Popular adventures allow players to participate in metaverse team play and earn rewards
Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Press Releases
BoC and MIT announce joint CBDC collaboration
Bank of Canada | Release | March 16, 2022
The Bank of Canada and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) today announced an agreement to collaborate on a twelve-month research project on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The Bank will work with the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative team to explore how advanced technologies could affect the potential design of a CBDC, building on the DCI’s ongoing research into CBDC. This exploration will help inform the Bank of Canada’s research effort into CBDC.
See: Latest from BIS and a group of 7 central banks including Canada on retail CBDCs
The project forms part of the Bank’s wider research and development agenda on digital currencies and fintech. It will focus on exploring and experimenting with potential technology approaches to determine how a CBDC could work. No decision has been made on whether to introduce a CBDC in Canada.
The Bank of Canada will provide an update on the findings and outcomes at the end of the project period.
View the original press release --> here
Ledger Insights | March 16, 2022
Today the Bank of Canada announced it will work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its central bank digital currency (CBDC) research. The twelve month project is with the MIT Media Lab Digital Currency Initiative (DCI), the same group that is working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on Project Hamilton.
As with Project Hamilton, the focus is on experimenting with different technical approaches. And the Bank of Canada emphasized that it has not yet made a decision about issuing a CBDC.
See: Bank of Canada Staff Paper: Bitcoin Adoption and Beliefs in Canada
Previously the central bank has cited the launch of a U.S. digital dollar as a possible trigger for Canada to launch its own because of concerns that Canadians might start to use U.S. dollars to a greater extent. President Biden’s digital assets executive order set a concrete timeline for a U.S. CBDC report and legislative agenda, effectively accelerating the United States’ research efforts.
The Bank of Canada has been exploring CBDC for several years. A year ago, it ran a university competition and published the winning three papers.
For its part, MIT’s DCI has a particular approach. For several years the DCI has contributed code to Bitcoin core, and it looks to leverage some of the benefits of cryptocurrencies in its CBDC work. However, in Project Hamilton, the decision was not to use a blockchain for speed benefits, but it uses the same unspent transaction output (UTXO) that Bitcoin uses. MIT also releases all its work as open source.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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CSA seeks applications for Investor Advisory Panel
CSA | March 10, 2022
Montréal – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is inviting applications for membership on its Investor Advisory Panel (CSA IAP).
The panel, which is being established this year, will provide advice to the CSA to ensure that retail investors’ interests and concerns are fully considered as we develop policies and make rules to strengthen Canada’s capital markets.
The panel will not substitute but complement the work of existing investor panels or committees of individual CSA members. The CSA is seeking broad representation for the IAP, not only in terms of geography but also in terms of key socio-demographic factors, experience and personal attributes.
See: Stop Calling Them ‘Dumb Money’: Retail Investors Are Revolutionizing the Stock Market
“We will work to put together a panel of highly qualified individuals with extensive and diverse retail investor experience who can support the CSA in achieving its long-standing commitment to obtain better regulatory outcomes for retail investors,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers.
Applicants must have skills and experience in one or more of the following:
- A community-based organization with a demonstrated commitment to advancing public policy, preferably relating to the financial well-being of Canadians or more specific demographic groups in Canada
- An investor or consumer association with experience representing the views of Canadians or more specific demographic groups in Canada
- Advising investors in a professional capacity, such as a lawyer or an accountant
- Providing financial advice to households
- Market or academic research
A selection committee, composed of CSA members’ senior officials, will review the applications and recommend nominees to the CSA Chairs. Seven to 11 panel members will be appointed for staggered terms of up to three years, with the understanding that the terms are one-time renewable. The selection process is expected to be completed in the spring of 2022.
See: Retail Investors are just collateral damage (again)
Cross-membership of at least one member will ensure interconnection with the Ontario Securities Commission’s Investor Advisory Panel, to which Ontario residents are encouraged to apply through the OSC’s periodic application process.
The CSA amended the CSA IAP Terms of Reference based on feedback to CSA Staff Notice and Request for Comment 11-343 Proposal to Establish a CSA Investor Panel. The CSA intends to address, through the IAP member selection process and the function of the panel itself, additional valuable input from commenters that is not reflected in the amendments to the Terms of Reference.
Interested parties are invited to submit their resume, indicating their relevant experience, by April 11, 2022. Applications and questions regarding the CSA IAP can be addressed to:
CSA Secretariat
Tour de la Bourse
2010-800, Square Victoria
Montréal (Québec) H4Z 1J2
csa-acvm-secretariat@acvm-csa.ca
The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
View the original release --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Quebec and Desjardins invest $1.1 million in WALO who helps kids develop healthy financial habits
WALO | Release | Feb 28, 2022
CNW Group/WALO
Quebec and Desjardins contribute to $1.1 million investment in Quebec fintech with global ambitions
MONTREAL, Feb. 28, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Financial literacy and managing money are essential skills our kids will need throughout their lives.
"More than half of Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck. It's more pressing than ever to provide solutions that help kids learn good financial habits. We need to build a solid foundation to ensure the financial well-being of future generations. That's our goal." - Rim Charkani, CEO and Founder of WALO.
From allowances to task management, from savings goals to making financial literacy fun, the WALO app gives kids an opportunity to learn from real-world situations. By giving kids prepaid debit cards and opening them up to everyday financial experiences, WALO is helping users learn about accountability when it comes to personal finances.
Leading partners contribute $1.1 million
The young Quebec startup recently completed a financing round in which it raised $1.1 million thanks to some strategic partnerships, including the government of Quebec, Desjardins, Granicus Group and WatchMojo and several angel investors.
See: Fintech Startup WALO Goes Live With A Gamified Financial Literacy App for Kids and Parents
- Impulsion PME: The Quebec government is using the program, designed to leverage investment in Quebec, to support WALO
- Desjardins and WALO CEO Rim Charkani will continue to write the next chapters of a story they started together
- Granicus Group and WatchMojo got the ball rolling with the initial investment
The financial support for WALO will help the company accelerate growth. It will also make it easier for them to get their banking solution of prepaid cards to market, helping parents teach their kids about managing their first bank account.
Podcast: Fintech Fridays EP42: Insights into the Teen Banking Sector and Improving the Financial Well-being of Families
The company will progressively roll out its new bank accounts for kids and prepaid MasterCard credit cards later this year. Parents who are interested can already put their names on a waiting list to get access to special offers.
"We are proud to support WALO, which promotes better financial literacy for both the young and the older people and contributes to the development of a more responsible and efficient society. Our teams in each region of Québec have all of the necessary tools, including the Impulsion PME program, to support and help drive the growth of promising young companies." - Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Québec
The project was conceived during the Cooperathon, Desjardins's popular open innovation competition. WALO then moved into Desjardins's Startup in residence, an accelerator for young businesses.
"We've worked together right from the beginning because the missions and the values of our organizations match up well. Managing personal finances is a real source of stress in our society. We need to give parents and families the tools they need to improve their financial literacy. We definitely see WALO as part of that solution." - Martin Brunelle, Vice-President, Growth, Acquisitions and Development Office, Desjardins
View the original release --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Aftermath Islands Metaverse Showcases New Interactive Demo for Oculus Devices
Liquid Avatar Technologies | David Lucatch | Feb 24, 2022
TORONTO, ON and BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS / ACCESSWIRE / February 24, 2022 / Oasis Digital Studios Limited ("Oasis"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc. (CSE:LQID)(OTCQB:LQAVF)(FRA:4T51) ("Liquid Avatar Technologies" or the "Company"), a global blockchain and fintech solutions company, focused on digital identity, integrated avatars and the Metaverse, is pleased to announce that its controlled subsidiary, Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited ("Aftermath Islands") has completed its second pilot test activities designed for Meta's (formerly Facebook) Oculus system using the Quest 2 VR headset and hand controllers. The conceptual interaction with Dinosaurs, taken from the actual virtual experience, can be viewed here.
This is the second of many early-stage interactive experiences planned for Aftermath Islands as the Company is currently working to complete several initial pilots of virtual and interactive platforms and technologies, including but not limited to Oculus, as it assesses a range of initiatives for its first launch program expected for mid-2022. Future demos that may lead to full version experiences may include western gun fights, light sword dueling, survival training, virtual art galleries, entertainment, business events and more.
See: Liquid Avatar Technologies and Bonifii Make Verifiable Credentials Accessible for People and Financial Institutions in the Metaverse
As previously announced, other initial launch programs include virtual escape rooms, with award winning, real world and virtual escape room creator Hourglass Escapes LLC. and The Lost Kingdom of T'Sara, the upcoming P2E (play to earn) game which will allow users to gather resources and Credits for Aftermath Islands. Both these programs are currently in development for an expected Q2 beta launch.
As part of its Metaverse program, Aftermath Islands is developing the Aftermath Islands Explorers League, creating a virtual location for Aftermath Island virtual landowners and account holders to start their journey in Aftermath Islands, getting acquainted with new products, features and services and create their avatars. Users will be able to hone skills, share experiences, visit a virtual café and stores, engage with other users, participate in a variety of activities and transport to their favorite islands all from the Explorers League.
"We continue to accelerate experiences and new offerings at Aftermath Islands as well as throughout the entire Liquid Avatar Technologies organization, delivering world-class solutions for digital identity, avatars, NFTs and the Metaverse," said David Lucatch, CEO Liquid Avatar, Managing Director Oasis Digital Studios Limited & Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited.
See: 7 Ways the Metaverse is Changing Enterprises
"This is the second pilot for the Oculus platform and further demonstrates our abilities to reach milestone activities and drive forward with a range of technologies and the first phase launch of Aftermath Islands Metaverse."
In addition to its recently announced premium virtual islands, Fab Island, Vegas Island and Cannabis Cove, additional premium theme islands are planned for release. Aftermath Islands Metaverse is working with brands and agencies and welcomes the opportunity explore partnerships that will create new and interactive virtual experiences for players.
View the original release --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Aftermath Islands Partner Hourglass Escapes to Create Unique Virtual Escape Room Experiences for Its Metaverse
Liquid Avatar Technologies | Cara Buckspan | Jan 25, 2022
Popular adventures allow players to participate in metaverse team play and earn rewards
TORONTO, ON, BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS and SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2022 / Oasis Digital Studios Limited ("Oasis"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc.(CSE:LQID)(OTCQB:LQAVF)(FRA:4T51) ("Liquid Avatar Technologies" or the "Company"), a global blockchain and fintech solutions company, focused on digital identity, integrated avatars and the metaverse, is pleased to announce that its controlled subsidiary, Aftermath Islands Metaverse Limited has signed an initial partnership agreement with Hourglass Escapes LLC, a Seattle based, award winning, real world and virtual escape room creator that has a number of key licenses including Evil Dead 2: Dead by DawnTM voted the best remote escape room in the USA in 2020 according to Escape Authority and Escape the Roomers. Aftermath Islands and Hourglass are creating and building several themed virtual escape rooms that will allow Aftermath Islands players to participate in virtual team adventures and earn Aftermath Credits, the planned metaverse currency, and limited edition NFTs. The first Aftermath escape room test games are slated for mid-2022 as part of the Aftermath Islands initial experience launch.
See: Liquid Avatar Technologies and Bonifii Make Verifiable Credentials Accessible for People and Financial Institutions in the Metaverse
With over 2,000 Escape Rooms in the US and Canada, and the phenomenon growing globally with over 50,000 escape rooms hosting millions of players, especially the millennial generation, IBISWorld in its September 2020 paper reported that the industry had grown to over USD $465 Million annually in the US alone. Since 2016, Hourglass' team of award-winning movie, television and theme park creators and designers have focused on creating experiences that promote entertainment and team building in an exciting and fun interactive environment. With the pandemic, Hourglass enhanced its focus to create human avatar and first person view enabled escape rooms. Aftermath Islands, together with Liquid Avatar Technologies' wholly owned subsidiary, Oasis Digital Studios and their Meta Hero Project are planning to work to enable immersive 3D technologies to enhance the virtual escape experience.
"We are very excited to be a part of the creative team of Aftermath Islands. We are looking forward to bringing escape rooms into the metaverse and crafting compelling stories to gamify the virtual space", said Seth Wolfson - Owner, Creative Director Hourglass Escapes.
Aftermath Islands has already initiated a successful launch of the initial first 3 phases of its virtual land sales program and is planning to grant access to the virtual escape rooms from a number of different quest points on islands and through the upcoming Aftermath Islands Explorers' League, a community center that will manage many operations and services for the Aftermath Islands Metaverse.
See: The Intersection of Ecommerce and NFTs: How NFT Technology is Changing DeFi
"We are excited to work with Seth and his team at Hourglass as we look to develop a wide range of virtual and interactive experiences for Aftermath Islands players and virtual landowners," said David Lucatch, Managing Director Aftermath Islands Metaverse, Oasis Digital Studios and CEO of Liquid Avatar Technologies.
"Virtual escape rooms are a natural fit for our environment as we look to create theme-based quests, entertainment, education and rewards that allow our participants to have an ever-increasing number of activities in the Aftermath Islands Metaverse."
Aftermath Islands Metaverse is also exploring and welcomes partnerships, that will create new and interactive virtual experiences, including escape rooms.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Sokin to transform Canada’s remittances industry with its global currency account
Innovate Finance via Sokin | Dec 15, 2021
UK, LONDON - 15 DECEMBER 2021 – Sokin, the next generation global payments provider, has pledged to support Canada’s estimated 8 million** international migrant population by giving consumers who are sending money overseas access to 51% cheaper global money transfers*.
Sokin’s Global Currency Account, which has already enjoyed success in 32 countries, is an inclusive and cost-effective alternative to Canada’s current remittances system known for being expensive, complicated, and slow. Since its August 2021 product launch, Sokin has amassed 60,000 registrations to its platform with a further 100,000 on its global waiting list.
See: 2021 McKinsey Global Payments Report
Founded in 2019, Sokin makes moving and managing money across borders cheaper, transparent, and convenient. Consumers living and working in Canada can access a larger international reach than is currently available via alternative providers on the market, setting itself apart from well-known high fee charging brands, with notable names departing the Canadian market in recent months.
Sokin is the first payments platform to take the subscription model – like Spotify and Netflix – and allow consumers to receive and send unlimited money transfers and access cost-effective currency exchange in 38 currencies, such as Rupees, Peso, Dollar, to over 200 countries and territories for one fixed monthly fee, without any hidden charges.
Sokin is equipped to support Canada’s growing migrant population, which includes nationalities such as India, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the United States, due to a large portfolio of currencies and an app interface which remains the same, no matter the user’s location. The Sokin Global Currency Account can also be accessed in French as well as English, Portuguese, Spanish and German.
See: Is Dogecoin a better currency than Bitcoin? The future of payments is digital
“The Canadian market is huge for Sokin as we strongly believe our Global Currency Account can help all Canadians who need a low-cost alternative to the current remittances system known for being expensive and time consuming,” commented Vroon Modgill, CEO at Sokin. “Canada has an advanced payments system and our digital, customer first offering provides something on a much larger scale with significant cost savings that all Canadians can access.”
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Liquid Avatar Technologies and Bonifii Make Verifiable Credentials Accessible for People and Financial Institutions in the Metaverse
Liquid Avatar Technologies | Cara Buckspan | Nov 30, 2021
DENVER, CO and TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 30, 2021 / Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc. (CSE:LQID)(OTCQB:LQAVF)(FRA:4T51), a global blockchain, digital identity and fintech solutions company, and Bonifii, the financial service industry's first transaction network for verifiable credentials, today announce that privacy-preserving financial transactions in the metaverse will soon be possible through the upcoming availability of the Bonifii credential in the Liquid Avatar Wallet. This collaboration means that the Bonifii credential can be used as a "know-your-customer" (KYC) credential for avatars in Aftermath Islands and other compatible metaverses.
See: Fintech Fridays EP54: How Digital Identity will Transform Human Potential
The Bonifii credential is a decentralized digital identity enabling individuals to authenticate themselves in a way that maximizes privacy and security while providing an end-to-end onboarding experience. By working with Liquid Avatar Technologies and its wholly owned subsidiary, Oasis Digital Studios ("Oasis"), Bonifii will make its verifiable credential available for players in the game Aftermath Islands and facilitate in-game financial transactions in the same, privacy-preserving way real world customers use the Bonifii credential. This collaboration in the metaverse breaks new ground in the emerging digital experiences of Web 3.0.
Indicio, a global leader in decentralized identity software and trusted data ecosystems, will provide the integration. Both Bonifii and Liquid Avatar Technologies have worked closely with Indicio to develop a range of ground-breaking decentralized identity products and services, and both companies run nodes on the Indicio Network, a global blockchain-based network for identity.
"We're extremely happy to have the Bonifii credential available for use in our digital wallet," said David Lucatch, CEO-Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc. "I cannot overstate how much this will simplify financial services for consumers and institutions alike.
Everything becomes easier for everyone-onboarding, verification, and fraud prevention. The ability to bring people who are currently underserved or excluded into services that can dramatically improve their lives - and to be able to do that in a robust, trustworthy way in both traditional online settings and the metaverse is an absolute game changer. Everyone and their avatars are going to need verifiable digital identities to live in the metaverse and function in Web 3.0."
See: What Does The Financialization of Games Mean? GameFi
"Decentralized, verifiable digital credentials make everyone's life easier-but to us they are a breakthrough financial technology. This technology is the foundation of Web 3.0, it is essential for privacy and security in the next stage of digital life," said John Ainsworth, CEO and President of Bonifii.
"With the Bonifii credential in the Liquid Avatar digital wallet, we are able to meet people where they are, and create a path for them to engage with and take advantage of services many of us take for granted. We also believe that we need to meet people where they are and will be digitally - and that means being available in the metaverse and providing new financial services for new consumer and commercial experiences."
See:
OpenSea best month ever, NFT Avatars trend continuation, and Web 3.0 tipping point
Non-Fungible Tokens in the media and entertainment industry
"The metaverse and Web 3.0 are here, and we are building the infrastructure to manage how we're going to live, work, and play in the intersection of the real and the digital," said Heather Dahl, CEO of Indico.
"Bonifii and Liquid Avatar get it, they're on it-and we're excited to help them realize their vision."
The Liquid Avatar Wallet mobile app is now available to everyone via Google Play and the App Store.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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