China Launches Shenzhen Park Centered on CBDC Growth

Treehouse expands NFT data offering through Origins acquisitionTreehouse, a Singapore-based Web3 data firm, has bolstered its presence in the NFT analytics market with the recent acquisition of Origins Analytics, an NFT analytics platform. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Treehouse’s NFT product offerings and expanding its capabilities in the flourishing NFT ecosystem.Photo by Andrey Metelev on UnsplashAcquisition synergyTreehouse announced the acquisition on Thursday, via a press release published by PR Newswire. Origins Analytics has distinguished itself as a leader in NFT data analysis. The enterprise had raised $4 million in funding in 2022, going on to grow a community of over 10,000 users. The enterprise-grade platform offers valuable insights and services to NFT enthusiasts and investors.Origins Analytics proficiency in both on-chain and off-chain data analysis had made it a highly sought-after name in the NFT space. With this acquisition, Treehouse is doubling down on its intention to deliver comprehensive NFT analytics services to its clientele.In reorganizing the businesses following acquisition, the founding team of Origins Analytics will be joining forces with Treehouse. Treehouse’s management believes that this synergy of expertise from both companies will ensure a seamless transition and integration of Origins’ capabilities into Treehouse’s existing suite of offerings.Broadening service offeringThe integration of Origins Analytics opens up new avenues for Treehouse’s service portfolio. As a consequence, Treehouse will now be able to offer an algorithmically tagged NFT wallet notification system. This will allow its clients to anticipate and better leverage algorithms to deliver real-time updates on NFT transactions and wallet activity.Treehouse is set to introduce NFT analytics bots designed to provide comprehensive data insights and market trends, empowering users to make informed decisions in the dynamic NFT sector. Additionally, the company will go forward to offer an NFT wallet profiling API, granting users deeper insights into NFT wallet activity and aiding in trend identification and opportunity spotting.CEO of Treehouse, Brandon Goh, conveyed his enthusiasm for the acquisition and the broader NFT analytics market, stating:“Treehouse is excited to make this move into NFT analytics. This strategic acquisition underscores our commitment to our clients, many of whom have NFT exposures. Our team is gearing up to integrate Origins’ system into our flagship product, Hyperion, confident that its technology aligns with our users’ needs and paves the way for us to serve the wider NFT community. Despite the bear market, Treehouse is expanding and is actively looking to acquire synergetic businesses.’’Expansion ambitionsTreehouse’s decision to acquire Origins Analytics comes hot on the heels of its successful seed round in 2021, which saw it raise $18 million from prominent investors, including Lightspeed, MassMutual, Binance, Mirana, LeadBlock, Jump, GSR and Wintermute. This recent acquisition stands as a testament to Treehouse’s ambition to broaden its Web3 portfolio and provide cutting-edge services to its valued clients.While the exact financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Treehouse clearly views this move as a strategic investment in the rapidly expanding NFT market. The company demonstrates confidence in its ability to harness the potential of the NFT sector, even in the face of challenging market conditions.

Metaplanet, a Japanese Bitcoin treasury company listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, is targeting a holding of 10,000 BTC in 2025.2025 targetTaking to the X social media platform on Jan. 5, the company’s CEO, Simon Gerovich, set out a number of objectives which the company will strive to reach in 2025. Among them is the objective to expand the company’s Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 BTC. Gerovich said that the expansion of the firm’s Bitcoin holding would be achieved “by utilizing the most accretive capital market tools available to us.” He followed up on Jan. 6 with an announcement that Metaplanet has completed its 12th series stock acquisition rights. Gerovich claimed that the successful completion of the stock issuance marked “a milestone in Metaplanet’s financing and Bitcoin acquisition strategy.” The 12th series stock issuance was first announced back in November, with a six-month exercise period opening on Dec. 17. Additionally, the company issued 4.5 billion yen ($28,562,451) and 5 billion yen ($31,736,057) in ordinary bonds, with a maturity date of June 2025. Other objectives the company has set out for 2025 include enhancing transparency and shareholder engagement through new initiatives. Furthermore, Metaplanet intends to leverage its partnerships to advance Bitcoin adoption in Japan and further afield. Gerovich said that Metaplanet will explore innovative opportunities to grow the firm’s impact in Japan and within the Bitcoin ecosystem.Photo by Vasilis Chatzopoulos on Unsplash2024 ‘transformational’The Metaplanet CEO claimed that 2024 had been “transformational” for the company. He added: “We broke records, expanded our Bitcoin treasury, and reinforced our position as Asia’s leading Bitcoin Treasury Company.” Shifting its attention to 2025, the firm is focused on its efforts to drive greater value for shareholders. Metaplanet’s fortunes are now heavily dependent upon the performance of Bitcoin. In an interview at a New Year’s Eve party held in Miami by Microstrategy founder Michael Saylor, Gerovich commented on Bitcoin adoption, stating:"I’m slowly but surely seeing Bitcoin becoming a topic of discussion at the highest levels of government. Corporations around the world are beginning to adopt it as a Bitcoin standard." The Metaplanet CEO is optimistic that the U.S. will adopt a strategic Bitcoin reserve once the Trump administration commences. Should that happen, he believes that other countries will follow. He sees Japan as one of those countries where they do look to the U.S. as a guide on such matters. “So I think if President Trump does adopt it as a strategic reserve, then Japan and many countries in Asia will do the same,” he stated. Metaplanet is understood to be pursuing a business model very similar to the one pioneered by Microstrategy in the United States. The company increased the rate at which it acquired Bitcoin in H2 2024. Metaplanet made its first Bitcoin purchase in April 2024. At that time, its stock was trading at $1.90. Just as the Bitcoin unit price surged, so too did Metaplanet stock, closing the year at $22.05 per share.

On March 7, Nissan Motor Co. introduced an innovative metaverse experience titled the "Heritage Cars & Safe Drive Studio," blending elements of automotive history with interactive safety education.Photo by Matthijs Waanders on UnsplashMarking 90 years in businessThe studio, launched to commemorate Nissan's 90th anniversary, features three iconic models from the company's past, recreated in virtual environments to reflect their respective eras. Among the showcased vehicles is the Silvia Q’s S13, renowned globally for its role in drifting culture. Users can explore this historic car from the 1980s while learning about the influence of pedestrian clothing colors on driver visibility. In another exhibit, users engage in a mini-game designed to educate on driver field-of-view and the impact of multitasking on safety. Alongside, the Skyline 2000GTX-E, famous for its presence in popular media like the Gran Turismo video game series and Fast and Furious movies, adds a touch of nostalgia and excitement, transporting users to the 1970s era. In a 1950s and 60s American diner and drive-in theater setting, the final exhibit offers a hands-on steering wheel spin exercise. These experiences aim to merge Nissan's heritage with vital safety knowledge, such as understanding the significance of pedestrian attire and the dangers of distracted driving. Developed in collaboration with Japanese university researchers, these immersive experiences are accessible through Meta Quest headsets, marking Nissan's continued exploration of virtual and augmented reality for customer engagement and education. Previous forays into the metaverseThis initiative aligns with Nissan's ongoing efforts to enhance its presence in the metaverse. It’s not the carmaker's first rodeo where the metaverse is concerned. It introduced its first virtual test drive and a virtual unveiling of its Sakura model in 2022. That same year, the company suggested it was interested in providing more in the way of virtual events, even going as far as to suggest the development of virtual customer support offices for clients. It followed that up in December 2023 with a revamp of four existing metaverse worlds, a project that also formed part of its 90th-anniversary celebrations. Nissan's latest foray into the metaverse coincides with advancements in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) hardware. The recent launch of Apple's inaugural mixed-reality headset in February 2024 signals intensified competition among tech giants like Meta and Microsoft, who have been gradually expanding into consumer and enterprise AR/VR markets over the past decade. Broader auto industry interestNissan isn’t alone in the auto industry in taking initial steps into the metaverse. Rival Toyota has taken a different approach, pursuing an interest in creating remote workspaces for staff so that meetings can be held in the metaverse. Hyundai experimented with entering the metaverse as early as 2021. Through a partnership with Naver Z, the company offered virtual test drives of its Sonata model. Meanwhile Renault Korea has tipped its toes in the metaverse by offering consumers the ability to custom-build virtual cars on a metaverse platform. Through these metaverse updates, Nissan aims to stay at the forefront of automotive innovation, utilizing immersive experiences to engage customers and promote safety awareness in an increasingly digital world.