TokenPost reporter
Shampa Mani
Stories by Shampa Mani
- Abkhazia cuts off power to 15 crypto mining facilities
The Republican unitary enterprise Chernomorenergo, a state-owned power company of Abkhazia, has announced that the government has cut power to some cryptocurrency mining farms due to concerns over electricity consumpt…
· Regulation
- DMM.com to quit cryptocurrency mining business
Japanese entertainment and e-commerce giant DMM.com is reportedly quitting the cryptocurrency mining business, Bitcoin.com reported referring to local media reports.
· Business
- Reserve Bank of India shelves central bank digital currency plans – Report
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reportedly shelved its plans to launch its own digital currency, according to The Hindu Business Line.
· Technology
- Iran moves to criminalize using Telegram’s cryptocurrency ‘Gram’
The government of Iran has moved to criminalize the use of Gram, the representative cryptocurrency of the TON Blockchain being developed by instant messaging service Telegram, Tehran Times reported.
· Regulation
- Bermuda Monetary Authority publishes draft rules for cryptocurrency custody
The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) last month released a draft Code of Practice for Digital Asset Custody for consultation.
· Regulation
- Crypto project Bakkt secures $182.5M in first funding round
Bakkt, the digital assets platform developed by Intercontinental Exchange – the operator of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), has secured $182.5 million in its first round of funding.
· Business
- Difficult to set specific timeline to come up with cryptocurrency regulation, says Indian Minister Pon Radhakrishnan
Following recent reports that suggested that Indian authorities were considering introducing regulation for cryptocurrencies, Quartz has reported that the government is in no rush to finalize the rules.
· Regulation
- Italian government brings together 30 experts to build national blockchain strategy
Italy’s Ministry of Economic Development has brought together 30 experts in a bid to boost the country’s blockchain strategy, CoinDesk reported.
· Regulation
- Taiwan to launch blockchain-based digital ID system in 2020
The government of Taiwan is planning to roll out a blockchain-powered digital identification system in 2020, local news outlet CNA reported last week.
· Technology
- Huobi Group to launch EOS exchange in Q1 2019; releases English language white paper for Huobi Chain
Huobi Pool, the crypto mining arm of Huobi Group, is going to launch the company's first EOS exchange in Q1 of 2019.
· Business
- Kraken launches margin trading for Bitcoin Cash and Ripple
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has announced the launch of margin trading for Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ripple (XRP).
· Investing
- Wyoming ‘financial technology sandbox’ bill seeks to boost blockchain and fintech innovation
A bill has been introduced in Wyoming’s state legislature to establish financial technology sandbox in order to boost innovation in this space.
· Regulation
- Crypto exchange Huobi Russia launches legal lab
Huobi Russia, the Russia-based cryptocurrency exchange launched by Huobi Group, has announced the setting up of Huobi Legal Lab which will provide legal support to local digital projects.
· Business
- Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – December 28th, 2018
U.S. SEC’s OCIE includes cryptocurrencies in 2019 examination priorities The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is going to place particular emphasis on digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, coins, an…
· Technology
- Korea Customs Service seeks to implement blockchain and AI
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has announced that it has completed the technology verification of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for their application in the e-commerce business.
· Technology
- Seoul Metropolitan Government to set up innovation fund with focus on blockchain and fintech
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday announced its plans to set up a ₩131 billion innovation fund in 2019.
· Technology
- Indian media giant The Times Group invests in blockchain-based referral platform Ponder
Brand Capital, the strategic investment arm of BCCL – India's largest media group, has acquired a stake in Ponder, a blockchain-based referral platform.
· Business
- U.S. Department of Defense seeks to improve disaster relief efforts using blockchain
The U.S. Department of Defense sees immense potential in blockchain technology to improve disaster relief efforts.
· Technology
- Waves launches new version of blockchain explorer
Blockchain startup Waves has announced the launch of Explorer 2.0 – a new version of its blockchain explorer which has been optimized for mobile devices.
· Technology
- Mizuho to launch proprietary cryptocurrency pegged to Japanese yen in March 2019 – Report
Japanese financial services giant Mizuho is reportedly planning to launch a proprietary cryptocurrency in March 2019, Nikkei Asian Review reported.
· Business
- Litecoin becomes official cryptocurrency partner of UFC title fight
The Litecoin Foundation has announced that Litecoin is the official cryptocurrency partner of UFC 232: JONES vs. GUSTAFFSON 2.
· Business
- National Bank of Kuwait launches RippleNet-powered cross-border payments service
The National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the first local bank and the first shareholding company in Kuwait, has announced the launch of a cross-border payments service powered by Ripple’s blockchain technology.
· Technology
- Crypto derivatives exchange Huobi DM announces support for EOS
Cryptocurrency derivatives trading platform Huobi DM has announced support for EOS, the fifth largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
· Business
- Indian authorities mull crypto regulation instead of complete ban
Indian authorities are considering introducing regulation for cryptocurrencies instead of imposing a complete ban, The New Indian Express reported December 26th.
· Regulation
- Investment robo-adviser Wealthfront allows users to track crypto holdings via Coinbase integration
Palo Alto-based investment robo-adviser Wealthfront last week announced that it has added support for Coinbase accounts.
· Business
- Popula stores complete text of a news article on Ethereum blockchain
Popula, a news site backed by blockchain startup Civil, has stored a news article on the Ethereum blockchain.
· Technology
- Crypto exchange Binance adds XRP as quote asset
Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance has announced that it has added support for XRP as quote asset.
· Business
- Wine firm Madison to acquire stake in cryptocurrency startup BitOcean
Madison Lab, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed wine firm Madison, is planning to acquire a stake in cryptocurrency startup BitOcean, the South China Morning Post reported.
· Business
- GMO Internet to stop development, manufacture and sales of cryptocurrency mining machines due to huge losses
Japanese IT giant GMO Internet has announced its plans to stop the development, manufacture, and sales of cryptocurrency mining machines.
· Business
- SBI Holdings’ VCTRADE starts accepting deposits in Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP
VCTRADE, a cryptocurrency exchange launched by Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings, has started accepting deposits in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP (XRP).
· Business
- Reliance Industries jumps on the blockchain bandwagon with investment in Shell and BP-backed Vakt
Indian energy and telecom behemoth Reliance Industries has acquired 5.56% equity stake in Vakt Holdings Limited (VHL), a blockchain-based startup.
· Business
- Blockchain Beyond Finance: A look at the technology’s implementation in rewards and loyalty programs
Blockchain technology, which is being tested across multiple industries, has the potential to significantly transform customer loyalty programs.
· Technology
- Ubitquity introduces blockchain-based lien alert system
Blockchain real estate startup Ubitquity has announced the launch of a ‘Lien Alert’ – a blockchain-based solution that allows lenders to be alerted to a lien placed against them.
· Technology
- Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – December 21st, 2018
US lawmakers seek to exclude cryptocurrencies from federal securities laws Two U.S. lawmakers, Reps. Warren Davidson and Darren Soto, have introduced a new bill that seeks to exclude cryptocurrencies and certain other…
· Technology
- US lawmakers seek to exclude cryptocurrencies from federal securities laws
Two U.S. lawmakers, Reps. Warren Davidson and Darren Soto, have introduced a new bill that seeks to exclude cryptocurrencies and certain other digital assets from the definition of a security, CoinDesk reported.
· Regulation
- Overstock.com subsidiary, Teton County sign MOU to develop blockchain-based land records platform
Medici Land Governance, a blockchain subsidiary of Overstock.com focused on land administration, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Teton County, Wyoming to develop a blockchain-based land records and…
· Technology
- Crypto-powered digital lending platform SALT adds USDC as collateral option
SALT, a company that enables cryptocurrency holders to secure cash loans by collateralizing their blockchain assets, has announced its partnership with CENTRE Consortium.
· Business
- Peter Thiel, Digital Currency Group back crypto investment platform Layer1
Crypto investment startup Layer1 has raised $2.1 million in a seed funding round backed by Peter Thiel, Digital Currency Group, Jeffrey Tarrant, and others.
· Business
- UK government, FCA respond to Treasury Committee’s crypto-assets report
The UK Treasury Committee has published the responses of the government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to its crypto-assets report.
· Insights & Views
- BBVA, EIB Group sign first blockchain-based synthetic securitization in European Union
Spanish banking giant BBVA has announced that it has signed a synthetic securitization of €1 billion with the European Investment Bank Group, formed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (…
· Technology