What Is the Most Crypto-Friendly Travel Destination? 2004

Backed with continuing adoption, crypto holidays have become a reality. At this point, flights and hotels all around the world can be booked with Bitcoin (BTC). Still, some cities are more ready to accept your BTC — and major altcoins — than others, depending on the local infrastructure and crypto-related policies.

According to data from Coinmap, currently there are around 13,150 venues, shops and ATM ssupporting Bitcoin on the planet, and that number has been unhesitatingly growing since late 2013.

Coinmap

However, as Gili Gershonok, a crypto nomad who deliberately chooses not to have a bank account, ignoring fiat money while travelling becomes more difficult, as all of the crypto prepaid cards she heavily relied on were canceled in early 2018.

“I feel like more and more barriers are being set against folks who dare to have a lifestyle that’s off the financial grid… The process of going crypto-to-cash is getting more complicated, especially for those who prefer to keep their privacy and avoid high fees — both highly prioritized values across the crypto community.”

All of that being said, Gershonok reassured that traveling with BTC is still possible, drawing a parallel between crypto and casual tourists:

“I don’t think there’s a huge difference in the financial behaviors of [the two]. In Prague, I mostly keep to cash, which I can easily withdraw out of one of many crypto ATMs across the city. I try to find crypto payment options for online transactions and as the cliché goes, for everything else — there’s plastic.”

Gershonok advises those who want to try traveling fiat-free for themselves to start with their current location, and keep security in mind:

“Go crypto for a week in your hometown and see what questions and challenges you come across. It would also be advisable to consider some security scenarios, like, what you would do if your phone, laptop, luggage are lost or stolen — and have contingencies in place.”

As the end of the summer nears, here are some of the most crypto-friendly destinations that might be worth trying.

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AEON Teams up with FDUSD and Terminus to Empower Crypto Payments Across Southeast Asia 4956

AEON, the next generation payment protocol, has teamed up with First Digital Labs, issuer of First Digital USD (FDUSD), a reserve-backed stablecoin redeemable on a one-to-one basis for cash, to bring seamless crypto payment options to Southeast Asia. This collaboration makes it possible for users to pay with FDUSD at offline merchants, using AEON’s easy-to-use QR code payment system, which simplifies the payment process for both consumers and businesses and expands the payment scenarios for FDUSD.

The AEON payment solution integrates directly with regional payment networks, such as VietQR in Vietnam and ThaiQR in Thailand, ensuring wide accessibility in collaboration with Terminus, a pioneering Payment Association. Merchants can easily adopt AEON’s system without any new hardware, with crypto payments automatically converted to local fiat currency. This makes it possible for users to pay with FDUSD by simply scanning a QR code, promoting the use of crypto for everyday purchases across a variety of retail and service sectors.

As part of this initiative, AEON will also launch a special offline payment campaign in Southeast Asia. During the campaign, users can experience the ease of AEON’s scan-to-pay system at select merchant locations, where FDUSD payments will be processed seamlessly through QR codes.

This joint effort with FDUSD marks a major advancement in making cryptocurrency a practical choice for daily transactions in Southeast Asia. AEON, FDUSD, and Terminus are joining forces to expand crypto accessibility and facilitate its adoption, bringing effortless in-store purchases for users and broadening the impact of blockchain technology in mainstream commerce. This initiative demonstrates a collective dedication to fostering a more inclusive and connected digital economy.

About First Digital Labs

First Digital Labs is the brand name of FD121 Limited, a Hong Kong-registered subsidiary under the First Digital Group. First Digital Labs is building a portfolio of stablecoins with uncompromising trust from Asia, designed to meet the needs of global businesses and institutions to facilitate efficient and compliant global expansion, cross-border payments and trade settlements.

About FDUSD

First Digital USD (FDUSD) is a fully 1:1 USD-backed stablecoin with uncompromising trust by design offering integrity, accessibility and scalability. FDUSD is always redeemable on a one-to-one basis for cash. Reserves are fully backed by highly liquid cash and cash equivalent assets, held in fully segregated bankruptcy-remote holding structures. Collateral is safeguarded by a top-tier, qualified custodian with a trust license for seamless asset protection and regulatory compliance, with independent attestation reports published monthly. FDUSD is issued onshore out of Asia, is the first native stablecoin on the Sui network and is currently available on Ethereum and BNB Chain. FDUSD has since become one of the top five USD-denominated stablecoins by market cap. To learn more about FDUSD, visit www.firstdigitallabs.com

About Terminus

The Terminus Payment Association is pioneering the convergence of Web3 and the real-world economy, revolutionizing how people pay offline merchants. Led by visionary initiators in public chain, crypto payment aggregation, and PayFi protocol, it seamlessly connects cryptocurrency ecosystems with everyday retail transactions through banks, e-wallets, and fiat settlement networks. Through its groundbreaking Universal Payment system, users can effortlessly pay in crypto at local shops, restaurants, and merchants who receive fiat currency using their existing QR codes. Launching in Thailand and expanding across Asia-Pacific, Terminus is transforming crypto payments from a niche technology into an accessible reality of daily life.

About AEON

AEON is a next-generation payment protocol designed to unify the standard of crypto payments and enable real-world connectivity. By simplifying the integration, processing, and settlement of crypto payments, AEON offers low-cost, verifiable, and secure payment processing.

Developing a robust crypto payment standard akin to Visa, AEON aims to connect web3 infrastructures with mass adoption use cases, ensuring adaptability, liquidity, and efficiency and supporting on-chain payment methods such as subscriptions, global fiat rails, and tips.

Baby Popcat Introduces $BABYPOPCAT, a Meme Token With a Unique, Interactive “Pop the Cat” Game 5542

Baby PopCat ($BABYPOPCAT), a fun, interactive meme coin, has launched a unique game named “Pop the Cat.” The game is hosted on the official website of Baby PopCat meme coin, offering a fun way to engage with $BABYPOPCAT token engagement by blending playful interaction with token-earning opportunities.

The token, which operates on the Solana blockchain, can be identified on the DEX Screener under the contract address 4WJkHFWx5RQuMpLtYpDGYFSj4rNJ3hJCwVXqm8Xnpump. Available for trading, Baby PopCat is accessible on decentralized platforms and has established a growing online presence through its official social media channels, including Twitter (X) and Telegram, providing active and potential holders with updates, community discussions, and more.

Baby PopCat is a fun, community-driven Solana blockchain token designed to unite meme culture and cryptocurrency. The highlight of Baby PopCat is its website-based game “Pop the Cat,” which combines entertainment with real rewards for its growing community. Here, users earn tokens simply by tapping on an animated baby cat, which is a nod to the viral PopCat meme. Every tap on the animated cat triggers a pop sound and rewards players with $BABYPOPCAT tokens, making it both a humorous and potentially rewarding experience. The “pop to earn” aspect is formulated to connect meme lovers and crypto enthusiasts, offering an experience that blends both entertainment and cryptocurrency’s earning potential.

Baby PopCat sets itself apart in meme tokens with its engaging, user-driven earning mechanism. “$BABYPOPCAT is not just another meme token but an interactive experience where users can truly engage with the token. We wanted to create something fun where the community can play, laugh, and be rewarded for their interaction,” explains the Baby PopCat team. The team emphasizes that Baby PopCat’s vision is to introduce an innovative way to interact with meme tokens, where engagement on the website translates to real rewards in holders’ wallets.

The Baby PopCat community has been active across platforms, sharing tips and scores from the game while celebrating milestones in token distribution. This focus on community interaction is at the heart of Baby PopCat’s model, bringing together crypto enthusiasts who share a love for meme culture and an interest in decentralized finance.

Interested users can view Baby PopCat’s token performance on Solscan or DEX Screener, where real-time charts reflect the token activity. The Baby PopCat website also features a “Buy Now” link, allowing users to easily acquire $BABYPOPCAT through Jup.ag, streamlining the process for those new to Solana or decentralized exchanges.

For more information and updates, follow Baby PopCat on Twitter at https://x.com/BabyPOPCATxyz, join the community conversation on Telegram at https://t.me/BabyPOPCATxyz, or visit the official website at https://babypopcatsol.xyz.

With Baby PopCat, cryptocurrency takes on a playful twist, adding a layer of entertainment and interaction that appeals to casual users and serious traders alike.

Website: https://babypopcatsol.xyz/

UBS Asset Management launches its first tokenised Money Market Fund, available through DigiFT 5634

UBS Asset Management, launches its first tokenized investment fund “uMINT”, made available through authorized distribution partner, DigiFT.

With DigiFT, investors can subscribe to uMINT using their preferred custody wallet solution, gaining access to real-time redemption capabilities via DigiFT’s platform. uMINT, a Money Market investment underpinned by high quality money market instruments based on a conservative, risk-managed framework, is built on Ethereum distributed ledger technology and issued under UBS Tokenize, UBS’s in-house tokenization service, a full service offering for digital asset services, that seeks to open the door to the world of decentralized finance to a broader range of market participants.

“We’re honoured to be an authorized distribution partner for UBS Asset Management in launching their first tokenized money market fund. This is a significant milestone in the world of Web3, and a testament of our ability to transform capital markets. Not only does this partnership bridge traditional finance with digital and decentralized technologies, it also demonstrates our ability to deliver next-generation investment solutions on an open network – for a new generation of global investors,” said Henry Zhang, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of DigiFT.

As part of the partnership, DigiFT will provide infrastructure for managing and monitoring on-chain distribution activities and transactions for the new tokenized money market fund. Enabled by blockchain technology, DigiFT’s best-in-class, open infrastructure ensures all transactions are stored and recorded on an immutable ledger, providing real-time operational and audit visibility. Beyond streamlining administrative processes, DigiFT is able to leverage smart contracts and facilitate automated compliance and operational efficiencies, further allowing investors to invest and explore new financial Web3 use cases.

DigiFT is the first exchange deploying smart contract methods and processes, with an automatic market-making mechanism, to be recognized as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) and awarded the Capital Markets Services (CMS) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

About DigiFT

DigiFT is the first exchange for on-chain real-world assets to be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Find out more www.digift.sg

Paxos Introduces Global Dollar (USDG) 4917

Paxos, the leading regulated blockchain and tokenization infrastructure platform, today introduced Global Dollar (USDG) – a US dollar-backed stablecoin that is substantively compliant with MAS’ upcoming stablecoin framework. Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. is the issuer of USDG and is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Paxos’s affiliate, Paxos Global Pte. Ltd., will partner with global exchanges, wallets and platforms to distribute USDG to individuals and institutions.

USDG is a new, safe and trusted stablecoin that will accelerate the global adoption of stablecoins. It is designed to support the needs of regulated institutions that maintain higher standards of operation. USDG is available today on Ethereum and will be issued on more blockchains in the near term. Paxos is required to hold only high-quality liquid assets to back USDG – US dollar deposits, short duration US Government securities and other such cash equivalents. This ensures USDG maintains 1:1 parity with the US dollar and consumers can redeem their tokens for fiat at all times.

Ronak Daya, Head of Product at Paxos, said: “Enterprise interest in stablecoins has never been higher than it is today, but the market lacks a solution that combines regulatory compliance with real economic incentives for enterprises. Keeping with the Paxos tradition of powering infrastructure for the world’s most important and innovative enterprises, we are thrilled to launch the Global Dollar (USDG). USDG offers a trusted solution with a top-tier banking partner in DBS that will be the catalyst to drive stablecoin innovation and enterprise adoption at a global scale.”

Paxos has a strong track record of building blockchain solutions that financial industry leaders can trust. USDG represents the sixth digital asset to be successfully issued by Paxos, the first from Paxos Digital Singapore. Its digital assets include PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG), which are issued by Paxos Trust Company, LLC, a limited purpose trust company overseen by the New York Department of Financial Services. Paxos International, a UAE-based affiliate of Paxos regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), issues the yield-bearing stablecoin Lift Dollar (USDL). Each of these assets provides users with a quality, 1:1 asset parity overseen by the highest levels of regulatory oversight. The company is the trusted partner for enterprises around the world to tokenize, custody, trade and settle assets.

DBS Bank, Southeast Asia’s largest bank by assets and recognized as the Safest Bank in Asia for 16 consecutive years by Global Finance, will serve as Paxos’ primary banking partner for cash management and custody of USDG reserves. Dollars backing USDG will be held in reserve and managed by Paxos Digital Singapore via DBS.

The smart contract of USDG can be viewed via Etherscan and GitHub. Businesses interested in learning more about Global Dollar can contact the team at www.globaldollar.com.

About Paxos

Paxos is the leading regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform. Its products are the foundation for a new, open financial system that can operate faster and more efficiently. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient, outdated financial plumbing that is inaccessible to millions of people. Paxos is replatforming the financial system to enable assets to instantaneously move anywhere in the world, at any time, in a trustworthy way.

Paxos partners with leading global enterprises to tokenize, custody and trade assets. Its blockchain solutions are used by leaders like PayPal, Interactive Brokers, Mastercard, Mercado Libre and Nubank. Paxos is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the NYDFS and is the issuer of numerous regulated digital assets including PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG). Its affiliate company Paxos International issues the yield-bearing regulated stablecoin Lift Dollar (USDL). Prudentially regulated by the NYDFS in the US, the MAS in Singapore and FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market, Paxos is a top-funded fintech company with more than $540 million raised from leading investors including Oak HC/FT, Declaration Partners, Founders Fund, Mithril Capital and PayPal Ventures.

FDUSD Expands to the Solana Blockchain to Further Strengthen and Bolster Access 4654

First Digital Group (“First Digital” or the “Group”), a leader in digital asset custody and trust services in Asia and parent company of FD121 Limited (also known as First Digital Labs), announces that First Digital USD (“FDUSD”) will be natively deployed to the Solana blockchain, further strengthening and bolstering access to the stablecoin.

The announcement was made at Binance Blockchain Week 2024, marking a significant milestone in First Digital’s commitment to delivering fast, secure, and cost-effective stablecoin transactions for global users. By integrating with Solana’s high-performance blockchain, FDUSD will leverage Solana’s ultra-fast transaction speeds, low fees and high scalability to meet growing demand for accessible, cross-chain stablecoin solutions by end of 2024.

As a fast-growing challenger in the stablecoin arena, FDUSD continues to provide diverse options to users and partners. By adding Solana to its growing list of supported blockchain networks, FDUSD will empower both retail and institutional users to take advantage of Solana’s scalability, unlocking new possibilities for cross-border payments, decentralised finance (DeFi), and everyday transactions.

With Solana’s impressive processing speed—capable of handling up to 65,000 transactions per second—users can experience near-instant transaction confirmations. This integration aims to support applications in areas such as DeFi and payments, driving greater utility and adoption of FDUSD across both emerging and established markets.

Vincent Chok, CEO and Founder of First Digital commented: “Expanding FDUSD onto Solana represents a significant step in our mission to enhance its accessibility, availability and utility across multiple blockchain ecosystems. Solana’s robust and scalable infrastructure will allow us to deliver even greater value to our users, supporting a wider range of financial use cases and enabling faster, more efficient transactions.”

Lily Liu, President of Solana Foundation, added: “As Solana continues to lead the way to redefining blockchain scalability and performance, we are excited to welcome FDUSD into our ecosystem. The integration of FDUSD on Solana will enable new possibilities for real-world, on-chain financial innovations.”

FDUSD is a 1:1 USD-backed stablecoin issued by First Digital Labs, the brand name of FD121 Limited. The FDUSD stablecoin is backed on a 1:1 basis by one U.S. dollar or assets of equivalent fair value, held in accounts of regulated financial institutions globally. Independent reserve audits are published monthly. FDUSD is currently available on Ethereum, BNB Chain and Sui.

About First Digital Group

First Digital Group (“First Digital”) is the parent company of First Digital Trust Limited, Asia’s leading qualified custodian and registered trust company, and FD121 Limited (also known as First Digital Labs), issuer of First Digital USD (FDUSD).

First Digital Group safeguards, advances and innovates to help clients navigate digital assets as well as benefit from trusted next-generation financial services.

First Digital was established in 2017 under the umbrella of the Legacy Trust Company, an established custodian and trust established in 1992 and registered under the Trustee Ordinance in Hong Kong. Its mission is to help clients benefit from a digital-first future by combining digital asset innovation with its strong foundation in trust, custody and asset management services. The Group’s custody and trust arm, First Digital Trust Limited, was established in 2019 and became a fully independent public trust corporation headquartered in Hong Kong with a presence across Asia.

First Digital Trust Limited has been recognised as one of HSBC’s ‘Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific’ Report 2022, while its innovation subsidiary, FD121 Limited (a.k.a. First Digital Labs), is the issuer of the FDUSD stablecoin.

Website: www.1stdigital.com

About First Digital Labs

First Digital Labs is the brand name of FD121 Limited, a Hong Kong-registered subsidiary under the First Digital Group. First Digital Labs focuses on cutting-edge research and development, specialising in the innovation and advancement of digital assets. First Digital Labs is the issuer of the FDUSD stablecoin.

To learn more about First Digital Labs, visit https://firstdigitallabs.com/

CATIZEN launches Zircuit Launchpool – Stake CATI and game assets to earn 8.33 million ZRC rewards 3625

CATIZEN proudly announces the launch of its first Launchpool project – Zircuit (ZRC) – on October 28, 2024. Zircuit is an AI-driven, zero-knowledge Layer 2 blockchain that is fully EVM-compatible. Featuring AI-enhanced security at the sequencer level, it blocks malicious transactions in real time, ensuring a highly secure environment for users. Backed by Binance Labs, Zircuit boasts $1.7 billion TVL and recently introduced a liquidity hub to incentivize early adopters and stakers.

Starting from October 28, 2024, 08:30 (UTC+8), CATIZEN players and CATI token holders can stake their CATI tokens or level 300+ cat game assets in the ZRC reward pool through the CATIZEN BOT to earn ZRC rewards. This 7-day staking event offers lucrative incentives for participants.

Project details:

  • Token Name: ZIRCUIT (ZRC)
  • Total Supply: 10,000,000,000 ZRC
  • Launchpool Rewards Pool: 8,333,333 ZRC (valued at $1.5 million)

Staking rules

CATI token staking pool:

  • Reward Allocation: 85%
  • Total Reward: $1,275,000 in ZRC
  • Minimum Stake: 1 CATI
  • Maximum Stake: 2000 CATI
  • Settlement: Rewards settled every hour based on the share of staked CATI

CATIZEN game asset staking pool:

  • Reward Allocation: 15%
  • Total Reward: $225,000 in ZRC
  • Eligibility: Only level 300+ cats are eligible for staking
  • Settlement: Rewards calculated hourly, converting cat levels into USD equivalent

ZRC token valuations are referenced from CoinGecko’s real-time data.

This Launchpool event provides CATI holders and CATIZEN players with exciting earning opportunities, encouraging community participation while supporting Zircuit’s innovative security model and ecosystem growth.