Category: Blockchain

Busan is developing an Ethereum-compatible mainnet to become a ‘Blockchain City’

South Korea’s second-largest city Busan is developing a public blockchain network compatible with mainstream blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and Cosmos. The aim is to integrate blockchain-based services from various blockchain mainnets onto a single platform at a city level and develop Busan into a Blockchain city. Busan City has allocated a 100 billion won ($75 million) budget for open blockchain development compatible with global standards under the Blockchain Innovation Fund (BIF). The funds will be raised through investments from public financial institutions in Busan with nearly 100 private companies…

Wormhole integrates native USDC transfers for four blockchain networks

Wormhole has integrated Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), allowing USD Coin (USDC) to be transferred between Ethereum, Avalanche, Arbitrum and Optimism via Wormhole-based bridges, according to a Sept. 20 announcement. The new feature is available to end-users via the Portal bridge, and developers can integrate it into their own apps using Wormhole Connect. Portal USDC bridge. Source: Portal The Wormhole team claimed that the new integration will reduce liquidity issues and user confusion. “On these new and emerging chains, multiple versions of these bridged USDC tokens can exist,” it stated,…

Citi Unveils Digital Asset Solutions with Blockchain Integration

Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) has launched its new digital asset service, Citi Token Services, aimed at enhancing cash management and trade finance for institutional clients. This innovative service leverages blockchain and smart contract technologies, integrating tokenized deposits and smart contracts into Citi’s expansive global network. The move comes as institutional clients increasingly seek ‘always-on’, programmable financial services. Citi Token Services is set to offer cross-border payments, liquidity, and automated trade finance solutions around the clock. Shahmir Khaliq, Global Head of Services at Citi, emphasized the potential of digital…

Decentralized sensors to combat noise pollution hit the blockchain

The Silencio Network has over 35,000 smartphones working as noise sensors via the Peaq blockchain ecosystem in an effort to combat the issue of global noise pollution. On Sept. 19, the Silencio Network announced its integration with Peaq as it continues to expand its reach to include more noise sensor devices. Silencio reports that the noise sensors working in its network cover 176 countries, and anticipates working on one million devices by next year. The project calls its work “Web3 citizen science” in which community members receive tokenized rewards for…

Blockchain Capital closes funds totaling $580M for investments in crypto gaming, DeFi

Venture capital group Blockchain Capital announced the closing of two new funds, totalling $580 million, for investment in infrastructure, gaming, DeFi and consumer/social technologies. The funds will operate as Blockchain Capital’s sixth early stage fund and its first “opportunity fund,” with the latter serving as an inroad to companies who’ve already secured major funding elsewhere. We’re thrilled to share the closing of 2 new funds – our 6th early stage fund and 1st opportunity fund. Together, they total $580 million and serve to reinforce our commitment to leading the global…

Decentralized finance needs alternatives to blockchain

One of the laziest and most frustrating criticisms of digital currencies — particularly Bitcoin (BTC) — is when pundits liken it to a pyramid scheme dependent on the “greater fool” joining to make a quick buck. While some people do indeed purchase digital assets purely for speculative purposes, it’s unfair to ignore many of the great services and achievements that are being made by developers in areas such as remittances, logistics, financial inclusion and intellectual property. A fairer criticism of blockchains is that, for all proponents say about decentralization, blockchains…

Bosch, EU and blockchain companies to build decentralized IoT: IAA Mobility

The engineering and technology company Bosch is at the head of a forthcoming, blockchain-based digital mobility project with backing from the German government, which was demoed live at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, Germany.  At the event, Bosch, alongside its collaborators MOBIX and the Peaq blockchain, revealed a peer-to-peer parking and charging scheme utilizing moveIDs on the Peaq ecosystem. MoveIDs act as self-sovereign identities (SSIs), built on the blockchain permitting autonomous transactions between vehicles and connected infrastructure. The demonstration at IAA Mobility highlighted autonomous transactions between connected devices – in…

Stablecoin Launch By Aussie Bank Looms After Chainlink Blockchain Trials

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group ANZ is close to releasing its Australian dollar-pegged stablecoin, A$DC, following a successful test transaction on Chainlink.  In a statement, ANZ’s banking service portfolio lead, Nigel Dobson, said they see high potential in tokenizing real-world assets (RWA) like the Australian dollar on-chain. According to Dobson, the stablecoin’s test transaction on Chainlink’s cross-chain interoperability protocol (CCIP) marks a milestone for the bank. ANZ Bank Explore Suitable Networks To Launch Stablecoin In the statement, Dobson also revealed that ANZ is exploring several networks to determine the best…

The Rise of Blockchain-Based Securities in 2023

More pertinently to advisors, perhaps, is what’s happening on the money market & treasury fund side and the private equity & private credit side – two very different investment profiles, yet two symbiotic cohorts here. Tokenized money markets and treasuries have now surpassed $650 million in collective AUM, essentially acting as a low-risk yield-generating vehicle to park capital in a digital system. That’s all. As new opportunities open up, such as in the alternatives space, it’ll be more seamless to swap from on-chain money markets to on-chain private equity, for…