Binance Marks Bitcoin Pizza Day in Bengaluru with 2,000+ First‑Time Learners in Immersive Blockchain Education Drive

• Interactive learning activation focuses on responsible digital asset literacy amid growing regional interest

Binance, the world’s largest digital asset exchange and leading blockchain ecosystem, marked Bitcoin Pizza Day with an educational activation at Forum Mall, Bengaluru, that drew more than 2000 participants eager to learn about blockchain technology and digital asset fundamentals, with 88% attending their first-ever digital asset education event.

Held on 23-24 May, the initiative transformed a high-footfall shopping destination into an immersive blockchain learning zone aimed at demystifying Web3 through gamified and easy-to-understand activities. The activation featured a Binance engagement booth strategically placed within the mall, where visitors participated in quizzes, educational missions, and onsite mini-games designed to make blockchain and digital asset concepts more accessible to everyday users. Through the initiative, Binance aimed to address the growing knowledge gap as global digital asset adoption accelerates and interest in blockchain technology continues to rise in India.

Education must come before adoption," said SB Seker, Head of APAC at Binance. "In markets across South Asia, we see tremendous curiosity about blockchain, but limited access to reliable, responsible information. We're focused on ensuring communities have the knowledge and resources they need particularly in markets where awareness is growing faster than understanding.

Attendees engaged with a series of interactive experiences including live blockchain quizzes, educational challenges, guided learning missions, and onsite games designed to make Web3 concepts more accessible to everyday users. To mark Bitcoin Pizza Day and raise awareness of one of the most iconic milestones in digital asset history, attendees participated in community activities, received Binance Swags, and enjoyed complimentary pizza treats inspired by the transaction that helped demonstrate Bitcoin’s real-world utility. The activity covered blockchain basics, risk awareness, and scam prevention, with attendees completing the full educational journey in an average of 8 minutes.

SB Seker, Head of APAC at Binance, added, “Bitcoin Pizza Day has become one of crypto’s most celebrated traditions because it captures something essential: innovation happens when someone is willing to try something new, even if it seems impractical at the time. In 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz used Bitcoin to buy pizza because he believed digital currency should have use cases not just sit in a wallet. Today, we are seeing that vision materialize at scale. Stablecoins are processing trillions in monthly volume and users globally are discovering crypto’s practical applications from everyday transactions to wealth creation and preservation. Bitcoin Pizza Day celebrates the moment crypto moved from theory to practice, and reminds us that the real work is making that utility accessible to everyone.”

Binance continues to advance blockchain literacy and responsible digital asset adoption across South Asia through Binance Academy, which offers accessible educational resources on blockchain technology, Web3, digital assets, and online safety. Complementing these efforts are localized content, media and community engagement initiatives including Binance Blockchain Yatra, the Binance Case Challenge and Binance Square that help build awareness and make Web3 education more accessible for emerging digital-first audiences across India and the broader region.

Binance Reinforces User Safety With Global Verification Tool Against Impersonation Fraud

• If someone reaches out claiming they work with Binance – especially in roles like business development and partnerships, account management, and customer support – check them using Binance Verify. If they cannot be verified, treat the contact as untrusted, and do not proceed. 
• If anyone guides you to download and open files, share screenshots of your account pages, scan QR codes to log in, enable remote control or screen sharing, share your password, or click unknown links, stop immediately.
• Do not open compressed files or run attachments sent by strangers, even if they look like normal documents. If you have already opened a suspicious file or shared screenshots, contact Binance Customer Support and take immediate account-security steps.

Binance, the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and blockchain infrastructure provider, today reiterated its longstanding commitment to user safety and responsible trading by reinforcing comprehensive guidance to help retail users identify, avoid, and report impersonation fraud. Central to its ongoing effort is Binance Verify — its official channel-authentication tool, which has been freely accessible to all users worldwide since its launch, with no account or login required. The tool allows any individual to instantly confirm whether a domain, email address, phone number, or social media handle corresponds to a verified, official Binance channel. Its unrestricted public availability reflects Binance's position that safety infrastructure is accessible to everyone, account holders and non-account holders alike, and that the first line of defence against fraud must be in the hands of every user.

Impersonation fraud has emerged as one of the most persistent threats in the digital asset space. Fraudsters routinely create lookalike profiles, clone official communications, and mimic legitimate platforms with a level of sophistication that makes detection difficult for even experienced users. The consequences — financial loss, compromised account security, and erosion of trust in regulated platforms — are real and significant. What this threat makes clear is that user protection cannot rest with any single party. Exchanges must build robust safeguards, regulators must maintain an informed oversight environment, and users must be equipped to exercise their own vigilance.

SB Seker, Head of APAC, Binance commented, "As crypto adoption deepens, we are seeing attacks that are no longer opportunistic but engineered. Bad actors are studying how users interact with platforms, mimicking familiar language, interfaces, and processes with alarming precision. That is deeply concerning, because the people being targeted are often those who are newest to crypto and most trusting.

Protecting our users is not a compliance obligation, it is a commitment we hold at the core of everything we do. Every tool we build, every advisory we issue, every awareness effort we run comes from a conviction that our users feel safe and empowered. We will continue to invest in stronger safeguards, deepen user education, work closely with industry partners, and stay ahead of emerging threats because the trust our users place in us is something we will never take for granted."

Binance recognises that the integrity of the digital asset ecosystem depends on coordinated action across the industry. Lookalike domains and impersonator platforms do not merely harm the users they deceive, they damage the reputation of legitimate exchanges and complicate the regulatory environment for the sector as a whole. Binance invites regulators, industry bodies, and fellow platforms to collaborate on establishing clearer verification standards, swift reporting mechanisms for fraudulent brand misuse, and joint user-awareness initiatives that reach retail participants at scale.

Users who wish to verify the authenticity of a Binance communication can do so immediately at https://www.binance.com/en/official-verification. Users who believe they have been targeted by an impersonation attempt are encouraged to contact Binance Customer Support through official channels and to report the incident promptly. For detailed guidance on how to use the tool, visit FAQ: What Is Binance Verify?

Indian Crypto Industry 2025 Review & 2026 Outlook

India’s crypto story in 2025 matured beyond the hype cycle. Participation widened outside metros, investors shifted toward disciplined, longer-term behavior, and the conversation moved from “if” to “how” crypto integrates with mainstream finance and compliance. The next year hinges on regulatory clarity and institutional-grade infrastructure catching up with grassroots demand.

2025 snapshot: Adoption, behavior, and geography

• Non-metro surge: Tier-2, -3, and -4 cities accounted for roughly three-quarters of activity, signaling diffusion from metro-centric early adopters to broader “Bharat” participation. Uttar Pradesh led state contributions at around 13% in some datasets, reflecting heightened engagement beyond traditional hubs.
• Investor resilience despite taxes: Even with India’s 30% flat tax on crypto gains, retail activity persisted as investors adapted with more cautious, long-term strategies and diversified portfolios emphasizing Bitcoin’s renewed dominance.
• Youth-driven participation: The user base remained skewed younger, mirroring trends in India’s expanding equity participation, but with crypto increasingly treated as one allocation within a broader wealth plan rather than a standalone speculative bet.
• Scale and maturity narrative: India remained among the largest global markets by adoption, with 2025 characterized by high transaction volumes and growing exchange competition under strict tax rules and evolving compliance expectations.

Policy and compliance realities in 2025

• Tax regime anchoring behavior: The 30% tax and compliance requirements pushed retail toward fewer, higher-conviction trades, longer holding periods, and cleaner audit trails—reducing churn while sustaining participation.
• Regulatory posture: Industry operated under taxation-first oversight with an expectation of clearer licensing and consumer-risk frameworks ahead, as domestic growth and global coordination pressures mounted.

Market structure and infrastructure trends

• Exchange-led localization: Platforms focused on regional onboarding, vernacular content, and simplified KYC flows to tap non-metro demand at scale, aligning crypto adoption with broader digital finance penetration.
• Mainstreaming use cases: Tokenization narratives and Bitcoin’s “treasury” framing gained mindshare as institutions globally explored structured participation, setting the stage for India’s infrastructure upgrades in custody, reporting, and compliance in the next phase.

2026 outlook: What changes, what persists

• Institutional tilt accelerates: Expect a gradual shift from retail-dominated flows to institution-ready structures—better custody, auditability, and risk controls—driven by global regulatory convergence and tokenization use cases gaining operational traction.
• Macro and thematic drivers: Higher-quality assets and clear narratives (Bitcoin as macro hedge or treasury asset; real-world asset tokenization; compliant yield) likely lead performance and capital allocation, with risk premia compressing as rules clarify.
• Domestic regulatory clarity: India faces mounting pressure to move from tax-only oversight to licensing, consumer protection, standardized disclosures, and onshore compliance rails—critical to enabling safer participation and attracting institutional capital.
• Geographic depth sustains growth: Non-metro adoption remains the engine, aided by vernacular education, agent networks, and simplified compliance experiences—keeping India’s user expansion resilient even without immediate policy liberalization.
• Scale trajectory: Analyses of India’s evolution suggest multi-year revenue growth and user expansion potential as frameworks mature; projections vary, but the directional trend points to sustained growth into the late 2020s under clearer rules.

Risks and watchlist for 2026

• Regulatory timing risk: Delay in licensing and consumer-risk frameworks could cap institutional participation and keep costs high for compliant operators.
• Global spillovers: External shocks (macro tightening, cross-border enforcement actions) can propagate quickly into Indian retail sentiment and liquidity.
• Operational compliance: KYC, AML, and tax reporting burdens remain a moat and an execution challenge; firms that productize compliance will gain advantage.

Practical moves: For companies and investors

• For companies:
  • Compliance-first rails: Build audit-ready custody, reporting, and disclosure systems anticipating licensing and standardized safeguards.
  • Regional distribution: Invest in vernacular education, lightweight onboarding, and agent-assisted support to deepen non-metro growth.
  • Institutional partnerships: Align with banks, fintechs, and custodians to bridge crypto with mainstream finance and tokenization pilots.
• For investors:
  • Core-satellite discipline: Anchor allocations in higher-quality assets (e.g., BTC) with measured exposure to tokenization and yield themes; prioritize compliance and documentation given tax realities.
  • Hold-period focus: Favor longer horizons and transparent record-keeping to mitigate tax friction and volatility impacts.
  • Regulatory readiness: Track licensing developments and platform safeguards; shift toward institution-grade venues as they emerge.

Views by Industry Leaders

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX

Looking back at 2025, the crypto industry paints a mixed but hopeful picture. On one hand, the industry saw real progress: growth in DeFi projects, expansion of stablecoins, new CBDC-infrastructure pilots, and rising developer activity across APAC and globally, with millions committing to code on-chain. On the other hand, after early-year optimism from retail investors, the October correction was a reminder that sentiment remains fragile and that hype without real delivery can still hurt the industry... 

... Institutional shifts and policy signals, however, brought meaningful momentum. Vanguard reversed its long-standing prohibition on crypto, opening its platform to Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana ETFs, triggering a surge in mainstream adoption. The CFTC’s approval of spot crypto ETFs added another boost, reflecting a steady move toward giving traditional financial investors regulated crypto exposure. Firms like BlackRock continued their disciplined investment push into digital assets.

Looking ahead to 2026, there might be reason for optimism just yet. In India, the foundation stone of the CBDC project could be laid soon. The RBI has announced a hackathon in October to nurture tech talents in the emerging technology space, which will encourage more Indians to see emerging tech as a promising career prospect. A clearer regulatory framework for VDAs, potentially paired with supportive tax measures, support for stablecoin initiatives alongside CBDC measures, could unlock real-world blockchain use cases from Indian builders to kickstart on-chain growth for Indians.

So, while 2025 wasn’t a clean breakout year, it was undeniably transformative. Infrastructure matured, institutional participation widened, and policy debates sharpened worldwide.

In 2026, globally, institutional appetite for regulated digital-asset products will continue to increase, driving capital inflows and contributing to market stability. At the same time, domestic policies for countries will be key in shaping their respective investor sentiment.”

Raj Karkara, COO, ZebPay

2025 has shaped up to be a landmark year for crypto, a year where digital assets moved decisively from niche innovation toward foundational financial infrastructure. The start of the year saw the establishment of the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a bold signal of Bitcoin’s growing strategic importance. By mid-year, the passage of the GENIUS Act provided a clear regulatory framework for USD-backed stablecoins, fostering trust and laying the groundwork for broader adoption. October brought a historic moment as Bitcoin surpassed $125,000 to record a new all-time high, while tokenized real-world assets spanning real estate, commodities, and financial instruments surged, demonstrating how blockchain is bridging traditional finance and the digital economy... 

...Regulatory and institutional progress continued to gain momentum as the year advanced. The CFTC’s December 4 announcement allowing listed spot crypto products on registered futures exchanges marked a pivotal step in evolving the ecosystem from regulated ETFs to clearer cross-border compliance frameworks and deeper institutional participation. These milestones underscore a global shift toward credibility, transparency, and scalable adoption of digital assets, positioning crypto to play an increasingly integral role in the years ahead.

This year, as we celebrated ZebPay’s 11th anniversary, we unveiled our new identity, “Bitcoin Mein Pro.” Since 2014, Bitcoin has been central to what we do, and with this reaffirmation of our long standing conviction, we have made Bitcoin investing our clear and enduring purpose. Throughout 2025, we upheld education as a core priority, through workshops, explainers, and platform-led initiatives, with the aim of helping users understand the true essence of Bitcoin as an asset class, build confidence, embrace long-term thinking, and develop an investor mindset that looks beyond short-term market movements, as they progress in their ‘Pro’ journey. Furthermore, we strengthened our security architecture through advanced, multi-layered protections, complemented by enhanced KYC/AML frameworks that ensure a fully compliant and trustworthy environment for every user.

We are committed to helping people embrace Bitcoin with confidence while building long-term trust in digital assets. Moving into 2026, we anticipate exciting opportunities to expand adoption, introduce innovative solutions, and strengthen the infrastructure that will support the next generation of crypto investors. ZebPay’s mission is to guide this journey with clarity, reliability, and a focus on sustainable growth that creates long-term value.

NFTs2Me Launches on Shardeum EVM Mainnet to Empower No-Code NFT Creation

Shardeum, India’s leading EVM L1 blockchain built for speed and decentralization, has announced that NFTs2Me, one of the most popular decentralized applications (dApps) on the Shardeum EVM testnet, is now officially live on the Shardeum EVM mainnet.

The integration enables creators, developers, and communities to design, deploy, and manage NFT collections on Shardeum without writing a single line of code. After a highly successful testnet phase that saw over 18,000 NFTs minted from limited collections, NFTs2Me is now opening the doors for everyone to unleash their creativity on-chain.

With NFTs2Me’s integration on the Shardeum mainnet, anyone can now build NFT projects directly on-chain from community badges and digital art to collectibles and generative experiments in just a few clicks.

Users can choose from a variety of collection types, including:Editions: A single artwork available as one or multiple copies.
Drops: Multiple unique artworks, each with its own media file per token.
Generative Art: Automatically generates distinct NFTs by layering various artwork elements.

The no-code platform manages everything from smart contract deployment to minting and metadata while Shardeum’s low-cost, high-speed, and scalable smart contract network ensures a seamless experience for all users.

NFTs2Me’s mainnet launch represents another milestone in Shardeum’s growing ecosystem of decentralized applications focused on accessibility and community empowerment. By simplifying NFT creation, NFTs2Me lowers the entry barrier for artists, developers, DAOs, and brands looking to explore Web3 creativity.

Nishchal Shetty, Co-founder of Shardeum, said, “NFTs2Me has already proven its value to the community during its testnet phase,” said a Shardeum spokesperson. Its no-code NFT creation model perfectly complements Shardeum’s mission to bring decentralization, scalability, and inclusivity to everyone building on Web3.”

Nicolas, Co-founder of NFTs2Me, said, “Our mission at NFTs2Me has always been to make NFT creation simple and accessible to all. Integrating with Shardeum’s EVM mainnet allows us to offer creators a fast, affordable, and truly decentralized environment to build in. We’re thrilled to empower a new wave of artists, brands, and communities to express themselves on Shardeum.”

Creators can now start experimenting, collaborating with friends, or launching full-fledged collections for their projects, DAOs, and communities.

Every NFT collection contributes to the vibrant, decentralized creative ecosystem taking shape on Shardeum. Whether it’s your first NFT drop or your next generative masterpiece, the stage is set for you to create on Shardeum EVM mainnet.

TAC InfoSec’s CyberScope Files U.S. Patent for World’s First AI-Powered Blockchain Trust Scoring Platform

• A Patent-Backed Innovation Designed to Drive Revenue, Market Share, and Client Confidence
• Strengthening TAC Security’s Global IP Portfolio and Competitive Edge in Cybersecurity
• Unlocking New Commercial Opportunities in Web3 Risk Intelligence with Web3 Arm “Cyberscope”
• The First AI-Optimised Security Engine to Fuse On-Chain, Off-Chain, and Market Data at Scale
• Reinforcing TAC Security’s Position as a Global Leader in Next-Gen Cyber Intelligence

TAC InfoSec Limited (NSE: TAC), a global leader in cybersecurity and vulnerability management, today announced that its Web3 Security arm, CyberScope, has filled patent for CyberScope Cybersca in the United States — the world’s first AI-optimised, multi-domain blockchain trust scoring and fraud detection platform.

This breakthrough is designed to give investors, exchanges, and regulators a real-time, verifiable trust score for every blockchain project — turning fragmented, manual due diligence into instant, actionable intelligence.

Defining the Next Era of Web3 Security Trust

CyberScope Cyberscan fuses on-chain, off-chain, and Web2 data at scale; delivering actionable security intelligence in under five seconds. The patented technology is set to unlock new commercial opportunities across the $20B+ blockchain security market, reinforcing TAC Security’s global IP portfolio and leadership in next-gen cyber intelligence.

Key Industry-First Capabilities:

• Dual-Mode Polling Engine — Combines Slow Mode batch re-indexing for deep coverage with Fast Mode real-time scans for instant insights. 
• Multi-Domain Intelligence Fusion — Integrates smart contract analysis, liquidity metrics, GitHub activity, DNS audits, and KYC/Audit verification into a unified trust score.
• Adaptive Prioritization — Dynamically targets high-risk projects based on listing status, market cap, and activity spikes.
• Live Malicious Behavior Detection — Flags honeypots, rug pulls, liquidity manipulation, and privileged functions before damage occurs.
• Cross-Domain Correlation Engine — Links suspicious blockchain activity with anomalies in domain registration, code changes, and market behavior.

Business Impact

• Reducing Investor Risk — Instant red flags for scam patterns and security vulnerabilities.
• Empowering Exchanges & Launchpads — Automated, embedded trust scoring via developer-ready API.
• Regulatory Alignment — Standardized, auditable trust metrics for compliance reporting.
• Driving Market Confidence — A scalable framework for capital markets to safely embrace Web3.

Trishneet Arora, Founder & CEO, TAC Security: “For the decentralized economy to thrive, trust can’t be optional — it must be engineered into the system. CyberScope doesn’t just measure credibility, it defines it — instantly, for every project in the market. This is the intelligence layer that empowers investors to act decisively, enables exchanges to list with confidence, and allows capital to move into Web3 without hesitation. With this patent, we’re not just talking about blockchain trust; we’re building it, today.”

Saransh Rawat, CTO, TAC Security & Co-Founder, CyberScope, said, “Every once in a while, a technology comes along that changes the rules entirely — Cyberscan is that moment for Web3 security. We’ve created a platform that doesn’t just scan; it understands. It reads the signals across blockchains, marketplaces, and code repositories, turning them into instant, trustworthy intelligence. This is the foundation for a safer, smarter, and truly scalable decentralized future.”

About TAC Security (TAC InfoSec Limited) – Symbol - NSE: TAC

TAC Security, a leading global cybersecurity company specialising in vulnerability management, is a publicly listed cybersecurity company that made headlines with its oversubscribed IPO worth $1 billion. TAC Security’s flagship product, ESOF (Enterprise Security in One Framework), excels in cyber scoring, cyber risk quantification, and leveraging advanced AI for vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

TAC Security holds prestigious certifications like CREST PT, SOC2 and ISO 27001, IoXT Security Assessor and partners with tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta for ADA’s CASA (Cloud Application Security Assessment). Serving a diverse global clientele, TAC Security is committed to innovation and excellence in cyber security for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and Governments Globally.

For more information, visit https://tacsecurity.com

About CyberScope, a TAC Security Company

Cyberscope, a TAC Security Company, is a leading provider of Web3 Security, smart contract auditing, and compliance solutions, serving a global client base across the decentralized finance, blockchain, and digital asset sectors. Founded in 2023, the company has completed over 2,700 smart contract audits and 500+ KYC verifications, securing more than $2 billion in digital assets for over 3,000 clients. Cyberscope’s proprietary tools combine automated and manual analysis to deliver rapid, high-quality security assessments recognized by major industry platforms such as CoinMarketCap, PinkSale, and DxSale. With a reputation for quality, speed, and trust, and backed by the resources and global reach of TAC Security, Cyberscope is positioned to set new standards for security, transparency, and compliance in the rapidly evolving Web3 ecosystem.

For more information, visit https://cyberscope.io

Massive Metaverse Bet: Billionaire Acquires 5,000+ NFTs from Yuga Labs

Crypto billionaire and scrap-metal magnate Adam Weitsman has made a bold move in the NFT space, acquiring over 5,000 NFTs directly from Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club and Otherside.

For an uninitiated, Adam Weitsman is a billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropisr, investor, and founder of Viridium LLC, a cryptocurrency mining company. Adam is best known for transforming a family scrap metal business into one of the largest privately owned recycling empires in the U.S. He’s now making waves in the crypto and NFT space. 

Key Highlights:

• NFTs Acquired: Otherdeeds, Mega Kodas, and Weapon Kodas from the Otherside metaverse collection.
• Deal Type: OTC (Over-the-Counter) transaction directly with Yuga Labs.
• Strategic Intent: Weitsman plans to lock the NFTs for years, signaling long-term commitment to the Otherside ecosystem.
• Market Impact: The Otherside collection’s floor price surged to 0.19 ETH, its highest in a month.
• Yuga Labs Shift: The company recently sold off IPs like CryptoPunks and Moonbirds to refocus on Otherside’s development.

Why It Matters:

Yuga Labs is betting big on gamified metaverse experiences, and Weitsman’s investment could be a turning point in reviving interest in Web3 gaming. The Otherside platform blends MMORPG mechanics with NFT ownership, aiming to create a “metaRPG” where players own the world.

On this NFT investment, Adam Weitsman said:

I’m making a long-term investment in Otherside… I’ve committed to making a series of acquisitions on the open market this year.

Greg Solano (Yuga Labs Co-founder), said “

Grateful to have Adam double down as a partner and builder for this next phase of Otherside.

Yuga Labs is a blockchain technology and digital asset company based in Miami, Florida. It’s best known for pioneering some of the most iconic NFT collections and pushing the boundaries of Web3 culture, including Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), and Otherside, a gamified metaverse platform blending MMORPG elements with NFT ownership.

Avalanche and Team1 Launch $100K India Grant to Fuel Web3 Innovation Among Young Developers

Avalanche, a high performance blockchain platform announced today that it has collaborated with Team1, a global network of builders, developers, creatives, and community members to launch a pilot $100,000 Team1 India Mini Grant fund, aimed at empowering and accelerating the Web3 ecosystem in India. This initiative represents a significant commitment to fostering innovation and driving the next wave of digital advancements in the region.

Most of the developers entering the Web3 space are newcomers and under the age of 27. Young developers lose passion due to insufficient funding opportunities and lack of quality mentorship. Avalanche and Team1 have created a dedicated team to explore potential Web3 projects and startups to disburse the grants promptly and work closely with the project team to help them scale their operations. The Avalanche team will monitor the team’s progress and provide access to Avalanche tools, community network, collaboration opportunities, and hackathons. The potential projects and startups will be selected through an In-person demo that will take place in multiple cities across the country.

Commenting on the development Devika Mittal, Regional Head at Ava Labs, said “India is rapidly gaining reputation as a major hub for Web3 developers globally and is projected to be the largest by 2028. Currently, there are 1200 Web3 startups in India and we aim to significantly increase this number by 2026 through our #Team1MiniGrants fund. Our initiative will fill the funding gap for web3 projects and create a level playing field for talented developers. In particular, we hope to see young developers, both men and women, applying to the fund.”

Commenting on the development, Eamonn Deane, Head of Ambassador Program at Ava Labs and Team1, said “India, being one of the tech superpowers of the world with strong digital infrastructure, provides a strong foundation for the growth and adoption of blockchain technology. With active participation from the government and big private enterprises, we see a huge growth potential for Web3-related products and services. Apart from metros, we aim to include projects from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities due to the fast-paced innovation in smaller Indian towns and cities”.

Avalanche is aggressively betting on India to create one of the world’s largest Web3 ecosystems. The large talent pool, business-friendly policies from the government, and robust digital infrastructure make India a highly lucrative Web3 destination. Avalanche recently collaborated with Indian state governments to execute the tokenization of land assets in India and unlock the economic potential of idle land parcels across the country. The recent collaboration between Avalanche and global digital exchange, Bitget is also aimed at boosting the Web3 ecosystem in India.

This strategic initiative underscores Avalanche’s commitment to driving innovation and growth within the region, empowering developers and entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the blockchain space.

To apply for the grants, visit https://grants.team1.network/


About Avalanche Blockchain Network

Avalanche is a high-performance blockchain platform designed for builders who need to scale. Engineered with a revolutionary three-part Layer 1 (L1) architecture, Avalanche is anchored by its Avalanche Consensus Mechanism, ensuring near-instant finality for transactions. The platform also features an open-source Layer 0 (L0) framework, enabling the seamless creation of interoperable Layer 1 blockchains with high throughput on both public and private networks. Supported by a global community of developers and validators, Avalanche offers a fast, low-cost environment for building the next generation of decentralized applications (dApps). With its unique blend of speed, flexibility, and scalability, Avalanche is the preferred choice for innovators pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology.

For more information, visit avax.network.

About Team1:

Team1 is a global network of builders, developers, creatives, gamers & community members who grow Avalanche. After starting just one year ago with the first cohort, Team1 has since organized over 600 community events, collaborated with 80+ universities and has members in 51 countries. For more info and to join Team1, visit https://www.team1.network/

Growth Protocol, backed by Nazara and Lysto, debuts its mainnet on Avalanche

Growth Protocol has officially launched its purpose-built Layer-1 blockchain today, backed by Nazara Technologies and Lysto.The platform is designed to propel the future of advertising on-chain, with real-time engagement through tokenizing digital advertising campaigns. Growth Protocol is signaling a major shift in how global brands connect with 150K+ daily active users already on the platform post the private testnet launch.

Growth Protocol is a blockchain marketing protocol that removes ad intermediaries, enforces radical transparency, guarantees equitable payouts, and restores sovereign digital identity to users—powering trustless Web3 campaigns.

Thanks to the Avalanche tech stack, Growth Protocol delivers sub-second finality and 10,000+ transactions per second to support high-throughput, fraud-proof marketing at scale. “Growth Protocol delivers exactly the kind of real-world adoption we envisioned Avalanche enabling—low-latency, high-speed infrastructure powering proof-of-performance at global scale,” said Emin Gün Sirer, Founder and CEO of Ava Labs. “It raises the bar for transparency in a trillion-dollar industry.”

Nazara Technologies, early backer of Growth Protocol and India’s only publicly listed gaming company and a leader in mobile gaming and esports is bringing its marketing applications on chain. Two Nazara titles are already live on-chain. “Nazara has spent 25 years putting fun into the hands of players,” said Nitish Mittersain, CEO and Founder of Nazara. “Now, with Growth Protocol, we’re helping advertisers and publishers reach and reward our players with absolute trust and efficiency. This is the future of game marketing.”

Growth Protocol replaces centralized, opaque ad-tech stacks with smart contract-based, real-time settlement. “Digital advertising still loses a substantial chunk of every dollar to intermediaries,” noted Sadiq Ahamed, Co-Founder of Growth Protocol. “We’re rerouting that value back to creators, publishers, and gamers—while giving advertisers and auditors an immutable ledger of truth.”

About Growth Protocol

Growth Protocol is a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for tokenizing digital advertising campaigns. By uniting Smart Goals, tokenized attribution and real-time settlements, it eliminates fraud, slashes customer-acquisition cost and guarantees that 100 percent of ad spend reaches real users. The protocol is backed by Nazara Technologies and Lysto, and supported by leading Web3 investors and technologists.

About Nazara Technologies Ltd

Nazara is India’s only listed gaming and Esports Company, with majority ownership of several leading gaming and esports brands with presence in India, the US, and other global markets. In esports, Nazara has India’s leading esports platform NODWIN Gaming and Sportskeeda/Pro Football Network in the sports media space. Nazara’s offerings in the interactive gaming segment include gamified early learning ecosystems like Kiddopia and Animal Jam, a leading IP based gaming studio ‘Fusebox’, India’s most popular cricket simulation franchise, World Cricket Championship (WCC), and a wide portfolio of casual games distributed through telco partnerships in many emerging markets. Additionally, Nazara controls Datawrkz, a digital ad tech company supporting its portfolio companies and external clients with demand-side user acquisition and supply-side ad monetization services. Website: https://www.nazara.com.

About Avalanche

Avalanche is an ultra-fast, low-latency blockchain platform designed for builders who need high performance at scale. The network’s architecture allows for the creation of sovereign, efficient and fully interoperable public and private Layer 1 (L1) blockchains which leverage the Avalanche Consensus Mechanism to achieve high throughput and near-instant transaction finality. The ease and speed of launching an L1, and the breadth of architectural customization choices, make Avalanche the perfect environment for a composable multi-chain future.

Supported by a global community of developers and validators, Avalanche offers a fast, low-cost environment for building decentralized applications (dApps). With its combination of speed, flexibility, and scalability, Avalanche is the platform of choice for innovators pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology.

Primus Partners’ Report Highlights Web3’s Strong Potential to Impact Industries Worth $1 Trillion by 2029

India is rapidly emerging as a global frontrunner in the Web3 space, with the technology poised to impact industries valued at over $1 trillion, according to a new report by Primus Partners. The report titled,'Web3 in 2025: Key Trends and Potential Use Cases to Watch Out For’ reveals its growing popularity in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and media, with India playing a pivotal role in driving Web3's global evolution.

Web3 is revolutionizing sectors with its decentralized solutions, which enable greater transparency, security, and efficiency in operations. In India, more than 60% of corporations are either currently researching or implementing Web3’s block chain technologies to streamline activities, build trust, and reduce operational costs. The country has a good share of developers amongst the global Web3 community. With widespread and mainstream adoption expected to occur by the end of 2025, Web3 is set to impact industries valued at over $1 trillion.

Key Insights include:

• India's Web3 Developer Share: India leads the global Web3 developer community with 12%, ranking first among emerging markets. In 2024, it attracted the highest number of new crypto developers recorded yet.
• Market Growth: The global Web3 market is projected to reach $23.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 43.7% from 2021.
• Investment in Infrastructure: Major platforms and developing ecosystems like Polygon have received over $450 million in funding, while 5ire secured $221 million for block chain interoperability and rapid scaling.
• Regulatory Developments: The EU's MiCA regulation seeks to establish a broad Web3 crypto framework for over 500 million citizens, while the U.S. crypto task force plans to shape regulations for digital assets worth $1 trillion.
• Adoption Trends: By end of 2025, it is anticipated that 25% of global enterprises will adopt Web3 technologies, up from 5% in 2022.

Web3’s Application Across Industries:

• Agriculture: Block chain can reduce food fraud by 30%, improving traceability and ensuring safer food supply chains.
• Manufacturing & Logistics: Web3 can lower logistics costs by up to 20% by enhancing tracking and efficiency, while block chain cuts paperwork by 50%, making transport operations more streamlined.
• Education: With block chain’s document verification, concerns about the authenticity of academic credentials can be addressed, increasing trust for about 70% of employers.
• Real Estate: Tokenization can reduce transaction costs by 10-15% and speed up the process by 50%, while smart contracts can automate rental payments and reduce late payments by 40%.
• Governance: Block chain-based digital identities would soon be used by close to 1 billion people in providing details for secure verification, while block chain implementation in land registries can reduce chances of duplication, disputes, theft and fraud.
• Healthcare: Block chain can decrease healthcare fraud by 50% and improve patient trust through enhanced data security and transparency.

Government’s and Industry’s Interplay in Promoting Web3 Growth:

The Indian government is actively fostering Web3 growth through initiatives like the Block chain-as-a-Service model developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, which provides infrastructure for permissioned block chain applications. It is also developing a regulatory framework and promoting public-private partnerships to unlock Web3's potential. Also, sector-specific solutions are being created, particularly in agriculture and healthcare, with projects like Vishvasya- Block Chain Technology Stack and the National Block Chain Strategy. These efforts, involving over 30 active government departments, are building a trusted digital infrastructure to support broader Web3 adoption.

Challenges to overcome:

Web3 adoption in India faces deep challenges like regulatory uncertainty, low consumer trust, and complex supply chains. 62.4% of industry leaders call for clearer regulations, while Web3 is still seen as tied to speculative trading. Despite these obstacles, India has a strong foundation for Web3 growth, with block chain and token systems set to drive innovation, transparency, and inclusivity in its digital economy. India is well-positioned to lead the Web3 revolution and transform necessary digital interactions.

Shravan Shetty: "India's proactive steps in nurturing Web3 adoption, such as the Block Chain-as-a-Service model, are pivotal in providing the infrastructure needed to support permissioned block chain applications and drive innovation. Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential for realizing the full potential of Web3 in India, especially in sectors like agriculture and healthcare, where tailored solutions can drive significant advancements."

About Primus Partners Pvt Ltd

Primus Partners Pvt Ltd is a leading management consulting services firm headquartered in New Delhi. Primus provides consulting and advisory services across various industries, in both public and private sectors. Primus is committed to driving sustainable growth and maximizing value for its clients via innovative approaches and sectoral expertise.

Telegram Launches in-app Browser and Mini App Store Making Web3 Available to Almost a Billion Users

Messaging app Telegram has announced a new in-app browser that supports multiple tabs, making Web3 available to almost a billion users, a Mini App Store, a new kind of mini apps, the ability to gift Stars to friends — and much more.

Telegram Browser

Pages you open with the in-app browser can now be collapsed and reopened from the bottom bar, allowing you to freely move between your messages and websites, instant view articles, and mini apps.

Telegram's browser supports decentralized websites hosted on TON — in all mobile and native desktop apps. This makes Web3 immediately available to our almost one billion monthly users.

Now, when you receive a notification while reading an article, viewing a web page, or playing a game, you can check your messages — and go back without losing your progress. You can also add bookmarks to return to a page later.

Developers can learn more about decentralized TON Sites by visiting ton.org — or opening getting-started.ton in the latest version of Telegram.

Mini App Store

More than 500 million out of Telegram's 950 million users interact with mini apps every month.

We've added a new 'Apps' tab in Search which shows a list of apps you use and a list of popular mini apps. Now you can quickly access all your games and services — or find something new.

Developers can now upload video demos and screenshots for their mini app previews to let users know what to expect.

Mini apps that utilize Telegram Stars now have a chance to be shown in the 'Popular Apps' section. Developers can learn more about mini apps on this page.

Sharing from Mini Apps to Stories

Mini apps can now generate custom story content — like AI-generated videos, achievements, or snapshots of leaderboards — for users to share as a Telegram Story right from the mini app. This enables new kinds of apps — and helps existing ones spread among their users' contacts.

Developers can go here for more details about adding this feature to their mini apps.

Gifting Stars to Friends

Telegram Stars let you buy digtal goods in mini apps or access paid content in channels. With this update, you can buy stars as a gift for your contacts.

To gift stars, go to Settings > My Stars (on iOS, you will currently see this menu only if you have previously purchased stars for yourself).

Users celebrating their birthday will appear at the top of the list in a special section. Gifted stars will show up in the chat as a beautiful animated gift box.
Flash when Recording Video Messages

Video messages now let you use the front flash to brighten your screen with extra light when recording in the dark.

Tap the microphone icon in the message bar to switch to video recording. Then press and hold the camera icon to record your video message. Swipe up to keep recording and tap the flash icon in the bottom left corner.
Weather Widget in Stories

Users can now share the weather in their stories by adding an animated widget to everything from sunny selfies to ski slopes.
Story Covers

When posting a video story to your profile, you can choose which frame will be used as the cover photo.

Browser and Mini App Tabs on MacOS

Before you go, check out how gorgeous the new browser on Telegram for macOS is. Its new tabs support everything: games, mini apps, instant view pages and even Web3 ton-sites.

Telegram to Launch Its Own Mini App Store and In-App Browser

Telegram, the popular messaging app, is making some exciting moves. Founder Pavel Durov recently announced that Telegram will launch an in-app browser and a mini app store by the end of July 2024.

Recently, Telegram announced that its active user base has surged to 950 million, and they aim to cross the 1 billion mark this year. The growth in users comes amid an explosion in blockchain-based games, such as NotCoin, that users tap to play on Telegram.

The upcoming app store within Telegram will allow users to discover and access mini apps directly from the platform. The mini app store will host lightweight applications within Telegram. These mini apps can offer various functionalities, including games, tools, and services.

The app store will also have web3 support, aligning with Telegram's commitment to blockchain and cryptocurrency. This move comes after the company's initial coin offering (ICO) in 2018 faced challenges. Now, Telegram is actively promoting web3 technology on its platform.

The in-app browser will allow users to view web content directly within Telegram, streamlining their experience. No need to switch between apps.

According to Pavel Durov, CEO and Founder of Telegram, "To keep the fire going, this month, we will introduce a mini app store and an in-app browser with support for Web3-Pages. "

Telegram acknowledges the issue of scams and is taking steps to address it. The messaging app plans to display the month of registration and principal country for public accounts, similar to Instagram. Additionally, organizations can use mini apps to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for third-party verification.

Back in 2022, Durov had said that Telegram aims to develop decentralized tools, including non-custodial wallets and decentralized exchanges, to securely facilitate cryptocurrency transactions for millions,

Telegram is continuously evolving. In early of this month Telegram launched series of new features and updates, including "Minimized Mini Apps" feature wherein users can minimize mini apps for smoother multitasking. This feature enhances the overall user experience by allowing seamless transitions between different tasks within the app. "Telegram Stars" enables users to purchase digital goods and reward creators through paid posts. It's a way to support content creators and engage with their work.

Hashtag and Location Search in Stories also launched recently. Content discovery gets a boost with hashtag and location search functionality in Telegram Stories. Users can explore relevant content more easily. A new "customizable link widget" improves link visibility within stories. This feature allows creators to share links effectively with their audience.

Sony Announces Metaverse Technologies and Hardware to Empower 3D Content Creators

Sony Corporation Announces Development of Spatial Content Creation System, Equipped with High-Quality XR Head-Mounted Display and Controllers Dedicated to Interaction with 3D Objects

Sony Corporation announced development of an immersive spatial content creation system, which includes an XR head-mounted display equipped with high-quality 4K OLED Microdisplays*² and video see-through function, and a pair of controllers optimized for intuitive interaction with 3D objects and precise pointing. The system is aimed at supporting creators in sophisticated 3D content creation. Sony plans to collaborate with developers of a variety of 3D production software, including in the entertainment and industrial design fields. At launch, Sony is exclusively partnering with Siemens, a leader in industrial technology, to introduce a new solution for immersive design and collaborative product engineering using software from the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform.

The system will be available later in 2024. Sony and its partners will announce further details including specs, launch date and regions, pricing, sales channels, and software compatibility.

This spatial content creation system, equipped with an XR head-mounted display with 4K OLED Microdisplays and Sony's proprietary rendering technology, enables real-time, high-definition and realistic rendering of textures of 3D objects and facial expressions of human characters. In addition to video see-through functionality and spatial recognition with six cameras and sensors in total, the system features a ring controller that allows users to intuitively manipulate objects in virtual space, as well as a pointing controller that enables precise pointing, allowing creators to craft in virtual space with controllers and keyboards, all while wearing the head-mounted display. Creators will not only be able to see real-scale 3D models in an Extended Reality (XR) environment with the high-definition display, but also create and modify 3D models in it. Through integration with third-party 3D creation applications, it also supports remote, real-time review between locations, making this an intuitive and immersive tool for the entire process of spatial content creation.

The device features Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 2 Platform, the latest XR processor by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. The processor unlocks the power of the 4K OLED Microdisplays to deliver stunning image quality, as well as provides user and space tracking for seamless XR experiences, offering creators a high-performance platform for their creative Workflow.

Sony has released technologies that support workflow and quality of spatial content creation and facilitate use of 3D CG in various creative fields. Mobile motion capture system "mocopi™," with small and lightweight sensors and a dedicated smartphone app, enables full-body motion tracking, using Sony's proprietary technologies. Spatial Reality Displays provide highly realistic, three-dimensional content without the use of special glasses or Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, for spatial content creation and review process. By introducing this system and collaborating with 3D creation software developers, Sony aims to further empower spatial content creators to transcend boundaries between the physical and virtual realms for more immersive creative experiences.

System in use for 3D CG creation

System in use for film production with 3D technologies

Siemens partnering Sony 

"Siemens is partnering with Sony to enable immersive engineering, a critical building block for the industrial metaverse. Together, we are creating an environment where it will be possible to experience the realities of physics, without the bounds of time to profoundly improve how our customers work and collaborate," said Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries.

"We designed our Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 to deliver 4K display resolution, cutting-edge graphics, and unparalleled performance to enable creators to build innovative spatial content that will transform all industries for the better," said Said Bakadir, Senior Director, Product Management of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "It's exciting to see Sony enter the enterprise space with their spatial content creation system and utilize Snapdragon XR technologies
to unleash more realistic, detailed, and precise Mixed Reality (MR)/VR experiences that will help developers and creators push forward an even more immersive future."

Main Features

High-Quality XR Experience for Creative Uses

The head-mounted display is equipped with large-size, high-definition 1.3-type OLED Microdisplays with 4K resolution and a wide color gamut that covers up to 96% of DCI-P³*³*⁴. Detailed and realistic rendering of textures of 3D objects and facial expressions of human characters allows creators to go through the whole process of modeling to review, all while wearing the head-mounted display.

By supporting split rendering*5, which distributes the rendering load between computers and the head-mounted display, the system is capable of stable and high-definition rendering of large-size 3D models.

Through our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Sony is among the first to adopt their latest Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform. The processor unlocks the power of the 4K OLED Microdisplays to deliver stunning image quality, while on-chip AI enables enhanced user and space tracking for seamless XR experiences, merging physical and digital spaces for easy navigation and intuitive interaction within the XR creative spaces.

Controllers that Provide Intuitive Spatial Content Creation Experiences

The system includes a ring controller that allows users to intuitively manipulate objects in virtual space. It also comes with a pointing controller that enables stable and accurate pointing in virtual spaces, with optimized shape and button layouts for efficient and precise operation. By holding the pointing controller in the dominant hand and attaching the ring controller to the fingers of the other hand, creators can model 3D objects using both controllers and a keyboard, while wearing the head-mounted display.

The pointing controller enables accurate pointing in virtual spaces

Intuitive manipulation of an object with the ring controller

Designed with Comfort, for Seamless XR Creative Experiences

The head-mounted display provides comfort and stability required for extended creative use, by fine-tuning the balance of the device's center of gravity, and the design and material for pads that come into direct contact with the user's head. Additionally, the flip-up mechanism of the display part allows creators to easily and seamlessly move between physical and virtual spaces, without having to recalibrate the device when removing and wearing the entire device.

Optimal balance for extended creative uses

Flip-up mechanism of display part

Immersive Creative Experience Through Integration with 3D Creation Software

Sony seeks to collaborate with various 3D production software developers, in both entertainment and industrial design fields. At launch, Sony will exclusively partner with Siemens to bring innovative immersive engineering capabilities to the manufacturing industry, through integration with the new NX™ Immersive Designer software, a product engineering solution from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software. The integration of powerful hardware and software will empower creators in industrial design and product engineering field, by providing a more immersive design, review, and collaboration tools. The video showing immersive spatial content creation experience, enabled through thise partnership, is are available on the following webpage. The link will be moved to official YouTube channel of Siemens Digital Industries Software.

*1: The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the final product.
*2: As capability of the device. Actual resolution varies depending on application and type of usage.
*3: DCI-P3: An RGB color space standard established by Digital Cinema Initiatives, an American consortium that works on standardizing digital cinema systems.
*4: Actual color space usable depends on application and type of usage.
*5: Only works with compatible applications, when used in tethered mode. (wired and wireless) Resolution, refresh rate and color space may differ depending on application.

Flipkart To Use Polygon's Blockchain for Brand Engagement Experience for Millions of Indian Users

• FireDrops, which is accessible via Flipkart, is a web3 brand engagement program built on Polygon’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) to offer users a more transparent, secure, and personalized engagement experience
• Powered by GuardianLink, FireDrops utilizes Fireblocks’ wallet-as-a-service offering and embeds web3 wallets, providing a more user-friendly and integrated experience
• To date, Fireblocks has created 3.6 million web3 wallets for Flipkart users

Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, has announced its partnership with Fireblocks, an enterprise platform to manage digital asset operations and build innovative businesses on blockchain. The strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize the way consumers safely and easily interact with the Web 3.0 ecosystem. This collaboration will also provide avenues for brands to innovate and enhance customer experiences, as being explored via the FireDrops platform.

FireDrops is an endeavor to create a safe and scalable brand engagement program on the blockchain, where wallets seamlessly spun by Fireblocks allow users to easily interact with web3. Fireblocks has set up 3.6 million wallets for Flipkart users, with a majority of them created in the past few months. Flipkart’s collaboration with Fireblocks is a testament to its commitment in enabling innovation in the Indian e-commerce industry. Flipkart has over 500 million users with more than 150 million products across 80 categories.

“India is fast emerging as the global hub for innovation in web3,” said Ravi Krishnan, Head of Flipkart Labs. “As we look ahead at how the new generation engages with brands, they seek a more personalized and interactive experience, and brands realize they can no longer apply broad strategies across audience segments. In this context, digital assets and web3 have become essential tools to engage with customers effectively. Fireblocks' role is crucial in safeguarding these assets, enabling us to develop and scale. FireDrops, one of the web3 offerings, is among many that we are excited about. In the next decade, web3 will be transformative for the e-commerce space, and India and Flipkart are the perfect sandbox for how digital assets may blur the lines between gamification and retail experiences.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Flipkart to provide them with a resilient, enterprise-grade platform upon which they are building their technology solutions, so they can enhance the shopping experience for users and redefine e-commerce,” said Stephen Richardson, Head of APAC & Managing Director, Financial Markets at Fireblocks. “Through FireDrops, a familiar user experience has been created for millions of Indians interested in collecting their first NFT, making digital ownership more accessible and lowering the barrier to entry into the world of web3.”

Fireblocks' Wallets-as-a-Service allows Flipkart to embed privacy preserving blockchain wallets directly into their mobile application, providing users with seamless onboarding into their first time web3 experience. With Fireblocks, Flipkart can automate and scale wallets and enable NFT creation to support millions of new users on FireDrops.

FireDrops is aiming to revolutionize how users connect with brands while shopping online. By providing engaging experiences with brands that enable customers to earn NFT-based rewards, FireDrops aims to foster greater community engagement and an enhanced user experience. Brands in the FireDrops ecosystem are also anticipating the benefit from deeper, more meaningful, and more tailored interactions with their customers, resulting in higher reward redemption rates and a reduction in customer acquisition costs.

About the Flipkart Group

The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Flipkart Health+, and Cleartrip.

Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India's digital commerce revolution. With a registered user base of more than 500 million, Flipkart's marketplace offers over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Today, there are over 14 lakh sellers on the platform, including Shopsy sellers. With a focus on empowering and delighting every Indian by delivering value through technology and innovation, Flipkart has created lakhs of jobs in the ecosystem while empowering generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Flipkart is known for pioneering services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI, and easy returns, which are customer-centric innovations that have made online shopping more accessible and affordable for millions of Indians.

Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform that delivers a secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Fireblocks enables exchanges, lending desks, custodians, banks, trading desks, and hedge funds to securely scale digital asset operations through the Fireblocks Network and MPC-based Wallet Infrastructure. Fireblocks serves thousands of financial institutions, has secured the transfer of over $4 trillion in digital assets, and has a unique insurance policy that covers assets in storage and transit. Some of the biggest trading desks have switched to Fireblocks because it's the only solution that CISOs and Ops Teams both love. For more information, please visit www.fireblocks.com.

NFT Unit of SoftBank-Naver JV LINE NEXT Secures $140 Mn from Peter Thiel-backed Crescendo Equity Partners

Investment marks the largest in Asian blockchain and Web3 industry this year

Investment is led by Crescendo Equity Partners, a Peter Thiel-backed private equity firm, citing LINE’s strategies and vision for Web3 popularization

LINE NEXT Corporation., the NFT unit of a joint venture between SoftBank and South Korea-based Naver which is dedicated to developing and expanding the NFT ecosystem, announced that it has secured a USD140 million investment from a consortium led by the private equity firm Crescendo Equity Partners (“Crescendo”).

The investment represents the largest funding round in the Asian blockchain Web3 industry for this year. With the raised funds, LINE NEXT aims to expand its global business and develop new services as part of its plan to popularize the Web3 ecosystem.

First up, LINE NEXT plans to officially launch its global NFT platform DOSI in January 2024, offering a digital marketplace where a wide range of digital products can be traded. Integrating with Japan’s NFT marketplace LINE NFT, DOSI will be offered as a mobile app to users around the world. In addition, LINE NEXT will provide new solutions to help services and brands give ownership directly to existing digital products and trade them, making it easier to introduce Web3 to their services.

With this investment, LINE NEXT also plans to introduce new services to further accelerate Web3 popularization. These include introducing a social app that allows users to communicate based on the characters they made utilizing AI technology and launching new Web3 games utilizing BROWN & FRIENDS characters that anyone can enjoy.

LINE NEXT plans to build these services based on the public blockchain Finschia, and LINE NEXT and Crescendo will participate in the Finschia Foundation as governance members, contributing to the expansion of its ecosystem.

Crescendo, sponsored by Peter Thiel, co-founder of Palantir Technologies, invests with exceptional sector expertise and access to well-established “tech-ecosystem” consisting of both local and global networks. Crescendo focuses on discovering small to mid-cap technology companies and developing them to become global champions.

"LINE’s global competitiveness and its vision to lead Web3 services were the investment thesis," said Kevin Lee, the managing partner of Crescendo. He added that “We hope to build a standard for Web3 apps that general users can easily use and adopt blockchain to all sorts of services and brands of Web2.” 

"It is significant that we were able to secure this funding in the context of a globally contracting investment environment," said Youngsu Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT. "We plan to use this opportunity to further popularize Web3 and develop a new service ecosystem where users own the value of their digital goods."

LINE NEXT has been at the forefront of Web3 popularization through a range of global services based on DOSI. It currently has 5.5 million users worldwide and more than 470,000 cumulative transactions, continuing its rapid growth just one year since beta service began.

Based in Korea, LINE NEXT Corporation is focused on Web3 business strategy and planning. With a subsidiary in the U.S operating the global NFT platform business and an office in Japan, LINE NEXT aims to develop the Web3 ecosystem and popularize it for all. 

CRESCENDO EQUITY PARTNERS LIMITED ( referred as "Crescendo" in this article) is a technology focused private equity firm sponsored by Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies. Crescendo mainly invests in companies with high growth potential with exceptional technologies. Target sectors include traditional B2B hardware sectors such as semiconductors and parts and materials, as well as software sectors that are new growth engines such as IT security and factory automation. As of November 2023, assets under management reached about 1.8 trillion won. (Based on the cumulative committed amount)

Disney Launching A Digital Collectibles (NFT) Marketplace of Disney, Pixar and Star Wars Characters

After first launching its digital Collectibles with Cryptoys earlier this year, Disney has partnered with Dapper Labs, a blockchain & Metaverse firm, to launch its own digital Collectibles marketplace, named as — Disney Pinnacle.

With Disney Pinnacle, Disney will bring officially licensed, collectible Pins on-chain.

Be the first to chase, collect and trade digital pins featuring characters you love. Only on Disney Pinnacle. 💫

Join the waitlist at https://t.co/VCeadWRHTU! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/GQa084CkW4

— DisneyPinnacle (@DisneyPinnacle) November 14, 2023

Launching publicly later this year on the Apple App Store for iOS, Disney Pinnacle connects fans around the globe together as they collect, trade, complete challenges, and showcase their love of beloved characters from the worlds of Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars through unique collectible digital pins.

Operated by Dapper Labs, an official licensee of Disney, Disney Pinnacle, the socially driven NFT Marketplace, will bring together characters from 100 years of Disney, along with beloved icons from Pixar as well as heroes and villains from the Star Wars galaxy, uniquely styled as collectible and tradable digital pins.

As fans collect and trade verified, authentic, digital collectibles in Disney Pinnacle’s environment, they are instantly able to share their love for iconic characters across their networks. It also enables them to carry their new collectibles with them wherever they go. With each collectible containing its own pin collectible trading journey, fans are also able to build their own unique collections anywhere, from their phones.

“Disney Pinnacle is an all-new product designed from the ground up to incorporate everything we’ve learned over the past few years,” says Roham Gharegozlou, co-founder and CEO of Dapper Labs. “Fans anywhere will be able to collect dynamic pins on their phone and trade instantly and securely with each other no matter where they are in the world.”

Disney Pinnacle is built on Flow, a permissionless layer 1 blockchain & Web3 ecosystem. Many NFTs are presently in the Ethereum ecosystem. However, there is a strong case for Flow blockchain as a reliable and developer friendly platform for NFTs.

Earlier this year in May, Disney announced a partnership with Cryptoys to sell limited-edition NFT-based digital toys of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader.

The Walt Disney Company, which is yet to make a big foray into crypto, had advertised a job opening last year, for a transaction lawyer to explore emerging technology opportunities. Consumers can buy Cryptoys Star Wars NFTs powered by Dapper Labs' Flow blockchain with Apple Pay and Google Pay worldwide.

Mahindra Lifespaces unveils India's first home buying experience on the Metaverse

500+ drones light up the night sky in Pune to launch Bastion at Mahindra Citadel

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (MLDL), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, unveiled India's first home-buying experience on the Metaverse with the launch of Bastion at Mahindra Citadel, which is the Phase 2 of the project. This milestone was revealed via a first-of-its-kind drone show, which culminated in a QR code in the skies of Pune, which led the audience to the Metaverse experience.

We think this is an innovation that is ‘sky-high’ so that’s how we decided to launch it! Welcome to India’s 1st Home-buying experience on the Metaverse. Congratulations @amitsinha73 @C_P_Gurnani @mohitjoshi74 @life_spaces @tech_mahindra @anishshah21 @MahindraRise as we… pic.twitter.com/4a3oc9fplp

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 25, 2023

The project was unveiled at the project location in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where over 500+ lit drones presented a spectacular show including visuals of key features of the project like the ecotone design, the home automation features and unveiling of the Metaverse experience. The drones finally formed a QR code that could be scanned by the audience to enter the Metaverse experience of Mahindra Citadel. In a first-of-its-kind unique experience, users are transported to their future homes, even before they make their decision to purchase. Users can also interact with elements within the homes and design interiors to their liking.

Amit Kumar Sinha, MD and CEO, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., said, "We are excited to launch Bastion at Mahindra Citadel in Pune, a focus market for Mahindra Lifespaces. Pune's dynamic real estate landscape and its receptiveness to innovation align perfectly with our vision. Our past successes in the city reflect the trust and demand for our brand. This immersive and interactive Metaverse experience not only sets a new industry standard but also provides our customers with a unique opportunity to truly envision their future homes. An experience like this, deserved a grand and scintillating unveiling using the drone show, marking a significant step in integrating technology into the real estate customer experience. As we move forward, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and ensuring the best customer experience."

The project was unveiled at the project location in Pimpri-Chinchwad, where over 500+ lit drones presented a spectacular show including visuals of key features of the project like the ecotone design, the home automation features and unveiling of the Metaverse experience. The drones finally formed a QR code that could be scanned by the audience to enter the Metaverse experience of Mahindra Citadel. In a first-of-its-kind unique experience, users are transported to their future homes, even before they make their decision to purchase. Users can also interact with elements within the homes and design interiors to their liking.

Building on the resounding success of Phase 1 launched in November 2022, Bastion at Mahindra Citadel which spans 9.66 acres, featuring a carefully crafted selection of premium, 3 & 4 BHK homes. The development offers a diverse range of amenities, thoughtfully designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social well-being of the residents, promoting a balanced and vibrant lifestyle. Homes at Mahindra Citadel are pre-certified IGBC gold rated and have various design and process interventions for energy efficiency, and waste management.

Strategically positioned along the bustling Mumbai-Pune highway, this development occupies a coveted residential location within Pimpri-Chinchwad. It offers proximity to the IT hub of Hinjewadi, and Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri and PCMC metro stations. The area also offers a variety of malls, reputed schools, colleges, multi-speciality hospitals and various entertainment and restaurants options, which contribute to its accessibility and lifestyle. This locale is well-connected to key transit points, encompassing the Old Mumbai-Pune highway, Pune-Dhule-Nasik highway, railway stations like Kasarwadi and Pimpri, the Pimpri Chowk bus stop, and the Sant Tukaram Nagar metro station.

About Mahindra Lifespaces Developers Limited

Established in 1994, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. (‘Mahindra Lifespaces’) brings the Mahindra Group’s philosophy of ‘Rise’ to India’s real estate and infrastructure industry through thriving residential communities and enabling business ecosystems. The Company’s development footprint spans 34.46 million sq. ft. of completed, ongoing, and forthcoming residential projects across seven Indian cities; and over 5000 acres of ongoing and forthcoming projects under development/management at its integrated developments/ industrial clusters across four locations.

Mahindra Lifespaces’ development portfolio comprises premium residential projects; value homes under the ‘Mahindra Happinest®’ brand; and integrated cities and industrial clusters under the ‘Mahindra World City’ and ‘Origins by Mahindra’ brands respectively. The Company leverages innovation, thoughtful design, and a deep commitment to sustainability to craft quality life and business growth.