Biconomy’s new Ethereum standard ERC-8211 introduces a “smart batching” mechanism, allowing AI agents to dynamically execute multiple-step DeFi operations within a single transaction, effectively addressing issues with price volatility and changes in transaction fees, in line with the Ethereum Foundation’s strategy to improve the user experience.

CME Group plans to launch Avalanche (AVAX) and Sui (SUI) futures contracts on May 4, 2026, further expanding its lineup of cryptocurrency derivatives; the offerings are currently awaiting regulatory approval. Participants may choose either micro or standard contracts.

Korea’s Toss Payments becomes the first company to fully implement post-quantum cryptography, using the NIST-standard algorithm "ML-KEM" to enable hybrid key exchange and enhance security against threats from quantum computers.

Gate News message: On April 2, according to Gate market data, as of the time of publication, ARIA (Aria) is trading at $0.43. In the past 24 hours, it is up 25.33%, reaching a high of $0.50 and dipping to a low of $0.33. The trading volume over the past 24 hours was $1.6239 million. Its current market cap is approximately $77.947 million. Aria.AI is a next-generation game development and publishing experiment. It draws inspiration from a Disney-style immersive world and AI technology, and is designed around game mechanics related to its own IP. It represents a major leap in bringing Web3 a higher standard of game design and publishing quality from Web2 (combined with AI execution). As an open-world mobile game, Aria invites players to explore the world of Fudonia

Gate News update. On April 1, according to people familiar with the matter, Usman Ahmad, CEO of Zodia Markets, the cryptocurrency trading company under Standard Chartered, has left the company. The Zodia Markets website shows that Nick Philpott, who previously served as the company’s head of partnerships, has been appointed interim CEO. As of now, both Zodia Markets and Standard Chartered’s spokespeople have declined to comment on the matter.

A report from Standard Chartered Bank in the UK says stablecoin trading activity is growing rapidly and that the market size is expected to reach $2 trillion by 2028. The uses of stablecoins have expanded into areas such as AI payments and cross-border payments, strengthening their role in the market. The report emphasizes that innovative use cases will drive market growth, signaling that stablecoins will become an important catalyst for the convergence of digital currencies and traditional finance.

ISO 20022 is changing the global financial payments system, improving payment processing efficiency. In 2025, SWIFT will retire traditional MT messages, and financial institutions will need to fully adopt ISO 20022 to avoid transaction delays and increased costs. This standard is not only a compliance requirement, but also an opportunity to modernize operations—driving organizations to fully upgrade and deeply redesign.

Hong Kong’s Hong Kong dollar stablecoin licensing program has been delayed, and it has still not been approved to date. The market expects it may be pushed back to April. Regulators are focused on the applicants’ use cases and compliance, and the high bar is intended to reduce risk. HSBC, Standard Chartered, and others are potential licensees. Stablecoins will connect traditional finance with blockchain assets, and this will be tied to competition in regional digital finance.

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary and the Treasury Bureau Deputy Director, Chan Ho-lim, revealed that the OECD revised the Common Reporting Standard, incorporating new types of digital financial products such as central bank digital currency, and issued a framework for reporting crypto assets, aiming to enhance transaction transparency. The Hong Kong Legislative Council supports this bill, with the goal of enacting the legislation by 2026.

Hong Kong’s first batch of stablecoin issuer licenses was originally set to be issued in March 2026, but it did not roll out as scheduled. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said it is moving forward with the licensing process, and the market is watching the application status of HSBC and Standard Chartered. Among the applications for the second batch of licenses, Futu Securities and OSL Group are strong contenders.