CarrieVerse joins Dubai’s DMCC as metaverse service provider

Puzzle Monsters Wins Investment from CRIT Ventures for Web3 Game ExpansionSouth Korean blockchain game developer Puzzle Monsters has secured an investment from CRIT Ventures, a venture capital subsidiary of Com2uS Group, during its recent Pre-A investment round. The amount hasn’t been disclosed.The investment comes as part of CRIT Ventures’ efforts to expand its investment portfolio with promising companies specializing in Web3 content and platforms.“Through CRIT Ventures’ investment, we look forward to honing our game development expertise and securing a faster and more meaningful gateway to the blockchain infrastructure and community,” said Yang Jin-hwan, CEO of Puzzle Monsters.Photo by Precondo CA on UnsplashAbout Puzzle MonstersPuzzle Monsters is known for its away-from-keyboard massively multiplayer online role-playing game (AFK MMORPG) called “Idle Ninja Online,” which began incorporating blockchain technology at the end of 2021 and earning popularity among users.The developer’s mounting success can be accredited to its creative game ideas and a keen understanding of market trends. Its other flagship game, Ninja Survivors Online, is also enjoyed by many users both domestically and overseas.“We want to present better products to the market, both in terms of gameplay and blockchain integration,” CEO Yang emphasized.Boosting the market for Web3 gamingCRIT Ventures’ parent group Com2uS has been focusing on leading the Web3 market with various games and game platforms that are based on the XPLA blockchain mainnet. It has also recently launched the immersive online community space SPAXE in Com2uS’s all-in-one metaverse service Com2Verse. Earlier this year, Com2Verse partnered with Microsoft Korea to apply artificial intelligence technology to the metaverse.Com2uS additionally unveiled plans to onboard Puzzle Monsters’ current and future games onto XPLA, aiming to create maximum synergy.

Several leading Chinese technology firms have reportedly shelved their plans to launch stablecoins in Hong Kong, following regulatory pushback from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). According to the Financial Times, the authorities have expressed growing concerns over the risks posed by privately issued digital currencies, prompting companies to delay their initiatives.Photo by Jacky Yu on UnsplashBeijing’s focus on control and digital yuanThe companies’ hesitation underscores Beijing’s broader push to preserve control over its monetary system while advancing the rollout of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-CNY. Earlier this month, the PBOC unveiled a new Shanghai-based center to oversee the e-CNY’s international operations, signaling China’s ambition to extend the digital yuan’s reach beyond its domestic market. Over the summer, companies including Ant Group, backed by Alibaba, and e-commerce platform JD.com signaled interest in Hong Kong’s pilot stablecoin initiative or in issuing crypto products such as tokenized deposits. Those plans are now on hold as firms assess policy signals from Beijing and weigh the implications for their businesses. Research efforts reflect China’s cautious approachChina’s cautious stance is also reflected in its research priorities. The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), a vice-ministerial body under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has begun inviting grant applications for projects focused on stablecoins and cross-border regulatory frameworks. In announcing the initiative, the NSFC cautioned that the unchecked circulation of privately issued stablecoins could erode the effectiveness of the country’s capital controls. Globally, approaches to fiat-pegged digital assets diverge. In the United States, President Donald Trump in July signed the GENIUS Act, the country’s first stablecoin legislation, into law. A White House fact sheet argued that stablecoins could strengthen demand for U.S. Treasuries and reinforce the dollar’s standing as the world’s dominant reserve currency. In Europe, however, regulators remain wary. In a blog post that same month, European Central Bank (ECB) adviser Jürgen Schaaf warned that the widespread use of U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins in the euro area could pose financial risks, noting that dollar-based tokens already account for the vast majority of global stablecoin market capitalization. Geopolitics adds to market volatilityThe recalibration by Chinese firms comes against a turbulent geopolitical backdrop. Cointelegraph, citing President Donald Trump’s interview with Fox News, reported that Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. The anticipated meeting follows a string of shifting statements from Trump throughout October—ranging from skepticism about meeting Xi, to announcing new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, and later adopting a more conciliatory tone. The back-and-forth has coincided with heightened volatility across crypto markets. Market turbulence deepened as a wave of liquidations swept through crypto derivatives, erasing nearly $20 billion in positions on Oct. 10, the largest such event on record. Bitcoin plunged to as low as $104,749 on Oct. 17 and has since rebounded to around $114,000 as of Oct. 28. The pullback by Chinese tech groups underscores the fine line regulators and firms must navigate: advancing digital finance innovation while safeguarding monetary stability and control. How that balance is managed across China, the U.S., and Europe will shape the future of stablecoins and define their place in the evolving global financial order. 

Relic, a Tokyo-based provider of business co-creation services, has launched a fan-driven short anime project using NFT and blockchain technology in collaboration with MetaMe, a metacommunication service developed by mobile carrier NTT Docomo.Photo by Dex Ezekiel on UnsplashFan empowerment through DAO and NFTsAccording to a press release on PR TIMES, the project, set to officially launch on June 19, 2025, aims to be accessible even to newcomers to NFTs or Web3. It will strive to ensure sustainability through transparent fund management and community-driven decision-making. The project introduces a new anime production model called "Anime DAO," starting with a near-future anime set in Neo Tokyo in 2050 that features characters and the world of the popular NFT collection "NEO TOKYO PUNKS." Funding will be raised through crowdfunding and the sale of celluloid art NFTs. Supporters will have the opportunity to vote on production decisions and own iconic scene NFTs once the anime is completed. The finished anime will premiere on MetaMe, followed by exclusive streaming on d-anime Store, while also integrating with the blockchain game GT6551, where fans can use anime characters and vehicles. This cross-media project combines anime, NFTs and e-sports, enhancing both fan engagement and user experience. Growing blockchain adoption in animeThis further demonstrates how the animation industry is embracing blockchain technology. In January, the Animecoin Foundation—whose early key contributors include Los Angeles-based NFT project Azuki—introduced the ANIME token on Ethereum and Arbitrum. Its tokenomics indicate a total supply of 10 billion tokens. The Foundation aims to connect the global anime fan base to blockchain, enabling creators to gain clearer insights into fan engagement and attribution, potentially unlocking new revenue models to support their intellectual property (IP). Although established in March 2024, the Animecoin Foundation traces its origins to Azuki’s mission of building an open anime universe. Azuki focuses on using blockchain technology and community involvement to develop decentralized anime IP and enrich the fan experience.  In a separate development, South Korea’s blockchain gaming platform WEMIX inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Toei Animation late last year. Known for producing iconic titles such as Dragon Ball, One Piece and Slam Dunk, Toei Animation brings its storytelling and IP expertise, while WEMIX provides blockchain technology. The partnership aims to create an innovative blockchain-based gaming experience for a global audience.