TokenPost reporter
Shampa Mani
Stories by Shampa Mani
- Indian Tax Authority sends letter to crypto owners seeking in-depth details: Report
The Indian Ministry of Finance’s Office of Deputy Director of Income Tax is reportedly sending letters to citizens asking details about their cryptocurrency-related dealings, Bitcoin.com reported.
· Regulation
- Thousands of Binance users’ KYC data reportedly hacked; CEO Zhao urges not to fall for FUD
Update: In its official blog post, Binance has said that it has found inconsistencies between the data that is being distributed in the Telegram group and the data in its system.
· Business
- VeChain brings blockchain technology to imported wines in China
Blockchain startup VeChain has announced that over 20 wines have gone live on the Wine Traceability Platform (WTP), powered by its one-stop BaaS platform VeChain ToolChain.
· Technology
- SEC twisted facts about $100M kin token sale, says Kik in its latest filing
In its response to the SEC’s June complaint, Kik has stated that the securities watchdog has twisted facts and taken comments out of context, CoinDesk reported.
· Business
- Coinbase considers adding support for eight new digital assets including Algorand and Dash
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has revealed that it is considering adding support for eight new crypto assets on its platform.
· Business
- International data protection and privacy enforcement authorities seek clarity on Facebook’s Libra
Representatives from a number of data protection and privacy enforcement authorities from around the world have issued a joint statement on global privacy expectations of the Libra network.
· Regulation
- North Korea stole $2B from banks and crypto exchanges to fund weapons of mass destruction, says UN
In a new report, the U.N. has estimated that North Korea has stolen around $2 billion from banks and cryptocurrency exchanges via cyberattacks, Reuters reported.
· Insights & Views
- Facebook makes new hires to lobby for its cryptocurrency ‘Libra’
Social networking giant Facebook has appointed a former aide to the chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to lobby for Libra, its cryptocurrency project announced in June, Politico reported.
· People
- South Korean B2B fashion platform Singang Market joins Terra Stablecoin Alliance
Sinsang Market, a South Korean business-to-business fashion platform, has joined Terra Alliance, Cointelegraph reported citing local news portal EconoNews.
· Technology
- Web3 Foundation Director to step down to pursue DAO project
In a series of Twitter post on Monday, Ryan Zurrer, director at Web3 Foundation (W3F), has announced that he will be stepping down from his role.
· People
- Tezos becomes 15th crypto asset available on eToro’s US platform
Global investment platform eToro has added support for the Tezos token (XTZ) on its platform, offering people the chance to invest in the “self-amending” crypto.
· Investing
- IBM, Chainyard launch Trust Your Supplier blockchain network; Nokia, Lenovo and others join as founding members
IBM and Chainyard have announced a new blockchain initiative that aims to address the challenges related to supplier information management.
· Technology
- Litecoin halves crypto rewards for miners to 12.5 LTC
Litecoin, the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap at the time of writing, has halved its block reward for miners, CoinDesk reported.
· Technology
- Volvo Cars uses blockchain for tracing ethically sourced cobalt
Leading Car brand Volvo Cars has produced the first electric cars which contain recycled cobalt mapped on a blockchain, Reuters reported.
· Technology
- Mastercard seeks senior-level blockchain and crypto execs, hints new crypto wallet solution
Financial giant Mastercard is seeking top-level executives for spearheading its cryptocurrency and blockchain efforts, The Block reports citing the company’s job board.
· Business
- Iranian government not to recognize cryptocurrency-related trading under new law
The government of Iran has introduced a new law in the wake of people’s growing interest in mining digital currencies in order to avoid international sanctions.
· Regulation
- PBoC seeks to accelerate the pace of digital currency R&D this year
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has revealed its intention to accelerate the pace of the research and development of its digital currency in the forthcoming months.
· Technology
- Beowulf is changing the computing paradigm towards decentralized ownership
The epic poem of Beowulf has survived for thousands of years, and has inspired generations of readers across the world. Written using unrhymed poetry, it tells of the exploits of the monster-slaying hero Beowulf in th…
· Technology
- 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 th…
· Technology
- Brave rolls out token tipping service for Twitter users
Privacy-focused web browser Brave has announced the rollout of a tipping service, whereby users can “tip” individual content creators on Twitter with Basic Attention Token (BAT).
· Business
- Bitcoin.com to launch cryptocurrency exchange in September
Bitcoin.com is gearing up to launch a new cryptocurrency exchange next month which will complement its existing bitcoin-focused products and services.
· Business
- CFTC says LedgerX not yet approved to launch bitcoin futures, CEO Paul Chou threatens to sue
Following recent reports that suggested LedgerX was launching physically-settled bitcoin futures contracts in the U.S. this week, it would appear that the launch did not take place.
· Business
- Beowulf offers $10k in cash prizes to report bugs in its blockchain code
In a bid to spur development of its native blockchain, decentralized cloud network Beowulf has announced $10,000 in earnings for the first phase of its hackathon.
· Business
- Unstoppable Domains and Zilliqa Foundation launch $250k grant program to boost .zil adoption
Unstoppable Domains, a San Francisco-based company building domains on blockchains, and blockchain platform Zilliqa have launched a $250,000 .zil grant program for wallets and exchanges.
· Business
- Crypto broker BCB goes live on R3’ Corda network via LAB577’s DASL
Cryptocurrency prime brokerage BCB Group has announced that it is live with Digital Asset Shared Ledger (DASL), an enterprise-grade solution that gives institutions increased control, automation and connectivity requi…
· Technology
- Monex, Recruit and LINE’s subsidiary Unblock Ventures back blockchain loyalty startup Loyyal
Blockchain powered loyalty and rewards platform Loyyal has announced that it has secured investments from Asian giants including Recruit, Monex Group, and Unblock Ventures, which is LINE Corporation's blockchain inves…
· Business
- Two Australian blockchain advocacy groups merge for stronger, united voice
The Australian Digital Currency Association (ADCA) and Blockchain Australia (BA) – the two leading groups aiming to promote blockchain technology – have officially signed their merger agreement on July 22.
· Business
- 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.
· Regulation
- Crypto banking startup Bitwala secures $13M in Series A funding led by Sony, NKB Group
German crypto banking startup Bitwala has raised €13 million in a Series A round led by Sony Financial Ventures and NKB Group.
· Business
- Blockchain insurance startup B3i releases first product on R3’s Corda
Blockchain insurance startup B3i has announced the launch of its first product on R3’s Corda blockchain platform.
· Technology
- Bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain unveils cryptocurrency exchange ‘The PIT’
Blockchain, a leading provider of bitcoin wallet and blockchain explorer, has announced the launch of its first cryptocurrency exchange platform.
· Business
- Publicis Sapient, Microsoft support launch of fully digital trade finance bank in UAE
Tech titan Microsoft and Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation hub of French advertising giant Publicis Groupe, are supporting the launch of Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank (AGTB), which claims to be the world’s f…
· Business
- Another executive leaves crypto exchange Coinbase, rejoins CFTC
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has lost one more executive with the departure of Andrew Ridenour, the company’s product counsel for institutional products, The Block reports.
· People
- KT, Nongshim Data System to implement blockchain tech in food distribution system
South Korean telecom giant KT has announced its plans to expand blockchain-based food distribution ecosystem in collaboration with Nongshim Data System (NDS), an affiliate of South Korean food and beverage company Non…
· Technology
- Crypto exchange Bitstamp to provide GBP transfers via new partnership
European cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp has announced that UK-based investors will be able to transfer GBP directly to and from their Bitstamp accounts.
· Business
- Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – July 26th, 2019
US Senate to hold hearing on cryptocurrency and blockchain regulatory frameworks on July 30 The United States Senate Banking Committee is going to hold a full committee hearing on digital currency and blockchain regul…
· Technology
- Fate of over $100M worth of crypto investments undecided as India ponders crypto ban bill
The recent cryptocurrency ban bill that has been submitted to the Indian government could put a question mark on $111 million that has been invested in various initial coin offerings (ICOs) conducted in the country si…
· Regulation
- Japanese brokerage firm Monex Group applies to join Facebook’s Libra
Japanese online brokerage and owner of Coincheck cryptocurrency exchange Monex Group has reportedly applied to join the Libra Association.
· Business
- Albertsons Companies’ subsidiary Safeway partners with bitcoin rewards company Lolli
Safeway, an Albertsons Companies’ subsidiary and the leading grocer across Washington, Colorado, and California, has teamed up with bitcoin rewards company Lolli to allow users to earn bitcoin when they shop.
· Business
- Kenyan Blockchain and AI taskforce recommends CBK to consider creating digital currency
The Distributed Ledgers Technology and Artificial Intelligence Task Force set up by the government of Kenya has submitted its report to Joseph Mucheru EGH, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information and C…
· Insights & Views