Blockchain Press Releases
F&M BANK: DRIVING DIGITAL WHILE STAYING PERSONAL

News Provided by FinTech Magazine
F&M Bank’s Chief Experience Officer, Charles Driest, talks about striking the right balance between digital innovation and a personal customer approach
LONDON, July 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Charles Driest is the newly-appointed Chief Experience Officer at Farmers & Merchants (F&M) Bank. A graduate of George Mason University in Virginia, and later St. John’s University in New York, he began his banking career shortly after returning to Virginia from New York in 2007.
Before this, Driest’s early career saw him employed by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (MGA), and, later, at the American think-tank, Brookings Institution. It was here he was struck with inspiration to retrain in finance by a former manager, Roberta Cohen.
Driest says: “She said if I didn’t go back to school she would fire me. This was probably my biggest inspiration. It amazes me that her voice is always in the back of my head, and when she told me that, it was about two decades ago.”
F&M Banks’s new Chief Experience Officer hasn’t exactly been short of inspiration, either: “I’ve been really lucky because I’ve had a lot of influencers in my career, with bosses and managers who have pushed me to take on new risks that perhaps I didn’t feel I was ready for, but gave me a great opportunity to learn.”
Beginning his banking career after reeducating in New York and returning to Virginia, Driest was again inspired to follow a digital path in his career. “One of the first CEOs I worked for taught me a valuable lesson; it’s how I got into the digital side of the banking business.
“At the time we didn’t have a good grasp of our digital spending at the organisation. My CEO asked me to break down the numbers to explain to executive management where the money was going. So I sifted through 12 months of invoices and began asking operational questions: where’s our money going? How do we better manage this?
“This is when I found out the business had these operational holes, while we didn’t have the right insights into the capabilities available to us that we were using. So my CEO said: ‘You found the problems, go fix them’. This is what got me into digital banking, furthering my career by putting me into a situation I wouldn’t necessarily have been comfortable in initially.”
This valuable experience in digital banking saw Driest become F&M Bank’s Director of Digital Banking sometime after, a role he had for “14 to 15 months” before being promoted to F&M Bank’s Chief Experience Officer.
Despite his brief time in the role so far, Driest says: “Taking on three new reports has been a lot of fun. I really enjoy the personnel management aspect of things. I like watching the development of people. From my perspective, I really like to see the process of a team getting onto one page, because it has a powerful multiplying effect. The pace of work speeds up when everybody is in sync.”
Achieving synchronisation for the now is key to driving growth in the future, according to Driest, who has deep excitement for the future of banking as the proliferation of fintechs continues, believing community banking will endure despite the growth of technology.
He concludes: “I’ve seen some of the biggest developments in banking over the years, and I feel even with all the fintechs out there, I think ultimately, community banking will survive. If there’s one thing banks are very good with, it’s about integrating technology that is focused on the customer.
“For anyone that talks about the speed of fintech growth, fundamentally, it still relies on people, and people don’t change habits that quickly. The arc of change and the pace of change will always be constrained by people at the end of the day. So, as long as you’re making good decisions and always looking ahead by two to three years at a time – it doesn’t matter what type of bank you are – you’ll probably end up in a good place.”
F&M Bank has been featured in the July issue of FinTech Magazine
In this exclusive interview, Charles Driest, Chief Experience Officer, discussed striking the right balance between digital innovation and a personal customer approach.
“The future is technology and people, that’s what is going to win the day – not one or the other”
BizClik’s FinTech portfolio connects banking, financial services, payments, technology & consulting brands and their most senior executives with the latest FinTech trends, industry insight, and influential FinTech, InsurTech & Crypto projects as the world embraces CX, Business Transformation and Digital Ecosystems. FinTech Magazine and its entire portfolio is now an established and trusted voice on all things FinTech, engaging with a highly targeted audience of 113,000 global executives. We provide key industry players with the perfect platform to showcase their brands, develop content syndication plans, webinars, white papers, demand generation as well as a global set of events (In-Person & Virtual).
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fm-bank-driving-digital-while-staying-personal-301868270.html
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025

Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your daily deep-dive into the most impactful movements in blockchain technology and the cryptocurrency sector. In today’s edition, we unpack five major stories that illuminate trends in funding, sustainability, payment innovation, banking collaborations, and technical interoperability—all vital signposts for developers, investors, and Web3 enthusiasts. Here’s what’s on the docket:
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Camp Network’s New IP-Focused Testnet
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Blockchain for Sustainable Packaging
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Meta’s Blockchain-Based Payment System Plans
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Mocse Credit Union Joins Metal Blockchain’s Innovation Program
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Apex Fusion on the Urgency of Blockchain Defragmentation
Through concise reporting, opinion-driven analysis, and SEO-optimized insights—featuring keywords like blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs—we’ll explore how these developments shape the next wave of decentralized finance, enterprise adoption, and mass onboarding.
1. Camp Network Launches Testnet for IP-Focused Blockchain
What Happened:
Camp Network has unveiled its long-anticipated testnet following a $30 million funding round led by leading crypto VCs. This new network is tailored for intellectual property (IP) asset tokenization, aiming to streamline rights management and royalty payments via smart contracts.
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Technical Highlights:
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Modular Consensus: Hybrid PoS/PoA consensus that allows IP rightsholders to validate transactions.
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On-Chain Licensing: Smart contracts enabling programmable licensing terms, automated royalty splits, and revocable access controls.
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Interoperability: Bridges to Ethereum and Polygon enable seamless asset transfers and liquidity provisioning.
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Analysis & Implications:
By focusing on IP tokenization, Camp Network addresses a glaring gap in current NFT platforms, which often lack robust legal-framework integration. This specialization could catalyze:
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New Revenue Models: Musicians, authors, and inventors can fractionalize royalties, unlocking liquidity and democratizing investment in creative works.
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Institutional Adoption: Traditional publishers and studios may pilot tokenized licensing, accelerating blockchain’s entrée into regulated industries.
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Secondary Markets: With on-chain licensing data, marketplaces can enforce provenance and anti-fraud measures more effectively.
Camp Network’s testnet success will hinge on developer tooling, legal partnerships, and gas-fee economics. Should it deliver a smooth UX and clear ROI for rightsholders, it could set a new standard for Web3 IP infrastructure.
Source: The Block
2. Blockchain as a Sustainable Packaging Game-Changer
What Happened:
A recent report explores how blockchain can revolutionize sustainable packaging by delivering end-to-end supply-chain transparency. The solution combines on-chain tracking of materials, IoT sensor data for carbon footprint measurement, and tokenized incentives for recycling.
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Key Components:
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Immutable Traceability: Each packaging component is logged on a public ledger, enabling consumers to verify sustainable sourcing.
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Carbon Credit Tokens: Brands earn tokenized credits when they hit recycling targets, tradable on carbon-market DAOs.
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Consumer-Facing Apps: QR-code scanning interfaces reveal environmental impact metrics and reward programs.
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Analysis & Implications:
Integrating blockchain with sustainable packaging tackles greenwashing and fragmented reporting. The ability to tie physical materials to on-chain records introduces:
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Enhanced Accountability: Brands face real-time public scrutiny of ESG claims, improving trust and regulatory compliance.
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Market Mechanisms: Carbon credit tokens linking packaging to broader DeFi ecosystems incentivize circular economy behaviors.
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Consumer Engagement: NFTs or loyalty tokens tied to sustainable purchases could accelerate brand loyalty in eco-conscious demographics.
This convergence of blockchain, IoT, and token economics exemplifies how decentralized technologies can underpin not only financial systems but also planetary stewardship.
Source: Yahoo Finance
3. Meta Plans New Blockchain-Based Payment System
What Happened:
Meta is reportedly developing a blockchain-powered payment network to underpin its digital wallet ambitions, aiming to facilitate low-fee remittances, in-app purchases, and peer-to-peer transfers across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
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Proposed Features:
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Cross-Border Settlements: Utilizing stablecoins pegged to major fiat currencies to avoid volatility.
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Layer-2 Scalability: Built atop an Ethereum Layer-2 or a proprietary chain to ensure sub-second confirmation times and minimal fees.
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Regulatory Compliance: On-chain KYC/AML checks integrated via permissioned sidechains.
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Analysis & Implications:
Meta’s push into blockchain payments could reshape the competitive landscape:
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Crypto On-Ramp: With 3 billion+ monthly users, built-in wallet functionality could massively expand mainstream cryptocurrency adoption.
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Disintermediation Risk: Traditional payment processors and remittance services face margin compression as Meta internalizes transaction flows.
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Regulatory Scrutiny: Centralized control of a global payments network raises data-privacy and antitrust questions, likely attracting significant oversight.
If Meta balances decentralization ethos with compliance demands, it could serve as a blueprint for other Big Tech firms eyeing Web3 integration.
Source: Dig.watch
4. Mocse Credit Union Joins Metal Blockchain’s Banking Innovation Program
What Happened:
Mocse Credit Union has signed on to Metal Blockchain’s Banking Innovation Program, a consortium designed to accelerate pilot projects in tokenized lending, fractional deposits, and programmable savings accounts.
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Program Benefits:
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Sandbox Environment: Regulatory-compliant testbeds for tokenized asset experiments.
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API Integrations: Plug-and-play modules for KYC, smart-contract auditing, and fiat-crypto on-ramps.
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Co-Innovation Workshops: Joint labs with fellow financial institutions and DeFi projects.
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Analysis & Implications:
This partnership signals the banking sector’s growing willingness to explore blockchain beyond hype:
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Tokenized Deposits: By issuing interest-bearing stablecoin equivalents, credit unions can attract a new demographic of digitally native savers.
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Risk Management: Sandboxed pilots allow institutions to evaluate smart-contract risks without exposing core systems.
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Interoperable Finance: Aligning legacy banking with DeFi rails can unlock hybrid products—e.g., flash loans collateralized by insured deposits.
Such collaborations could spearhead a wave of embedded finance offerings, blurring the lines between centralized and decentralized banking infrastructures.
Source: Newswire
5. Apex Fusion: Defragmenting Blockchain for Mass Adoption
What Happened:
In an op-ed, Apex Fusion argues that blockchain interoperability and defragmentation are critical prerequisites for mainstream Web3 uptake. The piece advocates standardized cross-chain messaging protocols, unified identity layers, and aggregated liquidity pools.
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Core Proposals:
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Protocol Neutral Messaging: A universal middleware to transmit value and data across disparate chains.
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Decentralized Identity (DID): A shared credential framework enabling seamless dApp logins without wallet-hopping.
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Liquidity Hubs: Cross-chain Automated Market Makers (AMMs) that pool assets to reduce slippage and gas friction.
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Analysis & Implications:
A fragmented blockchain ecosystem hinders user experience and developer efficiency:
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Onboarding Friction: New users face wallet complexity, chain-switching hassles, and inconsistent UX across apps.
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Capital Inefficiency: Isolated liquidity silos lead to higher trading costs and limit DeFi yield optimization.
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Developer Overhead: Building multichain dApps requires fragmented toolkits and disparate security audits.
Solving these challenges through interoperable frameworks will be pivotal for DeFi, NFT, and enterprise Web3 solutions to scale beyond niche audiences. Apex Fusion’s recommendations may inform upcoming standards efforts by bodies like the Blockchain Governance Initiative Network (BGIN).
Source: Euro Weekly News
Conclusion
Today’s blockchain developments reflect a maturing industry at the crossroads of innovation and integration:
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Specialized Networks: Camp Network’s IP testnet showcases niche use-cases driving targeted blockchain deployments.
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Sustainability & Token Economics: Linking environmental impact to on-chain incentives demonstrates blockchain’s potential in non-financial arenas.
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Big Tech Entry: Meta’s payment ambitions could accelerate global crypto adoption while raising regulatory stakes.
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Banking Collaboration: Programs like Metal Blockchain’s underscore financial institutions’ appetite for safe, regulated Web3 experimentation.
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Interoperability Imperative: As Apex Fusion highlights, defragmentation and cross-chain standards are essential for seamless UX and liquidity flow.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, supply chains, and digital ecosystems, the future hinges on striking the right balance between decentralization, compliance, and user-centric design. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Blocks & Headlines where we continue to chronicle the pulse of Web3 innovation.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain Press Releases
Bybit Surpasses 70 Million Users, Reinforces Commitment to Transparency and Institutional Growth

DUBAI, UAE, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced it has surpassed 70 million registered users, a milestone that highlights the platform’s sustained global growth and deepening trust among both retail and institutional clients. This achievement underscores Bybit’s robust market presence and its steadfast commitment to security, compliance, and product innovation.
“Reaching 70 million users is more than a number—it’s a testament to the trust our global community places in us,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “We are doubling down on compliance, institutional-grade infrastructure, and user-centric innovation to ensure everyone—from first-time traders to global institutions—can access the future of finance with confidence.”
Strengthening Global Compliance and Regulatory Engagement
Bybit continues to expand its global compliance framework, working closely with regulators around the world. Most recently, Bybit held strategic discussions with Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, contributing to the country’s regulatory sandbox initiative by sharing expertise in KYC, AML, and international best practices.
Bybit has also made key progress in major jurisdictions, including the United Arab Emirates, further demonstrating its commitment to regulatory alignment and operational transparency.
Accelerating Institutional Growth
Bybit is seeing rapid growth among institutional clients, driven by high-performance trading infrastructure, advanced risk controls, and strategic partnerships. The integration with Zodia Custody—a leading provider of institutional-grade custody and off-venue settlement solutions—reflects Bybit’s ongoing efforts to meet the needs of sophisticated investors with robust, compliant offerings.
Pioneering Web3 Integration and Real-World Utility
Bybit continues to lead in practical Web3 innovation. The Bybit Card, now used by nearly 2 million people, enables everyday crypto spending, while Bybit Pay streamlines on-chain and off-chain transactions for both users and merchants.
In line with its user-first philosophy, Bybit is also leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance trading, research, and support services. CryptoLens, an in-house AI analytics tool, offers users deep insights into token fundamentals, community activity, social trends, and tokenomics—even for projects not listed on the platform. TradeGPT, an AI agent trained on Bybit’s proprietary data, delivers rapid price action summaries and technical analysis, helping traders make smarter decisions. Complementing these innovations, an AI Support Agent enhances customer service by improving response efficiency and user experience across the platform.
Bridging Traditional Finance and the Future of Digital Assets
Bybit remains committed to its role as #TheCryptoArk—a safe, trusted bridge from traditional finance into the world of Web3. Through intuitive products, regulatory collaboration, and cutting-edge technology, Bybit empowers users of all levels to navigate and thrive in the digital asset ecosystem.
“We’re building the infrastructure for the next era of finance,” Ben added. “By championing regulation, professionalism, and a relentless user-first approach, we’re shaping a safer, more inclusive, and more empowering financial future for all.”
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-surpasses-70-million-users-reinforces-commitment-to-transparency-and-institutional-growth-302451104.html
Blockchain Press Releases
Unleashing the Power of Futures Combo Bots on Bybit: Leveling up Futures Trading with More Rewards

DUBAI, UAE, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, Futures Combo Carnival, a month-long trading event rewarding both new and experienced Futures Combo traders with multiple rewards tracks. Trading thresholds start at 300 USDT with rewards of up to 500 USDT in prizes weekly.
The largest Futures Combo campaign on Bybit to date, the Carnival gives traders even more reasons to make their futures trading journey hassle-free and more rewarding. Bot-enabled automated trading is becoming the norm among strategic traders in a turbulent market, where no traders can afford manmade mistakes or delays in execution.
Bybit’s Futures Combo Bot is a powerful tool for streamlining users’ futures trading experience, empowering them to build portfolios and rebalance positions across multiple futures contracts. The innovative solution allows traders to set up a Bot within minutes, minimizing manual management of complex trading strategies, and achieving both efficiency and flexibility when managing combos of futures contracts.
From now to Jun. 9, 2025, eligible Bybit users may take part in two events with a welcome bonus for first-time users:
- The Combo Battle offers newcomers who achieve a trading volume of 300 USDT an immediate 5 USDT Bot Bonus on a first-come, first-served basis, while experienced traders can earn lucky draw tickets by reaching volume milestones of 1,000 USDT and 2,500 USDT respectively using Bybit’s Futures Combo Bot.
- The Combo Challenge invites Mandarin-speaking Key Opinion Leaders to create and share their trading strategies on social media using the hashtag #ComboChallenge, with three weekly winners receiving 500 USDT each.
Bybit is committed to making futures trading more accessible to users looking to diversify their trading strategies. With rewards designed for both newcomers and experienced traders, this event strengthens community engagement while supporting users wherever they are on their trading journey. For more details and terms and conditions, users may visit: Bybit Futures Combo Carnival
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2267288/Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unleashing-the-power-of-futures-combo-bots-on-bybit-leveling-up-futures-trading-with-more-rewards-302451105.html
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