TokenPost reporter
J Russ Isberto
Reporter
Stories by J Russ Isberto
- Ripple secures $200M in Series C Funding; Looks to increase customer count by 30-40% in 2020
Ripple has just secured $200 million in a Series C funding round, with the fund to be allocated for the company’s global expansion and adding more talent to its pool.
· Business
- SEC postpones decision on Wilshire Phoenix Bitcoin ETF to February
The SEC will be delaying its decision on the U.S. Treasury bond exchange-traded fund (ETF) by Wilshire Phoenix to Feb. 26 as it needs more time to examine the proposal.
· Regulation
- 8 U.S. Congress members sent a letter to the IRS asking for clearer guidelines about crypto tax
8 members of the U.S. Congress, including four from the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, have asked the IRS to provide more clarity about crypto tax, with emphasis on forks and airdrops.
· Regulation
- Alibaba secures 2 U.S. patents to secure, expedite its blockchain network
Alibaba Group has won two U.S. patents that could be used to secure and accelerate its blockchain network in a bid to get ahead of the crypto race.
· Technology
- CipherTrace partners with anti-human trafficking organization to address modern-day slavery
Blockchain security company CipherTrace has teamed up with the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII) to solve human trafficking and track down black funds moving in the crypto space.
· Insights & Views
- JCB partners with blockchain-based firm Paystand to replace Japan’s legacy payment system
Tokyo-based credit card issuer JCB and blockchain commercial payment provider Paystand will be collaborating to address Japan’s outdated legacy payment system that is causing businesses to lose billions of dollars.
· Technology
- SEC trying to amend accredited investor definition to expand its scope
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be expanding the definition of accredited investors in an attempt to include more individuals into the fold.
· Regulation
- U.S. Federal Reserve Governor expresses concern about Libra’s massive global reach
U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard said that Libra’s two billion reach has the potential for rapid adoption, which could pose risks down the line.
· People
- Indian tech company released three blockchain-powered applications for government agencies, other sectors
Infosys, an Indian multinational tech firm, has launched three blockchain-powered applications for government agencies, insurance companies, and the shipping industry.
· Technology
- Task force overseeing digital currency research will be accelerated in mid-2020, ECB president said
ECB President Christine Lagarde said that the task force that is overseeing the research on the digital currency will be accelerated next year, while the current system will be maintained and upgraded.
· People
- Tech firm Lukka to release crypto tax tool for IRS regulatory compliance
Lukka, an accounting and tech company, will be launching a crypto tax tool on Jan. 15 that will help investors comply with IRS guidelines and accurately calculate the taxes they own to the agency.
· Technology
- SEC charges Blockchain of Things $250,000 for ICO violation; Payment to be completed in the next 30 days
Blockchain startup Blockchain of Things will be paying the SEC a total of $250,000, with each payment divided into four segments at $62,500 each.
· Regulation
- Fidelity Digital Assets to expand in Europe due to increasing interest from institutional investors
Fidelity’s crypto arm Fidelity Digital Assets (FDAS) will be expanding its services to cater to European investors and has appointed Barclay’s former managing director.
· Business
- Former Kraken financial analyst allegedly fired after discovering irregularities, illicit activities in the exchange
Crypto exchange Kraken is currently facing a lawsuit from its former financial analyst who is accusing the exchange of wrongful termination after the employee found questionable activities within the company.
· Business
- Circle to focus its efforts on stablecoins in 2020; 2 more executives stepping down due to the transition
Payments firm Circle has announced that it will be focusing most of its efforts on the stablecoin sector weeks after Co-CEO Sean Neville stepped down from his role.
· Business
- EY launches third-gen Zero-Knowledge Proof for public, private Ethereum blockchain
Accountancy juggernaut Ernst & Young (EY) has announced the launching of its Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) blockchain technology that is able to significantly reduce transaction costs through consolidation capabilities.
· Technology
- HTC to undergo another major downsizing to focus efforts on key products like blockchain smartphones
HTC will be undergoing another major staff downsizing as it reportedly wants to stay competitive by focusing its efforts on key products like the VIVE and EXODUS.
· Business
- An aerospace company is using blockchain tech to combat counterfeit products in aviation industry
Honeywell, an aircraft part producer, is partnering with iTRACE and SecureMarking to reduce the proliferation of counterfeit products in the aviation industry.
· Technology
- State Street partners with crypto exchange Gemini to launch pilot for digital assets
State Street and crypto exchange Gemini are planning to launch a pilot for digital assets that will provide reporting scenarios for user holdings on Gemini.
· Business
- Accenture backs blockchain firm TradeIX; Amount of funding remain undisclosed
Accenture has announced that it has collaborated and invested on TradeIX to push trade finance into its next evolutionary stage.
· Business
- Blockchain firm Conflux receives massive backing from Chinese government
Blockchain startup Conflux is getting the support of the Chinese government as it plans to open its research institute by the end of the year, while its incubation center will be available on June 2020.
· Technology
- Alrosa collaborates with Everledger to track provenance of diamonds using blockchain technology
Alrosa and tech company Everledger are planning to launch the blockchain-based WeChat Mini Program to track the provenance of diamonds.
· Technology
- Bitcoin video garners over a million views on Tiktok amidst bearish trend
A Bitcoin video has gone viral on TikTok as the leading cryptocurrency by market capitalization struggles to reach $7,000.
· Investing
- CoinFLEX adds former Binance executive Leslie Tam as chief strategy officer
CoinFLEX has snatched former Binance executive Leslie Tam and appointed him as the exchange’s chief strategy officer amidst the crypto industry gaining more popularity in the mainstream scene.
· People
- Venezuelan president to give citizens 0.5 petro ($30) as a Christmas bonus
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be handing out 0.5 petro ($30) to the general masses in an attempt to push nationwide adoption of the cryptocurrency.
· Insights & Views
- R3 successful in seven-week trade finance trial; 100% of participants believe solutions will improve their industries
Marco Polo – the brainchild of R3 and TradeIX – announced that it has successfully completed a seven-week trade finance trial run that involved the participation of over 70 organizations.
· Technology
- Tata Consultancy Service launches new blockchain DevKit to accelerate smart contract creation
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the IT arm of Tata Group, has announced the launching of a new blockchain DevKit that accelerates smart contract creation by 40%.
· Technology
- CipherTrace launches new product to help banks detect unregistered VASPs, MSBs
CipherTrace has launched a new product for banks that will help identify unregistered virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and cryptocurrency money service businesses (MSBs) in their system.
· Technology
- Diginex, United Nations launch blockchain tool to decrease exploitation of Hong Kong migrant workers
Diginex and a United Nation related organization have announced the launching of a blockchain tool to protect immigrant workers in Hong Kong from exploitative practices.
· Technology
- ASB Bank participated in TradeWindow's $1.7M seed funding round
ASB Bank has once again participated in a seed funding round by TradeWindow, with other investors from the shipping and logistics sector joining in to raise $1.7 million.
· Business
- Darknet marketplace Hydra launching an ICO on Dec.16 to fund its global expansion
Hydra, Russia’s largest darknet marketplace, will be conducting an initial coin offering (ICO) on Dec. 16, with the funds intended to fuel its global expansion.
· Business
- SEC charges Shopin’ founder with orchestrating ICO fraud; Accused deactivates social media, Telegram account
The SEC has charged Shopin’ founder Eran Eyal with defrauding investors as the agency found that the funds raised in last year’s ICO weren’t allocated to the promised project.
· Regulation
- Crypto exchange Kraken looking for operations director to helm ‘special-purpose depository institution’
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is looking for an operations director that would oversee a ‘special purpose’ bank in Wyoming in a bid to gain more independence.
· Business
- ING bank developing custody project for digital assets: Report
Dutch Bank ING is reportedly developing a custodial technology that will allow clients to safely store digital assets and accelerate crypto adoption in the financial sector.
· Technology
- TokenSoft submits transfer agent filing to the SEC; Decision to arrive in 30 days
Security token firm TokenSoft has filed for the registration of a transfer agent to the SEC in its attempt to create an “automated investment bank.”
· Business
- Chainalysis launches compliance solution for Bitfinex amidst class-action lawsuit
Chainalysis has launched a compliance solution software for Bitfinex that aims to identify suspicious funds and eliminate illicit activities that may be lurking within the exchange.
· Business
- Grant Thornton releases second report on Cryptopia liquidation; Pulls back nearly $5M from various sources
Grant Thornton, the liquidator for the collapsed Cryptopia exchange, said that it managed to acquire $4.6 million from the on-going investigation, but admitted reimbursement is a long way from being completed.
· Business
- ConsenSys shuts down India, Philippine offices; 11 people axed by the closure
ConsenSys, the Ethereum blockchain development firm, has closed down its offices in India and the Philippines citing ‘realignment’ of teams in the two regions.
· Business
- SEC chairman says DLT can foster capital growth; Revealed that agency has been studying digital assets
SEC Chairman Jay Clayton said that his agency has been studying digital assets and will be taking a ‘measured’ yet ‘proactive’ approach on the crypto industry.
· Insights & Views
- Napoleon Bitcoin Fund launches in France to cater institutional investors
French asset management company Napoleon AM has launched a new bitcoin fund tied to CME's cash-settled bitcoin futures.
· Business