BlockchainReporter Weekly News Review: Expanding Horizons in the Crypto Landscape

Welcome to this week’s crypto news review. In this edition, we cover the top 5 important news for you in case you missed them. This week was very positive not only in terms of crypto prices but for the DeFi platforms as well. Centralized exchanges remained in the news for their positive developments. OKX’s new spot and derivatives trading platform launch in Australia was the main attraction. Binance Kazakhstan earned ISO certifications for privacy and security. Robinhood introduced staking and localized apps in Europe, enhancing user experience and accessibility. Aside from CEXs, Tether, TON, and Worldcoin also remained in the headlines. Tether collaborated with the TON Foundation and Oobit for an innovative crypto-payment solution. Lastly, the Worldcoin Foundation unveiled an advanced biometric security system. Keep reading for more details.

OKX Launches Spot and Derivatives Crypto Trading in Australia

Leading crypto exchange OKX has officially launched its spot and derivatives trading platform in Australia. This new service will cater to verified wholesale clients and support AUD-pegged deposits and withdrawals from most Australian banks. Users will have access to 85 cryptocurrencies and 170 crypto spot pairs. The launch follows the establishment of OKX’s Sydney office last year, aimed at building a local team for management, legal, and compliance functions.

Australia’s robust technology infrastructure and diverse crypto community make it a prime market for OKX’s long-term plans. The Sydney office, established in May 2023, was a significant step towards this goal, bringing together a team of experts in management, law, and compliance. OKX aims to serve the Australian market while adhering to regulations and ensuring user protection, promising a seamless and advanced crypto trading experience for years to come.

Binance Kazakhstan Earns ISO Certifications for Privacy and Security

Binance has announced that its Kazakhstan branch has received ISO 27701 and ISO 27001 certifications. It means that it has been recognized for its adherence to global standards in privacy information management and information security governance. These certifications follow a thorough audit by the British Standards Institution (BSI), confirming that Binance’s internal processes meet international standards. This underscores Binance’s commitment to providing a secure and reliable platform for its users in Kazakhstan.

Binance’s Head of Regional Markets, Vishal Sacheendran, highlighted the company’s dedication to high privacy and security standards, aiming to reassure clients about the protection of their information and assets. This accomplishment follows similar certifications in Turkey, the UAE, Bahrain, and France, with Binance committing to annual audits to maintain compliance.

Robinhood Crypto Exchange Launches Staking in Europe, Featuring Solana

Robinhood has introduced new features tailored for its European customers, including staking, localized apps, and crypto rewards for new users. These updates aim to enhance accessibility and improve the user experience for crypto traders in Europe. Robinhood has launched its first crypto staking product, allowing European users to stake Solana ($SOL) directly in the app and earn rewards. Users can also unstake their assets at any time.

New customers in Europe will receive a 10% bonus on their net buys over the first 30 days, paid in $USDC stablecoin. This initiative is designed to attract and incentivize new users. Robinhood will launch localized versions of its app, starting with Italy, Poland, and Lithuania. These apps will offer interfaces in native languages for a more comfortable trading experience. Since its launch in December, top-traded cryptocurrencies on Robinhood Crypto include Bitcoin ($BTC), Solana ($SOL), Ethereum ($ETH), and Dogecoin ($DOGE).

Tether, TON Foundation, and Oobit Launch Innovative Crypto-Payment Solution

Tether Operations Limited has partnered with Oobit and the TON Foundation to introduce a revolutionary crypto-payment solution. Announced on Tether’s official X account and blog, this collaboration aims to make financial activities seamless and convenient. Moreover, the partnership highlights Tether’s commitment to a borderless financial ecosystem. Tether recently launched $USD₮ and $XAU₮ on the TON blockchain, enabling quick, secure, and cost-effective transfers. Since its introduction, over $200M worth of USD₮ has been issued on TON’s blockchain. Users can now send USD₮ through Telegram messages and use it for instant Tap payments on Oobit.

This initiative focuses on expanding USD₮ accessibility and facilitating smooth value transfers within TON’s ecosystem. It will position Tether at the forefront of transforming the cryptocurrency landscape and challenging traditional finance.

Worldcoin Foundation and TACEO Unveil Advanced Biometric Security System

The Worldcoin Foundation, in collaboration with TACEO cryptography engineers, has introduced a cutting-edge Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC) system. This new technology enhances privacy while eliminating the need for Worldcoin’s previous iris code system, maintaining the same level of security.

The SMPC system uses advanced secure multi-party computation for Machine Learning, specifically designed for iris codes. These codes are unique identifiers for users within the Worldcoin ecosystem. The system encrypts iris codes into multiple secret shares, distributed among different parties. Computations on these encrypted shares yield results without compromising the privacy of the iris codes. The Worldcoin Foundation’s SMPC system marks a significant leap in biometric security, providing users with secure and private identity verification in the digital world.

In conclusion, this week’s review highlights the continuous evolution and expansion of the crypto landscape. From the launch of OKX’s trading platform in Australia to Binance Kazakhstan’s achievement of ISO certifications, the developments demonstrate the growing maturity and reliability of cryptocurrency infrastructure. Robinhood’s introduction of staking in Europe and Tether’s collaboration with the TON Foundation for a payment solution reflect the increasing accessibility and innovation within the industry. Additionally, the unveiling of Worldcoin’s advanced biometric security system signifies ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and security. As the crypto ecosystem continues to advance, these developments pave the way for broader adoption and acceptance in the financial mainstream.