The Astar Network News - April Season 2

Last week, the Astar Network team attended a training camp alongside the Startale Labs team. Besides strategy alignment and team bonding, the concept of ASTAR 3.0 was announced, with more details to come soon. Over 60 participants from more than 15 countries took part in the training.

Startale Labs plays a crucial role in offering direct support and technological assistance for companies to enter the Web3 space using Astar Network's SDK and team expertise. The need for an organization focused on business development and direct engagement with corporate partners arose due to limitations within Astar Foundation such as human resources, time, and regulations. As a result, Astar Foundation focuses on the development of blockchain technology while Startale Labs focuses on real-world business development.

A new joint venture has been established through Startale Labs. YOAKE Entertainment, led by Yakushi Akimoto, one of Japan's top music producers, aims to become one of the biggest global entertainment projects. The desire of the stakeholders to venture into Web3 stems from its status as an unknown world. "No matter how many times Sota explains the concept to me, I have no idea," Yakushi admits. He reveals that there are people who can find stairs to the future, and that Sota and Astar Network are building those stairs themselves.

https://forbesjapan.com/articles/detail/69297

Sota is a highly active figure in the Japanese Web3 scene, actively engaging in discussions about regulation. According to the founder of Astar Network, the next steps for large companies to adopt Web3 will be influenced by public opinion, hence the need to create real-world use cases. This includes improving audit and accounting practices and regulating personal taxation. These steps are crucial for building trust and ensuring the seamless integration of Web3 technologies into the broader business landscape.

Sony Bank plans to issue a stablecoin leveraging intellectual property from the Sony Group, including demo games and sports content, and may consider using it as a payment method. This move signifies a significant step towards integrating blockchain technology into the financial sector, as well as utilizing Sony's vast array of intellectual properties to enhance the value of the stablecoin. With the potential for stablecoins to offer faster, more efficient transactions compared to traditional banking methods, this initiative could pave the way for broader adoption of digital currencies in everyday transactions.

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUB02D980S4A400C2000000/?n%5Fcid=SNSTW005

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has published the 2024 Web3 White Paper, approved by the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters. Following this, policy decisions will be made by the Liberal Democratic Party after review by the Political Affairs Research Council. This signifies a significant recognition of the importance of Web3 technology and its potential impact on various aspects of society, including governance and policymaking. The White Paper is expected to provide insights into how Japan can embrace Web3 innovations and navigate regulatory challenges in the digital age.

https://www.jimin.jp/news/information/208018.html

The launch of NFTs on Astar zkEVM has been simplified with the integration of NFTs2Me. This integration streamlines the process of minting and trading NFTs, making it easier for users to participate in the decentralized ecosystem. Web2 users can now onboard seamlessly, with the option of making payments via credit card and creating a Web3 wallet. This not only expands accessibility to NFTs but also opens up new opportunities for mainstream adoption of blockchain-based assets. With these advancements, Astar is poised to revolutionize the NFT space and attract a wider audience to the world of decentralized finance and digital ownership.

https://nfts2me.com/app/astar-zkevm/

Astar will be co-hosting an event with NFT OG, “@0n1Force", in Tokyo. The event aims to provide insights into the latest NFT trends and what drives the success of NFT projects. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with NFT Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and the Japanese community, gaining valuable knowledge and networking opportunities. Whether you're looking to understand the dynamics of the NFT market, explore innovative use cases, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this event promises to be a hub of knowledge and collaboration in the thriving NFT space.

https://lu.ma/0n1tokyomeetup