ShareRing's Blockchain ID Revolutionizes Safer Social Media in Australia

Blockchain innovation is reshaping industries worldwide, and recent developments highlight its transformative potential. From ShareRing's age verification trials in Australia to Core's groundbreaking dual-staking model, these advancements showcase blockchain's ability to enhance security, efficiency, and trust. Meanwhile, startups like Wunder.Social and Octane are leveraging blockchain and AI to disrupt social media and cybersecurity landscapes, while New York explores its application for election integrity. Dive into the latest breakthroughs driving the future of technology and finance.

ShareRing Trials Blockchain ID for Age Verification in Australia

ShareRing, a Melbourne-based blockchain company, is set to pilot its digital identity solution as part of the Australian government's initiative to enhance online safety. The trial, which begins next week, will involve school students in Darwin and aims to enforce social media restrictions for users under 16 years old. This initiative is part of a $4 million government-funded project approved last year.

The blockchain-based system allows users to verify their age without sharing personal documents, addressing privacy concerns. ShareRing's technology, built on the Cosmos SDK, uses a proof-of-stake mechanism to ensure secure and efficient data processing. The company has also received accreditation under the UK's Digital Identities and Attributes Trust Framework.

"The tech eliminates the need for repetitive verification while maintaining instant trustless verification and a privacy-first approach," said Tim Bos, ShareRing’s founder and CTO.

Platforms that fail to comply with the new legislation could face fines of up to $30.7 million. The trials are being overseen by the Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS), an independent body assessing age verification technologies.

Key Details	Information
Trial Start Date	Next Week
Government Funding	$4 Million
Potential Fines	Up to $30.7 Million

Octane Secures $6.75 Million for AI-Powered Cybersecurity

AI cybersecurity startup Octane has raised $6.75 million in seed funding to develop its platform for blockchain security. The platform uses machine learning to analyze blockchain codebases, identify vulnerabilities, and remediate them before exploitation. The funding round was co-led by Archetype and Winklevoss Capital.

Octane's CEO, Giovanni Vignone, highlighted the importance of securing smart contracts, which are often vulnerable to attacks. The platform will also expand its capabilities to analyze off-chain codebases. Tyler Winklevoss, a lead investor, emphasized the significance of AI-powered security testing for mainstream crypto adoption.

"Octane allows devs to battle-test their smart contract code with AI-powered security testing before it hits production on the blockchain," said Tyler Winklevoss.

According to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, the adoption of AI-powered cybersecurity systems among large organizations has surged from 17% in May to 55% in August, driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks.

Funding Amount: $6.75 Million
Key Investors: Archetype, Winklevoss Capital
Focus: Blockchain and off-chain code security

Core Blockchain Reaches $260 Million 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 have played a significant role in this milestone, with major custodians like BitGo and Copper integrating Core's staking model. The platform's dual-staking system offers enhanced yields and offsets custody costs for institutions.

"This is Bitcoin becoming productive, not by trusting third parties, but by participating in a system designed to reward real alignment and long-term engagement," said Rich Rines, Core’s initial contributor.

Key Metrics	Value
Total Value Locked (TVL)	$400 Million
Market Share	28%

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, introduced on April 8, 2025, aims to assess blockchain's potential in presenting "uncensored truth" during democratic processes. 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 state is also exploring broader adoption of digital assets under the new federal administration.

Proposal Date: April 8, 2025
Focus: Election integrity and voter fraud prevention
Next Steps: Committee review and potential Assembly floor discussions

British startup Wunder.Social has raised $50 million in a funding round led by Rollman Management. The platform aims to revolutionize the $200 billion social media industry by integrating blockchain technology for user verification and decentralized interaction. Wunder.Social plans to launch in the U.K. later this year.

The platform's CEO, Jay Boisvert, emphasized its mission to restore trust and authenticity in social media. The upcoming Token Generation Event (TGE) will allow users to support causes and share in advertising revenue.

"Wunder isn’t here to tweak the status quo—it’s a complete reset," said Jay Boisvert.

Funding Amount: $50 Million
Launch Date: 2025
Key Feature: Blockchain-based user verification

Einschätzung der Redaktion

ShareRing's pilot project represents a significant step forward in leveraging blockchain technology for practical, real-world applications, particularly in addressing online safety and privacy concerns. By enabling age verification without compromising personal data, the initiative aligns with growing global demands for privacy-first solutions in digital identity management. The involvement of government funding and oversight by independent bodies like the ACCS underscores the importance and credibility of this trial.

However, the success of this initiative will depend on its scalability, user adoption, and the ability to integrate seamlessly with existing platforms. If successful, it could set a precedent for similar implementations worldwide, potentially reshaping how digital identities are managed and verified across various sectors.

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