NEOPIN works with Japan’s Jasmy to develop RWA-based DeFi products

JD.com, also known as JINGDONG, a NASDAQ-listed Chinese e-commerce giant, is understood to be making plans to acquire stablecoin licensing in key international markets.  According to Chinese news site, Guancha.cn, Richard Liu, the founder of JD.com, which recorded revenues of $41.5 billion in Q1 2025, outlined details regarding the company’s stablecoin plans in a press briefing held in Beijing on June 17. Liu stated: "We hope to apply for stablecoin licenses in all major countries with sovereign currencies. With these licenses, our goal is to enable global foreign exchange transactions, starting with business-to-business payments."Photo by Shutter Speed on UnsplashReducing costs & settlement timeThe JD.com founder added that using stablecoins, the company “can reduce payment costs by 90% and complete transactions within 10 seconds,” while going on to point out that payments made by way of the traditional SWIFT financial messaging system take up to four working days to settle. While JD.com plans to commence with a utilization of stablecoins for business-to-business transactions, Liu said, “We hope that one day, people around the world will be able to use JD’s digital currency for global payments.” JD.com’s move towards the use of stablecoins follows a similar step taken by Ant Group, an affiliate company of Chinese e-commerce rival, Alibaba Group. It emerged last week that subsidiary company Ant International intends to apply for stablecoin licensing in Hong Kong, Singapore and Luxembourg. Additionally, Ant Digital Technologies, another Ant Group subsidiary, is also planning on applying for a stablecoin license in Hong Kong, once the Chinese autonomous territory rolls out its stablecoin regulation this summer. Stablecoin sandbox participantWhile JD.com has now announced its intentions with regard to the use of stablecoins, it has not as yet fully deployed its own token. However, JD Coinlink, a subsidiary company under its JD Technology arm, recently launched the second testing phase for a Hong Kong dollar (HKD)-pegged stablecoin.  The project first announced its intentions to issue a HKD-pegged stablecoin called the “JD Stablecoin,” back in June 2024. At that time, it asserted that reserves would be composed of highly liquid and credible assets, with those funds being regularly audited and held independently via licensed financial institutions.  Last July, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched a regulatory sandbox for stablecoin issuers with JD Coinlink joining Animoca Brands, Standard Chartered and Hong Kong Telecommunications as participants. The sandbox allows participants to test both the issuance and the use of stablecoins for a variety of use cases including payments, supply chain management and capital markets. Hong Kong has set Aug. 1 as the effective date for its Stablecoin Ordinance, which will enable certain stablecoins to be issued without a license when offered to professional investors, while a stablecoin must be licensed if offered to a retail market participant. JD.com has developed its own proprietary blockchain, Zhizhen Chain, with that network already accounting for $7 billion in supply chain finance-related transactions. KuCoin CEO BC Wong commented on JD.com’s stablecoin plans, stating that the development is a “big signal,” while noting that in the United States, the GENIUS Act, legislation concerned with the issuance and exchange of stablecoins, has just been passed by the U.S. Senate.

Chinese Pull Crypto TV Video Following Binance CEO’s CommentsEarlier this week, a Chinese state-owned TV channel featured a segment shedding light on Bitcoin, emphasizing its surging popularity and widespread adoption. The piece, broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday, was met with enthusiasm from crypto proponents. However, on Thursday the video was removed from the TV broadcaster’s platform.Photo by Road Trip with Raj on UnsplashA perceived policy shiftThe segment sought to provide viewers with a comprehensive overview of digital assets, their diverse applications, and potential benefits. The reaction of Changpeng Zhao (CZ), CEO of global crypto exchange Binance, stoked up further community interest. Taking to Twitter, CZ stated:“CCTV (China Central Television) just broadcasted crypto. It’s a big deal. The Chinese speaking communities are buzzing. Historically, coverages like these led to bull runs.”CZ’s tweet reverberated throughout the crypto space, leaving many curious about his perspective on the TV segment’s significance. A highly influential personality in the crypto sector, CZ later clarified his stance, asserting that the segment signaled a shift in China’s approach to cryptocurrencies. He proposed that the state media’s coverage reflected a more positive sentiment and hinted at a potentially evolving regulatory landscape.Video removalSoon after CZ’s comments, the Chinese state media broadcaster removed the video segment focusing on Bitcoin. This development raised eyebrows and fueled speculations regarding the motives behind its removal. Within the crypto community, many speculated that CZ’s mention of the segment might have prompted Chinese authorities to take it down. However, the precise reasons behind the removal remain uncertain.One of the events that triggered the video segment appears to have been news earlier this week that Hong Kong is moving to enable crypto trading at a retail level. There’s been significant reporting on crypto developments related to Hong Kong over the course of the past six months. There has been a notable policy shift, and it appears that Chinese authorities are happy to see Hong Kong compete openly to become a regional hub for the crypto sector.There’s no doubt that people in the crypto sector would like to see signs of a softening of the approach to crypto in mainland China too. Many might have perceived this TV airtime as an indicator of that. However, it’s more likely that the Chinese are pursuing a dual-pronged strategy. They’re very cleverly participating in the developing innovation in digital assets via the Chinese autonomous territory of Hong Kong, while at the same time, maintaining a hardline stance against crypto on the mainland.The crypto sector continues to progress, and the regulatory landscape is ever-changing within various jurisdictions. On that basis, and given the importance of the Chinese market, it’s worthwhile to continue to closely monitor China’s actions. Any changes in the country’s approach to cryptocurrencies can have far-reaching consequences for the industry.Whether this recent event signals a more optimistic outlook or merely underscores the persisting regulatory uncertainty, it serves as a reminder that the crypto landscape is in constant evolution, holding surprises around every corner.

Korbit, Ewha-Chain Leverage NFTs to Promote Blockchain KnowledgeEwha-Chain, a blockchain study group at Ewha Womans University, recently tweeted that it has collaborated with Korbit, one of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, to hold an non-fungible token (NFT) airdrop event for college students, offering free ice cream as an incentive.Hands-on experienceThe event aims to introduce participants to the crypto exchange and provide hands-on experience with Web3 and blockchain technology, as well as showcasing the benefits of NFTs.To participate, students have to create a Korbit account using their email address and register for an Ice-Chain NFT by completing a Google Form. Korbit will distribute the NFTs on the afternoon of May 11, the day before the event.Free ice creamOn the day of the event, Ice-Chain NFT holders can visit the Ewha Womans University branch of the Ice Girl Cream Boy ice cream shop to spin a wheel and win either free ice cream or Korbit merchandise.According to Korean economic news media Paxetv, Kim Il-kwon, head of business development at Korbit, said that the Ice-Chain event strives to familiarize university students with blockchain technology and promote the Korbit brand. Kim added that Korbit is dedicated to ongoing cooperation with Ewha-Chain and expanding channels to engage with millennials and Generation Z.Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels