Blockchain
World Mobile’s Record-Breaking Aerostat Launch Paves the Way for Commercial Usage
London, United Kingdom–(Newsfile Corp. – December 1, 2022) – World Mobile has successfully demonstrated mobile network connectivity via a low-altitude aerostat in a record-breaking remote launch. This demonstration kicks off the next phase of their hybrid mobile network expansion, which will see the deployment of aerostat balloons that have the power to digitally connect billions of people.
Figure 1
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The aerostat launch took place in New Hampshire, USA, and was live-streamed over 6,000 miles to the ‘Connecting The World From the Skies’ event, hosted by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia. During the demonstration, Kamal Alharbi, the General Director of Operations at the Saudi Space Commission, pressed the dispatch button for the remote launch. Once the aerostat reached optimal altitude, James Tagg from the World Mobile team in the US joined the panel in KSA via a live stream that was powered by World Mobile’s network connection, directly from the aerostat.
According to ITU, around 2.7 billion people remain unconnected to the internet and thus unconnected from digital products and services that could dramatically improve their lives. World Mobile recognizes this humanitarian crisis and is building the world’s first and largest blockchain-based mobile network, utilizing aerial and ground assets.
Deployed roughly 300m into the air and tethered to the ground, World Mobile aerostats are remotely controlled and provide last-mile connectivity using a custom payload. This means mobile customers can directly connect to the aerostat’s payload using their smartphone in the same way they would to a traditional cell tower. The aerostats are able to offer standard cellular connectivity covering a radius of up to 70km.
“It is very exciting for somebody coming from a lighter-than-air background to see that the World Mobile business model enables aerostats to finally be used for commercial use in a way that will genuinely improve people’s lives in a cost-effective way,” says World Mobile’s Head of Aerostat Activities, Gregory Gottlieb.
World Mobile connects the unconnected by creating a profitable ecosystem that allows people to own the hardware and share a network via blockchain-powered AirNodes and EarthNodes. The team aims to succeed in solving a problem that has attracted the attention of tech giants – starting with a commitment to invest $350 million into building telecommunications infrastructure in rural Africa. World Mobile’s solution provides connectivity at a cost at least 12 times lower than traditional mobile network operators. In addition to its use of aerostats, World Mobile is preparing to distribute high-altitude assisted balloons at stratospheric altitudes of up to 20km, providing connectivity at a cost closer to 100 times lower than traditional operators.
World Mobile has deployed around 150 nodes in Zanzibar, providing internet to at least 20,000 people. The community has since been able to start businesses online and access services such as healthcare and education. Following the successful demonstration in New Hampshire, the whole island will soon benefit from blanket coverage when its first aerostat is deployed in the coming months.
About World Mobile
World Mobile is the first mobile network built on blockchain. With over 3 billion people left offline, digital exclusion is a significant problem. Unlike traditional mobile networks, World Mobile works with local businesses and entrepreneurs, giving them the power to connect their local communities via a sharing economy. World Mobile’s hybrid network utilises air and ground assets that enable aerial connectivity, such as aerostats and AirNodes, to deliver network coverage in rural areas where previously it was impossible. To learn more about World Mobile, visit https://worldmobile.io/.
About the Event
Connecting from the skies is the world’s premier conference exploring space, terrestrial, and future integrated connectivity. Many respectable people from the telecommunications industry attended the event, including His Excellency Mohammed Alotaibi, Abdulrahman Alnajdi, and Kamal Alharbi, the General Director of Operation at the Saudi Space Commission, who administered the pressing of the dispatch button for the remote launch.
Whilst the aerostat was increasing in altitude, panel discussions continued between Ben Glass and George Allen from World Mobile’s partner Altaeros, Charles Barnett, Emmanuel Gratch, and Gregory Gottleib from World Mobile on the technology behind the aerostats, the mission of World Mobile, and the business models used. Once at optimal altitude for the demonstration, James Tagg and Peter Mitton, in New Hampshire, started a live video using the World Mobile Network and successfully demonstrated connectivity from the skies all the way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Once the live video ended, members were reinvited to the stage to land the aerostat remotely, which concluded the demonstration.
Contact Details:
Mike Blake-Crawford
mike@worldmobile.io
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/146197
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.
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