AEON launches on BNB to expand crypto payments in Asia

Web3 company Carrieverse has partnered with Korea Digital Assets (KODA) to facilitate robust investor protection and safe and transparent trading of virtual assets, according to South Korean news site Money Today on Tuesday (KST).Photo by Kaffeebart on UnsplashEnhancing investor securityRecently, there have been cases where corporate entities have demonstrated unstable management of the virtual assets they hold, particularly where withdrawals and distribution are concerned. Many investors have subsequently suffered losses due to incidents such as hacking. This partnership was established to protect investors from such situations. Carrieverse’s partnership with KODA is aimed at protecting investors from such troubles. The firm plans to safely store its cryptocurrency CVTX in KODA’s custody system, and vowed to boost transparency of transactions and clarify investor protection measures. "Recently, the number of Carrieverse users has exceeded 30,000 per day, and we are seeing an increase in on-chain data and CVTX holders. Our partnership with KODA will provide an environment for transparent cryptocurrency trading and bolster investor protection,” Carrieverse said. About KODA and CarrieverseKODA is a virtual asset custody service provider jointly established by KB Bank, Web3 digital wallet developer Haechi Labs and blockchain investment firm Hashed. It is known for its one-stop digital asset custody services catered to corporate and institutional clients. Carrieverse’s Web3 services include a metaverse, a blockchain gaming platform called Cling and the card strategy role-playing game (RPG) Superkola Tactics, which is playable on Cling.

Ninety Eight launches web3 startup fundNinety Eight, a dynamic ecosystem of Web3 innovators, has unveiled its latest venture, a $25 million ecosystem fund.The company is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with the objective of founding and funding blockchain companies that make Web3 accessible to everyone. The firm was founded by Le Thanh, alongside co-founder and CEO Nguyen Vinh.Photo by Markus Winkler on UnsplashFocus on AsiaThe announcement, made via a blog post to the company’s website on Tuesday, indicates that the fund will support the development of Web3 startups within the Asian region.The project’s primary objective is to nurture the growth and advancement of Web3 startups within a crypto and blockchain sector in Asia that continues to progress and evolve. Ninety Eight takes an approach that encompasses both financial backing and strategic guidance for handpicked startups, with a dedicated team working in tandem to provide insights and facilitate access to its extensive network of industry collaborators.Leveraging ecosystem infrastructureNinety Eight maintains that entrepreneurs can harness its infrastructure and draw upon the depth of its ecosystem. One of the key components of that ecosystem is Viction, formerly known as Tomochain.Viction is a layer-1 blockchain boasting zero-gas transactions and cutting-edge security features. The project claims that Viction creates the ideal conditions for projects to broaden their horizons and enhance their prospects of success.C98 tokenA defining feature of the ecosystem fund is its emphasis on promoting the utility of its native token, C98. Originally conceived as a wallet token, C98 has since transformed into an instrument for propelling Web3 innovation. With its versatile applications, Ninety Eight claims C98 holds the potential to revolutionize the way Web3 applications are conceived, deployed and utilized. Through the ecosystem fund, the company mission is to bolster startups capable of harnessing C98 to craft inventive and impactful solutions.Ninety Eight has incorporated Arche Fund within its offering, with it assuming the role of fund custodian. It also plays a part in overseeing the fund and closely collaborating with selected startups to unlock their full potential. Arche Fund offers value-added programs while equipping partnering businesses with essential tools, resources and invaluable networks.By propelling their pioneering vision, we empower our partners to transform their aspirations into reality. CEO Thanh Le articulated the firm’s mission, stating:“Our path forward is guided by one principle — we are builders backing builders. Thanks to the incredible community that has brought us to where we are today, we are determined to give back. We believe that by supporting talented builders and providing them with the necessary resources, we can drive the adoption of Web3 technologies and shape the future of the decentralized internet.”The firm previously launched its Vietnam Future Fund earlier this year, with a view towards concentrating on propelling Vietnamese Web3 startups forward.Prospective startups considering applying for funding from the Ninety Eight ecosystem fund are being encouraged to submit their applications via the Arch Fund’s submission form.

China has inaugurated a new center in Shanghai dedicated to the international operation of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-CNY, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) recently announced. The hub also launched three specialized platforms for cross-border digital payments, blockchain services, and digital assets, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency. The initiative is a key part of China's strategy to promote the digital yuan's adoption beyond its domestic borders. This effort aligns with a broader trend among BRICS nations, which have increased their use of the Chinese yuan for trade settlements. A Crypto Briefing report indicates that yuan-denominated payments accounted for roughly 24% of the bloc's trade transactions in early 2025.Photo by Edward He on UnsplashDifference between digital yuan and stablecoinsThe e-CNY, which functions without needing a bank account, is designed for daily uses like retail shopping, salary distribution, and transportation fares. While it cannot be converted into foreign currencies, its cross-border capabilities are being explored through the mBridge project, a multinational effort coordinated by the Bank for International Settlements. In contrast to the state-controlled e-CNY, privately issued stablecoins, blockchain-based tokens pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, are also gaining traction. These digital assets, backed by reserves such as U.S. Treasury bills, are widely used for faster and cheaper cross-border payments and remittances. Hong Kong established a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins on Aug. 1, setting high standards for potential issuers. However, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has stated that it does not expect to grant the first licenses until early next year. Yuan stablecoin in KazakhstanRecently, the HKMA had to clarify the status of stablecoin issuance in the region. According to the South China Morning Post, the monetary authority issued a statement refuting social media reports that the first offshore yuan-pegged stablecoin had been launched in Hong Kong. The company involved, AnchorX, later clarified on X that its yuan-pegged digital asset, AxCNH, was launched in Kazakhstan under a license from the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA). Despite its launch outside of Hong Kong, the AxCNH stablecoin is seen by some as part of Beijing's broader ambitions. Yang Guang, the CTO of Conflux, which provides technical expertise to AnchorX, told Reuters that the Sept. 17 launch represents an effort to leverage blockchain technology for international trade. Yang suggested that Beijing would likely support such initiatives if they facilitate commerce, noting that offshore yuan stablecoins could be issued without direct sign-off from China's central bank. Market analysts view China’s latest initiatives as part of a broader, multi-pronged strategy. Augustine Fan, head of insights at digital asset platform SignalPlus, described the stablecoin project as “another venue or trial to push the use of the offshore yuan,” adding that it also reflects the government’s cautiously positive stance toward blockchain technology. China’s stablecoin ambiguityAt the policy level, signals remain mixed. A Caixin report indicated that Chinese digital platforms, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and financial institutions in Hong Kong may face restrictions on stablecoin and broader crypto activity. In addition, branches of SOEs and major banks are unlikely to seek stablecoin licenses in the region. The English version of the Caixin article remains accessible, but Cointelegraph observed that the Chinese-language version has since been taken down.At the same time, official engagement is visible. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a vice-ministerial institution under the Ministry of Science and Technology that oversees the National Natural Science Fund, earlier announced grants for research on stablecoins and the development of cross-border monitoring frameworks. According to the South China Morning Post, the foundation launched the study in response to concerns that unregulated circulation of private stablecoins, particularly those pegged to the U.S. dollar, could weaken capital controls and pose risks to the yuan. A clearer policy direction is expected once the results of this research are available.