Piggycell raises $10M from Animoca Brands, ICP and others to expand its decentralized infrastructure and ecosystem

Wemade has signed a deal with Maniac Panda Games, a development studio of Spanish gaming company JURVAL CORP SL, to onboard the blockchain game Underground Waifus to WEMIX PLAY, Wemade’s gaming platform, according to an official announcement on Monday (KST).Photo by Syed Ali on Unsplash“Underground Waifus proposes top-level gameplay and fun,” said Maniac Panda Games CEO Daniel Valdés. “We believe that the collaboration with WEMIX PLAY can take the game to another level, adding a wider reach and implementation among players around the world.” Unveiling the cyberpunk battlegroundUnderground Waifus is a multiplayer NFT trading card game set in a cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic universe. It is notable for its circular economy model that employs Free-to-Play (F2P) and Play-to-Earn (P2E) mechanisms within a tokenized system. The game revolves around a player-driven economy, where players can participate in player versus player (PVP) battles where the winner takes all. The game is built on blockchain technology, offering exclusive NFT collections. Gamers are subject to ownership of these assets, which they can use for collecting or playing. The ecosystem also has a utility token called Underground Waifus Token (GQ), which can be used off-game or in-game as a cryptocurrency. Wemade’s ongoing effortsWemade has been consistently growing its lineup of Web3 games on WEMIX PLAY, endeavoring into diverse genres in an effort to appeal to all gamers. The firm revealed that it is working with developers around the world, including North America, Europe and Asia, to expand the gaming platform’s ecosystem.

In a statement published to Vietnam.vn on Oct. 23, a website run by the Office of Foreign Information Service under Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam revealed its official National Blockchain Strategy. Key objectives In announcing its National Blockchain Strategy, the Vietnamese government articulated several key objectives that it feels will lead to Vietnam eventually taking a leadership role in blockchain development within the region.  These key objectives include an emphasis on research relative to the further roll-out of blockchain innovation. The Vietnamese authorities intend to promote blockchain research, innovation and international cooperation. Another specific action area has been identified as perfecting the legal environment with respect to blockchain development.  The development of infrastructure has been cited as a key objective, with the Ministry proposing that this should incorporate the formation of a blockchain industrial ecosystem. Additionally, the statement highlighted the need to focus on developing human resources in respect of blockchain, while also pointing to an overall need to promote blockchain development generally and the application of the technology. A number of branches of the Vietnamese government have been tasked with achieving these key objectives, including the Government Cipher Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Information and Communications.Photo by Hugo Heimendinger on PexelsPositive reaction The plan has been broadly welcomed by Vietnam-based crypto stakeholders. Jenny Nguyen, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ho Chi Minh City-based crypto venture fund Kyros Ventures, suggested the development was bullish. She wrote: “This is the most bullish policy on blockchain from the Vietnam Government in history, which not only acknowledges the importance of blockchain, but also defines clear expectations for the development of this technology sector in the years to come.“ Nguyen also pointed out that regulations on digital assets are currently being discussed within Vietnam’s National Assembly, with legislators working towards a 2025 completion date. On the basis of these two developments, she believes that “the future for blockchain and crypto in Vietnam is looking brighter and brighter day by day.” KardiaChain, a hybrid blockchain infrastructure provider to governments in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, outlined on social media that it had been a key contributor in shaping the strategy. The project believes that the strategy “will enable us as builders more opportunities to impact the country's blockchain development, and further accomplish our mission of mass adoption that we set out on day one.” Laura Nguyen, head of Vietnam at Ava Labs, said that the strategy was forward-thinking and that consequently Vietnam is “primed to become a blockchain powerhouse, pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and fostering global collaboration.” As part of the strategy, the Vietnamese government plans to bring about the development of 20 blockchain brands for platforms, products and services. Additionally, the strategy aims to put in place three testing centers located in major Vietnamese urban centers as part of an effort to create a national blockchain network. 

KuCoin Halts Bitcoin and Litecoin Mining Pools Amidst Strategic ShiftIn an announcement on Tuesday, Seychelles-based cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin revealed its decision to temporarily suspend its Bitcoin and Litecoin mining pools, effective from 16:00:00 on August 15, 2023 (UTC).Photo by Traxer on UnsplashChanging business strategyThis move is attributed to KuCoin’s evolving business strategy, although specific details remain undisclosed. The exchange expressed its regret for any inconvenience caused and extended gratitude for users’ continued support.It appears that the company wants to focus on core business activities and for that reason, it’s terminating its mining pool activity. That said, the discontinuation was described in its statement as being “temporary” although that has been left open-ended with no indication of if or when it would bring the service back into operation.The company is open to the idea of revisiting the facilitation of mining pools in the future. “We will see if it is needed to restart based on the market and users’ demand in the future,” a spokesperson for the company told The Block.To ensure miners’ uninterrupted earnings during the suspension, KuCoin advised users engaged in cryptocurrency mining to transition their Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) miners to alternative mining pools before the specified suspension date. Additionally, the exchange emphasized the importance of backing up and preserving mining records and related data, recommending users complete these actions before August 27.Presently, the KuCoin Bitcoin mining pool maintains a hash rate of 9.08 exahash per second (EH/s), while the Litecoin pool operates at 3.90 terrahash per second (TH/s). These figures contribute to the broader hash rate landscape, where the entire Bitcoin network boasts a hash rate of 349.19 EH/s, compared to the Litecoin network’s 792.16 TH/s.Workforce reductionIt is clear that the company is in the process of adjusting to current market conditions. Last week, rumors surfaced of a plan to effect a workforce reduction. That prompted KuCoin’s CEO Johnny Lyu to respond, clarifying that the exchange’s operations are running smoothly. Dismissing layoff speculation, Lyu highlighted the exchange’s steady expansion and strong growth as demonstrated by the H1 2023 report. The report showcased an increase in users and new listings, underscoring the platform’s vitality and development.Mandatory KYCIn recent months, KuCoin has also implemented mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, obligating users to undergo verification processes. Existing customers who fail to complete KYC procedures will be unable to make deposits. With over 20 million registered accounts, the exchange felt that it needed to improve on its level of regulatory compliance and security measures.It’s highly likely that an action taken by authorities in New York in the United States in March prompted KuCoin’s decision to tighten up on KYC. At that time, the New York Attorney General said that action was being taken against KuCoin due to its failure to register as a securities and commodities broker-dealer.As KuCoin undergoes these changes, the suspension of its mining pools raises questions about the broader implications for its business strategy and the potential impact on miners within its ecosystem. That said, the firm is not alone in making changes, with most crypto exchanges having had to adjust to a business and regulatory environment that has changed considerably since the 2021 crypto bull run.