On December 8, 2025, Intercont (Cayman) Limited (Nasdaq: NCT), a global carbon-neutral shipping company, announced a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a minority stake of less than 50% in Starks Network Ltd., a leading Web3 technology service provider based in Singapore. This collaboration aims to advance the Project zCloak Network, integrating maritime services with blockchain technology, thereby marking a significant milestone in both companies’ future endeavors.
Starks Network is recognized for its strong position within the global Web3 ecosystem, especially with its proprietary frameworks that cover AI identity, enterprise self-custodial wallets, stablecoin payment systems, and AI-powered crypto payment technologies. These innovations create substantial market entry barriers and have attracted backing from notable venture capital firms, including Coinbase Ventures, and support from Hong Kong’s Cyberport incubation programs. The Project zCloak Network has been identified as a high-growth area, with increasing demand for compliant wallet solutions in the backdrop of a rapidly expanding stablecoin market.
As reported, the global transaction volume for stablecoins surpassed the cumulative annual processing of Visa and Mastercard in 2024, marking a pivotal moment for stablecoins as a vital financial infrastructure. This trend is expected to continue, with McKinsey projecting stablecoin transaction growth that could eclipse traditional payment volumes within the next decade. The surge in digital asset market capitalization—growing from $5 billion in 2022 to over $25.5 billion by mid-2025—highlights the urgency for governments and financial institutions to establish their footholds.
NCT’s investment in zCloak is a crucial part of its strategy to digitize real-world assets and strengthen its foothold in the global shipping industry. NCT plans to explore diverse opportunities for tokenizing real-world assets across various sectors by utilizing zCloak’s infrastructure to deliver standardized, compliant on-chain asset solutions. Both companies aim to accelerate the adoption of Web3 technologies, fulfilling the growing demand within these markets.
The partnership aligns with the vision articulated by NCT CEO, Ms. Muchun Zhu, and Starks Network Founder, Dr. Xiao Zhang, who framed their collaboration as a reimagining of traditional commerce through innovative technology. Ms. Zhu detailed the significant commercial opportunities within zCloak’s operational domains, suggesting that existing infrastructure providers achieve annual revenues of $30–40 million driven by institutional demand and high-margin integrations. She views zCloak as a key entry point into a rapidly expanding market, reinforcing NCT’s position in this dynamic landscape.
Intercont (Cayman) Limited is dedicated to providing efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions in the shipping industry, coupled with plans for seaborne pulping operations. The company is guided by a visionary management team committed to leveraging innovative business models and technologies.
In conclusion, the acquisition of a stake in Starks Network positions Intercont to capitalize on advancing Web3 technologies, aiming to enhance enterprise adoption and facilitate the tokenization of assets in an increasingly digital economy.
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