Blockchain
NIA makes headway in promoting Thailand’s soft power innovations to the global community through MARTech Startups
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) continues its efforts in adopting governmental 5F policy (Food, Flim, Fashion, Fighting, Festival) to promote the creative economy and Thailand’s soft power innovations with startups in MARTech (Music, Art, and Recreation). With aims to elevate the potential of the local music, art, and recreational startup community, the NIA set course to utilize the 3 key innovations and technologies: AI, AR/VR, cloud computing, and the blockchain and gear up to revitalize the country’s economy in the post-pandemic era.
Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana, Executive Director of NIA revealed that: “2021 and 2022 are the years where the word ‘Soft Power’ has become a national buzzword. The phenomenon, initiated by a few influential people in the art and entertainment industries, has sparked interest nationwide and helped generates income for entrepreneurs across the country. According to the Global Soft Power Index 2022, Thailand scored 40.2 points and ranked 35th place out of 120 countries. Impressively, the score has stepped-up by 1.5 points which reflects the surge of demands in media, communication, culture, tradition, and influence on tourists and the global community. Although the concept of soft power in Thailand is not entirely new, it is exciting and surely demonstrate a promising future as the national brand to attract people from around the world. In brief, it means creative economy accelerator.”
“The NIA has set out guidelines to support startups in MARTech community with aims to elevate the potential of talented people in the university in running innovation into a real business as well as funding access. The development focuses mainly on transforming valuable culture and creativity into value-added products and services. To market Thailand’s cultural innovations properly in the global arena, the agency has been working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Thai embassies in more than 30 countries. The collaboration emphasizes the top 15 countries ranked on the Global Innovation Index such as Finland, Switzerland, France, and Sweden. These major innovation cities are where innovators reside. Therefore, it is an ample opportunity to promote Thailand’s MARTech startups as well as the country’s soft power using diplomatic tactics. It is estimated that MARTech will be worth 1.5 trillion baht, or an average growth of 6% by 2022. However, NIA targets to increase the number of MARTech startups to reach at least 45 by 2022. MARTech startups will be one of the main engines accelerating economic recovery as well as boosting the country’s GDP.” Said Dr. Pun-Arj.
In addition, to assist MARTech startups to earn recognition and growth, the NIA has also assessed technologies and innovations that will help boosting the growth of Soft Power in Thailand and globally. Innovations and technologies are utilized to create products that offer a new experience for consumers including;
- AI: Presently, AI technology is being applied to creative industries – from songwriting, and book writing, to creating arts. It is expected that up to 32 percent of the human workforce could be replaced by AI in less than 10 years.
- AR/VR: a thriving industry offers users a one-of-a-kind virtual experience unlike the physical world – from playing games, enjoying the concert, playing sports, to visiting museums. The NIA has helped encouraged startups in these segments by piloting various projects to create tourism experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as organizing several virtual events. The AR/VR industry is forecasted to exceed $95 billion worth by 2025.
- Blockchain: It is recognized as the future of data management, especially for trading of creation ownership and copyrights management. Blockchain helps eliminate intermediaries between artists and consumers, and at the same time, help simplifies the process of contracting and artist rights management. Creators are eligible to value their creation of music, art, and or any kind of masterpieces. The platform also allows content creators to keep track of work consumption across all platforms.
“Utilizing innovations to add value to the 5F cultures required efforts and firm collaboration from both the government and private sector. The support from the government is therefore crucial whether it is funding or policy making. As for the NIA, we aim to reinforce MARTech startups to create a distinctive image among investors and global innovation developers, where other countries have generated hundreds of billion baht. Ultimately, the goal is to help placing Thailand on the high-ranking position of the Global Innovation Index.“ Dr. Pun-Arj concluded.
SOURCE The National Innovation Agency (NIA), Thailand
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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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