Investigation launched into prominent Chinese blockchain figure Yao Qian

DBS Bank, a key player in Singapore's banking sector, has unveiled a substantial reorganization of its operational framework, which includes its digital asset exchange business, DDEx. Global Financial Markets (GFM)Effective March 1 DBS will consolidate its equity capital markets, brokerage arm DBS Vickers and the DBS Digital Exchange (DDEx) into its Treasury Markets division. In doing so, it will form a unified entity known as Global Financial Markets (GFM). This amalgamation underscores DBS's intention to merge conventional financial services with the burgeoning digital assets landscape, contributing towards a new era of financial integration and innovation. DDEx, a members-only exchange facilitating exposure to digital assets for accredited investors, financial institutions and family offices, will now operate under the umbrella of GFM. This strategic integration aims to leverage the synergies between traditional and digital financial spheres, positioning DBS at the forefront of transformative financial solutions.Photo by Meriç Dağlı on UnsplashDDEx founder retiresThe announcement of this restructuring coincides with the retirement of Eng-Kwok Seat Moey, a revered figure within DBS, whose 36-year tenure has left an indelible mark on the bank's trajectory. Eng-Kwok's contributions to DBS's equity capital markets and the development of Singapore's REITs industry are widely recognized, as is her pivotal role in spearheading the DBS Digital Asset Ecosystem (DAE) and the founding of DDEx. Under her stewardship, DBS has consistently ranked atop regional league tables, driving innovation and excellence in Singapore's financial landscape. Eng-Kwok's legacy extends to her instrumental role in establishing the DBS Digital Asset Ecosystem (DAE), a pioneering initiative offering a spectrum of digital asset services, including origination, distribution, custody and trading. Andrew Ng, the current head of Treasury Markets, assumes leadership of the newly formed GFM group. His expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of global finance, blending traditional market mechanisms with the innovative potential of digital assets. Clifford Lee, renowned for his proficiency in fixed income, will expand his purview to encompass investment banking, overseeing both debt and equity capital markets alongside his responsibilities at DBS Vickers. Capitalizing on complementary strengthsThe consolidation of DBS's financial arms not only aims to streamline operations but also seeks to capitalize on the complementary strengths of traditional and digital financial domains. Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS, expressed confidence in the merger's ability to unlock greater synergies, enabling the bank to deliver a comprehensive suite of financial solutions to its clientele. DDEx has been at the forefront of digital asset trading in Asia, witnessing significant growth in bitcoin and ether transactions in recent years. Notably, DDEx has explored avenues such as security token offerings (STOs) and it has ventured into the metaverse realm with investments in projects like The Sandbox. Additionally, DBS's Chinese subsidiary launched a digital yuan merchant solution, facilitating payments in the new currency for mainland enterprises. As DBS embarks on this latest transformation, the integration of digital assets into its core financial operations underscores its interest in innovation within a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

WEMIX PLAY Adds Four More Games to Its LineupSouth Korean gaming publisher Wemade has taken a stride by signing contracts with four distinct gaming developers to integrate their games onto WEMIX PLAY, Wemade’s blockchain gaming platform. This news arrives merely a week after the onboarding of the preceding three games.Photo by Sean Do on UnsplashTank battle gameAmong the additions is “Tank Battle Heroes: World War,” developed by T-Bull S.A., a mobile game developer based in Poland. Its forthcoming contribution stands out as a 3D multiplayer tank battle game, featuring realistic snowy and desert environments. Gamers will enjoy Tank Battle Heroes by defending their territory and conquering rival territories.Action RPGJoining the roster is “Wind of Chaos,” an action role-playing game designed by Altwolf Software, a company hailing from Belarus. In “Wind of Chaos,” players immerse themselves as pirates, opting for individual or group endeavors in their quest to destroy enemy ships and engage in adrenaline-inducing battles.3D artillery gameHong Kong’s tech enterprise, HK Pharos Tech, is set to introduce “TNT Bomb Commando,” a 3D artillery game. The game’s appeal lies in the extensive customization options for characters, enabling gamers to personalize in-game avatars with over 100 costumes.Strategy puzzle RPGAnother notable addition is The First Hunter, a strategy puzzle RPG that is currently under development by Korean gaming company Captains. Rooted in the narrative of an online novel of the same name, The First Hunter offers gamers a unique universe to explore. Engaging in battles to collect a wide range of characters and nurture their growth is a central facet of the gameplay experience.

Intella X Joins Hands with Chainlink Labs to Enhance SecuritySouth Korean gaming company Neowiz announced Wednesday that its blockchain gaming platform, Intella X, has forged a partnership with Chainlink Labs, the founder of the Chainlink blockchain oracle network, to further solidify its position as a secure and transparent blockchain gaming platform.Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network connects data both within and outside of the blockchain — also referred to as on-chain and off-chain — which enables developers to build Web3 applications with access to real-world data and off-chain computation across any blockchain.Photo by Shubham Dhage on UnsplashEnhancing security and transparencyThe joint collaboration aims to apply Chainlink Labs’ on-chain and off-chain data connection technology to Intella X. By doing so, they plan to enhance the security of Intella X’s various services, including blockchain games and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).To ensure transparency within its blockchain gaming platform, Intella X will utilize Chainlink Labs’ verifiable random function technology to generate random values during game operations without compromising security or usability, supporting fair gameplay for all users.Scaling the platformAdditionally, they are considering technical collaborations to increase the platform’s scalability by using Chainlink Labs’ Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol, which enables connectivity between different blockchain networks through a single interface.Operating on the Polygon blockchain platform, Intella X offers various in-house platform services, such as its decentralized exchange (DEX) and its NFT launchpad and marketplace. The platform has also soft-launched the Android and web versions of its IntellaX Wallet — a Web3 wallet for Web2 and Web3 gamers — and is ready to expand its ecosystem.