# Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – September 13th, 2019 By Shampa Mani Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/technology/3424 Published: 2019-09-13T12:06:49.000Z Updated: 2019-09-13T12:06:49.000Z Section: Technology > France mulls blocking Facebook's Libra project on European soil as FINMA chief weighs pros and cons of the cryptocurrency France warned on Thursday that it will block the development of Facebook’s cryptocurrency Libra… [France mulls blocking Facebook's Libra project on European soil as FINMA chief weighs pros and cons of the cryptocurrency]() France warned on Thursday that it will block the development of Facebook’s cryptocurrency Libra as it is posing a threat to the “monetary sovereignty” of governments. “I want to be absolutely clear: in these conditions, we cannot authorize the development of Libra on European soil,” French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said. Meanwhile, Mark Branson, the director of the Financial Market Authority (FINMA), has spoken out on the perceived pressure of Libra being based in Geneva and the potential opportunities the cryptocurrency tech brings. [Catalan government to develop DLT-based self-sovereign digital ID platform]() The government of Catalonia has launched a new project to create decentralised and self-sovereign digital identity based on distributed ledger technology (DLT). According to a press release dated September 07, the minister of Digital Policy and Public Administration, Jordi Puigneró, has presented the ‘IdentiCAT’ project. [Saudi Arabia, UAE to finalize pilot operations for joint cryptocurrency project by year-end]() Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are going to finalize the pilot operations of their digital currency project for facilitating cross-border bank transactions by the end of this year, Argaam reported citing Arabic language daily Aleqtisadia. The pilot operations are expected to focus on the technical aspects, while legal and economic aspects will be examined at a later stage. [Marshall Islands to launch a pre-sale for its blockchain-based national cryptocurrency]() The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has announced that it will introduce its government-backed blockchain-based cryptocurrency, the Marshallese sovereign (SOV), in a token pre-sale. “The currency will be introduced through a sale over an extended period of time in a Timed Release Monetary Issuance (TRMI),” the RMI said in an official announcement. [Venezuelan government launches crypto calculator for Android devices]() The Superintendent of Cryptoactive and related activities of Venezuela (SUNACRIP) has launched an application that allows users to convert crypto-crypto, crypto-fiat and fiat-crypto values, according to state-run VTV. Called “Petro Calculadora,” the app is currently available only for Android devices and can be downloaded from petro’s official portal. Research Studies - [DTCC, Accenture]() release enterprise DLT governance whitepaper - United Kingdom leads with most number of registered cryptocurrency exchanges: [Study]() - 40% of U.S. Millennials prefer crypto investments in the event of a recession: [eToro Survey]() - [Moody’s]() expects blockchain standards to emerge by 2021 - Coinbase, Ripple fail to secure spots in [LinkedIn's top startups]() list for 2019 Funding/Investment - Cryptokitties maker [Dapper Labs]() secures $11.2M to develop blockchain Flow, scores deals from Warner Music, Ubisoft - Blockchain startup [Dapp.com]() raises $1M in pre-A investment led by Hashed - Blockchain startup [DappRadar]() secures $2.3M from Naspers Ventures, Blockchain.com Ventures - Crypto data provider [Kaiko]() bags $5.5M from Anthemis Group, Point Nine Capital - Social video platform [Vid]() secures investment from blockchain platform Ontology - [Blockstack]() scores $23M in first-ever SEC-approved token sale - Vlad Zamfir-led blockchain project [CasperLabs]() secures $14.5M from Acuitas, Arrington XRP for scaling development - U.K.-based hedge fund manager [Nickel Asset Management]() raises $50M for a crypto investment fund Company News - [Coinbase]() launches 'USDC Bootstrap Fund' to invest in DeFi protocols Compound, dYdX - [Gemini]() launches own custody service with 18 cryptocurrencies - [Legacy Trust]() to launch separate crypto custody business First Digital Trust - Crypto exchange [Huobi]() likely to attempt backdoor IPO in Hong Kong - Seychelles’ national stock exchange [MERJ’s tokenized IPO]() goes live - [Binance US]() to open user registration next week - Bobby Lee unveils new crypto [hardware wallet venture ‘Ballet’]() - Bitwise appoints [BNY Mellon]() as transfer agent for proposed bitcoin ETF - [ICE]() announces initial margin requirements for Bakkt bitcoin futures contracts Partnerships/Consortiums - Ethereum development firm [ConsenSys joins Hyperledger]() as a premier member - [OOC Oil & Gas Blockchain Consortium]() selects Data Gumbo for managing water in Bakken oilfield Digital Currency Initiatives - [NASDAQ]() lists decentralized finance index Defix (DEFX) for digital assets - [CipherTrace]() unveils open source solution for crypto Travel Rule compliance ‘TRISA’ - [Netki]() updates TransactID solution to ensure compliance with FATF’s crypto "Travel Rule" - [Wesley Snipes, Liechtenstein Cryptoassets Exchange]() to launch tokenized $25M movie fund - Seed CX' subsidiary [Zero Hash]() launches crypto derivatives settlement support for institutions - [CoinGecko]() releases 'Trust Score 2.0' system to provide 360-degree view of cryptocurrency exchanges Blockchain Initiatives - First blockchain smartphone [Finney]() set to enter Bangladesh market at $999 - Klaytn officially unveils [blockchain variant of Samsung Galaxy]() Note10, price starts at $1,050 - PundiX to launch a fully blockchain-powered phone [Blok on Blok]() (BOB) - [Telegram]() releases code for running nodes on TON Blockchain - La Liga soccer team [Atlético de Madrid]() joins blockchain-based fan engagement platform Socios.com - [tZERO]() to bring blockchain to film financing via new partnership - [Thailand's PTT, Energy Web Foundation]() to develop blockchain renewable energy marketplace - Russia’s [Alfa-Bank]() launches liquidity management service on Waves Blockchain - Turkey's [Takasbank]() reveals blockchain platform to transfer gold - Deutsche Telekom's [T-Labs]() launches blockchain e-mobility pilot 'Xride' - [Santander]() issues $20M bond using Ethereum blockchain - [Korean mobile carrier]() launches blockchain project 'ELYNET' - [Mastercard, R3]() partner to develop and pilot blockchain cross-border payments solution - [Red Cat teams up with GoChain]() to store drone data on blockchain - [Sberbank, Trafigura]() trial blockchain-based solution for supply of Siberian oil [TokenPost]() | info@tokenpost.com ## Links in this article - [France mulls blocking Facebook's Libra project on European soil as FINMA chief weighs pros and cons of the cryptocurrency](https://tokenpost.com/France-says-it-will-block-Facebooks-Libra-project-on-European-soil-as-FINMA-chief-weighs-pros-and-cons-of-the-cryptocurrency-3420) - [Catalan government to develop DLT-based self-sovereign digital ID platform](https://tokenpost.com/Catalan-government-to-develop-DLT-based-self-sovereign-digital-ID-platform-3347) - [Saudi Arabia, UAE to finalize pilot operations for joint cryptocurrency project by year-end](https://tokenpost.com/Saudi-Arabia-UAE-to-finalize-pilot-operations-for-joint-cryptocurrency-project-by-year-end-3385) - [Marshall Islands to launch a pre-sale for its blockchain-based national cryptocurrency](https://tokenpost.com/Marshall-Islands-to-launch-a-pre-sale-for-its-blockchain-based-national-cryptocurrency-3404) - [Venezuelan government launches crypto calculator for Android devices](https://tokenpost.com/Venezuelan-government-launches-crypto-calculator-for-Android-devices-3350) - [DTCC, Accenture](https://tokenpost.com/DTCC-Accenture-release-enterprise-DLT-governance-whitepaper-3341) - [Study](https://tokenpost.com/United-Kingdom-leads-with-most-number-of-registered-cryptocurrency-exchanges-Study-3403) - [eToro Survey](https://tokenpost.com/40-of-US-Millennials-prefer-crypto-investments-in-the-event-of-a-recession-eToro-Survey-3378) - [Moody’s](https://tokenpost.com/Moodys-expects-blockchain-standards-to-emerge-by-2021-3343) - [LinkedIn's top startups](https://tokenpost.com/Coinbase-Ripple-fail-to-secure-spots-in-LinkedIns-top-startups-list-for-2019-3338) - [Dapper Labs](https://tokenpost.com/Cryptokitties-maker-Dapper-Labs-secures-112M-to-develop-blockchain-Flow-scores-deals-from-Warner-Music-Ubisoft-3413) - [Dapp.com](https://tokenpost.com/Blockchain-startup-Dappcom-raises-1M-in-pre-A-investment-from-Hashed-3332) - [DappRadar](https://tokenpost.com/Blockchain-startup-DappRadar-secures-23M-from-Naspers-Ventures-Blockchaincom-Ventures-3331) - [Kaiko](https://tokenpost.com/Crypto-data-provider-Kaiko-bags-55M-from-Anthemis-Group-Point-Nine-Capital-to-develop-data-infrastructure-for-digital-assets-markets-3394) - [Vid](https://tokenpost.com/Social-video-platform-Vid-secures-investment-from-blockchain-platform-Ontology-3359) - [Blockstack](https://tokenpost.com/Blockstack-scores-23M-from-first-ever-SEC-approved-token-sale-3379) - [CasperLabs](https://tokenpost.com/Vlad-Zamfir-led-blockchain-project-CasperLabs-secures-145M-from-Acuitas-Arrington-XRP-for-scaling-development-3371) - [Nickel Asset Management](https://tokenpost.com/UK-based-hedge-fund-manager-Nickel-Asset-Management-raises-50M-for-a-crypto-investment-fund-3353) - [Coinbase](https://tokenpost.com/Coinbase-launches-USDC-Bootstrap-Fund-to-invest-in-DeFi-protocols-Compound-dYdX-3377) - [Gemini](https://tokenpost.com/Gemini-launches-own-custody-service-with-18-cryptocurrencies-3372) - [Legacy Trust](https://tokenpost.com/Legacy-Trust-to-launch-separate-crypto-custody-business-First-Digital-Trust-3392) - [Huobi](https://tokenpost.com/Crypto-exchange-Huobi-likely-to-attempt-Backdoor-IPO-in-Hong-Kong-3414) - [MERJ’s tokenized IPO](https://tokenpost.com/Seychelles-national-stock-exchange-MERJs-tokenized-IPO-goes-live-3365) - [Binance US](https://tokenpost.com/Binance-US-to-open-user-registration-next-week-3405) - [hardware wallet venture ‘Ballet’](https://tokenpost.com/Bobby-Lee-unveils-new-crypto-hardware-wallet-venture-Ballet-3401) - [BNY Mellon](https://tokenpost.com/Bitwise-appoints-BNY-Mellon-as-transfer-agent-for-proposed-bitcoin-ETF-3396) - [ICE](https://tokenpost.com/ICE-announces-initial-margin-requirements-for-Bakkt-bitcoin-futures-contracts-3381) - [ConsenSys joins Hyperledger](https://tokenpost.com/Ethereum-development-firm-ConsenSys-joins-Hyperledger-as-a-premier-member-3395) - [OOC Oil & Gas Blockchain Consortium](https://tokenpost.com/OOC-Oil-Gas-Blockchain-Consortium-selects-Data-Gumbo-for-managing-water-in-Bakken-oilfield-3376) - [NASDAQ](https://tokenpost.com/NASDAQ-lists-decentralized-finance-index-Defix-DEFX-for-digital-assets-3374) - [CipherTrace](https://tokenpost.com/CipherTrace-unveils-open-source-solution-for-crypto-Travel-Rule-compliance-TRISA-3369) - [Netki](https://tokenpost.com/Netki-updates-TransactID-solution-to-ensure-compliance-with-FATFs-crypto-Travel-Rule-3357) - [Wesley Snipes, Liechtenstein Cryptoassets Exchange](https://tokenpost.com/Wesley-Snipes-blockchain-startup-Leichtenstein-LCX-to-launch-tokenized-25M-movie-fund-3351) - [Zero Hash](https://tokenpost.com/Seed-CX-subsidiary-Zero-Hash-launches-crypto-derivatives-settlement-support-for-institutions-3398) - [CoinGecko](https://tokenpost.com/CoinGecko-releases-Trust-Score-20-system-to-provide-360-degree-view-of-cryptocurrency-exchanges-3390) - [Finney](https://tokenpost.com/First-blockchain-smartphone-Finney-set-to-hit-Bangladesh-market-at-999-3352) - [blockchain variant of Samsung Galaxy](https://tokenpost.com/Klaytn-officially-unveils-blockchain-variant-of-Samsung-Galaxy-Note10-price-starts-at-1050-3327) - [Blok on Blok](https://tokenpost.com/PundiX-to-launch-Blok-on-Blok-BOB-the-worlds-first-fully-blockchain-powered-phone-3412) - [Telegram](https://tokenpost.com/Telegram-releases-code-for-running-nodes-on-TON-Blockchain-3337) - [Atlético de Madrid](https://tokenpost.com/La-Liga-soccer-team-Atltico-de-Madrid-joins-Socioscom-to-connect-with-fans-3336) - [tZERO](https://tokenpost.com/tZERO-to-bring-blockchain-to-film-financing-via-new-partnership-3421) - [Thailand's PTT, Energy Web Foundation](https://tokenpost.com/Thailands-PTT-Energy-Web-Foundation-to-develop-blockchain-renewable-energy-marketplace-3418) - [Alfa-Bank](https://tokenpost.com/Russias-Alfa-Bank-launches-liquidity-management-service-on-Waves-Blockchain-3419) - [Takasbank](https://tokenpost.com/Turkeys-Takasbank-reveals-blockchain-platform-to-transfer-gold-3335) - [T-Labs](https://tokenpost.com/Deutsche-Telekoms-T-Labs-launches-blockchain-e-mobility-pilot-Xride-3410) - [Santander](https://tokenpost.com/Santander-issues-20M-bond-using-Ethereum-blockchain-3406) - [Korean mobile carrier](https://tokenpost.com/Korean-mobile-carrier-launches-blockchain-project-ELYNET-3399) - [Mastercard, R3](https://tokenpost.com/Mastercard-R3-partner-to-develop-and-pilot-blockchain-cross-border-payments-solution-3391) - [Red Cat teams up with GoChain](https://tokenpost.com/Red-Cat-teams-up-with-GoChain-to-store-drone-data-on-blockchain-3367) - [Sberbank, Trafigura](https://tokenpost.com/Sberbank-Trafigura-trial-blockchain-based-solution-for-supply-of-Siberian-oil-3344) - [TokenPost](https://www.tokenpost.com)