Blockchain
The TRON Grand Hackathon 2022 Announces First List of New Partners Joining the Permanent Judging Panel for Season 2
Geneva, Switzerland–(Newsfile Corp. – June 17, 2022) – TRON DAO and BitTorrent Chain (BTTC) are thrilled to announce Mirana, Binance Custody, FalconX, Bittrex Global, APENFT Marketplace, Voxels, Tacen, Ankr, Velas, SwissBorg Ventures, and the lead author of the ERC-721 Standard, William Entriken, as partners and judges for the TRON Grand Hackathon 2022, Season 2. They will be joining the permanent judging panel alongside the event’s highly esteemed partners from Season 1.
Image source: Tron
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8506/128142_dae500e474d6c804_001full.jpg
The partners will serve on the distinguished panel as judges for the Hackathon Season 2 projects built on TRON or BTTC. In addition, each of the partners may consider individual grants for projects that display growth potential. Winning projects may have the chance to work with the Company’s partners on potential future listings and may be invited to integrate with some of their blockchains.
Meet the Partners and Judges
Mirana
Sean Tan is the Head of Asset Management at Mirana Asset Management, a venture, trading, and asset management firm which currently manages one of the largest proprietary digital asset portfolios globally. Previously, he was a Portfolio Manager at Tower Research Capital and contributed to its high-frequency cryptocurrency trading business.
Binance Custody
Cathy Yu, Head of Binance Custody, is also joining the judging panel. Binance Custody is an institutional-grade custody platform, regulated, insured, and integrated with the Binance ecosystem, all backed by an advanced and proven security structure. Cathy has extensive experience in the banking industry; she previously specialized in cross-border payments and global OTC trading. She has been leveraging her traditional finance background to serve the crypto industry since 2017.
FalconX
David Streltsoff, Senior Sales Executive is representing FalconX on the panel for Season 2. FalconX is a reliable Institutional Crypto Trading Platform built for financial institutions. Restructuring business processes and pioneering sales/marketing strategies are Davids’s core areas of expertise. As a seasoned sales/business development leader, he carries a solid history of building and leading teams, overachieving quota, re-establishing business vision, and tapping into new markets.
Bittrex Global
Chris Sinkey from Bittrex Global is the Listing Director and Chief Business Officer. Bittrex Global operates as a US-based blockchain digital asset trading platform designed for customers who demand lightning-fast trade execution, dependable digital wallets, and industry-leading security practices.
APENFT Marketplace
Sydney Xiong, the Director of APENFT Foundation, will also be joining the panel. APENFT Marketplace is a multichain NFT trading platform built on BSC, TRON, and Ethereum layer-1 protocols with BTFS decentralized storage and made interoperable via BitTorrent Chain. They are also the official supporter of the NFT track for the Season 2 of The TRON Grand Hackathon. In addition to managing art collections of APENFT, Sydney initiated the “Second Life” Art Dream Fund and APENFT GameFi Hackathon, curated Digital Wanderlust NFT shows, led the team to make investments in more than 20 NFT and metaverse projects, and recently launched APENFT Marketplace.
Voxels
Charles Karpati, a Software Developer for the Voxels metaverse is representing Cryptooxels, a virtual world, and metaverse powered by the Ethereum blockchain. In his current role, Charles helps create new features for landowners to build their properties with, addresses bugs, steadily improves the user interface, and serves as a point of communication between the team and user base.
Tacen
Clarence Liu, the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Tacen, one of the leaders in crypto compliance, is also joining the illustrious panel. As a technical expert in blockchain with over five years of experience on the road advocating for blockchain adoption, Clarence continues to push the frontiers of blockchain technology and governance at Tacen.
Ankr
Also on the panel is Gregory Gopman, CMO at Ankr, a decentralized Web3 infrastructure provider that helps developers, decentralized applications, and stakers interact easily with an array of blockchains. Gregory is also the CEO at Mewn Marketing and co-Founder of Akash Network. He has spent 15 years in startups, 10 years in Silicon Valley, and five years in Web3.
Velas
Farhad Shagulyamov, CEO of Velas, a next-generation blockchain ecosystem project that implements an AI-powered Delegated Proof-of-Stake (AIDPOS) consensus mechanism for improved scalability, high security, and interoperability. Farhad’s path to the blockchain niche started in 2016 when he became a cryptocurrency investor and started a technology company in China. This invaluable experience allowed him to make a considerable contribution to developing the idea of Velas and establishing the project.
SwissBorg
SwissBorg Ventures takes a vertical-agnostic approach to investing on behalf of SwissBorg in the most promising early-stage blockchain projects. They focus on empowering founders with the capital and expertise to build and scale the next generation of Web3 applications.
The event also welcomes José Fernando Pereira, an Investment Analyst at SwissBorg Ventures with experience in early-stage investments, particularly looking at tokenomics frameworks and their integration into sustainable business models.
ERC721 Standard
Lastly, joining the event is William Entriken, lead author of the ERC-721 Standard, General Manager at Pacific Medical Training, and Advisor at Arianee, Area world.
As part of the Hackathon, the event will be hosting a few of the judges and partners on the Around the Block podcast series, streamed live on the TRON DAO YouTube channel and on DLive Protocol (the truly decentralized live streaming platform).
For eligibility, rules, criteria, and further details, please visit the TRON DAO Forum, TRON.Devpost.com/rules, and TRONDAO.org/hackathon.
About TRON DAO
TRON is dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and decentralized applications (dApps). Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of June 2022, it has over 98 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 3.3 billion total transactions, and over $8.7 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently, the over-collateralized decentralized stablecoin USDD was launched on the TRON blockchain, backed by the first-ever crypto reserve for the blockchain industry – TRON DAO Reserve, marking TRON’s official entry into decentralized stablecoins.
TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum
Media Contact
Alexis Schreiber
press.hackathon@trondao.org
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/128142
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 29, 2025 (Vaulta, Fosun, Signing Day Sports, Credit Unions, Gaming Innovations)
Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your definitive daily briefing on the latest blockchain breakthroughs, cryptocurrency developments, and Web3 innovations. In today’s edition—May 29, 2025—we explore five pivotal stories shaping the decentralized economy:
- FT Analysis: Crypto Regulation and Institutional Adoption
- Signing Day Sports Seals Deal with Blockchain Digital Infrastructure
- Vaulta & Fosun Partner to Power Hong Kong’s Blockchain Backbone
- Transforming Online Gaming: Blockchain’s Next Frontier
- Credit Unions Embrace Blockchain for Trustworthy Financial Services
This op-ed–style roundup delivers concise yet insightful coverage, critical analysis, and expert opinion on each development’s relevance within the broader blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystem.
1. FT Analysis: Crypto Regulation and Institutional Adoption
Overview. The Financial Times reports on evolving global regulatory landscapes and their impact on institutional cryptocurrency adoption. FT highlights how major funds and asset managers navigate compliance frameworks in the US, EU, and Asia to integrate digital assets into traditional portfolios.
Source: Financial Times
Detailed Analysis. As regulators across jurisdictions craft tailored guidelines—from MiCA in Europe to the SEC’s evolving crypto classifications in the US—institutions face a balancing act between innovation and compliance:
- MiCA’s Market Integrity Measures: New EU rules mandate clear disclosures for stablecoin issuers and exchange operators, raising the bar for consumer protection.
- SEC’s Custody Interpretations: Emerging guidance on digital asset custody models, including qualified custodians versus self-custody frameworks.
- Asia’s Sandbox Approaches: Hong Kong and Singapore expand sandbox programs, offering controlled environments for DeFi and tokenization trials.
Opinion. Regulatory clarity is the linchpin for institutional inflows. While stringent frameworks may seem burdensome, they ultimately foster market confidence and prevent systemic risks. Asset managers should proactively engage with policymakers, leveraging sandbox insights to shape pragmatic, innovation-friendly regulations.
2. Signing Day Sports Seals Deal with Blockchain Digital Infrastructure
Overview. According to TradingView’s Reuters feed, Signing Day Sports has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Blockchain Digital Infrastructure, a profitable data-hosting specialist serving DeFi and NFT platforms.
Source: Reuters via TradingView
Detailed Analysis. The acquisition underscores the rising value of specialized blockchain infrastructure:
- Scalable Data Nodes: Blockchain Digital Infrastructure operates 150+ high-throughput nodes, ensuring low-latency data delivery for real-time sports NFT drops.
- Profitability Metrics: The company reported $32 million in EBITDA last fiscal year, highlighting sustainable revenue in a niche market.
- Strategic Synergies: Signing Day Sports plans to integrate hosted nodes into its upcoming sports collectibles marketplace, guaranteeing seamless token minting during high-traffic events.
Opinion. In Web3, infrastructure is the invisible backbone. For NFT marketplaces and DeFi protocols, node reliability and data throughput directly impact user experience—and ultimately, revenue. This move positions Signing Day Sports to compete at scale, setting a precedent for vertical integration in blockchain hosting.
3. Vaulta & Fosun Partner to Power Hong Kong’s Blockchain Backbone
Overview. Coindesk reports that Vaulta, a leading digital asset platform, is teaming up with Fosun International to develop blockchain infrastructure for Hong Kong’s emerging crypto hub.
Source: CoinDesk
Detailed Analysis. The collaboration aims to build secure, high-performance rails for trading, custody, and tokenization:
- Layer-1 Interoperability: Joint development of a cross-chain protocol connecting Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, and local DLT frameworks.
- Institutional Custody Solutions: Licensed trust entities under Fosun’s umbrella will offer insured cold-storage services for professional investors.
- Regulatory Cooperation: Partnership includes a liaison with the Hong Kong SFC to ensure compliance with the new Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) regime.
Opinion. Asia remains a hotbed for blockchain innovation, but regulatory fragmentation poses hurdles. Vaulta’s alliance with Fosun exemplifies public-private synergy—combining local market expertise, financial strength, and technical know-how to anchor the city’s digital asset ambitions.
4. Transforming Online Gaming: Blockchain’s Next Frontier
Overview. TronWeekly examines how blockchain technologies—especially NFTs and decentralized marketplaces—are redefining online gaming economies.
Source: TronWeekly
Detailed Analysis. Key trends driving gaming’s blockchain revolution:
- Play-to-Earn Economies: Games like Axie Infinity and emergent titles use tokenized rewards and NFT-based assets to create real-world value for players.
- Decentralized Marketplaces: Platforms such as Enjin and Immutable X offer gas-free trading environments for in-game items, enhancing liquidity.
- Cross-Game Asset Portability: Standards like ERC-1155 enable items to move seamlessly between compatible titles, fostering interoperability.
Opinion. Gaming is blockchain’s killer app. Beyond speculative hype, tokenization can democratize game economies, allowing genuine ownership and secondary markets. Developers must, however, tackle scalability and user onboarding frictions—layer-2 solutions and intuitive wallets are essential for mass adoption.
5. Credit Unions Embrace Blockchain for Trustworthy Financial Services
Overview. AP’s business coverage highlights several US credit unions piloting blockchain-based platforms to enhance transaction transparency, reduce settlement times, and cut cross-border remittance fees.
Source: AP News
Detailed Analysis. Examples of credit union blockchain pilots:
- Consortium-Led DLT: A consortium of midwestern credit unions uses a permissioned Hyperledger Fabric network to settle inter-credit-union payments in near real-time.
- Remittance Solutions: Deployment of Stellar-based rails reduces remittance costs by up to 60%, benefiting diaspora communities.
- Member Identity Management: Verifiable credential systems streamline KYC processes, reducing onboarding time from days to hours.
Opinion. As community-focused institutions, credit unions can leverage blockchain to reassert their value proposition—offering cost-effective, transparent services that rival large banks and fintechs. Success will hinge on member education and seamless integration with legacy core banking systems.
Central Themes
Today’s dispatch reveals five core themes:
- Regulatory Engagement: From FT’s analysis to Hong Kong’s VASP regime, clear rules underpin institutional and retail growth.
- Infrastructure Control: Signing Day Sports’ acquisition and Vaulta’s Fosun partnership demonstrate the premium on reliable blockchain rails.
- Economic Innovation: Play-to-earn gaming and credit union pilots show tokenization’s real-world impact.
- Interoperability Focus: Cross-chain protocols and ERC-1155 standards drive seamless Web3 experiences.
- Market Confidence: Institutional adoption and compliance frameworks foster long-term trust.
Conclusion
In today’s Blocks & Headlines, we see blockchain’s evolution from experimental playground to enterprise-grade infrastructure: regulators clarify, institutions invest, communities adopt, and developers innovate. Whether you’re tracking regulatory shifts, infrastructure deals, gaming revolutions, or financial cooperatives, the decentralized ledger continues to reshape industries.
Join us tomorrow for Blocks & Headlines, where we continue to unpack blockchain’s latest breakthroughs—one block at a time.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 29, 2025 (Vaulta, Fosun, Signing Day Sports, Credit Unions, Gaming Innovations) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
XDC Network Partners with Bitso Business to Power Cross-Border Payments from the U.S. to Mexico
-
Blockchain Press Releases7 days agoWSPN Launches New Website, Unveiling Enhanced Vision for Next-Generation Stablecoin Infrastructure
-
Blockchain Press Releases9 hours agoRain Expands Support to Solana, Tron, and Stellar, Enabling More Partners to Launch Stablecoin-powered Card Programs
-
Blockchain Press Releases6 days agoCompass Mining Partners with Synota’s “Impact Mining” Initiative to Transform Bitcoin Hashrate into Community Impact
-
Blockchain Press Releases6 days ago
Bybit Card Rolls Out New Lucky Draw for Guaranteed Wins Including a Tesla
-
Blockchain6 days agoBioSig Technologies, Inc. Signs Definitive Share Exchange Agreement with Streamex Exchange Corp. to Launch First-Mover Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Company Bringing Commodity Markets On-Chain.
-
Blockchain Press Releases3 days ago
CoinW Teams Up with Superteam Europe to Conclude Solana Hackathon and Accelerate Web3 Innovation in Europe
-
Blockchain Press Releases3 days agoFlipster Reveals Middle East Expansion Plans and Appoints Regional Leadership to Bolster Crypto Trading
-
Blockchain3 days ago
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 26, 2025 (Lightchain AI, Cetus Hack, Bilal Bin Saqib, The Blockchain Group)
