Blockchain
The Regulatory Roundtable by the Indonesian Blockchain Association was successfully held in Bali
The Indonesian Blockchain Association (A-B-I) successfully held a Private Session: Regulatory Roundtable, which time and place coincided with the Coinfest Asia 2022 event in Bali.
The private session which was held privately and exclusively for members of the Indonesian Blockchain Association was sponsored by Bitocto, Reku, Twoba Box, Advance AI, LUNO, and Indodax and was attended by the Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag), Act. Head of CoFTRA, Director of Digital Economy at the Directorate General of Informatic Application Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Aptika Kominfo), Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Product at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf), and Head of the Commodity Futures Trading Development and Expansion Bureau. According to Asih Karnengsih, Chairwoman of A-B-I, this Regulatory Roundtable activity “has the aim of discussing current and future regulations or policies”, in addition, “This activity is a discussion forum to facilitate business actors who have become members of A-B-I and government institutions and related agencies so that they can continue to synergize and collaborate in a sustainable manner in developing and advancing the blockchain industry in Indonesia,” said Asih.
Affan Giffari, Managing Partner of Trifida at Law also appreciated this activity, according to Affan, “The Regulatory Roundtable is a good event in providing a forum, both for the government and business actors, to convey their concerns or interests related to crypto assets and/or other blockchain technology use cases.” Affan also said, “The session needs to be held regularly so that the government can convey material issues or decisions to associations and/or business actors which will then become a forum for socialization for business actors and encourage synergy between the government and business actors in crypto asset issues and/or regulatory frameworks. Associations as a forum to convey interests require legitimacy in positive law, the implementation of a token sandbox program, as well as the delivery of inputs to existing regulations as well as regulations that are being and will be made by the government”. However, “it is hoped that in the future the Regulatory Roundtable can be made more ‘concentrated’ or more thematic on certain issues.”
Some of the main discussions in the Private Session: Regulatory Roundtable, one of which was discussed by Jerry Sambuaga as the Vice Minister of Trade who hoped that “There will be optimization of regulations/policies and conducive governance for business actors and consumers in the digital ecosystem.” Jerry also emphasized the discussion about the formation of the Crypto Asset Exchange, according to Jerry “The establishment of this Exchange is one of the government’s efforts to ensure consumer security in the business processes of business actors from the aspect of regulating transaction activities, governance, clearing, depository to custodian. The Crypto Asset Exchange will ensure that the crypto asset ecosystem develops well and is conducive.”
Didid Noordiatmoko, The Act. Head of CoFTRA also spoke about the formation of the Exchange, “Currently the process of establishing the Crypto Asset Exchange is still in the process of further review because CoFTRA expects more collaboration by Crypto Asset Physical Traders who have registered with CoFTRA in establishing the Crypto Asset Exchange”, and it is hoped that “the Crypto Asset Exchange, which is still in the process of being formed, can become an extension of CoFTRA in the process of monitoring crypto asset trading activities.” said Tirta Karma Senjaya, Head of the Commodity Futures Trading Development and Expansion Bureau.
In addition, the issues of pros and cons that are currently being discussed in the community regarding the Crypto Asset List which was recently published in CoFTRA Regulations No 11 of 2022 were also discussed by Didid who said, “CoFTRA will open transparency of the results of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) assessment for the Crypto Asset List worthy of being traded as reference material in evaluation efforts for both business actors and CoFTRA. The list set out in CoFTRA Regulations No 11 will continue to be re-evaluated with standards that will later be improved.”
Meanwhile, Director of Digital Economy, Directorate General of Aptika Kominfo – Dr. Ir. I Nyoman Adhiarna discussed data protection regulations and the closure of unregistered PSE websites that develop blockchain technology, he said, “Business actors requirement to register and report periodically aimed at all PSEs that provide services in Indonesia to ensure the same level-playing-field and good relations between business actors as well as future enforcement efforts in the event of negative effects from related activities. However, at this time, enforcement in the form of access closures is still being carried out periodically.”
In addition, the Deputy for the Digital Economy and Creative Economy of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Muhammad Neil El Himam discussed the NFT arrangement plan, according to Neil “NFT can be viewed as the internet of values”. Neil also said, “In the future, digital assets will have more added value with the underlying blockchain technology. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy believes that although there are various challenges in the digital era, especially for creators, blockchain technology can solve existing and future challenges.”
In this Regulatory Roundtable activity, government agencies also expressed hope that there would be input from business actors through the Indonesian Blockchain Association in a sustainable manner so that they could continue to synergize and collaborate in advancing the blockchain industry. One of the outputs of the Private Session organized by A-B-I also initiated the formation of collaborations contained in a forum in the form of a WhatsApp/Telegram group for A-B-I members with various local and international projects as a forum to form strategic cooperation.
SOURCE Asosiasi Blockchain Indonesia
A Pivotal Moment for Blockchain’s Many Frontiers
Today’s briefing arrives at a crossroads in blockchain’s evolution. From AI-driven Layer-1 grant programs to gamified resets in Web3, from supply-chain trust revolutions to exchange-driven token incentives, and high-stakes regulatory leadership shifts, the industry is charting new territory on multiple fronts. As builders, investors, and policymakers navigate this shifting terrain, five stories stand out for their potential to reshape blockchain’s trajectory:
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Lightchain Protocol AI unveils a $150,000 developer grant program to onboard top builders in AI × blockchain.
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Blockchain gaming experiences its lowest engagement of 2025, signaling a sector reset toward sustainability.
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Norwegian Seafood Council research highlights blockchain’s trust-building power in global supply chains.
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MEXC Exchange announces the Einstein (EIN) listing on July 20, 2025, buoyed by a $50 million rewards event.
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Summer Mersinger, a US CFTC commissioner, is tapped as CEO of the Blockchain Association, marking a pivotal regulatory turn.
In this op-ed–style briefing, we’ll unpack each development, explore its implications for blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs, and assess how these narratives intersect to define today’s momentum.
1. Lightchain Protocol AI’s $150K Grant: Catalyzing Decentralized Intelligence
What happened: On May 15, 2025, Lightchain Protocol AI—a Layer-1 blockchain optimized for AI workloads—launched its Developer Grant & Ecosystem Incentive Program, pledging up to $150,000 in total funding to on-board teams building dApps, explorers, wallets, analytics dashboards, DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and AI-powered modules on its network. Grants are milestone-based (up to $5,000 per milestone), accompanied by technical support, co-marketing, and ecosystem visibility. Source: Bitcoin News
Why it matters: Lightchain’s move underscores the growing fusion of AI and blockchain. By allocating resources to builders at the intersection of these technologies, the protocol signals that the next wave of innovation will hinge on intelligent smart contracts, federated learning coordination, and on-chain decision-making. For developers, this grant lowers barriers to entry and emphasizes sustainable, value-driven growth over token speculation.
> “We’re seeking impactful projects that align with Lightchain AI’s goal of bridging AI and blockchain—everything from AI prediction markets to compute marketplaces.” > — Lightchain Protocol AI Core Team
Implications:
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DeFi & NFTs: Expect AI-augmented lending protocols and NFT platforms with dynamic metadata driven by on-chain models.
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Ecosystem Growth: Lightchain’s aggressive grant strategy may spur competitors (e.g., Ethereum layer-2s) to bolster their own builder incentives.
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Governance & Sustainability: The milestone-based approach aligns funding with tangible progress, a model DeFi DAOs may increasingly adopt for resource allocation.
Source: Bitcoin News
2. Blockchain Gaming’s 2025 Low: A “Reset” Toward Quality
What happened: According to Crypto.news, blockchain gaming saw daily active wallets dip to 4.8 million in April 2025—a 10% month-over-month decline and the lowest point of the year for Web3 gaming. Share of the DApp ecosystem for gaming fell to 21%, now tied with DeFi, while AI projects surged to 16% of on-chain activity. Funding also plunged nearly 70% from March to $21 million in April, though Arbitrum Gaming Ventures deployed $10 million from its $200 million fund to support titles like Wildcard, XAI Network, and Proof of Play. Source: Crypto.news
> “Capital is harder to secure, but that’s not necessarily bad. Weak projects are falling away, and funds are flowing into builders laying the groundwork for the next generation of blockchain games.” > — Sara Gherghelas, DappRadar Analyst
Why it matters: The downturn reflects a market recalibration from token-centric models toward user engagement, game mechanics, and interoperability—key for mainstream adoption. High-profile missteps (e.g., Square Enix shelving Symbiogenesis, Sega’s experimental launch of KAI: Battle of Three Kingdoms) contrast with enduring partnerships like Ubisoft + Immutable’s Might & Magic card game.
Implications:
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DeFi and Gaming Convergence: As DeFi’s share remains steady, expect crossover innovations (e.g., on-chain staking integrated into gameplay).
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Investor Focus: Sustainable tokenomics over ‘yin-yang’ hype; capital will favor projects with robust retention metrics and revenue models.
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NFT Utility: Gaming’s reset may accelerate evolution of NFTs beyond collectibles into dynamic, utility-driven assets.
Source: Crypto.news
3. Deepening Trust in Seafood with Blockchain Transparency
What happened: Perishable News reported on May 15, 2025, that the Norwegian Seafood Council found 89% of consumers desire more information on seafood sourcing. Producers are piloting decentralized blockchain solutions to trace products “sea to shop floor,” sharing immutable data on species, harvest location, handling, and quality checks to reassure ethically conscious buyers. Source: Perishable News
Why it matters: While most blockchain discourse orbits finance and gaming, supply-chain applications represent a mass-market use case for Web3. Immutable provenance data combats fraud, illegal fishing, and mislabelling—an urgent concern as global seafood consumption climbs.
Implications:
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Consumer Engagement: Brands adopting on-chain traceability can premium-price products by verifying sustainability standards, fair labor practices, and environmental impact.
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DeFi Integration: Tokenized incentives could reward ethical producers or create staking mechanisms for supply-chain stakeholders.
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Broader Web3 Adoption: Success in seafood may catalyze blockchain tracking in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods.
Source: Perishable News
4. MEXC’s Einstein (EIN) Listing & $50 Million Rewards Event
What happened: PR Newswire announced on May 16, 2025, that MEXC, a leading global crypto exchange, will list the Einstein (EIN) token on July 20, 2025 (UTC). To celebrate, MEXC has launched a $50 million EIN rewards event, offering incentives through trading competitions, referral bonuses, staking pools, and community tasks. Source: PR Newswire
Why it matters: Large-scale rewards events can drive short-term volume spikes and social engagement, but they also test community loyalty and tokenomics viability. EIN’s positioning as a “science-minded” utility token in educational and research partnerships adds thematic depth to what might otherwise be a routine exchange listing.
Implications:
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Trading & Community Growth: Expect surges in trading volume, potentially setting new ATHs for MEXC’s platform metrics.
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DeFi Crossplay: EIN holders may see integration into DeFi protocols for governance, liquidity mining, and educational grants.
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Regulatory Watch: Large-scale token events continue to attract scrutiny over securities classifications and promotional compliance.
Source: PR Newswire
5. Summer Mersinger Becomes CEO of the Blockchain Association
What happened: Gadgets360 reported that on May 14, 2025, the Blockchain Association confirmed that Summer Mersinger, currently a commissioner at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will step down on May 30 and begin as the Association’s CEO on June 2. Mersinger has championed balanced, consumer-focused digital asset rules and will spearhead advocacy for fit-for-purpose legislation alongside US regulators. Source: Gadgets360
> “Summer’s knowledge of how elected officials think through complex questions will be vital as we await next steps on stablecoin and market structure bills.” > — Blockchain Association
Why it matters: The appointment bridges regulatory expertise and industry advocacy at a moment when Congress is eyeing stablecoin frameworks and broader crypto oversight. Mersinger’s shift signals a blurring of lines between government and industry, with potential to accelerate law-making and foster public-private collaboration.
Implications:
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Policy Acceleration: Expect renewed momentum on stablecoin legislation, DeFi disclosures, and market-structure rules by August 2025, per administration timelines.
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Industry Confidence: Firms may feel emboldened to innovate under clearer regulatory signals, supporting growth in DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and tokenized asset offerings.
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Global Alignment: US-led regulatory frameworks often influence EU and APAC regimes—this leadership change could ripple through the international policy landscape.
Source: Gadgets360
Conclusion: Five Threads Weaving Tomorrow’s Blockchain Fabric
Today’s headlines paint a multifaceted portrait of blockchain’s ongoing maturation:
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Ecosystem Incentives: Grant programs like Lightchain’s signal a builder-first ethos, turbocharging AI × blockchain synergy.
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Quality Over Hype: Gaming’s dip reflects a necessary market reset, steering capital to sustainable, engagement-driven projects.
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Real-World Utility: Supply-chain transparency demonstrates blockchain’s power beyond finance, enhancing consumer trust.
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Tokenomics in Motion: Exchange listings and rewards events underscore the ever-evolving interplay between liquidity, community, and utility.
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Regulatory Convergence: Leadership moves like Mersinger’s appointment highlight the tightening feedback loop between policymakers and the Web3 sector.
As blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs continue to intersect, today’s developments underscore a pivotal shift: the industry is moving from speculative frontiers to pragmatic, real-world applications—backed by funding, governance, and policy frameworks that prioritize longevity and trust. Keep these threads in mind as we watch the next chapters unfold.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 16, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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