BitMEX Launches Bespoke Service in Hong Kong

Global pre-registration for Night Crows – a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Madngine and published by Wemade – opened today (KST), according to an article published by South Korean news outlet Game Focus. Pre-registration rewards include a participatory event and in-game currencies.Photo by Mateo on UnsplashPowered by innovative tech Built on Unreal Engine 5, a three-dimensional computer graphics engine used for game and content development, Night Crows features high-quality graphics, an immersive world, realistic action and large-scale in-game battles. It has topped the popularity and revenue charts on major app markets in South Korea since its launch in April last year. The global version of the game, which is scheduled for official release in March after the global pre-registration period is over, will harness blockchain technology and a multifaceted tokenomics system that tokenizes in-game items. It will also introduce character NFTs that keep character and player data in one place, connecting the game’s internal and external economies.  In addition, Night Crows’ omnichain network will allow users of other blockchain networks connected with the WEMIX3.0 mainnet to enjoy the tokenomics system as well. Wemade expected in TaiwanWemade is set to unveil Night Crows at this year’s Taipei Game Show at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from Jan. 25 to 28.

South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb is working with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to combat global criminal activities involving digital assets. According to Korean media outlet Joseilbo, Yoo Jung-ki, who heads Bithumb's Policy Support Office, met with Tomonobu Kaya, Assistant Director of Interpol's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, during a recent meeting in Thailand. The gathering was part of a three-day event held from March 10 to 12, organized under Interpol's Project ViCTOR (Virtual assets-facilitated financial Crime – Trace, Obstruct and Recover), an initiative funded by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During their meeting, the two officials explored ways to enhance cooperation while committing to maintaining a close, sustainable working relationship.Photo by rc.xyz NFT gallery on UnsplashExchange shares expertiseDuring his Bangkok visit, Yoo delivered a speech addressing emerging crypto crime trends and necessary regulatory changes to protect users. He also discussed the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) guidelines and recommendations, along with South Korea's policies on anti-money laundering and combating terrorism financing (AML/CFT). His presentation resonated with the audience, particularly when he emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public sector and crypto exchanges on multiple fronts, including recovering stolen funds from criminals. Regarding the meeting, Yoo stated that he found it meaningful to participate, as a representative of South Korean crypto exchanges, in a gathering focused on developing global countermeasures against money laundering and digital asset crimes. He added that Bithumb is committed to supporting the international cooperative system aimed at preventing and recovering from crypto crimes. Interpol’s effortsThe event also covered recent updates on Interpol's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) stop-payment mechanism, launched in 2022, and Singapore's evolving crypto regulatory landscape. In June last year, Interpol reported that police across 61 countries had collectively intercepted approximately $135 million in fiat currency and $2 million in cryptocurrency, with I-GRIP helping authorities track illicit proceeds from both types of currencies.Interpol's involvement in investigating crypto crimes has been expanding recently. According to Cointelegraph, Argentine lawyer Gregorio Dalbon has requested that a prosecutor and judge issue an Interpol Red Notice for Hayden Davis, a co-creator of the LIBRA token allegedly linked to Argentine President Javier Milei. The controversial memecoin, launched last month, briefly reached a $4.5 billion market cap before its value collapsed.

The South Korean government has begun the process of selling its stake in NXC, the largest shareholder of Nexon, a video game company originally founded in South Korea and now headquartered in Japan. According to the Seoul Economic Daily, which cited industry sources, the Ministry of Economy and Finance began a public sale process on June 30 for its shares in NXC. These shares were received as payment for inheritance tax from the family of Nexon’s late founder, Kim Jung-ju. In February 2023, Kim’s widow, Yoo Jung-hyun—who also serves as chair of the board at NXC—along with other family members, transferred 851,968 NXC shares to the government to settle the inheritance tax liability.Photo by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashEarlier failed sale attemptsThe government’s latest attempt to sell the shares follows two previous efforts that failed, primarily due to high asking prices at the time. The current estimated value of the shares stands at 4.7 trillion won (approximately $3.47 billion), reflecting a 20% premium over their net value due to the rights associated with company control. However, the shares are expected to sell at a lower price, since acquiring them would not lead to actual control of the company—Kim’s surviving family still holds a majority stake in NXC. Industry insiders view Chinese tech giant Tencent as a strong contender to purchase the shares. However, Tencent recently denied reports from last month that claimed it had approached Kim’s surviving family to discuss a possible acquisition of Nexon. The company had also expressed interest in acquiring Nexon back in 2019 but ultimately did not take part in the bidding process. According to Chosun Ilbo, a Tencent acquisition is being viewed as a possibility, as the Shenzhen-based firm continues efforts to secure overseas intellectual property. One industry source noted that Tencent tends to invest in Korean game developers every three to four years. The source also mentioned that Tencent had approached Korean venture capital analysts specializing in gaming last year to gather information for a potential acquisition shortlist. If Tencent were to purchase all of the government-held NXC shares, it would become the second-largest shareholder in the company. Given its ongoing investments in the Korean gaming sector, the source said it is likely Tencent will participate in the sale process organized by the government. Nexon’s blockchain pushNotably, Nexon has been expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency space. According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, the company holds 1,717 Bitcoin (BTC), acquired at an average price of $58,226 per coin. Beyond its BTC investment, Nexon is actively exploring blockchain technology through its Web3 IP-expansion project, NEXPACE.  This initiative features the MapleStory Universe ecosystem, along with MapleStory N, a PC-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that incorporates blockchain technology. Both projects are powered by the NXPC token. MapleStory was originally developed by Wizet Studio in 2003 and became part of Nexon when the company acquired the studio the following year.