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Samsung to research South Korea’s CBDC

Tech giant Samsung Electronics has reportedly partnered with South Korea’s central bank to conduct research on central bank digital currency (CBDC) for offline payments.

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Tech giant Samsung Electronics has reportedly partnered with South Korea’s central bank to conduct research on central bank digital currency (CBDC) for offline payments.

On May 15, the Bank of Korea (BOK) and Samsung signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for research on offline CBDCs, according to local media KBS World. The collaboration will have both parties researching the offline capabilities of the CBDC issued by the central bank.

Samsung also participated in the second phase of the BOK’s 10-month CBDC simulation experiment research, which concerned the retail use of CBDCs. The first stage of the BOK’s CBDC research tested basic functions such as CBDC’s issuance, distribution and redemption.

The latest MOU is aimed at testing the South Korean CBDC’s potential to conduct remittances and payments using near-field communication (NFC) on Samsung mobile devices instead of the internet. Samsung Electronics vice president Won-Joon Choi revealed that the collaboration allowed the tech giant to apply Samsung’s high-level security technology to the digital currency field. 

As part of the collaboration, Samsung has reportedly obtained hardware certification for the security international common criteria evaluation assurance level six grade, which includes seven levels of security functional requirements.

Despite keen interest in CBDCs, Samsung recently banned employees from using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT on all Samsung-owned devices and internal networks.

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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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