Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – August 2nd, 2019

UK FCA publishes regulatory guidance on crypto assets

Following the consultation on cryptoasset guidance launched in January, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its final guidance which sets out the cryptoasset activities that fall under its regulation. The FCA said that the guidance will help firms engaged in cryptoasset-related activities to better understand whether they need to obtain authorization for their operations and what they need to do for ensuring compliance.

New bill leaves out digital currencies from cash payment limit in Australia

Australia recently passed a new draft bill that imposes limits on cash payments, while cryptocurrencies have been excluded. This was supposedly intended to prevent innovations from being stifled. The details with regards to this draft bill are included in the explanatory memorandum that the Australian government provided a few days ago.

Malta releases consultation document on Security Token Offerings

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has released a new consultation paper on Security Token Offerings (STO), marking its first and crucial step in revising the country’s regulatory guidelines behind capital markets. The report, which is in line with its Vision 2021, details the security token industry and how to best approach the STO regulation.

Iran approves crypto mining, crypto still not legal tender

The government of Iran just gave crypto miners the green light to begin operations in the country that has been surprisingly receptive of the new industry. While crypto coins are not yet allowed as legal tender, regulators are at least not cracking down on it as those in other nations have done. As local news outlet Mehr News Agency reports, the Iranian authorities are now allowing crypto mining in the country, provided the miners actually get the appropriate license for it.

Arizona approves trial of marijuana payment via stablecoin in fintech sandbox

Arizona has been quite enthusiastic in supporting its fintech industry and one of its latest efforts involves approving trial of payment for medical marijuana via stablecoin in its fintech sandbox. A crypto company called Alta has basically been given the green light to trial payment services for cannabis in by Arizona’s Office of the Attorney General, a press release notes.

Company News

• NYAG insists Bitfinex, Tether should still produce required documents

• CFTC says LedgerX not yet approved to launch bitcoin futures, CEO Paul Chou threatens to sue

• R3 doubles London office size for blockchain hiring spree, plans to build second engineering hub

• Facebook's cryptocurrency Libra may never happen, network admits in SEC filing

Fundraising/Acquisitions

• Monex, Recruit and LINE’s subsidiary Unblock Ventures back blockchain loyalty startup Loyyal

• Crypto banking startup Bitwala secures $13M in Series A funding led by Sony, NKB Group

• Blockchain startup Lumachain secures $2.4M to fight modern slavery in food industry

• Solana blockchain secures $20M Seed A investment led by Multicoin Capital

• Crypto exchange Kraken boosts user portfolio management with Interchange acquisition

• Singapore blockchain firm Perlin acquires struggling Dispatch Labs

Regulatory Approvals

• Crypto derivatives firm Quedex obtains Gibraltar regulatory license

• Bermuda grants legal status to XBTOI crypto firm

• Middle Eastern crypto exchange Rain makes history, gains regulatory approval

• Crypto-centric finance app Aximetria obtains license from Swiss regulator

Partnerships/Consortiums

• Two Australian blockchain advocacy groups merge for stronger, united voice

• Ripple expands global reach via new partnership with Chile's Currency Bird

• Dubai to launch Know Your Customer blockchain consortium

• Hyperledger welcomes Cargill, Bitfury, Mindtree among new members

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

• Bitcoin.com to launch cryptocurrency exchange in September

• Bittrex, Rain partner to establish crypto trading platform in MENA

• Bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain unveils cryptocurrency exchange ‘The PIT’

• Croatian Post launches crypto exchange service trial

• New bitFlyer bitcoin trading service launches in EU with 20BTC cap

• Crypto exchange and custodian platform Smart Valor goes live following successful funding

• Huobi joins Global Digital Finance to standardize crypto industry

• Overstock advances towards blockchain future with digitized dividends

• US Capital Global offers $10M in tokenized venture fund with holdings in Coinbase, Bakkt

• Brazilian city to accept bitcoin payments for public transportation, to consider other cryptocurrencies

• AB InBev, BanQu develop blockchain solution to help African farmers

• Think tank EEMA pledges support to blockchain-powered law enforcement platform LOCARD

• Crypto broker BCB goes live on R3’ Corda network via LAB577’s DASL

• Ripple expands University Blockchain Research Initiative to Japan's Kyoto University and University of Tokyo

• Blockchain insurance startup B3i releases first product on R3’s Corda

• Seagate enters pilot phase of blockchain HDD supply chain project

• Etisalat Digital announces blockchain trade finance initiative with First Abu Dhabi Bank

• Mastercard-Benefit partnership to bring blockchain benefits to Middle East

• US looks to blockchain for military and defense use

• Philippines' UnionBank launches new PHP-pegged stablecoin 'PHX'

• KT, Nongshim Data System to implement blockchain tech in food distribution system

• Chinese alchohol wholesaler Oranco tests blockchain-based anti-counterfeiting solution

• Vitalik Buterin's mom promotes blockchain awareness via her CryptoChicks startup