Grab extends crypto payment options to the Philippines

Lotte Data Communication, the IT service management unit of South Korean conglomerate LG Group, brought its hyperrealistic metaverse platform Caliverse and electric vehicle charging platform EVSIS to the stage at CES 2024, attracting great interest from stakeholders from around the world, according to an article by South Korean news outlet KG News.Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on UnsplashExploring tomorrow's technologyCES is one of the biggest annual tech conventions in the world organized by Consumer Technology Association, where companies and other industry leaders gather in Las Vegas to showcase their innovations and visions for a future led by advanced technology. This year’s event was held from Jan. 9 to 12.  AI takes the spotlightIn particular, user-engaging technologies such as generative AI received much attention at the convention, such as AI mobile scanning, which allows anyone to take a picture of their product with a mobile device and virtually create their own digital object in less than five minutes. Another new technology called metaverse live streaming allows users to interact with each other in the virtual space in real-time by replicating their appearance. Standing at the forefront of the IT industryLotte’s Caliverse platform provides deeply immersive content based on world-class technologies such as ultra-high-definition VR shots, image synthesis and real-time rendering graphics. It can also be experienced through a head-mounted display (HMD) as well as most other electronic devices such as 3D monitors, PCs and smartphones, maximizing user accessibility. The company also showcased various EV chargers and digital platforms that are used in its other new product EVSIS, gaining popularity among visitors at the event. Lotte aims to further establish itself as a global market leader in the IT industry based on these cutting-edge platforms.

Blockchain Meat Marketplace MOOxMOO Achieves $30m in Distribution VolumeMOOxMOO, the blockchain-based meat marketplace platform operated by South Korea’s Life In Commerce, has surpassed a cumulative distribution volume of KRW 40 billion (approximately $30 million) since its launch in February of last year.Photo by Kyle Mackie on UnsplashRevolutionizing the meat industryLife In Commerce attributed this significant achievement to the use of blockchain technology on the platform. By leveraging smart contract and soulbound token (SBT) technology, MOOxMOO provides a supply and transactional platform that streamlines business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions among participants of local meat supply chains, volume retailers, and retail customers.The platform essentially embeds wholesale and retail transaction information into smart contracts, which are impossible to tamper with once minted into immutable and non-transferrable SBTs.This makes MOOxMOO a transparent and decentralized distribution platform that offers various benefits like increased liquidity, faster transaction settlement times, and boosted security. It also addresses the issue of price deviations caused by market practices.In addition, MOOxMOO has its own utility token, MOOX, that can be used for deposits and transactions.The platform’s application of blockchain technology has revolutionized the meat distribution industry by breaking away from common problems such as unfair pricing. As a result, it has not only enhanced price competitiveness but also built a reputation for trustworthiness among consumers.Future plansLife In Commerce has ambitious plans to enhance the platform further. They are currently developing a new B2B platform that will utilize the weight of transaction credits using SBT in the trade of raw materials required for meat processing and distribution. This will offer additional benefits to suppliers and buyers.

Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings has announced plans to issue security token (ST) bonds targeted at individual investors, marking the firm’s first foray into this bond format. The instruments will be issued and managed on the “ibet for Fin” blockchain platform led by BOOSTRY, bypassing the conventional management system operated by the Japan Securities Depository Center (JASDEC). Trading is scheduled to commence on March 25 via the proprietary trading system (PTS) operated by the Osaka Digital Exchange. As an incentive, Japanese investors—both individuals and corporations—who acquire the ST bonds will receive XRP tokens corresponding to their subscription amounts. These benefits will be offered to Japanese bondholders whose subscriptions are confirmed by SBI Holdings and who hold an account with SBI VC Trade, where they must complete the necessary procedures by noon on May 11.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashBitcoin lendingIn a parallel move within the Japanese digital asset sector, Remixpoint, a publicly listed energy management firm, has begun lending its 1,411 Bitcoin holdings through SBI Digital Finance. Positioning Bitcoin as a strategic asset to bolster its financial base, Remixpoint aims to generate yield from the cryptocurrency rather than relying solely on capital appreciation. The lending program is set to launch on Feb. 24, with interest rates determined by market conditions and loan terms. Despite these corporate initiatives to expand into digital assets, the broader market continues to face significant headwinds. Asian investors remain wary amid the current downturn, and expectations for a near-term recovery remain subdued. Bearish mood dominatesA weekly survey of South Korean investors conducted by CoinNess and Cratos last week showed that bearish sentiment remained entrenched. Only 15.5% of respondents said they expected Bitcoin to rally this week—down from 18.3% in the prior survey—while 52.8% anticipated a decline or steep drop. The share forecasting sideways consolidation rose to 31.7%. Sentiment indicators further reflect this caution, with 57.4% of respondents describing the market mood as “fearful” or “extremely fearful,” compared with just 14.2% expressing optimism. Regarding potential support levels, the largest group of respondents (33.6%) projects that Bitcoin could retest the $50,000 range, while 21.2% anticipate a drop below that threshold. According to CoinMarketCap, XRP is trading at $1.33, down 6.47% over the past 24 hours. Since July, the token has declined 62.54% from $3.55. Bitcoin is trading near $65,070.83, down 4.29% over the same period. It remains 48.21% below its all-time high of $126,198.07, recorded in October.