Blockchain Press Releases
CGTN: With new member, SCO eyes closer cooperation amid global challenges
BEIJING, July 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Iran on Tuesday officially became the ninth member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a comprehensive regional cooperation organization that covers the largest area and population on the globe.
Iran’s full-scale admission was formalized at the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the organization. SCO leaders attended the meeting online.
Addressing the meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Iran into the SCO family and called on SCO member states to stay in unity and coordination so as to bring more certainty and positive energy to world peace and development.
“The people’s wish for a happy life is our goal, and peace, development and win-win cooperation are the unstoppable trends of the times,” Xi noted.
Calling for making the world a better place, Xi told SCO leaders that China is ready to work with other member states to actively implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
In a world of turmoil and transformation, President Xi successively proposed the GDI, GSI and GCI, contributing China’s solution to global governance. The three initiatives also meet the needs of the SCO to strengthen its “three pillars,” the three major cooperation areas of security, economy and people-to-people exchanges.
Safeguarding common security
The SCO was born more than two decades ago with a fundamental mission to combat the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Over the years, security cooperation has remained a major focus for member states within the SCO framework.
To combat the “three forces,” SCO members have made notable strides by expanding intelligence sharing and information exchanges, and carrying out joint anti-terror exercises. In 2020 alone, SCO member states managed to prevent over 40 terrorist attacks and dismantled more than 50 terrorist groups.
The organization also functions as a major coordinator of the member countries’ efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking and transnational organized crimes and handle flare-ups of regional hotspots through such mechanisms as the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group.
Calling for maintaining regional peace and safeguarding common security, Xi pointed out that “sustaining peace and security in this region is our common responsibility.”
He added that China stands ready to work with all sides to implement the GSI, promote the settlement of international disputes through dialogue and consultation, and encourage political settlement of international and regional hotspots, so as to forge a solid security shield in the region.
Making ‘cooperation pie’ bigger
Covering three-fifths of the Eurasian continent, the SCO presents nearly half of the world’s population and over 20 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), which also means even greater potential for development. And the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has offered SCO members a chance to tap the potential and gear up their practical cooperation, notably in infrastructure.
With the construction of transportation services such as the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline and the regular operation of China–Europe freight train services, ties among SCO member states have become physically closer.
“We should work together to broaden the Belt and Road as a ‘path of happiness’ benefiting the whole world,” Xi said, and he told SCO leaders that on the BRI’s 10th anniversary, China will hold the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
The China-SCO local economic and trade cooperation demonstration zone has also brought tangible benefits to local people. Its trade with SCO countries surged to 8.1 billion yuan (about $1.1 billion) in 2022 from 850 million yuan (about $117 million) in 2019.
Promoting economic growth is a common task for all countries in the region, President Xi stressed during the meeting. He called on SCO members to focus on practical cooperation and expedite economic recovery.
He also vowed to work with all sides to implement the GDI and make the pie of win-win cooperation bigger while voicing against protectionism, unilateral sanctions and the overstretching of national security, and rejecting moves of setting up barriers, decoupling and severing supply chains.
Tightening bonds among people
The SCO states are home to many ancient civilizations and ethnic groups with a kaleidoscopic religious and cultural inheritance, making efforts to promote cross-cultural exchanges and mutual understanding truly necessary.
Cultural events such as the Year of Languages, the Year of Culture, and the Year of Tourism have been held in succession among member countries, aiming to help people from SCO member states know each other better.
The SCO has also developed the University of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (USCO), which encourages cultural and academic exchanges between the youth from SCO member states. At present, there are 82 colleges and universities under the cooperation program of the USCO, with seven professional directions.
The Chinese president on Tuesday announced that in the coming three years, China will provide SCO member states with 1,000 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, offer 3,000 “Chinese Bridge” summer camp opportunities, and invite 100 young scientists to China for scientific research exchanges.
Xi believes that all nations in the region aspire to see harmonious development of different civilizations. “We welcome all sides to work together to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote inclusiveness and coexistence among all civilizations, and increase mutual understanding and friendship among all nations.”
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cgtn-with-new-member-sco-eyes-closer-cooperation-amid-global-challenges-301869836.html
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Ethereum, Quantum Emotions, Pepeto, Zeus Investments, AgileGTM)
Ethereum’s Challenges Highlight the Importance of Blockchain Integrity
Ethereum, once hailed as the undisputed king of smart contract platforms, is facing mounting criticism over scalability issues and increasing centralization concerns. Critics argue that Ethereum’s looming challenges serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining blockchain integrity in the pursuit of innovation.
The network’s shift to proof-of-stake has introduced debates about validator centralization and network control. As transaction fees remain high and competition from newer blockchains intensifies, Ethereum’s journey underscores the delicate balance between growth and decentralization in the blockchain ecosystem.
Source: Bitcoin Magazine
Quantum Emotions Introduces Revolutionary Quantum Wallet
Quantum Emotions, a pioneering quantum technology firm, has unveiled its groundbreaking quantum wallet designed to provide unprecedented security for blockchain users. Leveraging quantum random number generators, the wallet ensures ultra-secure private key management and protection against emerging quantum threats.
As the blockchain industry prepares for a quantum computing era, innovations like this wallet highlight the need to future-proof digital assets. Quantum Emotions’ solution is a step forward in safeguarding the integrity of blockchain transactions in an increasingly complex technological landscape.
Source: Finance Yahoo
Pepeto Simplifies Cross-Chain Trading for Blockchain Users
Pepeto, a trailblazer in the blockchain space, is revolutionizing cross-chain trading with its user-friendly platform. By simplifying blockchain transfers across different networks, Pepeto addresses a significant pain point for users navigating the complexities of decentralized finance (DeFi).
The platform’s intuitive interface and efficient protocols enable seamless asset transfers while reducing transaction costs and processing times. As interoperability becomes a crucial factor in the blockchain sector, Pepeto’s innovation is set to reshape how users interact with decentralized ecosystems.
Source: Bitcoinist
Zeus Investments Launches Blockchain Research Division
Zeus Investments has announced the launch of its dedicated blockchain research division, aimed at driving innovation and identifying strategic opportunities in the blockchain sector. The division will focus on exploring emerging technologies, evaluating market trends, and fostering partnerships with industry leaders.
By committing resources to blockchain research, Zeus Investments signals its belief in the transformative potential of decentralized technologies. This initiative underscores the growing interest among traditional financial institutions in harnessing blockchain’s disruptive capabilities.
Source: Finance Yahoo
AgileGTM Blockchain Fund Secures $2M in First Close of $10M VC Fund
AgileGTM has achieved a significant milestone by securing $2 million in the first close of its $10 million pan-European blockchain venture capital fund. The fund aims to support early-stage blockchain startups across Europe, focusing on innovative solutions in areas such as DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise applications.
This development highlights the increasing appetite for blockchain investment and the role of venture capital in accelerating the growth of the industry. AgileGTM’s initiative reflects the potential for blockchain to drive economic transformation and innovation across diverse sectors.
Source: Tech.eu
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain (Ethereum, Quantum Emotions, Pepeto, Zeus Investments, AgileGTM) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
xPortal, the AI-powered DeFi super-app, has acquired Alphalink, a Berlin-based Web3 startup recognized for delivering delightfully simple crypto experiences through its mobile app. The acquisition marks a major milestone in xPortal’s goal to simplify crypto and financial investing.
With over 2.5 million users and a 4.8-star rating from 70K+ app store reviews, xPortal combines crypto, real-world functionality, and AI into a single, user-friendly mobile app.
xPortal launched in 2023 as the wallet for the MultiversX blockchain (prev. Elrond) and quickly expanded into multi-chain territory, integrating Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon and more.
As part of its growth strategy, xPortal is raising capital in an anticipated oversubscribed round while making a full-scale push into AI, expanding into the U.S. and launching a native token to its ecosystem
Active xPortal users will also benefit from lucrative opportunities that will further fuel the ecosystem.
Empowered Leadership
Through the acquisition, xPortal brings seasoned FinTech and crypto innovators Marko Bradic as Co-founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Mohit Tilwani as Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to complement the dream team together with Sergiu Biris, Co-founder and CEO of xPortal.
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Marko Bradic (ex-CEO of Alphalink) previously scaled Trade Republic – the $5B European Robinhood backed by Sequoia – to 4 million users, €180 million in annual revenue, and €35 billion in AUM.
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Mohit Tilwani (ex CTO of Alphalink) brings over a decade of engineering experience to xPortal. Served as the first engineering lead at Trade Republic, he scaled systems to support 8 million customers.
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Sergiu Biris (CEO of xPortal) is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience. He was the co-founder of LiveRail, a video advertising platform acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for $500 million.
“Marko and Mohit’s experience in building and scaling world-class fintech products aligns perfectly with xPortal’s mission to make crypto easy to use and accessible to everyone. Their expertise strengthens our vision of blending crypto and AI with real-world utility. I’m extremely excited about what we’re going to be building together in the years to come.” – Sergiu Biris, Co-founder and CEO of xPortal
Beniamin Mincu, Co-founder and CEO of MultiversX added: “Through the acquisition of Alphalink xPortal is taking a bold step towards the future. One where crypto is merging with AI to deliver the best experiences to everyday users. xPortal started as a core part of MultiversX and, driven by this team of world class founders, is now becoming independent, creating its own story. I believe xPortal is poised to drive global crypto adoption, bringing unparalleled value to its users and the broader Web3 space.”
DeFi to DeFAI: What if your money had Brains?
Leading the paradigm shift from DeFi to DeFAI, xPortal is transforming how users interact with money. Making crypto easy and accessible for everyone, xPortal is building a vertically integrated network of specialized DeFAI agents that work autonomously, simplifying complex user tasks and removing onboarding and engagement friction through seamless chain management.
With features like effortless on-off ramps, cross-chain trading, staking, Web3 dApp integration, and Mastercards for everyday payments, the super-app bridges the gap between crypto and real-world utility.
The post xPortal Acquires Alphalink to Drive Innovation at the Intersection of AI and Crypto appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
Humanity Protocol and Open Campus Partner to Integrate Achievements and Interoperable Credentials for Decentralized Education
Humanity Protocol, the leader in on-chain Proof of Humanity (PoH) and decentralized identity, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Open Campus (EDU), the Web3 education protocol.
This collaboration will redefine digital identity and credentialing for learners, educators, and developers, enabling interoperable, privacy-preserving credentials that can be seamlessly used across decentralized ecosystems.
Humanity Protocol’s Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) framework and Proof of Humanity (PoH) technology ensure Sybil-resistant, verified human authentication for Web3 applications. Open Campus complements this by empowering users with tools to issue, manage, and utilize education-related credentials through its Open Campus ID and Achievements System.
Together, the two projects aim to unlock a future where identity and educational credentials are secure, interoperable, and privacy-focused.
At the core of this partnership is the integration of Open Campus Achievements and Open Campus ID with Humanity Protocol’s decentralized identity graph. This integration ensures that credentials issued on Open Campus are validated and interoperable, allowing users to showcase their verified educational accomplishments across Web3 platforms.
Key features of the collaboration include:
- Achievement Verification: Open Campus will focus on issuing education-related credentials, such as course completions, certifications, and learning milestones. These Achievements will be authenticated using Humanity Protocol’s verifiable credential (VC) framework, enabling secure and portable credentialing.
- Interoperable Identity: Open Campus ID will integrate with Humanity Protocol’s Proof of Humanity, providing users with privacy-preserving, Sybil-resistant identities. These identities will enable users to leverage their credentials in governance, professional, and educational applications.
The partnership between Humanity Protocol and Open Campus introduces new use cases that benefit learners, educators, and developers. Users can create portable, privacy-preserving portfolios combining Proof of Humanity and verified Open Campus Achievements. These portfolios can be used in professional and academic settings to showcase skills and accomplishments securely.
Learners and educators can leverage their interoperable identities to participate in governance activities on both Humanity Protocol and Open Campus platforms. By tying voting to verified individuals, governance becomes more transparent and fair. dApp developers can build applications that integrate Humanity Protocol’s identity verification with Open Campus’s credentialing, enabling innovations in decentralized education, recruitment, and professional networking.
In addition to technical integration, Humanity Protocol will actively support Open Campus in its ongoing conversations with educational institutions. By providing expertise in decentralized identity and credentialing, Humanity Protocol will help Open Campus establish trust and drive adoption of its Achievements and Open Campus ID among schools, universities, and certification bodies.
This collaboration strengthens the bridge between traditional education systems and the decentralized future. Humanity Protocol’s zkProofers will ensure that all verifications remain privacy-focused. Users will be able to prove their identities and credentials without exposing sensitive personal data, enabling secure and trustworthy interactions in education, governance, and professional contexts. By integrating these privacy-preserving solutions, the partnership ensures that credentials remain both secure and portable across ecosystems.
Terence Kwok, Founder and CEO of Humanity Protocol says: “Our partnership with Open Campus marks a significant milestone in integrating decentralized identity with education. By combining Proof of Humanity with Open Campus Achievements and Open Campus ID, we empower learners and educators to take control of their credentials in a way that is secure, interoperable, and privacy-focused. Humanity Protocol is also proud to support Open Campus in its ongoing conversations with educational institutions, helping to bridge Web3 innovation with traditional education systems.”
Jonah Lau, Head of Open Campus (EDU) and Portfolio Management, Animoca Brand says: “Collaborating with Humanity Protocol enhances the usability and security of Open Campus Achievements and IDs. By integrating with Proof of Humanity, we’re ensuring that learners and educators can seamlessly use their credentials across Web3, paving the way for a more interconnected and equitable decentralized education ecosystem. This partnership positions Open Campus as a leader in Web3 education innovation.”
The post Humanity Protocol and Open Campus Partner to Integrate Achievements and Interoperable Credentials for Decentralized Education appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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