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Check Point Research revealed that the North Korean advanced persistent threat (APT) group, KONNI, has been targeting blockchain developers in Japan, Australia, and India. The hackers are using AI-generated PowerShell backdoors.
According to reports released on January 21, 2026, the attack starts when KONNI uses Discord to offer a link that prompts developers to download a ZIP file. This archive contains elements that start a multi-stage infection process on the victim’s computer.
The ZIP file includes a Windows shortcut and an apparently authentic PDF file. The Windows shortcut initiates scripts that launch a PowerShell script in memory, generate scheduled tasks, and unpack other files. This script then connects to servers under the attackers’ control, creating a permanent backdoor on the compromised system.
Check Point Research reveals that the PowerShell backdoor possesses unique features linked to the development of large language model (LLM) code. Additionally, the script is renowned for its modular design, excellent English documentation, and educational placeholders.
Also, it includes a comment that indicates where to put a unique project identification (UUID). Every 13 minutes, while waiting for more instructions from the attackers, the backdoor transmits system information to a remote server using this UUID to identify the project instance on each compromised device.

Since at least 2014, KONNI has been active. Previous efforts have targeted South Korean governmental and diplomatic institutions as well as organizations associated with the Korean Peninsula.
The organization’s attention has recently switched to the cryptocurrency industry, namely targeting blockchain developers who oversee the infrastructure and code for initiatives using digital currencies.

The Tezos protocol has been successfully upgraded, following an on-chain governance process with broad participation from bakers (validators) and community members. 
Developed by Nomadic Labs, Trilitech, and Functori, Tallinn is the 20th protocol upgrade, marking 20 evolutions of the Tezos blockchain, proposed, adopted, and seamlessly activated by the protocol itself.
“Adapting to market demand 20 times over 7 years without network disruptions, and in a fully decentralized way, is undeniable proof of Tezos’ reliability and future-proof design,” said Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs. ”
The Tallinn upgrade shortens Tezos Layer-1 block time to 6 seconds, reducing latency and speeding up finality on the network’s censorship-resistant settlement layer. This pairs naturally with Etherlink, Tezos’ EVM-compatible Layer-2, which already confirms transactions in under 50 milliseconds, now backed by Layer-1 finality in two blocks, or 12 seconds.
Tallinn also enables all bakers (network validators) to attest to every block, instead of a subset of bakers, which brings stronger security and more predictable staking rewards. This is achieved through the use of BLS cryptographic signatures, which aggregate hundreds of signatures into just one per block. By lightening the load on nodes, it also opens the door to further block time reductions.
Finally, Tallinn introduces an ‘Address Indexing Registry’ that can improve storage efficiency by up to 100x for apps using the Michelson runtime. It is done by eliminating redundant address data, and apps adopting this feature will benefit from lower costs and higher potential throughput. 
“Based on inputs from Tezos builders, our development team is excited to be able to offer such drastic improvements for enterprise-scale apps, large NFT ledgers, and other setups storing many addresses,” said Yann Régis-Gianas, Head of Engineering at Nomadic Labs. 
Since launching in 2018, the Tezos blockchain has continued to evolve seamlessly through protocol upgrades, with each activation introducing a series of features designed to improve the overall experience of using and building on the network. Tallinn is another forkless step forward in making Tezos faster, more secure, and optimized for enterprise use, with no compromise on decentralization, and further proof of the network’s ability to quickly adapt to user needs and ensure longevity through continuous innovation and optimization. 
About Tezos
Tezos is an open-source and energy-efficient blockchain designed to empower institutions, developers, and businesses and facilitate value transfer in a digital environment. It is designed for the scalable deployment of decentralized applications. As one of the first Proof of Stake blockchains, Tezos is globally supported and valued for its strong governance, long-term upgradability, and smart contract capabilities. For more information about Tezos, visit http://www.tezos.com. 

As payments, finance, and blockchain infrastructure continue to converge a new paradigm of value circulation is taking shape.

1. From DeFi to PayFi: The Inevitable Evolution of Blockchain Applications
In the early stages of blockchain development, industry focus was largely centered on asset transfers and financial derivatives.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance) proved that blockchain could build financial systems without intermediaries.
However, it did not solve a more fundamental problem: everyday payments and settlement.
No matter how advanced technology becomes, the real economy ultimately revolves around one core activity:
Payment.
PayFi (Payment Finance) emerged precisely in this context.
It is not a rejection of DeFi, but a natural extension toward the real economy.
2. What Is PayFi? It Solves Payment Problems, Not Speculative Finance
PayFi = Blockchain × Payments × Financial Infrastructure
Unlike DeFi, which focuses on how capital is lent, traded, or structured into derivatives, PayFi addresses far more fundamental and high-frequency use cases:
Digital Currency PaymentCrypto PaymentUSDT Payment / Stablecoin PaymentDigital Currency SettlementDigital Currency Online AcquiringCross-Border Payment
PayFi does not aim to create new speculative financial instruments.
Its purpose is to make digital currencies scalable tools for real-world payment and settlement.

3. The Real Foundation of PayFi in 2025: Data Is Driving the Shift
PayFi is widely discussed in 2025 not because of hype, but because of data.
Key Industry Indicators in 2025 (Aggregated Market Trends)
Global annual stablecoin settlement volume has reached multiple trillions of USD, with more than half used for payments, remittances, and settlement, not speculation.Emerging markets — Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa —are experiencing the fastest growth in stablecoin payments, with annual growth rates commonly exceeding 40%–60%.The cross-border payment market continues to expand, while traditional systems still charge 3%–6% average fees, compared to sub-1% total costs for stablecoin-based settlement.In multiple countries, USDT has effectively become a cross-border unit of account, especially in tourism, freelancing, international trade, and e-commerce settlement.
These data points make one thing clear:
The question is no longer whether PayFi will happen —but who will be able to absorb and scale this demand.
4. Why Stablecoins (USDT) Became the Core Carrier of PayFi
PayFi depends on one essential condition: stability.
Historically, cryptocurrencies struggled as payment tools due to price volatility.
The maturity of stablecoins fundamentally changed this assumption.
Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC offer:
Stable value anchoringNear-instant on-chain transfersGlobal accessibilityDeep liquidity and market depth
This allows USDT payments to gradually take on monetary characteristics in the real world,
forming the settlement foundation of the PayFi ecosystem.

5. PWC’s Role in the PayFi Framework:
The Real-World Payment Connectivity Layer within the PayFi ecosystem, not every participant directly faces users or merchants.
What truly determines real-world adoption is the intermediate layer connecting on-chain systems to real-world commerce.
PWC (PayWithCrypto) is one of the representative players in this layer.
What Is PWC?
Functionally, PWC is neither an exchange nor a simple wallet.
It is a payment network and settlement system connecting crypto payments with real-world merchants.
It solves a critical mismatch:
Users want to pay with digital currency while merchants want to receive local fiat currency.
How PWC Operates (PayFi in Practice)
User side:
Users complete crypto payments using USDT and other stablecoins
System layer:
On-chain settlement and clearing mechanisms handle digital currency settlement
Merchant side:
Merchants receive local fiat currency without bearing volatility risk. This structure allows Digital Currency Online Acquiring to scale in a manner similar to traditional online acquiring systems.
As of 2025, PWC has completed large-scale deployment across multiple Southeast Asian markets, covering tens of millions of merchants, making it one of the most tangible real-world PayFi implementations.
6. PayFi Is Changing More Than Just Payment Methods
From a long-term perspective, PayFi’s significance extends far beyond “faster and cheaper payments.”
As payments and settlement move fully on-chain, several structural shifts emerge:
Payment equals settlement, dramatically improving capital efficiencyTransparent, verifiable transaction data, enabling new credit systemsLower cross-border barriers, allowing SMEs to directly participate in global commerceFinancial services built around real transactions, rather than speculative activity
PayFi is becoming a core infrastructure layer connecting the real economy with blockchain-based systems.
7. Conclusion: PayFi Changes the World Through Adoption, Not Disruption
PayFi will not replace banks or traditional payment systems overnight.
It resembles the early TCP/IP protocols of the internet — initially a supplement, eventually one of the default standards.
When people become accustomed to paying with USDT, merchants routinely accept digital currency payments, and businesses settle cross-border transactions using stablecoins, PayFi will have fulfilled its most important mission.
PayFi is not a slogan.
It is a payment infrastructure already being adopted by the real world.

River, the first chain-abstraction stablecoin system designed to connect assets, liquidity, and yield across ecosystems, today announced $8 million in strategic investment from TRON DAO Ventures.
River will deploy its chain-abstraction stablecoin infrastructure and expand its integration across the TRON ecosystem, strengthening TRON’s position as a leading blockchain network for stablecoin activity.

River will enable cross-ecosystem assets and liquidity to enter the TRON ecosystem through its chain-abstraction stablecoin infrastructure. The integration will further accelerate the flow of cross-ecosystem liquidity into TRON, extending access to one of the world’s largest blockchain networks.
By abstracting underlying network complexity, users will be able to move assets across blockchain ecosystems without navigating individual chains, simplifying cross-chain participation and settlement.
The initiative aims to build a more unified and interoperable infrastructure to support activity across the TRON network.
As part of the initiative, satUSD will be introduced across several core protocols within the TRON ecosystem. It will be deployed in stablecoin liquidity pools alongside USDT and USDD on SUN, with price feeds provided by WinkLink, and will be made available on JustLend for lending and borrowing.
The integration will extend across a range of assets and dApps across the TRON ecosystem, including TRX, USDT, wBTC, BTT, JST, SUN, WIN, and select NFT use cases. River also plans to introduce a Smart Vault and an institutional-grade Prime Vault.
TRON is one of the most actively used public blockchain networks globally, processing approximately 56 percent of all retail-sized USDT transfers in the fourth quarter of 2025, the highest share among major blockchains.
According to Tether’s latest transparency report, the network currently hosts approximately $83.4 billion in USDT liquidity, reflecting its role as a primary blockchain infrastructure supporting stablecoin activity worldwide.
By combining River’s cross-ecosystem connectivity with TRON’s scalable blockchain infrastructure, the collaboration aims to support the development of a more integrated network for liquidity, yield, and asset deployment.
The initiative reflects a shared focus on strengthening blockchain infrastructure to support scalable settlement, cross-ecosystem liquidity, and institutional participation.
About River
River is building the first chain-abstraction stablecoin system that connects assets, liquidity, and yield across ecosystems.
Website: https://app.river.incX: https://x.com/RiverdotIncTelegram: https://t.me/river_incDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/river-inc

Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Optimisus does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Optimisus is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release.

How Digital Currency Reduces Global Payment Friction from Real-World Demand
When capital can cross borders as easily as information, the way global commerce operates will fundamentally change.

1. Cross-Border Payment: The Most Inefficient Link in the Global Financial System
Among all financial services, cross-border payment has long been regarded as one of the most expensive, complex, and inefficient areas.
For businesses and individuals, cross-border payments often mean:
Multiple intermediary banksOpaque fee structuresForeign exchange conversion lossesSettlement cycles ranging from hours to several days
Even in today’s highly digitalized world, the underlying logic of cross-border payments still relies heavily on clearing systems built decades ago.
This is precisely why cross-border payment has become the first and most practical entry point for PayFi.
2. Why Traditional Cross-Border Payments No Longer Meet Today’s Needs
1️⃣ Globalization Has Not Slowed — It Has Decentralized
Cross-border payment demand no longer comes only from large enterprises.
In fact, the fastest-growing demand originates from individuals and SMEs:
Freelancers working with international clientsSmall and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce businessesDigital nomads and remote teamsInternational travel and service consumption
However, traditional systems were designed for
large-value, low-frequency, institution-level transactions, making them poorly suited for high-frequency, low-value, fragmented global payments.
2️⃣ Cost and Time Have Become Competitive Barriers
In many industries, payment speed and cost now directly impact business competitiveness.
3%–6% cross-border transaction feesHidden FX conversion lossesUnpredictable settlement times
For individuals and SMEs operating on thin margins, these costs create significant pressure.
3️⃣ Financial Infrastructure Is Unevenly Distributed
In many emerging markets:
Bank account penetration remains lowForeign exchange regulations are complexInternational remittance thresholds are high
Ironically, these regions are also among the most active in cross-border labor, trade, and tourism.

3. Stablecoins and Digital Currency Offer a New Path for Cross-Border Payments
At its core, cross-border payment is cross-national value transfer.
Blockchain networks and stablecoins are inherently borderless by design.
Why Are Stablecoins Well-Suited for Cross-Border Payments?
Price stability: suitable for settlement and pricingOn-chain transfer: no need for intermediary banksGlobal circulation: not restricted by a single national monetary system
This is why USDT payments and stablecoin payments (Stablecoin Payment) have been rapidly adopted in cross-border scenarios.
In real-world usage, stablecoins have already become the de facto cross-border settlement medium in multiple emerging markets.
4. How Does PayFi Restructure the Cross-Border Payment Process?
PayFi is not simply about “moving money faster.”
It fundamentally rebuilds the entire cross-border payment logic.
Traditional Cross-Border Payment Flow:
Initiation → Multiple Intermediaries → Clearing → Settlement → Funds Received
PayFi Cross-Border Payment Flow:
Initiation → On-Chain Transfer → Instant Settlement → Funds Received
By dramatically compressing intermediary layers, PayFi unlocks the core advantage of digital currency settlement (Digital Currency Settlement).
5. Real-World Cross-Border Use Cases of PWC SuperApp
PWC SuperApp is not a theoretical concept — it is a tool already widely used in real-world scenarios.
  International Travel & Consumption
Travelers can use USDT to pay directly for hotels, dining, and services, without currency exchange or multiple transaction fees.
  Cross-Border E-Commerce & Online Services
Merchants accept overseas payments through digital currency online acquiring, achieving faster settlement and controlled costs.
  Freelancers & Remote Work
International clients settle payments directly in stablecoins, avoiding bank delays and high remittance fees.
 SME International Settlement
Supplier payments, service fees, and cross-border transfers are settled via stablecoins, significantly improving capital efficiency.
6. How Does PWC SuperApp Lower the “Adoption Barrier” for Cross-Border Payments?
Many stablecoin payment solutions struggle because they place excessive requirements on users or merchants.
PWC SuperApp takes the opposite approach:
Users pay with digital currencyMerchants ultimately receive local fiat currencyThe system automatically handles on-chain and off-chain conversion
From a user experience perspective, cross-border payment is no longer a “financial operation,” but simply a regular payment action.
This enables PayFi’s cross-border capabilities to scale meaningfully in real-world commercial environments.
7. Beyond Cross-Border Payments: The Long-Term Significance of PayFi
As cross-border payment costs continue to fall and speeds increase, the impact extends far beyond payments themselves:
SMEs can directly participate in global marketsIndividuals gain broader international opportunitiesGlobal service pricing becomes more standardizedDigital currency shifts from an asset into infrastructure
PayFi is not intended to replace existing systems, but to build a more efficient layer on top of them.
8. Conclusion: Cross-Border Payment Is Becoming PayFi’s First Core Building Block
Among all application scenarios, cross-border payment exposes the limitations of traditional systems most clearly and highlights the real value of blockchain most directly.
What PWC SuperApp demonstrates is not a future vision, but a reality already unfolding:
When cross-border payments become as simple as sending information, the boundaries of global commerce will inevitably change.
And PayFi, through this process, is steadily moving toward a central role in the real economy.

Multi-year strategic partnership to redefine digital wealth on the world’s most prominent stageThe partnership unites two brands that stand for innovation and precisionNexo will activate globally through premium money-can’t-buy experiences and digital-first engagement 
Audi Revolut F1 Team today announced a multi-year partnership with Nexo, the leading digital assets platform. The strategic partnership sees Nexo become the team’s inaugural official digital asset partner, placing Nexo’s next-generation digital tools on a global stage.
The partnership marks a pivotal moment for both organisations as Audi Revolut F1 Team enters Formula 1 and Nexo accelerates its growth as a premium digital asset platform. Ambitious and performance-driven, both brands are aligned around a shared trajectory of innovation and disciplined execution, underpinned by a common engineering mindset and a focus on performance at the highest level.
Over the course of the partnership, Nexo will activate globally through premium experiences and digital-first engagement. Exclusive opportunities designed to bring fans and Nexo clients closer to Audi Revolut F1 Team will include exclusive access, co-created content and education, and next-generation immersive brand experiences.
Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer of Audi Revolut F1 Team: “Today, we are proud to welcome Nexo as our official digital asset partner at a moment of strong growth for both organisations. The partnership reflects a shared ambition to scale with discipline and innovation, and to create tangible value — from exclusive experiences to new ways of engaging our global fanbase and Nexo’s clients.”
Antoni Trenchev, Co-founder, Nexo: “Nexo was built for a demanding reality: instant, self-directed, and always on. Partnering with Audi Revolut F1 Team at the start of their new era is a statement about how we see the future. As the team’s official digital asset partner, we will bring meaningful utility and premium experiences to a global audience, grounded in the same discipline and precision that defines success in motor sports.”
Contact:
Nexo Communications team
communications@nexo.com
About Nexo
Nexo is a premier digital assets wealth platform designed to empower clients to grow, manage, and preserve their crypto holdings. Our mission is to lead the next generation of wealth creation by focusing on customer success and delivering tailored solutions that build enduring value, supported by 24/7 client care.
Since 2018, Nexo has provided unmatched opportunities to forward-thinking clients in over 150 jurisdictions. With over $11 billion in AUM and over $371 billion processed, we bring lasting value to millions worldwide. Our all-in-one platform combines advanced technology with a client-first approach, offering high-yield flexible and fixed-term savings, crypto-backed loans, sophisticated trading tools, and liquidity solutions, including the first crypto debit/credit card. Built on deep industry expertise, a sustainable business model, robust infrastructure, stringent security, and global licensing, Nexo champions innovation and long-lasting prosperity.
Official website: nexo.com
About Audi Revolut F1 Team
Audi Revolut F1 Team is the official factory team of Audi, as the brand enters the FIA Formula 1 World Championship for the first time in 2026. This project, in which Audi will create its own hybrid drive system (‘power unit’) developed in Germany, represents the ultimate expression of the manufacturer’s ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy and embodies a long-term commitment to compete at the pinnacle of motorsport with the clear objective of challenging for world championships by 2030. Audi Revolut F1 Team is based in three locations: the power unit is developed by Audi Formula Racing GmbH at the Audi Competence Center Motorsport in Neuburg, Germany; the chassis is engineered and race operations are managed from the state-of-the-art facilities of Audi Motorsport AG in Hinwil, Switzerland; while the Audi Motorsport Technology Centre UK in Bicester, United Kingdom, provides a foothold in the heart of ‘Motorsport Valley’, with direct access to top F1 talent and key strategic partners. This integrated structure provides complete control over the project, embedding a culture of precision, innovation, and relentless performance. Audi’s entry is strategically timed to coincide with new Formula 1 regulations focused on increased electrification, as the electric share of the hybrid drive is raised to almost 50%, and the introduction of 100% sustainable fuels. The entry into Formula 1, one of the most important platforms in the world, serves as a high-tech catalyst for the entire Audi brand, acting as a global stage to demonstrate technological leadership and connect with new, diverse audiences by creating cultural impact that resonates far beyond the race track.

On Monday, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden introduced the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act. This bipartisan effort aims to exempt non-custodial blockchain developers and infrastructure providers from federal money transmitter regulations.
This law aims to encourage innovation in blockchain and follow federal guidelines. In addition, it seeks to make sure that non-custodial developers are not treated like banks or financial institutions under regulations.

Furthermore, the proposed bill states that developers who make software, manage distributed ledgers, or offer essential infrastructure without controlling users’ funds will not be considered money transmitters according to federal law.
Senator Lummis, the chair of the Senate Banking Digital Assets Subcommittee, highlighted that developers who simply write code and manage open-source systems have been subjected to unfair regulatory pressures. She said that calling them money transmitters doesn’t make sense because they don’t manage user funds, and this label hinders innovation.
Senator Wyden pointed out the constitutional issues with the current regulations. He argued that treating developers the same way as exchanges or brokers is not only a poor fit for technology but also violates Americans’ privacy and free speech rights. The law aims to create a clearer set of rules by matching federal standards with state laws. This will help boost the U.S. digital finance sector.

Currently, many blockchain developers are facing unclear rules. As a result, some move their innovations to other countries and create different regulations in various states. Recent legal actions against developers, like the prosecutions of Tornado Cash and Samourai Wallet, have caused worries in the crypto community.
In these situations, prosecutors argued successfully that managing and overseeing code could categorize developers as financial institutions, making them subject to the Bank Secrecy Act.

The NYC Token, a cryptocurrency started by former New York City Mayor Eric Adams, has seen a big drop in value soon after it was launched in the market. At first, the token was valued at $730 million, but it quickly declined by more than 80% to about $90 million in just an hour. However, it has since bounced back to over $110 million.

Adams announced the NYC Token at a press conference in Times Square, calling it a “commemorative asset” that showcases the innovation and diversity of New York City. The total supply of the token is one billion. At launch, 80 million will be available for trading, with plans to increase that amount to 300 million.
The project plans to use some of its earnings to support youth education in cryptocurrency, promote anti-hate efforts, and provide scholarships for students in need. The project has come under scrutiny because it lacks important information, like details about its partners and a whitepaper, which are usually necessary for transparency in cryptocurrency projects. Some critics have expressed worries about the ethics of how the token was launched and managed.

BubbleMaps has flagged unusual activities in the liquidity pool linked to the NYC Token. This involves a large $1 million being moved in and out, as well as a puzzling $2.5 million taken out of USDC when the token was at its highest value. Analysts have compared this situation to the launch of Facebook’s LIBRA, which also dealt with claims of manipulating liquidity.

Helio Corporation (OTCID: HLEO) (“Helio” or the “Company”), a space-based renewable energy company, announced today that its Board of Directors has executed an agreement with a leading, highly experienced crypto marketing firm to support a planned $20 million Initial Coin Offering (ICO) for its proprietary utility token, Mission Helio. 
The Mission Helio utility token is designed solely for functional use within Helio’s ecosystem, including tiered participation, usage-based benefits, and support for infrastructure development and ecosystem expansion. The token does not represent equity, ownership, profit-sharing rights, or any claim on Helio’s assets or earnings. The offering represents a strategic, non-dilutive financing initiative designed to fund the development and deployment of Helio’s proprietary space-based solar power systems while protecting shareholder equity and enhancing long-term value. Helio’s ICO is structured as an alternative capital raising mechanism intended to support the Company’s core mission: delivering continuous, renewable baseload energy from space for terrestrial use. By utilizing a utility token framework rather than issuing additional equity or debt, Helio aims to avoid shareholder dilution and reduce reliance on financing structures that have historically impaired value creation in public and over-the-counter markets. 
“We are positioning Helio at the leading edge of innovation—not only in how energy is generated in space and transmitted to Earth, but in how critical infrastructure is financed,” said Ed Cabrera, Chief Executive Officer of Helio. “For too long, publicly traded OTC companies have depended on highly dilutive or toxic funding structures that erode shareholder value at precisely the moment capital is most needed. Our strategy reverses that dynamic by leveraging alternative capital markets to support regulated, asset-based operations.” 
Management views the utility token offering as a deliberate departure from traditional OTC financing mechanisms, which often involve variable-rate instruments and repeated equity issuance. By separating capital formation from equity issuance, Helio believes it can strengthen balance-sheet integrity while aligning capital deployment with long-term shareholder value creation. 
Proceeds from the token offering are expected to be used to advance Helio’s “Power Plants in Space” initiative, including the development of proprietary hardware, power transmission systems, and related intellectual property, as well as the expansion of infrastructure assets designed to support future revenue generation. 
Helio believes this approach represents a first-of-its-kind financing model among publicly traded OTC companies: utilizing participation in unregulated digital asset markets to fund regulated, tangible energy infrastructure. Unlike crypto treasury strategies used by publicly traded proxy companies that rely primarily on token price appreciation or market sentiment, Helio’s model is focused on converting token-based capital into real, revenue-generating assets supported by proprietary engineering and systems IP. 
Helio’s planned Initial Coin Offering reflects a fundamentally different approach to crypto-enabled financing—one intended to fund long-duration, revenue-producing renewable energy infrastructure while preserving shareholder equity and supporting sustainable long-term growth. 
About Helio Corporation 
Helio is pioneering a new class of energy infrastructure—space-based power systems aka “Power plants in space” that captures solar energy beyond Earth’s atmosphere and beams it safely and efficiently to the surface. Our vision is to establish orbital energy platforms as a foundational layer of the global power grid, delivering uninterrupted, carbon-free electricity at scale and reshaping how nations power cities, industries, and critical systems. Since being founded in 2018, Helio has specialized in delivering cutting-edge aerospace hardware, systems engineering, and mission services. From small-scale projects to flagship space missions, we support NASA, private companies, universities, and global space agencies to achieve success in space. We are proud to be a trusted partner to over a dozen space agencies, organizations, and companies across the globe. Our products can be found operating from the Sun to Jupiter. From NASA and European Space Agency to emerging private aerospace firms and academic institutions, we collaborate with some of the most innovative and forward-thinking players in the space industry.  
For more information on the new strategic direction, financing initiatives and management additions, users can visit www.helio.space or be added to the email list by sending their contact information to emcabrera@helio.space 
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: 
Some of the matters discussed herein may contain forward-looking statements that involve significant risk and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like “believes,” “could,” “possibly,” “probably,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” or “consider” or the negative of these expressions or other variations, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual transactions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future transactions, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms or at all, and other risk factors included in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). We base these forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and the information currently available to us. Although we believe that the assumptions for these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Consequently, no representation or warranty can be given that the estimates, opinions, or assumptions made in or referenced by this presentation, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain financing, will prove to be accurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements in this presentation are only estimates and predictions, or statements or current intent. Actual results or outcomes, or actions that we ultimately undertake, could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties or actual events differing from the assumptions underlying these statements. We caution investors not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in or made in connection with this presentation and encourage investors to review the reports we file with the Commission. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation as a result of new information, future events or changes in the Company’s business plans or model. 

Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Optimisus does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Optimisus is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release.

Crypto markets reward clarity. When capital moves fast, investors stop chasing noise and start asking harder questions. What is fixed? What is known? What cannot change overnight? This is why the comparison between Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) and XRP matters right now. 
XRP remains tied to legal timelines and regulatory interpretation. ZKP operates on code alone. One reacts to decisions made outside the network. The other moves every day based on predefined math. For investors looking for the best crypto investment, this difference shapes both risk and opportunity. 
XRP: A Market Still Priced Around Legal Outcomes
XRP has lived under legal pressure since the SEC case began in late 2020. Even today, price movement often follows court-related headlines rather than network upgrades or adoption metrics. Traders watch filings, appeals, and statements more closely than usage data.
This has created a pattern. XRP rallies on partial wins, pulls back on uncertainty, and stalls during long legal pauses. While the token remains liquid and widely traded, long-term confidence is capped by external risk. Institutions hesitate. Developers wait. Larger capital treats XRP as a trade, not a foundation.
History shows that assets tied to unresolved legal paths struggle to sustain momentum. Even when sentiment turns positive, the ceiling remains unclear because the outcome is not controlled by the network itself. That uncertainty continues to define XRP’s role in the market. 

ZKP: A Live Presale Auction Built on Fixed Rules
Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) takes the opposite approach. The presale auction is live, the pricing is dynamic, and the structure is already set. There are no future approvals, no pending classifications, and no hidden allocations.
ZKP runs a 450-day Initial Coin Auction, distributing 200 million tokens daily through proportional bidding. There is no fixed price. The market sets it every day. Early participants enter before broader demand, which is why analysts point to up to 500× ROI potential as adoption and utility scale over time.
What matters is not the promise. It is the math. Supply is capped. Distribution is public. There are no private rounds waiting to unlock. The entire system was built using $100 million in self-funded capital before the auction began. Development is not dependent on presale proceeds.
For investors searching for the best crypto investment, this model removes guesswork. Participation today is based on known mechanics, not future explanations. 
Price Momentum and Early-Stage Acceleration
Since the presale auction went live, ZKP pricing has shown consistent upward pressure driven by daily demand and fixed supply release. Unlike traditional presales, where price jumps are scripted, ZKP’s price moves reflect real participation. 

ZKP Auction Price Trend (Early Phase)
Fixed daily supply: 200 million tokensDemand-driven pricing: increases as participation growsNo dilution from private unlocksEarly auction phases historically show the largest ROI windows
This pattern mirrors early-stage distribution models seen in major protocols before widespread adoption. The difference is that ZKP’s structure prevents insiders from capturing disproportionate upside. 
Why Code Certainty Outperforms Legal Uncertainty
Markets can tolerate volatility. They do not tolerate unknowns. XRP’s future still depends on decisions made outside its protocol. ZKP’s future depends only on participation, usage, and math already deployed on-chain.
This does not make XRP obsolete. It makes it constrained. ZKP, by contrast, operates without external dependency. Every rule is enforced by code. Every outcome is visible. Every participant competes on equal terms.
For those evaluating the best crypto investment, the choice comes down to structure versus reaction. One asset moves when a judge speaks. The other moves every day through its auction. 
Final Take: Where Long-Term Confidence Is Forming
XRP remains a major name, and it may still benefit from future legal clarity. But its valuation remains tied to timelines no one controls. That makes it a reaction-based asset.
Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) removed that variable entirely. Its presale auction is live. Its price is already responding to demand. Its upside is driven by structure, not headlines. With early-stage positioning and 500× ROI potential, ZKP represents a different category of opportunity.
In markets like these, capital tends to follow certainty. And right now, certainty is written in code, not court documents.
Find Out More about Zero Knowledge Proof: 
Auction: https://auction.zkp.com/
Website: https://zkp.com/
X: https://x.com/ZKPofficial
Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial

Disclaimer: Any information written in this press release does not constitute investment advice. Optimisus does not, and will not endorse any information about any company or individual on this page. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and base any actions on their own findings, not on any content written in this press release. Optimisus is and will not be responsible for any damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the use of any content, product, or service mentioned in this press release.

A Merchant-Side View of How PWC SuperApp Supports Crypto Payments**
For merchants, payment methods are never about “showcasing technology” — they are a business decision centered on cost, efficiency, and risk management.

1. Why Is “Payment” Always the Most Practical Issue for Merchants?
For any merchant, regardless of size, a payment system must meet three basic requirements:
Fast settlementControllable costsManageable risk
This is why most merchants have historically taken a cautious stance toward crypto payments.
It is not a lack of interest in new payment methods — but persistent real-world concerns:
Exchange rate and price volatilityOperational complexity and reconciliation difficultyUnclear compliance and accounting treatment
If Digital Currency Online Acquiring cannot address these issues, it cannot truly scale in real-world commerce.
**2. What Is Digital Currency Online Acquiring?
How Is It Different from Traditional Acquiring?**
In traditional payment systems, “acquiring” refers to the process by which merchants receive payments through banks or payment processors.
Digital currency online acquiring is an extension of this logic into the blockchain ecosystem.
Traditional Online Acquiring:
Merchants receive fiat currencyLong clearing and settlement cyclesMultiple layers of transaction fees
Digital Currency Online Acquiring:
Users pay with crypto assets or stablecoinsThe system completes on-chain settlementMerchants receive the final settlement result
The key point is this:
Merchants do not necessarily need to “receive crypto.”
This principle lies at the core of PWC SuperApp’s merchant-side design.

3. Why Were Merchants Previously Reluctant to Accept Crypto Payments?
Before solutions like PWC emerged, merchants generally faced three major concerns:
1️⃣ Excessive Volatility Risk
Merchant profit margins are often limited.
Most cannot afford to bear the price volatility associated with crypto assets.
2️⃣ High Operational and Management Costs
Private key management, wallet security, and network selection are not responsibilities most merchants are willing to take on.
3️⃣ Unclear Accounting and Compliance Processes
How should transactions be recorded?
How should taxes be reported?
Without clear answers, merchants naturally choose not to adopt.
Therefore, for crypto payments to enter real-world commerce, merchant-side problems must be solved first — not just user experience.
4. How Does PWC SuperApp Restructure the Merchant Payment Logic?
PWC SuperApp does not attempt to “educate merchants about blockchain.”
Instead, it takes a far more pragmatic approach:
Let merchants operate the way they are already familiar with, and keep blockchain complexity inside the system.
1️⃣ The Core Merchant Experience: Receiving Local Fiat
This is the most important merchant-side design of PWC SuperApp:
Users pay with USDT or other stablecoinsThe system completes digital currency settlementMerchants ultimately receive local fiat currency
Merchants do not need to:
Hold crypto assetsBear volatility riskUnderstand on-chain operations
From a merchant’s perspective, this is still simply a “normal payment.”
2️⃣ Acquiring Workflow Closely Mirrors Traditional Online Acquiring
Within PWC SuperApp, the merchant workflow remains familiar:
Provide a payment QR codeConfirm the order amountComplete the transaction
Digital currency online acquiring is designed as a “frictionless upgrade” to traditional acquiring — not a replacement.
3️⃣ Significantly Improved Settlement Speed and Cash Flow
In traditional systems, merchants often wait:
T+1T+3Or even longer settlement cycles
Under the PWC SuperApp model:
Payment equals settlementSettlement time is dramatically shortenedCapital turnover efficiency improves
For small and medium-sized merchants sensitive to cash flow, this improvement is particularly meaningful.

5. Which Merchants Are Best Suited for Digital Currency Online Acquiring?
Based on real-world deployment, adoption is fastest among the following merchant types: 
Tourism & Hospitality
High volume of cross-border customersExpensive currency exchange costsStrong demand for stablecoin payments 
Food & Retail
High-frequency, low-value transactionsQR-code payments already well established 
Cross-Border E-commerce & Online Services
International customer baseComplex fiat settlement processes 
Frequent international settlementsHigh payment frequency
Frequent international settlementsHigh payment frequency
The common characteristic across these scenarios is:
order payment costs and settlement efficiency.
6. What Does Digital Currency Online Acquiring Mean for Merchants?
In the long term, digital currency online acquiring is not merely a new payment option —
it becomes a new operational tool.
It offers merchants more than:
Additional payment methodsFaster settlement
It also delivers:
Access to a broader international customer baseReduced payment frictionImproved capital efficiency
PWC SuperApp’s role is to integrate all of these capabilities
into a single, directly usable system.
7. Conclusion: Merchants Don’t Need Web3 — They Need Better Ways to Get Paid
The adoption of crypto payments does not depend on how advanced the technology is.
It depends on whether merchants are willing to use it.
What PWC SuperApp does is not change how merchants run their businesses, but to offer a better payment and acquiring solution on top of existing habits.
When merchants discover that:
Costs are lowerSettlement is fasterRisks are controllable
Digital currency online acquiring naturally becomes their choice. And that is precisely how crypto payments truly enter the real world.

Truly successful crypto payments are not about teaching users how blockchain works — they are about making users barely notice that blockchain is there at all.

1. Why Are Most Crypto Payment Products “Hard to Use”?
Over the past few years, the blockchain industry has launched no shortage of crypto payment solutions.
Yet very few have achieved real, everyday adoption by ordinary users.
The reasons are not complicated — they stem from several practical user-side issues:
Complex workflows: addresses, networks, and gas fees confuse usersHigh onboarding cost: users must learn wallets, networks, and risk conceptsFragmented experience: completely different from familiar e-walletsLimited usage scenarios: too few places where crypto can actually be used
For most users, these frictions lead to one simple conclusion:
“It’s too troublesome — I’d rather not use it.”
This is why many crypto payment solutions remain technical showcases, never truly entering Web3 Daily Use.
2. “Frictionless Experience” Is the Key to Mainstream Crypto Payments
Looking at every successful consumer product, one pattern is clear:
users are not required to understand the underlying technology.
You use credit cards without understanding clearing networksYou use mobile payments without understanding banking systemsYou use cloud services without knowing server architecture
Crypto payments are no different.
If they are to reach mass adoption, they must become frictionless.
A frictionless experience does not mean hiding features —it means solving complexity inside the system, rather than pushing it onto users.
This principle is at the core of PWC SuperApp’s design philosophy.

3. The User Experience Logic Behind PWC SuperApp
From the user’s perspective, PWC SuperApp has a single core objective:
Make digital currency payments feel no different from using a standard e-wallet.
1️⃣ Extremely Simplified Payment Flow
In PWC SuperApp, the payment process is reduced to the minimum number of steps:
Open the appScan a QR codeConfirm the amountComplete payment
There is no need to choose networks, copy addresses, or configure fees.
Crypto Payment is “packaged” as a simple QR-based action.
2️⃣ Stablecoins as the Primary Payment Medium Reduce Psychological Barriers
PWC SuperApp is designed primarily around USDT payments and other stablecoins.
This design choice delivers two key outcomes:
Stable amounts — users do not worry about price fluctuations after payingClear price perception — aligned with everyday spending habits
Compared with highly volatile assets, stablecoin payments better match real-world pricing and consumption behavior.
3️⃣ Users Never Need to Understand “Settlement”
In traditional payment systems, payment and settlement are two separate processes.
In PWC SuperApp, they are unified. From the user’s perspective:
The moment they tap “Pay,” the transaction is already complete.
All subsequent digital currency settlement processes are handled automatically by the system, with no backend complexity exposed to the user.
4. How Does USDT Payment Become as Simple as QR-Code Scanning?
Within PWC SuperApp, USDT is not treated as a “crypto asset,” but as a payment instrument.
This distinction is critical at the design level.
Why USDT?
Stable value, suitable for paymentsHigh liquidity and global availabilityHigh user familiarity and low trust friction
In PWC SuperApp, USDT payments mirror the experience of local e-wallets:
Clear amount displayClear recipient informationInstant transaction confirmation
Users do not feel like they are “using blockchain.”
They feel like they have completed a payment.

5. Real User Scenarios: How Crypto Payments Enter Daily Life
Once usability barriers are removed, real-world scenarios naturally expand. 
Restaurants & Cafés
Users scan a QR code to order or pay, complete the transaction with USDT, and experience no difference from local e-wallets. 
Hotels & Travel Spending
International travelers avoid currency exchange, pay directly with digital currency for accommodation and services, and eliminate exchange losses and excessive fees. 
E-commerce & Online Services
At checkout, users select digital currency payment, complete digital currency online acquiring, and pay without linking bank cards or credit cards.
Across all scenarios, one thing remains constant: user behavior does not change — only the underlying system does.
6. Why Does “Frictionless Experience” Determine Whether Crypto Payments Can Scale?
From a product perspective, crypto payment adoption depends less on technological advancement and more on how many users are willing to use it in daily life.
For users, the decision criteria are simple:
Is it fast?Is it easy?Is it reliable?
PWC SuperApp’s frictionless design directly addresses all three:
Simple operation with near-zero learning costStablecoin payments reduce psychological and price riskThe system automatically handles complexity
This is what allows digital currency payments to enter real-world usage at scale for the first time.
7. Conclusion: The Best Crypto Payments Don’t Feel Like Crypto at All
When users scan to pay at a restaurant, check out at a hotel, or click “Pay” on an e-commerce platform, they do not need to think about blockchains, wallets, or settlement networks.
That is the correct path for crypto payments to become mainstream.
What PWC SuperApp does is not educate users about Web3 — but allow Web3 to naturally integrate into everyday behavior.
When payments become frictionless, crypto technology finally begins to change the real world.

A Web3 Super App Bringing Crypto Payments into the Real World
When blockchain truly enters real-world applications, the key is not technological complexity — but whether someone can turn it into a product that ordinary people can actually use.

1. Why Do We Need a Product Like PWC SuperApp?
Over the past few years, the blockchain space has never lacked products — but it has consistently lacked one crucial thing: a real entry point that non-crypto users can use in their daily lives.
The reality is:
Most crypto wallets are only suitable for storing or transferring assetsDeFi products have high learning curves and high risksExchanges are not payment toolsOrdinary merchants cannot directly accept crypto payments
The emergence of PWC SuperApp is designed to bridge this structural gap. Its goal is not to build a more complex Web3 application, but to integrate digital currency payments, settlement, and daily consumption into a single, real-world usable app.
2. The Core Positioning of PWC SuperApp: A Web2.5 Payment Entry Layer
From a product logic perspective, PWC SuperApp is not:
 An exchange A pure crypto wallet A single-function payment app
Instead, it is positioned as a Web2.5 Payment Entry Layer:
Allowing Web3 payment capabilities to operate naturally within Web2 user environments and merchant ecosystems.
This is precisely why PWC SuperApp is designed as a “Super App”, rather than a fragmented, single-purpose tool.

3. Core Features of PWC SuperApp
1️⃣ Digital Currency Payment
The most fundamental and core function of PWC SuperApp is digital currency payment.
Users can:
Pay using stablecoins such as USDTComplete payments by scanning merchant QR codesUse crypto without understanding blockchain mechanics, gas fees, or technical details
From the user’s perspective, the experience is almost identical to mainstream e-wallets.
However, the underlying settlement logic is entirely different.
This is what allows crypto payments (Crypto Payment) to achieve true daily usability for the first time.
2️⃣ USDT Payment & Stablecoin Payment
PWC SuperApp uses stablecoins as its primary payment medium instead of highly volatile assets.
This brings immediate advantages:
Stable and predictable payment amountsNo price volatility risk for merchantsBetter suitability for real-world goods and services pricing
In many emerging markets, USDT has already become a de facto cross-border settlement unit, and PWC SuperApp is designed around this real-world demand.
3️⃣ Digital Currency Settlement
In traditional systems, payment and settlement are two separate steps.
In PWC SuperApp, they are merged into a single process:
The user completes paymentThe system simultaneously finalizes on-chain settlementThe merchant receives real-time confirmation
This “payment equals settlement” structure significantly improves capital efficiency and reduces cash flow pressure for merchants.
4️⃣ Digital Currency Online Acquiring
PWC SuperApp serves not only consumers but also provides acquiring capabilities for merchants.
Merchants can:
Accept digital currency payments just like traditional online acquiringAvoid managing private keys or crypto assetsReceive settlements in local fiat currency
This means merchants do not need to “enter Web3” to benefit from Web3 payment capabilities. This design is a key reason why PWC can scale rapidly in real-world commercial environments.
5️⃣ Cross-Border Payment
Cross-border payment is one of the most important application scenarios for PWC SuperApp.
By settling with stablecoins:
No multiple currency conversionsNo high intermediary feesSignificantly faster settlement speeds
Whether for tourism spending, cross-border e-commerce, international service fees, or peer-to-peer international transfers, PWC SuperApp provides a low-friction cross-border payment solution.
4. Fundamental Differences Between PWC SuperApp and Traditional Payment Apps
Comparison DimensionTraditional Payment AppsPWC SuperAppPayment MediumFiat CurrencyStablecoins / Digital CurrencyCross-Border CapabilityHigh cost, slowLow cost, near-instantSettlement MethodDelayed clearingInstant settlementIntermediary DependenceBanks / Card NetworksBlockchain NetworksMerchant CoverageRegion-limitedGlobally scalableWeb3 CapabilityNoneNative support
PWC SuperApp is not designed to replace existing payment systems, but to act as a more efficient complementary layer.
5. Why Can PWC SuperApp Scale in the Real World?
Many Web3 products fail not because of poor technology, but because they ignore the real needs of merchants and ordinary users.
PWC SuperApp has been able to expand rapidly because:
Merchants do not need to learn blockchainUsers do not need to change payment habitsStablecoins eliminate price volatility concernsThe system automatically handles settlement and conversion
As of 2025,
PWC has achieved large-scale deployment across emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, covering tens of millions of merchants — a scale that very few pure Web3 products have ever reached.
6. The Role of PWC SuperApp in the PayFi Ecosystem
Within the PayFi (Payment Finance) framework, PWC SuperApp serves as the front-end entry point and real-world connector.
It brings on-chain payment capabilities into everyday lifeIt provides real usage scenarios for stablecoinsIt allows ordinary users to engage with Web3 because of real-life needs, not speculation
From this perspective, PWC SuperApp is not merely a product, but a practical implementation path for Web3 adoption.
7. Conclusion: A True Super App Is Not About Features — It’s About Usage
Many applications call themselves Super Apps, but there is only one real standard:
Can large numbers of ordinary people use it continuously without thinking about the underlying technology?
The value of PWC SuperApp does not lie in how “Web3-native” it is, but in how it makes Web3 usable without requiring users to understand it.
When you can buy coffee, book hotels, and complete cross-border payments with digital currency without worrying about the complex systems behind the scenes, the true value of PWC SuperApp becomes clear.