Pye Finance has raised a $5 million seed round led by Variant and Coinbase Ventures, the company said in a press release Monday. The round also included participation from Solana Labs, Nascent, Gemini and others, the company said. The startup is building an on-chain marketplace on Solana for time-locked staking positions, an effort to make locked stake transferable and easier to structure into fixed-term products. Pye’s pitch is aimed at a large base of staked SOL on Solana, more than 414 million tokens ...

Core Viewpoint - The company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Drive EZ Limited to establish a strategic partnership aimed at upgrading its electric vehicle charging ecosystem using blockchain technology [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership designates Drive EZ as the technology partner for the new project, focusing on integrating blockchain technology with the existing mobile application [1] - Drive EZ will develop and deploy infrastructure utilizing distributed ledger technology, enabling users to charge electric vehicles or recharge their accounts using blockchain [1] Group 2: Ecosystem Development - Both parties intend to create an ecosystem that will operate as part of a loyalty and membership program [1] - A Web3 portal will be embedded directly into the company's application, allowing users to easily view loyalty program balances, membership status, and receive automated rewards based on charging activities [1] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The board believes that collaborating with Drive EZ will enhance user engagement and expand the electric vehicle charging ecosystem [1] - By adopting blockchain technology within the user ecosystem, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable charging solutions and build a stronger user community through the Web3 initiative [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with DriveEZ Limited to establish a strategic partnership aimed at upgrading its electric vehicle charging ecosystem using blockchain technology [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership will see DriveEZ act as the technology partner for the company in this new project [1] - The focus will be on integrating blockchain technology with Web3 infrastructure into the existing mobile application [1] Group 2: Technological Implementation - DriveEZ will develop and deploy infrastructure utilizing distributed ledger technology, allowing users to charge electric vehicles or top up their accounts using blockchain [1] - A Web3 portal will be embedded directly into the company's application to facilitate user access to loyalty program balances and automated rewards based on charging activities [1] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The board believes that collaborating with DriveEZ will enhance user engagement and expand the electric vehicle charging ecosystem [1] - The adoption of blockchain technology aims to accelerate the proliferation of sustainable charging solutions and build a stronger user community through the Web3 initiative [1]

Core Viewpoint - The company has entered into a memorandum of understanding with DriveEZ Limited to establish a strategic partnership aimed at upgrading its electric vehicle charging ecosystem using blockchain technology [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership designates DriveEZ as the technology partner for the new project, focusing on integrating blockchain technology with Web3 infrastructure into the existing mobile application [1] - DriveEZ will develop and deploy infrastructure utilizing distributed ledger technology, enabling users to charge electric vehicles or recharge their accounts using blockchain [1] Group 2: Ecosystem Development - Both parties intend to create an ecosystem that will operate as part of a loyalty and membership program [1] - A Web3 portal will be embedded directly into the company's application, allowing users to easily view loyalty program balances, membership status, and receive automated rewards based on their charging activities [1] Group 3: Strategic Goals - The board believes that collaborating with DriveEZ will enable the company to leverage new technologies to enhance user engagement and expand the electric vehicle charging ecosystem [1] - By adopting blockchain technology within the user ecosystem, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable charging solutions and build a stronger user community through this Web3 initiative [1]

Core Insights - Intercont (Cayman) Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a minority stake in Starks Network, aiming to co-develop the zCloak Network, which integrates maritime services with blockchain technology [1][8]. Company Overview - Intercont (Cayman) Limited is a global carbon-neutral shipping company focused on innovative and environmentally friendly transportation solutions [11]. - Starks Network is a Singapore-based Web3 technology service provider with strong competitive advantages in the global Web3 ecosystem, particularly through its Project zCloak Network [2]. Project zCloak Network - zCloak Network offers proprietary frameworks and compliance-forward infrastructure, including AI identity solutions, self-custodial wallets, stablecoin payment systems, and AI-powered crypto payment technologies [2]. - The project has received grants from Hong Kong Cyberport incubation programs and investments from top-tier venture capital firms, indicating robust investor support [2]. Market Trends - The global adoption of stablecoin-based payment systems has rapidly accelerated, with transaction volumes surpassing the combined annual processing volume of Visa and Mastercard in 2024 [5]. - McKinsey projects that the growth rate of stablecoin transactions could exceed that of legacy payment volumes within a decade, highlighting strong demand for secure and compliant wallet solutions [6]. Financial Landscape - BlackRock reported $13.46 trillion in assets under management in Q3 2025, reflecting early participation from major financial institutions in the digital asset market [7]. - The digital asset market capitalization surged from $5 billion in 2022 to over $25.5 billion by July 2025, representing a growth of approximately 410% [7]. Strategic Implications - NCT's acquisition of zCloak is a strategic move to expand into the digitization of real-world assets and reinforce its leadership in global shipping services [8]. - The partnership aims to accelerate enterprise adoption of Web3 technologies, with potential revenue generation in the range of $30–40 million annually from privacy-preserving identity and compliance verification solutions [10].

Core Viewpoint - Intercont (Cayman) Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a minority stake in Starks Network Ltd, aiming to co-develop the zCloak Network, which integrates maritime services with blockchain technology [1][6]. Company Overview - Intercont (Cayman) Limited is a global carbon-neutral shipping company focused on innovative and environmentally friendly transportation solutions [9]. - Starks Network, based in Singapore, is a leading Web3 technology service provider with strong competitive advantages in the global Web3 ecosystem [2]. Project zCloak Network - zCloak Network is recognized for its proprietary frameworks and compliance-forward infrastructure, which includes AI identity, self-custodial wallets, and stablecoin payment systems [2]. - The project has received support from the Hong Kong Cyberport incubation programs and investments from top-tier venture capital firms, indicating robust investor confidence [2]. Market Trends - The global adoption of stablecoin-based payment systems has rapidly accelerated, with transaction volumes surpassing those of Visa and Mastercard in 2024, marking a significant shift in financial infrastructure [5]. - The digital asset market capitalization has increased from $5 billion in 2022 to over $25.5 billion by July 2025, reflecting a growth of approximately 410% [5]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition of zCloak is a strategic move for NCT to expand into the digitization of real-world assets and enhance its leadership in global shipping services [6]. - NCT plans to leverage zCloak's infrastructure to develop standardized and compliant on-chain asset solutions, targeting high-value verticals in the market [8]. Leadership Perspective - The partnership between NCT and Starks Network is described as a convergence of tradition and innovation, aiming to re-imagine themes of contract and wealth through Web3 technology [7]. - NCT's CEO highlighted the potential for significant revenue generation in privacy-preserving identity and compliance verification, with leading infrastructure providers achieving annual revenues in the range of $30–40 million [8].

Core Insights - The current state of the cryptocurrency industry is at a critical and dangerous juncture, characterized by developer attrition, declining audit demand, and a lack of support for genuinely useful applications, with attention being diverted to short-term speculative products [1][4] - Mhmarkets highlights that the vision of driving practical applications and welcoming the next billion users has been overshadowed by short-sighted profit-seeking behavior [4][6] Group 1: Developer and Investment Trends - Developers are reducing smart contract audits not out of willingness to take risks, but due to a lack of worthwhile new applications to build [4] - Many talented developers and founders are waiting for a healthier industry environment or have already left the space, unwilling to replicate existing financial applications or push forward long-term value projects without support [4] - Capital interest in practical applications is extremely low, with funding only available for projects that can quickly achieve massive returns, leaving capable teams stuck at the starting line [4][5] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Influences - Investment is increasingly concentrated in short-term profit-driven assets such as meme coins, opaque DeFi structures, and high-leverage speculation, which shapes market discussions around ETF inflows and trading techniques rather than the real application value of blockchain [4][5] - The profit-driven orientation is amplified by industry "opinion leaders" who could promote the on-chain transformation of the global financial system but instead embrace a more controllable "new type of intermediary," reintroducing complexity and opacity into a market that should be transparent and decentralized [5] Group 3: Long-term Implications - The original intent of blockchain and cryptocurrency technology was to weaken monopolies and rebuild a fairer internet collaboration mechanism, with the potential of AI and blockchain combined to rival or exceed the impact of the internet [5] - However, the narrative is currently dominated by DAT, ETFs, leveraged trading, and liquidation events, allowing a few participants to gain excess profits at the expense of the majority [5][6] - Short-sighted and fraudulent behaviors in the crypto ecosystem drive away builders and stagnate technological development, ultimately harming the entire industry, including those who genuinely believe in the technology [6]

香港交易及結算所有限公司及香港聯合交易所有限公司對本公佈之內容概不負責，對其 準確性或完整性亦不發表任何聲明，並明確表示，概不就因本公佈全部或任何部分內容 而產生或因倚賴該等內容而引致之任何損失承擔任何責任。 （於開曼群島註冊成立之有限公司） CORNERSTONE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS LIMITED 基石科技控股有限公司 （股份代號：8391） 自願性公告 與DriveEZ建立Web3及電動車充電戰略合作夥伴關係 基石科技控股有限公司（「基石」）欣然宣佈，於二零二五年十二月八日，本公司與DriveEZ Limited（「DriveEZ」）訂立諒解備忘錄（「諒解備忘錄」）。本協議旨在建立戰略合作夥伴關 係，利用區塊鏈技術升級本公司的電動車充電生態系統。 合作詳情 根據此合作夥伴關係，DriveEZ將擔任基石於此新項目的技術合作夥伴。合作重點在於將 區塊鏈技術與Web3基礎架構整合到現有的基石移動應用程式中。具體而言，DriveEZ將開 發及部署採用分散式帳本技術的基礎設施，允許基石用戶使用區塊鏈為電動車充電或為 其帳戶充值。 雙方亦有意建立一個生態系統，其將作為忠誠度與會員計劃的一部分 ...

📣 Imagine if the world-leading @Binance exchange had its very own social media platform dedicated to all things Web3...That's exactly what Binance Square delivers.but before you join the millions of crypto experts and researchers posting on the platform, make sure you know how it works, how to use it, and how to get started... ⬇️https://t.co/cD8eOEwzdD ...

At #EBC2025, #MEXC hit the floor to interview real attendees in Barcelona, capturing their candid thoughts on the event, the #crypto market, and the future of #Web3. A quick, authentic snapshot of the people behind the industry~#MEXCEventRocks https://t.co/H4F6ndE1FO ...