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China launches national blockchain center

The National Blockchain Technology Innovation Center, first announced in February, officially started its work in the Chinese capital city of Beijing.

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The National Blockchain Technology Innovation Center, first announced in February, officially started its work in the Chinese capital city of Beijing.

The center will collaborate with local universities, think tanks and blockchain businesses to develop blockchain technology in China. The institution will reportedly train more than 500,000 specialists in distributed ledger technology (DLT). 

Leading the new center is the Beijing Academy of Blockchain and Edge Computing, which developed the ChainMaker blockchain; a home-grown blockchain serving as a blueprint for the center’s developments. ChainMaker is already supported by a group of 50 business corporations, most of which are state-owned, including big names like China Construction Bank and China Unicom. As reported by local media, the center will accelerate the construction of “ultra-large-scale” blockchain computing power clusters.

According to Zheng Zhiming, a professor at the School of Mathematics and Systems Science at Beihang University, the center’s mission is to connect various blockchain use cases in the country so-called blockchain islands into a single cohesive network:

“Connecting blockchain application platforms and aggregating blockchain application ecology will significantly enhance blockchain innovation capabilities and core competitiveness.“

With the crackdown on cryptocurrencies still in force, the Chinese government continues to actively research the digital economy’s possibilities. Chinese companies are studying methods to develop artificial intelligence via weaker semiconductors and combinations of chips to bypass reliance on a single type of high-tech hardware imported mainly from the United States.

The country is also marching ahead with its central bank digital currency project. In April, it announced expanding the use cases for the digital yuan to its “Belt and Road” initiative and cross-border trades.

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7-Eleven South Korea to accept CBDC payments in national pilot program

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7-Eleven is set to participate in the testing phase of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, running from April to June. The retail giant’s involvement highlights the growing push for digital currency integration in everyday transactions.

The pilot program will assess the feasibility of CBDC payments at 7-Eleven stores, allowing customers to make purchases using the digital currency. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore the real-world application of CBDCs in retail environments, potentially shaping future payment systems.

As central banks worldwide accelerate their digital currency research, private sector collaboration is seen as crucial for widespread adoption. If successful, 7-Eleven’s participation could pave the way for broader CBDC usage across retail and commercial sectors.

The outcome of the testing phase will provide valuable insights into consumer adoption, transaction efficiency, and potential regulatory considerations, influencing how CBDCs are integrated into mainstream financial systems.

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SEC and Gemini ask to pause lawsuit to explore ‘potential resolution’

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Gemini have agreed to pause legal proceedings as both sides explore a potential resolution to their ongoing lawsuit. The move signals a possible settlement in the high-profile case, which centers around Gemini’s now-defunct Earn program.

The SEC initially sued Gemini, alleging that the Earn program—designed to offer users yield on crypto deposits—operated as an unregistered securities offering. Gemini has pushed back against the claims, arguing that its operations complied with regulatory standards.

By pausing litigation, both parties may be looking for a compromise that could set a precedent for crypto lending products in the U.S. A settlement could also provide regulatory clarity for similar platforms navigating SEC scrutiny.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the crypto industry is closely watching the case, as its resolution could impact future enforcement actions and the broader regulatory approach toward digital asset lending services.

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GameStop finishes $1.5B raise to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet

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GameStop has successfully completed a debt offering, raising capital that may be used to acquire Bitcoin, signaling the company’s deeper foray into digital assets. The move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional retail operations and into emerging financial technologies.

While GameStop has not confirmed the exact allocation of the funds, market speculation suggests that a portion could be used to buy Bitcoin, following in the footsteps of companies like MicroStrategy. The potential investment would reinforce GameStop’s ongoing pivot toward blockchain and digital assets, an effort that began with its NFT marketplace and crypto-related initiatives.

Analysts see this development as part of a growing trend of corporations exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy. If GameStop proceeds with the acquisition, it could further validate Bitcoin’s role as a strategic investment for publicly traded companies.

The company’s board will ultimately decide how the newly raised capital is deployed. Investors and the broader crypto market are watching closely for any official announcements regarding GameStop’s Bitcoin strategy.

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