Space and Time Secures $20 Million Strategic Funding Led by Microsoft’s M12 to Automate the World’s Business Logic 4307

Space and Time, a Web3-native data platform that empowers the trustless automation of business logic through patent-pending Proof of SQL cryptography, has secured $20 million in strategic funding from marquee investors led by Microsoft’s M12 fund.

Other investors participating in the funding round include Framework Ventures, HashKey, Foresight Ventures, SevenX Ventures, Polygon, Blizzard the Avalanche Fund, Stratos, Hash Capital, Coin DCX and several Web3 leading communities and angel investors. Space and Time previously raised $10 million in a seed funding round led by crypto investment firm Framework Ventures.

“We are excited to announce the strategic support of M12 and Microsoft, and extend our partnership with Chainlink,” said Nate Holiday, co-founder and CEO of Space and Time. “We are committed to automating the business logic of the world by directly connecting smart contracts to Space and Time’s data warehouse in order to enable new and advanced use cases in Web3. Space and Time sits at the intersection of on-chain and off-chain data computation and we are thrilled to work with world-class data partners to build the next generation data ecosystem for both decentralized applications and enterprises at scale throughout the world.”

Space and Time joins on-chain and off-chain data in a trustless environment that powers low-latency transactions and enterprise-scale analytics. The protocol’s decentralized data warehousing capabilities allow the creation, joining and querying of immutable and mutable tables with cryptographic guarantees all within Space and Time’s next generation data platform.

Funds will be used to accelerate engineering and product development. Over 90% of funding will be dedicated to the product and customer adoption of Space and Time.

Providing familiar enterprise tools which process data volumes much larger than the current on-chain capacity are required to unlock new use cases for Web3. Space and Time is on a mission to make smart contracts more robust by connecting them with enterprise database capabilities using its novel cryptography.

Space and Time will allow the business logic in centralized systems to be automated and connected directly to smart contracts. As a platform and tools company, Microsoft is committed to supporting its partners and customers with their technology needs, including Web3 scenarios and use cases.

Space and Time will integrate with Microsoft Azure to provide Azure customers with an on-ramp to access, manage and perform analytics on blockchain-native data. The comprehensive Microsoft Azure cloud platform and industry-leading identity and security capabilities provide a trusted set of services to develop and run Web3 applications in this new era of ubiquitous computing.

“We look forward to seeing the ways in which Space and Time will allow the business logic in centralized systems to be automated and connected directly to smart contracts,” said Michelle Gonzalez, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of M12. “As blockchain technology finds applications in a wide range of industries, Space and Time is building the foundation to shape this work in a Web3 environment. M12 looks forward to partnering in that journey.”

As part of the Startup with Chainlink program, Space and Time will be working closely with Chainlink to extend the capabilities of hybrid smart contracts to power the trustless web. The platform will allow blockchain developers to build multichain dApps and rapidly generate analytical insights in a decentralized, low-cost and secure way.

“We’re proud to support Space and Time through the Startup with Chainlink program in their mission to build a decentralized data warehouse and bridge the on-chain and off-chain worlds with Chainlink oracles. With the total addressable market for trust-minimized applications in the trillions of dollars, providing core infrastructure to Web3 developers is crucial for scaling and meeting this global demand,” stated Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink.

About Space and Time

Space and Time, www.spaceandtime.io, is the first Web3-native decentralized data warehouse that connects on-chain and off-chain data to deliver broad, enterprise-grade use cases to smart contract applications. Developed as part of Chainlink Labs’ Startup with Chainlink initiative, the platform gives users and developers the ability to connect analytics directly to smart contracts through novel Proof of SQL cryptography, opening up a whole new set of use cases and business logic for smart contracts. Space and Time is built from the ground up as a multichain data platform for Web3 developers in DeFi and Web3 gaming, or any project needing next-gen analytics.

For more information, visit: https://www.spaceandtime.io/

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. https://www.microsoft.com/

About M12

M12, Microsoft’s venture fund, works to accelerate the future of technology through investments, insights, and meaningful partnerships with Microsoft. We invest in enterprise software companies primarily in the Series A and B funding stages, with a focus on autonomous systems, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, DevOps, healthcare and digital biology, vertical SaaS, and Web3, metaverse and gaming technologies. As part of its value-add to portfolio companies, M12 empowers entrepreneurs with capital, customer connections, and deep access to Microsoft’s ecosystem and leadership. M12 has offices in San Francisco, Seattle, London, Tel Aviv, Singapore, and Bengaluru. https://m12.vc

About Chainlink

Chainlink is the industry standard for building, accessing, and selling oracle services needed to power hybrid smart contracts on any blockchain. Its oracle networks provide smart contracts with a way to reliably connect to any external API and leverage secure off-chain computations for enabling feature-rich applications. Chainlink currently secures tens of billions of dollars across DeFi, insurance, gaming, and other major industries, and offers global enterprises and leading data providers a universal gateway to all blockchains.

For more information, visit: https://chain.link/

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Galxe Launches Galxe Passport V2, Boosting Privacy and Security for over 900K Passport Holders 2127

Galxe, the leading web3 infrastructure and digital identity network, today unveiled Galxe Passport V2, the next evolution in web3 identity management, now enhancing the security and privacy of nearly one million passport holders.

With the launch of Galxe Passport V2, users benefit from new features designed to redefine identity verification and management across the web3 ecosystem. As the premier identity solution provider in web3, Galxe continues to lead the industry by prioritizing robust security measures with seamless integration with the Galxe Identity Protocol, marking a full integration between Galxe Passport and the Identity Protocol to bring privacy protection features to all users.

“The release of Galxe Passport V2 marks a crucial step in our mission to onboard the world to web3, reinforcing the vital role of trust and security in digital interactions,” stated Harry Zhang, Co-Founder of Galxe. “By introducing key new features and integrating the passport with our Identity Protocol, leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proof technology, we are not just upgrading our technology–we are advancing a secure, privacy-focused framework that supports our vision of a user-centric web3 ecosystem. We are committed to providing a seamless experience that upholds the integrity of digital identities, making web3 accessible and safe for our community and our partners. With each innovation, we move closer to realizing a world where digital identity management is as natural as it is secure, ensuring that every user can navigate the web3 space with confidence.”

New Features and Upgrades to the Galxe Passport

  • Private Data Vault: A new, secure system for storing encrypted identity data and credentials, the Galxe Vault simplifies access to identity information while upholding the highest standards of privacy and security. This system allows users to manage their digital identities easily across various platforms, leveraging Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology to ensure complete privacy.
  • Facial Re-Verification: A major step forward in securing user identities, this feature introduces periodic facial verifications within the KYC processes, ensuring the continuity and authenticity of user identities. It targets the eradication of false KYC verifications by verifying biometrics against initial records, significantly reducing identity fraud and enhancing compliance.
  • Timestamped Verification: Strengthening the integrity of the verification process, this feature provides detailed timestamps for each successful verification, including the date and time of the first and last successful verifications, along with the total number of successful verifications. This adds a layer of transparency and security, making it a robust tool for authenticity assessments.

Seamless Transition and Enhanced Integration

The transition to Galxe Passport V2 will be seamless for all existing users, with the automatic upgrades to the new version. New users will directly experience the advanced capabilities of V2 from the outset, ensuring all users benefit from enhanced security and privacy features. To explore the upgraded features and capabilities of Galxe Passport V2 or to mint your own Passport today, visit https://app.galxe.com/passport.

About Galxe

Galxe is the leading web3 infrastructure and digital identity network, empowering seamless web3 experiences through modular AI, digital identity, and blockchain technologies. Central to the ecosystem, the Galxe Identity Protocol provides a foundational layer for secure and self-sovereign digital identity management. Alongside the protocol, Galxe’s product suite–Galxe Quest, Galxe Passport, Galxe Score, and Galxe Compass–supports the development of the next generation of web3 applications. With a vibrant community of over 20 million active users and partnerships with more than 5,000 brands, Galxe has proven itself as a pioneer and leader in digital identity solutions, fostering community growth, and enhancing user engagement. Dedicated to making web3 accessible to all, Galxe serves end-users and developers worldwide.

Galileo Protocol launches LEOX airdrop with 250,000 token reward pool 2619

In a significant move towards integrating blockchain technology with real-world assets, Galileo Protocol is thrilled to announce its LEOX token airdrop, designed to engage and expand its community. The airdrop features a generous pool of 250,000 LEOX tokens and offers participants a firsthand experience in a leading-edge RWA tokenisation ecosystem.

Exploring the Reward Pool

  • Fairdrop Pool: 150,000 LEOX dedicated to holders of Nebula and NFT communities who embody the web3 experience (CommuNFTy Pool).
  • Farmooor Pool: 100,000 LEOX allocated to active Galileo Marketplace participants.

Fairdrop Pool access

  1. Eligibility: Hold an unlisted Nebula or partner NFT (to be announced in early May) during the snapshot period (April 3rd – June 1st).
  2. Snapshot verification: Ensure NFTs are in your wallet during the June 1st snapshot.
  3. Receive LEOX Tokens: Tokens will be automatically distributed on June 15th to eligible wallets.

Farmooor Pool Access

  1. Marketplace registration: Sign up at the Galileo Marketplace and complete KYC verification.
  2. Social engagement: Share your sign up on your socials. Galileo will be adding a link input feature for participation.
  3. Active participation: Make purchases on the marketplace from April 3rd to September 30th.
  4. Final verification: Maintain active participation through the September 30th snapshot.
  5. Token distribution: Eligible participants will receive their tokens on October 31st.

Participation Benefits

This airdrop is more than a reward; it’s an invitation to explore the transformative potential of RWAs on the blockchain. Participants will gain early access to a platform that blends the physical and digital worlds, creating secure, transparent, and liquid markets for assets previously constrained by traditional boundaries.

Why Galileo Protocol?

Galileo Protocol stands at the forefront of the RWA blockchain movement, focusing on the tokenisation of tangible assets to enhance their usability, liquidity, and security in the digital age. Galileo Protocol not only supports the tokenisation of assets but also ensures their real-world applicability and integration.

Safety notice

Please interact only through official Galileo channels and verify all links before engaging. Remember, the Galileo team will never reach out via direct messaging first.

About Galileo Protocol

Dedicated to revolutionising asset management, Galileo Protocol uses blockchain technology to authenticate, tokenise, and mobilise real-world assets. This approach aims to unlock the value of physical assets and make them accessible in the crypto space, enhancing transparency and trust.

Join this forward looking journey with the Galileo Protocol’s LEOX airdrop. Step into the future of asset management and discover the full capabilities of Galileo Protocol’s RWA tokenisation platform.

Follow Galileo Protocol’s official channels

Telegram Group: @galileoprotocolcommunity
Discord Group: https://discord.gg/vQQPXXcKsv
Own a Nebula here: https://nebula.galileoprotocol.io/
Visit the Galileo Marketplace: https://app.galileoprotocol.io/

MetaComp Announces Strategic Partnership with Harvest Global Investments to Explore Bringing HK-Listed ETFs to Investors in Singapore and Beyond 2857

MetaComp Pte Ltd, a leading Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) licensed Singapore fintech company that specializes in blockchain technology and digital assets, and its affiliates (collectively referred as MetaComp), is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Harvest Global Investments Limited (HGI), a leading asset management company licensed with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. HGI is among the pioneering Chinese asset management firms to establish subsidiaries abroad. The Memorandum of Understanding executed between MetaComp and HGI marks a significant step towards potentially broadening the accessibility of innovative financial products globally with special emphasis on the recently announced cryptocurrency spot ETFs which will be expected to start trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from 30 April 2024 onwards. This follows the announcement by HGI that they have received authorization from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission to launch the highly anticipated cryptocurrency ETFs.

The core of the partnership revolves around MetaComp and its affiliates’ commitment to make HGI’s cryptocurrency spot ETFs available, through MetaComp’s proprietary Client Assets Management Platform, also known as CAMP by MetaComp, utilizing its technological and market expertise to introduce these products under the appropriate regulatory framework to Singapore investors and beyond. This initiative not only aims to expand the global footprint of HGI’s ETFs but also allows MetaComp and its affiliate to enrich its wealth solution portfolio with highly sought-after financial products.

In addition to the crypto-ETF distribution, the collaboration will also explore opportunities for the integration of HGI’s various asset management solutions into MetaComp’s service offerings. MetaComp will also provide HGI access to its Digital Payment Token suite of services. Through the strategic collaborative efforts by both companies, they are hoping to forge a symbiotic relationship that will allow both companies to leverage on their strengths.

The alignment with HGI allows MetaComp to tap into the scale and expertise of a leading global financial player, significantly enhancing its service capabilities and market reach. This partnership is designed to serve not just the existing clientele of both entities but also to capture new segments eager for advanced financial solutions across traditional finance and crypto finance.

Dr Bo Bai, Chairman and Co-Founder of MetaComp shared: “This strategic alliance with Harvest Global Investments Limited reaffirms MetaComp’s commitment to being the bridge that links traditional finance with crypto finance. We are confident that our partnership with Harvest Global Investments Limited will prove to be mutually beneficial. With Harvest’s expertise in asset management and MetaComp’s robust capabilities in providing a comprehensive suite of digital payment solutions, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our clients and the market.”

For more detailed information on this partnership and to stay updated on future developments, please visit www.mce.sg.

About MetaComp Pte Ltd (www.mce.sg)

MetaComp is a leading Singapore-based digital asset platform that is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act 2019. Operating under a P2B2C (platform-to-business, partners-to-clients) model, MetaComp provides an integrated end-to-end suite of services to its clients, empowering them to confidently enter the digital asset market with the much-needed safety, security, and compliance. Together with its parent company, Metaverse Green Exchange Pte. Ltd. (a MAS-licensed CMS holder permitted to carry out, inter alia, brokerage and custody services), MetaComp introduces its suite of services through CAMP by MetaComp, a regulated Client Assets Management Platform, allowing businesses to develop and scale their digital asset offerings through OTC and exchange trading services, fiat payment, digital asset custody and prime brokerage.

Hinkal Closes Strategic Funding Round to Advance Discreet Trading and Position Liquidation 3655

Hinkal, a multi-chain privacy layer for confidential decentralized finance (DeFi) transactions, today announced a $1.4 million strategic funding round led by SALT Fund, with participation from Draper Associates, SNZ and Peer VC. Additionally, Tal Cohen, CEO of Kraken US, joined the company advisory board.

The raise follows the close of Hinkal’s $4.1M seed funding round in November of 2023. With surging demand from institutional clientele, this strategic funding will be used to bring liquid funds, VCs, family offices and founders of projects to Hinkal’s confidential infrastructure.

As institutional investors expand their presence in crypto markets they are increasingly looking to decentralized exchanges to take advantage of price discovery and asset control these platforms provide. However, DeFi does not provide privacy these traders are accustomed to in traditional financial markets. As crypto analytics platforms have become more complex, the pseudonymous nature of DeFi presents risks of copy trading and front running for liquid funds, VCs, and protocol founders willing to liquidate their token positions.

“The influx of institutional capital into crypto markets is a landmark event for the maturity of the industry,” said Georgi Koreli, CEO of Hinkal. “Hinkal is solving a critical need in the crypto space by providing institutional investors with the additional layer of anonymity they require to participate in DeFi markets. This strategic funding round will allow us to accelerate the development and adoption of our groundbreaking privacy solution.”

Hinkal is a zero knowledge (ZK)-protocol that addresses these issues by enabling end-to-end and secure confidentiality for DeFi transactions. Leveraging a combination of self-custodial private addresses and relayers, Hinkal transforms the way on-chain trading operates as the only transaction that can be seen on block explorers or analytics platforms is the execution of a relayer – no wallet addresses attached. This allows liquid funds, VCs and retail investors to make confidential transactions within the protocol without experiencing price slippage or market impacts.

Additionally, Hinkal provides a best-in-class solution for venture capital and founding teams looking to liquidate vested tokens in a private and secure environment. As the industry has grown and matured, these stakeholders have traditionally struggled with token vesting and liquidations, as this process often results in adverse price impacts that dilute net settlement and sends mixed messages to the community. With Hinkal, VCs and teams can receive any vested token directly into a private Hinkal address and liquidate privately without these impacts to the market.

AJ Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner of the SALT Fund, commented on the news, “The SALT Fund is dedicated to supporting projects that drive innovation for institutional investors. Hinkal is a breakthrough protocol addressing crucial pain points for institutional funds, founders, and VCs alike by enabling them to execute private DeFi trading strategies and liquidate vested tokens in a way that doesn’t disrupt the broader market. This is a game-changer for the industry and will unlock significant value for these stakeholders.”

Underpinning Hikal is a full suite of compliance and security solutions to further support institutional users of DeFi protocols. Hinkal requires KYC(B) (Know Your Customer/Business) verification for users to prevent illicit parties from using the protocol while simultaneously providing a frictionless experience via reusable attestations at exchanges like Coinbase and Binance. Audited by major firms including Quanstamp and Zokyo, Hinkal provides a secure trading experience and real-time threat mitigation with Hexagate.

About Hinkal

Founded by Stanford grad Giorgi Koreli and his Ph.D. brother, Nika Koreli, Hinkal enables privacy of transactions and assets across core DeFi apps and functions, including trading, farming, staking, and lending through the use of stealth addresses and with high degree of compliance.

Hinkal is a ZK-based solution that provides a private smart contract wallet experience, allowing users to participate in their favorite dApps directly from their private addresses without the need to withdraw assets for obfuscation.

SKALE and Virtualness global partnership reimagines fan engagement for sports, creators, and enterprises using the power of blockchain 4017

Fans of Liga 1 & other organizations will have access to a superior experience on Virtualness with SKALE’s zero gas fees and instant finality.

SKALE Network, a gas-less EVM-compatible blockchain designed for secure Ethereum scaling, and Virtualness, a pioneering mobile-first platform powered by generative AI and blockchain, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at redefining digital engagement and empowering global sports fans, enterprises and creators alike.

With international athletic partnerships that include Liga 1, Asia’s largest and most prestigious football league, sports fans will have access to exclusive NFT moments, player cards, rewards, loyalty programs, real-world experiences, and exciting gamification on the Virtualness platform, all powered by the SKALE network. Fans who interact with clubs, players, and fellow supporters will foster a deeper connection with their favorite teams while experiencing the world’s fastest blockchain.

“Through our partnership with SKALE, we’re revolutionizing the NFT landscape by eliminating barriers to entry and making Web3 accessible to Web2 users paving the way for mass adoption,” said Kirthiga Reddy and Saurabh Doshi, Co-founders of Virtualness. “We are thrilled to partner with SKALE to provide our community with unparalleled access to NFTs, immersive digital experiences, and exclusive rewards.”

As part of the partnership, Virtualness’ hundreds of thousands of users will leverage SKALE’s high-throughput, zero gas fee transactions, and instant finality capabilities to enhance its platform’s performance and scalability. Additionally with SKALE, sports fans, enterprises, organizations and all Virtualness users alike can now mint for free, further democratizing the access to digital asset ownership.

“We look forward to supporting this new era of accessibility and empowerment for creators and organizations,” said Jack O’Holleran, Co-Founder of SKALE. “This partnership signifies our commitment to making blockchain more accessible and easy to use, enabling Virtualness users to more seamlessly interact with NFTs, ultimately revolutionizing how we engage with digital assets.”

The Virtualness platform, built on generative AI and blockchain technology, provides sports, enterprises, and creators, with a user-friendly interface for creating, minting, and showcasing digital goods and interacting directly with their communities. With SKALE, Virtualness will soon offer more on-chain assets such as player cards in the form of NFTs, prizes via SKALE tokens, and the transparent storage and sharing of game data such as leadership board scores and prize information.

With SKALE’s advanced blockchain architecture, Virtualness users can expect improved performance, faster transactions, and enhanced security, enabling them to unleash their creativity and reach new heights in the digital world.

The partnership between SKALE Network and Virtualness represents an evolution in digital engagement, offering creators and brands innovative blockchain opportunities to thrive in the digital economy while democratizing access to blockchain and welcoming newcomers into Web3.

The experience for web2 users is user-friendly and easy, with no crypto or blockchain knowledge required or needed. Together, SKALE and Virtualness are poised to revolutionize the way people create, share, and interact with digital content, unleashing new channels for creativity.

For more information, please check out SKALE.space.

About SKALE

SKALE, a gas-less EVM-compatible blockchain designed for secure Ethereum scaling is designed for a World-Class experience for games, NFT platforms, and Web3 applications. As of 2024, SKALE serves over 10 million monthly active users and saves billions in monthly gas fees with its innovative AppChain model. SKALE AppChains feature high performance, zero gas fees, enhanced security, and instant finality, making them ideal for a wide range of decentralized applications. With a commitment to driving the mass adoption of Web3 technologies, SKALE empowers developers and businesses to build scalable, efficient, and user-centric blockchain applications. On the SKALE network, developers can deploy their own EVM-compatible blockchain by unlocking advanced features such as AI/ML smart contracts, on-chain file storage, interchain messaging, and zero-cost minting. Harmonizing speed, security, and decentralization, SKALE was founded in 2018 by Jack O’Holleran and Stan Kladko, PhD.

For more information, users can visit SKALE.space or follow on Twitter.com/SKALENetwork.

About Virtualness

Virtualness is a mobile-first platform, powered by generative AI and blockchain, for users to create, mint, gift, share, and sell digital goods all in one place. Founded in 2022 by industry leaders Kirthiga Reddy and Saurabh Doshi, Virtualness serves as a platform for authenticated sports, brands, and media organizations to design and showcase branded blockchain goods, fostering direct community engagement and unlocking new monetization avenues. Virtualness has exclusive wins like being the authentication partner for Guinness World Record Women in Cloud milestone, and the Asian Academy Creative Award while also delighting fans with exclusive access to icons such as Jim Louderback, Taylor Lorenz. Education, personalization, discovery, integration with Web2 and Web3 platforms, and a mobile-first experience are all core to the platform. Funding led by Blockchange Ventures with participation from VCs f7 Ventures, Micron Ventures, Better Ventures, FalconX, Shorooq Partners, Impact Venture Capital, Oceans Ventures and angels like Carolyn Everson, Randi Zuckerberg, Nuseir Yassin (Nas Daily), Marina Mogilko, Nikki Farb, Shayamal Vallabhjee, Stacy Brown-Philpot, and other thought-leaders.

For more information,users can visit about.virtualness.io

BLAZE Investment Round Complete With Aim To Become Web3 Market Leader 4459

StoryFire stands at the forefront of innovation, spearheading a revolutionary amalgamation of SocialFi, GameFi, and DeFi, culminating in an unprecedented all-encompassing experience. Recently, the company successfully concluded the BLAZE token investment round, securing backing from prominent entities including GDA Capital, Genesis Capital, Octavia Ventures, and TGE Ventures.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Sam Hilder, CEO of StoryFire, emphasized in a recent press release, “Closing a successful funding round amidst the prevailing macroeconomic conditions, with such esteemed partners, is indeed exhilarating. We are deeply grateful for the trust our investors have placed in us.” Hilder further elucidated on the company’s strategic vision, affirming their commitment to crafting the ultimate Web3 platform through the StoryFire offering, eagerly anticipating the unveiling of their latest developments.

Leading the investment consortium, Genesis Capital, a private equity powerhouse, orchestrated the funding round. The company delineated its intentions to leverage the capital infusion to propel both developmental initiatives and marketing endeavors leading up to the imminent BLAZE token launch.

In a strategic move underscoring StoryFire’s steadfast commitment to the Web3 landscape, the company announced its purchase of assets from Tokens.com in February 2024, with it being that it has successfully closed the sale of Metaverse Group and Hulk Labs to StoryFire. The purchase entailed a disposition comprising a 15.3% equity stake in StoryFire, appraised at US$3.5 million, alongside an allocation of US$500,000 in BLAZE tokens. This strategic maneuver underscores StoryFire’s enduring presence within the Web3 domain, as it endeavors to fortify and expand its footprint across the entire Web3 ecosystem.

About StoryFire

The StoryFire platform, powered by the BLAZE token, will revolutionising the metaverse paradigm by combining SocialFi, GameFi, and DeFi into one unified experience.