Poland’s second-largest bank, Bank Pekao, is using blockchain technology to preserve the country’s cultural heritage. 

According to a Pekao press release, the bank partnered with Aleph Zero to launch Archiv3, a project aimed at tokenizing Polish artwork and securely storing it for future generations.

Tokenization is the process of turning physical assets, like art, into digital tokens on a blockchain, making them easier to store and track. 

For this project, Bank Pekao is digitizing famous Polish artworks, like those by Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański, using advanced 3D scanning technology. These digital versions are then stored as non-fungible tokens on the eco-friendly Aleph Zero blockchain, ensuring their long-term preservation.

Arctic World Archive

The tokenized artwork will also be archived in the Arctic World Archive, a facility in Svalbard, Norway, designed to protect important data from threats like cyberattacks and natural disasters. The AWA is known for storing cultural and scientific data from organizations like UNESCO and the Vatican, according to an Archiv3 release.

The bank hopes that by using a decentralized ledger, the artworks will remain safe and accessible for future generations, even in the event of a global catastrophe.

This initiative reflects a broader trend of integrating traditional banking with modern technologies like blockchain, opening new avenues for digital asset management.

Earlier, on Oct 2, Christie’s announced plans to use blockchain technology to issue blockchain-based ownership certificates for art sold at auction.

Tokenized real-world assets platform Backed and Layer 2 blockchain Lisk have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate RWA adoption across emerging markets.

In an announcement, the two platforms said the collaboration would leverage Backed’s expertise and traction in the RWA space and Lisk (LSK) to unlock financial opportunities.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of democratizing access to financial services through blockchain technology,” Erwan Mismaque, head of on-chain finance at Lisk, said.

“Backed’s innovative approach to RWA tokenization, coupled with our focus on interoperability and Emerging Markets, will accelerate the adoption of blockchain-based solutions and empower individuals in regions with significant potential for growth,” Mismaque added.

Leveraging the Optimism Superchain

Lisk’s L2 technology allows real-world applications to come on-chain on the Ethereum network. The platform also offers broader interoperability for blockchain developers and enterprises via its integration with the Optimism Superchain.

According to Bernardo Quintao, Backed’s head of business development, the partnership allows it to leverage Lisk’s interoperable blockchain network to bring the benefits of tokenized real-world assets to more people and businesses in emerging economies.

In the Superchain, several L2 chains form a network dubbed the OP Chains, where member networks benefit from shared security, open-source tech stack, and communication layer.

Projects to get up to $100k in grants

The Optimism Superchain will power the integration for accessibility and scalability. Meanwhile, businesses, developers, and partners will have access to Lisk’s incubator program, the Blockchain Incubation Hub, as they build new RWA-related projects.

Blockchain Incubation Hub supports blockchain initiatives of African entrepreneurs, helping them quickly scale new solutions.

New projects that build on Lisk and use Backed’s tokenization infrastructure or its bTokens will be eligible for grants of up to $100,000, which will be in the form of LSK tokens.