XPLA joins hands with EDUM to bring Study-to-Earn services to learners

Asian Firms Feature in Ledger’s Institutional Trading OfferingCrypto hardware storage device provider Ledger has recently introduced the Ledger Enterprise Tradelink network with the participation of a number of well-known Asian crypto platforms.Through its Ledger Enterprise Tradelink offering, Ledger aims to provide a robust and open trading platform specifically designed for institutional investors. The company announced its move into the institutional trading technology market via a blog post published to its website on Wednesday.Photo by Kanchanara on UnsplashMeeting institutional needsThis platform aims to meet the unique risk management and regulatory requirements of institutions seeking to participate in the cryptocurrency market.Given recent events, such as the bankruptcy of the FTX crypto exchange, market participants are increasingly seeking transparency and alternatives to traditional vertically integrated crypto exchanges. There are also concerns regarding the future of market infrastructure in light of the recent lawsuits filed by US regulators against major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.Sebastien Badault, the VP of Metaverse & NFTs at Ledger, highlighted these concerns and emphasized the importance of addressing them. He explained that the Ledger Enterprise Tradelink network enables a seamless connection between custodians, OTC brokers, and exchanges, allowing traders to execute trades without having to hold funds on the exchange itself.This unique feature serves to minimize the risks associated with centralized exchanges. Badault further predicted that as regulations evolve, fund managers will likely be required to distribute their risk across multiple custodial partners, making the Ledger network an appealing solution.Asian partnershipsTo bring the enterprise-grade platform to life, Ledger has partnered with several prominent crypto exchanges and broker firms. These include international companies like Bitstamp, Uphold, CEX.IO, Wintermute, Coinsquare, NDAX, Damex, Flowdesk, and YouHodler. Additionally, Asian platforms feature strongly, represented by the likes of Seychelles-headquartered crypto exchange Huobi, Singapore-based platform Crypto.com, and Thailand’s Bitazza, a digital asset platform.Other participating companies comprise of Komainu, a digital asset custodian backed by Japanese financial services company Nomura, Tokyo-based institution-facing crypto finance firm, Crypto Garage and Hong Kong’s Kryptodian, a digital asset custodian.Other international partners include digital asset custodians TetraTrust and Etana. The partnership depth that Ledger has put in place with its Ledger Enterprise Tradelink product ensures that firms utilizing the network are not locked into a single custodial provider.Crypto.com President & COO, Eric Anziani, praised Ledger’s innovative Trading Operation technology, emphasizing its role in enhancing security and fostering a regulation-friendly landscape for institutional trading. The collaboration with Ledger enables Crypto.com to participate in the Ledger Enterprise Tradelink network, expanding their offerings for institutional clients and strengthening their position within the market.Ledger Enterprise offers real-time tracking of collateral balances and operational status for all participants, providing enhanced transparency and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the platform boasts zero transaction fees, making it a cost-effective solution for institutional investors, as highlighted in the press release.This initiative by Ledger aligns with the industry’s growing demand for regulatory compliance and effective risk management solutions. Consequently, Ledger’s entrance into this space marks an important milestone in facilitating institutional participation and driving further adoption of cryptocurrencies.

South Korea to Revive Tech Exports with Metaverse, BlockchainThe South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT revealed today a strategy to enhance the country’s tech exports. The plan includes leveraging the potential of the metaverse and blockchain as promising export items.Photo by Pixabay on PexelsEmphasis on the digital sectorIn response to the recent decline in exports, the strategy seeks to establish new sources of growth by prioritizing the digital sector, which has historically been a key driver of Korea’s exports. Recognizing the complex challenge posed by the global economic slowdown and other factors, all government ministries are collaborating to counteract the export slowdown.The plan leverages South Korea’s digital capabilities and implements proactive measures to adapt to evolving export trends, including the recent advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and the acceleration of digital transformation. By tapping into emerging markets and nurturing innovative companies, the government strives to diversify its export portfolio and strengthen its position in the global market.Despite achieving a record high of $248.8 billion in tech exports in 2022, Korea has faced year-on-year declines since July 2022 due to the global economic downturn. The semiconductor sector, which accounts for more than half of the nation’s tech exports, has been particularly sluggish. Nevertheless, the rise of new tech markets driven by significant technological advancements, such as ChatGPT, and the global push for digital transformation offer opportunities to overcome the current export slump.Emerging marketsAgainst this backdrop, the government is committed to backing the development of products that resonate with the evolving export landscape. It is eyeing emerging markets, notably the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, recognizing their fertile grounds for the swift adoption of evolving tech trends, fueled by their substantial youth populations. Furthermore, the government plans to provide policy-level support to tech companies.Government supportUnder this plan, the government will identify promising companies and offer assistance, including consultation and guidance on product commercialization. It will also support metaverse companies participating in overseas projects by covering localization development costs.In the blockchain field, comprehensive support, including technology verification, consulting, and marketing, will be provided to those working towards international standardization for NFTs and their overseas commercialization.As part of this initiative, exhibition rooms will be established on metaverse platforms like ZEPETO and IFLAND in September. These platforms will provide opportunities for innovative firms to showcase their products. At the same time, the plan will facilitate interaction between Korean companies and overseas buyers through online and offline events to boost exports.

India Launches Crypto-Enabled Web Browser InitiativeIn a further leap into the digital frontier, the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), signaling a significant move towards reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign technology.Photo by Julian Yu on UnsplashIndigenous web browserCentral to this ambitious initiative is the creation of an indigenous web browser with an innovative twist — the integration of cryptographic features for digitally signing documents. This advancement is poised to heighten the security and efficiency of online transactions, elevating India’s digital landscape.The launch event for the challenge took place at the India Habitat Centre and showcased a collaborative endeavor involving MeitY, Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).Harnessing blockchain technologyAt its core, this initiative aims to bridge the traditional internet framework with the burgeoning potential of blockchain technology. A press release published by MeitY on Wednesday clarified that the web browser will boast an embedded CCA India root certificate, bolstering the browser’s security framework and upholding the sanctity of data privacy.Sunita Verma, Research & Development Group Coordinator at MeitY, underscored the profound significance of this initiative in India’s digital narrative. She conveyed the message from Alkesh Kumar Sharma, MeitY’s Secretary, emphasizing that this challenge embodies a pivotal stride toward realizing the vision of an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” or self-reliant India.Further echoing this sentiment, Verma stated:“Digital India has orchestrated a transformative shift in our nation’s operational fabric. As we journey forward, the convergence of technology and homegrown innovation stands as a critical waypoint. More than just a browser, this is a symbol of a self-sufficient, digitally empowered India.”Progressive use caseIn line with the drive towards digital sovereignty, Arvind Kumar, MeitY’s CCA, illuminated the paramount significance of trustworthiness and security in the realm of digital interactions. He expressed his confidence that the forthcoming browser, fortified with the India Root Certificate, will render the nation more resilient against internet vulnerabilities, ultimately curbing dependence on foreign technology players.The IWBDC extends an open invitation to innovators across diverse domains, encompassing academia, industry, startups, and individuals, to contribute their ingenuity to this groundbreaking venture. The challenge brings with it a substantial prize pool of Rs. 3.41 crore ($0.4 million), offering not only financial incentives but also a chance to shape the trajectory of India’s digital future.While establishment agencies in India have largely been opposed to the legalization of cryptocurrencies, this initiative demonstrates that others are looking to exploit the blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation.While the Indian government has been active in calling for global crypto regulation, the country itself has not as yet finalized any such legislation relative to Web3 and cryptocurrency. Initiatives like this one help to showcase the possibilities that this innovation can bring about. That should serve to steer regulation in India towards a set of rules that enable the further development of that innovation.As the curtains rise on the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, the world’s most populous nation is taking a decisive stride towards asserting its tech self-reliance, intertwining innovation with security, and laying the foundation for a digitally progressive India.