Partnerships & Ecosystem

Hong Kong regulators received 36 stablecoin license applications but plan to approve only a few issuers. HSBC and Standard Chartered are expected among the first licensed HKD stablecoin issuers. The licensing framework builds on a sandbox program launched in 2024 to test stablecoin

Gate News report states that on March 16, Brilliance Securities Finance (01428.HK) announced that the takeover bid initiated by Ant Group has been approved by relevant Chinese government departments and is expected to be completed by March 30. The company's stock will resume trading on March 17.

BlackRock's iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHB) launched on Nasdaq on March 16, offering staking rewards. Figment is responsible for validator node infrastructure, supporting Ethereum network security and transaction validation. ETHB's launch stems from policy support and regulatory clarity, attracting more investors to participate in Ethereum staking, promoting network security and on-chain economic development.

Tokyo-based Metaplanet has secured $255 million from global investors to build a leading corporate Bitcoin treasury. With additional potential capital of $276 million through warrants, they currently hold 35,102 BTC. The firm is also investing in digital asset infrastructure, notably partnering with JPYC Inc. to enhance Bitcoin services in Japan.

BlockSec, a popular blockchain security platform, has partnered with Morph, a resilient Web3 payment infrastructure entity. The partnership aims to enhance the security mechanism for Web3 payments via Morph’s Payment Accelerator initiative. As BlockSec mentioned in its official social media

Jiuzixineng and AetheriumX have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding, planning to invest $30 million in its Distributed Capital Intelligence Protocol (DCIP), aimed at enhancing asset management and on-chain interaction efficiency in the Web3 ecosystem. Both parties will strengthen technological and business synergies to promote intelligent allocation of digital assets.

KGEN has partnered with Playnance, a Web3 gaming infrastructure company, to connect Playnance’s onchain entertainment platform with KGEN’s gaming network. Expanding Global Reach via VeriFi KGEN, a verified distribution protocol, and the Web3 gaming infrastructure company Playnance have partnered

Virtuals Protocol is making significant strides in the crypto and AI sectors with innovative features like the ERC-8183 token for trustless payments between AI agents. Recognized as a top altcoin, it fosters real-world applications, driving demand and growth for its ecosystem.

Charles Hoskinson has challenged Vitalik Buterin following the Ethereum Foundation's publication of its Mandate, suggesting it resembles Cardano's governance approach. He argues that Ethereum is trying to emulate Cardano's structure of on-chain governance, highlighting distinct differences in control mechanisms between the two projects.

The Joint Sowell International, promoted by the UAE's OOKC Investment Group, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with World Mobile, aimed at advancing innovation in AI, decentralized infrastructure, and blockchain technology, and exploring business models and asset digitalization applications in the digital economy. This cooperation marks a convergence trend between traditional capital markets and the digital asset ecosystem.

FOGNET, a blockchain network that focuses on high-speed networking and real estate tokenization, today announced a strategic partnership with 21DAO, a decentralized task economy platform where community participation transforms into economic growth and on-chain value. The collaboration enabled 21DAO

Gate News bot announcement: According to Gate's official announcement, Gate has launched a USDT staking Morpho protocol product. This product allows users to stake USDT to earn on-chain yields, with a minimum investment of 1 USDT and a current annual yield rate of 4.94%. The USDT staking product operates through the Morpho lending protocol, with funds deployed to the sUSDS-USDT market. Assets staked on day D begin accruing interest on day D+1, with interest distributions occurring on day D+2. Interest is automatically distributed daily in USDT form. Users can redeem yields at any time, with redemption requests arriving on day D+1 after submission. The product's annual yield fluctuates daily based on user staking participation and on-chain dynamics. Gate states that it has selected this project through rigorous protocol review and professional risk assessment screening.

Hana Financial Group and Standard Chartered Group signed a cooperation agreement aimed at deepening collaboration in investment banking, capital markets, and foreign exchange, and jointly exploring future financial areas such as digital assets. This partnership will create new growth opportunities and represents a significant milestone for Standard Chartered Group's global operations.

Former CEX Chief Technology Officer Balaji Srinivasan is calling on the crypto industry to develop blockchain-based financial tools for refugees and stateless persons to address service gaps caused by population migration. He points out that traditional financial systems often fail during conflicts, while blockchain possesses interference-resistant capabilities. However, despite the demand, related products targeting this demographic remain limited. Stablecoins are playing an increasingly significant role in fund flows, and the future requires more cryptocurrency financial tools oriented toward vulnerable populations.

The Solana ecosystem has recently released multiple updates, with a focus on expanding real-world financial assets, stablecoin settlement, and artificial intelligence applications. Tokenized stock markets are integrating with Solana DeFi, improving trading efficiency. International insurance companies are using stablecoins for cross-border transactions for the first time, demonstrating their advantages. Developers are exploring the combination of AI and blockchain to automate financial services. Solana has joined Mastercard's crypto partner program and released over 20 new projects, raising more than $80 million in funding, promoting the integration of blockchain and traditional finance.

Hong Kong's financial regulatory framework is progressing, with the Stablecoin Ordinance scheduled to take effect in August 2025, requiring issuing entities to meet stringent standards. Mature financial institutions such as Standard Chartered and HSBC are expected to be among the first to obtain approval, thereby promoting the development of the stablecoin ecosystem. Although concerns about centralization exist, this framework reflects Hong Kong's commitment to becoming a global hub for digital asset innovation, while also instilling confidence in crypto users and institutional investors.

Oriental Wealth released "Miao Xiang Skills" on March 13, providing six professional investment research skills for OpenClaw, including intelligent stock screening, macro data insights, and more. Users can experience these features in the Oriental Wealth app, with functions available free for a limited time until April 30.

Shigeyoshi Shibayama pointed out that if the United States implements a stablecoin yield ban, it will prompt overseas issuers to seek alternative yield opportunities and impact the competitive landscape of the market. Meanwhile, Asian institutions show a stronger preference for tokenization over direct cryptocurrency investment, indicating that traditional financial institutions are taking a more cautious approach to blockchain technology. They are seeking efficiency improvements while mitigating volatility risks.

Gate launched the AI aggregation platform GateRouter on March 16, providing developers and AI Agents with a unified model calling interface. Users can quickly access multiple mainstream large models through a single API and enjoy a pay-as-you-go model without requiring a credit card or subscription, offering high credibility and convenient usage.

The Solana ecosystem has recently achieved multiple financial integrations. Aon successfully completed premium settlements using PayPal USD on its platform, demonstrating the viability of blockchain in traditional payments. Additionally, Solana is exploring tokenized stocks and access to Nasdaq, and has joined Mastercard's cryptocurrency collaboration program to deepen financial infrastructure cooperation. This marks blockchain payments entering mainstream finance.