Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – April 19th, 2019
IMF and World Bank launch “Learning Coin” to better understand blockchain and crypto assets Two international financial institutions – the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank – are the latest to jump …
IMF and World Bank launch “Learning Coin” to better understand blockchain and crypto assets
Two international financial institutions – the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank – are the latest to jump on crypto and blockchain bandwagon. In a report dated April 13, the Financial Times said that the organizations have launched a private blockchain and quasi-cryptocurrency as part of their efforts to better understand this technology.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are going to hold the National Compliance Outreach Program for Broker-Dealers on June 27, 2019. According to the press release, the program will focus on insights from leadership, protecting retail investors, and regulatory “hot topics” such as digital assets and cybersecurity.
Japan’s FSA to introduce new rules for crypto exchanges’ cold wallets: Report
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) is planning to implement new rules to enhance the security of cold wallets that are used to store cryptocurrencies at crypto exchanges, Reuters reported. An anonymous source familiar with the matter told the media giant that the FSA will require crypto exchanges to strengthen the measures to supervise cold wallets.
French government to invest €4.5B into blockchain technologies
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire has revealed the government’s plan to invest 4.5 billion euros in blockchain and other cutting-edge technologies over the next five years. According to a translated transcript of the minister’s interview with a French business magazine published by Trust Nodes, Le Maire said that the development of the blockchain ecosystem is a priority for the government.
National Payments Corporation of India to develop blockchain solution
The National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI), an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, is considering developing a highly scalable blockchain solution to reinforce digital payments, Business Today reported. It has floated an Express of Interest (EOI) to enable bidders to propose their capability for developing distributed ledger technology/blockchain in the payment domain.
RBI’s regulatory sandbox allows testing blockchain applications but not cryptocurrencies and ICOs
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has become the latest central banking authority to establish a fintech regulatory sandbox. The sandbox would allow testing of various applications of blockchain technologies and smart contracts, artificial intelligence, and more. However, it would not allow testing any products/services/technology involving cryptocurrency services, trading/investing/settling in crypto assets, and Initial Coin Offerings, (ICOs), among others.
Funding/Investments/Acquisitions
MUFG, Sozo Ventures back crypto compliance startup Chainalysis’s Series B round
Blockchain startup 20|30 raises £3m in tokenized equity on LSE’s platform
Japan’s ST Blockchain Fund invests $200M in Bithumb’s parent company’s Series A round
Harvard endowment invests in blockchain startup Blockstack’s tokens
Tim Draper wants to hear Facebook’s crypto project story for investment possibilities
Binance Labs announces $45,000 grant to three blockchain startups
Samsung invests in keyless crypto wallet “ZenGo”
Blockchain-focused VC fund “Proof of Capital” launches in US with $50M funding
Partnerships/Consortiums
China Academy of Information and Communications Technology joins R3 blockchain consortium
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance launches initiative to apply standards to tokenization
Israeli shipping giant ZIM joins IBM Maersk blockchain shipping solution “TradeLens”
Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives
Trading Technologies launches connectivity to bitcoin derivatives platform BitMEX
E-Commerce giant Rakuten opens registrations for its cryptocurrency exchange
eToroX launches cryptocurrency exchange, announces 8 stablecoins
UK-based Corporate Traveller starts accepting crypto payments via BitPay partnership
Wirecard, Telegram’s TON partner to develop digital financial services and banking platform
Ashton Kutcher’s Thorn looks to blockchain technology to eliminate child sexual abuse content from internet
EY launches smart contract testing service for public Ethereum blockchain, announces major upgrades
Hong Kong insurer Blue Cross launches blockchain solution
South Korean telecom giant KT launches 5G-based blockchain platform 'GiGA Chain'
Accenture and Generali launch blockchain solution for captive employee benefits
Northern Trust adds smart contract capability to private equity blockchain
Nestlé, Carrefour and IBM to track Mousline instant mashed potato using blockchain
Samsung SDS teams up with Tech Mahindra for global expansion of Nexledger blockchain platform
USDT launches on TRON Blockchain
Monex Group considers adding cryptocurrencies amid growing competition
Volkswagen joins IBM-led blockchain initiative for provenance of cobalt
Binance announces mainnet launch of blockchain platform ‘Binance Chain’