Animoca Brands partners with Saakuru Labs to bolster Web3 gaming

Dunamu likely to extend CEO Lee’s tenure, ensuring continuity in Upbit leadershipDunamu, the operator of Upbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, recently convened a board meeting where a key decision was made to extend the term of Lee Sirgoo as Dunamu’s CEO, as reported by local news outlet Newsis, citing industry sources.Photo by Benjamin Child on UnsplashFinal decision on Dec 5The final decision on the extension of CEO Lee’s term at Dunamu is set to be made at the extraordinary general meeting on Dec. 5. The crypto industry is largely confident about Lee’s reappointment, especially given the presence of major executives, including Chairman Song Chi-hyung, at the recent board meeting.Responding to changing regulationsIn light of these developments, industry insiders are keenly observing whether CEO Lee will maintain Upbit’s market dominance in Korea. A key factor influencing Upbit’s future success will be Dunamu’s strategy in adapting to the changing market conditions, particularly in response to the upcoming Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which is due to come into effect in July next year.One source familiar with the matter said that Lee’s reappointment is almost assured, barring the emergence of any unexpected factors.If confirmed, this will mark Lee’s second reappointment as CEO of Dunamu since his first in 2020. This extension would bring his total tenure to nine years, continuing through 2026, considering that he initially assumed leadership in December 2017.Emphasis on stability and blockchain adoptionThis move likely underscores Dunamu’s prioritization of stability, especially considering Chairman Song’s emphasis on the company’s commitment to the widespread adoption of blockchain technology, as highlighted in the recently convened Upbit D Conference (UDC). Such a focus suggests that the company is leaning more towards maintaining its current status rather than embarking on new ventures.An executive from a Korean crypto research firm observed that Dunamu’s annual UDC event is a significant indicator of the company’s business direction. The person highlighted this by comparing it to last year’s event, where Dunamu officials focused on new initiatives, particularly in the realm of NFTs. This was evident in their collaboration with Levvels, a joint venture between Dunamu and HYBE, the management agency of the popular K-pop boy group BTS.The executive further elaborated that the widespread adoption of blockchain technology requires strengthening the Upbit business, an area in which Lee excels. The research expert suggested that if he had diverted his efforts towards other new projects outside of Upbit, the outcomes might have been different.CEO Lee’s ability to steer Upbit effectively in the burgeoning field of blockchain technology can be attributed to his rich academic and professional journey. He holds a diverse academic background with degrees from Seoul National University, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Lewis & Clark Law School. His career spans journalism, law and corporate leadership, including roles as a reporter for JoongAng Ilbo, counsel for IBM Korea, CEO of NHN USA and co-CEO of Kakao Corporation.

NFTs to Enrich Reading Experience for Book Lovers in JapanBook lovers in Japan are soon going to be able to enjoy an enhanced reading experience with the introduction of electronic books based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Media Do, an ebook distributor based in Tokyo, has partnered with Hayakawa Books & Magazines to publish a series of five NFT-based ebooks. The first lineup is scheduled for release on June 20, 2023.Photo by Hiroshi Tsubono on UnsplashTraditional and digital publishingThis collaboration is noteworthy as it merges the world of physical paper books with digital editions, making it the first-ever initiative to create non-fungible token (NFT) copies of traditional books. By bridging the gap between traditional and digital publishing, readers can now enjoy the benefits of both formats.These NFT-based ebooks offer readers the convenience of accessing and reading them through smartphone apps, while also serving as proof of ownership for each book. Media Do’s NFT platform, FanTop, will facilitate the trading of these NFTs, creating a marketplace for enthusiasts to buy, sell, and collect these unique digital editions.Copyright owner supportWhat sets FanTop apart is its dedication to supporting authors. Each NFT transaction on FanTop will result in a fee paid to the copyright owners, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their valuable work. Connecting more than 2,200 publishers and 150 ebook stores, Media Do aims to develop FanTop into a platform that consistently provides fair and appropriate incentives to copyright owners, including authors and publishing houses.Enriched reading experienceMoreover, these NFT-based ebooks will elevate the reading experience by offering exclusive content such as alternative endings, commentaries, and guidelines. NFT ebooks possess a unique ability to incorporate videos and music, thereby enriching the reader’s understanding of the original text and immersing them in the world of the work. In the future, NFT ebooks may even include licensed works such as films or music that inspired the author during the writing process. This additional value will fuel demand in the secondary market, including trading on FanTop.Empowering creatorsFanTop aims to establish itself as a non-speculative platform that focuses on distributing valuable content. It is dedicated to empowering creators, allowing them to exercise autonomy in determining specific trading details for their works. This includes the ability to set royalties and other parameters that align with their preferences and goals.Higher books sales with NFTsSince October 2021, FanTop has been offering exclusive NFT materials to promote sales of paper books. This initiative has allowed readers to enjoy the digital versions of their books on FanTop. As of March 2023, the sales of about 100 works, which included NFT copies, were 32% higher than their original editions within 30 days of release. Their average sales price was also 31% higher than their original counterparts. Media Do has been collaborating with over 70 companies, including publishers, to plan and develop content with NFT-based books.

Alchemy Pay scores second money services license in United StatesAlchemy Pay, the Singaporean crypto-fiat payment services provider, is solidifying its presence in the United States, with the acquisition of a money services license in the state of Iowa.Photo by Austin Goode on UnsplashU.S. licensing driveThis expansion, announced on Thursday, aligns with the company’s strategy to navigate the U.S. regulatory landscape and enhance compliance with local requirements. This recent acquisition follows Alchemy Pay’s earlier achievement of a money transmitter license (MTL) in Arkansas in September. The company has not only completed the application process for MTL licenses in additional U.S. states but also expects responses in the coming months.Under the regulatory framework of Iowa, entities or individuals engaged in currency exchange or money transmission must obtain a money services license. In an interview with Cointelegraph, Alchemy Pay Ecosystem Lead Robert McCracken highlighted the Singaporean company’s commitment to a well-structured regulatory environment. McCraken stated:“We believe that a well-structured regulatory environment is essential for the sustainable growth and development of any industry, and that includes the fiat-crypto payment industry.”Despite the challenges posed by the evolving regulatory landscape in the U.S., McCracken affirmed the company’s dedication to seeking licenses and upholding compliance standards as it expands operations. He described this approach as “more challenging but ultimately correct” for ensuring the long-term success of the crypto payment industry.Global market expansionIn addition to its U.S. endeavors, Alchemy Pay is actively pursuing license applications and market expansion opportunities globally, including in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. The firm operates in 173 countries already, facilitating transactions through various payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, regional mobile wallets and domestic transfers.In April, the company secured $10 million in funding from Singaporean venture fund and market maker DWF Labs, with a view towards expanding the business in South Korea. The following month, it enabled a rupee-denominated on-ramp, integrating with India’s UPI real-time payments system. In July, it partnered with well-known payments processor Checkout.com, integrating its Visa and Mastercard channels into its on and off-ramps.ICP collaborationThe collaborations and partnerships keep coming with Alchemy Pay and with that, on Wednesday it announced a strategic partnership with the Internet Computer (ICP) smart contract platform.That collaboration will see the listing of ICP, Internet Computer’s native token, on Alchemy Pay’s fiat on-ramp. This is the latest in a line of collaborations the crypto payments gateway has made with layer one and two blockchain network projects, including Polygon, Avalanche, Algorand and Arbitrum.These latest strategic expansions align with the company’s vision to establish a strong global presence while navigating and contributing to the ongoing evolution of crypto regulatory frameworks. Currently, comprehensive regulations for the entire crypto industry in the U.S. are under consideration by regulators, reflecting the dynamic nature of this rapidly evolving sector.