FSN and Fingo join hands to pursue tokenized securities business

Seoul Govt to Hire Blockchain Expert to Enhance Administrative Services for CitizensThe Seoul Metropolitan Government is hiring a blockchain specialist in an effort to bolster its administrative services for citizens, leveraging the power of blockchain technology to provide enhanced and efficient solutions, as per local news outlet Etnews.Photo by Yu Kato on UnsplashRoles and eligibilityThe appointed blockchain specialist will participate in the development and management of blockchain-based administrative systems. The position will also involve facilitating technological cooperation between the public and private sectors, with a focus on integrating blockchain-powered platforms with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things.Interested candidates have until July 26 to submit their applications, with the successful candidate expected to be revealed in August, following document screening and interviews.To be eligible for the position, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:1. Hold a bachelor’s degree and possess at least one year of experience in related fields.2. Have three or more years of relevant experience.3. Be public servants of rank 8 or higher with a minimum of two years of relevant experience.Eligible candidates must have a proven track record in the development and operation of information systems, blockchains, and non-fungible tokens.Seoul’s blockchain initiativesThe Seoul Metropolitan Government’s current efforts to integrate blockchain technology into its administrative services include the operation of the Seoul Wallet app, a one-stop solution that enables citizens to access their identification, certificates, and credentials. The city government has plans to connect this app with other digital and healthcare platforms to create a fully integrated management system.Seoul has been at the forefront of blockchain adoption in South Korea. In 2020, it became the first Korean city to launch a blockchain-powered labor contract system, aimed at protecting the rights of temporary workers. Additionally, the city has been actively exploring various ways to leverage blockchain for online ID verification services. Such initiatives include a benefits card designed for families with two or more children, offering discounts on public facilities usage.A representative from the city government highlighted their recognition of blockchain as a key technology in the era of Web3. As a result, Seoul is seeking opportunities to introduce and support blockchain-based initiatives within its jurisdiction. The official emphasized the city’s commitment to providing safe and inclusive civil services built on blockchain technology, following a thorough assessment of their potentials and risks.

HTX Hacker Returns FundsThe hacker responsible for the nearly 5,000 ETH exploit on the Seychelles-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange HTX (formerly known as Huobi) last month has decided to return the stolen funds.Towards the end of last month, the exchange fell victim to a hack, resulting in a loss estimated at around $8 million. According to on-chain data, the hacker has repatriated the pilfered cryptocurrency, marking a significant development in the aftermath of the cyberattack.Photo by Shubham Dhage on UnsplashHacker rewardedThe returned funds were sent back in two separate transactions, one consisting of approximately 4,000 ETH and the other totaling around 1,000 ETH. HTX advisor and Tron Founder, Justin Sun, took to X (formerly Twitter) to officially confirm the recovery. In his statement, Sun revealed that HTX had not only received all the stolen funds as promised by the hacker but had also extended a gesture of goodwill. HTX rewarded the responsible party with a “white hat bonus” amounting to 250 ETH, equivalent to a substantial $400,000.Sun expressed his satisfaction with the hacker’s decision, stating:“We have confirmed that the hacker has fully returned all funds, as promised, and we have also paid the hacker a white hat bonus of 250 ETH. The hacker made the right choice. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone in the industry for their help.”Hacker advisory messageDuring the return of the funds, the hacker conveyed a message on-chain, shedding light on the reason behind this act of restitution. The message read:“Received your message. White hat bonus to0x1Fc8674A51D6b97C968BE384337519CE7003152B. Your system hot wallet private key leak, you should change system hot wallet address and reduce the system hot wallet rate.”HTX, in response to the hacker’s decision to return the funds and in accordance with its commitment, promptly sent the white hat bonus to the specified address. The exchange also requested the hacker to provide a detailed security vulnerability analysis report to the email address htxsafe@htx-inc.com.This request aims to prevent similar incidents in the future, with assurances that the hacker’s privacy will be safeguarded.Justin Sun had confirmed the original hack in September, at the time reassuring the community that HTX had covered all losses arising from the attack and resolved associated issues satisfactorily.While acknowledging the severity of the hack, Sun pointed out that the stolen amount represented a relatively small fraction of the $3 billion in assets held by HTX’s users. To incentivize the return of the funds, HTX had even offered a reward of 5%, which equated to $400,000.However, Sun also emphasized that if the funds had not been returned within a seven-day window, the company would have been compelled to involve law enforcement authorities.Thankfully, it did not come to that, and the cryptocurrency exchange can now move forward with the confidence that its users’ assets are secure. This incident highlights the importance of cooperation and ethical choices within the crypto community, as well as the potential for resolution even in the face of cyberattacks.

Zkrypto Partners with LG CNS to Develop Blockchain-Powered Business ModelsZkrypto, a South Korean startup specializing in zero-knowledge proof technology, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with tech solutions firm LG CNS, an affiliate of the nation’s conglomerate LG Group. The partnership aims to develop blockchain-powered business models.Photo by Shubham Dhage on UnsplashFrom academia to industryFounded in 2020 by Oh Hyun-ok, a professor of Information Systems at Hanyang University, and Kim Ji-hye, a professor of Electrical Engineering at Kookmin University, Zkrypto has been involved in a variety of projects. These range from enhancing privacy features for the Bank of Korea’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) to building a blockchain-based voting system for the National Election Commission.Meanwhile, LG CNS has been actively engaged in multiple blockchain initiatives, including a decentralized identity (DID)-enabled mobile employee ID system, a Token as a Service (TaaS) offering, and its own blockchain platform, Monachain. The company’s latest projects include the development of a platform designed for security token offerings.For corporate and retail customersBy pooling their respective expertise, Zkrypto and LG CNS strive to create new value and offer innovative services to both corporate and retail customers.Emphasizing the promising horizon of blockchain technology, an official from Zkrypto stated that the collaboration between the two companies is poised to explore new markets and opportunities.