PowerTrade partnership sees BitMEX launch options trading service

CoinEx Reveals Insights Into Recent Platform HackHong Kong crypto exchange CoinEx has issued a further update relative to the security breach that occurred on the platform last week resulting in one of the exchange’s hot wallets being compromised.Photo by FLY:D on UnsplashImmediate responseIn the immediate aftermath of the $70 million hack, CoinEx took action to safeguard user assets and initiate an investigation into the incident. It suspended all deposit and withdrawal services and executed an emergency shutdown of the hot wallet server. Following this, the company securely moved the remaining assets to cold storage, commencing the process of reconstructing and deploying a new wallet architecture.The firm also engaged in an investigation, spearheaded by its wallet and security teams, to ascertain the extent of the breach. Moreover, CoinEx claims to have proactively reached out to fellow exchanges to freeze any assets related to the attack.Haipo Yang, the Founder and CEO of CoinEx, conveyed his apologies to affected users through his personal X (formerly Twitter) account. He emphasized the team’s commitment to restoring services promptly and reassured users that their funds will remain secure.Following up on that commitment, CoinEx published an update on the hot wallet hack on September 15 to address these concerns individually.New wallet deploymentThe exchange expects to finalize wallet upgrades within the upcoming week, after which withdrawals will gradually be phased in, subject to security evaluations. The CoinEx team is currently working on developing and deploying an entirely new and robust wallet system capable of managing activities across 211 chains and 737 assets.The firm has outlined that each of its product lines operates independently, featuring its own risk control system. Consequently, the security incident that occurred on CoinEx will not affect the integrity of its other product lines.In its most recent update on Tuesday, the Hong Kong crypto exchange confirmed that 80% of its wallet system has now been reconstructed. It added that it has initiated preparations to enable the withdrawal system on the platform. It stated:”Details about the resumption of withdrawals, including specific dates, times, and arrangements, will be announced on the CoinEx website. Please stay updated on our announcements for the latest information.”Ongoing investigationRegarding the identity of the attacker, CoinEx has confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation. While some security firms have made attribution claims, the company is focusing primarily on deploying the new wallet architecture, restoring affected users and functionalities, and enhancing overall security.At the same time, the company has initiated communications with the hackers in a bid to proactively seek a mutually agreeable resolution. While the incident implicates the loss of a substantial amount of funds, the firm maintains that in the context of the overall business, the sum represents only a small percentage of total assets under its management.Exchange security remains a major challenge in the crypto sector, with hacks happening on an ongoing basis. Last week, Seychelles-headquartered peer-to-peer crypto platform Remitano acknowledged a $2.7 million hack. At the beginning of September, crypto gambling platform Stake was reported to have suffered a $41 million hack.

Centralized decentralized finance (CeDeFi) protocol NEOPIN is gearing up to launch NEOPIN Bridge, a platform designed to bridge the Finschia network with Ethereum Virtual Machine-based (EVM) networks like Ethereum and Klaytn. According to an official announcement via Medium on Tuesday (KST), the service will be launched by the end of February.Photo by Shubham's Web3 on UnsplashLinking ecosystemsEver since its establishment of an official partnership with the Finschia Foundation last month, NEOPIN has been developing Finschia’s first EVM-compatible bridge. The project is intended to facilitate the process of exchanging cryptocurrencies for users on the Finschia, Ethereum and Klaytn networks. This will enhance the development and liquidity of the Finschia and Klaytn ecosystems through the integration of Ethereum-based stablecoins.  Currently, NEOPIN’s DeFi protocols are accessible only through the NEOPIN Wallet. But with NEOPIN Bridge, user accessibility and convenience will be enhanced through provided support for various wallets like MetaMask, Kaikas, DOSI Vault and more. New services will also be implemented, including token swaps for users to transfer the converted Finschia tokens (FNSA) through the bridge. NEOPIN is the only DeFi protocol that simultaneously supports both the Finschia and Klaytn mainnets, who recently announced a joint proposal for the Dragon DeFi Initiative – a project to build a DeFi ecosystem active on both the Finschia and Klaytn mainnets. NEOPIN’s strengthsWith a record of zero incidents including stake slashing since 2018, along with a 99.99999% block generation rate, the protocol touts a clean track record in node validation across multiple blockchains, emphasizing its dedication to trust and stability. “NEOPIN is recognized for its robust security and reliability, serving as a role model for the Abu Dhabi DeFi regulatory framework. The launch of our self-developed NEOPIN Bridge is a significant stride towards encouraging the growth of the Finschia and Klaytn ecosystems,” said Ethan Kim, CEO of NEOPIN.

Switzerland and Singapore-based crypto bank Sygnum has successfully closed a funding round, securing over $40 million in capital, with plans to expand its service offering in Asia. On the brink of unicorn statusThe funding round was achieved based upon a post-money valuation of $900 million, with Sygnum edging closer to unicorn status. Led by global asset management group Azimut Holdings, the funding surpassed the initial target of $35 million, reinforcing Sygnum's position in the rapidly evolving digital assets space. In a press release, Mathias Imbach, Sygnum's co-founder and CEO, expressed excitement about the successful funding round, highlighting the company's commitment to building trust through regulation and good governance. Imbach stated:”Our core thesis has always been that Future has Heritage, and our strategy to build trust via regulation and good governance has guided us throughout all market cycles. ” Gerald Goh, Sygnum's co-founder and CEO of its Singapore operations, emphasized the importance of staying ahead as clients' needs and activities grow more sophisticated. The fresh funds will enable Sygnum to continuously upgrade and enhance its product and service offerings in response to evolving market demands.Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashAsian focusThe funds raised in this round will be instrumental in expanding Sygnum's geographical reach into new markets in 2024, within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as well as within the European Union. Sygnum has already made in-roads in Asia. Having started out in Switzerland, in 2019 the company set up a base in Singapore, establishing Sygnum Singapore and obtained a capital markets license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Last June, the firm achieved in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from MAS. It fulfilled the regulator’s requirements to bring about full approval in October. Goh told Bloomberg that the company envisages achieving growth in Asia and Europe through acquisition.  Developing fully regulated productsThis latest capital injection has also been earmarked to accelerate the development of fully regulated products, including the bank-to-bank platform that currently powers crypto offerings for more than 15 banks and financial institutions worldwide. Sygnum's assets under management have surged to $4 billion, with a client base exceeding 1,700 from over 60 countries. At the end of 2023, the firm reported an annualized revenue run rate (ARRR) exceeding $100 million, marking a significant milestone for the company's financial health and positive cash flow. Sygnum's expansion efforts include collaborations with key players in the industry. In November, the bank furthered its partnership with the Singapore arm of 174-year-old private bank Bordier & Cie, strengthening their initial collaboration that started in Geneva in 2021. Giorgio Medda, CEO of Azimut Holding, highlighted the strategic partnership between Azimut and Sygnum since 2021, emphasizing their joint development of the first tokenization of a private credit portfolio in Europe. Despite the recent challenges in the crypto industry, Sygnum remains optimistic about the future. The broader industry is witnessing a resurgence, with investors and market participants seeking partnerships with trusted and well-managed financial institutions. This sentiment aligns with Sygnum's vision to provide fully regulated solutions and support investors as they increase exposure to the asset class.