Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – February 22nd, 2019

Germany launches consultation to look into blockchain potential

The government of Germany has launched a consultation process on how to utilize blockchain technology as it prepares to present a strategy by the summer, Reuters reported. Sources familiar with the matter told the media giant that the government is seeking recommendations from companies and industry groups that could become stakeholders in the blockchain deployment process in the country.

Indian government inaugurates first crypto forensics lab

The government of India has inaugurated a Cryptocurrency Forensics Lab, local news outlet The Hindu reported. The crypto forensics lab is, in fact, a unit of the National Cyber Forensic Lab (NCFL) inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.

Seoul Metropolitan Government to support blockchain startups via $1B innovation fund

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that it will invest 1.2 trillion won ($1.07 billion) in startups by 2022 via an investment fund, CoinDesk reported. The investment will be made via the Seoul Innovation Growth Fund, which was announced last year.

Bank of Lithuania updates stance on virtual assets and ICOs

The Bank of Lithuania has announced that it has updated its position on virtual assets and initial coin offering (ICO). The updated stance aims to ensure a level playing field for all financial market participants and has taken into account current market developments and evolving regulatory regimes.

Chamber of Digital Commerce proposes National Action Plan for Blockchain

The Chamber of Digital Commerce, a leading blockchain trade association, has released its proposed National Plan for Blockchain. Perianne Boring, founder and president, Chamber of Digital Commerce, said that the plan is part of the chamber’s ongoing advocacy work and its efforts to promote the acceptance and use of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies.

Funding/Investments/Acquisitions

Blockchain security company CipherTrace secures $15M in venture capital

Coinbase acquires blockchain intelligence platform Neutrino

Sequoia India leads blockchain startup Band Protocol’s $3M seed round

TRON Foundation, Achain invest in blockchain gaming startup PlayGame

IOTA Foundation, Nova partner to launch seed fund to support blockchain startups

Pantera Capital on track to achieve $175M target for third crypto fund

Partnerships/Consortiums

IBM’s collaborative blockchain-based healthcare initiative gets two new members

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

Samsung Galaxy S10 to offer secure storage for crypto private keys

Binance DEX and Binance Chain enter public testnet phase

BitGo to offer crypto insurance through Lloyd’s of London

Indian e-commerce giant Mjunction partners with blockchain startup SHIPNEXT

South Korean and German telcos collaborate to create blockchain ID

KPMG partners with Guardtime to harness blockchain potential

SBI Holdings’ subsidiary inks agreement with BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group

Japanese trading firm Marubeni partners with blockchain startup LO3 Energy

BBVA issues structured green bond for MAPFRE using blockchain

Oman-based BankDhofar goes live on Ripple’s blockchain network ‘RippleNet’

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation completes blockchain-based trade finance trial

Exprivia|Italtel announces blockchain-based solution for number portability

Chinese internet giant Baidu launches blockchain engine for DApp development

UAE-based waste management firm Bee’ah, HFZA partner to launch blockchain platform

Rostec subsidiary partners with blockchain platform Vostok

Liechtenstein-based Bank Frick targets institutional investors with new digital asset trading platform

Baidu offers XuperChain blockchain network to industries in Hainan province

Samsung-backed Blocko to implement blockchain-based land registry system in South Korea

Telefónica and Wibson partner to trial blockchain-based personal data marketplace

Continental, Commerzbank and Siemens complete blockchain money market trial

Blockchain-based AR platform Scanetchain announces beta launch of marker scanning reward system