Blockchain
CONFIDENTIAL CREATIVE AND NC LABS ANNOUNCE ANIMATED SERIES, “BLOCKCHAIN BUDDIES” — PIONEERING DECENTRALIZED ENTERTAINMENT WITH A LINE OF INTERACTIVE NFT PROJECTS
Confidential Creative has partnered with NC Labs to produce an animated NFT project called “Blockchain Buddies,” the first in a line of original intellectual properties under a soon to be announced decentralized entertainment studio. The project will be a first of its kind interactive animated project, with NFT holding community members empowered to shape the future of the creative universe.
Confidential Creative is co-founded by Andrew Seth Cohen and Ryan Kieffer. NC Labs is co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Francisco Lopes, Harrison Shulman and Francisco Schmidberger.
Other launch partners include lead developer João Abrantes, writer Brandon F. Johnson, and A-list entertainment lawyer Jason Liberman. Advisors on the project also include NFT influencers and analysts, including iAmFuture, Preston Johnson (aka SportsCheetah formerly of ESPN and co-creator of PUNKS Comic), and members of The Last Slice collective.
As part of the announcement, the Blockchain Buddies team has shared its first piece of concept art, showing the world of Genesis City where characters and other kinds of IP will live. Designed by YueTong Tsen, the piece will also be later auctioned off as a 1/1 NFT. The project launches with a discord channel led by veteran moderator Peachy. Additional details on the project will be released on social media via Twitter @BCB_NFT and discord (join here: https://discord.gg/A7QbDvUmtd) with an incentive structure for reveals. To start, the first Character Design illustration, done by Ashton Holmes, will be revealed as newcomers join the Blockchain Buddies Discord community. Additional reveals and updates will be forthcoming as the community grows–with giveaways, competitions, live events and more to come.
Lopes and Shulman previously created the first NFT marketplace with legal licensing and patent-pending smart contracts. Lopes is also the co-founder of LINK Agency, a TikTok-focused marketing firm that has generated over 3 billion organic impressions for its clients, while Shulman previously led go-to-market strategies for Sony PlayStation while a consultant at EY. Lopes graduated from Stanford’s MBA program and Masters in Physics Engineer from Tecnico, University of Lisbon, and Shulman has attended Columbia’s MBA program and graduated from Cornell University.
Cohen and Kieffer founded Confidential Creative in 2018 as a creative agency and production company specializing in animation. Positioned at the intersection of the music, television, video game, eSports, and film industries, the company develops, produces and promotes strategic animated content. Current and past clients include Journey, Maroon 5, NBCUniversal, Peacock Kids/DreamWorks TV, Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk” series, Interscope Records, P. Diddy’s Revolt TV, A&E/History Channel, eSports teams SK Gaming and Alliance, Kesha, Louis the Child, Brownies & Lemonade, lovelytheband and more. Their core team of artists come from across the world, which gives their content international flavor and maximizes its impact.
Abrantes was pursuing a PhD in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at EPFL before switching paths to found Optimal Labs, a company on a mission to grow safer, healthier food by deploying fully autonomous indoor farms outside every city on earth. Optimal is backed by leading tech VCs, including Founders Fund, who backed companies such as SpaceX, Palantir and Square from the start. He has a Masters in Physics from Tecnico, University of Lisbon.
Liberman is an attorney and partner at The Corporate Practice based in Los Angeles. Known for his work representing A-list musical artists, he specializes in corporate and business transaction law, estate planning and employment law. Johnson is a screenwriter, animation director and experiential story creative developing slates of projects alongside talent, executives and production groups for streaming, film and interactive mediums. Johnson also operates as a Team Lead for Fiverr’s Community Growth Program, hosting events and fostering relationships between sponsors, freelancers and supporters of the Gig Economy.
Cohen and Kieffer are also known for their work with BEAR NFT, a full service NFT agency and Metavere PR and event production company, that they co-founded with Blake Berlinger and Joseph Schwartz. BEAR NFT spearheaded the first ever multi-artist live performance music and arts festival in Decentraland, “TO THE MOON,” which drew over 700 attedees in early July 2021 and featured performances and curated NFTs by Ookay, Win and Woo, Autograf, SNBRN, Fred Thurst (as Dr. Fresch). They also recently organized the premiere Decentraland Halloween party and concert, “NFTS ARE DEAD,” which drew over 1,000 attendees and featured a custom Hell-themed venue build and horror maze designed in conjunction with The Last Slice. BEAR NFT also handled marketing and press promotion for Banquet Labs’ noted Apollo 11-themed virtual activation in Decetraland, produced in partnership with the Aldrin Family Foundation, which featured the launch of a new spaced themed-fashion brand, including virtual wearables, by noted fashion designer Nick Graham.
Additional information on the Blockchain Buddies project can be found on their website or discord. Interested community members can also follow on social media on Twitter at @BCB_NFT for regular updates and announcements.
Blockchain
BioSig 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
From Onboarding to Settlement in Minutes: TransFi Launches BizPay to Redefine Global Business Payments
TransFi
The blockchain universe never sleeps. From pioneering cross-border payment systems in Central America to city-wide crypto strategies in New York City, today’s headlines reveal an industry maturing at breakneck speed. In this edition of Blocks & Headlines, we explore five landmark developments:
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Guatemala’s Banco Industrial integrates blockchain for seamless cross-border remittances.
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NYC Mayor’s Office unveils a comprehensive crypto and blockchain roadmap.
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OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative sign an MOU to launch the OSRH token.
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Bybit’s “Chicken Trader” livestream—crypto meets poultry in the world’s first poultry-powered trading showdown.
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FIFA taps Avalanche to build a dedicated blockchain for its NFT platform.
These stories underscore three key trends reshaping the ecosystem:
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Institutional Adoption & Regulation: From national banks to municipal governments, legacy institutions are embracing decentralized technologies.
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Tokenization & Community Engagement: Strategic partnerships are launching specialized tokens that bridge niche communities with global markets.
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Innovative Use Cases: Whether gaming, entertainment, or live-stream events, blockchain’s versatility spawns ever-more creative applications.
Join us as we unpack the implications, weigh the opportunities, and forecast where these trajectories might lead.
1. Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments
What Happened
Guatemala’s Banco Industrial, the country’s biggest financial institution, announced the deployment of a private‐permissioned blockchain network to streamline remittances from the U.S. into Guatemala City and beyond. The solution reduces settlement times from days to minutes, cuts fees by up to 60 %, and offers real-time traceability for senders and receivers.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
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Financial Inclusion Boost: Remittances account for over 12 % of Guatemala’s GDP. By minimizing friction and cost, blockchain integration will extend financial services to remote communities reliant on diaspora funds.
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Risk & Compliance: Permissioned networks allow Banco Industrial to retain AML/KYC controls, mitigating concerns around illicit flows. This hybrid approach demonstrates that enterprise blockchain can balance decentralization with regulatory rigor.
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Regional Ripple Effects: Neighboring Central American banks are watching closely. Should Guatemala’s pilot succeed, we can expect a domino effect across El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica—each seeking to capitalize on faster, cheaper cross-border rails.
Implications
Legacy banks worldwide should view this as a blueprint: private blockchains can coexist with existing compliance frameworks while delivering transformative user benefits. Early movers will capture remittance market share and cultivate fintech partnerships across the Latin American corridor.
2. NYC Mayor Unveils Ambitious Crypto & Blockchain Agenda
What Happened
New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s multi-pronged strategy to make NYC a global crypto hub. Key initiatives include:
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A regulatory sandbox for crypto startups to pilot DeFi, NFTs, and token-based fundraising under city supervision.
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Partnerships with CUNY and Columbia University for blockchain research and talent development.
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Deployment of a blockchain-based public record system for land titles and business registrations.
Source: GovTech
Analysis & Commentary
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Regulatory Harmony vs. Overreach: By offering a controlled sandbox rather than blanket deregulation, NYC signals a nuanced stance—encouraging innovation without sacrificing consumer protection.
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Talent Pipeline: Academic partnerships aim to remedy the talent shortage plaguing blockchain firms. Local graduates trained in distributed ledger technologies (DLT) will feed startups, financial institutions, and government agencies.
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Public Services on Chain: Land registries and business filings on blockchain promise greater transparency and fraud reduction. If scaled effectively, NYC could set a global standard for government-blockchain integration.
Implications
Other major cities—London, Singapore, Dubai—will feel pressure to match NYC’s playbook. Municipal leaders should prioritize sandbox frameworks and academia-industry liaisons to nurture homegrown crypto ecosystems.
3. OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative Launch OSRH Token
What Happened
OSR Holdings, BCM Europe, and the Taekwondo Cooperative signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the OSRH token, a blockchain-based digital asset aimed at supporting global Taekwondo practitioners. Features include:
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Membership Rewards: Tokens earned through event participation, coaching certifications, and tournament wins.
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Decentralized Governance: Athletes vote on sponsorship allocations and rule-change proposals via on-chain ballots.
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Marketplace Integration: A dedicated NFT marketplace for Taekwondo memorabilia, from digital belts to highlight reels.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Niche Tokenization: OSRH token exemplifies the power of community-focused tokens. By aligning incentives with passion points—training, competition, governance—stakeholders gain ownership and engagement.
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Governance Innovation: Athlete-driven decision-making on sponsorship and funding disrupts top-down federation models. This could democratize sports governance across disciplines.
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Commercial Ecosystem: The NFT marketplace offers monetization channels for athletes and federations alike. Strategic royalties on secondary sales ensure sustainable funding.
Implications
Other sports federations and niche communities should explore token models that blend rewards, governance, and commerce. Successful launches will hinge on clear utility, user education, and regulatory compliance in key jurisdictions.
4. Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown
What Happened
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit debuted “Chicken Trader,” a live-streamed event where two contestants trade crypto pairs—and manage live chickens—to earn “Egg Points.” Viewers can stake on their favorite trader, earning NFTs and token rewards based on performance.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Gamification Meets DeFi: Chicken Trader’s fusion of live-stream engagement, staking mechanics, and NFTs exemplifies Web3’s playful ethos—turning trading into interactive entertainment.
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User Acquisition Strategy: Bybit gamified acquisition funnels, leveraging viral social content to onboard nontraditional crypto audiences intrigued by the novelty factor.
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Regulatory Tightrope: Combining staking with competition and livestock raises jurisdictional questions around gambling, securities, and animal welfare. Bybit must navigate diverse regulations to scale globally.
Implications
Other exchanges will replicate gamified formats to differentiate UX and grow communities. Yet long-term viability demands balancing flashy live-events with rigorous compliance, sustainable tokenomics, and authentic value for participants.
5. FIFA Taps Avalanche to Power Its NFT Platform
What Happened
Global soccer body FIFA selected the Avalanche blockchain to launch its official NFT marketplace, featuring digital collectibles—from World Cup highlights to player-card packs. Avalanche’s high throughput and low fees were cited as decisive factors.
Source: TradingView (via Cointelegraph)
Analysis & Commentary
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Scalability & Sustainability: Avalanche’s consensus mechanism delivers sub-second finality and carbon-offset commitments, aligning with FIFA’s environmental pledges.
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Fan Engagement: Tokenized highlights and limited-edition digital memorabilia expand revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, offering fans verifiable ownership and collectible provenance.
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Interoperability: Avalanche’s growing DeFi ecosystem enables future integrations—staking fan tokens, launching prediction-market games, or embedding NFT rewards in FIFA’s mobile apps.
Implications
Major sports leagues and entertainment brands eyeing NFT forays will scrutinize Avalanche’s performance under FIFA’s global load. Blockchain platforms must prove they can handle spikes during marquee events—kickoff times, finals, transfer windows—while preserving UX and sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Today’s Blocks & Headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Legacy institutions like banks and city governments are unlocking new efficiencies and transparency through private and public DLT networks.
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Community-driven tokens are redefining governance and monetization in sports and niche domains.
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Innovative engagement—from poultry-fueled trading spectacles to global soccer NFTs—demonstrates blockchain’s capacity for gamification, fan loyalty, and novel revenue models.
Yet with opportunity comes responsibility: scalable architectures must coexist with robust compliance; token economies require thoughtful design to sustain value; and regulators, academia, and industry must collaborate to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, governance, entertainment, and sports, stakeholders who embrace strategic partnerships, prioritize user education, and invest in resilient infrastructures will lead the charge into Web3’s next frontier.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 22, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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