Animoca Brands Secures Funding to Expand Web3 Identity Project

Yes24 Teams Up with KPC to Establish Digital Content Distribution EcosystemSouth Korean culture and arts content platform Yes24 announced on Thursday that it has signed a business agreement with digital content aggregator Korea Publishing Contents (KPC) to build a digital content distribution ecosystem based on blockchain technology to protect the rights of copyright holders and users alike.Photo by Hal Gatewood on UnsplashYes24 CEO Choi Sera and KPC CEO Lee Joong-ho attended the signing ceremony for the agreement last Tuesday.Collaboration on multiple frontsUnder the new partnership, both parties plan to explore various business models and collaborate on marketing efforts to establish and operate the digital content ecosystem. They also intend to cooperate by leveraging their human resources, technological capabilities, and market networks.“We will do our best to create a secure and fair digital content distribution environment that both protects and grants more rights to copyright holders and users,” Yes24 said in a statement, adding that it would also strive to contribute to the acceleration of the digital content market.Fueling creativity and content consumptionAs a major online book retailer, Yes24 provides a range of services, which include selling books as well as tickets for various concerts and events. KPC is a joint venture established by 65 Korean publishers with the collective aim of discovering sustainable growth drivers for the publishing industry. Currently, the company distributes over 1,000 e-books and audiobooks from various publishers to local and international e-book stores and libraries.

Upbit Adds Polygon Staking ServiceDunamu, the blockchain and fintech firm that operates South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, announced on Wednesday (local time) the addition of Polygon’s MATIC to Upbit’s staking service, now available via the Upbit website and mobile application.Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on UnsplashStaking is a service where users entrust their cryptocurrency to a blockchain network to boost its security and receive virtual assets as rewards. The virtual assets deposited by staking users are used in the transaction verification process of generating new blocks in the blockchain network of the respective asset. Users are then rewarded with virtual assets for their participation in the process.Polygon is an Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution that allows developers to build various decentralized applications (DApps) within the Ethereum ecosystem. Its native token is called MATIC.Expanded staking optionsAny Upbit user who has completed the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and enabled two-factor authentication can participate in staking on Upbit. The minimum staking amount is 2.7 MATIC. Users who participate in staking receive rewards once every day. They can also unstake their tokens at any time they want.“At Upbit, we utilize our world-class security measures, robust infrastructure, and years of technological expertise to operate validators and stake users’ assets for them,” the exchange said. “Users’ crypto assets that are used in staking are safely stored in a cold wallet.”Dunamu officially launched the Upbit Staking service in January of last year, serving as an intermediary in the complex staking process. The service aims to facilitate the convenient and secure staking of virtual assets. With the latest addition of Polygon, the exchange now supports a total of five staking options, namely Ethereum, Cosmos, Cardano, Solana, and Polygon.New NFT collectionsThe exchange’s non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, Upbit NFT, also recently opened trading, deposits, and withdrawals for new NFT collections based on Ethereum and Polygon. To celebrate this additional functionality, Upbit NFT will conduct Ethereum giveaway events for lucky participants until next Wednesday.

Data Labs leverages blockchain technology for data-based travel itinerary appFounded in 2021, Data Labs is changing the landscape of travel by leveraging blockchain and NFT technology to offer a wallet service called “MyInfo Market,” where users can store and control their own data, according to an article published by Korean news outlet Data News.In particular, MyInfo Market can be used in tandem with the company’s travel app Yeohaengdaelo, which utilizes users’ travel-related data to recommend travel destinations and organize and share itineraries. Users can directly manage their personal preference information on MyInfo Market and selectively submit the information necessary to receive rewards. “It’s not just a travel itinerary app, it’s also a way for individuals to earn money using their own data,” said Kim Jong-hyun, CEO of Data Labs.Photo by Eva Darron on UnsplashSeamless travel experienceYeohaengdaelo integrates Naver Blog, Instagram and KakaoTalk services into one app, aimed at relieving the stress that comes with travel preparation, Kim explained. It utilizes data such as the region a user is traveling to, their travel companions and information on facilities, as well as their travel preferences and patterns. The app also provides real-life services such as discounts at designated restaurants near the travel site.Building trust and valueThe company explained that it intends to maintain a cyclical data ecosystem where users can willingly provide their data to get travel recommendations and receive suitable compensation for that information in return. Because the ecosystem is blockchain-based, it provides a safe method of personal information management.Since the launch of Yeohaengdaelo in July, Data Labs has been developing a business model that can secure a solid user base and revenue for affiliated businesses. It expects to reach 55,000 members next year and 2.14 million members by 2028. The company also expects to use the business model as a basis for generating KRW 500 million (approximately $386,000) in revenue next year by linking marketing channels, issuing discount coupons for kids’ amenities and providing data royalties.In the future, Data Labs plans to expand Yeohaengdaelo to include not only travel preparation services but also information on various discounts that users can receive based on the location they are in. Efforts like this will be necessary to provide unique user experiences, the company said.Data Labs is also currently receiving support through Y&Archer’s tourism acceleration program. Y&Archer is a Korean investment and acceleration firm known for its AC Program, which discovers, accelerates and supports startups through various projects.“In the past, companies profited from personal data, but Yeohaengdaelo allows individuals to monetize their data. Our goal is to create a world where individuals can regain the rights (to their own data) and be at the center of Web3 content,” Kim said.