WAO ART #295

France's third-largest bank, Societe Generale, has issued its first-ever digital green bond on the Ethereum blockchain. The €10 million bond has a maturity of 3 years and is registered as a Security Token. Societe Generale aims to leverage blockchain technology for certification and data repository purposes.

Chinese tech giant Alibaba has unveiled an AI model called "Animate Anyone" that can transform still photos into videos with remarkable consistency and control. The technology, which integrates diffusion models into a framework called ReferenceNet, fills in gaps to create the illusion of consistent movement.

BlackRock has submitted an updated version of its Bitcoin Spot ETF application to the SEC, indicating intense negotiations between the company and the regulatory body. Bitwise has also made changes to its application. The SEC requires the cash method for spot ETF applications, but applicants prefer the in-kind method.

Nigeria's blockchain policy, launched by former President Muhammad Buhari, positions the country to lead Africa's digital revolution. However, more needs to be done in terms of implementing regulations that support blockchain development, according to Obinna Iwuno, president of the SiBAN.

Australia is proposing a code to combat fraud in sectors such as banking, digital platforms, and potentially digital assets. The country's Treasury Department has observed that the fight against scams has been left solely to regulators, with only the telecommunications sector having specific regulations in place.

J.P. Morgan Payments is using AI, blockchain, and APIs to simplify cross-border payments and make them as seamless as domestic transactions. These technologies are crucial in reducing costs and friction in the system, allowing for faster and more efficient payment flows.

Brazilian bank Itaú Unibanco has launched a crypto trading service for clients of its investment platform, becoming the latest local player to enter the digital asset exchange market. Initially, the service will allow trading of bitcoin and ether, but the bank plans to add other cryptocurrencies in the future.