Tag: Blockchain

Avalanche’s HyperSDK blockchain upgrade hits 143K TPS on testnet

Smart contract layer-1 blockchain network Avalanche’s testnet has reportedly hit over 140,000 transactions per second during testing of its HyperSDK blockchain upgrade. Avalanche is currently testing a framework for building high-performance Virtual Machines (VMs) from scratch on the network. According to Ava Labs, HyperSDK is structured so that developers can “plug into a lightning-fast execution environment without writing massive amounts of code from scratch.” This enables the simplification and acceleration of custom VM development, making it easier for developers to launch optimized blockchains. HyperSDK reached a whopping 143,322 transactions per…

Alibaba’s Ant Group unveils blockchain development brand

Ant Group Digital Technologies, linked to China’s Alibaba Group, has unveiled ZAN, a brand dedicated to providing blockchain development tools. Ant Group Digital Technologies, an affiliate company of the Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group, recently announced the launch of ZAN. The new brand will offer a range of blockchain development products and services aimed at meeting the needs of both institutional and individual web3 developers. The announcement, made at this year’s Inclusion Conference on the Bund, emphasized resolving key issues that the emerging web3 sector faces, including regulatory compliance and security.…

Blockchain Association responds to US lawmakers’ request for crypto tax guidance

The Blockchain Association, a United States-based cryptocurrency advocacy group, has submitted suggestions for lawmakers to consider in potential legislation on the tax treatment of digital assets. In a Sept. 8 letter to U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo, the Blockchain Association said lawmakers should support the Keep Innovation in America Act, a bill aimed at changing the reporting requirements for certain taxpayers involved in crypto transactions. According to the advocacy group, any legislation introduced in Congress should “create symmetry” between taxation of crypto and non-crypto assets, as well as…

Saudi Arabia looks to blockchain gaming and Web3 to diversify economy

Saudi Arabia has ramped up its economic diversification efforts driven by its ambitious Vision 2030.  In a bid to diversify its economy away from a dependence on oil, the kingdom has embraced emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), and tapped into booming markets like gaming. But while the country has yet to leave a significant mark in the global game and AI development, the ripples of its investments in the gaming sector could extend far beyond — at least, that’s what Web3 experts say. “Based on our…

Ripple XRP Expands European Presence with University Blockchain Research Initiative

Ripple, a prominent player in the blockchain and crypto sector, has announced the expansion of its University Blockchain and Research Initiative (UBRI) in Europe. The initiative, recognized globally for its contributions to academic blockchain and crypto research, aims to nurture the upcoming generation of leaders in this domain. UBRI has incorporated four new European universities into its program. These include Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), EPITA (France), IE University (Spain), and University of Trento (Italy). These institutions are set to bolster blockchain education and research throughout Europe. Since its establishment in…

JPMorgan Builds Blockchain Infrastructure for Deposit Token that Speeds Up Cross-Border Payments and Settlements

In addition to the JPM Coin, JPMorgan is now developing another blockchain asset that will function as a deposit token for cross-border transactions. Multinational bank and financial services giant JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) is developing a blockchain deposit token to smoothen cross-border payments and settlements. According to a person familiar with the project, JPMorgan will use a digital deposit asset to quicken these payments. A Bloomberg report notes that JPMorgan has already developed the framework that will power the payment. However, the banking giant has decided to suspend creating the token until regulators approve the…

Ant Group Rolls Out New Blockchain Platform for Web3 Development ZAN

ZAN is powered by technical innovations from AntChain Open Labs. Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, the creator of the world’s biggest payment platform Alipay, is expanding its foothold into the crypto industry with the launch of ZAN, a blockchain service platform aimed at both Hong Kong and global markets to simplify the complexities of blockchain technology. In a press release published on September 8, the company’s CEO Zhang Hui announced the launch of ZAN during a conference in Shanghai, presenting a suite of blockchain application development tools tailored for both…

Blockchain could have prevented Nigeria’s naira scarcity — Local experts

Blockchain technology can help solve economic problems in Nigeria and throughout the African continent, according to a group of local blockchain experts who cited Nigeria’s currency flow shortage as a case study. At the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN)’s Digital Assets Summit 2023, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, stakeholders discussed the decision by the past government to mint new naira notes and Nigeria’s recent efforts to increase its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) adoption which all led to a shortage in the flow of naira at…

Ant Group launches a new blockchain brand for Web3 developers

Ant Group, the owner of the world’s largest mobile payment platform Alipay, revealed its new sub-brand under the name ZAN. The brand will focus on blockchain development and services for both institutional and individual Web3 developers.  The official press release, published on Sept. 8, cites a wide scope of technical products and services, which ZAN will offer to its clients. It starts with a solution to help Web3 companies issue and manage real-world assets (RWAs) in compliance with local regulatory requirements. Then it covers a series of technical products, including…

Africa’s blockchain journey begins with poverty alleviation

There has been a resounding call for Nigeria, and Africa in general, to incorporate blockchain technology into its mainstream living. However, during a fireside chat involving stakeholders in the Nigerian blockchain community, it was noted that poverty has to be conquered first before blockchain technology can be properly incorporated into African society. At the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN)’s Digital Assets Summit 2023, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, GT Igwe Chrisent, the CEO of Sumotrust & Truzact, an online savings and investment platform stated that hunger…