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Lockheed, Ericsson, Lenovo, Huawei, Bosch, and IoTeX are developing the global IEEE blockchain Identity of Things standard

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Researchers and scientists from Lockheed Martin, Ericsson, Lenovo, Huawei, Bosch, IoTeX, and China Academy of Information and Communications Technology are developing the global standards for the blockchain decentralized identities, announced IEEE Chair of the Identity of Things Working Group, Dr. Xinxin Fan.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) newly initiated group is developing a universal specification for blockchain-based decentralized identity (DID) for IoT devices that Dr. Fan — IoTeX Founding Member and Head of Cryptography— began in 2019 alongside the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Blockchain identity standardization is critical to ensure interoperability and communications between Internet of Things (IoT) devices, people, and businesses. Eliminating technical barriers and enabling heterogeneous entities to communicate with global standards make possible global trade, economic growth, and local communities worldwide to prosper.

Led by Dr. Fan, the working group is committed to ensuring that by defining a global DID standard for humans and machines to interoperate, the full $12.6 trillion potential value of the IoT that McKinsey predicts by 2030 can be unlocked globally.

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Specifically, the Identity of Things standard defines a decentralized identity and access management (IAM) framework for the IoT to manage the lifecycle of IoT devices as well as IoT security services such as device authentication, data authorization, and access controls.

Interoperability is a crucial component of the working group’s role in building standards that unleash the full power of the blockchain innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Ramesh Ramadoss, the co-chair of the IEEE Blockchain Initiative.

Ramadoss explained interoperability using WiFi as an example. The IEEE set the global standard for WiFi. Thanks to that, people can travel anywhere worldwide and connect to the internet with only their username and password.

Dr. Ramadoss also used electrical sockets to explain why global standards are needed. People face issues when traveling to other countries with electronic or electrical devices that require a socket adapter. In the case of electrical sockets, there are multiple regional standards worldwide but no global standard.

“Standards help with the growth and adoption of new technologies by lowering the technical barriers,” Ramadoss said. “In the blockchain space, lack of interoperability is a technical barrier. There are many blockchains and the way devices are connected to blockchains to enable decentralized machine-to-machine communications should follow a universal standard.”

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The Identity of Things standard that the working group is developing aims to ensure that all people and machines can communicate frictionlessly no matter where they are. They will make it possible for billions of machines worldwide to communicate no matter who manufactured them or where. With countless industries adopting Internet-connected devices, the need for devices to exchange intelligence and value is paramount to a trusted and automated future.

The world is already seeing smart cities and highways built globally. In the not-so-distant future, machines will be the primary workforce. The IEEE Identity of Things standard will make sure vehicles can seamlessly communicate with humans, with toll booths, parking meters, gasoline stations, and e-charging pods. And to enable people to order self-driving taxis, punctually pick them up, and drop them off where indicated, making payment digitally. These are just a few use cases, but the possibilities are endless.

Dr. Fan explained that with globally standardized DIDs, people can contribute globally to society with valuable real-time climate, geography, traffic, and other data.

“Despite technological innovations, today, even humans face communication barriers due to language barriers,” he said. “This issue is compounded when we look at machines manufactured by different companies and deployed in different geographical regions.”

“That is what the working group I preside over has been working on since April, and today I am pleased to say we have formed a fantastic initial class of forward-thinking enterprises to drive this standard forward and progressed significantly although many challenges still lie ahead,” Dr. Fan added.

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“By co-creating standards with industry experts, IoTeX is committed to innovation in the blockchain space via our real-world products, such as Ucam and Pebble Tracker. We want to help people securely own their data, earn by monetizing it and the value their smart devices generate, and make the world a better place,” said Dr. Fan.

IoTeX has embraced MachineFi, or the decentralized machine economy. It will enable people to connect IoT devices and machines to the blockchain with DIDs. They’ll be able to monetize their data and the value their devices generate and improve their lives and their environment. One way is by receiving rewards for planting trees, using eco-friendly transportation, consuming sustainable energy, driving safely, and exercising and sharing that data. That will benefit others without compromising their privacy or handing control of their data and smart devices to Big Tech.

Blockchain

Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA)

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In an era defined by rapid innovation and ever-shifting regulatory landscapes, blockchain continues to prove its mettle across diverse sectors—from data privacy and prediction markets to gaming and sustainable development. Today in Blockchain, we explore five major developments shaping the decentralized world on April 24, 2025:

  1. Europe’s New Privacy Guidelines: How the EDPB’s draft rules may redefine on-chain data handling.

  2. Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Lessons from Consensus Toronto on agility, talent, and national strategy.

  3. Prediction Markets for Science: DeSci’s leap toward crowdsourced validation and the reproducibility crisis.

  4. Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Gamble: Yet another Web3 pivot in mainstream video games—and why it matters.

  5. Blockchain for Good Accelerator: The UNDP joins forces with the Blockchain for Good Alliance to fuel SDG-focused innovation.

This op-ed–style briefing strips away the noise to deliver concise yet detailed coverage, incisive commentary, and big-picture implications for developers, entrepreneurs, regulators, and enthusiasts alike. Strap in as we decode today’s key blockchain headlines.


1. Europe’s Data Privacy Guardrails: EDPB’s Draft Blockchain Guidelines

What happened:
On April 22, 2025, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published draft guidelines clarifying how personal data must be stored and accessed on blockchain networks to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Key takeaways include:

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  • Minimize on-chain data: Avoid embedding personally identifiable information directly into immutable ledgers.

  • Data Protection by Design & by Default: Mandate early-stage DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments) for any blockchain project touching personal data.

  • Controlled access & erasure mechanisms: Develop off-chain storage layers and governance protocols to satisfy “right to rectification” and “right to be forgotten” requirements.

Source: Decrypt

Why it matters:
GDPR’s foundational principles clash with blockchain’s inherent immutability and transparency. By issuing these guidelines, the EDPB seeks to preserve individual privacy rights without stifling decentralized innovation. However, the tension between censorship-resistant networks and regulator-mandated mutability raises profound design challenges.

Analysis & Commentary:
Today’s guidance is overdue but pivotal. As Bryn Bennett of Hacken reminds us, “Privacy isn’t an add-on—it’s infrastructure.” Projects that ignore privacy-by-design risk not only fines but also eroded user trust. Conversely, decentralized privacy pioneers like Nym Technologies warn that retrofitting GDPR onto public blockchains can compromise both privacy and sovereignty. In my view, the next frontier lies in hybrid architectures—leveraging off-chain zero-knowledge proofs, secure enclaves, and permissioned sidechains—to reconcile transparency with confidentiality. Europe’s blueprint could become a global reference, influencing regulators in Asia-Pacific, North America, and beyond to articulate their own blockchain-specific data rules.


2. Canada’s Blockchain Advantage: Small Enough to Move Fast, Big Enough to Matter

What happened:
At Consensus Toronto 2025, CoinDesk columnist William Mougayar argued that Canada is uniquely positioned to outpace other G7 nations in blockchain adoption, thanks to:

  • Homegrown talent & heritage: Ethereum’s origins in Toronto and thriving developer ecosystems in Montreal and Vancouver.

  • Regulatory agility: Streamlined federal-provincial coordination, pro-innovation tax credits, and pilot sandbox frameworks.

  • Strategic national vision: Proposals to mandate crypto access in Canadian banks, integrate digital assets into capital markets, and even explore a national cryptocurrency reserve.

Source: CoinDesk

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Why it matters:
While the U.S. grapples with interagency turf wars between the SEC, CFTC, and others, Canada’s structural simplicity offers a template for coherent blockchain policymaking. This could accelerate capital inflows, enterprise pilots, and global competition for fintech talent.

Analysis & Commentary:
Canada’s playbook hinges on being “small enough to pivot, yet big enough to impact”. As blockchain matures beyond niche use cases, national champions will emerge from jurisdictions that marry regulatory clarity with creative incentives. I predict that within two years, Toronto and Montreal will rival Miami and Dubai as leading hubs for DeFi, tokenization, and digital-asset custody. But execution is everything—if Canada can streamline licensing, shore up AML/CTF safeguards, and embed digital literacy into its education system, it could truly leapfrog entrenched incumbents.


3. Prediction Markets in Science: DeSci’s Bold Experiment

What happened:
In an opinion piece for Cointelegraph, Dr. Sasha Shilina explored how blockchain-powered prediction markets (e.g., Polymarket, Pump.science) are being repurposed to address the scientific reproducibility crisis. Highlights include:

  • Crowdsourced forecasting: Researchers and investors stake tokens to bet on experimental outcomes, incentivizing rigorous study design.

  • Financial accountability: Monetary losses for flawed work create a rapid feedback loop, potentially weeding out irreproducible findings.

  • Regulatory hurdles: Jurisdictions still classify these markets as gambling, complicating mainstream adoption.

Source: Cointelegraph

Why it matters:
Traditional peer review can take months or years to expose methodological flaws. Decentralized prediction markets promise near-real-time validation, democratizing scientific oversight and reducing wasteful replication studies.

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Analysis & Commentary:
Prediction markets offer an “open-science complement”—not a replacement—to scholarly publishing. By aligning economic incentives with truth-seeking, they could elevate data integrity and funders’ confidence. However, unchecked speculation risks gaming the system, especially if liquidity pools are dominated by a handful of whales. The solution lies in multi-stakeholder governance: academic consortia, journal publishers, and veteran researchers collaborating to set market parameters, oracle standards, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. In my view, the coming year will determine whether DeSci moves from proof-of-concept to institutional legitimacy—or remains a fascinating experiment.


4. Ubisoft’s NFT Gaming Bet: Might & Magic Fates

What happened:
On April 24, 2025, gaming giant Ubisoft announced Might & Magic Fates, its third blockchain game in under six months, developed in partnership with Immutable. Key features:

  • NFT trading cards: Creatures, spells, and artifacts minted as on-chain assets.

  • Optional Web3 layer: Players can choose between traditional gameplay or unlocking digital ownership via NFTs.

  • Community backlash: Early reactions decry “Web3 slop,” with seasoned gamers lamenting lack of gameplay previews.

Source: 80 Level

Why it matters:
Ubisoft’s persistence underscores a broader corporate push into play-to-earn and digital-ownership models. Despite vocal skepticism, top publishers see NFTs as a path to new revenue streams and player engagement metrics.

Analysis & Commentary:
I admire Ubisoft’s willingness to iterate—but will “third time be the charm”? Past misfires suggest they’ve yet to nail the balance between token mechanics and fun. If Fates can deliver rich narrative, balanced tokenomics, and genuine secondary-market value, it might convert skeptics. Otherwise, gamers will continue associating NFTs with pump-and-dump schemes. Successful blockchain gaming will require tight integration of on-chain assets with deep, off-chain gameplay loops—think on-chain skins that evolve with player achievements or governance tokens that shape in-game lore. Ubisoft’s true test will be fostering an ecosystem where NFT ownership enhances, rather than distracts from, core gameplay.

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5. Blockchain for Good: UNDP & Alliance Launch Global Accelerator

What happened:
The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and EMURGO Labs, launched the SDG Blockchain Accelerator on April 24, 2025. Program highlights:

  • 4-month accelerator: Tailored training, mentorship, and technical support via UNDP AltFinLab and EMURGO Labs.

  • Multi-chain innovation: Encourages solutions across Cardano, Ethereum, and other protocols.

  • Up to $1.5 million in post-acceleration grants: Equity-free funding to scale blockchain solutions addressing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Source: UNDP Innovation

Why it matters:
This initiative bridges Web3 technology with humanitarian impact, channeling blockchain’s transparency and efficiency into real-world challenges—financial inclusion, supply-chain traceability, carbon credits, and more.

Analysis & Commentary:
SDG-focused accelerators signal a shift from speculative token swaps to impact-driven development. By equipping UNDP personnel and global innovators with blockchain toolkits, the program can catalyze projects that deliver measurable social value. Success stories—like transparent vaccine distribution chains or micro-loan platforms for underserved communities—will validate blockchain’s promise beyond hype cycles. I urge stakeholders to watch for pilots that blend on-chain verification with off-chain delivery, ensuring that funding flows transparently and outcomes are independently audited. If this Alliance proves out, it could redefine public-private partnerships in digital development.


Conclusion: Today’s Takeaways & Tomorrow’s Roadmap

These five headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:

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  1. Regulatory Maturation: Europe’s privacy guidelines spotlight the need for nuanced frameworks to guide on-chain data use.

  2. National Strategies: Canada’s agile approach demonstrates how government policy can catalyze ecosystem growth without heavy-handed bureaucracy.

  3. Decentralized Science: Prediction markets could revolutionize research validation, forging new alliances between academia and DeFi.

  4. Corporate Experimentation: Ubisoft’s repeated NFT forays reveal both the promise and pitfalls of integrating blockchain into mainstream entertainment.

  5. Mission-Driven Innovation: The SDG Blockchain Accelerator aligns decentralized tech with societal goals, charting a course for truly “blockchain for good” outcomes.

As blockchain technology accelerates, the imperative for thoughtful design, cross-sector collaboration, and impact measurement has never been clearer. Whether tackling data privacy conflicts, mobilizing global talent, democratizing scientific rigor, reinventing digital ownership, or driving sustainable development, today’s stories offer a roadmap for the next chapter of decentralized innovation.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s edition of Blocks & Headlines, where we continue decoding the daily pulse of the blockchain revolution.

The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 24, 2025 (Decrypt, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, 80 Level, UNDP/BGA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.

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World Chess and the Algorand Foundation propose leveling the playing field with a “chess passport”

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In a whitepaper published today, World Chess (LSE: CHSS) and the Algorand Foundation (ALGO) conceptualize a new blockchain-based system that would establish secure, private, and verifiable credentials for global sports organizations, including chess. Grandmaster Evgenij Miroshnichenko contributed to the paper alongside the Algorand Foundation and World Chess.

The move comes as interest in chess hits a new high, driven by popular television series on Netflix and the BBC, the 2024 awarding of the youngest-ever world chess champion, and the inclusion of chess for the first time in the Esports World Cup later this year.

If adopted, the system would allow chess players to independently manage their identity and credentials across all chess platforms and organizations with a single decentralized ID, and one login credential for everywhere they play. They could then easily “port” their identity, achievements, records of play, rankings, and rewards across online chess platforms, as well as seamlessly from the digital world to in-person games and tournaments. This provides them with a much easier way to prove their identity, no matter their status or documentation; it would also reduce tournament application times significantly. Chess organizations would then be able to welcome even more players to their competitions, including those who have built their chess career solely online, as well as players who have previously only competed in tournaments held by other organizations.

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Among other benefits, the adoption of a “global chess passport” would make it much easier for organizers and chess clubs and federations alike to onboard and register players, both online and offline.

Another benefit of the proposed system is to safeguard fair play. As chess becomes increasingly integrated into e-sports and online competitions, the use of AI programs or player fraud (one player representing another) is an increasing concern. Being able to confirm player integrity (including whether they have been banned for cheating on any other platform) ensures credibility of chess contests and competitions. These verifiable credentials also preserve player privacy. They can be used to confirm player eligibility and relevant identity data without providing access to sensitive documentation, such as passports. Finally, identity verification also prevents fraud in tournament payouts. Phishing and other attempts to steal winnings are on the rise; this ensures only the rightful winner can access their prize funds.

“I think that chess needs its version of the global e-version of drivers license. It’s a global game, and using blockchain for the benefit of having one universal independently verifiable ID is something that both players and organizers will certainly benefit from,” says Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess.

“This initiative is not just about chess; it’s about the future of fair play and verifiable achievement across all sports and esports,” said Bruno Martins, principal architect at the Algorand Foundation and co-author of the whitepaper. “Chess has a rich history of proving the usefulness of new technologies. In this case, World Chess is showing the integrity, privacy, and portability of records in any competitive arena is not only possible – it’s in the best interest of every player, everywhere.”

Statista estimates that the market for esports should reach $4.8 billion in 2025, with nearly 900 million players by 2029 (source), all of which could benefit from better cross-platform registration for online and in-person competitions.

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The full whitepaper and more information about the proposed open-source system can be found here. Chess platforms, esports organizations and other parties interested in contributing to the project can get involved by contacting [email protected].

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Blaqclouds Board Approves 30-Day Revenue Acceleration and Ecosystem Monetization Plan

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