Japan’s Remixpoint adding $3.2M in Bitcoin to its treasury

NATIX Network, an open geospatial intelligence network built upon proprietary AI technology, has partnered with Southeast Asian superapp Grab to collaborate on autonomous driving technology and mapping. NATIX is a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) project that exists within the Solana ecosystem. Singapore-headquartered Grab offers a broad range of services via its app, including ride-hailing, package delivery and food delivery. Additionally, the firm offers mobile payments and insurance products.Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on UnsplashReshaping the mapping industryIn a blog post published to its website on May 6, NATIX outlined that the strategic partnership has been formed with a view towards reshaping the mapping industry. It explained that the objective in this regard would be to combine Grab’s camera hardware and its AI-based map-making software stack with NATIX’s decentralized blockchain-powered mapping data.  Due to the nature of the services that it has offered in Southeast Asia since it was founded in 2012, Grab has, through necessity, become involved in mapping to enhance its service delivery. As a consequence, it has developed a suite of cameras including its KartaCam, a small action camera which can be mounted on bike helmets or car windshields, and a 360-degree standalone camera, KartaCam 2, with built-in sensors, AI image optimization and GPS capabilities. ‘Internet of Cameras’For its part, NATIX claims to have built the world’s largest on-street camera network. As part of the collaboration, NATIX will use Grab’s hardware and software technology to expand its “Internet of Cameras.” Posting on LinkedIn, GrabMaps set out its thoughts on the partnership, stating:”By combining GrabMaps' AI-powered mapping technology with NATIX's decentralised data network, we're enabling real-time, high-fidelity map updates across the globe. As part of this collaboration, NATIX will launch VX360, a device built on Grab's hardware platform that allows Tesla drivers to collect and share 360° vehicle imagery.” Appearing on the Unleashing DePIN podcast recently, NATIX Co-Founder and CEO Alireza Ghods outlined that NATIX will launch VX360, a proprietary device built by leveraging Grab’s existing hardware. He explained that this collaboration saves NATIX in terms of overall project cost and months of R&D, all of which enables it to get to market faster.VX360 enables Tesla drivers to capture and share 360-degree imagery.  Future potentialGhods spoke to the additional future potential that the collaboration holds: “The interesting part is that they have other types of devices as well, they have a dashcam, a 360 camera, and our plan is to definitely integrate all of this into our map making and data collection pipeline.” This is not the first partnership that GrabMaps has established related to mapping. Previously it formed collaborations with Microsoft’s Bing Maps, navigation and mapping app Mappls and location data specialist Loqate.  Ghods believes that NATIX can go one better than centralized mapping projects like TomTom and Google Street View. He told Cointelegraph that “a blockchain-based incentivization system provides better results in terms of frequency, participation, and coverage.” The NATIX co-founder asserted that such data can be gathered at a fraction of the cost via users’ devices.

The local government of Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea, announced in a press release that it held the 3rd Busan Blockchain Regulation-free Zone Steering Committee (Committee) meeting at the Busan Eurasia Platform, a community center located near Busan Station.  The meeting took place last Thursday at 15:00 (KST), attended by 12 Committee members, including Busan’s Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Kim Kwang-hee, Busan Technopark Chairman Kim Hyung-gyun, Busan International Finance Agency Chairman Lee Myung-ho and Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency Chairman Kim Tae-yeol.Photo by Finn on UnsplashThe meeting was intended to discuss strategies to revitalize the blockchain regulation-free zone (blockchain zone) and to attract new blockchain businesses to the region. Busan has been recently struggling with developing and attracting blockchain technology companies to the region, which has cast doubt on the city’s ability to retain its status as the regulatory sandbox zone.   New 24 members, new commitment to invigorating blockchain zone Established in October last year, the 3rd Committee comprises 24 new members who have expertise in blockchain technology. The Committee aims to raise awareness of the blockchain zone’s potential and foster the blockchain industry within the region.  Kim Sang-min, Vice CEO of healthcare company Erom, was appointed Committee Chairman at the meeting. Known as an expert in the blockchain ecosystem, Kim currently serves as a blockchain policy advisor for Busan and has experience in taking the lead in establishing the Busan Digital Asset Exchange (BDX) last year.  More meetings in store to become a blockchain hub The meeting focused on creating subcommittees in an effort to facilitate the Committee’s seamless operation. Moreover, members reached a consensus on holding meetings at any time when warranted, in both online and in-person formats.  During the meeting, Busan Vice Mayor Kim said the newly launched Committee will contribute to identifying innovative businesses with great potential that require both cutting-edge blockchain technologies and a regulatory sandbox environment. 

Shanghai Embraces Blockchain, AI, and Digital Yuan with New GuidelinesIn a bid to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, the government of China’s largest and most populous city, Shanghai, has issued a set of guidelines aimed at promoting the widespread adoption of blockchain, the metaverse, and the digital yuan.Photo by Edward He on UnsplashIntegrating blockchain technologyThe objective of the measure is to further the use of these technologies across various industries within the city. Leading enterprises across a range of industry sectors, such as automotive, commodity trading, and e-commerce, are now required to look to incorporate these technologies into their operations.The guidelines, which were published last Tuesday, outline the government’s commitment to providing support for platforms that seek to enhance digitalization in production, operations, and management processes. Additionally, they emphasize the development of information technology services centered around big data, blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and the mobile Internet.Bolstering commodity tradingA key focus for the government is the establishment of a robust internet system to bolster its local commodity trading service. This move is driven by a reliance on “the national financial factor market,” which aims to upgrade the over-the-counter derivatives platform for bulk commodities and strengthen the linkages between futures and cash.Furthermore, the guidelines pave the way for expanding e-commerce service platforms for industrial products, setting up a digital transformation service platform, and fostering the development and application of data resources.Shanghai’s status as China’s financial hub makes it an ideal testing ground for innovative technologies like blockchain and AI. However, China’s approach to cryptocurrency is more complex. It involves support for blockchain technology while at the same time applying strict measures against crypto trading and mining.Aligning with central government policyThe Chinese government’s support for blockchain technology stems from its recognition of blockchain as the underlying foundation of cryptocurrencies. Judging by the blockchain initiatives forwarded by the central government and regional Chinese administrations in recent months, it’s clear that China is keen to develop leadership in the use of blockchain across various sectors. It takes a different view, however, when it comes to projects related to decentralized cryptocurrencies and crypto trading.In recent years, China has cracked down on cryptocurrency activities. In 2013, the government banned initial coin offerings (ICOs), a fundraising method used for cryptocurrency projects. Subsequently, cryptocurrency exchanges were banned in 2017, followed by a prohibition on cryptocurrency mining in 2021.Several factors contribute to the Chinese government’s cautious approach to cryptocurrency. One major concern is financial stability, as crypto can be exploited for illicit activities like money laundering. According to a recent report, Chinese authorities are redoubling their efforts in pushing back against the use of crypto as they’re finding that it is being used to exploit capital control loopholes.These recent guidelines from Shanghai’s administrators aim to capitalize on the transformative potential of emerging technologies while ensuring prudent regulation and control over cryptocurrency-related activities in line with current central government policy emanating from Beijing.