Japan&#x27;s Shinkansen bullet trains have a reputation for punctuality.

Snake on a bullet train causes rare railway delay in Japan | CNN

A Tokaido shinkansen. It is unclear whether the snake was venomous or how it ended up on the train, and there was no injury or panic among passengers. | Jiji

Snake on a train: Discovery of serpent delays Tokyo-Nagoya shinkansen - The Japan Times

Instead of &quot;Snakes on a Plane,&quot; a reptile on a Shinkansen on April 16 in Tokyo Station caused a delay affecting hundreds of passengers before railway workers removed it, according to Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai).

Reptilian rider causes delay on bullet train at Tokyo Station | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Shinkan

shinkan

Photo by on Hanson Lu Unsplash * is an incredible phone service offered by Google. For Americans who travel abroad, it can save a ton of money over traditional carriers. Project Fi Here are just a few of the advantages for international travelers: High-speed data roaming in 170+ countries—typically 3G or 4G International data usage costs the same as in the U.S. Unlimited free texting no matter where you are With Project Fi, you no longer have to find and purchase a SIM card upon arrival or pay exorbitant roaming rates. Just show up in almost any country and use your phone as you normally would. But there is one feature that is icing on the cake for Fi users: the ability to bypass China’s Great Firewall. This means you can access normally blocked sites, such as Medium, YouTube, and Facebook, without setting up a VPN. Watch my video . Subscribe to . on YouTube my channel How it works Typically, when you roam in a foreign country, all data traffic from your device is routed to your home carrier’s servers. For Americans, this includes not just Project Fi, but also all the main carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint). This also applies to SIMs issued in other countries and territories. For example, a Hong Kong SIM will generally be able to access blocked sites in mainland China, because traffic is routed to servers in Hong Kong. Gmail, Medium, and YouTube are all blocked by China’s Great Firewall. As an alternative to a VPN, you can access them on a Project Fi phone or a tethered device, such as a laptop. So if other carriers can also get around the Great Firewall and other local restrictions when roaming, what sets Project Fi apart? It’s the fact that it can access blocked services at high speeds in 170+ countries at a competitive rate. How Project Fi compares Project Fi’s is very straightforward: rate structure $20/month base rate for unlimited calls and texts in the U.S. $10/GB for up to 6 GB of high-speed data, including overseas From 6 GB to 15 GB, pay nothing additional for high-speed data (essentially an unlimited data plan at $80/month), including overseas After 15 GB, pay nothing additional, but your speeds may be throttled, including overseas Unused prepaid data is refunded as credit, and overages are charged at the same rate Unlimited free texting overseas to any number Calls made overseas cost $0.20/minute. However, in many countries, you are able to receive free calls over Wi-Fi and pay a reduced rate for outbound calls over Wi-Fi, assuming a good Wi-Fi connection is available Up to 9 free data-only SIM cards for additional devices—just pay for the additional data Tethering at no additional charge — just pay for the additional data In the few countries without Fi coverage, you can connect to Wi-Fi for calling and texting The phones that work on Project Fi support a wide array of bands, which means a Fi phone can hop onto nearly any network anywhere in the world. The Project Fi app sends a notification upon arrival in a new country. The network is displayed as “Fi Network” no matter where you are in the world. Here’s where the main American carriers fall short: T-Mobile: Many plans offer unlimited texting and international data, but only at 2G speeds and only in 140+ countries. Customers with certain plans can add T-Mobile ONE Plus for $10/month per line for slightly higher speeds (still very slow for 3G). Call prices range by country, starting at $0.20/minute. You will need to ensure your device supports the bands of the country you plan to visit. More info Verizon Wireless: The TravelPass option offers unlimited talk and text, but it costs $10/day per line in most of the 130+ supported countries. High-speed data is limited to 0.5 GB per day. You must have a 4G LTE World device. More info AT&T: The International Day Pass offers unlimited talk and text, but it only works in 100+ countries and costs $10/day. Data and speed allowances match your home restrictions. Alternatively, AT&T Passport costs $60/month for unlimited calling and unlimited texting, but it includes only 1GB of data. Your device must support the bands of the country you plan to visit. More info Sprint: Sprint Global Roaming is included with all plans, and includes unlimited texting and international data in 185+ destinations, but only at 2G speeds. Higher speeds may be purchased for $5/day or $25/week in most destinations, but $10/day or $50/week in some destinations like China. Call prices range by country, starting at $0.20/minute. Limited to certain devices. Service may be terminated if use is primarily overseas, and Sprint is not transparent about data limits. More info If you do the math, Project Fi is a better value than other carriers for most international use cases. My experience I’ve been a Project Fi subscriber for two years, having used the service in six countries so far. I recently spent a month in Asia with a , visiting Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I also brought along an iPhone 7 Plus with a Project Fi data-only SIM. Google Pixel 2 XL In Hong Kong and Japan, I had 4G service most of the time, including in subways. The phone did not initially connect to a network upon landing in Tokyo, but a reboot fixed the problem. There were several periods in which my device had no service on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto. Other than those minor issues, the service was great. The iPhone with data-only SIM also worked well in Hong Kong and Japan. It was not as quick to connect to the network as the Pixel, but it generally got 3G or 4G speeds, and the experience was more than acceptable. I made several calls over the cellular network in Hong Kong and Japan, and was charged $0.20/minute. Note that I had to use the correct local to make calls to U.S. numbers. dial-out codes In the Shenzhen subways, I was only able to get 2.5G (EDGE) service, as indicated by the E next to the signal strength icon. In China, the Pixel took about 10 minutes to connect to the network when crossing the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Speeds were generally 4G and sometimes 3G, although I only got 2.5G speeds in the subways (even though some carriers offer 4G underground). I was able to access normally-blocked sites on the Pixel, and I could tether to my laptop to access those same blocked sites. If the Pixel was simultaneously connected to the Fi Network and my hotel’s Wi-Fi, I could not access restricted sites. The iPhone with data-only SIM was not able to connect to restricted sites in China. Also, it did not appear to work underground very often. It seems the Fi data-only SIM does not connect to servers in the U.S. Instead, it connects to the local carrier’s servers. One potential dealbreaker Project Fi is great unless you need to use an iPhone as your main phone. It also won’t play 100% nice with the latest Android flagships from OnePlus, Samsung, and Huawei. You can make any of those phones work on Fi, but the experience . tends to be suboptimal The limited device options Project Fi gives you, however, are quite good. I’ve been enjoying my —one of the top phones right now with arguably the best camera. The smaller is also great, and the is a decent budget option. The Pixel 2 phones utilize an eSIM, which means an additional local SIM card can be inserted for power users. Pixel 2 XL Pixel 2 Moto X4 Using YouTube in China on the Fi Network with LTE speeds. With that said, you can add a free data-only SIM to any other cellular device. That could be an iPad, a laptop, or even one of the non-Fi phones listed above. While you won’t be able to make calls or texts on the cellular network using any of these devices, you can use the Google Hangouts app over Wi-Fi or the data connection for this purpose. The verdict * from Google is a superior cell phone service for international travelers. The transparent cost structure, ability to roam in 170+ countries, and fast overseas data rates make it a great option for those on the go. As long as you are comfortable using a top-tier Android phone, you should take a good look at this service. Project Fi If you sign up for Project Fi using *, you can get a $20 credit. this link If you liked this article, please hit the clap button above and share with your friends. I also encourage you to subscribe to my for more content like this. Thanks for reading. YouTube channel *This article is not endorsed by Google or Project Fi, and the opinions expressed here are solely my own. The entitles new users to a $20 credit on service, up to 10 users. If you elect to sign up using this link, I may also receive a $20 credit to my account. Consult the for additional information. referral link referral program terms

Bypass China's Great Firewall with Project Fi

Starting at the scale of material science with new textiles, coatings and paints, the examples of biomimetic product design include improved medical tools, fans, propulsion mechanisms, vehicles, trains, boats, planes, renewable energy systems, smart meters, desalination technologies, carpets, windows and packaging systems; to name just a few of the breathtaking varieties of biologically inspired products on the market today. Let us explore a few of these innovations. What can butterflies teach us about colours without pigments and dye? Butterflies in the genus can be recognized by their iridescent blue-toned colour which is not based on pigments but on how the surface structure of their wings diffracts and scatters light. The diverse species in this genus deploy colour to attract attention. Donna Sgro, an Australian fashion designer has created three dresses from a fabric called Morphotex, a pigment-free and dye-free textile developed by Tejin Fibres Limited in Japan. This iridescent blue material draws its colour from optical interference (Vanderbilt, 2012) based on the way fibres of different thickness and structure are inter-woven (Ask Nature, 2015a). Morpho There are many examples of how nature has evolved functional surfaces based on their structure at the nano-scale. The micro-topography of the lotus leaf makes it extremely hydrophobic and therefore water repellent. This creates self-cleaning properties resulting in dirt-free surfaces. The leaf of the lotus ( ) forces water into droplets rather than letting it stick to it. These droplets then roll off, collecting dirt particles in the process (Ask Nature, 2015b). In 1982 Wilhelm Barthlott applied this biomimetic insight to the creation of a self-cleaning paint which is sold under the brand name Lotusan and is now used on hundreds of thousands of buildings. Nelumbo nucifera What can we learn from sharkskin in the design of functional surfaces? Sharks are the fastest swimming marine organisms. This is due not only to their effective streamlined shapes, but also to their special skin that is covered in small teeth ( ) instead of scales. These denticles are aligned to produce vortices, spiral-shaped eddies that flow along the body of the shark, reducing friction (drag) as the animal glides through the water. Innovators at applied this principle to the design of a revolutionary new swim suit which caused a stir at the 2000 Olympics when 80% of the medals were won by swimmers wearing this shark-skin inspired material. The Fastskin suits gave swimmers the advantage of a 3% increase in swimming speed (Waller, 2012). The suit has since been banned for competitions. dermal denticles Speedo Aqualab California-based Sharklet Technologies, has create a thin-film covered in microscopic diamond-shaped plates, which mimic the surface structure of shark-skin and effectively stop potentially dangerous microorganisms from establishing themselves on surfaces covered with this film. This method does not attack or kill the bacteria, but simply makes it so difficult to stay attached to these surfaces that they cannot form colonies and spread. As a result, this approach unlike the use of antibiotics will not create resistant microbes (Cooper, 2009). This is important as the spread of so called ‘super-bugs’ like MRSA and other potentially fatal strains of and is one of the growing concerns of the World Health Organization. Sharklet Technologies is collaborating with the US Navy to create an alternative to copper-based paints now in use as marine anti- fouling agents (Sharklet Technologies, 2015). Replacing such paints would not only drastically reduce a major source of marine pollution, but also keep ships’ hulls free of attached barnacles and algae which reduce their fuel consumption by preventing drag. — — Staphylococcus Escherichia coli Biomimetic design can be inspired by biological materials and by the surface structures and body shape or form of certain species. In 2004, a team of engineers at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre and at Daimler Chrysler Research decided to develop a bionic concept vehicle, looking for ways to optimize the mono-volume approach with aerodynamic performance and strength. The biological model from which they drew their design inspiration and lessons was the boxfish ( ). Surprisingly the cube-shaped body of this tropical fish is extremely streamlined. Models of the fish tested in a wind-tunnel achieved wind drag coefficients of just 0.06, an aerodynamic ideal. The resulting full-scale concept car was among the most aerodynamic vehicles in this size category ever developed. According to Daimler, fuel consumption was reduced by 20%. Ostracion cubicus In addition to taking inspiration from the boxfish’s aerodynamic shape, the team also studied the strength-to-weight ratio of the skeletal structure of the fish that gives it optimal strength with minimal material (weight) use. Again according to Daimler, transferring the optimized skeletal design of the boxfish to the concept car allowed the engineers to increase the rigidity of the external door panelling by 40% compared to conventional designs and led to a reduction of one third in the overall weight without diminishing strength or crash safety (Daimler Chrysler AG, 2004). Can whales teach us to build more effective windmills? The inventor Frank Fish studied the humps on the front edge of the fins of humpback whales ( ). He discovered that these so-called tubercles compress the fluid flowing past the fins, giving the whales extra lift and propulsion to engage in their breathtaking ‘breaching’ when these animals (weighing up to 36 tonnes) propel themselves out of the water. Megaptera novaeangliae The Whalepower Corporation is now applying this insight to the design of new fans with improved efficiency and wind-generator blades that increase the power output at a given wind regime. The technology can also be retrofitted on existing turbine blades. The application of this tubercle technology to the aircraft industry might result in more efficient planes with more lift. Maybe humpback whales will inspire the next step in aircraft efficiency? There are already many biomimetic designs in the airline industry. Swans inspired the Concorde’s distinctive nose, for example, and the up-turned wing tips now common on most aeroplanes are turbulence-reducing measures inspired by birds of prey. One of the most famous examples of biomimicry-based innovation is the Shinkansen 500- series bullet train that was made faster, more energy efficient, and quieter by using design principles copied from the beak of a Kingfisher ( ) (Ask Nature, 2015c). Many fast and efficient train designs have since been based on the aerodynamic shapes of other birds like the Spanish AVE 102 series with a locomotive that was shaped like a duck’s bill. Alcedo atthis Learning from natural processes does not have to be limited to mimicking specific species, but can also be based on the general patterns and processes we can observe in nature. Jay Harman spent time as a designer of boats. His love for the ocean and obsession with the way water flows inspired him to study the ‘streamlining principle’ behind the formation of whirlpools. Learning from the geometries formed by flowing and whirling water, Harman created PAX Scientific to bring the exceptional efficiencies of natural flow to fluid-handling technology like mixers, pumps, turbines, heat exchangers, ducts and propellers. One of the company’s products, the Lilly Impeller, is a highly efficient water-mixing device based on these principles. Other examples include more efficient fans for cooling applications, ship propulsion systems and a new kind of desalination system. — The Lily Impeller ( ) PaxWater Technologies Source The list of biologically inspired product design innovations is almost inexhaustible. These examples simply illustrate the diversity of applications of biomimicry at the product scale. There are many more. [This is an excerpt of a subchapter from ,published by Triarchy Press, 2016.] Designing Regenerative Cultures

Biologically inspired product design

Podiums discussion at NodeConf Barcelona 2017 It was with immense passion and pleasure that the team here at worked tirelessly to bring another . blended.io NodeConf to Barcelona But, this isn’t about us, it’s about the event itself. So, without much further ado, let’s get down to the retrospective. Let’s see what we did well, and what we can do better next time. By The Numbers NodeConf Barcelona 2017 was the second NodeConf to be hosted in Barcelona (the third, if you count ). In 2015, the first NodeConf Barcelona attracted roughly 100 attendees, with 13 speakers, mostly from Europe, with 4 out of the 13 speakers (31%) being female. WeNode This year, NodeConf Barcelona attracted 150 attendees from 15 countries. We had 12 speakers, from inside and outside the European Union, with 5 out of 12 speakers (42%, an 11% increase) being female. But it wasn’t just by the numbers that NodeConf Barcelona did well in 2017, the feedback from both attendees and speakers was also phenomenal. Really an awesome couple days connecting with the people at @NodeConfBcn — thanks for a fantastic event. Until next time @PatrickHeneise ! — admc (@admc) April 9, 2017 @abrausewetter @NodeBCN @PatrickHeneise it was a fantastic conference with a sublime organization! — Luca Maraschi (@lucamaraschi) April 8, 2017 The Inspiring Talks This year, we had a lineup of 12 amazing speakers sharing their learnings and thoughts on a variety of NodeJS and DevOps topics. As always, we strive for diversity and greater representation at our conferences. So, we were very happy to welcome speakers from outside of Europe, as well as have 5 out of 12 speakers (42%) be female. Hopefully, next year, we’ll cross the 50% boundary on that one! Jan Lenhardt: Kill All Humans Jan opened the day with his ‘scarily’ titled talk: “Kill All Humans”. Luckily, all the attendees survived this informative session about development tool automation. Whilst you should watch Jan’s session yourself online, our favourite takeaways were: Hauptversionsnummernerhöhungsangst: The German word for fear of increasing the major version number Semantic Versioning makes the ecosystem and library usage reliable as you can see by the number if this is a breaking change to your code Greenkeeper keeps your libraries up-to-date Thanks all for being a great audience at @NodeConfBcn . If you have any question about @greenkeeperio @hoodiehq or @couchdb , find me ✌️ — Jan Lehnardt (@janl) April 7, 2017 Watch the video Myles Borins: Canary in the gold mine — smoke testing “Kill All Humans” and now canaries? I’m starting to see a worrying theme here… But, Myles kept it light with his insightful talk about smoke testing, and how you can test for potentially project-breaking changes in your code. “Dear Diary, today we broke the internet.” — Best diary I’ve heard of, amazing stories of a release manager. View the and review the source on slides Github Watch the video Bryan English: Signet: Safely Curl Pipe Bash. No Seriously! In his session, Brian English talks about Signet, a tool for safely managing packages and installing software. Watch the video Anna Henningsen: Node.js � Character Encodings Get an understanding of UTF-8 and how character encodings can break your software. Even in the Emoji-rich times of today. Anna shares her best practices for storing and transmitting strings in their Unicode form. and View the slides watch the video Irina Shestak: knock-knock-who-there-file-compression-talkFINAL2.tar.trz.bz2.gz In her talk, Irina shares some great knowledge about speeding up your NodeJS applications and sites with the effective use of compression. and View the slides watch the video William Kapke: The Node.js Organization: Behind the scenes What’s going on behind the green curtains of Node.js? What’s the Node Foundation? How can you get involved? William answers all of your questions in this fascinating and informative talk. Watch the video Thomas Watson: Build your own JavaScript powered radio Bring back the radio! And hack your car keys. Make Javascript interact with the real world with this talk about hardware-hacking radio frequencies by Thomas Watson. and View the slides watch the video How will bulletin boards and news systems work in the world of the distributed web? In his talk, Luca shares how he has built a scalable pub/sub system using UpRing, and how you can do it too. and View the slides watch the video Daniela Matos de Carvalho: Let’s play with HTTP/2 HTTP/2 isn’t coming up next, it’s already here. Prep your servers and understand how to provide better web performance with the next generation of this vital protocol. and View the slides watch the video Useful links: Logan McDonald: Using Node in a serverless world… Can you run your application or service without the high costs of servers and infrastructure? Logan thinks that some of you can, and that most of us will be able to in the future. See how in her forward-looking talk. Watch the video We’ve all heard that chatbots and conversational UIs are the future, but how do you build them? Eva was kind enough to share with us her insights into the creation of conversational bots and how you can start building them today with Amazon Lex. It dawned on me how hard it is to run an event with laid back atmosphere AND Shinkansen punctuality! Congrats @PatrickHeneise @NodeConfBcn — eva (@lavigi) April 10, 2017 or View the slides watch the video James Snell: The Node.js Process, Making decisions that impact a massive ecosystem How do you make decisions that affect millions of creators and consumers worldwide? It turns out, as James Snell shares, with a little care and a lot of planning. Watch the video Collaborator Q&A In this short session, some of our 2017 speakers and Node collaborators answer your questions about NodeJS now and in the future. Watch the conversation Transparency Report For the sake of transparency, here are the financials for NodeConf Barcelona 2017. If you’d like more information about these expenses, or some advice on financing your own conference, we’re happy to have a chat. Please reach out to nodeconf@blended.io. Please see the entire report (then scroll to the end). here Conclusion And Thank You First of all, a big thank you to the and its team to host and support us! Mobile World Centre If we had to describe NodeConf Barcelona 2017 in one word, it would be “Inspiring”. It was truly great to see so many people attend this years conference. To bring together great speakers from around the world to talk about a subject close to their heart. And to meet so many people excited about NodeJS and its future. A thanks must go out to all of those who made this year’s conference possible. A thank you to all of our speakers, to our sponsors, to the team at Blended.io who organised the conference, and to those attendees who made the event possible and so enjoyable. We couldn’t do it without the hard work and contribution of this great community. This year’s conference was a great success, so to keep up to date on the next NodeConf Barcelona. please follow us on Twitter We at are incredibly excited and passionated about the potential innovative leaps for software design and engineering in fintech, investtech and industry 4.0. Thanks for reading. blended.io Get in touch! Stay on the edge about innovation, experience design or engineering! No spam and . Get hands-on articles worthwhile content only Originally published at blog.blended.io on April 11, 2017.

NodeConf Barcelona 2017, A Retrospective

KODA's Milestone in Digital Asset Custody By handling over 8 trillion won, or over $6 billion USD in assets under management, Korea Digital Asset Custodian (KODA) has accomplished a noteworthy milestone and demonstrated its leadership in digital asset custody in APAC region. This accomplishment showcases the worldwide influence and robust presence of KODA in the digital financial industry in South Korea. With the help of Hashed, Haechi Labs, and KB Kookmin Bank, this financial giant has made KODA a reliable and secure partner for over 50 corporate clients that manage over 200 wallets. There is more development to be made by the country. With the scheduled enactment in June 2024, the Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) will usher South Korea into a future where blockchain technology is not merely an experimental element but an essential part of the financial sector. It will do this by creating regulations for exchanges and creating new markets for digital securities. The Korea Digital Asset Custodian (KODA) catapulted to the forefront signifying an 80% command of the nation's market share by June 2023. Furthermore, the established financial institutions are actively embracing the shift rather than merely observing it. By acquiring shares in KDAC, Shinhan Bank is demonstrating how traditional banking and cutting-edge blockchain technology can coexist. With these organizations realizing how important custodians like KODA are to the management and protection of assets in this emerging industry, South Korea is establishing itself as a global leader in digital finance. Alongside the acceleration, cultural innovation is also being witnessed, as businesses like as Cube Entertainment are entering the metaverse, creating a "K-culture complex" in The Sandbox, and fusing entertainment and digital assets together. It's evident how South Korea is leading the way in the digital asset revolution rather than merely taking part in it. Growth and Leadership KODA was formed in November 2020 by Hashed, KB Kookmin Bank, and Haechi Labs. The corporation went from having 2.3 trillion won in assets under control to 8 trillion won in just six months. KODA now holds an 80% market share in South Korea's digital asset custody industry, with more than 200 wallets and 50 corporate clients. Strategic Leadership Combining his knowledge of technology and banking, CEO Jo Jin-seok guides KODA through the challenging world of digital finance. With a foundation of strict security and compliance to rules, his leadership cultivates innovation and gets KODA ready for impending changes in the business. Maintaining the company's development and innovation depends on such forward-thinking governance. Adjusting to Regulatory Shifts In light of the impending elections in South Korea, which may signal policy shifts, KODA is actively working to create a regulatory environment that is favorable to digital finance while promoting investor safety. Political parties' corporate digital investments and the launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs signal a potential revolution in the market. Participating in these talks and being adaptable to changing legislation demonstrate KODA's dedication to institutionalizing digital assets, which benefits the firm as well as fostering a more safe and lively market. Global Influence and Vision The global trend towards the institutionalization of digital assets emphasizes the necessity of custodians such as KODA. CEO Jin-seok Cho hopes that KODA would improve the environment for digital assets, particularly if Korea authorizes a Bitcoin spot ETF. Driving Innovation The significance of addressing investor protection and asset value at an early stage is highlighted by Simon Kim of Hashed. In addition to its technological expertise and compliance, KODA's involvement in South Korea's Web3.0 environment positions it to play a major role in the advancement of digital asset exchange-traded funds. Closing Thoughts In my opinion, KODA's accomplishment of overseeing more than 8 trillion won in assets under management demonstrates not just its leadership in digital asset custody but also the quick development and widespread acceptance of digital banking in South Korea and throughout the world. This milestone—which translates into an 80% market share—shows how much KODA is trusted and relied upon by top financial institutions and business clients. KODA has become a leader in the digital custody space thanks to the partnership of cutting-edge companies like Hashed and Haechi Labs with established financial institutions like KB Kookmin Bank. Through this collaboration, KODA's reputation as a reliable custodian is reinforced, and it also heralds the further use and incorporation of blockchain technology into traditional financial services. With the passage of the Digital Asset Basic Act, South Korea's proactive legislative strategy has established a precedent for the institutionalization of blockchain technology and ensured that digital assets are acknowledged and subject to regulation in the financial sector. This progressive approach guarantees that the country stays at the forefront of digital banking, opening the door for further advancements and market expansions. Don’t forget to like and share the story! Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our brand-as-author program. Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR KODA's Milestone in Digital Asset Custody KODA's Milestone in Digital Asset Custody By handling over 8 trillion won, or over $6 billion USD in assets under management, Korea Digital Asset Custodian (KODA) has accomplished a noteworthy milestone and demonstrated its leadership in digital asset custody in APAC region. This accomplishment showcases the worldwide influence and robust presence of KODA in the digital financial industry in South Korea. With the help of Hashed, Haechi Labs, and KB Kookmin Bank, this financial giant has made KODA a reliable and secure partner for over 50 corporate clients that manage over 200 wallets. There is more development to be made by the country. With the scheduled enactment in June 2024, the Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) will usher South Korea into a future where blockchain technology is not merely an experimental element but an essential part of the financial sector. It will do this by creating regulations for exchanges and creating new markets for digital securities. The Korea Digital Asset Custodian (KODA) catapulted to the forefront signifying an 80% command of the nation's market share by June 2023. signifying Furthermore, the established financial institutions are actively embracing the shift rather than merely observing it. By acquiring shares in KDAC, Shinhan Bank is demonstrating how traditional banking and cutting-edge blockchain technology can coexist. With these organizations realizing how important custodians like KODA are to the management and protection of assets in this emerging industry, South Korea is establishing itself as a global leader in digital finance. Alongside the acceleration, cultural innovation is also being witnessed, as businesses like as Cube Entertainment are entering the metaverse, creating a "K-culture complex" in The Sandbox, and fusing entertainment and digital assets together. It's evident how South Korea is leading the way in the digital asset revolution rather than merely taking part in it. Growth and Leadership Growth and Leadership KODA was formed in November 2020 by Hashed, KB Kookmin Bank, and Haechi Labs. The corporation went from having 2.3 trillion won in assets under control to 8 trillion won in just six months. KODA now holds an 80% market share in South Korea's digital asset custody industry, with more than 200 wallets and 50 corporate clients. Strategic Leadership Strategic Leadership Combining his knowledge of technology and banking, CEO Jo Jin-seok guides KODA through the challenging world of digital finance. With a foundation of strict security and compliance to rules, his leadership cultivates innovation and gets KODA ready for impending changes in the business. Maintaining the company's development and innovation depends on such forward-thinking governance. Adjusting to Regulatory Shifts Adjusting to Regulatory Shifts In light of the impending elections in South Korea, which may signal policy shifts, KODA is actively working to create a regulatory environment that is favorable to digital finance while promoting investor safety. Political parties' corporate digital investments and the launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs signal a potential revolution in the market. Participating in these talks and being adaptable to changing legislation demonstrate KODA's dedication to institutionalizing digital assets, which benefits the firm as well as fostering a more safe and lively market. Global Influence and Vision Global Influence and Vision The global trend towards the institutionalization of digital assets emphasizes the necessity of custodians such as KODA. CEO Jin-seok Cho hopes that KODA would improve the environment for digital assets, particularly if Korea authorizes a Bitcoin spot ETF. Driving Innovation Driving Innovation The significance of addressing investor protection and asset value at an early stage is highlighted by Simon Kim of Hashed. In addition to its technological expertise and compliance, KODA's involvement in South Korea's Web3.0 environment positions it to play a major role in the advancement of digital asset exchange-traded funds. Closing Thoughts Closing Thoughts In my opinion, KODA's accomplishment of overseeing more than 8 trillion won in assets under management demonstrates not just its leadership in digital asset custody but also the quick development and widespread acceptance of digital banking in South Korea and throughout the world. This milestone—which translates into an 80% market share—shows how much KODA is trusted and relied upon by top financial institutions and business clients. KODA has become a leader in the digital custody space thanks to the partnership of cutting-edge companies like Hashed and Haechi Labs with established financial institutions like KB Kookmin Bank. Through this collaboration, KODA's reputation as a reliable custodian is reinforced, and it also heralds the further use and incorporation of blockchain technology into traditional financial services. With the passage of the Digital Asset Basic Act, South Korea's proactive legislative strategy has established a precedent for the institutionalization of blockchain technology and ensured that digital assets are acknowledged and subject to regulation in the financial sector. This progressive approach guarantees that the country stays at the forefront of digital banking, opening the door for further advancements and market expansions. Don’t forget to like and share the story! Don’t forget to like and share the story! Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our brand-as-author program. Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our brand-as-author program. Be it through direct compensation, media partnerships, or networking, the author has a vested interest in the company/ies mentioned in this story. HackerNoon has reviewed the report for quality, but the claims herein belong to the author. #DYOR Vested Interest Disclosure:

KODA's Strategic Triumph: Surpassing $6 Billion in Digital Asset Custody

কোডার কৌশলগত বিজয়: ডিজিটাল সম্পদ হেফাজতে $6 বিলিয়ন ছাড়িয়ে গেছে

KODAs strategischer Erfolg: Mehr als 6 Milliarden US-Dollar bei der Verwahrung digitaler Vermögenswerte

El triunfo estratégico de KODA: superar los 6.000 millones de dólares en custodia de activos digitales

Le triomphe stratégique de KODA : dépasse les 6 milliards de dollars en matière de conservation d'actifs numériques

कोडा की रणनीतिक जीत: डिजिटल एसेट कस्टडी में $6 बिलियन को पार करना

KODA の戦略的勝利: デジタル資産保管で 60 億ドルを突破

KODA의 전략적 승리: 디지털 자산 보관 규모 60억 달러 돌파

O triunfo estratégico da KODA: ultrapassando US$ 6 bilhões em custódia de ativos digitais

Стратегический триумф KODA: объем хранения цифровых активов превысил 6 миллиардов долларов

KODA'nın Stratejik Zaferi: Dijital Varlık Saklamada 6 Milyar Doları Aşmak

Chiến thắng chiến lược của KODA: Vượt mức 6 tỷ USD về lưu ký tài sản kỹ thuật số

KODA 战略胜利：数字资产托管规模突破 60 亿美元

The tokenization of tangible assets, otherwise known as is one of the most promising trends in blockchain technology. The key reason why it is so is that it has the potential to unlock the future of finance. real-world assets(RWA), According to a popular analytics platform, the tokenized asset industry has reached a market capitalization of $700 million. RWA.xyz, From the US tokenizing its short-term treasuries and bank deposits to Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Funds signing a partnership agreement with Agile Dynamics Tech, the vast potential of blockchain technology to redefine global investment opportunities is indubitably present. In this article, we explore how the tokenization of real-world assets can usher in foreign direct investment(FDI). In the last two years, RWA has gone from a front-page newspaper story to a much bigger investment vehicle with RWA-focused companies like Stobox, Tokeny, Agile Dynamics Tech, etc, pushing its boundaries.  The growing popularity of RWA in the world of finance therefore underscores the importance of leveraging blockchain for economic growth. RWA: A Game Changer While some forward-looking nations are exploring the economic potential of the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), others might just be sleeping on a viable opportunity to allure and expedite foreign investments. But as the competition for foreign capital increases, real-world tokenization is bound to open up access to foreign direct investments, thereby accelerating economic growth and creating job opportunities. As it stands, not only is RWA tokenization attracting so much attention in the US Treasuries department, but it is also beginning to dominate the conversation in Africa’s largest economy, highlighting the growing importance of leveraging blockchain technology in the world. With Nigeria, a country known for its abundant natural resources, signing a Letter of Intent(LOI)a partnership agreement with Agile Dynamics Tech, a Dubai-based Web3 consulting firm, it is evident that the West African country is bound and determined to make headway in attracting foreign capital through the tokenization of tangible assets. This partnership agreement was signed at the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Nigeria was represented by the CEO of Solid Minerals Development Funds, Fatima Umaru Shinkafi. Understanding The Importance of Real World Asset(RWA) Tokenization At its core, real-world asset tokenization represents an investment vehicle backed by blockchain technology. It can be anything from real estate to gold deposits to tokenized bonds, and its fundamental criterion is that it must exist in physical form to be fractionalised, traded and stored on the blockchain. The following are some of the benefits accruing from the tokenization of tangible assets that exist in the physical world: Fractionalized Ownership Tokenization makes tangible assets more accessible. Through this means, fractional ownership of tokenized assets has become an avenue for investors to invest in a spectrum of assets and different industries as well as countries. Secure Ownership of Digital Assets Blockchain is the underlying technology of digital assets offering transparency and security. This enables investors to rely on the protection that its immutable ledger guarantees. Enhanced Liquidity The availability of liquidity and the ease of converting tangible assets makes tokenization all the more attractive, as the mechanism for liquidating or swiftly exchanging them exists on the blockchain. Cross-Border Accessibility One of the advantages of RWA tokenization is that it transcends borders. This tears down barriers to investing in other countries and it facilitates foreign direct investment(FDI)with unhindered access to foreign capital across the world. Regulation And Compliance As investors are particular about the safety of their holdings, RWA tokenization is often carried out in a manner that is consistent with the laws and directives of local agencies. Across the world, a growing number of crypto regulatory agencies like the FCA(Financial Conduct Authority), SEC, etc are charged with the mandate to protect investors against financial irresponsibility and recklessness. Foreign Market The growing presence of RWA tokenization is enabling investors across the world to have access to untapped markets, or emerging markets if you like. There are boundless economic opportunities that this facilitates. An example could be a US citizen securing investment opportunities in Nigeria’s tin industry by buying tokenized fractions of its assets. Lower Transaction Cost Investing in tokenized assets usually attracts a small amount of transaction fee, otherwise known as a gas fee. This effective mechanism removes third-party tendencies and enables investors to save on such expenses. Portfolio Diversification With access to fractionalised assets, investors across the globe are offered a unique opportunity to diversify their holdings across a spectrum of assets and in different parts of the world. Risk Management When you combine blockchain technology as an immutable ledger and treasury management with regulation, you will have a perfect recipe for efficient risk management. Tokenisation of RWA therefore encourages a routine check on the financial standing of digital assets companies and their scrutiny by regulating authorities worldwide. Conclusion There has always been a bullish outlook on the tokenization of real world-assets(RWA) with many observers touting it to be the next big thing in the world of finance. After all, countries like the US and Nigeria are making a little headway in attracting foreign capital through this means.  RWA tokenization offers a lot of investment opportunities for investors across the globe, and it opens up access to foreign direct investment(FDI), which can propel economic growth. My previous highlighted Nigeria’s growing interest in the tokenization of real-world assets(RWA). At the recently held Future Minerals Forum, the country was represented by Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, CEO of the Solid Minerals Development Funds, and a partnership agreement was signed between Nigeria and Agile Dynamics Tech, a Dubai-based Web3 consulting agency. write-up This article(Beyond The Stock Market: The Link Between Real World Assets And Foreign Direct Investment)was authored by Paul Lalovich partner at Agile Dynamics Tech. I hereby disclose that I was duly granted permission to edit and publish it on HackerNoon as an addition to the body of work on RWA.

Beyond The Stock Market: The Link Between Real World Assets And Foreign Direct Investment

Greetings, salutations, and well wishes, intrepid readers! It's your favorite crypto enthusiast, Jin Park, back at it again with another dose of digital currency discourse. For those who have been following me, you'd know that I'm a staunch believer in the transformative power of cryptocurrencies. As someone unaffiliated with any crypto platform, I delve into these discussions with an unbiased viewpoint, simply aiming to fuel your curiosity and knowledge in this fascinating domain. Today, we're exploring two significant platforms straddling the realms of e-commerce and digital currencies - Shopping.io and NOWPayments. Buckle up as we dive headlong into how these innovative solutions are potentially steering us toward widespread crypto adoption in commerce. The Dawn of Crypto Commerce: A Deeper Look Into Shopping.io and NOWPayments Well, fellow netizens, prepare to have your minds blown as we delve deeper into the universe of these intriguing platforms. Let's peel back the layers and really get under the hood. Shopping.io: The Crypto Shopaholic's Dream What if I told you there's a space where your crypto wallets and retail therapy can live in perfect harmony? Enter Shopping.io. This savvy platform is making waves in the crypto sphere by pushing the envelope of what's possible in e-commerce. Imagine the hustle and bustle of online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Now imagine cruising through these bustling digital aisles and paying with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or your favorite altcoin. You might think this is some sort of digital pie in the sky, but it's not! This is the reality that Shopping.io is crafting, one transaction at a time. But make no mistake, Shopping.io isn't just facilitating transactions—it's creating bridges between digital currencies and e-commerce giants, thereby pushing the envelope of how we perceive and use cryptocurrencies in our everyday lives. In essence, they're contributing to changing the game in how we approach spending in the digital age, making strides toward normalizing cryptocurrencies in the day-to-day financial landscape. Shopping.io's peculiar 'no-go' list – gift cards, weapons, and GPUs – a quirky combination that sounds like a nerdy ninja's failed shopping spree. I guess it's their way of saying, "Sorry, we deliver everything but the kitchen sink...and bazookas” NOWPayments: Unlocking the Crypto Potential for Businesses On the other end of this digital seesaw, we find NOWPayments - an unassuming superhero in the crypto realm. Amid the relentless humdrum of rapidly evolving e-commerce trends, NOWPayments stands as a steadfast lighthouse for businesses navigating the choppy waters of digital transactions. As a crypto payment gateway, it's an enabler, allowing businesses of all shapes and sizes worldwide to integrate and accept various cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. But don't be fooled by the "gateway" moniker - NOWPayments is more than a mere passageway. It's a catalyst that is assisting businesses in capitalizing on the crypto wave. This is not merely about adding an extra payment option. It's about businesses staying agile, forward-thinking, and being adaptable in an increasingly digital economy. It's a call to evolve or risk being left behind. It's an invitation to partake in a transformative journey toward a more inclusive and diverse financial ecosystem. In a nutshell, both Shopping.io and NOWPayments are not just platforms but potential catalysts for change, facilitating a progressive shift toward mass adoption of cryptocurrencies in the commercial arena. But remember, these are just tools to shape the future of commerce. The power to steer this change lies in the hands of users like you and me, so let's wield it wisely! Down the Twitch Stream Allow me to steer this ship slightly off course for a moment and share a nugget from my own experiences. As a streamer on Twitch, I've had first-hand experience with NOWPayments' API. This nifty tool lets me receive crypto donations from viewers by simply adding a donation button to my profile. Talk about smooth sailing! Parting Thoughts: Till We Meet at the Crossroads of Crypto Adoption As we tread towards the sunset on this enlightening journey through the avenues of Shopping.io and NOWPayments, let's take a moment to appreciate how they are working to reshape the landscape of e-commerce and online transactions. They are charting an exciting course toward the seamless integration of digital currencies into our daily lives. Despite the questions that cloud our minds and the doubts that might hold us back, one can't deny the forward momentum that these platforms represent in the broader push toward mass crypto adoption. But remember, my fellow crypto explorers, our journey in understanding and navigating this fascinating realm does not end here. It's a dynamic world out there, filled with innovation and discovery at every turn. So, keep your minds open, your wits about you, and continue to delve into the promising vistas of the crypto world. In the grand tapestry of cryptocurrency, Shopping.io and NOWPayments are but two threads, albeit important ones. The full picture, however, is much larger and continually evolving. It's up to us to keep exploring, keep questioning, and above all, keep adapting. The road ahead might be fraught with uncertainties and challenges, but it's also laden with immense possibilities. So, fasten your seatbelts and keep your eyes on the horizon. The future of crypto commerce is exciting, and we are all part of the journey. So, till we meet again at the next crossroads of this crypto highway, keep exploring, stay curious, and remember - in the world of crypto, the only constant is change. As always, I'm your crypto comrade, Jin Park, signing off, Stay savvy, crypto comrades. Happy shopping and transacting in the brave new world of cryptocurrencies! Support me, and unleash your inner ‘Jinius’ with Jin Park - dive in now! @ ❤️ https://ko-fi.com/jiniusme

Fanning the Flames of Crypto Commerce: A Personal Take on Shopping.io and NOWPayments

The line between the FinTech and automotive industries gets blurred even more with the adoption of in-car payment systems. The connected car technology, paired with digital payments, creates plenty of opportunities for automakers and financial service providers. Yet the potential of in-vehicle payments will reach its peak within the machine-to-machine (M2M) economy of the future. Offering consumers in-car payment systems is a win-win According to the , 135 million US consumers spend $212 billion on buying things during their commute. With a convenient in-car payment system at the users’ disposal and a commute-centric application, this number would be higher by 66%. report For now, however, only 16.7% of actively spending consumers use payment technology built into a connected car. Why? Source: Accenture We’ve already seen these trends played out with the navigation systems. In the in-car offline vs mobile navigation battle, the first one was seriously hurt. But after major upgrades from many OEMs, especially in the premium segment, in-car navigation took the lead thanks to its seamless user experience allowing the driver to focus on a single gadget. Now, in-car connected navigation systems boost their driver-use share and unlock new revenue streams for OEMs through data subscription plans. Similarly to navigation, in-car digital shopping experience with an may soon overtake mobile apps, at least for mobility use cases. integrated payment system The reason is the in-car payment technology can provide a more natural purchase experience in sync with the mobility context, with speed and convenience similar to a mobile app. Once Level 4+ autonomy emerges and proliferates the market, in-vehicle payments will leap forward. The connected car commerce partnerships triangle There are three key technology stakeholders for in-car payment technology: OEMs, financial services providers, and tech companies. Each of them is great in their own domain but can hardly work with each other. Now, it’s time to merge all the three for the sake of connected cars and in-car payments. The automakers’ task is to tailor the purchase experience to the needs of drivers and passengers. OEMs have to provide their insights into building a driver-centric user experience that greatly improved over the past 5-10 years. Their expertise in ambient and safe commuting experience for drivers and passengers is much needed for successful payment integration in connected cars. They should also think about a wider car sensory system that may advance user experience. For example, if a user is committing a purchase with a drive-through option, there must be a flow in the car navigation system that takes this event into account altering a route through the pick-up point. Today, credit card payment and processing companies’ business models are mainly driven by a number of transactions and less so by the total users’ spending. They do believe that simple “grab-and-go” apps installed in the car won’t make any difference to the number of transactions made through their systems. It means that revenue streams for payment companies can hardly benefit from such applications. Yet, the accessibility, convenience, speed, and efficiency of an in-car app are a game-changer. show that 75% of commuters would shop more if the ability to shop and pay was integrated into their car. Following that, in-car payment systems will unlock a totally new opportunity for the M2M economy where the current amount of transactions is just a tip of an iceberg. Surveys The tech companies, in their turn, are responsible for the functional safety of the in-car payment systems. Their understanding of mobility payment use cases is rather limited and needs to be guided by OEMs. To create a smooth driving experience, they both have to take every detail into account, such as the constraints of non-standard on-vehicle electronics, internal communication buses, and scarce on-board connectivity. In-car payments: the current state The major automotive industry players have already formed strategic partnerships to enable connected car commerce. Honda and Visa’s prototype of a car that pays for goods and services debuted at CES 2017. In 2019, Honda a newer version of its connected car with more purchasing and entertainment options. To develop the new in-car payment system, apart from Visa, Honda partnered with PayPal and Mastercard. presented Both Visa and Mastercard are actively partnering with tech companies and car manufacturers to create the in-auto payments ecosystem. In 2019, Visa teamed up with a connectivity services provider to build an e-wallet. SiriusXM Mastercard worked with GM and IBM to create and to integrate car commerce into OnStar systems. In 2018, Mastercard its partnership with HERE technologies for combining digital payments and mapping technologies for better connectivity experience. announced In January 2020, Hyundai its own domestic in-car payment system for GV80. The automaker’s platform uses Genesis Connected Service for wireless connectivity. Currently, the system supports credit cards from 6 companies: Hyundai, Shinhan, Samsung, Hana, BC, and Lotte. For now, you can use a GV80 car as a wallet to pay for gas and parking only. presented Security and privacy of in-vehicle payments Safety is paramount in the user experience design in all mobility applications. So, to win the consumer’s hearts, in-car payments systems have to be functional but safe in all possible ways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data that 33,000 Americans were injured in 2018 in crashes involving cell phones use or other cell-phone related activities. shows While mobile app developers can’t do anything about these statistics, automotive players have a real chance to significantly offset the number. Thanks to the advancing voice-activated controls, the in-car payment system enables less driver distraction. With the forthcoming , self-driving cars will become even safer for commuters who want to spend their time in a car for shopping. Level 4+ of autonomy From a security standpoint, a typical in-car payment system is somewhat similar to mobile systems. It’s vulnerable to the common wireless mobile payment system and protocols threats, such as malware, data breaches, transmission channel security vulnerabilities, etc. And it withstands using similar techniques and approaches such as multi-factor authentication, data safeguards, fraud detection, and prevention. There are, however, a few peculiarities for the in-car payment system. First, a car is a quite noticeable object with legal connections to its owner. Therefore, fraud attacks will require a bit more than just stilling your card number. The car can become your viable alternative authentication unit. More and more cars are featured with driver monitoring systems (DMS) that will enable new security related features through driver recognition. Super multi-factor authentication can be very intuitive for the user and add extra security planes to the in-car payment system. Privacy consideration is the major threat to an in-car payment system. Modern cars keep tracking a lot of personal data (including current user location and future routes). This data is essential for marketing and e-commerce use cases (purchase along the track, local promo, etc.) and also becomes a major target to malicious users. OEMs protect such data by embracing onboard secure storage and HW-enforced encryption. Such applications require Over-The-Air updates as a core functionality to ensure continuous onboard application security. M2M economy of the future Current development of in-vehicle payments enables many new use cases that are lucrative enough for OEMs, tech companies, and credit card providers. Yet, the true power of the in-auto payments ecosystem and a strong kick to the economy will take place with the proliferation of M2M payments. The car, or better say, the onboard artificial intelligence, will become an active economic actor. Perhaps now, the idea of using cars as buyers and merchants on the owner’s behalf sounds a bit strange and disturbing. How can one let robots be in charge of financial merits? Well, in some industries, such as high-frequency trading, machines have a long and successful track record of making millions of transactions and generating billions in profits. show that AI takes care of finances even better and smarter than humans. Researches Source: Gartner The future of in-car payments is connected with a cooperative mobility concept where vehicles will not only initiate parking or fuel transactions but also pay and get paid for the valuable real-time data such as traffic, weather or even sensor data and its interpretation. In the cooperative driving environment, machines will buy such data from other machines using currencies that could, for example, be implemented as geofenced blockchain. Autonomous cars will form a distributed, flat-hierarchy, and super-scalable compute engine that will create an ecosystem for the future Industry 5.0. To sum up Now, we witness the early days of in-vehicle payments technology. It’s not yet accessible, and it has miles ahead before mass-market adoption. But the future of in-car purchases is bright and promising. With the autonomous car technology, payment systems will leap forward. Interconnected autonomous cars will become economic agents and make purchases from other machines for humans. With the help of smart vehicles, we’ll create a safer, faster, and more convenient driving experience. I am truly excited about the future of in-car payments, are you?

In-car Payment Systems Unlock New Opportunities for M2M Economy

The growing capitalization of Bitcoin is continuing to drive the entire crypto market up the charts, and the DeFi segment is trailing close behind. New records are being attained as on February 13, the segment reached a milestone of $41 billion – the amount of user funds in DeFi almost doubled since January. locked Such figures are understandable, considering that the market offers investors a broad variety of innovative financial products and instruments to choose from, including Wrapped Bitcoin, non-collateral loans, staking, and much more. (Source: DeFi Pulse) Among the most prominent assets currently attracting the attention of investors are derivatives – direct descendants of the traditional financial market. On the traditional market, the share of derivatives was at over $640 trillion in notional contract value in late 2019. Now some estimations refer to $1 quadrillion on the high end. valued Derivatives have also migrated onto the cryptocurrency market, considering the growing demand for new investment instruments among crypto users. The main allure of liquid options contracts for investors is the inherent abundance of complex and highly-profitable investment strategies. Such developments are rapidly leading to the adoption of permissionless, non-custodial options contracts in the near future as a critical stepping stone in the formation of the DeFi sector. DeFi derivatives A particularly interesting type of derivatives that have emerged over the past year are options based on digital assets such as BTC and ETH. These instruments have the necessary backing as Ethereum alone currently has over $1.03 billion equivalent in total locked assets in various applications on the network, which is roughly 3.5% of all of the 6.9 million $ETH hosted in different applications. financial contract concluded between two parties – the holder and the seller. The former gets the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a certain amount of the underlying asset at the strike price on a specific date. Option – a Bitcoin options are already traded on regulated and primarily whale-focused exchanges CME, LedgerX, and Bakkt. Deribit leads the unregulated market, followed by FTX and OKEx. If at the beginning of 2020 investors were aware of BTC and ETH options only, now the variety of options is growing. In November of 2020, Zubin Koticha the Convexity Protocol for making options operational on Ethereum in the form of NFTs of the ERC-20 standard based on a set of parameters. Such options give their holders ownership rights to specific assets, essentially digitizing real-world assets. offered What’s offered by exchanges? Considering the growing demand for new investment products on the market, first trading platforms have already offered options and other derivatives for trading. In February the DMEX decentralized exchange the world's first crypto derivatives trading offering zero-gas fees. The platform moved to xDAI sidechain and now offers trading orders starting from as little as $100 and does not require any KYC procedures, thus allowing users to retain full anonymity. launched The use of the xDAI contracts for processing trading transactions allows DMEX to significantly cut trading-related expenses, making derivatives more accessible to traders. Ethereum smart contracts are directly connected to the xDAI blockchain through a decentralized bridge that relays messages between the two chains. DMEX claims that users require an Ethereum wallet only to start trading derivatives and retain full control over their funds. The prospects of DeFi derivatives The application side of DeFi derivatives is quite high, if the events surrounding their segment are to be taken into account. Recently, Wells Fargo their latest investment in its Startup Accelerator program, which hosts OpenRisk Technologies – a company that relies on blockchain for managing the liquidity and collateral of traders working with derivatives. Participant companies can get up to a million dollars in funding. announced Other notable examples include the ISDA, which launched a hackathon together with Barclays, resulting in Baton Systems adopting ISDA’s Common Domain Model. The DTCC is also intent on launching a new version of its Trade Information Warehouse based on distributed ledger technology with the current version processing over $9.9 trillion in cleared and bilateral derivatives. Further in the East, the Korean Shinhan Bank recently implemented blockchain and smart contracts for its Interest Rate Swaps contracts. There is no denying the fact that derivatives are on the way to the market and are an essential element for ensuring its sustained development and leveling with its traditional counterpart. Given the potential of the volume of on-chain derivatives and the volumes involved, it is possible that decentralized exchanges with their own mechanisms may be the main carriers of derivatives.

Here's Why The On-Chain Derivatives Market Continues To Propel DeFi

The year 2019 is coming to an end, and the blockchain hype seems to be slowly dying as well as the crypto bubble. But is it really dead or maybe now it has to offer even more than it had in 2017 when the total market capitalization of crypto was near $800 billion? In reality, it was something like a great purge for many unprofessional projects. Without investors throwing money at them, they died, like dotcom bubble projects before them. The general audience begins to understand that the blockchain technology isn't something that makes everything it's applied to revolutionary. It has its own applications, where it can shine, such as finances and supply chains, but also there can be many occasions where blockchain is totally unnecessary. For example, maybe creating a decentralized network for isn’t such a good idea? dentists Now we can clearly see what the next year is going to be like. It’s gonna be a great demonstration of everything that matured blockchain technologies have achieved so far. Let’s start slowly. Scaling for everyone Since 2016, blockchain scalability is an issue that prevents global adoption of the technology. How can we take seriously a network that even a moderately popular game? Since then, we have seen many new blockchains that call themselves “Ethereum killers”, but so far, EOS or Tron haven’t got as many developers as Ethereum did. So, the general audience waits for Ethereum scaling, and it’s very close. Currently, there are several projects that should help Ethereum scale. cannot handle The first one is the main Ethereum 2.0 project, with Proof-of-Stake and sharding. The transition presumably in the third quarter of 2020. The merging of the old chain into the new one will take some time, maybe even years, but eventually, it will become one chain. It will be a huge improvement, and the transaction speed of the network will increase to thousands of transactions per second, that means that more developers and companies will be able to launch commercial dapps on it. will happen Another solution is the second layer, Plasma. Currently, the most viable project, working on Plasma, is OmiseGo, which is pretty close to launching it on the mainnet. The project went through various stages, from Pre-Alpha to Beta, undergoing code audits from Callisto, Quantstamp and Chainternals. Now almost everything is working, the integration with Ethereum is complete, and the white label wallet is already done. There are many large companies that are planning to use OmiseGo framework - Shinhan, Nomura, Burger King, blockchain startups Hoard, Cred and Brave. Plasma technology will allow anybody use blockchain network, secured by Ethereum blockchain, with almost no costs, with throughput of thousands of transactions per second. A true scaling for Ethereum, that will bring the adoption to the network. Another scaling project, this time for Bitcoin, is Lightning Network. In 2020, we’ll see an increased activity in the network, and the overall number of applications, using it, is also likely to increase. Decentralized finance DeFi is a new paradigm, alternative to the existing financial banking system. It includes many projects, such as lending platforms, platforms for security tokens issuance, and decentralized banks. Among lending platforms we can name , which is already fully functional now. On SALT, you can pledge your cryptocurrency and receive a loan in USD, paying a certain interest until you pay it off. It’s a great option for miners, who believe in the future growth of the market, but still need some fiat to maintain their operations. Also it’s a great option for investors, that can store their crypto while using the value of their portfolio for other goals. In addition, that’s a possibility to leverage your portfolio by taking a loan, and buying more crypto to profit twice on the growth of your assets. SALT Security token issuance is the specialization of Polymath. They allow any company to register and issue special ST20 tokens on Polymesh blockchain. It’s an alternative to all existing ways of issuing and storing stocks, and in the future, the amount of tokenized assets will continue to grow, as it’s more cheap and almost absolutely secure. Such exchanges as Malta Stock Exchange already look at tokenization with interest. Crypto banks are one of the most numerous categories in DeFi. Some people might think that it’s better to use only the reliable wallets instead of any banks, and never touch any intermediary parties. Yes, you can , but you have nothing to worry about if you use crypto banks, as they also provide a decentralized service, that doesn’t require you to send them your crypto. One of the famous crypto banks is , located in the European Union. It supports both BTC and ETH, and supports debit crypto cards, like an ordinary bank. store Bitcoin in your wallet Bitwala Stablecoins Stablecoins are just another part of DeFi trend, but they are very important, so we’ll make them a separate section. Tether is still the king, but many other stablecoins threaten its position. TrueUSD, HUSD, DAI, USDC and such projects as Libra get more recognition, being more transparent than their USDT predecessor. Stablecoins serve as a bridge between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, and their role is very important in a global adoption - as not many people can handle the volatility of cryptocurrencies. Private enterprise blockchains We already see such companies as Walmart and Carrefour using blockchain in their supply process. In the year 2020 we’ll see the growing demand for similar solutions. IBM is one of the leaders in this sphere with its Hyperledger solution. According to its estimates, it has already integrated Hyperledger into the business processes of more than 1,000 companies. Private blockchains are a more convenient form of the database for any large commercial company, as they combine all benefits of blockchain technology, but don’t require to share all sensitive commercial information with everybody, instead giving the option to give permissions and choose who’s able to see it. Blockchain on Post-Quantum Era When it comes to blockchain and quantum computing, we can find some blockchain-related weaknesses. Blockchain works on the idea of connected nodes that can interact with each other to make critical decisions. The lack of a centralized entity opens up many possibilities. To ensure that blockchain remains secure, many protocols are implemented, including the consensus algorithm. These consensus algorithms make sure that the whole network is counterfeit-resistant. The current generation of blockchain networks is capable of defending the 51% attack most of the time but can fail when quantum computing comes in. Projects like are working on this problem. QAN is a quantum-resistant blockchain platform powered by blockchain fintech brand Centrum Circle. QAN uses Lattice cryptography, making it resilient to quantum attacks that could become possible within the next five years, and which all major crypto networks are vulnerable to. The platform also aims at minimizing its energy consumption by using their unique Proof-of-Randomness consensus algorithm. QAN Conclusion Overall, the year 2020 will be more interesting and less depressing than 2019. It’s possible that the bear trend on the crypto market will end, igniting the interest of the large audience again. That will bring more adoption to the blockchain technology, which is now a lot more mature than it was in 2016-2017. DeFi, private blockchains, stablecoins, and scaling - those will be the main topics of the next year. If the global crisis won’t crash all market, the next year is going to be exciting. The author is not associated with any of the projects mentioned.

Blockchain Field Review - What We Should Expect in 2020?

Updated & Revised to include over 400 Banks & Financial Institutions using blockchain technology in 2020 ________________________ The below article is from: . The list has been updated, however, to include over double the banks originally listed. At the time of publishing, the list contains 414 banks and Financial Institutes from around the world that have invested in blockchain technology to some degree. Comprehensive List of Banks Using Blockchain Technology One of the industries which have been the most opposed to blockchain technology is the finance industry, but specifically banks. Initially, they saw the concept of blockchain as direct competition, actively removing the control they have over the funds and accounts of their customers. However, major players in the finance industry have increasingly begun to warm up to blockchain. Financial institutions and other major companies are inherently slow in adopting any new technology, but have actually been exploring various use cases for some time now. So let’s take a look at which institutes have already implemented the change or are looking into it as we speak. According to CEBNet in early 2019, of the 26 publicly listed banks in China, 12 have already adopted blockchain technology for various use cases within their systems. These banks vary from state owned ones like the Bank of China, China Construction Bank and the Agriculture Bank of China, to privately owned ones, including China Merchants bank. This is just China, before the strong public drive for blockchain adoption in late 2019, but the sentiment remains positive throughout the rest of the world. ALFA Bank from Russia, Yes Bank from India, UOB (United Overseas Bank) from Singapore, CommonWealth Bank from Australia, and LatiPay from New Zealand are a few banks that have collaborated with a US based blockchain company. The Federal Bank from India & Lulu Exchange have partnered with a Bengaluru based fin-tech company. Axis Bank, RAK Bank, & Standard Charter Bank have connected with another blockchain network. Kotak Bank, which enables blockchain based trade finance operation, partnered with Deloitte & JP Morgan Singapore. Other use-cases within the financial sector which have been developed include simplying and speeding up cross-border payments, improving trading accuracy, reliability and shorter settlement processes. Smart contracts have created benefits with the processing of transactions by removing the need of the middle man, as well as being used to develop loyalty and rewards systems. There are a lot more banks working within multiple technology & service providers to integrate blockchain in their Use Cases. This just demonstrates the demand in all industries for the adoption of blockchain technology. is making this possible with the ecosystem and the aelf Innovation Alliance which will enable blockchain technology to be adopted and integrates into mainstream organizations large and small. This has enabled the alliance to be successful with partnerships from experts and influencers like and , , and . Not only do organizations now have a platform to build upon, but they have resources, capital and expert advisors at their fingertips, which is all made possible through the this revolutionary initiative. Aelf aelf Michael Arrington Arrington XRP Capital Huobi Labs FBG Capital aelf ________________________ Below is a list of over 400 banks and financial institutes using or soon to be using blockchain technology: Banks 77 Bank ABN AMRO AEON Bank AIB Akbank Akita Bank Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation Alawwal Bank Alfa Bank Allied Irish Bank ANZ (Australian and New Zealand Bank) Aomori Bank Al Rajhi Bank Ashikaga Bank ATB Financial Axis Bank Awa Bank Alipay Ant Financial B3 Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) Banca Intesa Sanpaolo Banca Mediolanum Banca Mifel Banco BICE Banco Bisa Banco Bradesco Banco de Crédito del Perú Banco de Investment Global Banco de Sabadell Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires Banco Industrial Banco Mercantil del Norte Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz Banco Nacional de Bolivia Banco Popular Dominicano Banco Regional Banco Santander Bangkok Bank Bank ABC Bank Al Habib Limited Bank Busan Bank Dhofar Bank Frick & Co Bank Of America|Merrill Lynch Bank of Cyprus Bank Of England Bank of France Bank Of Indonesia Bank Of Iwate Bank Of Leumi Bank of Lithuania Bank of Montreal Bank Of Nagoya Bank Of Okinawa Bank Of Thailand Bank Of The Ryukyus Bank Of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Bank Of Yokohama Bankinter Banorte Banreservas Banque Internationale de Commerce — BRED (Suisse) Banque Thaler Barclays’ investment bank BCI Bexs Banco De Cambio BMO Financial Group (Bank of Montreal) BNP Paribas BNY Mellon BRAC Bank Limited Banco BTG Pactual Bank Mellat Bank Melli Iran Bank Pasargad BBVA CBW Bank (Citizens Bank Of Weir) Central Bank of Brazil Chiba Bank Chiba Kogyo Bank China Banking Association China Merchant Bank China CITIC Bank International Limited China Guangfa Bank Chong Hing Bank Limited Chugoku Bank (Bank of China) CIBC (Canadian Imperial commercial banks) CIM Banque S.A Geneve Citi Coast Capital Savings Commercial Bank of Africa Limited Commerzbank Commonwealth Bank Of Australia Cooperatieve Rabobank Credicorp Bank Credit Agricole Credit Libanais SAL Credit Suisse Cross River Bank CTBC Bank Cuallix Daishi Bank Daiwa Next Bank Danske Bank DBS Bank (Development Bank of Singapore) Deloitte DenizBank A.S. Deutsche Börse DNB Deutsche Bank Ehime Bank Eastern Caribbean Central Bank EQI Bank First America Bank Federal Bank of India Federal Reserve System Fidor Bank Fukui Bank Gazprombank Gunma Bank Goldman Sachs Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited Hachijuni Bank Hiroshima Bank HOKURIKU BANK Hong Kong Monetary Authority HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Bank) HYAKUGO BANK ICICI Bank Indovina Bank Ltd IndusInd Bank (Indus India Bank) Intesa Sanpaolo (Intesa Sanpaolo) Itau Unibanco Iyo Bank ING Japan Post Bank Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Joint-Stock Company BCS-Investment Bank JPMorgan JS Bank Limited Juroku Bank KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited KEB Hana Bank Keiyo Bank Kotak Mahindra Bank Krungsri (Bank Of Ayudhya / Bank of Ayudhya) Kuveyt Turk Katilim Bankasi Kuwait Finance House Macquarie Group MauBank Limited Michinoku Bank Mitsubishi UFJ Trust And Banking Corporation Mizuho Financial Group Monetary Authority Of Singapore Morgan Stanley Musashino Bank National Australia Bank National Bank Of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) National Bank of Cambodia National Bank of Canada National Bank of Egypt National Bank of Kenya Limited National Bank Of Kuwait Natixis NISHI-NIPPON CITY BANK Nomura Trust And Banking Company Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale Nordea Bank Norinchukin Bank North Pacific Bank NPCI (National Payments Corporation Of India) Oita Bank ORIX Bank Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation PKO BP Prime Bank Ltd. Privatbank IHAG Zurich PT Bank Central Asia Tbk PT Bank CIMB Pakistani Central Bank Rabobank Nederland Raiffeisen Bank RAKBANK (National Bank Of Ras Al-Khaimah PJSC) RBL Bank RCBC RCI Bank & Services ReiseBank Reserve Bank Of India Resona Bank Royal Bank Of Canada Royal Bank Of Scotland San-In Godo Bank Santander Bank Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) SBI Sumishin Net Bank Scotiabank (Nova Scotia Bank) SEB Senshu Ikeda Bank Seven Bank Shanghai Huarui Bank (SHRB / Shanghai HanaMizuho Bank) Shiga Bank Shikoku Bank Shimizu Bank Shinhan Bank Shinkin Central Bank Shinsei Bank Shoko Chukin Bank Siam Commercial Bank Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) SMBC Societe General Sony Bank South African Reserve Bank South Indian Bank Standard Chartered Bank Star One Credit Union Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Suruga Bank Sveriges Riksbank Switzerland’s UBS Synchrony Bank Signature Bank Silvergate Bank The First International Bank of Israel Ltd Tochigi Bank Toho Bank Tokyo Star Bank Toronto-Dominion Bank Towa Bank Tsukuba Bank Turkiye Finans Katilim Bankasi Telenor Microfinance Bank UBS Union Bank United Overseas Bank UniCredit Union Bank Of The Philippines US Bancorp Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade Volksbank Mittweida Wells Fargo Westpac Bank Woori Bank WEG Bank Yachiyo Bank Yamagata Bank Yamaguchi Bank Yes Bank __________________ Other institutes related to Financial Services Accenture Ainslie Bullion AirWallex ALFAcashier American Express AstroPay Australian Stock Exchange and Depository Trust Banquecorp Physical Gold BCS Information Systems BeeTech Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation BitcoinIRA BitGo Bladex Bluzelle BNY Mellon Bolsa de Madrid BPCE Bradesco Bloomberg BNP Paribas Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures BP PLC Cambridge Global Payments CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique CGI CIBC Clearing Corporation [DTCC] CLS Group Coil Crypto Facilities Currencies Direct Daiwa Securities Group Davivienda DAYLI Financial Group Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu DH Corporation Dianrong Digiledge Dinex DLocal DBS DTCC Earthport Ernst & Young Everis European Central Securities Depositories Association Exchange4Free Expanse Expertus Technologies EZforex Employees’ Retirement System eToro FairFX FlashFX Fulton Financial Corporation Fidelity Investments Global ID Gold Bullion International GSR Markets Ho Chi Minh City Development JS Commercial HQLA IBM IDT Corporation Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore Infosys InstaReM IntellectEU International Foreign Exchange (IFX) Intesa Sanpaolo Itaú International Chamber of Commerce International Securities Services Association Jaccoo Jamica Stock Exchange Julius Baer KB Financial Group LatiPay Lianlian Pay Lulu Exchange Linx Partners London Metal Exchange London Stock Exchange Luxembourg Stock Exchange Marqeta Mastercard MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) MoneyMatch Mercury FX MoneyGram Morgan Creek MUFG Natixis New Forest Capital Niaga Tbk Nordea Northern Trust NASDAQ Nomura OANDA Omidyar Network Omni OP Financial Group Paris Europlace Paycase Financial Persistent Systems PolySign Portal Finance Paypal Proof of Capital Qiwi R3 CEV RationalFX Reyl & Cie SA RIALTO.AI Revolut Saldo.Mx SAP Satoshi Systems SBI Holdings SBI Remit SBI Ripple Asia SBI Virtual Currencies Scopus SEB Group Shuttle Holdings SIA Singapore Exchange (SGX) Smart Token Chain SnapCheck Sparro SRI Capital Stock Exchange of Thailand SuMi TRUST SunTrust SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) SGX SIX Group Société Générale SoFi Square Swissquote TAS Group Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Telindus Temasek Holdings Temenos The PAR Foundation The Royal Mint TradeCloud TradeIX TradeWind TransferGo Thai Stock Exchange The National Payments Corporation of India Thomson Reuters Eikon Tora UAE Exchange (UAE Exchange) Union FX UniPAY Viamericas Corporation Volante Technologies Virginia’s Police Officer’s Retirement System Visa Western Union Yantra Financial Technologies Zip Remit If you find a bank or financial institute not on this list please comment or message me directly so I can add to this list. At the time of writing this was the most comprehensive list available to the public

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