Blockchain
Report Highlights The Dawn of Thailand’s e-Payment Era
The rapid development of Thailand’s e-Payment landscape has made it an essential part of modern Thai life, allowing unbounded global commerce and accommodating the rise of the “New Normal” during the COVID-19 crisis, while setting the scene for the Kingdom to steadily evolve into a “cashless society,” according to a report published on the Thailand NOW website.
The advances are the result of careful planning and development over the past six years of the rollout of financial technology services and systems, the report said. That level of preparation allowed the country to be ready to implement solutions needed when the arrival COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of technology by Thai consumers.
Thailand’s move towards e-Payment has been driven by the National e-Payment Master Plan, which was launched in 2015 with the aim to transition the Kingdom to a digital economy and to bring economic progress for all in the country.
The plan’s five core elements are the PromptPay system, launched in 2016 to allow real time transactions to take place using national ID or phone numbers; the multiplication of EDC networks and tools that eliminate the need for cash; the digitization of the tax system; the establishment of a state e-Payment system for efficient welfare distribution, and the promotion of electronic payment systems.
E-Payments are overseen by the Bank of Thailand, the country’s central bank, supports the National e-Payment Master Plan with its own Payment Systems Roadmap, which states, “Digital Payment is to be the most preferred choice in efficient, safe, low-cost payment systems that meets users’ needs.”
Arguably the greatest boost to e-Payment has been the proliferation of smart mobile phones, which placed access to fintech and digital money services in the pockets of everyday people. Further driving e-Payment has been the advent of the Quick Response (QR) code, a system invented in Japan in 1994, that allows for actionable data to be read by smartphones. Harnessing QR codes for e-Payment was spearheaded by Chinese e-commerce and social media giants Alibaba and WeChat and led to their popularity throughout Asia, the report said.
The mobile banking applications, that streamlined the myriad of financial services into safe and user-friendly interfaces, have all but replaced traditional in-person banking and pushed e-Payment into the Thai mainstream. The mobile banking apps, first introduced by Kasikornbank in 2010, then by Krungthai Bank and Siam Commercial Bank in 2012, had initially limited functionalities, but they have now effectively set the stage for Thailand’s present e-Payment landscape.
Users quickly started to adopt these new tools. Just one year after its launch, the PromptPay system had logged over 718 million transactions and, by December 2018, counted 46.5 million users, over half the country’s population, the report said, citing the National e-Payment Committee assessment.
Overall, electronic transactions rose from a share of 15.9% of the nation’s GDP in 2010 to 24.2% in 2019, according to Bank of Thailand data.
All of these developments proved especially valuable when the COVID-19 crisis started in early 2020, the report said.
Needing to distribute aid nationwide while maintaining social distancing, the Thai government was able to use the e-Payment infrastructure provided by programs such as PromptPay to effectively carry out its social services.
Using the e-wallet Pao Tang app, assistance programs Rao Chana and Mor 33 Rao Rak Gun provided direct monthly payouts to those in need during the pandemic. The Co-Pay program saw the government pay for half of purchases made by users who simply had to make their payments via the Pao Tang app, which also supports Ying Chai Ying Dai, another Government program, granting vouchers in users’ apps to stimulate commerce.
Furthermore, the “New Normal” realities of remote working and learning, food delivery, and online shopping affirmed the need for e-Payment as an element of app-based services, the report said.
Food delivery services provided in Thailand by operators such as Grab Food, Line Man, and Food Panda saw a massive jump once COVID-19 hampered dine-in eateries and necessitated contactless living, with food orders skyrocketing 100-300%, the report said, citing a United States Department of Agriculture report.
Conditions imposed by the pandemic even played a part in establishing Thailand’s first unicorn, e-commerce service provider Flash Group, which announced in June 2021 it had reached a valuation of over US$1 billion, as online retail soared due to COVID-19.
The development of Thailand’s digital economy e-Payment involves cooperation with regional partners, and the central bank has moved to establish cross border arrangements with its counterparts in Malaysia and Singapore to facilitate retail e-Payment transactions for consumers and businesses in Thailand with their counterparts in both countries.
Also, in a forward-looking initiative, the Bank of Thailand has since 2019 worked on a joint research project with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, regarding the development of central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and block-chain technology.
More broadly, the supply chain and logistics sector is seeing exciting developments in blockchain adoption for greater transparency, traceability, and automation in the production cycle. For instance, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with impact tech firm Diginex Solutions to better protect migrant workers in Thailand’s garment industry using labour management facilitated by blockchain technology.
This ultimately benefits companies looking to improve their ESG disclosure as well as investors wishing to build socially responsible portfolios, which are known to out-perform the market.
All combined, e-Payment thoroughly deserves the attention and support it is receiving in Thailand, offering ease and financial empowerment to individuals and a world of potential for businesses at the national and regional levels, the report concluded.
SOURCE Thailand NOW
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 25, 2025 | BitNile, Dutch Blockchain Week, Citigroup, Philippine Blockchain Week, D.O.G.E Foundation
Blockchain’s metamorphosis from niche ledger technology to the backbone of Web3 has never been more evident. Today, we cover five stories that illustrate the evolving ecosystem: a gaming platform issuing its own token on Solana; Europe’s marquee Web3 summit; a major bank forecasting a “ChatGPT moment” for blockchain; a Southeast Asian conference aimed at busting crypto myths; and a foundation rebuilding blockchain from the ground up to solve scalability. Each development—whether product launch, industry gathering, macro forecast, educational initiative, or infrastructure innovation—offers a window into the trends shaping decentralized finance, NFTs, DeFi, and beyond.
1. BitNile.com to Launch Nile Coin on Solana
News Summary
Hyperscale Data’s subsidiary BitNile.com will introduce the Nile Coin on Solana starting May 1, 2025. The U.S.–based social gaming site chose Solana for its high throughput and low fees, aiming to enhance in-game economies, reward engagement, and deliver seamless micro-transactions. Details on tokenomics and governance are forthcoming, but management touts Nile Coin as a cornerstone of future gaming experiences.
Source: CoinTrus
Analysis & Commentary
Launching a proprietary token underscores two converging trends: the gamification of finance and finance-ification of gaming. By minting Nile Coin, BitNile.com taps into DeFi mechanics—staking, liquidity pools, NFT rewards—while leveraging Solana’s scalability. Strategically, BitNile.com positions itself for partnerships with NFT marketplaces and DeFi protocols, potentially opening secondary markets for in-game assets and generating new revenue streams beyond ad sales or subscription fees.
2. Dutch Blockchain Week 2025 Gears Up in Amsterdam
News Summary
From May 19–25, Amsterdam will host the sixth annual Dutch Blockchain Week, culminating in the two-day summit (May 21–22) at De Meervaart. Tier 1 exchanges (Bitvavo, Kraken, Coinbase), Web3 pioneers (WOW.ai, Blockrise), regulators (European Commission, De Nederlandsche Bank), and industry partners (Mastercard, Deloitte) will convene. Side events range from AI-powered hackathons tackling compliance to padel networking meetups—underscoring the event’s blend of technology, policy, and community.
Source: Dutch Blockchain Week
Analysis & Commentary
Dutch Blockchain Week typifies the maturation of blockchain conferences into multidisciplinary forums. Beyond token talk and yield farming, panels on regulation, institutional adoption, and security reflect Web3’s integration into mainstream finance. Anticipate announcements on CBDC pilots, DeFi compliance frameworks, and cross-chain interoperability projects that may emerge from the Block & Order Hackathon.
3. Citigroup Predicts Blockchain’s “ChatGPT Moment”
News Summary
In an April 23 report, Citigroup analysts argue that 2025 could be blockchain’s “ChatGPT moment,” driven by regulatory clarity around stablecoins and integration with traditional financial systems. They forecast stablecoin market capitalization ballooning to $1.6 trillion (base case) or as much as $3.7 trillion (bull case) by 2030—anchored by dollar-denominated issuers and collateralized with U.S. Treasuries. Regulatory frameworks like the GENIUS Act could catalyze adoption among banks and fintechs.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
Drawing parallels to generative AI’s explosive growth, Citigroup envisions a tipping point where blockchain moves from experimental to essential infrastructure. Successful integration will hinge on robust compliance tools, auditability, and clear governance models. Enterprise blockchain vendors should prepare for surging demand in tokenized payments, on-chain settlements, and embedded DeFi rails within legacy systems.
4. Philippine Blockchain Week 2025 Debunks Crypto Myths
News Summary
Scheduled for June 10–11 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Philippine Blockchain Week (PBW) 2025 will tackle misinformation and spotlight real-world use cases. Highlights include “Crypto, Unpacked” sessions demystifying the technology; “Smart Regulation” panels uniting policymakers and innovators; and “Blockchain for Impact” showcases on remittances, disaster relief, and digital identity. Founding President Donald Lim emphasizes government support and public–private collaboration to spur inclusive growth.
Source: UseTheBitcoin
Analysis & Commentary
PBW exemplifies how emerging markets leverage education to accelerate Web3 adoption responsibly. By engaging regulators early, PBW can shape balanced frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting consumers—an instructive model for markets wrestling with both hype and skepticism.
5. D.O.G.E Foundation Launches New Blockchain, Opens Seed Round
News Summary
The D.O.G.E Foundation announced a ground-up blockchain rebuild designed to solve the scalability and reliability challenges plaguing existing networks. This modular architecture separates validation from execution to enable parallel transaction processing—targeting real-time gaming, DeFi under high load, and AI-driven applications. A seed funding round is now open to investors who share the vision of a performant, decentralized infrastructure.
Source: D.O.G.E Altcoin GlobeNewswire
Analysis & Commentary
As layer-1 congestion and high gas fees persist, new entrants must justify a “why now” with clear architectural advantages. If the D.O.G.E blockchain delivers real-world throughput and maintains decentralization, it could spur a renaissance of high-performance DeFi protocols and NFT platforms hungry for cost-effective base layers.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
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Tokenization of Entertainment: BitNile’s Nile Coin on Solana highlights blockchain’s expansion into gaming economies and NFT reward systems.
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Convergence of Tech, Policy & Community: Dutch Blockchain Week showcases Web3’s evolution into an ecosystem engaging regulators, enterprises, and developers under one roof.
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Mainstream Inflection Point: Citigroup’s “ChatGPT moment” thesis suggests blockchain is poised for exponential adoption given regulatory support.
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Education as Catalyst: Philippine Blockchain Week’s myth-busting curriculum underscores the importance of public–private dialogue in emerging markets.
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Infrastructure Innovation: The D.O.G.E Foundation’s modular, high-throughput chain exemplifies the next wave of layer-1 networks addressing real-time, real-world use cases.
Today’s stories convey that blockchain’s next chapter will be written through strategic token launches, global convenings, regulatory clarity, educational outreach, and radical infrastructure redesign. By tracking these threads, industry participants can anticipate opportunities in DeFi, NFTs, Web3 games, and enterprise integration. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Blocks & Headlines, where we’ll continue to decode the innovations shaping decentralized finance.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 25, 2025 | BitNile, Dutch Blockchain Week, Citigroup, Philippine Blockchain Week, D.O.G.E Foundation appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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