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Hana Securities chooses Itcen and INF Consulting as security token platform developersSouth Korea’s major securities company, Hana Securities, has recently chosen Itcen and INF Consulting to spearhead the development of its security token offering (STO) platform. After initial discussions in July about the project, the decision to bring these main partners on board is set to accelerate the launch of Hana Securities’ STO operations.Photo by Dave Weatherall on UnsplashComprehensive STO platformItcen and INF Consulting offer a spectrum of services from conceptualizing to building platforms. Hana Securities, in collaboration with these key partners, aims to create a comprehensive platform that manages the entire lifecycle of security tokens, encompassing everything from their issuance to circulation, by the latter half of next year. Following this development, the securities company intends to create an environment that allows various asset holders to issue security tokens. Hana Securities is also poised to orchestrate the development of the broader security token ecosystem.Choi Won-young, Head of Digital Division at Hana Securities, has expressed the firm’s commitment to the seamless development of an STO market. He mentioned that Hana Securities will engage in a range of activities, including platform development, to establish itself as a frontrunner in the STO space. The company plans to engage in dialogue with various businesses to explore collaborative opportunities that promise mutual growth.Expanding collaborative networkIn its pursuit to shape the STO market, Hana Securities has expanded its collaborative network by partnering with several entities, including Oasis Business, a prop fintech startup; Print Bakery, an art-centric platform; and Danal Entertainment, a distributor of digital content. These collaborations are centered around fractional investments and the creation of security tokens backed by diverse assets, including real estate, art pieces, precious metals like gold and silver as well as mobile content. Additionally, Hana Securities is a participant in the Next Finance Initiative (NFI) consortium alongside Mirae Asset Securities and SK Telecom via the Hana Financial Group. This alliance aims to solidify the STO market’s foundation and advance STO-related ventures.In line with this development, Hana Securities also forged a partnership with Finakle, a prop-tech enterprise that runs Rebit, a platform enabling fractional investments in commercial properties. Through this partnership, Hana Securities will manage accounts for transactions and aims to further this cooperation to refine business models going forward. Finakle, on its part, will concentrate its efforts on creating products and platforms for the issuance of security tokens tied to commercial real estate.Speaking on the joint initiative, Hana Securities’ Choi highlighted the company’s plans to widen their cooperative ventures with Finakle. This strategy is aimed at developing an array of business models and enriching the pool of commercial real estate investment options available to clients.

Finger Labs Embarks on Web3 Content Distribution Project through NFT Marketplace XclusiveFinger Labs, the blockchain subsidiary of South Korean digital marketing giant FSN, announced today the launch of a Web3 content distribution project through its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace Xclusive, according to local news outlet Newsis.Photo by GR Stocks on UnsplashBTS-inspired dramaTo make this project a reality, Finger Labs has joined forces with CRB Media in a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing content publishing, promotion, and distribution. Their first collaboration is a drama series called “YOUTH,” which draws inspiration from BTS’ album “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever.” The partnership between the two entities will allow Finger Labs to gain access to CRB Media’s copyrighted content materials and design resources required for effective marketing.NFT marketplaceXclusive, launched as a beta service last year, serves as a secondary market for NFTs and a launch pad for a wide variety of projects, contributing to the expansion of the NFT sector. In preparation for Xclusive’s official introduction, Finger Labs has been diligently working on developing user-friendly functions to fuel the growth of the Web3 ecosystem. The company explained that the Web3 content distribution project represents a major milestone in the expansion of innovative businesses.Sharing revenuesFinger Labs looks forward to addressing issues faced by traditional content distribution platforms, especially in the wake of the rise of over-the-top (OTT) media services. By leveraging blockchain technology, the Web3 content distribution system will introduce decentralization, enabling network participants to claim their share of revenues. The system will pave the way for decentralized content consumption practices like trading or lending of video access rights, which will be unveiled when the first content YOUTH goes live.Kim Dong-hoon, CEO of Finger Labs, emphasized that the surge in popularity of OTT platforms has presented challenges for content distributors. In response, Finger Labs aims to utilize new technologies to reshape content distribution, nurturing a new cultural landscape. Kim expressed excitement over their first collaboration, YOUTH, whose global recognition will provide momentum to the company’s initiative.

Blockchain Firm NEOPLY Rebrands as Neowiz Partners to Focus on InvestmentNeowiz Holdings, a South Korean investment holding company, announced today that its blockchain subsidiary NEOPLY held an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and rebranded itself as Neowiz Partners, according to local news outlet News1. Upon this name change, the company will participate as a liquidity provider in the industry through strategic partnerships with investment firms such as venture capital firms and private equity funds.Photo by Precondo CA on UnsplashAbu Dhabi’s supportEarlier, it was revealed that Neowiz Partners became a part of the Innovation Programme offered by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This program offers incentives to various businesses operating in high-growth areas like financial services and technology.Diverse portfolioUnder its new name, Neowiz Partners aims to build a diverse portfolio of investments in promising companies committed to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. This strategic move is intended to foster future growth and seize the potential offered by these innovative sectors.Neowiz Partners’ global headquarters, known as H-Lab, located in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), will oversee investment and management related to its blockchain businesses. Meanwhile, the operations of these blockchain projects will continue to be managed by NEOPIN, a subsidiary of H-Lab and a CeDeFi protocol that operates as a one-stop solution for those seeking a non-custodial wallet.Earlier reports highlighted NEOPIN’s achievement in launching Korea’s first liquid staking products for ETH. This approach enables users to deposit their cryptocurrencies into a staking pool and receive liquidity provider tokens in return. These tokens can then be deposited again to generate additional yields.On the occasion of this renaming, Neowiz Partners will establish itself as a dedicated investment company, while H-Lab will concentrate on serving the blockchain industry and associated ventures.