Blockchain
Ocean Falls Blockchain Corporation Adds Barrie McWha to its Board of Advisors
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – May 24, 2022) – Ocean Falls Blockchain Corp. (“OFB” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has added PGA Canada Life Member and former B.C. National Golf Course Owners Association Board Member, Barrie McWha, to its Board of Advisors.
McWha, a partner in Wedgewood Golf Management, is coming on to advise and assist the Company’s management team in guiding the strategic direction of OFB and in making key business decisions, especially within Ocean Falls’ captive insurance solution, SuretyBlock.
SuretyBlock is a decentralized solution for captive insurance providers with its first product, Eagle1, launching Q2/2022.
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The first decentralized product from SuretyBlock, called Eagle1, is a Hole-in-One insurance platform for the golf industry. The decentralized solution makes it easier, quicker and more efficient for hole-in-one prizes to be obtained and issued on golf courses, and in some cases, driving ranges.
Eagle1 is slated for launch in late Q2 2022. The decentralized solution has been designed to support golf associations, golf courses, and tournament organizers with unique and custom hole-in-one prize-pools and payouts.
“I am excited to work with this team on a project that is exciting for both golfers and golf courses. Today we can offer contests that will attract people to the game, and benefit golf courses everywhere,” said McWha.
McWha is a former President of the Manitoba PGA (1977-78), a former President of the PGA of Canada (1983 84), and a board member of the PGA of BC (1993-95). In 2015 he was inducted into the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame.
“We are excited to bring on Mr. McWha as a key advisor and partner that will help guide us in our latest decentralized financial product, SuretyBlock,” said Kevin Day, CTO at OFB and the head of SuretyBlock. “Mr. McWha brings a sharp business acumen and extensive experience in the Canadian golfing industry that will help guide us to our goals for Eagle1, and more.”
SuretyBlock aims to provide trade associations, organizations, and event organizers the option to insure themselves against various liabilities using the power of blockchain technology to pool and distribute funds.
About SuretyBlock
SuretyBlock is a decentralized solution for captive insurance providers. A captive insurer is an insurance company wholly-owned and controlled by its insureds. SuretyBlock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ocean Falls Blockchain Corp. Visit oceanfalls.com for more information.
For further information, please contact:
Oded Orgil
Chief Executive Officer of OFB
[email protected]
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: offering of secure assets custody and management of funds, improvement of wallet security and custodial capabilities and future changes that may be implemented as a result of integration of the Fireblock Network and MPC protocols. These statements are based upon information currently available to OFB’s management. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and “should”. Forward looking statements contained in this news release are based on certain factors and assumptions made by management of OFB based on their current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs regarding their business and OFB does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events or performance and by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although OFB has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause actions, events or results to be different than anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could vary or differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. OFB does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
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Blockchain
U.S. Factoring Services Market Analysis by Product, Technology, Grade, Application and End-user (2019-2032) – Next-Gen Technologies Drive Surge in Alternative Financing Access for SMEs
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group
Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your daily op-ed style deep dive into the most pivotal blockchain and crypto stories shaping today’s market. In this edition—May 12, 2025—we cover:
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Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens as Rootstock garners 81% of Bitcoin’s hashrate
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Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry aims to restore investor trust
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Token2049 Dubai Highlights spotlight Fastex’s Web3 innovations
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21Shares’ New ETP for Cronos (CRO) bridges traditional finance and DeFi
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The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise fuels its Bitcoin treasury strategy
Below, each story is summarized with key takeaways and opinion-driven context.
Introduction
Today’s blockchain landscape is defined by two contrasting forces: institutional maturation—as legacy players and governments adopt tokenized assets and infrastructure—and startup-driven innovation—where Web3 pioneers push boundaries in DeFi, NFTs, and on-chain governance. Major trends include:
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Security & Scalability: Layer-2 solutions and cross-chain bridges are gaining traction to secure and scale Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems.
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Transparency & Trust: From carbon credits to capital markets, blockchain is repeatedly chosen to enhance auditability and investor confidence.
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Mainstream Access: Crypto ETPs and regulated token offerings are lowering barriers for retail and institutional investors.
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Treasury Management: Public companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and token holdings as strategic assets to hedge against macro volatility.
Let’s unpack today’s five developments and their broader implications.
1. Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens with Rootstock’s Hashrate Share
What happened: A new Messari report finds that Rootstock (RSK), Bitcoin’s oldest layer-2 smart-contract platform, now commands 81% of Bitcoin’s total hashrate, up from 56% before major mining pools Foundry and SpiderPool onboarded in February. Transactions on Rootstock are 95% cheaper than on-chain Bitcoin and 55% cheaper than Ethereum, positioning RSK for sustained DeFi growth in 2025.
Source: CoinDesk
Analysis & commentary:
Rootstock’s dominant hashrate share underscores two key shifts:
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Security by Convergence: By leveraging Bitcoin’s massive mining network, RSK mitigates the common 51% risk faced by smaller chains.
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Cost-Efficiency for DeFi: Lower fees make RSK an attractive alternative to Ethereum for yield protocols, lending markets, and decentralized exchanges.
However, challenges remain. Smart-contract developers must integrate robust cross-chain bridges—Rootstock’s partnership with LayerZero is a start—to attract liquidity. Moreover, regulatory scrutiny of DeFi is rising; RSK’s governance will need transparent on-chain dispute resolution and compliance tooling to win institutional adoption.
2. Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry to Revive Investor Confidence
What happened: In Harare on May 9, the Zimbabwean government launched the world’s first blockchain-enabled carbon credit registry, developed by Dubai’s A6 Labs. The immutable ledger will record issuance, trading, and retirement of credits, addressing the fallout from 2023’s abrupt project cancellations and a 50% revenue levy that spooked developers. The new Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority (ZCMA) will oversee licensing via the zicma.org.zw portal.
Source: Bloomberg
Analysis & commentary:
Zimbabwe’s registry is an instructive case study in how blockchain can restore transparency and rebuild market trust:
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Immutable Audits: Every credit’s provenance is verifiable on-chain, deterring double-counting and fraud.
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Regulatory Framework: A dedicated authority streamlines approvals, balancing market access with environmental integrity.
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Investor Reassurance: By codifying rules in smart contracts, Zimbabwe signals that future policy shifts will be governed by code, not sudden ministerial edict.
Nonetheless, blockchain is not a panacea. Effective enforcement still depends on reliable on-the-ground measurement and reporting. The real test will be whether smaller African producers—Kenya, Zambia—adopt interoperable registries, creating a pan-continental carbon marketplace.
3. Web3 Innovation Takes Center Stage at Token2049 Dubai
What happened: Between April 30 and May 1, Token2049 Dubai convened industry leaders in the Emirates. Fastex, a platinum sponsor, showcased its Bahamut blockchain (PoSA consensus), the YoWallet custodial solution, and a wave of new apps—YoHealth, YoPhone/YoSIM, YoBlog—all designed to expand Web3 use cases beyond finance. Fastex also co-hosted regulatory forums with Solidus Labs and launched the Bahamut Grants program to seed developer innovation.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & commentary:
Token2049’s Dubai edition highlights an ecosystem maturation where:
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Compliance & Growth Coexist: Legal breakfasts signaled that self-regulation and layered oversight can lower entry barriers without stifling ingenuity.
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Beyond Finance: By unveiling telecom and health apps, Fastex challenges the notion that blockchain is niche—real-world use cases can drive mainstream adoption.
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Brand Ambassadors: Football legend Patrice Evra’s presence at YoHealth’s booth illustrates how cultural icons can amplify blockchain’s reach.
Moving forward, projects must demonstrate measurable end-user utility and scalable infrastructure to avoid the “pilot-only” trap. Dubai’s supportive regulatory sandbox remains an ideal proving ground.
4. 21Shares Launches ETP for Cronos (CRO) – Bridging TradFi and DeFi
What happened: Swiss issuer 21Shares listed a new ETP (CRON) on May 12, offering direct exposure to CRO, the native token of Cronos—a Layer 1 chain built for DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain interoperability with Ethereum and Cosmos. Investors can now trade CRO through regular brokerages without managing private keys or wallets.
Source: The Paypers
Analysis & commentary:
Tokenizing blockchain assets into regulated ETPs remains one of the most powerful drivers of institutional capital inflows:
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Familiar Interfaces: By packaging CRO as a ticker, 21Shares lowers the learning curve for asset managers and pension funds.
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Regulatory Alignment: ETPs fall under securities law, offering clear governance compared to unregulated spot tokens.
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Ecosystem Growth: Cronos stands to benefit from increased liquidity and brand recognition, which in turn fuels DeFi activity on its network.
ETPs also invite scrutiny: fees, redemption mechanics, and underlying custodial risks must be transparent to preserve investor trust. As competition heats up—with products for BTC, ETH, SOL, and more—issuers will vie on pricing, ease of access, and institutional credibility.
5. The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise Advances Bitcoin Treasury Strategy
What happened: Europe’s first Bitcoin Treasury Company, The Blockchain Group (ALTBG), completed a €9.888 million capital increase at €1.0932 per share on May 7, 2025. Proceeds will bolster its strategy to accumulate Bitcoin per fully diluted share while expanding consulting and AI-driven blockchain services.
Source: ActusNews via MarketScreener
Analysis & commentary:
The Blockchain Group’s financing round underscores a new corporate paradigm where holding BTC is core to the business model:
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Shareholder Alignment: By tethering equity value to Bitcoin accumulation, management and investors share upside in crypto markets.
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Operational Synergies: Subsidiaries in data intelligence and decentralized consulting can monetize both service fees and on-balance-sheet Bitcoin appreciation.
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Regulatory Compliance: As a publicly listed entity on Euronext Growth Paris, ALTBG navigates EU financial rules, offering a transparent vehicle for crypto exposure.
Yet this approach carries volatility risk: sudden BTC price swings can compress earnings per share and spur shareholder activism. Mitigation strategies—such as hedged derivatives and staggered BTC purchases—will be critical to sustain growth without alarming investors.
Conclusion
Today’s highlights reveal a blockchain industry at once foundational and frontier:
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Security & Scale: Rootstock’s hashrate gains fortify Bitcoin DeFi’s underpinnings.
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Transparent Markets: Zimbabwe’s carbon registry sets a template for blockchain-backed commodity markets.
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Web3 Diversification: Token2049 Dubai shows that true mass adoption demands real-world applications in health, telecom, and beyond.
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Institutional Access: ETPs like CRON democratize token ownership for mainstream investors.
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On-Balance-Sheet Crypto: The Blockchain Group exemplifies the rising class of publicly traded crypto-native firms.
As blockchain extends into supply chains, tokenized securities, and identity, the winners will be those who blend innovative protocol design with pragmatic regulatory alignment. Keep tuning into Blocks & Headlines for tomorrow’s top stories.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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