TokenPost reporter
Shampa Mani
Stories by Shampa Mani
- Blockchain in 2019: Continued mainstream adoption, increased standardisation of platforms and protocols, and survival of the fittest
The ongoing pessimism in the crypto market has not deterred blockchain evangelists about the technology’s prospects in the forthcoming year.
· Insights & Views
- Neo Global Capital backs decentralized blockchain computing platform Ultrain
Blockchain investment firm NEO Global Capital (NGC) has made an investment in Ultrain, a decentralized blockchain computing platform for large-scale business and industrial applications.
· Business
- Indian telecom regulator TRAI completes blockchain pilot with IBM
IBM has announced that it has successfully completed blockchain pilots with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Indian telecom providers, The Economic Times reported.
· Technology
- Bitwala launches crypto banking services in Germany
German crypto banking startup Bitwala has officially announced the rolling out of its services in the country and has started on-boarding 40,000 pre-registered customers.
· Business
- Boerse Stuttgart Group partners with solarisBank to develop crypto trading venue
solarisBank, a Berlin-based fintech company, has announced that it will support Boerse Stuttgart Group, Germany’s leading floor-based exchange, in creating an end-to-end infrastructure for digital assets.
· Business
- Alibaba Cloud, Citi and others join Hyperledger blockchain project
Hyperledger, a cross-industry collaborative blockchain initiative, is hosting its inaugural Hyperledger Global Forum with over 650 attendees.
· Technology
- Growing use of cryptocurrencies and mobile payments forces EU to strengthen rules on criminalisation of non-cash payment fraud
The European Union is going to strengthen the rules to combat fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment.
· Regulation
- LINE Plus acquires GrayHash to boost security of fintech and blockchain services
LINE Plus, a South Korean subsidiary of Japanese messaging giant LINE, has announced the acquisition of GrayHash, an online security research center focused on “offensive research” and counter-hacking techniques.
· Business
- Crytpo exchange Kraken plans private listing at $4B valuation: Report
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is reportedly considering a private offering and has sent out emails to its high-value clients informing them about the investment opportunity, Finance Magnates reported.
· Business
- UNICEF Innovation Fund backs blockchain-based projects focused on emerging markets
The UNICEF Innovation Fund has announced its plans to invest $100,000 in six companies each to support the development of blockchain solutions.
· Business
- US CFTC seeks to better understand Ethereum Blockchain
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking to better understand the technology, mechanics, and markets for cryptocurrencies, with a particular focus on ether and its use on the Ethereum Network.
· Technology
- Vermont state agencies establish blockchain working group
Four state agencies in Vermont have come together to establish a working group to look into the opportunities and challenges presented by blockchain technology.
· Technology
- Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini launches mobile app for Android and iOS
Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini has announced the launch of its mobile app which will offer users an easy and safe way to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies.
· Business
- UK intends to regulate cryptocurrency exchange providers under EU’s AMLD 5: FATF
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has noted the efforts by the UK government to implement a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchange providers.
· Regulation
- Currencies Direct taps blockchain startup Ripple’s xCurrent for real-time remittances to India
Currencies Direct, a UK-based foreign exchange and payment solutions company, is going to launch a new real-time cross-border remittance to India using blockchain startup Ripple’s solution, Finextra reported.
· Technology
- IBM Research, Hello Tractor collaborate to bring AI and blockchain to agribusiness
IBM Research, in collaboration with Hello Tractor, has announced a new project that will focus on developing an agriculture digital wallet based on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
· Technology
- Kakao’s blockchain platform Klaytn announces eight new partners
Klaytn, a blockchain platform announced by South Korean internet giant Kakao's blockchain subsidiary GroundX, has announced its partnerships with blockchain projects developed by large user pool-based service providers.
· Business
- Bitcoin price likely to find support at $3,000 and $2,500, says BTCC co-founder Bobby Lee
With the ongoing pessimism in the crypto market, BTCC co-founder Bobby Lee expects bitcoin price to find support at $3,000 and $2,500, Forklog reported.
· Investing
- State Farm trials blockchain solution to accelerate auto claims subrogation process
State Farm, a group of insurance and financial services companies throughout the United States, has announced that it is testing a blockchain solution aimed at accelerating the subrogation process for auto claims.
· Technology
- Coinone Transfer launches blockchain-powered remittance service ‘Cross’
Coinone Transfer, a payments business and a subsidiary of crypto exchange Coinone, has introduced a blockchain-powered remittance mobile app and web service, which, according to Ripple, is the first such service in So…
· Technology
- Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange insures listed assets through Callaghan Insurance
The Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange (GBX) has announced that it is introducing insurance coverage for listed assets in collaboration with Callaghan Insurance.
· Business
- Australia’s NTI joins blockchain trial on end-to-end beef traceability
National Transport Insurance (NTI), a provider of truck insurance for Australian transport businesses, has announced that it is participating in a blockchain trial aimed at boosting food safety, improving animal welfa…
· Technology
- South Korea’s Shinhan Bank adopts blockchain technology for Interest Rate Swap transactions
South Korea-based Shinhan bank is seeking to expand the use of blockchain technology in its processes, The Korea Times reported.
· Technology
- We have enough money to make the company profitable, clarifies blockchain smartphone maker Sirin Labs
Sirin Labs, the creator of blockchain smartphone FINNEY, has issued a clarification on its recent interview with Bloomberg and said that it has enough funds make the company profitable.
· Business
- HTC’s blockchain phone Exodus starts shipping, selects Brave as default browser
Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has selected Brave as the default internet browser for its blockchain smartphone Exodus, Finance Magnates reported.
· Business
- Ontario Securities Commission seeks crypto and blockchain experts for fintech advisory committee
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has announced that it is seeking applications for membership on its Fintech Advisory Committee (FAC).
· Technology
- Barclaycard partners with blockchain startup Evernym on self-sovereign identity
Barclaycard, a credit card and payment services provider and a division of Barclays, has announced its plans to explore the benefits of “self-sovereign identity” (SSI).
· Technology
- Cryptocurrency exchange Huobi expands to Russia
Huobi Group, the operator of a leading cryptocurrency exchange of the same name, last week launched its first Russian office in Moscow.
· Business
- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company taps IBM Blockchain for oil and gas production
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates, is collaborating with tech giant IBM as it seeks to leverage blockchain technology.
· Technology
- Blockchain Beyond Finance: A look at technology’s implementation to transform voting process
Voting is yet another area where firms and governments are heavily exploring the potential of blockchain technology.
· Technology
- Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – December 7th, 2018
G20 leaders reiterate commitment to regulate crypto assets At the recently held G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, world leaders have reiterated their commitment to regulate crypto-assets. The G20 Leaders’ Summit ended on D…
· Technology
- US lawmakers seek to prevent crypto price manipulation
Two U.S. congressmen from Florida and North Carolina have introduced bipartisan bills that aim to prevent cryptocurrency price manipulation.
· Regulation
- BitGo announces support for Universal Protocol Platform and its family of tokens
Cryptocurrency custodian and security firm BitGo has announced that it will support the Universal Protocol Platform and its family of tokens.
· Business
- Four European banks execute live commercial paper transaction via Corda blockchain platform
Four European banking giants, Commerzbank, ING, Natixis, and Rabobank, along with enterprise blockchain software firm R3, have successfully executed a live commercial paper transaction on the Euro Debt Solution applic…
· Technology
- Gazprombank to develop cryptocurrency service with Avaloq and Metaco
The Swiss branch of Russian banking giant Gazprombank is planning to roll out a cryptocurrency service to its clients in mid-2019.
· Business
- Universal Protocol Alliance, Cred join Blockchain Advocacy Coalition as board members
The Universal Protocol Alliance, a coalition of blockchain organizations formed in August 2018, and crypto lending startup Cred are joining the board of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition (BAC) to provide education and…
· Technology
- Two Sigma Ventures, ConsenSys back crypto startup Trustology’s $8M seed funding round
Trustology, a London-based startup focused on securing digital assets, has raised $8 million in a seed round led by Two Sigma Ventures, the early-stage venture capital fund of Two Sigma, and participation from ConsenSys.
· Business
- Canadian crypto exchange Coinsquare acquires crypto wallet startup BlockEQ
Canadian cryptocurrency trading platform Coinsquare has announced the acquisition of BlockEQ, a cryptocurrency wallet on the Stellar network.
· Business
- SBI Holdings, R3 to establish joint venture to promote Corda blockchain platform in Asia
Japanese financial services giant SBI Holdings is going to establish a joint venture with U.S.-based enterprise blockchain software firm R3 in January 2019, Nikkei reported.
· Business
- Malaysian central bank and securities regulator issue joint statement on crypto and ICO regulation
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) today issued a joint statement on the regulation of digital assets in the country.
· Regulation