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The MiCA Crypto Alliance Launches with Hedera, Ripple and Aptos Foundation as founding members

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Leading blockchain innovators Hedera, Ripple, and Aptos Foundation are joining forces with the technical support from DSF to advance crypto-adoption and regulatory adherence.The alliance will launch standardised templates for sustainability disclosures to help crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and regulated entities comply with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.Members of the alliance will benefit from access to exclusive resources and support from industry leaders that will simplify compliance with the new regulatory standards.

LONDON, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The DLT Science Foundation (DSF) is proud to support the launch of the MiCA Crypto Alliance, with Hedera, Ripple and Aptos Foundation, as founding members. This groundbreaking association brings together some of the most influential players in the blockchain space, and is aimed at streamlining and enhancing compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, with a view to fostering a sustainable and compliant crypto ecosystem.

The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation will be fully applicable by the end of this year and has been established by the European Union to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto market, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and market integrity. The cryptocurrency industry is in a state of rapid evolution, as global regulatory bodies recognise the urgent need for a solid framework that addresses the need for transparency, investor protection and cyber security. The MiCA regulation is being introduced at a critical time, providing much-needed clarity for the European market and fostering a more secure and dependable environment for cryptocurrency assets.

In addition to introducing well-publicised governance and transparency obligations, MiCA also introduces stringent sustainability-focused disclosure requirements that mandate Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs), which include centralised exchanges and other regulated entities to share information about the climate impact of their operations, at the same time as promoting uniformity and standardisation. The regulation requires that this climate impact assessment be shared via publicly accessible white papers and website descriptions. However, the absence of an official template or guideline document for these communications risks leaving CASPs, which are subject to the disclosure requirements, potentially facing non-compliance through no fault of their own. The MiCA Crypto Alliance, with the DLT Science Foundation (DSF) as its technical partner, is a member-governed initiative that aims to solve this problem by coordinating compliance efforts among leading blockchain projects, blockchain foundations, and CASPs. By standardising white paper content and sustainability indicators, the MiCA Crypto Alliance seeks to ensure consistency and comparability, ultimately reducing the complexities associated with regulatory compliance.

With over a third of crypto hedge funds expecting increased legal and compliance costs in the near future1, largely due to market volatility and evolving regulatory environments, the MiCA Crypto Alliance encourages blockchain innovators and exchanges to participate in this new initiative aimed at fostering a more standardised and compliant industry that will help reduce these costs, increase transparency and promote uniformity. Members will gain access to shared resources, such as advanced compliance tools, expert advice, and networking opportunities with prominent figures in the industry.

Commenting on the launch of the Alliance, Dr. Paolo Tasca, Founder & Chairman of the DSF, said: “In bringing regulatory clarity to the blockchain sector, MiCA represents a significant step towards mass adoption of digital assets and decentralised technologies. The sustainability disclosure requirements contained within the regulation are designed to drive climate accountability from projects operating within this space and encourage the responsible development of these powerful technologies. In enabling the launch of the MiCA Crypto Alliance, we are committed to setting the standards for compliance with the regulation and providing projects with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in this new landscape.”

Members of the MiCA Crypto Alliance, including Hedera, Ripple, and Aptos Foundation, will have access to exclusive sustainability indicators and AI-powered white paper generation tools developed and provided by DSF. These resources are designed to help members meet MiCA requirements efficiently and effectively, promoting a high standard of compliance and sustainability within the industry.

Hedera, thanks to its unique consensus algorithm, will contribute its expertise in sustainability metrics, while Ripple’s strong commitment to transparency will help ensure regulatory compliance across the network. Finally, Aptos Foundation brings its experience in furthering blockchain-based security and scalability, further strengthening the alliance’s efforts.

Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer at Hedera, commented: “Becoming a founding member of the MiCA Crypto Alliance is a strategic move that allows us to collaborate with industry leaders, leveraging our combined expertise to achieve shared objectives. By partnering with other esteemed members, we aim to enhance transparency and establish a cohesive regulatory framework. Our goal is to develop a more efficient, transparent, and well-regulated environment that benefits consumers and the entire industry.”

Lauren Weymouth, Director, University Partnerships at Ripple, said: “Ripple is delighted to become a founding member of the MiCA Crypto Alliance. This is a unique opportunity to promote collaboration between the academic community and leaders in the digital assets space, supporting sustainability best practices and regulatory compliance. This underlines Ripple’s long-standing position as an advocate for industry regulation that protects consumers and provides clarity to enterprise, which is essential for the sustainable development of the crypto sector.”

“Aptos Foundation is honoured to be a founding member of the MiCA Crypto Alliance. In addition to delivering exceptional data and boosting interoperability across ecosystems, we believe that coordinated efforts in standardising disclosure obligations are crucial for the long-term success and credibility of Web3” added Bashar Lazaar, Head of Grants & Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Roman Beck, member of the Steering Committee, MiCA Alliance and Head of the European Blockchain Center said: “At a time when transparency, compliance, and security are becoming increasingly important in the rapidly evolving blockchain and crypto landscape, the MiCA Crypto Alliance offers a unique opportunity to fill an existing gap to help organisations meet these regulatory requirements. The collaboration between some prominent names in the industry will not only foster trust among regulators and market participants but also pave the way for a more sustainable and scalable future for the industry.”

From today, the MiCA Crypto Alliance welcomes new applicants to join this alliance and partner with other members in their collective ambition to enhance transparency and foster a sustainable development of the crypto industry.

For more information on how to become a member, please visit www.micacryptoalliance.com or contact us at mica@dltscience.org.

About the DLT Science Foundation

The DLT Science Foundation (DSF) is a global leader in P2PFISY. DSF’s initiatives aim to build trust and discover truth within the blockchain industry, supporting the development of transparent and sustainable solutions.

About Hedera 

Governed by a council of the world’s leading institutions, Hedera is a high-performance, secure, and sustainable public, permissioned DLT network. It enables seamless tokenization of real-world and digital assets with unmatched performance, security, and compliance. From regulated security tokens to NFTs, Hedera empowers the efficient creation of diverse asset types by providing enterprises and developers with robust open-source tools to unlock illiquid assets and drive the evolution of financial markets.

For more information, visit www.hedera.com, or follow us on Twitter at @Hedera Admin, Telegram at t.me/hederahashgraph, or Discord at www.hedera.com/discord. The Hedera whitepaper can be found at www.hedera.com/papers.

About Ripple

Ripple is the leading provider of digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions—delivering simple, compliant, reliable software that unlocks efficiencies, reduces friction, and enhances innovation in global finance. Ripple’s solutions leverage the XRP Ledger and its native digital asset, XRP, which was purpose-built to enable fast, low-cost, highly scalable transactions across developer and financial use cases. With a proven track record working with regulators and policymakers around the world, Ripple’s payments, custody and stablecoin solutions are pioneering the digital asset economy—building credibility and trust in enterprise blockchain. Together with customers, partners and the developer community, we are transforming the way the world creates, stores, manages and moves value.

About Aptos Foundation

Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralised network and ecosystem and driving engagement with the Aptos ecosystem. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralisation to the masses.

PwC Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report, July 2023

Click on the names for more information on: Hedera, Ripple, and Aptos

 

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WorldSkills Lyon 2024: Talented Winners, Long-lasting Legacy

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LYON, France, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — After an intense week of competition, the 47th WorldSkills Competition has officially wrapped up, marking the end of a thrilling journey for 1,400 young professionals from around the globe. For four days, participants representing nearly 70 countries and regions competed fiercely in 59 diverse skill areas, transforming Lyon’s Eurexpo into a vibrant hub of craftsmanship and international talent.

From day one, the atmosphere was charged with energy as competitors showcased their expertise in sectors ranging from Manufacturing and Engineering to Fashion, Digital Technology, and Healthcare. The level of dedication and precision demonstrated throughout the week was a testament to the profound commitment these young professionals have to their trades, as well as their determination to showcase their nation’s worth on the global stage.

Last night, the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Lyon 2024, held at Groupama Stadium, brought the event to an emotional close with the announcement of medalists in each skill category. Four medals were awarded in each skill: Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Bronze Medal, and the Medallion for Excellence. This ceremony underscored the core belief of the WorldSkills movement: excellence is found in diversity – diversity of profiles, backgrounds, expertise, and techniques.

The list of medalists is now available. Visit https://worldskills.org/what/competitions/worldskills-lyon-2024/#results to discover the winners!

What’s next?

The impact of WorldSkills Lyon 2024 extends far beyond the event itself. As the competition unfolded, and millions of people followed it in person or through media, WorldSkills Lyon 2024 spotlighted the crucial role of vocational education in today’s world and in shaping our shared future. By celebrating excellence, the competition highlighted the incredible ability of youth to drive the change our world needs through their energy and dedication. The legacy of this event lies in every vocation it has sparked and every future career it has inspired. This 47th edition has once again shown the world that where there is skill, there is a way.

Media Contacts: 
Alice Nahon
PR Officer
alice.nahon@publicis.com 

Anne-Laure TRONC
Press Relation Manager
media@worldskillslyon2024.com 

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LG NOVA EXPANDS EFFORTS TO DRIVE INNOVATION GROWTH THROUGH NEW PARTNER ALLIANCE PROGRAM

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New Program Connects LG, Strategic Partners and Startups to Ignite Collaboration and Development of Innovative Ideas for a Better Future

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics today announced the launch of the LG NOVA Partner Alliance Program – a platform that brings together corporate partners and startups for cross-industry collaborations, technology and business development, and commercial partnerships to catalyze the growth of innovations for the future.

Spearheaded by LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center, the Program extends the success of LG NOVA’s mission to co-create new ventures with startups to its corporate partners with the goal to encourage exponential growth of new innovations in the market by creating more pathways for innovative ideas to flourish at a greater rate.

Joining the Partner Alliance Program at launch are Fujitsu Research of America, Hyundai CRADLE, IBM, Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange, Niantic and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. These organizations have all signed on to work with LG NOVA and its extensive startup ecosystem to generate and explore new concepts; develop, test, and validate those concepts; and collaborate on innovative product solutions or even co-create new businesses. Additional partners will be added to the Partner Alliance Program in the coming months.

“The new Partner Alliance Program aligns with our core mission to collaborate and create an ecosystem for startups to thrive and ensure that the innovations today become the market-leading solutions of tomorrow,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, corporate executive vice president for Innovation, LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA.

Kevin Chong, LG NOVA’s head of corporate and business development, said, “This program is a win-win for all parties, including LG, as we continue to explore new ideas for business co-creation. The growth of new ideas and cross-industry collaboration will help the markets move forward faster towards a better future that benefits all of us, businesses, people and the planet.”

In bringing on corporate partners to its Program, LG NOVA is helping to create more opportunities for startups to find quintessential industry partners that will help it reach commercial success at a larger level, Chong explained. For the corporate partners, finding innovative startups to work with will help them address new market opportunities, extend their businesses into new areas and better address the changing needs of their customers. 

The Partner Alliance Program will leverage the resources of LG Electronics existing business units while also tapping into the pipeline of startups and resources available through the LG NOVA’s Mission for the Future initiative – a broad umbrella of programs designed around engaging with the entire innovation ecosystem to explore ideas on creating a better future through collaboration and tech innovations.

LG NOVA and the newly announced partners in the Partner Alliance Program plan to share more about their goals and vision for this program at the 2024 LG NOVA InnoFest, Sept. 25-26, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Calif.

LG NOVA’s annual InnoFest conference unites business leaders, innovators and investors to collaborate on solutions for a better future, this year, under the theme of “Lighting the Halo of Innovation,” inspiring attendees to focus on impactful co-creation and bold ideas. For more information about this year’s event visit https://innofest.lgnova.com/

About LG NOVA
LG NOVA, the North America Innovation Center for global innovation leader LG Electronics, is a team focused on bringing innovation from the outside to LG. LG NOVA is based in Santa Clara, Calif. The center’s mission is to fuel innovation for LG and its partners by establishing a community to create, nurture and grow businesses. Learn more about LG NOVA at www.lgnova.com.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $60-billion-plus global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, energy solutions and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. www.LG.com.

Media Contact:

LG Electronics USA

Linda Quach
+1 408 903 3045
linda.quach@lge.com

Partners & Quotes

Fujitsu Research of America

“We are excited to join LG NOVA in the Partner Alliance Program to explore new collaboration opportunities with them. LG NOVA approach to innovation and the Partner Alliance Program is a meaningful way for organizations from across different market sectors to come together and innovate,” said Takuto Komatsuki, Senior Director at Fujitsu Research of America.

About Fujitsu Research of America

Fujitsu Research of America is focused on developing cutting-edge technologies to solve digital transformation (DX) challenges faced by its customers. Its vision is to build a sustainable world through innovation and trusted partnerships. At Fujitsu Research of America (FRA), we have a myriad of very talented people working in a variety of areas – AI with transparency and ethics, social digital twin, web 3.0 technologies, quantum algorithms, and much more.

About Hyundai CRADLE

Hyundai CRADLE for Human-centered Mobility Innovation

Hyundai CRADLE is Hyundai Motor’s corporate venturing and open innovation business, which partners and invests extensively in prominent global startups to accelerate the development of advanced future automotive technologies. CRADLE identifies newly established startups that focus, amongst others, on ‘Disruptive Innovations.’

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange

“We look forward to collaborating with the LG NOVA team to share our expertise in healthcare innovation and to explore new opportunities with startups seeking to improve patient care and health outcomes.” said Jennie Kung, Vice Chair of the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange.

About The Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange

The Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange is a dynamic platform designed to accelerate healthcare innovation and foster collaboration among the global healthcare community. Leveraging Mayo Clinic’s world-class expertise and resources, the Innovation Exchange bridges the gap between emerging technologies and clinical practice, research, and education to bring breakthrough innovations to market, all for one shared mission—to benefit patients.

Niantic

“We see a great opportunity for entirely new spatial experiences leveraging AI and our 3D map
technology, tools and services to come to the forefront in the near future. We’re glad to see the
LG NOVA Partner Alliance program launch, as it has the potential to lead us to greater
collaboration across the growing ecosystem,” said Maryam Sabour, Director of Business
Development and Strategic Partnerships Lead at Niantic. 

About Niantic

Niantic’s global-scale augmented reality platform and digital map power spatial computing experiences in the real world. Incubated out of the Maps team at Google, Niantic first created Ingress and then Pokémon GO, a collaboration with The Pokémon Company, which has become a cultural phenomenon and hit game played by tens of millions of people each month. Niantic’s maps platform, which powers Pokémon GO, also supports the company’s other games and applications including Pikmin Bloom, Peridot, Monster Hunter Now and Niantic Scaniverse. Niantic’s mapping, AR and mixed reality platforms, tools and services are used by thousands of developers around the world. 

West Virginia Department of Economic Development

West Virginia’s Department of Economic Development is eager to collaborate with LG NOVA through the new Partner Alliance program,” said West Virginia Department of Economic Development Executive Director, Mike Graney. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with LG and engaging with the businesses throughout West Virginia.”

About the West Virginia Department of Economic Development

There is no better place to build and grow a business in the Eastern United States than West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Economic Development’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all West Virginians by strengthening our communities and expanding the state’s economy to create more and better jobs.

 

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SOURCE LG Electronics USA

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Behr Paint Company Hosts First Student Design Competition

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Design students encouraged to enter for a chance to win $3,000, plus $1,000 for their design school

SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Behr Paint Company announces its first-ever BEHR® Student Design Competition in partnership with MattoBoard, a 3D virtual sampling platform for designers. The competition is open starting today, September 19, through November 10, 2024, for full-time or part-time emerging professional design students.* 

Behr Paint invites design students to submit an original design plan for any commercial space such as hospitality, workplace, healthcare, multifamily and more. The design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” draws inspiration from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which celebrates the fluidity between designed environments that reflect the intersection of the past and future, digital and physical, and timeless and modern. Entrants must incorporate colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast in their design along with BEHR’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, a deep and timeless shade of ruby red. 

The competition was created to champion emerging designers by providing specialized resources and opportunities to showcase and celebrate their talents. “As a judge of the BEHR Student Design Competition, I am excited to see how each student embraces color and design,” said Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color & Creative Services at Behr Paint Company. “At Behr, we are committed to supporting the careers of the next generation of designers, and I look forward to seeing the students’ creativity shine through.”  

The judging panel will also include Guy Adam Ailion, Architect and CEO / Co-Founder of MattoBoard; Kayla Kratz, Director of Color & Designer Segment at Behr Paint Company; and Amber Jones, Director of Architect & Designer Strategic Initiatives at Behr Paint Company.

The winner of the 2024 BEHR Student Design Competition will be awarded a $3,000 cash prize and $1,000 for their design school. The runner-up will receive a $1,500 cash prize, and the second runner-up will receive a $500 cash prize. All winners will also receive a 1-year MattoBoard Pro Subscription to continue using the platform for their design needs. Winners will be announced in December 2024 and will be featured on BEHR’s and MattoBoard’s social channels, blog, and email.

To learn more about the 2024 BEHR Student Design Competition and how to enter, visit www.behr.com/designcompetition.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN.
INTERNET AND MATTOBOARD ACCOUNT REQUIRED. Trade contest offered in the 50 U.S. & U.S. Territories (“U.S.”) to full/part-time emerging Design students at U.S. eligible Institution (see Rules) who are legal U.S. res., 18+. Ends 11:59 P.M. PT 11/10/24. See Official Rules at: www.behr.com/designcompetition for entry, judging criteria and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Behr Process LLC.

About Behr Paint Company
Founded in 1947, Behr Paint Company is one of the largest manufacturers of paints, primers, decorative finishes, stains, surface preparation and application products for do-it-yourselfers and professionals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Santa Ana, Calif.-based company, and maker of BEHR®, KILZ® and WHIZZ® brands, are dedicated to meeting the project needs of DIYers, designers and professional paint contractors with an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and value. For more information, visit Behr.com. Professional paint contractors and designers can visit Behr.com/Pro to learn about products, color tools and services. Behr Paint Company is a subsidiary of Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS).

Behr and the Behr logo are registered trademarks of Behr Process LLC.

About MattoBoard
MattoBoard is the first virtual sample library (VSamples©) and 3D moodboarding tool for interior designers. Designers can search, discover, curate and specify interior materials and products in real-time using light and shadow to examine texture and detail. Designers can download and share beautiful, photo-realistic boards and material spec sheets. MattoBoard’s mission is to bring a ‘touch and feel’ industry into the future by pioneering virtual sampling for designers and brands.

Media Contact: behrpro@mbooth.com 

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SOURCE Behr Paint Company

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