ChainCatcher news, Fiona Murray, Managing Director of Ripple Asia Pacific, pointed out that the "lack of open-mindedness" in the U.S. is driving business overseas. Industry insiders and executives believe that the U.S. needs to rapidly improve six key areas to maintain competitiveness: talent development, banking support, user experience, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), international cooperation, and regulatory framework. Several experts emphasized that the U.S. needs a more open attitude, or it may continue to fall behind Asian countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. They suggested that the U.S. refer to the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) to balance innovation with consumer protection and maintain competitiveness in the global blockchain ecosystem.

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block statistics, the blockchain industry saw an increase in venture capital financing in February, with a total of 177 transactions completed, amounting to approximately $852 million. Venture capital has shifted towards Bitcoin infrastructure, which currently accounts for 30% of all seed round financing. Additionally, Asia is leading in infrastructure investment, surpassing North America.

ChainCatcher news, the Shanghai Municipal Government and Ant Group Co., Ltd. signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai. According to the agreement, Ant Group will increase its efforts in research in cutting-edge technology fields, actively participate in the construction of the Shanghai artificial intelligence industry ecosystem and the blockchain industry innovation platform, and contribute to the construction of Shanghai as an international science and technology innovation center.

ChainCatcher news, UK MP Natalie Elphicke has called on the government to do more work on blockchain at an event in the House of Commons. Elphicke stated that blockchain is a field with great potential to enhance transparency in global supply chains or to be used for digital identity and data purposes.

ChainCatcher news, according to Tech in Asia, Kasikorn X (KX), a venture capital firm focused on Web3 under Thailand's Kasikorn Bank, has established a strategic partnership with HashKey Capital to support startups in the digital asset and blockchain industry.It is reported that this partnership involves KX's investment in HashKey Capital, aiming to support the development of the Southeast Asia and Hong Kong Web3 ecosystem by introducing global projects and helping them to utilize blockchain technology more broadly. KX will allocate $100 million to Web3, artificial intelligence, and deep tech projects with a focus on fintech.

ChainCatcher news, according to Chengdu Daily, the "Implementation Rules for the Special Policies of Chengdu for Building a National Blockchain Innovation Application Comprehensive Pilot" and the "Implementation Rules for the Special Policies of Chengdu for Promoting the Development of the Big Data Industry (Revised)" have been recently released to support the development of related industries.In terms of supporting blockchain infrastructure construction, a one-time subsidy of up to 1 million yuan will be granted to enterprises or institutions participating in national and provincial blockchain infrastructure construction, based on 20% of their investment costs; for enterprises or institutions that take the lead in establishing blockchain operation centers and actually carry out business, a subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan will be granted each year for the first two years, based on 20% of the actual operating costs.In deepening blockchain scenario applications, enterprises are encouraged to carry out application demonstrations around the key tasks of the "Chengdu National Blockchain Innovation Application Comprehensive Pilot." For projects that participate in and complete the established pilot goals, a one-time subsidy of up to 1 million yuan will be granted based on 20% of the project's construction costs;In promoting high-quality industrial development, a one-time subsidy of up to 2 million yuan will be granted to those who build blockchain technology evaluation institutions, obtain provincial-level or higher qualification certification, and provide services externally, based on 20% of the actual investment costs. Support will be provided for enterprises to explore markets outside the region, with one-time rewards of 100,000 yuan, 300,000 yuan, 500,000 yuan, and 1 million yuan for enterprises whose annual blockchain business sales revenue exceeds 50 million yuan, 100 million yuan, 500 million yuan, and 1 billion yuan for the first time, respectively;In creating a good development ecosystem, a one-time reward of 1 million yuan, 500,000 yuan, 300,000 yuan, and 100,000 yuan will be granted to enterprises or institutions that lead the formulation of international, national, industry, and group blockchain standards. (source link)

ChainCtcher news, former editor-in-chief of ChainNews Liu Feng, founder of Orange Book Li Yang, and host of "Late Night Chat" Wang Hanyang, among others, have established a blog and newsletter about the broader blockchain industry called "crypto4.wtf". The blockchain industry is still in an early stage at this moment, where everyone has their own thoughts and imaginations about it; and there is still much basic knowledge to be popularized. crypto4.wtf is a hub for people and their ideas.The initiators of crypto4.wtf also include: Yi Xuan, PainCompiler (Xu Huan), Raina, Lu Yao, Mingshi, Wang Chao, Tang Han, Shim, former research director of ChainNews Pan Zhixiong, and Bai Yu. (Source link)