaboration marks yet another step forward in realizing the promise of Web3 technology in Singapore.Photo by Jason Miraples on UnsplashCircle’s foray into Web3Circle’s latest offering, a Web3 services platform, is set to be seamlessly integrated into the Grab app. The objective of that integration is to enhance Grab user experiences through blockchain-enabled solutions. In that way, the partnership will broaden the horizons of Grab’s already extensive service portfolio, which includes ride-hailing, food delivery, package delivery, ticket bookings, and insurance. Grab hopes that the move will propel the Singaporean super app further into the world of blockchain technology.Grab Web3 WalletNews that Grab was on the road towards rolling out a Web3-related product offering leaked out last week when Chinese crypto reporter Colin Wu tweeted out details related to a Web3 wallet. This official announcement qualifies those initial reports, as one of the key aspects of this collaboration is the introduction of the ‘Grab Web3 Wallet.’The feature, accessible to Singaporean users, enables the easy setup of a blockchain-enabled wallet. Users will have the opportunity to earn rewards in the form of digital collectibles and utilize non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers, thereby immersing themselves in the dynamic world of digital assets.To kickstart this venture, Circle’s Web3 Services will initially support the SG Pitstop Pack NFT vouchers. These vouchers can be redeemed at popular Singapore-based stores in advance of the upcoming F1 Singapore Grand Prix. Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s efforts in collaborating with what he termed “global-scale consumer internet brands to bring everyday utility to users.” Allaire maintains that the partnership with Grab aligns perfectly with that mission.While bringing Web3 technology into everyday use in Singapore, the partnership also lends support to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Orchid initiative. This initiative seeks to demonstrate the real-world application of Purpose Bound Money. Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy, Dante Disparte, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for accelerating blockchain-powered innovation alongside Grab while aligning with Singapore’s vision to be a leading global hub for responsible digital asset innovation.Circle has been steadily establishing its presence in Singapore, with notable achievements including acquiring a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from the MAS in June and opening its official office in May.In February, Circle joined forces with Tribe, the first government-supported blockchain ecosystem builder, to launch a unique training and support program aimed at nurturing and upskilling the region’s Web3 developer talent pool.Founded in 2012 in Malaysia as a ride-hailing app, Grab initially entered the scene as a competitor to Uber in the region. Over the years, it has evolved into a true “super app,” offering a myriad of services, including GrabPay (payment services), package delivery, ticket bookings, and insurance. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive services have made it the go-to app for more than 25 million users in Southeast Asia every month.