Metaverse

The international police organization Interpol has launched its own metaverse to assist law enforcement in protecting communities in virtual realms. The development comes after wanted Terraform Labs cofounder Do Kwon quietly slipped from Singapore to Dubai and possibly elsewhere. See related article: India police launch blockchain-based complaint portal on Polygon  Fast facts Interpol claims theirs […]

South Korea is mulling the uploading of headshots of sex offenders rendered on the three-dimensional metaverse, to help the public identify offenders, said Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook on Tuesday in a local radio interview. See related article: S.Korea’s science ministry announces ethical principles for the metaverse Fast facts Kim mentioned the […]

Top blockchain and crypto news: Mark Zuckerberg’s empty metaverse. South Korea to roll out blockchain IDs. Macau bets on digital money.

Meta Platforms Inc.’s internal documents show the company’s metaverse platform Horizon Worlds is underperforming in terms of attracting and maintaining users, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Saturday. See related article: Meta’s attempts at building a metaverse will ‘misfire’: Vitalik Buterin Fast facts Meta’s initial goal was to gather 500,000 monthly active users (MAU) on […]

The cryptocurrency market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to grow 10 times, according to a new report from MENA blockchain ecosystem, Crypto Oasis, released Monday at a blockchain conference organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre.  See related article: New hire in Saudi Central Bank to work on crypto regulations: report Fast […]

The apparel and luxury goods industry is leading in tradable non-fungible token (NFT) adoption, with major brands launching their own NFT collections, according to a new research study by CoinGecko. See related article: Apes still rule among the bears: NFT market falls for fifth straight month Fast facts The independent cryptocurrency aggregator found the apparel […]

Cool Cats Group LLC, the Web3 company behind the cartoon feline-based NFT collection Cool Cats, announced Thursday that it had received a strategic investment and partnership from Animoca Brands, owner of the metaverse platform The Sandbox.  See related article: Asus launches NFT platform to plug into Web 3.0 Fast facts In a tweet, Cool Cats’ […]

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to expand investments in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse in a policy speech on Monday. See related article: Japan plans new crypto transfer rules to combat money laundering Fast facts Kishida says the country will further its investment in digital transformation and expand the use of Web3 […]

Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple Inc., said in a recent interview that augmented reality (AR) will become the biggest technology of the future, while he devalued metaverse and virtual reality (VR) technology. See related article: The metaverse is already here. What’s holding back the party? Fast facts “I think AR is a profound […]

Warner Music Group (WMG) has partnered with non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace OpenSea, to allow some of the entertainment conglomerate’s artists to build their fan base in Web 3.0. See related article: Warner Bros., Nifty’s release ‘Space Jam’ movie NFTs Fast facts WMG artists will get early access to OpenSea’s new “drop” product, an initiative that […]

Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, is opening a virtual space on Naver Z’s Zepeto metaverse at 12 p.m. on Friday, Korea time, to promote the city in efforts to host the World Expo in 2030. See related article: South Korea’s Busan city wants to be blockchain central. Did everyone get the memo? Fast facts The […]

Where does money fit into the future of the internet? We take a closer look as DBS plans to buy land in the metaverse.

Changwon is the latest addition to South Korea’s growing list of cities seeking a presence in the metaverse, signaling the country’s adoption of Web3.

Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology has renamed its 25-year-old Information Engineering Department as the Metaverse Engineering Department. The university says it’s the first in China to offer a metaverse major, according to a local media report. See related article: South Korea and Meta to ramp up metaverse safety  Fast facts See related article: […]

J-pop is increasing ties with immersive metaverse technology, with Japan’s top record producer Akimoto recently announcing his ambitious virtual idol project.

South Korea’s official media regulation agency met with Andy O’Connell, vice president of product policy and strategy of Meta Platforms, Inc. on Monday to discuss ways to boost user protection on the metaverse. See related article: South Korea will not rule the metaverse with game laws, science ministry says Fast facts Ahn Hyoung-hwan, the vice […]

WazirX, India’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trade volume, has introduced a “learn and earn” campaign with The Sandbox, one of the biggest Ethereum-based metaverse game platforms.  See related article: WazirX launches India’s first NFT marketplace Fast facts The campaign started Sept. 19, and the top five winners will get free passes for The Sandbox’s recently […]

The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands Corp. Ltd., the Hong Kong-based game software and venture capital company, will be taking its Hong Kong metaverse strategy to a new market in Dubai, launching a “Dubaiverse,” the company said at the 62nd edition of the True Global Ventures Conference on Thursday.  Animoca Brand’s Dubai-themed metaverse will […]

Crypto exchanges in India say the number of female investors isn’t huge, but it is growing even as prices slide and new taxes eat into revenue.

South Korea will issue a guideline for regulating the metaverse instead of applying existing law on video games, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced at a government briefing on Wednesday. See related article: S.Korea’s science ministry announces ethical principles for the metaverse Fast facts The guideline that will be used to better promote […]

Seongnam, the 12th most populated city in South Korea, is planning to recreate the city in the metaverse and will issue non-fungible token (NFT) citizenships to give access to municipal information, according to local media reports. See related article: South Korea’s capital city launches first stage of “Metaverse Seoul” Fast facts The city will finalize […]

Tencent Cloud, the cloud computing services arm of the Chinese tech giant, on Tuesday, announced it signed a memorandum of understanding with Web 3.0 firm Strange Universe Technology to create and host virtual reality (VR) spaces for businesses. See related article: Tencent Cloud continues blockchain expansion with two new platforms  Fast facts See related article: […]

South Korea’s Cytown Metaverse is holding a virtual poll and discussion on the topic of giving the members of K-pop megagroup BTS a special exemption from the country’s mandatory military service. See related article: Google approves South Korea’s Cyworld metaverse app Fast facts Cytown opened a public poll on the topic in Cy-agora, the virtual […]

A South Korean man in his 30s was recently sentenced to four years in prison after producing and storing sexually exploitative content involving minors he lured on the metaverse. See related article: South Korea struggles to prevent sexual harassment of minors in the metaverse Fast facts The man, whose identity was not made public, had […]

Interoperability is a key characteristic for the metaverse to be useful, writes Dr. Dimitry Mihaylov of National Univ. of Singapore. But the technology and laws are still lacking.

The Singapore-based bank said it will buy land in the metaverse to create the ‘DBS BetterWorld’ and build a virtual community.

The Ifland metaverse, run by South Korean telecommunications giant SK Telecom (SKT), is allowing users to earn money by hosting meetups in the virtual world, the company announced Monday. See related article: South Korea’s Ifland metaverse dives into play-to-earn Fast facts SKT has adopted an “ifland point” system to usher in its metaverse economy — […]

MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation), one of South Korea’s four national television and radio networks, has signed a business partnership with Hong Kong-based metaverse gaming platform The Sandbox, according to its announcement on Friday. See related article: Netflix Sweet Home producer to build K-drama metaverse in the Sandbox Fast facts MBC will create its emblematic Sangam […]

Hong Kong is hosting the Digital Asset Series (DAS) educational seminars, which started in August to continue into November this year. See related article: Why children around the world need crypto education Fast facts The free educational seminars will be delivered by industry experts, legal professionals, regulators and scholars from the finance-technology (fintech) sector, according […]

China should issue a digital yuan-collateral stablecoin to establish an on-chain payment system for China’s metaverse, as the infrastructure developed by China itself is the key to ensuring national security, said influential academic Zhang Ping of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, an institution providing policy consultation to the Chinese State Council. See related article: Naver’s […]

Naver Z, the operator of South Korea-based Zepeto metaverse, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thai telecommunications and digital services provider True Corporation to grow Thailand’s metaverse ecosystem. See related article: Naver’s Zepeto metaverse starts blockchain initiative with Solana Fast facts Utilizing Zepeto as a platform, True will provide future-oriented, online-to-offline experience that […]

Seoul is launching a closed test run of the first stage of its metaverse project on Wednesday. See related article: ​​South Korea wants to be the physical home of the metaverse Fast facts The test run will feature the virtual reconstruction of Seoul city hall and the Seoul Plaza, where participants can participate in interactive […]

Singapore state-backed fund is leading a US$100 million funding round into Hong Kong-based blockchain and game venture Animoca Brands, Bloomberg reported.  See related article: Singapore’s Temasek says doesn’t own Bitcoin, but prepping for tokenized assets Fast facts Temasek will make the investment through convertible bonds, according to unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg. Temasek has been […]

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has recently unveiled the first draft of core ethical principles that are fundamental for growing and participating in the metaverse. See related article: South Korea places $185M bet on the metaverse Fast facts The science ministry’s three values for the metaverse participants are an intact self-identity, safe […]

Following Shanghai’s plan to develop its metaverse industry, additional local Chinese governments are adding the metaverse to their economic blueprints. Two recent plans come from Beijing’s Tongzhou District and Hengqin near neighboring Macau, just as some of China’s tech companies are shrinking their businesses to face an economic downturn. See related article: Shanghai sees its […]

Ten winners will be selected by public vote, which will end on August 29.

Stakeholders in India’s blockchain space have created a new forum with more than 40 influencers to liaise with governments and regulators for blockchain and Web 3.0 adoption in the country. See related article: India’s latest tax assault on crypto exchanges starts Friday Fast facts According to a local media report, India Blockchain Forum is setting […]

Metaverses are more than gamified virtual spaces — they’re a different way to live real life, says Metapolis cofounder Sandra Helou.

Virtual worlds currently exist in silos, and there is no easy way to communicate between ecosystems — which limits their value, writes Witek Radomski of Enjin.

The crypto winter may have chilled many in Web3, but metaverses are an increasingly hot prospect in traditional finance, says DBS Bank’s legal chief

Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki said on Wednesday the metaverse platform will begin testing an immersive advertising system later this year as a potential means to increase revenue. See related article: Naver’s Zepeto metaverse starts blockchain initiative with Solana Fast facts See related article: How can I become a metaverse real estate mogul?

South Korean metaverse platform Zepeto has teamed with Solana and Web 3.0 developer Jump Crypto to construct ZepetoX, a cryptocurrency-based metaverse project, according to a press release. See related article: HYBE, Softbank invest big in Zepeto metaverse creator Naver Z Fast facts ZepetoX aims to establish a 3D open-world platform where creators and users can […]

Sam Sangmin Seo, the head of South Korea’s Klaytn Foundation, says blockchain technology plays a crucial part in metaverse technology because it provides interoperability between different metaverses. See related article: Kakao’s Klaytn partners with OpenSea for NFT expansion in Asia Fast facts “Blockchain can provide means to implement virtual economy in the metaverse,” Seo said.  […]

Terry Gou, founder of Apple iPhone maker Foxconn, Saturday said that fraudsters have been using his images to promote cryptocurrency scams and that he has never invested in the crypto industry. See related article: Foxconn pledges to boost metaverse development this year Fast facts In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Taiwanese mogul said through […]

The 3,000 generative non-fungible token (NFT) collection featuring late rapper Christopher Wallace, better known as Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, sold out in about 10 minutes at marketplace OneOf.  See related article: China’s ‘Instagram’ gets into virtual fashion with users strutting NFT clothes Fast facts Sky’s the Limit is an NFT profile picture collection that […]

Male-dominated workplaces, lack of proper educational resources, challenge women and act as barriers for them to engage in Web3.0, according to a survey by KuCoin.  See related article: NEAR Foundation, Forkast partner to showcase talented, socially mindful women in Web3 Fast facts Despite challenges, 60% of female professionals recognize their unique value in facilitating better […]

Taiwan-based smartphone and virtual reality (VR) headset maker HTC is partnering with Japanese creator platform pixiv to launch Japanese anime-style three-dimensional (3D) avatars on its metaverse platform VIVERSE, a press release said. See related article: HTC launches metaverse phone with Ethereum, Polygon support Fast facts “The partnership with pixiv will rapidly increase the number of […]

From 2021 to 2026, the metaverse real estate market is expected to grow by $5.37 billion, at a compound annual growth rate of 61.74%, driven by the growing popularity of mixed reality and cryptocurrencies, according to a report from global market research firm Technavio. See related article: K-pop logs in to the metaverse strung by […]

South Korean metaverse platform Anipen drew investments worth around 11 billion Korean won (US$8.3 million) in its Series C round ahead of its planned initial public offering (IPO) next year. See related article: South Korea places $185M bet on the metaverse Fast facts The list of investors includes Medici Investment, Ulmus Investment and Korea Development […]

The metaverse of the future will transform how we work and our sense of self — and what we see now is only scratching the surface, writes Eaven Portillo.

Top blockchain and crypto news: Celsius plunges into Chapter 11. Otherside’s promised land. Mixed picture for Chinese NFTs.

A report says Bitcoin users are looking beyond investment. Meanwhile, court document reveals strong ties between 3AC and TPS Capital.

China’s second-most populous city will introduce a three-year plan to promote the metaverse in the tourism industry, and encourage non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the art and culture industry, as part of a recovery plan for the city’s economy. See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts See related article: NFTs, […]

Dubai aims to be one of the top 10 cities globally in the metaverse economy, creating 40,000 virtual jobs and adding US$4 billion to the city’s economy in five years.  See related article: Dubai could be crypto’s promised land, Citi says Fast facts The launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy on Monday was aimed at […]

South Korea’s Ifland metaverse marked its first anniversary by announcing Ifland 2.0, which will feature an economy that allows users to earn profits in the metaverse, its operator telecommunications giant SK Telecom said Tuesday. See related article: South Korea’s SK Telecom to build its first Web3 wallet Fast facts The Ifland 2.0 economy will reward […]

The Shanghai government has included metaverse entertainment, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Web3 technologies into its five-year digital economy plan, according to a policy paper published on Tuesday. See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts See related article: Xiamen reveals plan to bolster its metaverse, NFT-related firms

Animoca Brands has raised US$75 million in a new round of fundraising in a move toward an “open metaverse,” defying plummeting markets and a drop in non-fungible token (NFT) sales during the crypto winter season, the Hong Kong-based blockchain game specialist announced on Tuesday.  See related article: Animoca says crypto winter ‘a great time’ for […]

SM Entertainment (SM) announced it is establishing Studio Kwangya, a company specializing in content production in the metaverse, the leading South Korean idol agency announced on Tuesday.  See related article: Second K-pop agency taps Binance for NFT partnership Fast facts SM has represented some generational acts in K-pop since 1995 such as H.O.T., SNSD, EXO, […]

Shanghai released a policy paper setting a goal to cultivate its metaverse-related industry to a total value of 350 billion yuan (US$52 billion) by the end of 2025.  See related article: Hong Kong gears up for its first metaverse ETF Fast facts See related article: China’s zero-Covid policy realigning global economy, financial markets

South Korea’s largest convenience store chain CU said on Tuesday it is launching its alcohol brands on JJAANN, a local metaverse platform dedicated to drinking culture. See related article: To improve focus on studies, South Korean students turn to the metaverse Fast facts JJAANN, which calls itself the world’s first corner of the metaverse dedicated […]

3AC has reportedly been told to liquidate. Meanwhile, Microstrategy’s Saylor buys another US$10 million worth of BTC.

South Korea’s behemoth music industry is trying to sidestep its reliance on human performers by debuting virtual stars in the metaverse. But severing ties with fallible K-pop idols is easier said than done.

Bitcoin CEO Roger Ver denies defaulting on a loan to CoinFLEX. Meanwhile, Youtuber Bitboy takes aim at Celsius Network.

Tencent has launched an extended reality (XR) division, local media reported on Tuesday, citing Steven Ma, the senior vice president of the Chinese tech giant’s gaming arm Interactive Entertainment Group (IEG).  See related article: Tencent calls dibs on metaverse virtual concerts in patent application Fast facts Tencent will develop “benchmark” products for virtual reality (VR) […]

HTC launched metaverse phone “Desire 22 Pro” on Tuesday, which comes with a digital assets wallet and virtual reality (VR) headset pairing feature, as part of the Taiwanese firm’s Web3 expansion. See related article: Solana bets on mobile, launches US$1,000 ‘Saga’ Web3 phone Fast facts HTC preloaded its 6.6-inch phone with applications from its metaverse […]

The legal and ethical dilemmas plaguing technology today will only grow more acute in the metaverse, writes Brian Harley. How will real-world laws apply?

BIS warns over crypto, calling it unreliable as money. Meanwhile, Morgan Creek Capital counters FTX’s US$250 million BlockFi bailout.

HTC is expected to launch a new mobile phone with metaverse features on Tuesday, as the virtual reality (VR) gear and smartphone maker continues its Web3 expansion.  See related article: Smartphone giant Huawei doubles down on blockchain technology Fast facts In a tweet earlier in June, HTC’s VR and metaverse arm Viverse teased a phone-shaped […]

LGBT event organizers see the metaverse as technology of the emerging Web3.0 world that opens doors and opportunities for marginalized communities.

Linctex Digital Technology, headquartered in China’s southeastern province of Zhejiang, Tuesday said the pre B+ round included commitments from existing investors Hillhouse Ventures and CDH Investments. See related article: Fashion, art, games and community: What does a decentralized metaverse mean for you? Fast facts Linctex’s software allows designers to create virtual wear, digitize physical fabric, […]

Bitcoin, Ethereum and TRX recover as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Meanwhile, Three Arrows Capital faces liquidation concerns.

The Chinese tech giants lead a list of the country’s top 200 companies with the most potential in the metaverse, according to rich list compiler Hurun Report. To be eligible, firms needed to have a market capitalization of US$1 billion or more.  See related article: ‘Metaverse’ enters government radar at China’s Two Sessions Fast facts […]