Visa unveils tokenized digital asset platform

  • Visa plans to help banks explore blockchain technology and smart contracts with fiat-backed tokens.
  • The digital payments giant has unveiled a tokenization platform for this – called Visa Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP).
  • BBVA plans to launch its own stablecoin in partnership with Visa in 2025.

Visa has launched a new service aimed at helping financial institutions with the issuance and management of fiat-backed tokens.

The company announced its blockchain project dubbed Visa Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP) on Oct. 3, and will allow partners to create and trial various tokenized assets.

VTAP offers a B2B solution which banks can leverage to integrate blockchain technology to bring fiat currencies on-chain. The venture will allow for the creation of stablecoins and other fiat-backed tokens.

“Visa has been at the forefront of digital payments for nearly sixty years, and with the introduction of VTAP, we are once again setting the pace for the industry,” Vanessa Colella, global head of innovation and digital partnerships at Visa, said in a statement.

BBVA to launch Visa-backed stablecoin

According to Visa, banking giant BBVA is set to tap into VTAP for its stablecoin project expected to launch in 2025.

BBVA has explored the VTAP sandbox throughout 2024, testing core functionalities ahead of a live pilot of its stablecoin in 2025. The launch will be on the Ethereum network.

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our exploration of the potential of blockchain technology and will ultimately help enable us to broaden our banking services and expand the market with new financial solutions,” said Francisco Maroto, head of blockchain and digital assets at BBVA.

With VTAP, banks can leverage stablecoins within smart contracts, allowing for the digitization and automation of workflows. This will also help power adoption of real-world assets, with banks for instance using the technology to manage complex lines of credit or smart contracts-enabled payments.

Bank customers can also utilize fiat-backed tokens to buy tokenized commodities or treasuries.

Such products include the Franklin Templeton fund FOBXX, which the asset manager just expanded to Aptos.

The post Visa unveils tokenized digital asset platform appeared first on CoinJournal.

Crypto.com achieves PCI DSS v4.0 certification

  • Crypto.com achieved PCI DSS v4.0 certification on October 3, 2024.
  • This certification enhances flexibility in addressing evolving security threats.
  • Crypto.com remains committed to privacy, security, and compliance leadership.

Crypto.com has marked a significant milestone by becoming one of the first cryptocurrency platforms to achieve the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) v4.0 certification according to an announcement made on October 3, 2024.

This certification is a testament to the company’s commitment to upholding the highest security and data privacy standards.

The upgrade to PCI DSS v4.0, which retains the core 12 security requirements while integrating new technologies and enhanced validation methods, reflects the evolving demands of the payment industry. It introduces greater flexibility and adaptability in addressing security threats.

Though the industry deadline for v4.0 certification is March 2025, Crypto.com’s early compliance demonstrates its proactive approach to security.

Jason Lau, Chief Information Security Officer at Crypto.com, emphasized that this achievement reinforces the company’s dedication to building trust with its customers. “Achieving PCI DSS v4.0 certification further solidifies Crypto.com’s unwavering commitment to security and data privacy by design,” Lau stated.

The company’s CEO, Kris Marszalek, echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the certification as part of Crypto.com’s larger mission to maintain the highest standards of security, privacy, and compliance. “We will continue investing aggressively in building the most trusted platform for our users,” he added.

Crypto.com has previously attained multiple certifications, including SOC2 Type 2, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, and ISO 22301. By continually achieving stringent regulatory standards, the platform strengthens its reputation as a leader in security within the cryptocurrency sector.

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com serves over 100 million customers globally and remains dedicated to driving cryptocurrency adoption through innovation and a firm focus on user trust and security.

The post Crypto.com achieves PCI DSS v4.0 certification appeared first on CoinJournal.

Telegram tap-to-earn gaming community fired up as Dogizen presale launches tomorrow

  • Dogizen presale launches tomorrow, opening up investment into a Telegram game combining social interaction with a tap-to-earn model.
  • The presale offers exclusive benefits, with plans for a Developer SDK.
  • Dogizen players will earn Treatz by exploring, completing challenges, and can earn passively.

The excitement in the Telegram gaming community is palpable as Dogizen prepares to launch the first Telegram ICO tomorrow.

This innovative tap-to-earn gaming platform combines social interaction and rewards, allowing users to engage with friends while embarking on adventures with their digital canine companions. With its unique features and a vibrant community, Dogizen is set to redefine mobile gaming on Telegram, paving the way for a new era in gaming experiences.

The rise of Telegram tap-to-earn gaming

Telegram tap-to-earn gaming has emerged as a transformative model within the mobile gaming landscape. This approach allows players to earn rewards simply by participating in gameplay, creating a more engaging and interactive experience.

Unlike traditional gaming models, where monetary investment is often required to progress, tap-to-earn enables players to earn in-game currency like Treatz in Dogizen, while having fun with friends.

The surge in popularity of this gaming model can be attributed to its accessibility. With a large audience on Telegram, which boasts over 900 million users. Dogizen leverages this platform to attract both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike.

The intuitive interface and social features embedded within the Dogizen platform ensure a seamless experience, encouraging users to invite friends and engage in shared adventures. The upcoming presale offers a unique opportunity for early adopters to become part of this burgeoning community.

A unique gaming experience with Dogizen

Dogizen sets itself apart from other gaming platforms through its unique blend of exploration, social interaction, and earning potential. Players will not just be passive participants; they will become integral members of a community driven by shared goals.

The game encourages users to explore diverse locations, complete challenges, and collect Treatz, which can be spent on upgrades or saved for future rewards.

The Dogizen experience is further enriched by the opportunity for passive income and idle earnings. Players can earn Treatz even when they are not actively playing, making the gaming experience rewarding and continuous.

This innovative mechanism allows users to engage with the platform at their own pace, fostering a sense of belonging and community that is often missing in traditional gaming environments.

At the heart of Dogizen’s success lies its commitment to building a thriving community. With an already established user base of over 1 million players, Dogizen fosters a collaborative environment where players can connect, refer new users, and embark on adventures together.

The platform encourages social interactions, making it more than just a game; it becomes a space for friendships and shared experiences.

The upcoming presale is not merely a fundraising event; it’s an opportunity for the community to rally together and support a project that prioritizes user engagement and satisfaction.

Early supporters can expect to be rewarded with exclusive benefits, such as the Dogiz airdrop for Treatz holders, incentivizing participation and commitment to the platform.

What next after the Dogizen presale?

As Dogizen embarks on this exciting journey, the roadmap for future development is ambitious and promising.

After the presale ends, the project will launch the Dogiz Token on exchanges, allowing players to engage further with the ecosystem.

Subsequent phases will introduce the Developer SDK, enabling developers to create and launch games seamlessly within the Dogizen Universe.

With plans for an innovative ads platform and revenue-sharing opportunities for Dogiz holders, the future looks bright for both developers and players. The platform aims to transform the advertising landscape by integrating meaningful brand interactions directly into the gaming experience, ensuring that players receive value while engaging with the brands they love.

As the Dogizen presale launches tomorrow, the tap-to-earn gaming community on Telegram is fired up with anticipation. With its unique features, commitment to community engagement, and an ambitious roadmap, Dogizen is poised to redefine mobile gaming.

Dogizen investors and future gamers can look forward to an exciting journey filled with rewards, exploration, and lasting connections in the Dogizen Universe.

The post Telegram tap-to-earn gaming community fired up as Dogizen presale launches tomorrow appeared first on CoinJournal.

Australia’s “Operation Kraken” seizes over $6 million in crypto from alleged Ghost mastermind

  • The AFP arrests a 32-year-old man during a raid at his home in New South Wales
  • Seizing the crypto was made possible after the AFP cracked the suspect’s seed phrase
  • The arrest marks the second under Operation Kraken

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized $6.4 million in crypto from the alleged mastermind behind Ghost, an encrypted communication platform used by criminals, for creating and administrating the app.

Under Operation Kraken, a 32-year-old man from New South Wales was arrested on September 17, and charged with five offenses, including supporting a criminal organization, according to an AFP statement.

The success of this operation was made possible after an AFP analytics specialist uncovered the account’s seed phrase belonging to the suspect’s digital wallets from devices during a raid at his Narwee home.

According to the AFP, they moved the assets to a secure AFP cryptocurrency storage where it was restrained under the Commonwealth Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

This marks the second crypto asset seizure under Operation Kraken after crypto and property worth nearly $1.4 million were seized as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate in Western Australia.

“The restraint of these assets shows the technical capabilities and powers that the AFP, and our partners through the CACT (Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce), are able to bring to bear on organized crime,” said acting Commander Scott Raven.

To date, Operation Kraken has made 46 arrests, conducted 93 search warrants, seized 30 illicit firearms, seized $1.6 million in cash, and restrained $7.65 million in assets.

Cracking down on Ghost

According to the AFP, Ghost was created nine years ago; however, it was only in 2022 that the opportunity for law enforcement to target the platform arose.

The need to crackdown on the communication platform is highlighted by the number of organizations involved. In 2022, international partners began targeting Ghost and asked AFP to be part of its task force.

Europol created a task force called OTF NEXT, which was led by the FBI and the French Gendarmerie. Under these two organizations, those assisting included the AFP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Swedish Police Authority, the Dutch National Police, the Irish Garda Síochána, and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Service. The Icelandic Police also helped.

While working within the task, the AFP created Operation Kraken after they were able infiltrate Ghost. After modifying the updates the suspect released, which infected devices, the AFP was able to access the content on these devices in Australia.

According to the AFP, most of the alleged offenders who used Ghost are in New South Wales; however, they were also found in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The post Australia’s “Operation Kraken” seizes over $6 million in crypto from alleged Ghost mastermind appeared first on CoinJournal.

Franklin Templeton launches its tokenized money fund on Aptos

  • Franklin Templeton has launched the OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) on Aptos.
  • FOBXX currently has a market cap of over $435 million, second among tokenized US Treasuries behind BlackRock fund BUIDL.

Franklin Templeton has expanded its OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund (FOBXX) to the layer-1 blockchain Aptos.

The $1.6 trillion asset manager, which also offers the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC) and Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET), announced the launch of FOBXX on Aptos on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. It’s another milestone for the company after its recent expansion of the tokenized money fund to Avalanche.

FOBXX launched in 2021 and is a US Treasury-backed fund that brings the benefits of tokenized real-world assets to investors.

With its expansion to Aptos, the fund has expanded to a non-Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and adds to institutional investor access through Franklin Templeton’s platform Benji Investments.

FOBXX will be represented by Franklin’s BENJI token on the Aptos network, helping to merge traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi). Franklin brought its money market fund to Polygon and Stellar blockchain networks in April 2024.

The firm then expanded it to Arbitrum in August 2024.

Tokenized treasuries market growth

According to data from RWA.xyz, FOBXX is currently the second largest tokenized fund with over $435 million in assets.

The top US Treasury-backed asset is the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL), which launched on Ethereum and currently has over $518 million in assets under management.

Investors have increasingly looked to tap into opportunities in the RWA market. This has seen treasury-related products such as the Ondo U.S. Dollar Yield (USDY), Hashnote Short Duration Yield Coin (USYC) and OpenEden TBILL Vault (TBILL) attract a growing number of holders.

USDY, USYC and TBILL have market caps of $420 million, $280 million and $116 million respectively. Ondo launched its USDY fund on Sui in March.

Meanwhile, the total value of tokenized US treasuries, cash-equivalents and bonds, per RWA.xyz, has grown to over $2.27 billion.

That’s up from around $769 million on January 1, 2024, when FOBXX incidentally accounted for over $325 million of the total market value.

BlackRock’s BUIDL launched in March 2024 and hit $500 million market cap in July.

The post Franklin Templeton launches its tokenized money fund on Aptos appeared first on CoinJournal.