Chinese JD.com Taps Blockchain Startups for Testing Platform 1523

Blockchain technology is of great interest to many companies. Hundreds of startups are focusing on this business model as we speak. JD.com, a major Chinese e-commerce company, unveiled a new accelerator program designed specifically for blockchain and AI startups. Known as AI Catapult, six companies are already on board for the first class.

An Interesting Move by JD.com

Few people would expect the Chinese e-commerce giant to focus on blockchain and AI. Even so, the company has kept a close eye on these nascent industries over the years. The company wants to continue to innovate and be part of the next big trend in the technology sector accordingly. With their new AI Catapult accelerator, the e-commerce giant focuses on blockchain and artificial intelligence startups.

The first six participants have been made public already. They include Bluzelle and CanYa as two of the blockchain startups. The focus on this new accelerator lies in testing real-world applications of these technologies at scale. It is possible we will see some form of integration with the JD.com logistics unit at some point.

It is also worth noting JD.com operates a sponsored AI Research lab. Additionally, it appears the Chinese e-commerce giant has big plans for artificial intelligence moving forward. Whether or not this means we will see major real-world use cases soon, remains to be determined.  Additionally, the company also uses blockchain technology as part of its supply chain procedure. Further focusing on developments in both of these industries makes a lot of sense for the company.

Blockchain Continues to Turn Heads

It is not entirely surprising to see this focus on blockchain. There are different use cases for this technology moving forward. Considering how JD.com already has real-world use cases for this technology right now, they want to see what other startups can bring to the table in this regard. CanYa is an intriguing addition, due to its peer-to-peer marketplace solution. How that will impact the Japanese e-commerce industry, has yet to be determined.

Bluzelle provides scalable data storage and management services for decentralized apps. In the world of e-commerce, dApps can be quite an innovative development. For now, we have to wait and see how JD.com plans to explore this avenue. Their choice for Republic protocol is also pretty interesting. This Australian startup provides a decentralized dark pool service for atomic cross-chain trading. The project’s main focus is on Ether, ERC20 tokens, and Bitcoin, for the time being.

All of this goes to show JD.com is a big fan of blockchain technology first and foremost. There is only one AI-oriented company as part of this new accelerator. Bankorus uses AI for private wealth management. Unsurprisingly, this venture also makes use of blockchain technology for added transparency.  With six startups as part of the accelerator, the next few months will be quite interesting. A lot of use cases are waiting to be explored where these technologies are concerned.

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BLAZE Investment Round Complete With Aim To Become Web3 Market Leader 2441

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.

Metis’ Sequencer Mining Goes Live 2975

Last month’s launch of Phase 1 of the Metis Decentralized Sequencer upgrade established Metis as the first-ever rollup platform with a decentralized sequencer. Metis has now launched Phase 2, which introduces several enhancements aimed at improving network incentives and participation.

Among other positive changes, Phase 2 of the Decentralized Sequencer upgrade introduced the most awaited feature up to date for the Layer 2 network: Sequencer Mining.

Sequencer Mining will allow users to lock their tokens via LST providers, contributing to the network’s security. Essentially, these LST providers will interact with the Sequencer, and users will interact with the Liquid Staking providers, receiving a Liquid Staking Token that they can reuse in other DeFi dApps or just hold. Through Metis’ Community Ecosystem Governance (CEG), the community chose Artemis Finance and Enki Protocol as the two LST protocols for the Alpha Phase.

In the first year, sequencer nodes will benefit from a 20% Mining Rewards Rate (MRR), the same rate at which smart contracts compensate participants for producing blocks. Additionally, Metis Liquid Staking Blitz (LSB), supported by the Metis EDF, will provide grants to verified projects to accelerate growth. More than 220,000 METIS are committed in grants for 2024 alone to support MetisLSB and catalyze growth of LST products on Metis. Prior to the official launch of Sequencer Mining, there has been notable activity with LST-related products, including deployments by Shoebill Finance, Stablis Protocol, and participation pools on Hercules Finance.

Metis has secured important partnerships with recognized crypto institutions that will help the network achieve proper decentralization and high participation rates on the Decentralized Sequencer.

Users can deposit and start mining immediately through Artemis. ENKI will be fully launching on Mainnet soon, but users can already participate in their “Pre-Staking” program.

About Artemis

Artemis Finance is a liquid staking protocol designed exclusively for Metis’ Decentralized Sequencer. Users can stake METIS tokens on Artemis Finance and receive the liquid staking token artMETIS.

About Enki

Enki Protocol is a Metis-native liquid staking protocol leveraging dual-token architecture from protocols like Frax and Lido to implement the most battle-tested LST design to the Metis Decentralized Sequencer. Users can stake METIS via Enki and receive seMETIS, while the protocol utilizes ENKI for its governance.

About Metis

Metis is an EVM-Equivalent Ethereum Layer-2 protocol focused on bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3. Metis provides users with a decentralized and scalable easy-to-use network secured by Ethereum. Metis became the first Ethereum rollup to decentralize its sequencer with the launch of Decentralized Sequencer, which enhances network security and provides more potentially revenue-earning opportunities for users.

Qurax Exchange Unveils Multi-Chain Crypto Trading Platform with Integrated Financial Services and Revolutionary Crypto Card Program 3320

Qurax Exchange, a trailblazer in the cryptocurrency arena, today announced the official launch of its cryptocurrency exchange ecosystem that aims to redefine the digital asset landscape. The comprehensive Qurax ecosystem is designed to cater to both novice and experienced crypto users by offering a full suite of services including trading, staking, mining, and a groundbreaking Crypto Card Program, all within a single, seamless interface.

The Qurax platform’s multi-chain functionality supports seamless transactions across various blockchain networks, fostering unparalleled flexibility and accessibility in the crypto trading space. This strategic innovation addresses the critical demand for interoperability and enhanced liquidity, setting a new standard in the cryptocurrency exchange industry.

Key Highlights of the Qurax Exchange Ecosystem

Multi-Chain Accessibility: Users can effortlessly manage and trade assets across multiple blockchains, maximizing opportunities and convenience.

Full Stack Financial Services: From fiat onramps and offramps to advanced trading options, Qurax offers a comprehensive array of financial services, making it the go-to platform for all crypto-related activities.

Qurax Crypto Card: In a major stride towards cryptocurrency adoption, the Qurax Crypto Card will allow users to spend crypto assets directly from their exchange balance at millions of merchants globally. This card integrates smoothly with the platform, ensuring that users benefit from real-time conversion rates and enhanced security protocols. This will be launched in Q4 2024.

Qurax Staking and Mining Programs:

Adding to its robust feature set, Qurax will introduce competitive staking and mining programs that promise attractive returns and foster deeper community engagement. These programs are designed to provide users with additional avenues to grow their investments and participate actively in the network’s security and governance.

Security and Compliance:

Security remains a paramount concern for Qurax. The platform employs cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest security standards are met, including regular audits, advanced encryption, and real-time monitoring systems. In compliance with global regulations, Qurax adheres to KYC and AML guidelines, providing a safe and trustworthy environment for all users.

Vision for the Future:

The launch of Qurax exchange is not just the unveiling of another crypto exchange; it’s the beginning of a new era in the digital finance world,”, CEO of Qurax Exchange. “With our multi-chain platform and the integrated Qurax Crypto Card, we are breaking down barriers to mainstream crypto adoption and offering an unmatched level of convenience and utility to our users. We are excited to lead the charge towards a more inclusive and flexible financial ecosystem.”

About Qurax Exchange:

Qurax Exchange is a pioneering cryptocurrency exchange platform that offers a wide range of financial services across multiple blockchain networks. Designed to provide a holistic trading experience, Qurax empowers users to engage with the crypto economy in an efficient, secure, and compliant manner. For more information about Qurax Exchange and its services, visit qurax.io

XVC Tech Announces Strategic Investment in TradeTogether to Enhance Web3 Wealth Management 3393

XVC Tech, has invested in TradeTogether, a leading Web3 wealth manager based in Singapore. The venture capital firm founded by the creators of the XDC Network blockchain.

XDC Network’s ecosystem includes RWA dApps focusing on Private Credit (TradeFinex), Trade Finance (XDC Trade Network), tokenized gold (Comtech Gold) and tokenized US Treasuries (Yieldteq powered by Tradeteq).

Ritesh Kakkad, co-founder of XVC Tech, noted, “TradeTogether approached XVC with a strong emphasis on compliance, which is key in sectors like private credit and trade finance. We believe this focus on compliance will attract more institutional adoption, leading to increased utilization of the XDC Network’s use cases.”

Added TradeTogether’s CEO Geoff Ira, “XDC Network is a robust Enterprise-grade Layer 1 blockchain with a strong focus on Real-World Assets (RWA). We eagerly anticipate collaborating with XDC and its ecosystem of dApps to develop top-tier Web3-centric funds, driving intelligent capital into RWAs and Web3, while adhering to regulatory compliance standards.”

TradeTogether introduces two innovative investment options

  1. Firstly, the TradeTogether Bitcoin Advantage Fund, allows clients to invest in Bitcoin with added protection against market downturns, offering a better experience than traditional ETFs.
  2. Additionally, TradeTogether provides high-net-worth individuals and financial institutions with transparent solutions in tokenized bonds and Web3 products for receivable financing, moving away from the DeFi platform model.

TradeTogether has prominent co-investors such as Orbit Startups, Tenity, Boleh Ventures and Leo Ventures. Other Angel investors who participated in TradeTogether’s funding round since it’s inception includes Samuel Rhee (Chairman of Endowus), Varun Mittal (Group Head Innovation Singlife), Reuben Lai (Former Senior MD Grab Financial Group), Mx Kuok (KUOK Family), E. BABA de Rothschild (EGR Partners), Chandrima Das (Ex bento founder acquired by Grab), Nicolas Gallet (Gallet Capital), David Bachelier (CEO Asia at Flowdesk).

About XVC Tech

Founded by the co-founders of XDC Network, Atul Khekade and Ritesh Kakkad, XVC Tech is a US $125mn Fund focussed on exploring investment opportunities in NextGen Technology Solutions. Portfolio companies include DeGaming, a decentralized i-gaming infrastructure protocol, Bolero, a platform fractionalizing IP of music assets via smart contracts or Truflation, an oracle for RWA, indexes and inflation.

Current areas of focus include RWA, Web3 infrastructure, AI, and DePIN. For Web3 startups looking to make an impact, new investment opportunities are actively being sought. Users interested in learning more can visit XVC Tech at XVC.Tech to get in touch.

About XDC Network

The XDC Network is an open-source, carbon-neutral, enterprise-grade, EVM-compatible, Layer 1 blockchain, operational since 2019 focusing on Enterprise use cases such as Trade Finance, Payment and RWA tokenization. More details at: Xinfin.org

About TradeTogether

TradeTogether Pte Ltd is a pioneering Web3 digital asset management company based in Singapore. Operating under a regulatory exemption since October 25, 2021, TradeTogether is at the forefront of innovative financial solutions in the digital asset space. Led by CEO Geoff Ira, who has a strong background in the financial and banking industry. For more information, users can visit TradeTogether.com

Multis Team Joins Safe to Build Cross-Chain Smart Wallet Infrastructure 4318

Safe, the leading smart wallet infrastructure, with more than $100 billion in value of digital assets secured, has welcomed the senior leadership team of Multis to the Safe Ecosystem Foundation and completed the strategic acquisition of the Multis source code; Multis is an all-in-one financial software designed for crypto businesses. At the same time, Thibaut Sahaghian, the former CEO of Multis, is set to take on the new role of Network Abstraction Lead as a core contributor within the Safe ecosystem, where he and his team will continue their work towards enabling businesses and individuals to adopt and easily use digital assets every day.

With this move, Safe embarks on the next phase of its mission to simplify, improve, and enhance Web3 user experience. Leveraging their unique collective expertise, the Safe and former Multis team members will collaborate to solve the complexities of cross-chain interaction through network abstraction, with the end goal of enabling users to manage assets across diverse blockchain networks effortlessly.

As crypto usage soars, the demand for faster and more cost-efficient transactions has led to the rise of Layer 2 networks built atop the Ethereum mainnet (Layer 1), aiming to enhance scalability. However, this growth has considerably fragmented the blockchain landscape, complicating the development of user-friendly, on-chain applications and wallets. Addressing this complexity through network abstraction, which simplifies asset management across various blockchains, is crucial for setting the stage for mainstream adoption—a vital goal for the Ethereum community.

“The demand for Safe’s services is skyrocketing, particularly from emerging L2 ecosystems seeking robust infrastructure support to help users manage their digital assets. As we expand, simplifying the cross-network experience becomes crucial,” noted Richard Meissner, co-founder of Safe. “The synergy between Multis and Safe will undoubtedly help us become a staple in these evolving networks and beyond.”

Thibaut added, “Joining Safe is a game-changer for us. We’ve already been harnessing Safe’s robust infrastructure for years, and this is a new journey for us. It empowers us to broaden our mission, tapping into Safe’s expansive platform and extensive user base. Together, we’re set on building an ecosystem where digital assets and applications interact seamlessly across multiple networks, easing the path to adoption and creating a more integrated blockchain world.”

This strategic acquisition marks a turning point for Safe. It aligns with Safe’s recent collaboration with Coinbase-incubated Base to make smart accounts the standard on Ethereum. This announcement furthers Safe’s commitment to providing a seamless and secure foundation for managing assets within exploding L2 ecosystems on Ethereum.

About Safe

Safe (previously Gnosis Safe) is an onchain asset custody protocol, securing ~$100 Billion in assets today. It is establishing a universal ‘smart account’ standard for secure custody of digital assets, data, and identity. With Safe{Wallet}, it’s flagship web and mobile wallet and Safe{Core} account abstraction infrastructure, Safe is on a mission to unlock digital ownership for everyone in web3 including DAOs, enterprises, retail and institutional users.

About Multis

Multis offers a comprehensive financial software solution, empowering DAOs and enterprises to seamlessly manage transactions with both USD and digital assets, across multiple networks. Historically backed by Sequoia Capital and Y Combinator, Multis has been a front-runner in enhancing the crypto business user experience, now set to amplify its impact with Safe.

AllUniverse Platform Goes Global. Achieving a Ten Billion Growth in Transaction Volume 4799

Recently, the metaverse nation All Universe integrating “offline real economy + online virtual economy,” announced its global launch! All Universe offers global investors diversified and efficient investment channels. Opening new doors to investment opportunities and achieving a ten billion increase in transactional volume

All Universe has meticulously cultivated multiple industries including decentralized finance, traditional financial systems, artificial intelligence, agriculture, breeding, education, planning, big health industry, mining, energy, entertainment, trading and retail. This opens up a golden pathway for investors seeking diversity and stable asset appreciation.

Following its global launch, the platform will offer a series of core business modules, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), agriculture, and artificial intelligence, creating a highly lucrative portfolio sectors.

With the commencement of its global operations, All Universe will further strengthen its collaborations with a diverse array of global strategic partners to expand its ecosystem, enhance user engagement, activity and thereby achieve its ambitious goal of a ten billion increase in transaction volume. In the future, the platform will introduce more rights and governance mechanisms to provide investors with returns protection including risk diversification, professional management, and incentive schemes. Helping them achieve higher returns in the investment field.

The global launch of AllUniverse marks a new phase in the platform’s development. Investors will have the opportunity to explore broader opportunities in this new investment ecosystem, achieving significant growth. Let us look forward to the brilliant development of All Universe globally, bringing diversity, stability, and most importantly progressive consistant growth for all its citizens portfolio.