TokenPost reporter
J Russ Isberto
Reporter
Stories by J Russ Isberto
- Russian power grid company to use blockchain technology to solve massive energy debt issue
Russian power grid Rosseti has chosen blockchain technology as the solution for the growing power debt in the country, which has amounted to $20.5 million due to lack of transparency.
· Technology
- Elliptic launches a risk-assessment tool for banks to identify trustworthy crypto exchanges
Elliptic, a risk-assessment crypto firm, has announced the launching of its new product that will provide banks the means to rank crypto exchanges based on years of collected data.
· Technology
- Ripple improves Xpring platform to boost growth of XRP developer community
The Xpring platform has been improved by Ripple to encourage developers to build around XRP resulting in community growth.
· Technology
- Blockchain technology poses money laundering, terrorist financing risks, says annual FINMA report
FINMA, the Swiss regulatory agency, has released its annual Risk Monitor report and identified blockchain technology as a risk that could increase the occurrence of money laundering and terrorist financing.
· Insights & Views
- JPMorgan’s blockchain-based Interbank Information Network attracts interest from over 80 Japanese financial firms
More than 80 Japanese banks plan to join JPMorgan’s Interbank Information Network in an attempt to strengthen their anti-money laundering security measures.
· Business
- Bank of Lithuania publishes paper on CBDC to nurture discussions around the new innovation
The Bank of Lithuania has published a paper on central bank digital currency (CBDC) that aims to facilitate more discussions and create strategies on how to move forward amidst fintech evolution.
· Insights & Views
- Saga stablecoin launches on Liquid platform; Will slowly gain independence once client trust is established
The Saga stablecoin is now live and is currently listed on the Liquid platform, with initial trade paired against USD, Bitcoin, and Ethereum.
· Business
- Swiss crypto-financial firm acquires approval from Swedish regulators to offer ETPs across EU
Swiss crypto financial firm Amun has managed to acquire the approval of Swedish regulators to see its ETP to retail investors across the EU, giving it a solid foothold in the region.
· Regulation
- LedgerX founders temporarily replaced after derivatives provider collided with CFTC
The board members of Ledger Holdings – the parent company of LedgerX – have announced they will be placing the exchange’s co-founders in an administrative leave after a commotion with the CFTC.
· People
- BNY Mellon, Credit Suisse moved funds for Telegram during $1.7B token sale: Report
A new document acquired by the SEC has revealed that Telegram used the services of BNY Mellon and Credit Suisse to move funds during its $1.7 billion ICO conducted last year.
· Business
- Brazil to impose fines on individuals failing to declare cryptocurrency transactions
The Department of Federal Revenue (RFB) has announced that it will be imposing fines on individuals who fail to declare their cryptocurrency transactions.
· Regulation
- South Korea to impose capital gains tax on crypto transactions; Bill slated for introduction in 2020
The South Korean government is currently drawing a bill that would apply capital gains tax on crypto transactions amidst authorities clamping down on crypto exchanges operating in the country.
· Regulation
- Italian copyright pioneer collaborates with blockchain firm to protect intellectual property
The Italian Society of Authors and Editors (SIAE) is collaborating with a blockchain company to offer a more secure and transparent platform for copyright management.
· Technology
- China to launch first phase of digital currency pilot program by end of 2019: Report
China is reportedly gearing up to launch an initial pilot program for its central bank digital currency that will be helmed by the country’s central bank and seven state-owned companies.
· Technology
- Ukraine passes final regulatory law for anti-money laundering; Taps Belarus exchange for more regulatory expertise
Ukraine has finally passed an anti-money laundering law for the crypto space, providing clear guidelines for traders and businesses on how to properly conduct a transaction in the future.
· Regulation
- Securitize acquires Japanese blockchain consultancy firm following backing from SBI Investment
Securitize has announced the acquisition of BUIDL, a Japanese blockchain consultancy firm that’s helping businesses establish authority in the crypto market.
· Business
- Kadena blockchain to track CBD oil in partnership healthcare-focused tech firm
The Kadena network has partnered with healthcare tech company Ryemdi to develop a CBD oil tracking platform that could transition to prescription drugs.
· Technology
- Bank of China lends $2.8B to SMEs using own blockchain-based bond issuance system
The Bank of China has issued $2.8B for Small and Medium Enterprises using blockchain technology amidst the massive adoption of the technology in the country.
· Technology
- Investment group acquires green light from the SEC for Bitcoin Futures fund
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the New York Digital Investment Group (NYDIG) to offer shares of its NYDIG Bitcoin Strategy Fund, which will invest in cash-settled bitcoin futures contracts, to ins…
· Business
- SEC taps British court to acquire deposition from former Telegram chief investment advisor
The Securities and Exchange Commission is trying to acquire a deposition from Telegram’s former chief investment advisor regarding the messaging app’s $1.7 billion token sale in 2018.
· Business
- CULedger reveals an EFT payment solution for credit unions in collaboration with R3, Luxoft
CULedger, a credit union service organization (CUSO), has unveiled a new cross-border payment solution that aims to improve fund transfer domestically and internationally.
· Technology
- Reserve Bank of India governor against the development of private digital currencies
The governor of India’s central bank is pushing against the idea of private companies issuing their own private currencies but admitted that they’re looking into the creation of a CBDC.
· Insights & Views
- Blockchain firm ChromaWay acquires Antler Interactive after setting up its gaming arm Chroma Studios
ChromaWay is trying to build its gaming catalog and has recently acquired Antler Interactive, a gaming studio that’s focusing its attention on developing mobile games.
· Business
- Canadian mining firm goes belly up; Owes local, federal government hundreds of thousands
Canadian government-assisted Great North Data crypto mining firm has now filed for bankruptcy owing taxpayers hundreds of thousands.
· Business
- New crypto derivatives trading platform Phemex can manage 300,000 TPS, says core developer
Former executives from Morgan Stanley has launched a derivative trading platform that is said to be 10 times faster than traditional exchanges and can handle 300,000 transactions per second.
· Business
- Microsoft creates blockchain-based incentive scheme with Enjin to recognize active members of Azure community
Microsoft and Enjin have created a reward scheme to recognize Azure community members for their contribution in helping the could computing platform gain more ground in the crypto sphere.
· Technology
- France to launch CBDC trial by end of Q1 2020
The central bank of France is planning to launch trial runs for its own central bank digital currency (CBDC) as interest in the digital space heightens.
· Technology
- OneConnect seeks to raise $500M for its upcoming IPO amidst global expansion of parent company Ping An
OneConnect has set the price of its upcoming IPO and is aiming to raise $500 million, which is significantly lower than the original $1 billion target.
· Business
- Bakkt CEO Kelly Loeffler appointed as U.S. senator by Georgia governor Brian Kemp
Georgia governor Brian Kemp has selected Bakkt CEO Kelly Loeffler as the replacement for Senator Johnny Isakson, with the appointment coming into effect on Jan. 1.
· People
- Gemini burns GUSD bringing total supply to 4.1 million
Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini has burned one-fifth of its stablecoin, Gemini Dollar (GUSD).
· Business
- Poloniex users could lose fund, account if they fail to withdraw tokens by Dec. 16, Circle warns
Circle announced that it will be taking the tokens of Poloniex users if they fail to withdraw their funds, with their Poloniex account also in danger of getting snagged.
· Business
- North Korean hacking group may be behind near-undetectable macOS malware
Lazarus, the infamous North Korean group, may be gearing up to launch another cyber-attack after a macOS malware has been discovered that has similarities with previous Lazarus virus.
· Insights & Views
- Etherscan.io blocked by China’s Great Firewall amidst massive blockchain adoption in the country
China’s Great Firewall has now censored the popular block explorer Etherscan.io as the country’s blockchain adoption barrels forward.
· Regulation
- DeFi startup secures $2M seed funding from Placeholder, Blockchain.com Ventures, Gnosis
Decentralized finance startup Zerion has just announced that it secured $2M in a seed round from Placeholder, Blockchain.com Ventures, Gnosis, with the funds to be used for DeFi services support.
· Business
- Global custodian bank’s blockchain development team gutted; Over 100 developers axed
State Street has apparently gutted its blockchain development team as it decided to move away from its DLT restructuring strategy and focus more on digital asset initiatives.
· Business
- British Virgin Islands to develop stablecoin backed by the U.S. dollar
The British Virgin Islands just announced the development of a stablecoin that’s pegged on the U.S. dollar, with more details to be unveiled during the BVI Digital Economy symposium.
· Technology
- UBS, Commerzbank, Credit Suisse successfully swap securities; Transaction recorded on a digital ledger
The UBS, Commerzbank, and Credit Suisse have successfully executed a transaction on the Eurex Repo F7-trading system and recorded the swap HQLAx’s digital collateral registry.
· Technology
- Juventus Football Club launches its own token allowing fans to vote on certain club decisions
Italy’s Juventus Football Club has released its own tokens that allow fans to vote on certain team decisions but it appears that not everyone is thrilled about this new development.
· Business
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka planning to create blockchain-based KYC platform; Interested companies encouraged to apply
Sri Lanka’s central bank is planning to create a KYC platform for its financial sector and is calling out experienced tech companies to apply for its development, with the application deadline set on Dec. 31.
· Technology
- Former CFTC chairman to join Willkie Farr & Gallagher Law Firm; To advocate for digital dollar development
Willkie Farr & Gallagher Law Firm has announced that it will be adding former Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo to its ranks.
· People