BingX embarks on rebrand to further service offering

South Korean cybersecurity firm AhnLab’s blockchain arm, AhnLab Blockchain Company, is working with Web3 performing arts platform Metacultures to offer free limited edition NFTs to all visitors of the "School of Rock" musical world tour’s show in Seoul, according to local news outlet Etoday on Monday (KST). The NFTs will be issued via AhnLab Blockchain Company’s digital Web3 wallet, ABC Wallet. As a non-custodial wallet, this service uses multi-party computation to support multiple blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon and Klaytn.Photo by Gwen King on UnsplashPreserving memories"We aim to offer a way for Korean fans of the 'School of Rock' musical to preserve the special experience of the performance with this NFT," said Lim Joo-young, Business Leader at AhnLab Blockchain Company. "We will continue to carry out various projects based on blockchain technology at various events." Visitors who wish to receive the NFTs can scan the QR code provided at the performance venue and register an ABC Wallet using their social media accounts on the linked site, after which the NFT will be automatically issued to their wallets. "We are glad to be able to provide NFT products for the 'School of Rock' musical to the audience through ABC Wallet, which boasts excellent security. We look forward to various security-based collaborations with AhnLab Blockchain Company in the future," said Lee Sang-woon, CEO of Metacultures. Show detailsThe ongoing performance will be held until March 24 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera House in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

In a bid to foster gender diversity and inclusivity within the blockchain industry, cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has committed $10 million to invest in women-led startups in the Web3 and blockchain sector. Blockchain4HerThe announcement, made at the Web3 Hub Davos event on Tuesday, a part of the World Economic Forum 2024, highlights Bitget's initiative in promoting equality in a rapidly advancing sector. Bitget's research reveals a stark gender bias within the blockchain sector, with only 6% of startup funding directed towards female-led projects. Bitget’s Blockchain4Her project has been established as a direct consequence, in order to address this imbalance. Blockchain4Her has been designed to provide crucial support, mentorship and recognition to women in the industry. The initiative will include tailored incubation programs, pitch competitions exclusively for women-founded startups and the Women in Blockchain Summit & Awards, aimed at acknowledging outstanding achievements by women in the blockchain space. Recognizing the need for comprehensive measures, Bitget aims to confront the gender disparity by creating a nurturing environment through these multifaceted efforts. By offering specialized support for female entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to encourage greater involvement and leadership roles for women in the blockchain space.Photo by Shubham Dhage on UnsplashIndustry ambassadorsAs part of the Blockchain4Her program, Bitget plans to invite industry leaders to serve as ambassadors, supporting gender diversity in the blockchain industry. These ambassadors will play a crucial role in advocating, engaging and driving positive changes, fostering an inclusive environment for women in the blockchain sector. Bitget's commitment to addressing gender disparity in the blockchain industry is further underscored by its recent report on Web3 venture capital funding by gender. The report, published on Jan. 11, revealed that less than 7% of VC funding in the industry went to female-led startups, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to increase inclusiveness and accessibility for women in the blockchain sphere. The company is itself leading from the front on the issue, with Gracy Chen as managing director, one of the few crypto exchange platforms headed up by a female executive. Blockchain4YouthIt’s not the first time that the company has embarked upon a corporate social responsibility-themed project. It follows Bitget's earlier commitment to nurturing talent through the “Blockchain4Youth” initiative, which was announced in May of last year. The $10 million initiative set out to serve the objective of “empowering and inspiring younger generations to use Web3 and crypto tools to create and engage in a decentralized space.” It focuses on providing courses through Bitget Academy, hosting university lectures on Web3, incubating innovative projects by young entrepreneurs and organizing hackathons for individuals under 30 to identify promising leaders. A by-product of Blockchain4Youth also involved the company commencing to invest in Indian blockchain startups in November. Bitget's Blockchain4Her initiative represents a significant step towards fostering a more equitable blockchain space. By championing inclusion and diversity, Bitget not only contributes to a fairer industry but also supports the sustainability and growth of the broader technology sector. 

As is the case in the rest of the world, South Korea is also experiencing a bullish cryptocurrency market these days. However, local blockchain companies that started their business between 2017 and 2018 – those considered the first-generation blockchain firms – are trying to distance themselves from the label “blockchain,” removing words such as “block,” “chain” or “coin” from their names to rebrand themselves.  This is largely due to local regulations that stifle blockchain businesses and widespread negative perspectives towards the crypto industry among the public, the local media outlet News1 reported. Photo by Robert Stump on UnsplashMediBloc rebrands itself to WeavrCare: The two-track strategy Among the first-generation blockchain firms that changed its name is MediBloc. Founded in April 2017 as a blockchain-based digital health company, MediBloc rebranded its Korean branch last month to WeavrCare, combining the words "weave" and "care" to highlight its commitment to connecting patients and hospitals onchain.  WeavrCare offers a blockchain healthcare data platform named Panacea, where patients can directly manage their own medical data. It also provides a blockchain-based medical data and insurance claim platform Medipass. MediBloc's native token MED is currently listed on prominent local crypto exchanges such as Upbit and Bithumb.  The company is known to have well weathered the crypto winter between 2022 and 2023 by pitching a cloud electronic medical record (EMR) solution, Dr. Palette, which enables medical staff to easily check medical charts and manage patients' data.  Following its rebranding, WeavrCare has demonstrated its intention to pursue a two-track strategy, with the company’s Gibraltar branch focusing on blockchain business under the original corporate name MediBloc. In contrast, WeavrCare in Korea will focus on expanding new businesses including Dr. Palette.  Meanwhile, WeavrCare has reportedly embarked on investor relations (IR) activities to secure a Series B investment.  Chain Partners rebrands itself to AI3: Merging Web3 with AIChain Partners, a blockchain firm focused on crypto exchanges and the over-the-counter (OTC) markets, has also recently rebranded itself to AI3, a new name that the company expects will illustrate its aim of focusing more on AI businesses. The name reflects the company's dedication to exploring both Web3 and generative AI technology.  Following its rebranding, AI3 has embarked on developing an AI service equipped with a prompt response system. AI3 had already launched a personal AI assistant dubbed Wrks last year, which aims to improve workflows. A company official said AI3 is currently preparing for IR to qualify for a Series A investment.  CPLABS and Parameta: Earlier pioneers of blockchain Meanwhile, other blockchain firms that launched their businesses earlier than the above two companies have already completed their rebranding last year. CoinPlug changed its name to CPLABS, and Iconloop to Parameta.