The Takeaway: An Israeli startup called Libracamp is funding development on Facebook’s Libra testnet. More than 80 projects have applied for the five spots in Libracamp’s initial virtual bootcamp, which starts in November. Even though Facebook admitted in a recent SEC filing that regulatory pushback may prevent Libra from launching, Libracamp remains undaunted. The Libracamp...Read More
Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” professional services firms, has officially launched a plug-and-play product aimed to help enterprises showcase their blockchain solutions to clients. The firm’s new “Blockchain in a Box” (BIAB) is designed as a mobile unit packed with four built-in nodes and several monitors that can be linked to external services such...Read More
Ledger will provide its asset management system to Estonian cybersecurity-focused crypto exchange Rokkex. French hardware wallet producer Ledger will provide its asset management system to Estonia-based crypto exchange Rokkex. Cybersecurity-focused exchange Built by Lithuanian cybersecurity and fintech professionals, Rokkex will integrate its trading platform with Ledger’s enterprise wallet management solution Ledger Vault to secure its...Read More
The volatility which characterizes the current market conditions, as well as Bitcoin’s relative stability in recent weeks can definitely be deceiving. Bitcoin is currently trading above $10,000 and rumors of institutional capital on the way are attracting the attention of many investors, especially in light of the news that Bakkt, the new Bitcoin futures trading...Read More
Bitcoin Bitcoin is again falling below the trend line, for the third time since the beginning of this parabolic trend in April. Meanwhile, the price continues to be rather volatile and the chart seems to be waiting in the coming days. Support in this range is around $10,500 and it’s not as stable as we’ve...Read More
A man has been sentenced in San Diego, California, for conspiring to sell drugs over dark web markets for cryptocurrencies. Thirty-nine-year-old Sky Justin Gornik had pleaded guilty to using a number of marketplaces such as Alpha Bay, Trade Route, Abraxas, Evolution, Outlaw Market, and Dream Market to deal in fentanyl, carfentanil, ketamine, oxycodone, amphetamine and other...Read More
The Bitcoin hash rate has broken yet another new all-time high, hitting an eye-popping 82.5 TH/s. The Bitcoin (BTC) hash rate has broken yet another new all-time high, according to Aug. 19 data from monitoring resource Blockchain.com. The top coin’s hash rate has continued to break previous records throughout summer, today hitting an whopping 82.5...Read More
Partnership between crypto exchange bitFlyer and tech services company Tpoint Japan allows local users to exchange loyalty points for Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency exchange bitFlyer and technology services company Tpoint Japan announced a new partnership that allows local customers to exchange loyalty program points for Bitcoin (BTC) and earn rewards for paying in crypto. The official press...Read More
Bitcoiners give @Bitcoin a cautious welcome after years of pro-BCH rhetoric abruptly changes to BTC advocacy. Bitcoin’s (BTC) best-known names are currently playing a guessing game after one of the industry’s most controversial Twitter accounts changed its views overnight. @Bitcoin switches from Bitcoin.com to Bitcoin.org Multiple users, including Reddit’s r/Bitcoin Subreddit moderator, BashCo, are supplying...Read More
Erik Finman joins Marshall Hayner in adding multiple cryptocurrencies to Metal, their joint payment app project. Cryptocurrency payment app Metal has launched as a full version in what creators say will dominate the market over Facebook’s Libra. In a social media post Aug. 19, Erik Finman, who co-founded Metal together with former QuickCoin co-founder, Marshall...Read More
Crypto financial services company Circle CEO Jeremy Allair thinks that Bitcoin is particularly attractive to people who want to have control over their funds. Jeremy Allaire, CEO at cryptocurrency financial services company Circle, expressed his optimism in regards to Bitcoin (BTC) being a safe haven for investors despite recent market volatility. On Aug. 19, Allaire...Read More
Crypto vs RBI case resumed hearing today, 20/8/2019 in Supreme Court, Court No. 5. Ashim Sood, counsel for the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), questioned RBI’ ban on Cryptocurrency stating FATF guidelines suppress the illicit side of Crypto assets and earlier docs of RBI shows no study took place. Mr. Nakul Dewan, Ld....Read More
Bitcoin is on a positive track lately, increasing by more than $1,000 in five days alone. The cryptocurrency is currently trading at around $10,800, marking yet another positive leg up of about 3% on the day. The increase comes despite seemingly bad news for the crypto community that the New York Supreme Court denied Bitfinex’s...Read More
Michael J. Casey is the chairman of CoinDesk’s advisory board and a senior advisor for blockchain research at MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative. This essay is presented as a part of No Closing Bell, a series leading up to Invest: Asia 2019 focused on how the Asian crypto markets are interacting with and impacting global investors....Read More
INX Limited, a crypto exchange startup, plans to raise up to $129.5 million through an IPO, in the first security token sale registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). No, that’s not a typo for “ICO,” the initial coin offerings that tested the limits of securities law during the go-go days of 2017. IPO...Read More
A Canadian judge has dismissed a motion to set aside an asset freeze in a civil forfeiture case involving the purported FUEL token. A Supreme Court judge in British Columbia (BC), Canada, has denied a motion to set aside an asset freeze, which was requested by the defendants in a multimillion dollar cryptocurrency fraud case....Read More
Huobi Wallet has added MakerDAO’s various offerings to its list of supported assets and services. Major cryptocurrency exchange Huobi has added support for MakerDAO tokens and decentralized apps (DApps) in its wallet. Huobi Group shared the announcement with Cointelegraph on Aug. 19. MakerDAO has a stablecoin called Dai, a token named MKR, and applications including...Read More
A department of the Israel Ministry of Finance is looking to drive fintech competition with industry teams and licensing help. The Capital Market, Insurance and Saving Authority, a division of Israel’s Ministry of Finance (MoF), is looking to accelerate the process of procuring licenses for blockchain and fintech companies in the country. Israeli business news...Read More
The New York State Supreme Court has ruled that Bitfinex is in the jurisdiction of the state’s Attorney General, allowing for a continuation of its investigation. The New York State Supreme Court has ruled that the New York Office of the Attorney General (NYAG) has jurisdiction over cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex. According to a court filing...Read More
Blockchain-powered prediction markets attempt to change the world, from politics to science, by creating digital democracies with a new age of financial tools. Recently, there have been an increasing number of blockchain-based prediction markets (PMs) such as Augur, Bitcoin Hivemind, Amoveo, Gnosis, Cindicator, etc. PMs use the technology of smart contracts for bets on various...Read More
Independent public charity Fidelity Charitable has received $100 million in cryptocurrency donations since 2015. Independent public charity Fidelity Charitable has received $100 million in cryptocurrency donations, according to its recently published report. In its “2019 Giving Report,” Fidelity Charitable illustrated account development throughout 2018, and provided insights into its growth since its establishment. Generally, the...Read More
Blockchain-based customer relations manager (CRM) Cere Network just closed a $3.5 million seed round. Backed by Binance Labs, Neo Global Capital, and Arrington XRP Capital, among multiple others, Cere Network opened a New York office and will announce an innovation lab in Berlin during Berlin Blockchain Week. Cere Network provides a blockchain service for integrating...Read More
Israel’s Fintech regulator is rearranging its licensing regime to encourage competition in the field. The Israeli Capital Market Authority is looking to change how fintech licenses are distributed in Israel according to a Monday announcement reported by Israeli daily newspaper Calcalist. Some 2,000 fintech and blockchain-businesses are currently seeking licenses from the state regulator. Due...Read More
The World Bank has issued a second round of its landmark blockchain bonds. The international financial institution raised another $50 million AUD ($33.8 million U.S.) by selling the “blockchain-operated debt instrument” (bond-i), according to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank), which managed the sale jointly with RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities. Both new and existing investors...Read More
A luxury condominium complex in Orlando, Florida, is the latest firm to partner with BitPay to provide bitcoin payment processing for real estate transactions. Announced August 6, the Grove Resort & Water Park will accept bitcoin for purchases of their 878 resort-style condo residences. Yet, the relatively small update hides a larger story – BitPay...Read More
Cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX has added three new jurisdictions to its trade restrictions list. HDR Global Trading Limited (HDR), BitMEX’s parent company, has added Bermuda, Hong Kong, and the Seychelles to its list of total trade access restrictions. BitMEX, based in the Seychelles, maintains arms in Bermuda and Hong Kong. The three jurisdictions join the United...Read More
The Winklevoss twins are adding some muscle to Gemini’s security team. Announced this morning, David Damato will be joining Gemini as the Chief Security Officer. Damato joins Gemini from Tanium, a top cybersecurity firm, where he held the same position for four years. Damato joins Gemini with over 20 years experience in the field. Speaking...Read More
Binance’s iOS app returned to the Apple app store today. The largest cryptocurrency exchange by volume, Binance’s iOS app has returned after a month’s hiatus. A company posting announced the return today following an announcement on Twitter Friday by Binance CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao. According to Zhao, listing the exchange’s app was a difficult process:...Read More
EPAM Systems Inc. has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance, which develops blockchain standards in the transportation, logistics and supply chain industries. Software engineering and IT consulting services firm EPAM Systems Inc. has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) that develops blockchain practices and standards in the transportation, logistics and supply chain industry. According...Read More
There are many reasons why the Philippines is becoming increasingly crypto-friendly. Not only has its central bank registered more crypto exchanges recently, but the Securities and Exchange Commission has also been actively finalizing crypto guidelines. The country has an active crypto community, and one of its largest banks has engaged in multiple crypto projects. Also...Read More
