Blockchain Press Releases
JanOne’s Subsidiary, Alt5, Reports 91% year over year increase in Transaction Volume to US $289 million for April and May 2024
LAS VEGAS, June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — JanOne Inc. (Nasdaq: JAN), a multidisciplinary organization with a focus on healthcare and fintech, released today its wholly-owned subsidiary, ALT5 Sigma, transaction volume for April and May 2024.
According to the Company, ALT5 Sigma transaction volume reached US$289 million for the months of April and May 2024 combined, compared to US$151 million in transaction volume for the months of April and May 2023 combined, representing a year-over-year increase of 91%.
“Since inception, we have relied solely on word-of-mouth and client referrals to grow our business and have managed a steady growth year-over-year, and now we begin to roll out our global marketing strategies,” said Andre Beauchesne, President of Alt5 Sigma. “The adoption of cryptocurrencies in many industries is accelerating and our B2B solutions can be easily integrated into all business processes from checkout to payouts,” further added Mr. Beauchesne.
About ALT5 Sigma Inc.
Launched in 2018, ALT5 is a fintech company that provides next generation blockchain-powered technologies to enable a migration to a new global financial paradigm. ALT5, through its subsidiaries, offers two main platforms to its customers: “ALT5 Pay” and “ALT5 Prime”. The Company processed over US$1.2 billion in cryptocurrency transactions in 2023.
ALT5 Pay is a crypto-currency payment gateway that enables registered and approved global merchants to accept and make crypto-currency payments or to integrate the ALT5 Pay payment platform into their application or operations using the plugin with WooCommerce and or ALT5 Pay’s checkout widgets and APIs. Merchants have the option to convert to fiat currency (s) automatically or to receive their payment in digital assets.
ALT5 Prime is an electronic over-the-counter trading platform that enables registered and approved customers to buy and sell digital assets. Customers can purchase digital assets with fiat and, equally, can sell digital assets and receive fiat. ALT5 Prime is available through a browser-based access mobile phone application named “ALT5 Pro” that can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, from Google Play, through ALT5 Prime’s FIX API, as well as through Broadridge Financial Solutions’ NYFIX gateway for approved customers.
About JanOne
JanOne is a unique Nasdaq-listed multidisciplinary organization with a focus on healthcare and fintech. JanOne is one of the constituents of the Russell Microcap Index, starting June 28, 2024. Through its biotech activities, JanOne is developing innovative, actionable solutions intended to help end the opioid crisis. JanOne is dedicated to funding resources toward innovation, technology, and education to find a key resolution to the national opioid epidemic, which is one of the deadliest and most widespread in the nation’s history. Its drugs in the clinical trial pipeline have shown promise for their innovative targeting of the causes of pain as a strategic option for physicians averse to exposing patients to addictive opioids.
JanOne’s ALT5 subsidiary is a global fintech that provides next generation blockchain powered technologies for the trading, clearing, settlement, payment, and custodianship of digital instruments.
Please visit www.janone.com for additional information.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the statements that JAN 101 will treat PAD, that JAN 123 will treat CRPS, the timing of the commencement of clinical trials, that the FDA will permit approval through a 505(b)(2) pathway for JAN 123, that upon approval JAN 101 will immediately disrupt the PAD market, and other statements, including words such as “continue”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “hope” “should”, “would”, “may”, “potential”, and other similar expressions. This press release also contains statements and links relating to the profitability and prospective growth of ALT5’s platforms and business, including, but not limited to international currency risks, third-party or customer credit risks, liability claims stemming from Alt5’s services, and technology challenges for future growth or expansion. Such statements reflect JanOne’s current view with respect to future events, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by JanOne, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies.
Many factors could cause JanOne’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements described in this press release. Such factors could include, among others, those detailed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions set out in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in JanOne’s filings with the SEC underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and JanOne does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. JanOne cannot assure that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Individuals are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Media Contact Investor Relations
[email protected]
1-800-400-2247
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Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA)
In an era defined by rapid innovation and ever-shifting regulatory landscapes, blockchain continues to prove its mettle across diverse sectors—from data privacy and prediction markets to gaming and sustainable development. Today in Blockchain, we explore five major developments shaping the decentralized world on April 24, 2025:
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Europe’s New Privacy Guidelines: How the EDPB’s draft rules may redefine on-chain data handling.
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Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Lessons from Consensus Toronto on agility, talent, and national strategy.
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Prediction Markets for Science: DeSci’s leap toward crowdsourced validation and the reproducibility crisis.
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Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Gamble: Yet another Web3 pivot in mainstream video games—and why it matters.
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Blockchain for Good Accelerator: The UNDP joins forces with the Blockchain for Good Alliance to fuel SDG-focused innovation.
This op-ed–style briefing strips away the noise to deliver concise yet detailed coverage, incisive commentary, and big-picture implications for developers, entrepreneurs, regulators, and enthusiasts alike. Strap in as we decode today’s key blockchain headlines.
1. Europe’s Data Privacy Guardrails: EDPB’s Draft Blockchain Guidelines
What happened:
On April 22, 2025, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published draft guidelines clarifying how personal data must be stored and accessed on blockchain networks to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Key takeaways include:
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Minimize on-chain data: Avoid embedding personally identifiable information directly into immutable ledgers.
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Data Protection by Design & by Default: Mandate early-stage DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments) for any blockchain project touching personal data.
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Controlled access & erasure mechanisms: Develop off-chain storage layers and governance protocols to satisfy “right to rectification” and “right to be forgotten” requirements.
Source: Decrypt
Why it matters:
GDPR’s foundational principles clash with blockchain’s inherent immutability and transparency. By issuing these guidelines, the EDPB seeks to preserve individual privacy rights without stifling decentralized innovation. However, the tension between censorship-resistant networks and regulator-mandated mutability raises profound design challenges.
Analysis & Commentary:
Today’s guidance is overdue but pivotal. As Bryn Bennett of Hacken reminds us, “Privacy isn’t an add-on—it’s infrastructure.” Projects that ignore privacy-by-design risk not only fines but also eroded user trust. Conversely, decentralized privacy pioneers like Nym Technologies warn that retrofitting GDPR onto public blockchains can compromise both privacy and sovereignty. In my view, the next frontier lies in hybrid architectures—leveraging off-chain zero-knowledge proofs, secure enclaves, and permissioned sidechains—to reconcile transparency with confidentiality. Europe’s blueprint could become a global reference, influencing regulators in Asia-Pacific, North America, and beyond to articulate their own blockchain-specific data rules.
2. Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Small Enough to Move Fast, Big Enough to Matter
What happened:
At Consensus Toronto 2025, CoinDesk columnist William Mougayar argued that Canada is uniquely positioned to outpace other G7 nations in blockchain adoption, thanks to:
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Homegrown talent & heritage: Ethereum’s origins in Toronto and thriving developer ecosystems in Montreal and Vancouver.
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Regulatory agility: Streamlined federal-provincial coordination, pro-innovation tax credits, and pilot sandbox frameworks.
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Strategic national vision: Proposals to mandate crypto access in Canadian banks, integrate digital assets into capital markets, and even explore a national cryptocurrency reserve.
Source: CoinDesk
Why it matters:
While the U.S. grapples with interagency turf wars between the SEC, CFTC, and others, Canada’s structural simplicity offers a template for coherent blockchain policymaking. This could accelerate capital inflows, enterprise pilots, and global competition for fintech talent.
Analysis & Commentary:
Canada’s playbook hinges on being “small enough to pivot, yet big enough to impact”. As blockchain matures beyond niche use cases, national champions will emerge from jurisdictions that marry regulatory clarity with creative incentives. I predict that within two years, Toronto and Montreal will rival Miami and Dubai as leading hubs for DeFi, tokenization, and digital-asset custody. But execution is everything—if Canada can streamline licensing, shore up AML/CTF safeguards, and embed digital literacy into its education system, it could truly leapfrog entrenched incumbents.
3. Prediction Markets in Science: DeSci’s Bold Experiment
What happened:
In an opinion piece for Cointelegraph, Dr. Sasha Shilina explored how blockchain-powered prediction markets (e.g., Polymarket, Pump.science) are being repurposed to address the scientific reproducibility crisis. Highlights include:
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Crowdsourced forecasting: Researchers and investors stake tokens to bet on experimental outcomes, incentivizing rigorous study design.
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Financial accountability: Monetary losses for flawed work create a rapid feedback loop, potentially weeding out irreproducible findings.
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Regulatory hurdles: Jurisdictions still classify these markets as gambling, complicating mainstream adoption.
Source: Cointelegraph
Why it matters:
Traditional peer review can take months or years to expose methodological flaws. Decentralized prediction markets promise near-real-time validation, democratizing scientific oversight and reducing wasteful replication studies.
Analysis & Commentary:
Prediction markets offer an “open-science complement”—not a replacement—to scholarly publishing. By aligning economic incentives with truth-seeking, they could elevate data integrity and funders’ confidence. However, unchecked speculation risks gaming the system, especially if liquidity pools are dominated by a handful of whales. The solution lies in multi-stakeholder governance: academic consortia, journal publishers, and veteran researchers collaborating to set market parameters, oracle standards, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. In my view, the coming year will determine whether DeSci moves from proof-of-concept to institutional legitimacy—or remains a fascinating experiment.
4. Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Bet: Might & Magic Fates
What happened:
On April 24, 2025, gaming giant Ubisoft announced Might & Magic Fates, its third blockchain game in under six months, developed in partnership with Immutable. Key features:
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NFT trading cards: Creatures, spells, and artifacts minted as on-chain assets.
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Optional Web3 layer: Players can choose between traditional gameplay or unlocking digital ownership via NFTs.
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Community backlash: Early reactions decry “Web3 slop,” with seasoned gamers lamenting lack of gameplay previews.
Source: 80 Level
Why it matters:
Ubisoft’s persistence underscores a broader corporate push into play-to-earn and digital-ownership models. Despite vocal skepticism, top publishers see NFTs as a path to new revenue streams and player engagement metrics.
Analysis & Commentary:
I admire Ubisoft’s willingness to iterate—but will “third time be the charm”? Past misfires suggest they’ve yet to nail the balance between token mechanics and fun. If Fates can deliver rich narrative, balanced tokenomics, and genuine secondary-market value, it might convert skeptics. Otherwise, gamers will continue associating NFTs with pump-and-dump schemes. Successful blockchain gaming will require tight integration of on-chain assets with deep, off-chain gameplay loops—think on-chain skins that evolve with player achievements or governance tokens that shape in-game lore. Ubisoft’s true test will be fostering an ecosystem where NFT ownership enhances, rather than distracts from, core gameplay.
5. Blockchain for Good: UNDP & Alliance Launch Global Accelerator
What happened:
The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and EMURGO Labs, launched the SDG Blockchain Accelerator on April 24, 2025. Program highlights:
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4-month accelerator: Tailored training, mentorship, and technical support via UNDP AltFinLab and EMURGO Labs.
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Multi-chain innovation: Encourages solutions across Cardano, Ethereum, and other protocols.
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Up to $1.5 million in post-acceleration grants: Equity-free funding to scale blockchain solutions addressing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Source: UNDP Innovation
Why it matters:
This initiative bridges Web3 technology with humanitarian impact, channeling blockchain’s transparency and efficiency into real-world challenges—financial inclusion, supply-chain traceability, carbon credits, and more.
Analysis & Commentary:
SDG-focused accelerators signal a shift from speculative token swaps to impact-driven development. By equipping UNDP personnel and global innovators with blockchain toolkits, the program can catalyze projects that deliver measurable social value. Success stories—like transparent vaccine distribution chains or micro-loan platforms for underserved communities—will validate blockchain’s promise beyond hype cycles. I urge stakeholders to watch for pilots that blend on-chain verification with off-chain delivery, ensuring that funding flows transparently and outcomes are independently audited. If this Alliance proves out, it could redefine public-private partnerships in digital development.
Conclusion: Today’s Takeaways & Tomorrow’s Roadmap
These five headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Regulatory Maturation: Europe’s privacy guidelines spotlight the need for nuanced frameworks to guide on-chain data use.
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National Strategies: Canada’s agile approach demonstrates how government policy can catalyze ecosystem growth without heavy-handed bureaucracy.
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Decentralized Science: Prediction markets could revolutionize research validation, forging new alliances between academia and DeFi.
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Corporate Experimentation: Ubisoft’s repeated NFT forays reveal both the promise and pitfalls of integrating blockchain into mainstream entertainment.
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Mission-Driven Innovation: The SDG Blockchain Accelerator aligns decentralized tech with societal goals, charting a course for truly “blockchain for good” outcomes.
As blockchain technology accelerates, the imperative for thoughtful design, cross-sector collaboration, and impact measurement has never been clearer. Whether tackling data privacy conflicts, mobilizing global talent, democratizing scientific rigor, reinventing digital ownership, or driving sustainable development, today’s stories offer a roadmap for the next chapter of decentralized innovation.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s edition of Blocks & Headlines, where we continue decoding the daily pulse of the blockchain revolution.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
World Chess and the Algorand Foundation propose leveling the playing field with a “chess passport”
In a whitepaper published today, World Chess (LSE: CHSS) and the Algorand Foundation (ALGO) conceptualize a new blockchain-based system that would establish secure, private, and verifiable credentials for global sports organizations, including chess. Grandmaster Evgenij Miroshnichenko contributed to the paper alongside the Algorand Foundation and World Chess.
The move comes as interest in chess hits a new high, driven by popular television series on Netflix and the BBC, the 2024 awarding of the youngest-ever world chess champion, and the inclusion of chess for the first time in the Esports World Cup later this year.
If adopted, the system would allow chess players to independently manage their identity and credentials across all chess platforms and organizations with a single decentralized ID, and one login credential for everywhere they play. They could then easily “port” their identity, achievements, records of play, rankings, and rewards across online chess platforms, as well as seamlessly from the digital world to in-person games and tournaments. This provides them with a much easier way to prove their identity, no matter their status or documentation; it would also reduce tournament application times significantly. Chess organizations would then be able to welcome even more players to their competitions, including those who have built their chess career solely online, as well as players who have previously only competed in tournaments held by other organizations.
Among other benefits, the adoption of a “global chess passport” would make it much easier for organizers and chess clubs and federations alike to onboard and register players, both online and offline.
Another benefit of the proposed system is to safeguard fair play. As chess becomes increasingly integrated into e-sports and online competitions, the use of AI programs or player fraud (one player representing another) is an increasing concern. Being able to confirm player integrity (including whether they have been banned for cheating on any other platform) ensures credibility of chess contests and competitions. These verifiable credentials also preserve player privacy. They can be used to confirm player eligibility and relevant identity data without providing access to sensitive documentation, such as passports. Finally, identity verification also prevents fraud in tournament payouts. Phishing and other attempts to steal winnings are on the rise; this ensures only the rightful winner can access their prize funds.
“I think that chess needs its version of the global e-version of drivers license. It’s a global game, and using blockchain for the benefit of having one universal independently verifiable ID is something that both players and organizers will certainly benefit from,” says Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess.
“This initiative is not just about chess; it’s about the future of fair play and verifiable achievement across all sports and esports,” said Bruno Martins, principal architect at the Algorand Foundation and co-author of the whitepaper. “Chess has a rich history of proving the usefulness of new technologies. In this case, World Chess is showing the integrity, privacy, and portability of records in any competitive arena is not only possible – it’s in the best interest of every player, everywhere.”
Statista estimates that the market for esports should reach $4.8 billion in 2025, with nearly 900 million players by 2029 (source), all of which could benefit from better cross-platform registration for online and in-person competitions.
The full whitepaper and more information about the proposed open-source system can be found here. Chess platforms, esports organizations and other parties interested in contributing to the project can get involved by contacting [email protected].
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DUBAI, UAE, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, now offers cashback in both of the dominant USD-denominated stablecoins for Bybit Card holders. With the introduction of USDC cashback in addition to USDT, BTC, and ecosystem partner token AVAX, Bybit Card holders may now earn rewards in a cryptocurrency of their choice through daily spendings.
Starting Apr. 18, Bybit Card holders will be able to diversify their cashback earnings into USDC. Once approved, new users will receive a virtual card compatible with Apple Pay or Google Pay, and be invited to choose a default cashback option on the Card Rewards page after logging in.
Depending on the cardholder’s VIP level, they may receive up to 10% or $150 in cashback for eligible spending.
One of the most popular stablecoins worldwide, USDC is a game-changing financial innovation with standout features:
- Stable: Fully backed by cash and cash-equivalent assets, always redeemable 1:1 for USD.
- Frictionless: USDC can be moved across borders with instant finality at minimal cost.
- Open: Available 24/7, making it easy to send, spend, or save anytime.
“The Bybit Card is about crafting an inclusive experience for our diverse customers. The introduction of the USDC cashback option is tailored for cardholders prioritizing stable returns, and we are looking to expand the range of rewards as the Bybit Card continues to grow,” said Joan Han, Head of the Payment Business Unit at Bybit.
With more than 1.7 million cards issued globally, the Bybit Card offers a nimble solution for users to top up, spend, and earn yield and rewards, with their digital assets. Bybit Card holders are swipes away from their payment and spending needs with the virtual or physical card, accessible anywhere within the global Mastercard network.
Key Features of the Bybit Card:
- Instant virtual card: users will get a versatile card instantly, compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Crypto convenience: spending in crypto, and cash withdrawals from any ATM worldwide that supports Mastercard for added convenience with the physical card.
- No annual fees and up to 8% APY and 10% cashback
- Year-round perks: 100% rebates on selected partners including Netflix and ChatGPT, plus air lounge access, early-bird access to Tomorrowland Brasil 2025, and seasonal benefits
- Multi-asset support: USDC, USDT, BTC, ETH, AVAX, and more.
Restrictions apply. Users may find out more about the Bybit Card, regional rewards, and eligibility: Bybit Crypto Card: Your Ultimate Crypto Debit Card.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #TheBybitCard
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]
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