Key Highlights
Regulatory Updates
- China's State Council strengthens standardization in blockchain, AI, and 5G technologies.
- People’s Bank of China emphasizes integrating green finance with transitional finance.
- Shenzhen accelerates IPO preparations for unicorn companies, targeting listings on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
- U.S. SEC considers joint oversight with CFTC for cryptocurrency trading platforms.
- EU proposes a 0.1% annual revenue fee on large tech firms for compliance monitoring.
- Singapore restricts crypto trading to accredited investors only.
- Slovenia implements a flat 5% tax rate on cryptocurrency transactions.
Insights from Industry Leaders
- Marcelo Claure (ex-SoftBank CEO) increases BTC holdings by 80–90% amid recession fears.
- Su Zhu (Three Arrows Capital) highlights Bitcoin’s potential as a global reserve currency.
- Bloomberg Analysts project crypto ETP assets to exceed $120 billion by 2028.
Industry Developments
Major Moves
- JD.com appoints Xu Lei as CEO, with founder Richard Liu focusing on long-term strategy.
- Greater Bay Area launches its first Metaverse-focused policy to foster innovation.
- Meta explores "Zuck Bucks," a virtual currency for the Metaverse.
- Coca-Cola debuts "Zero Sugar Byte," a Metaverse-inspired beverage, in China.
- South Korea’s JTBC enters the NFT market leveraging TV show IPs.
- Ralph Lauren & BAPE expand into virtual fashion within the Metaverse.
👉 Explore how top brands are embracing the Metaverse
Investments
- LinkSquares secures $100M in Series C funding ($161.4M total).
- FungyProof (NFT) raises $1M Pre-Seed to develop a token-review API.
- The Kingdom (Metaverse) closes $3.6M private funding for NFT/art integration.
- Digital Insight Games obtains $7.5M for blockchain-based gaming.
Research & Predictions
- Deutsche Bank warns of a potential 2023 U.S. recession due to aggressive Fed policies.
- Checkout.com reports surging crypto interest driving e-commerce adoption, with 23% of businesses planning crypto payments by 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How is China regulating blockchain technology?
China’s State Council is building a comprehensive standard system covering blockchain, AI, and 5G to streamline national market integration.
2. Why are investors like Marcelo Claure increasing BTC holdings?
Recession concerns are driving institutional investors to diversify into Bitcoin as a hedge against economic instability.
3. What’s unique about Coca-Cola’s "Zero Sugar Byte"?
It’s Coca-Cola’s first beverage designed with Metaverse elements, featuring interactive games via QR codes.
4. How might the EU’s proposed tech fee impact companies?
Large tech firms could pay up to 0.1% of their annual revenue for regulatory compliance under new EU rules.
👉 Learn more about crypto’s role in e-commerce growth
5. What is Meta’s "Zuck Bucks"?
A proposed in-app virtual currency for Meta’s platforms, centralized like gaming tokens, to facilitate Metaverse transactions.
6. Which industries are leading in Metaverse adoption?
Fashion (Ralph Lauren, BAPE) and media (JTBC) are pioneering virtual assets, while gaming and NFTs drive broader ecosystem growth.
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