Blockchain Press Releases
Supercritical raises $13m Series A led by Lightspeed Venture Partners to supercharge scaling of carbon removal in face of massive capacity shortfall
- Supercritical, today responsible for 35% of corporate carbon removal purchases and counts two of the world’s top 20 CDR buyers among its customers
- Carbon removal market today at 0.01% of capacity IPCC says will be needed by 2050; Supercritical is supporting urgent accelerated scaling of CDR technologies
- The funding, the second Supercritical raise to feature a gender-balanced cap table, will be used to fuel new chapter of growth
LONDON, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Supercritical, the vetted carbon removal marketplace helping businesses reach net zero, today announces it has raised $13m in Series A funding, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners. The round includes funding from RTP Global, Greencode Ventures, MMC Ventures and others. Supercritical aims to accelerate the urgent scaling of carbon removal technologies by aggregating business demand and innovating with new purchase models. It will use the funding to grow its team, expand its product offering, and acquire additional customers.
Corporates want to reduce their carbon emissions, but most businesses will never be able to achieve full net zero purely through decarbonisation efforts and require carbon removal to do so. Unlike traditional emissions avoidance offsets that, until today, were the focus of sustainability programs, Supercritical’s marketplace allows corporations to purchase fully qualified carbon removal credits, as set out in the industry standard Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), that allow them to reach net zero.
However, CDR capacity is nowhere near the level it needs to be. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that to keep global average temperature rises below 1.5C, CDR at scale will be essential. Across the whole of 2022, around 600,000 tonnes of CDR were purchased – less than 0.01% of the 10 gigatonnes the IPCC says will need to be available annually by 2050.
The CDR market is rapidly evolving: at the beginning of 2020, just 237 tonnes of CDR offsets had been sold in total, while earlier this year individual companies made million tonne CDR purchases for the first time. However, growth needs to accelerate even more rapidly in the years ahead to avoid climate calamity.
Supercritical is at the vanguard of efforts to urgently scale the CDR market. It is the only marketplace focusing on high-quality, vetted, durable CDR projects. These include engineered solutions such as biochar, direct air capture (DAC) and enhanced weathering in addition to nature-based solutions such as afforestation. All CDR projects on the marketplace must pass through Supercritical’s vetting process, with only 6% making the cut.
By aggregating demand from corporate buyers, Supercritical is acting as a market maker, helping CDR projects scale. It is also spearheading innovative new purchase agreements to jump-start accelerated CDR capacity growth. In May, Supercritical brokered a long-term offtake agreement for biochar provider Carbo Culture, enabling the pre-purchase of thousands of tonnes of biochar and allowing Carbo Culture to develop C1, a new facility that converts carbon-containing biomass into biochar at a commercial scale for the first time.
For businesses, Supercritical measures, reduces and, using these CDR methods, removes carbon emissions, helping businesses to reach net zero. Supercritical is already one of the world’s largest carbon removal marketplaces, with 35% of corporate purchases taking place through the platform and two of the world’s top 20 CDR buyers buying through the platform. Supercritical works with some of the most ambitious businesses when it comes to carbon commitments, including leading business banking platform Tide, who working with Supercritical, this year became the first fintech to remove 100% of their emissions; and leading algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets who, in partnership with Supercritical, have become one of the top 10 purchasers of CDR globally. Other notable customers include Veriff, Multiverse and IMC.
Looking forward, Supercritical plans to accelerate hiring, evolve its product offering to continue supporting the CDR market’s scaling, and acquire additional customers. The round will be the second raise conducted by Supercritical with a gender-balanced cap table.
Commenting, Co-founder and CEO Michelle You, said:
“Carbon removal – in parallel with aggressive decarbonization – is required to stay below 1.5C of warming and avoid the worst effects of climate change. We’re proud to work with businesses that are taking a leading role in building sustainability programs that center around both reducing emissions and removing with durable carbon removal, the only type of offset that counts towards net zero. As the only marketplace exclusively focusing on high quality carbon removal, it’s our mission to act as a trusted partner to businesses serious about net zero.
Since our launch two years ago, we’ve been astonished by the rapid growth in demand for our portfolio of durable carbon removal offsets. With this funding, we are excited to enter a new chapter and play a meaningful role as a market maker for promising carbon removal projects, aggregating demand to support them as they scale.
We have a vanishingly tiny window to start the acceleration curve towards the 10 billion tonne annual CDR capacity required by 2050, and we are proud to play an early market leading role in helping this industry scale.”
Commenting, Paul Murphy, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners said:
“Supercritical is doing something unique. By focusing exclusively on carbon removal offsets, they are helping businesses invest in the places that will actually deliver climate impact while they work in parallel to decarbonise. By aggregating demand, including through innovative future-proofing models, they are providing the resources that CDR projects need to scale in time.
Net zero is simply unattainable for the vast majority of corporations without a robust, quality carbon removal platform like Supercritical. We are so pleased to be part of their journey.”
About Supercritical
Supercritical is a vetted carbon removal marketplace that helps businesses achieve net zero. Founded in London, its technology makes it easy for companies to understand their climate impact and purchase high-quality carbon removal offsets to reduce it.
Already, 35% of the world’s carbon removal customers use Supercritical to purchase carbon removal offsets. The company has two customers in the top 20 buyers of carbon removal worldwide, and recently helped Tide become the first fintech in the world to remove 100% of its emissions.
Supercritical is backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, GreenCode Ventures, MMC Ventures. It has been previously backed by LocalGlobe and angel investors including Peter Reinhardt (Twilio Segment and Charm Industrial), Yancey Strickler (Kickstarter), Alice Bentinck (Entrepreneur First), Gustaf Alströmer (Y Combinator) and Evelyn Bourke (Bupa).
Its founders are repeat technology entrepreneurs who started the company as a way to build a better future for their children. www.gosupercritical.com
Images of the Supercritical co-founders are available to download here.
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Blockchain Press Releases
WSPN Launches New Website, Unveiling Enhanced Vision for Next-Generation Stablecoin Infrastructure
SINGAPORE, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Worldwide Stablecoin Payment Network (WSPN) today announced the launch of its completely redesigned website, reflecting the company’s expanded vision and capabilities as a leader in next-generation stablecoin infrastructure. The new site highlights WSPN’s commitment to advancing global value flows through efficient, secure, and low-cost payment solutions.
The revamped website showcases WSPN’s evolution beyond traditional stablecoins, emphasizing its role in reshaping the future of payments and fueling digital globalization. With a focus on practical applications for both everyday users and institutional clients, the platform details WSPN’s comprehensive suite of services designed to bridge traditional finance and Web3 environments.
“Our new website clearly showcases WSPN’s core mission: building a stablecoin ecosystem that’s accessible, practical, and transformative for users worldwide,” said Raymond Yuan, Founder & CEO of WSPN. “As we construct the financial infrastructure of the future, this digital platform serves as our bridge to communicate value to global users.”
Key Features Highlighted on the New Website
The redesigned platform showcases several core capabilities that position WSPN at the forefront of stablecoin innovation:
- Fast, Reliable On/Off-Ramps: Seamless connections between traditional finance and Web3, supported by hundreds of integrated partners
- Multi-Chain Availability & Conversion: Deployment across 8+ leading blockchains with advanced cross-chain conversion capabilities
- Developer-Friendly API & Dashboard Access: Robust tools empowering developers and businesses to build scalable fintech solutions
The website also emphasizes WSPN’s impressive operational metrics, including processing over $10 million transaction volumes daily and serving more than 500 institutional clients globally. Users can complete mint and burn operations in under 5 minutes, with 1:1 lossless swaps available 24/7.
“WSPN stablecoins are purposefully evolved for everyday impact,” added Raymond. “Whether you’re an individual seeking price stability for cross-border transfers or an institution building sophisticated DeFi applications, our platform provides the security, speed, and scalability needed in today’s digital economy.”
Visit the new WSPN website at www.wspn.io to explore the full range of stablecoin solutions and learn how WSPN is advancing worldwide value flows.
About WSPN
WSPN is a leading provider of next-generation stablecoin infrastructure, committed to building a more secure, efficient, and transparent payment solution for the global economy. Their flagship product, WUSD stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. Dollar and aims to optimize secure digital payments for Web3 users. WSPN’s Stablecoin 2.0 approach prioritizes user-centricity, community governance, and accessibility, paving the way for widespread stablecoin adoption.
Learn more: www.wspn.io | X | LinkedIn
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The blockchain universe never sleeps. From pioneering cross-border payment systems in Central America to city-wide crypto strategies in New York City, today’s headlines reveal an industry maturing at breakneck speed. In this edition of Blocks & Headlines, we explore five landmark developments:
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Guatemala’s Banco Industrial integrates blockchain for seamless cross-border remittances.
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NYC Mayor’s Office unveils a comprehensive crypto and blockchain roadmap.
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OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative sign an MOU to launch the OSRH token.
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Bybit’s “Chicken Trader” livestream—crypto meets poultry in the world’s first poultry-powered trading showdown.
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FIFA taps Avalanche to build a dedicated blockchain for its NFT platform.
These stories underscore three key trends reshaping the ecosystem:
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Institutional Adoption & Regulation: From national banks to municipal governments, legacy institutions are embracing decentralized technologies.
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Tokenization & Community Engagement: Strategic partnerships are launching specialized tokens that bridge niche communities with global markets.
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Innovative Use Cases: Whether gaming, entertainment, or live-stream events, blockchain’s versatility spawns ever-more creative applications.
Join us as we unpack the implications, weigh the opportunities, and forecast where these trajectories might lead.
1. Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments
What Happened
Guatemala’s Banco Industrial, the country’s biggest financial institution, announced the deployment of a private‐permissioned blockchain network to streamline remittances from the U.S. into Guatemala City and beyond. The solution reduces settlement times from days to minutes, cuts fees by up to 60 %, and offers real-time traceability for senders and receivers.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
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Financial Inclusion Boost: Remittances account for over 12 % of Guatemala’s GDP. By minimizing friction and cost, blockchain integration will extend financial services to remote communities reliant on diaspora funds.
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Risk & Compliance: Permissioned networks allow Banco Industrial to retain AML/KYC controls, mitigating concerns around illicit flows. This hybrid approach demonstrates that enterprise blockchain can balance decentralization with regulatory rigor.
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Regional Ripple Effects: Neighboring Central American banks are watching closely. Should Guatemala’s pilot succeed, we can expect a domino effect across El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica—each seeking to capitalize on faster, cheaper cross-border rails.
Implications
Legacy banks worldwide should view this as a blueprint: private blockchains can coexist with existing compliance frameworks while delivering transformative user benefits. Early movers will capture remittance market share and cultivate fintech partnerships across the Latin American corridor.
2. NYC Mayor Unveils Ambitious Crypto & Blockchain Agenda
What Happened
New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s multi-pronged strategy to make NYC a global crypto hub. Key initiatives include:
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A regulatory sandbox for crypto startups to pilot DeFi, NFTs, and token-based fundraising under city supervision.
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Partnerships with CUNY and Columbia University for blockchain research and talent development.
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Deployment of a blockchain-based public record system for land titles and business registrations.
Source: GovTech
Analysis & Commentary
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Regulatory Harmony vs. Overreach: By offering a controlled sandbox rather than blanket deregulation, NYC signals a nuanced stance—encouraging innovation without sacrificing consumer protection.
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Talent Pipeline: Academic partnerships aim to remedy the talent shortage plaguing blockchain firms. Local graduates trained in distributed ledger technologies (DLT) will feed startups, financial institutions, and government agencies.
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Public Services on Chain: Land registries and business filings on blockchain promise greater transparency and fraud reduction. If scaled effectively, NYC could set a global standard for government-blockchain integration.
Implications
Other major cities—London, Singapore, Dubai—will feel pressure to match NYC’s playbook. Municipal leaders should prioritize sandbox frameworks and academia-industry liaisons to nurture homegrown crypto ecosystems.
3. OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative Launch OSRH Token
What Happened
OSR Holdings, BCM Europe, and the Taekwondo Cooperative signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the OSRH token, a blockchain-based digital asset aimed at supporting global Taekwondo practitioners. Features include:
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Membership Rewards: Tokens earned through event participation, coaching certifications, and tournament wins.
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Decentralized Governance: Athletes vote on sponsorship allocations and rule-change proposals via on-chain ballots.
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Marketplace Integration: A dedicated NFT marketplace for Taekwondo memorabilia, from digital belts to highlight reels.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Niche Tokenization: OSRH token exemplifies the power of community-focused tokens. By aligning incentives with passion points—training, competition, governance—stakeholders gain ownership and engagement.
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Governance Innovation: Athlete-driven decision-making on sponsorship and funding disrupts top-down federation models. This could democratize sports governance across disciplines.
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Commercial Ecosystem: The NFT marketplace offers monetization channels for athletes and federations alike. Strategic royalties on secondary sales ensure sustainable funding.
Implications
Other sports federations and niche communities should explore token models that blend rewards, governance, and commerce. Successful launches will hinge on clear utility, user education, and regulatory compliance in key jurisdictions.
4. Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown
What Happened
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit debuted “Chicken Trader,” a live-streamed event where two contestants trade crypto pairs—and manage live chickens—to earn “Egg Points.” Viewers can stake on their favorite trader, earning NFTs and token rewards based on performance.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Gamification Meets DeFi: Chicken Trader’s fusion of live-stream engagement, staking mechanics, and NFTs exemplifies Web3’s playful ethos—turning trading into interactive entertainment.
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User Acquisition Strategy: Bybit gamified acquisition funnels, leveraging viral social content to onboard nontraditional crypto audiences intrigued by the novelty factor.
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Regulatory Tightrope: Combining staking with competition and livestock raises jurisdictional questions around gambling, securities, and animal welfare. Bybit must navigate diverse regulations to scale globally.
Implications
Other exchanges will replicate gamified formats to differentiate UX and grow communities. Yet long-term viability demands balancing flashy live-events with rigorous compliance, sustainable tokenomics, and authentic value for participants.
5. FIFA Taps Avalanche to Power Its NFT Platform
What Happened
Global soccer body FIFA selected the Avalanche blockchain to launch its official NFT marketplace, featuring digital collectibles—from World Cup highlights to player-card packs. Avalanche’s high throughput and low fees were cited as decisive factors.
Source: TradingView (via Cointelegraph)
Analysis & Commentary
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Scalability & Sustainability: Avalanche’s consensus mechanism delivers sub-second finality and carbon-offset commitments, aligning with FIFA’s environmental pledges.
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Fan Engagement: Tokenized highlights and limited-edition digital memorabilia expand revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, offering fans verifiable ownership and collectible provenance.
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Interoperability: Avalanche’s growing DeFi ecosystem enables future integrations—staking fan tokens, launching prediction-market games, or embedding NFT rewards in FIFA’s mobile apps.
Implications
Major sports leagues and entertainment brands eyeing NFT forays will scrutinize Avalanche’s performance under FIFA’s global load. Blockchain platforms must prove they can handle spikes during marquee events—kickoff times, finals, transfer windows—while preserving UX and sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Today’s Blocks & Headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Legacy institutions like banks and city governments are unlocking new efficiencies and transparency through private and public DLT networks.
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Community-driven tokens are redefining governance and monetization in sports and niche domains.
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Innovative engagement—from poultry-fueled trading spectacles to global soccer NFTs—demonstrates blockchain’s capacity for gamification, fan loyalty, and novel revenue models.
Yet with opportunity comes responsibility: scalable architectures must coexist with robust compliance; token economies require thoughtful design to sustain value; and regulators, academia, and industry must collaborate to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, governance, entertainment, and sports, stakeholders who embrace strategic partnerships, prioritize user education, and invest in resilient infrastructures will lead the charge into Web3’s next frontier.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 22, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain Press Releases
CM Global Services (CMGS) Secures Exclusive Multi-Year Logistics & Procurement Partnerships with Compass Mining and NovoMod
DENVER, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CM Global Services LLC (CMGS) proudly announces its official designation as the exclusive logistics and procurement partner for Compass Mining Inc. and NovoMod LLC, two leaders in the Bitcoin mining and modular infrastructure sectors. These multi-year partnerships reinforce CMGS’s growing influence as the supply chain backbone powering some of the most advanced digital infrastructure projects in the world.
Founded with a mission to eliminate the bottlenecks and fragmentation that plague traditional supply chains, CMGS is a fully integrated logistics and infrastructure services firm specializing in Bitcoin mining services, data center development, and high-demand electrical infrastructure. From sourcing crypto mining machine parts and network hardware to coordinating the full deployment of large scale sites, CMGS is designed to scale with our clients and move at the speed they need.
For Compass Mining and NovoMod, CMGS serves as more than a vendor; we are an embedded partner, streamlining critical operations and bringing transparency to every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle. Our team leads:
- Global sourcing and procurement of critical components, from power distribution units (PDUs) and switchgear to Ethernet cables, breakers, and enclosures.
- Inbound logistics and Customs navigation, moving sensitive equipment efficiently across Asia, LATAM, and North America on time, on budget, and compliantly.
- Refurbishment and redeployment of crypto mining machines, ensuring optimal uptime, performance, and recovery value from aging or idle equipment.
- Infrastructure buildout support, including on-site coordination, material staging, labor oversight, and final commissioning of modular and large-scale mining sites.
By centralizing sourcing, logistics, testing, and deployment under one roof, CMGS is helping Compass Mining and NovoMod compress timelines, reduce operational overhead, and eliminate costly inefficiencies that historically slowed down crypto mining and infrastructure projects.
While our partnerships with Compass Mining and NovoMod are foundational, CMGS also supports a growing number of mining companies, original equipment manufacturers, and infrastructure developers behind the scenes. Quietly powering the supply chains of both public and private firms across the U.S., LATAM, and Asia. In a market where downtime is costly and speed is currency, CMGS brings industrial discipline, real-world experience, with timely execution.
CMGS covers the full supply chain lifecycle, including:
- Global logistics and freight management
- Strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations
- Crypto mining machine parts sales, sourcing, and testing
- Full-site infrastructure build outs
- Cleaning, repair, and redeployment programs
- Consulting for operational optimization and supply chain resilience
As the digital infrastructure landscape grows more complex, CMGS is positioned to be the silent engine behind the most ambitious operators, ensuring they have what they need, where they need it, exactly when it’s needed.
About CMGS
CM Global Services (CMGS) is a full service logistics and procurement company specializing in Bitcoin mining and high performance computing industries. CMGS helps clients source equipment, manage global freight, deploy infrastructure, and streamline operations across every stage of the supply chain. With a commitment to reliability, speed, and cost efficiency, CMGS enables miners and data center operators to scale smarter.
To learn more about CM Global Services visit cmglobalservices.io
Media Contact
BlocksBridge Consulting
[email protected]
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