BIG Weekly Newsletter

May 25, 2023
Issue: No 185

A Message To The Reader

Welcome to the BIG weekly Newsletter!

This week read about how Mastercard sees ‘a lot of promise’ in blockchain tech if safety and simplicity are prioritized, why Solana Labs’ ChatGPT plugin unites layer 1 blockchain with AI and how to leverage blockchain to address climate change, inequality and food and water insecurity.

Remember to listen to our Partner Podcasts - THE SWISS ROAD TO CRYPTO with Didier Borel.

We offer a free consultation with access to the blockchain insights. Book your free consultation with us
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Mauro Cappiello
Founder, Blockchain Innovation Group AG

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BLOCKCHAIN HEADLINES

Mastercard sees ‘a lot of promise’ in blockchain tech if safety and simplicity are prioritized
While the web3 world has seen a significant influx of capital, innovation and talent, more work is needed to ensure traditional players and new ones can enter the ecosystem.

TECHCRUNCH

Solana Labs’ ChatGPT plugin unites layer 1 blockchain with AI
Solana Labs announced the release of its ChatGPT plugin. The firm claims that this product, available through a Github download, is the first layer 1 download to integrate blockchain with AI. The plugin may aim to make ChatGPT synonymous with crypto.

BEINCRYPTO

How to leverage blockchain to address climate change, inequality and food and water insecurity
Blockchain’s transparency, immutability and security features make it an ideal tool for tackling some of the world's most critical problems.

FORBES

REGULATED DIGITAL ASSETS (STO, TRADING, CUSTODY, COMPLIANCE)

Global watchdog urges to regulate crypto as traditional financial assets
The IOSCO has taken a significant step towards addressing market integrity and investor protection issues in the rapidly evolving crypto market. IOSCO outlined its policy recommendations to help establish compliant markets for trading digital assets.

BITCOINIST

      In South Korea, a power tussle is brewing for right to regulate digital assets
      South Korea’s central bank has made public its desire to exercise greater control over the digital currency industry, pitting it in a regulatory tug-of-war against the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

      COINGEEK

          Marubeni launches real estate security tokens with MUFG’s Progmat
          MUFG via Marubeni Asset Management is launching its first security token issuance for real estate and will use MUFG’s Progmat blockchain platform. The public offering of tokens will be sold via SBI Securities.

          LEDGERINSIGHTS

              FINANCIAL SERVICES & CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY (CBDC)

              China ramps up digital yuan CBDC usage for securities transactions
              China Galaxy Securities has the approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to launch a pilot for a digital renminbi over the counter wealth management product in collaboration with China’s biggest bank ICBC.

              LEDGERINSIGHTS

              The current state of CBDC initiatives around the world
              Currently, over 100 countries are exploring the topic of CBDCs, and while approximately half of them are still in the stage of research and development, there are 39 countries that have either pilot, proof-of-concept or launched CBDC initiatives.

              COINTELEGRAPH

              IMF report explores Nigeria’s slow CBDC adoption, future remittance use
              It recommends promoting the use of the CBDC for government aid programs, boosting merchant adoption, and offering attractive eNaira FX rates to discourage unofficial remittance routes.

              LEDGERINSIGHTS

              CRYPTOCURRENCIES, DeFi and NFT

              Bitcoin HODLing has never been more popular
              Investors are hanging onto their BTC longer than ever, HODLing in industry parlance.The proportion of BTC been held for at least a year has climbed to a record 68%, Glassnode data shows, while 55% of bitcoin has been held for at least two years and 40% for three years.

              COINDESK

              Cardano DeFi total value locked hits 400M ADA milestone
              The dominant DeFi protocol on Cardano is the DEX Minswap, accounting for $55.7M of the total TVL. According to Lookerstudio, Cardano has recorded more than 1000 Plutus V1 smart contracts in 2023 — another indication of the increased activity on the blockchain network.

              BEINCRYPTO

              An interoperable NFT standard has landed on Cosmos
              Swiss-based organization the ICF has partnered with Bianjie to launch a new NFT standard. Users utilizing the new standard, dubbed ICS-721, can track and transfer their NFTs across different blockchains.

              BLOCKWORKS

              RECOMMENDED INDUSTRY REPORTS AND BOOKS

              2023 State of Crypto Report:
              Introducing the State of Crypto Index

              A16ZCRYPTO

              PODCAST SERIES

              THE SWISS ROAD TO CRYPTO PODCAST

              In this podcast Didier Borel discovers people in Switzerland playing an active role in crypto and tech. He talks to entrepreneurs, tech innovators and disruptors shaping the future in this country. Switzerland has always played a key role in banking and has recognized the need to foster innovation.
              2976666-1600875405933-1de4771ae30e6

              UNCHAINED PODCAST

              Laura Shin is a crypto/blockchain journalist and host of the Unchained and Unconfirmed podcasts. As a former senior editor of Forbes, she was the first mainstream reporter to cover crypto assets full-time. She gives an overview to all experts and novices alike on the use cases making a real impact, and their vision for the future of this innovative technology!
              Unchained podcast

              UPCOMING EVENTS

              EPIC WEB 3 CONFERENCE
              June 09, 2023

              NFT SHOW EUROPE
              July 14-15, 2023

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