Vietnam Confirms Suspension of Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency Miner Imports 5219

After months of deliberation, Vietnam has moved to halting imports of cryptocurrency mining equipment according to a customs department in the country. Domestic businesses and individuals have stopped importing crypto mining equipment altogether since the beginning of July, according to the Ho Chi Minh City (HCM) Customs Department, as reported by Viet Nam News on Monday.

Officials from Vietnam’s largest city said individuals and firms had imported as many as 3,664 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices in the first half of 2018. 3,000 machines were notably imported by four enterprises involved in mining operations with the rest imported by individuals and organizations who did not include import tax codes, the authority said. A majority of the devices were revealed to be Antminer models, a brand of cryptocurrency mining equipment developed by industry giant Bitmain.

As reported previously, Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) first proposed the blanket ban in June after authorities in the nation increased their scrutiny into the domestic crypto sector following a nationwide ICO-fraud that reportedly conned an estimated $660 million from 32,000 domestic investors. The fallout led Vietnam’s prime minister ordering six government ministries, the police, and the central bank to investigate the scam.

As a consequence, the MoF said ‘it requires State management agencies to take strict control measures with the import and use of this [crypto mining] commodity’, leading to the eventual proposal of the ban. In July, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the country’s central bank, agreed with the MoF’s proposal and backed the ban.

According to figures from Vietnam Customs, some 9,300 ASIC devices were imported into Vietnam in 2017, predominantly into Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

As things stand, cryptocurrencies are outlawed as payments in the country after the central bank refused to include them among the recognized exceptions of non-cash payments that include checks, payment orders and bank cards. The law, which came into effect at the turn of 2018, forbids the issuance and usage of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legal tender with the threat of criminal prosecution and fines of up to $9,000 for adopters.

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Major Advancement for MNT Node Holders 3237

Minutes Network Token team are pleased to announce two new initiatives that significantly upweight their Node holder rewards program.

First, the share of Epoch rewards allocated to Node holders has been increased from 60% to 70%, and this additional 10% is excluded from the algorithmic burn process.

Second, all Node holders will share from a specific 37.5million MNT reward pool which will be distributed over the first twenty-four months.

With Switch Nodes requiring a minimum stake of 50,000 MNT and Validation Nodes 10,000 MNT, the holder of each type of node can receive incremental rewards of 37,500 and 7,500.

This means each Node is set to potentially return up to 75% of Node holders initial token stakes over the first two-years which are additional to the monthly epoch MNT rewards.

The MNT Head of Token said “We listened very carefully to the interests of Node holders as they are critical stakeholders to the success of the project. These innovations significantly enhance the rewards available to node holders and provide a compelling reason for people to own as many nodes as they can.”

The full details can be found in the MNT Whitepaper accessible at minutesnetworktoken.io/whitepaper.

There are 119 Switch Nodes and 1069 Validation Nodes available for staking. Purchase nodes can be done by visiting portal.minutesnetworktoken.io.

About Minutes Network Token

Minutes Network Token (MNT) is a product of Minutes Network Token LLC, a company incorporated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Company Number 095LLC2022.

Minutes Network Token is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.

MapleStory Universe Unveils Nexpace Protocol Today 3111

NEXPACE, a blockchain subsidiary of Nexon Group focused on expanding IP, today unveiled its proprietary NXPC token for the MapleStory Universe. NXPC aims to bolster both the in-game experience for users and support the overall MapleStory Universe ecosystem by enabling community contributors to take part in item creation in-game, a role traditionally reserved for game service providers.

NXPC’s innovative protocol is designed to foster sustainable ecosystem growth by balancing in-game item distribution while encouraging active user participation. With NXPC, contributors can interact with in-game items within MapleStory Universe, promoting a natural flow of community-driven growth. Supported by blockchain technology, items can be seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem, offering incentives for the community to participate and engage actively.

Sunyoung Hwang, Executive Director of NEXPACE, said: “The introduction of NXPC and blockchain technology to the 21-year legacy of MapleStory IP underscores our confidence in their transformative ability to revolutionise the gaming experience for all. The NXPC token aligns user incentives with the long-term growth of the ecosystem by distributing the ability to create items to contributors, fostering a continuous virtuous cycle of enjoyable experiences and growth of the IP. We look forward to our robust pipeline ahead, including releasing new information on the tokens within the year, as well as the various updates on the ecosystem and the PC MMORPG MapleStory N.”

The supply of IP items that can be redeemed through NXPC is limited per cycle, which is renewed on a regular basis, balancing the flexibility and the health of the in-game economy. The element of scarcity also reinforces the mutual increase in IP item value and NXPC value over time in a sustainable manner, laying the foundation for the long-term growth of the MapleStory Universe.

To elucidate NXPC mechanics, MapleStory Universe has introduced ‘Token Comics,’ which serves to demystify blockchain technology while strategically expanding the MapleStory Universe ecosystem. The comics act as a bridge between the gaming culture and blockchain innovation, providing an engaging medium to introduce complex concepts of digital ownership. Through this educational series, MapleStory Universe aims to enhance community engagement and cultivate awareness of its mission to reshape the future of online games with blockchain innovations.

About NEXPACE

NEXPACE is an IP-expanding project based on blockchain technology that utilises NFTs. The goal of NEXPACE is to bring creators and users together, fostering an innovative games community where members can experience various games and content developed by other members. With its blockchain technology, NEXPACE provides transparent and secure services, encouraging creators to freely express their ideas while users enjoy these fresh inventions. This represents the philosophy and ambition of NEXPACE.

MapleStory Universe Official Links
Official Website: msu.io
Official X: x.com/MaplestoryU
Official Medium: medium.com/@MaplestoryU
Official Discord: discord.gg/MaplestoryUniverse
Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MapleStoryU
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/MapleStoryU.Official/

Portal to Bitcoin announces three major integrations with Bitlayer, Sovryn, and Tari ahead of upcoming testnet launch 4420

Portal to Bitcoin, the groundbreaking platform dedicated to unlocking Bitcoin liquidity through the only truly trustless solution, proudly announces major strategic integrations with Bitlayer, Sovryn, and Tari as additional core components of its impending testnet launch.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our incentivized testnet and our union with these three outstanding partners, a significant step in our mission to unlock the full potential of Bitcoin liquidity,” said Chandra Duggirala, CEO of Tides Network and Core Contributor of Portal to Bitcoin. “Our commitment to providing a trustless solution is at the heart of everything we do, and our use of the Lightning Network and atomic swaps is a testament to this. This testnet is a crucial phase in our development, allowing us to fine-tune our platform while engaging with our community and rewarding their participation. We believe that Portal to Bitcoin will transform the way users interact with their Bitcoin, providing a secure, efficient, and user-friendly experience.”

Bitlayer is a Bitcoin sidechain/L2 solution that enhances scalability and privacy for blockchain transactions. By integrating Bitlayer, Portal to Bitcoin will be able to offer even faster transaction speeds and improved privacy features. Bitlayer’s BitVM-based technology allows for more efficient processing of transactions, reducing the load on the main Bitcoin blockchain and ensuring that users can enjoy a seamless experience.

“We’re thrilled to integrate with Portal to Bitcoin to bring top-level BTC-FI solutions to market,” said Charlie Hu, Bitlayer co-founder. “Killer applications like Portal will revolutionize the Bitcoin ecosystem, bringing highly sought after financial instruments to the most decentralized, most renowned, and most capital-injected blockchain in the world.”

This integration means that users will benefit from the combined strengths of the Portal Network and Bitlayer, providing a robust and efficient transaction environment. Enhanced privacy features will also ensure that user transactions remain confidential, further bolstering the security of our platform.

Sovryn is the leading Bitcoin Defi project to integrate the Sovryn Dollar (DLLR), an aggregated, BTC-backed stablecoin. The integration of DLLR into the Portal DEX will make it one-click tradable with native BTC using atomic swaps, with no bridges, wrappers or custodians. Sovryn users will also be able to trade against native Runes, Ordinals and other L1 and L2 assets, without the risk of pseudo-custodial solutions. Portal and Sovryn aim this partnership to boost the growth of their respective communities. The Sovryn team shared, “We’re excited Sovryn users will also be able to trade against native Runes, Ordinals and other L1 and L2 assets, without the risk of pseudo-custodial solutions. Portal and Sovryn aim for this partnership to boost the growth of their respective communities.”

Tari is an L1 focused on digital assets and the creation and management of digital assets such as tickets, loyalty points, and in-game items. The integration of Tari with Portal to Bitcoin opens up new possibilities for the tokenization and exchange of digital assets. Users will be able to trade these assets seamlessly, using Bitcoin as the settlement layer.

The Tari Team shared, “Tari teaming up with Portal to Bitcoin is like peanut butter and jelly, but for crypto. This dynamic duo is opening up new possibilities for tokenizing and exchanging digital assets, making Portal to Bitcoin the ultimate bridge between Bitcoin, Ethereum, and yep, Tari! Get ready, because this smooth way to move value between chains is bringing the future right to us!”

This integration not only expands the utility of Bitcoin within our platform but also bridges the gap between traditional digital assets and the world of cryptocurrencies. By leveraging Tari’s protocol, we can offer users a broader range of functionalities and use cases, making Portal to Bitcoin a versatile and comprehensive DeFi solution.

Portal to Bitcoin stands at the vanguard of DeFi innovation, offering users a revolutionary way to access Bitcoin liquidity without relying on centralized intermediaries or custodians. The platform achieves this through a unique integration of the Lightning Network and atomic swaps, ensuring complete security and decentralization. This combination of technologies allows users to conduct transactions and exchanges in a fully trustless environment, maintaining complete control over their assets. The result is a revolutionary approach to unlocking bitcoin liquidity, and is the only fully trustless solution in the marketplace.

At the core of Portal to Bitcoin’s capabilities is the Lightning Network, a second-layer protocol designed to enable instant, low-cost Bitcoin transactions. By utilizing the Lightning Network, Portal to Bitcoin significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of Bitcoin transfers, allowing users to move their assets swiftly and with minimal transaction fees. This is especially beneficial for traders and users who require quick access to their funds.

In addition to the Lightning Network, Portal to Bitcoin employs atomic swaps to facilitate direct peer-to-peer exchanges between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Atomic swaps are smart contract-based transactions that allow users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another without the need for a trusted third party. This eliminates counterparty risk and enhances the security of the exchange process. Users can trade directly from their wallets, ensuring that they remain in control of their assets throughout the transaction.

About Portal to Bitcoin

Portal to Bitcoin, formerly known as Portal DeFi, conceived by a team of veteran Bitcoin and AI engineers, is dedicated to empowering financial self-sovereignty. Portal is the only custody-less interoperability protocol for Bitcoin. Portal enables fast, low cost atomic swaps between native Bitcoin assets like BTC, Ordinals, and Runes, to L2s and other L1s. With Portal’s technical breakthroughs, there is no bridging or wrapping. User funds are always safe. Portal is backed by Coinbase Ventures, OKX Ventures, Gate.io, Arrington Capital, and many other prominent investors. For more information, visit https://portaltobitcoin.com.

Acre launches Bitcoin Staking on mainnet in partnership with Xverse 4949

Xverse, the leading Bitcoin Web3 wallet, has teamed up with Acre to offer a native Bitcoin-in, Bitcoin-out staking experience. This partnership gives users the ability to earn BTC-based rewards – marking a new category in Bitcoin innovation.

Through this partnership, Xverse users can now effortlessly put their BTC to work in Acre directly from the Bitcoin mainnet via their existing Xverse wallet. Acre’s fully on-chain staking experience eliminates the complexity of participation in the Bitcoin economy with its ‘one click’ feature to access Bitcoin rewards.

Ken Liao, CEO of Xverse, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to partner with Acre to offer our users a seamless Bitcoin staking experience. This partnership unlocks a significant market opportunity by allowing Xverse users to earn rewards on their Bitcoin holdings while maintaining full control over their assets.”

Acre, the newest portfolio addition to Thesis.co (the 10-year-old Bitcoin venture studio) continues the evolution of BitcoinFi with a transparent way for HODLers to earn rewards on their BTC. This partnership enables Xverse users to unlock the potential of their idle Bitcoin holdings and earn on both Mezo and Acre through Acre’s native BTC staking platform. The partnership consists of two phases – the first being a “points” experience that gives users access to the Bitcoin L2 rewards economy; the second being native BTC staking rewards as the select Bitcoin L2s chains launch later this year.

Acre, started by the team behind the decentralized Bitcoin bridge (tBTC), works with many of the protocols in the rapidly emerging Bitcoin L2 market category to drive rewards. These protocols, powered by assets like tBTC, are building the next evolution of the Bitcoin economy. By collaborating with Xverse, Acre aims to broaden the accessibility of “stacking sats”, catering to both seasoned Bitcoiners and newcomers alike.

Brian, Co-Founder of Acre, shared his excitement about the partnership: “This collaboration marks not only an exciting innovation in the space but also Acre’s mainnet launch. Xverse users can now put their Bitcoin to work via the Acre staking app to access the exciting new world of Bitcoin L2s.”

About Acre

Acre, a native Bitcoin staking platform has partnered with Xverse for its main net launch. Acre is the latest project from Thesis, the venture studio building brands on Bitcoin. According to Brian Mahoney, Co-Founder of Acre, lets “Xverse users put their Bitcoin to work via the Acre staking app to access the exciting new world of Bitcoin L2s,” using their Xverse wallets. Acre’s staking experience simplifies participation in the Bitcoin economy with one-click access to BTC rewards.

StakeVault.Network to Launch Validator Services for ETH, ATOM, TIA, and SUI 4828

StakeVault.Network (SVN) is set to expand its validator services to major blockchain networks, including Ethereum (ETH), Cosmos (ATOM), TIA, and SUI, in the near future. This expansion aims to provide users with secure and efficient staking services, enhancing the security and performance of each network.

Discover StakeVault.Network

StakeVault.Network is a project dedicated to offering cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure. It provides validator services that support the operation and security of networks through user-held crypto assets. In today’s rapidly evolving blockchain technology landscape, there is a pressing need for secure, efficient, and scalable solutions for staking and node validation. These processes are crucial for strengthening network security, achieving consensus, and promoting decentralized governance across blockchain ecosystems.

Despite significant advancements, existing node validation and staking solutions often face scalability limitations, insufficient security measures, and a lack of user-friendly interfaces, hindering widespread adoption. StakeVault.Network aims to redefine the staking environment by introducing a robust, scalable, and secure platform to address these challenges, positioning itself as a game-changer in the industry.

Revolutionary Validator Solutions

StakeVault.Network offers comprehensive and customized solutions to address the challenges of staking and node validation. The platform implements advanced node authentication mechanisms to ensure that only reliable nodes participate, enhancing security through multi-factor authentication and continuous monitoring. Its efficient staking mechanism minimizes energy consumption while maximizing network security and participation, and a dynamic reward distribution model ensures fair and transparent rewards.

The user-centric design provides an intuitive interface and simplified staking process, encouraging broad participation. By promoting reliability and empowerment through a transparent economic model and community governance, StakeVault.Network supports the healthy development of the platform.

Expanding Horizons (ETH, ATOM, TIA, SUI)

SVN will provide validator services on the following major blockchain networks:

Ethereum (ETH): Founded by Vitalik Buterin in 2015, Ethereum is a decentralized platform with smart contract functionality. It serves as the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and many decentralized applications (DApps) have been developed on it.

Cosmos (ATOM): Cosmos aims to provide interoperability between blockchains with its native token, ATOM. It envisions an “Internet of Blockchains” and offers a software development kit (SDK) for creating independent blockchains.

TIA (Celestia): Celestia offers a modular blockchain focused on specific functionalities, addressing the trilemma of decentralization, scalability, and security. It uses Data Availability Sampling (DAS) for efficient block verification.

SUI: SUI is a layer 1 blockchain network designed for fast and low-cost transactions. It adopts the unique programming language “Sui Move.” SUI has expanded its ecosystem through partnerships with major companies.

Power of SVN Token

The SVN token is a crucial component of the StakeVault.Network ecosystem. Token holders can participate in decision-making processes and earn staking rewards in SVN tokens. Additionally, SVN tokens are used to pay for services and transaction fees, supporting the economic activities within the ecosystem.

About Us
Website: https://stakevaultnet.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/StakeVaultNet
Telegram: https://t.me/StakeVaultNetwork

MetaBeat Partners with FZF Ventures to Lead Web3 Music Innovation 5303

FZF Ventures, a specialist firm in blockchain and cryptocurrency market investments, and MetaBeat, a Fan-to-Earn Kpop Music NFT Platform, officially announced their strategic partnership. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in both companies’ efforts to leverage blockchain technology and the burgeoning digital asset market.

FZF Ventures, known for its proactive investments in high-growth areas within the blockchain sector, recently unveiled the establishment of a dedicated cryptocurrency fund, as reported by Binance News. This move underscores FZF Ventures’ commitment to expanding its foothold in the dynamic world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, seeking promising ventures that contribute to industry innovation and growth.

MetaBeat stands out in the Web3 music industry with its innovative Fan-to-Earn model, which integrates NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and social finance (socialfi) features. As Kpop continues to captivate global audiences, MetaBeat’s platform offers fans unique opportunities to engage directly with their favorite artists through digital collectibles and community-driven initiatives.

In a statement, FZF Ventures highlighted Kpop’s global influence and its potential to drive advancements within the Web3 music industry. The firm recognizes MetaBeat’s distinct ecosystem and its strategic alignment with these transformative trends. By including MetaBeat in its investment portfolio, FZF Ventures aims to catalyze significant growth for the platform, fostering new avenues for artist-fan interactions and expanding the adoption of blockchain technology in entertainment.

The partnership between FZF Ventures and MetaBeat is not just a financial investment but a strategic alignment aimed at harnessing the power of blockchain to reshape the music industry’s landscape. As both entities look ahead, synergies in technology, community engagement, and market expansion are set to define their collaborative journey in the evolving digital economy.

This collaboration underscores a broader trend where blockchain and NFT platforms like MetaBeat are poised to redefine how fans interact with content and creators, emphasizing decentralization, transparency, and new monetization models. With MetaBeat at the forefront of innovation in Kpop music and FZF Ventures’ strategic backing, the partnership signals a promising future at the intersection of music, technology, and finance.

Website: https://metabeat.io/
X: https://x.com/MetaBeatOffl