Revolutionizing Safety: ShareRing’s Blockchain IDs for Age Verification

ShareRing to Trial Blockchain ID in Australian Government Age Verification Push

ShareRing, a Melbourne-based blockchain firm, is set to pilot its digital identity solution as part of the Australian government's $4 million initiative to enhance online safety. The trial will focus on age verification for school students in Darwin, aiming to enforce new legislation that bans children under 16 from creating social media accounts. Platforms failing to comply could face fines of up to $30.7 million.

The technology, built on the Cosmos SDK and using Tendermint's proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, allows users to verify their age without sharing personal documents. Instead, cryptographic proof is used, ensuring data remains under the user's control. ShareRing's founder, Tim Bos, emphasized the privacy-first approach, which eliminates risks of ID theft and centralized data breaches. The trials are being overseen by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), an independent body assessing age verification technologies.

“This is about maintaining instant trustless verification while prioritizing privacy,” said Tim Bos, ShareRing’s founder and CTO.

Key Takeaways:

ShareRing's blockchain ID solution aims to enhance online safety for minors.
Fines for non-compliance with the new legislation could reach $30.7 million.
The technology ensures user data remains private and secure.

Octane Secures $6.75 Million for AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solution

AI cybersecurity startup Octane has raised $6.75 million in seed funding to develop its platform, which uses machine learning to analyze blockchain codebases for vulnerabilities. The funding round was co-led by Archetype and Winklevoss Capital. Octane's platform aims to prevent billions in theft caused by flawed blockchain code by identifying and remediating vulnerabilities before deployment.

CEO Giovanni Vignone highlighted the platform's ability to assist developers throughout the software lifecycle, including off-chain code analysis. Tyler Winklevoss, a key investor, emphasized the importance of AI-powered security testing for mainstream crypto adoption. The funding will also support Octane's expansion into broader cybersecurity applications.

Key Takeaways:

Octane's platform addresses vulnerabilities in blockchain codebases.
The $6.75 million funding will accelerate development and expansion.
AI-powered tools are critical for enhancing blockchain security.

Core Blockchain Hits $260M in Dual-Staked Assets

Core, a proof-of-stake blockchain built on Bitcoin, has surpassed $260 million in dual-staked assets. The platform allows Bitcoin holders to earn higher yields by staking BTC alongside Core tokens. Over 44 million Core tokens and 3,140 BTC have been staked as of April 7, 2025. Institutional investors, including BitGo and Copper, have integrated Core's staking model into their platforms.

Rich Rines, an initial contributor to Core, stated that the dual-staking model offers sustainable utility for long-term Bitcoin holders. The platform currently holds the largest total value locked (TVL) among Bitcoin sidechains, exceeding $400 million.

Key Takeaways:

Core's dual-staking model enhances yields for Bitcoin holders.
Institutional adoption has been a key driver of its success.
Core leads Bitcoin sidechains with a TVL of over $400 million.

Blackbird Raises $50M for Blockchain-Based Payment-Loyalty App

Blackbird Labs has secured $50 million in funding to expand its blockchain-based payment and loyalty platform for restaurants. The platform, which integrates payments and loyalty programs, has already signed up 1,000 restaurants. The funding will support the launch of Blackbird Club, a cross-restaurant points service, and expansion into new markets.

CEO Ben Leventhal emphasized the platform's potential to improve restaurant profitability, which has declined to under 5% in recent years. The blockchain-based system also allows customers to own their profiles, enhancing transparency and engagement. Investors include Spark Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Amex Ventures.

Key Takeaways:

Blackbird aims to improve restaurant profitability through blockchain.
The platform has raised $85 million to date.
Expansion plans include new markets beyond New York and San Francisco.

New York Assembly Explores Blockchain for Election Integrity

New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel has proposed a bill to study the use of blockchain technology for safeguarding election integrity. The proposal, submitted to the Assembly Election Law Committee, aims to explore how blockchain can present "uncensored truth" during democratic decision-making. If approved, the New York State Board of Elections will have 12 months to present its findings.

New York has been a leader in blockchain regulation, with initiatives like the BitLicense framework and the Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Study Task Force. The proposal reflects growing interest in decentralized technologies for enhancing transparency and security in elections.

Key Takeaways:

The bill aims to assess blockchain's role in election integrity.
New York continues to lead in blockchain and crypto regulation.
The study will examine blockchain use cases in other states.

TRON DAO Sponsors Yale Blockchain Conference

TRON DAO participated as a sponsor at the Yale Blockchain Conference 2025, fostering dialogue among students, developers, and industry leaders. The event, themed "Blockchain Applications Across Industries," explored blockchain's impact on sectors like healthcare, finance, and gaming. TRON DAO hosted a Happy Hour session, encouraging collaboration and innovation in the Web3 space.

As of April 2025, the TRON blockchain has recorded over 298 million user accounts and more than 10 billion transactions. The platform continues to support decentralized technology and dApps, with a total value locked (TVL) exceeding $19 billion.

Key Takeaways:

TRON DAO fosters collaboration among blockchain innovators.
The TRON blockchain has achieved significant growth since its launch.
The conference highlighted blockchain's transformative potential across industries.

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