Chinese tech firm pours $15 million into Bitcoin fund

P2E defense game Slime World to roll out a major update in DecemberSlime World, a play-to-earn (P2E) blockchain game developed by South Korean company Nada Digital, is set to roll out a major update this December, according to a report by local news outlet Edaily.Photo by Markus Winkler on UnsplashUpdates to two game modesThis update to the defense game will enhance PvP Arena Mode, allowing players to merge NFT characters to battle against others, and will also improve the defense-oriented Infinite Mode. New NFTs released with this update will enable users to try diverse squad formations in Arena Mode, fostering strategic gameplay. The upgrade to Infinite Mode is designed to simplify the process of mining in-game tokens.Airdrop eventsIn celebration of its upcoming update, Slime World is planning a series of events. To bolster Arena Mode, the game will conduct airdrops of extra NFTs to both current and new NFT purchasers. Additionally, there will be airdrops of NADA tokens and various paid items. The platform is also set to provide incentives for players who haven’t accessed the server in a while, encouraging them to re-engage with the game.A representative from NADA Protocol, which operates under Nada Digital, mentioned that despite South Korea’s ban on play-to-earn (P2E) games, Slime World has garnered favorable reviews from gamers around the world. They anticipate that the forthcoming update will further contribute to the game’s growth and popularity.

Foblgate adds D’CENT and Trust as supported external walletsSouth Korean cryptocurrency exchange Foblgate will allow users to register the external digital wallets D’CENT and Trust on their accounts, offering more options for managing and trading crypto assets, according to local news site Etoday on Tuesday (KST).Photo by Shubham’s Web3 on UnsplashD’CENT is a hardware wallet that safeguards users’ assets through a robust security system employing biometric technology, encrypted storage, firmware authentication and security certification. It supports some 3,000 cryptocurrencies and allows users to create up to 80 addresses in a single wallet. Trust, on the other hand, is a one-stop Web3 wallet where holders can trade and swap crypto, earn rewards, manage NFTs and enjoy various decentralized applications (dApps). Like D’CENT, it is known for securing customer assets and privacy.“By providing support for external wallets, we are striving to enhance user convenience, respond to various demands and create a safe and convenient trading environment on Foblgate,” Ahn Hyun-jun, CEO of Foblgate, emphasized.Travel Rule requirementsAs per the Travel Rule under Korea’s Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information, any user who wants to transfer cryptocurrencies worth more than KRW 1 million (approximately $775) via a personal wallet must register that wallet beforehand. The Travel Rule refers to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Recommendation #16, which outlines that VASPs must share certain personal information about customers — including names and account numbers — when facilitating crypto transactions that exceed a certain amount. This is aimed at preventing money laundering and other illicit activities.Expanded optionsFoblgate currently supports several other external wallets as well, including MetaMask, Blockchain.com, MyEtherWallet, Klip and Burrito Wallet, which was added at the end of last month. The two newest additions, D’CENT and Trust, bring the total number of supported wallets to seven. The exchange has also uploaded a guide on its website on how to add external wallets.

Laser Digital Expands Global Presence with New Tokyo OfficeLaser Digital Asset Management, the digital asset subsidiary of Japanese financial giant Nomura, is taking significant steps in its global expansion strategy by opening a new office in Tokyo, Japan. That’s according to a statement published by the firm on Monday.Photo by Jaison Lin on UnsplashNomura executive appointmentTo lead this strategic move, Hideaki Kudo, a seasoned professional with a distinguished career at Nomura, has been appointed as the Representative Director and Head of Laser Digital’s Japanese operations.Kudo’s impressive journey within the Nomura Group began in 2007 when he joined Nomura Asset Management, where he later held the position of Senior Portfolio Manager. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in contributing to the group’s success. His expertise caught the attention of Nomura’s Digital Company, where he served as an Executive Director, responsible for shaping the group’s digital asset strategy. Kudo’s track record includes spearheading essential projects such as the development of security tokens and orchestrating Japan’s first-ever real estate security token offering.Commenting on his new role at Laser Digital, Kudo expressed his excitement, stating:“It’s exciting to join Laser as they expand operations to Japan. Since 2019, I have been managing Nomura’s advancements into the digital asset space, and I am delighted to now join the Laser team on their journey.”Earlier this year the firm strengthened its venture capital arm through the appointment of industry veteran Florent Jouanneau as a new partner.Zurich-headquartered Laser Digital, launched by Nomura last autumn, is led by Co-Founders Steven Ashley and Jez Mohideen. Ashley, a former leader of Nomura’s wholesale division, emphasized the importance of having 24/7 operational management to optimize support for their trading business.Setting their sights on Japan for expansion into the Far East, Kudo’s extensive experience at the Digital Company is expected to be invaluable for Laser Digital’s development and growth. Laser Digital uniquely combines the discipline and capabilities of global investment banking with the expertise of a crypto-native team.Broader expansion strategyLaser Digital’s expansion into Japan aligns with a broader trend of crypto companies seeking growth opportunities in Asia, as noted by Laser Digital CEO Jez Mohideen. In a recent interview, Mohideen expressed optimism about the crypto ecosystems in Japan and Hong Kong, highlighting the potential for significant growth in the region.He also emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity in Asia and the Middle East, suggesting that these factors would play a pivotal role in driving crypto adoption. In August, Laser Digital secured a crypto license from Dubai’s virtual asset regulatory authority, enabling the provision of virtual asset broker-dealer and investment services from its Dubai entity. Last month the company received in-principle approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), further solidifying its presence in the Middle East.As Laser Digital continues to expand its global footprint, the appointment of Hideaki Kudo and the establishment of a new office in Tokyo mark significant milestones in the company’s journey to provide comprehensive digital asset solutions to clients worldwide. With Kudo’s leadership and Nomura’s backing, Laser Digital is attempting to position itself for further success in the burgeoning crypto industry.