We’ve passed the halfway point of the first summer month. Time marches on, so let’s take a look at the most notable blockchain-related events that have happened since our previous digest.

South Korean Banking Group to Launch Blockchain-Powered ID Verification Platform

The Korea Federation of Banks (KFB) will introduce its “BankSign” identity verification system in July 2018. The platform will be used for online banking, both desktop and mobile. BankSign is viewed as a simplified modern replacement for South Korea’s 20-year-old public verification system, which is known for its excessive complexity.

In the meantime, South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb was hacked earlier today. Reportedly, $30 million in coins was stolen.

The status of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in South Korea is generally questionable. Find out more in the latest issue of our World CryptoMap series.

Montenegro Accepts Bitcoin for Property Purchases

The small former Yugoslavian republic of Montenegro is looking to revolutionize the real estate industry by accepting Bitcoin as a means of payment. Three luxury apartments in the Budva region, which is a beautiful touristic area, recently sold for 420 BTC (about $3.2 million).

Former Denver Post Reporters to Set Up a Blockchain-Fueled Media Company

A new media outlet, The Colorado Sun, is going to be launched by former Denver Post employees in collaboration with Civil Media Company, a ConsenSys-backed blockchain startup. Civil Media Company has already started over a dozen newsrooms across the USA.

IBM and Mediaocean to Collaborate on a Blockchain-Based Solution

According to IBM’s tweet from June 19, the company’s digital strategy and tech consulting wing — IBM iX — has partnered with software supplier Mediaocean to develop a blockchain-powered tracker for digital media transactions. IBM iX’s Babs Rangaiah states that blockchain can act as “a single source of truth to any given media buy, eliminating the doubt and uncertainty that is common today.”

Blockchain Sports Betting App to Predict Outcome of World Cup Matches

BlitzPredict, a blockchain-powered sports betting app, has just launched its main platform. The app seeks to eliminate the existing issues in the betting industry by recording the predictions on the outcome of various sporting events to the blockchain. The technology may also enable users to make educated choices of optimal betting strategies, as experts’ records will become much harder to conceal.