Blockchain Development | Blockchain Technology News

Casper Network first Layer-1 blockchain to enable native smart contract debugging

The Casper Association, the Swiss-based organisation that oversees the Casper blockchain and supports its continued decentralisation, has announced the successful 1.5 protocol upgrade.

This upgrade introduced a host of new and improved features, making Casper the only Layer-1 blockchain to enable the debugging of live, composable smart contracts on mainnet.

“The 1.5 upgrade is a major landmark in our path to creating a blockchain environment that fosters innovation...

4 September 2023 | Blockchain

Microsoft and Aptos Labs partner to develop blockchain AI tools

Aptos Labs has teamed up with Microsoft to accelerate global web3 adoption using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.

Onboarding new users to web3 can be time-consuming and complex, which may deter people from exploring the ecosystem. There's a common perception gap between the utility of blockchain and user skepticism around how simple it is to use. Some challenges new web3 users face once they've started engaging with the ecosystem include understanding how blockchain and...

10 August 2023 | Blockchain

Blockchain Expo: The opportunities of Web3

During a session at this year’s Blockchain Expo, we heard from IDC Research Director Phillip Silitschanu about the opportunities of Web3 and the journey that lies ahead.

Silischanu shared his insights, based on vast experience, on the applicability of blockchain services and the potential of Web3. He discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by these technologies and their impact on various sectors.

Web2 vs Web3

Web2, also known as the social web, marked...

18 May 2023 | Banking

China to train half a million blockchain experts amid national research centre launch

Here’s a good example of how you can separate the blockchain signal from the crypto noise: China is to train 500,000 blockchain professionals after launching a national blockchain research centre in Beijing.

The centre, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) citing state-run media outlet Xinhua, will work with universities, research institutes and companies, as well as establish a ‘national-level blockchain network’ to connect existing blockchains in China as...

16 May 2023 | Development

Venom Foundation launches $1bn web3 fund from Abu Dhabi

The Venom Foundation, an Abu Dhabi-based blockchain platform, and investment manager Iceberg Capital have unveiled a $1 billion venture fund to invest in web3 and blockchain projects.

The Venom Ventures Fund (VVF) plans to invest in pre-seed to Series A funding rounds with projects focused on decentralised finance (DeFi), payments, asset management, and blockchain gaming.

Venom Foundation is a layer-1 blockchain solution with a focus on “serving the needs of the Middle...

11 January 2023 | Development

Visa will ‘actively contribute’ to web3 development

Visa refuses to become a dinosaur and will “actively contribute” to developing the web3 and crypto ecosystem.

Aside from maximalists, few experts believe that crypto poses an existential threat to fiat currencies. Legacy payment processors like Visa and Mastercard have increasingly been joining the web2-era disruptors like PayPal and Square in supporting the web3 and crypto ecosystem.

Greater public adoption of “crypto” will likely come through CBDCs (Central...

20 December 2022 | Altcoins

Singapore central bank approves Circle and Paxos stablecoins

The Singapore central bank (Monetary Authority of Singapore) has approved licences for two stablecoin issuers, Circle and Paxos, to operate in the city-state.

US-based Circle, the issuer behind USD Coin (USDC), was granted approval for a major payments institution licence, meaning it can issue cryptocurrencies and facilitate domestic or cross-border payments.

Also a US firm, Paxos develops the Pax Dollar (USDP) and has received a licence to offer digital payment token...

3 November 2022 | Banking

Reserve Bank of India goes in-depth on its CBDC plans

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a 51-page report outlining the proposed features of its in-development central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The report details the pros and cons of a digital rupee for India whilst also trying to raise awareness for the reasoning and objectives behind CBDC development.

Key motivations for issuing a CBDC, according to the report, include the promotion of trust, safety, liquidity, and settlement finality.

Reducing the...

10 October 2022 | CBDC

Jeroen van Megchelen, CTO, Ledger Leopard: On Web3 solutions for enterprises

Jeroen van Megchelen, CTO at Ledger Leopard, sat down with The Block to discuss enterprise blockchain solutions, accessibility to Web3, and Ethereum.

The Block: How would you introduce Ledger Leopard to our readers?

Jeroen van Megchelen: Ledger Leopard is a Web3 company designed to make businesses future-proof. It was created out of a lifelong passion for the next evolution of technology. Ever since 2017, we’ve been extending our experience in the area of...

6 October 2022 | Blockchain Applications

Nigeria plans to create a crypto-friendly free zone with Binance

The Nigerian government is in discussions with crypto exchange Binance regarding a potential crypto-friendly economic zone similar to Dubai’s virtual free zone.

On 2 September, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), announced that it had held preliminary meetings with Binance and tech infrastructure firm Talent City to talk over the proposed “first Virtual Free Zone in West Africa”.

The zone would focus on blockchain and the digital economy, making...