一般社団法人ASIA WEB3 ALLIANCE JAPAN 1st press conference reveals three main focus areas for 2024, the launch of stablecoin subcommittee, target 5,000 global companies and startups across 48 countries to expand into Japan and Asia’s Web3 ecosystem, and Student Exchange program in Japan prefectures.
What is Asia Web3 Alliance Japan?
Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ), an association 一般社団法人 in Japan that aims to bridge the gap between Japan, Asia, and the world in the Web3 space through collaboration  – a key to building a healthy global network and ecosystem.
AWAJ held its first press conference, with President Hinza Asif, Board Members, Taketo Nakanishi (CROSSTECH) and Leo Mizuhara (Hashnote), and Advisory Board Member Yuma Tanimoto (CROSSTECH), to share its three focus areas:
Key Focus Areas for 2024
Establishment of the Stablecoin Subcommittee under the supervision of stablecoin expertsPartner with 5,000 Web3 companies under one umbrella by the end of 2024Launch of a Student Exchange Program in Japanese prefectures to empower career building in Web3 through the support of the association.
Details are as follows:
1. Empowering Stablecoin Use Cases: Vision behind Stablecoin Subcommittee 
One of the highlights of the conference was the official launch of AWAJ’s Stablecoin Subcommittee. Pres. Hinza Asif shared that the goal of this subcommittee is to create an accessible environment for stablecoin use cases in Japan and Asia.
Board Member Leo Mizuhara explained the importance of this subcommittee and the potential of stablecoins in the international market. 
Board Member Taketo Nakanishi advocates that stablecoins and DeFi can contribute to faster cross-border transactions at less cost. “It can be an authentic medium of exchange among businesses and individuals.”
Advisory Member Yuma Tanimoto, an expert in blockchain utilization policies in the Arab and African regions, emphasized the need to advocate for the international use of yen-pegged stablecoins to achieve global expansion through the subcommittee.
The subcommittee will also empower use cases by collaborating with private companies, governments, and expert individuals through AWAJ. 

– Provided by Asia Web3 Alliance Japan
2. Global Board Members Gear Up for New Opportunities: Onboarding 5,000+ Companies into AWAJ’s Ecosystem
Asia Web3 Alliance Japan hierarchy is designed to give a 70% stake to international members. With a total of 56 members and 16 subcommittees, each member’s vision aligns with the alliance’s goals and objectives.
At the press conference, AWAJ revealed its aim to target 5,000+ Web3 companies, startups, and individuals to join under one alliance to expand their business in Japan and Asia. This can create a vast and diverse network to facilitate collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and business opportunities among the members.
This means that the alliance can collectively address challenges that individual companies might struggle with on their own.
Message from the AWAJ Board Members: 

Japan and Asia are the centers of Web3 development. The Board Members see the region as a desired destination to explore innovative technologies in a well-established regulatory framework that favors international businesses as well. Following are their messages for joining AWAJ:
Nicole Chan, Chairperson of Taiwan Association for Blockchain Ecosystem Innovation says: “AWAJ proposes harnessing collective wisdom to create a conducive environment for startups in the Web 3.0 space. This is a vision that I strongly resonate with and am actively supporting. I hope to collaborate with partners from Asia and around the globe in this collective effort.”
Sandy Carter, COO of Unstoppable Domains added: “I am excited about the unique opportunities the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan presents. Together, we are poised to revolutionize the digital identity space…This alliance not only amplifies my commitment to advancing secure and inclusive digital identities but also provides an unparalleled platform to catalyze transformative change in the region.”
Luke Soon, Partner at PwC Singapore expressed: “The decentralization trend is irreversible; power to the people! Humanity x AI must find new ways to coexist and build future value, together.”
Morten Rongaard, CEO and co-founder of Reality+ said: “Japan holds a special place in my heart – not only as a country with a rich history of technological innovation but also as a leader in consumer protection and regulatory frameworks. I am eager to work alongside AWAJ…”
David Palmer, CPO at PairPoint added: “Through my work applying and converging blockchain to the telecoms and IoT infrastructures through the development of the DAB protocol…I am pleased to work with the Asia Web3 alliance to promote adoption, especially in business and enterprise across the region.”
Jamie Kingsley, COO of The PR Genius, at the press conference, shared: “I’m thrilled to announce my collaboration with the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan, a significant step in advancing the Web3 landscape both in Japan and the broader APAC region.”
Leo Mizuhara, CEO and Founder of Hashnote said: “Japan is my birth country and has always been a home to me. I look forward to working with AWAJ and regional regulators to bring this new frontier to be one of the future growth industries of the nation.”
Board Members Polygon Labs’ CA Aishwary Gupta and The Crypto Mile Host Brian McGleenon also expressed their excitement to see new opportunities coming from Asia Web3 Alliance Japan.
3. Prefecture Collaborations and Student Exchange Program in Japan
AWAJ Pres. Hinza at the press conference shared plans to collaborate with Japan’s prefecture governments. The alliance will sit with government officials to create a supportive environment for Web 3.0 initiatives, contributing to the growth and integration of emerging technologies in Japan and globally.
Furthermore, AWAJ will also launch a Student Exchange Program in Japan in IT and Blockchain in partnership with 48 universities. The program will allow Japanese students to travel and develop their careers globally. 
About 一般社団法人 Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ) : 
一般社団法人ASIA WEB3 ALLIANCE 日本 is an association established with the aim of globally advancing Japan’s Web3 industry and attracting foreign investors to the Web3 ecosystem in Japan and Asia. AWAJ was founded based on three key objectives: collaboration, ethical innovation, and inclusivity.
#Asia #web3 #japan

Manta Network, a leading modular blockchain for zero-knowledge (ZK) applications, is strategically broadening its influence and operational capacity in Asia, with a specific focus on Korea and Hong Kong.
This strategic move is part of the network’s broader vision to invest in and nurture the most prospective regions for its growth and development.

🔸 Strengthening Ties with Korea 🔸
Korea has emerged as a pivotal market for Manta Network. Korean-led projects are currently driving a substantial portion of the network’s Total Value Locked (TVL) and on-chain activities, signaling the region’s vital role in the growth of the network’s ecosystem.
The robust engagement and participation from the Korean community have boosted the network’s activities and reinforced its commitment to investing further in the region.

Recognizing this, Manta Network is funding a branch in Korea.
The branch aims to foster closer ties with local projects, understand and cater to the unique needs of the Korean market, and facilitate the seamless integration of Manta Network’s offerings with the local web3 landscape.

🔸 Hong Kong: A New Frontier for Growth 🔸
Hong Kong represents a new and exciting frontier for Manta Network. Known for its dynamic and rapidly growing web3 community, Hong Kong offers immense potential for Manta Network’s expansion.
The region’s openness to innovation and technological advancements makes it an ideal environment for blockchain and web3 projects.

Manta Network aims to tap into this vibrant ecosystem by establishing a branch in Hong Kong.
The goal is to collaborate with local developers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to create and support projects that resonate with the needs and aspirations of the Hong Kong web3 community.

🔸 A Commitment to Community Development 🔸
Central to Manta Network’s expansion strategy is the commitment to supporting and developing local communities in these regions. The network believes in the power of grassroots movements and community-driven projects to propel the adoption and advancement of web3 technologies.

In both Korea and Hong Kong, Manta Network plans to engage with local communities through educational initiatives, collaborative projects, and direct support for promising local ventures.
This approach is not only about expanding Manta Network’s reach, but also about contributing to the broader development of the web3 ecosystem in Asia.

🔸 Looking Forward 🔸
As Manta Network continues to expand its presence in Korea and Hong Kong, the focus remains on creating sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships with local communities and stakeholders. The network is excited about the possibilities these regions hold and is committed to being an active participant in their web3 journeys.

Expanding into Korea and Hong Kong marks a significant milestone for Manta Network. It reflects the network’s dedication to its global vision while underscoring the importance of local engagement and support.
With this balanced approach, Manta Network is poised to make a lasting impact in the Asian web3 landscape.

🔸 About Manta Network 🔸
Manta Network is the modular blockchain for zero-knowledge (ZK) applications. Manta Pacific is the modular L2 ecosystem for EVM-native ZK applications and dApps that want to deliver the lowest cost and best experience for users.
Leveraging Manta’s Universal Circuits to enable ZK-as-a-Service and Celestia’s data availability for modularity to deliver low gas fees, Manta Pacific offers the perfect environment for ZK-enabled applications.

Manta Network was created by a team of experienced founders from prestigious institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and Algorand.
Manta Network has received investments from many of the top web3 investment funds, including Binance Labs and Polychain Capital.
It has grown through participation in the best web3 accelerators, including Alliance DAO and Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator.

In conclusion, Manta Network’s expansion into Korea and Hong Kong signifies its commitment to fostering growth and development in these regions while contributing to the advancement of web3 technologies.
With its strategic investments and collaborative approach, Manta Network is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the Asian web3 landscape.

#MantaNetwork #MANTA #Expansion #Asia

New signs of life are emerging from the Asian crypto market, potentially injecting fresh optimism into the global industry. Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) recently greenlit the launch of spot-traded $BTC and $ETH Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), a long-awaited move that could unlock billions in investment [Source 1]. This regulatory approval is seen as a significant step towards mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, particularly in Asia, which boasts a large and active crypto community.
Further fueling this optimism is the news of HashKey Group, a Hong Kong-based digital asset platform, partnering with $TON (The Open Network). This collaboration will see HashKey provide Bitcoin ETF services while leveraging TON's infrastructure for on-ramping and off-ramping fiat and crypto for users in the Asia-Pacific region [Source 2]. This strategic partnership highlights the growing synergy between established crypto players and innovative blockchain solutions like TON, which aims to provide a fast and scalable platform for decentralized applications.
The combined effect of Hong Kong's ETF approval and HashKey's collaboration with TON paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the Asian crypto market. While regulatory clarity and robust infrastructure remain crucial for wider adoption, these developments signal a growing maturity and willingness to embrace the potential of cryptocurrencies in the region.
Sources:
[Source 1] "https://www.coindesk.com/podcasts/markets-daily/crypto-update-hong-kong-spot-crypto-etfs"[Source 2] "https://tonraffles.dev/ton-foundation-announces-strategic-partnership-with-hashkey-group/"#Bullish #etf #Asia #BTC🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥