TokenPost reporter
J Russ Isberto
Reporter
Stories by J Russ Isberto
- Authorities to proceed with trial against Ethereum developer after supposed violation of U.S. sanctions
The case against Ethereum staff Virgil Griffith is moving forward as authorities believe they have enough evidence for the trial regarding violation of U.S. sanctions.
· Regulation
- Microsoft to create blockchain card game based on a gamebook published in 1985
Microsoft is collaborating with a gamebook firm and game developer company to create a card game based on the ‘Way of the Tiger,” a fantasy gamebook published in 1985.
· Business
- Dutch crypto companies cry foul about over-restrictive alterations in AML regulations
Dutch crypto firms are at odds with regulators over the strict alterations made in the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5) that could stifle the growth of the nascent industry.
· Regulation
- South Africa to introduce new crypto law to stop people from moving large funds outside the country
The central bank of South Africa is set to introduce a new rule that would stop people from circumventing currency control, a move that’s currently being contested by the country’s blockchain community.
· Regulation
- Binance partners with TravelByBit to launch a cryptocurrency-backed travel reward card
Crypto exchange Binance has partnered with TravelByBit to launch a crypto travel reward card, slated for release in early 2020.
· Business
- Canada-based fund manager files prospectus for Bitcoin Fund IPO
3iQ, a Canadian fund manager, announced that it has listed preliminary prospectus for its Bitcoin Fund in relation to an upcoming initial public offering of Class and Class F units.
· Business
- Crypto exchange Poloniex absorbs TRXMarket to expand its decentralized ecosystem
Crypto exchange Poloniex has successfully acquired TRXMarket resulting in the exchange changing its name to Poloni DEX.
· Business
- Crypto exchange Kraken latest to join Silvergate Exchange Network; Deposits, withdrawals at zero commission
The crypto-friendly financial firm Silvergate has added crypto exchange Kraken to its Silvergate Exchange Network, allowing Kraken users to withdraw and deposit with zero fees.
· Business
- EU should create its own digital currency amidst the rise of stablecoins, ECB official said
A member of the European Central Bank is calling forth the creation of digital currency and a new payment system, citing risks from other monetary powers that have entered the space.
· People
- Coinbase files compliance monitoring system patent to shut down illegal accounts
Coinbase is trying to add another layer of security into its system by patenting a compliance monitoring model that can identify accounts engaged in illicit activities.
· Technology
- Afghan government to use blockchain to patient data, curb fake drug industry
The Afghan government has tapped a blockchain company to use the technology in its healthcare sector, with emphasis on solving the prevalent fake drug industry in the country.
· Technology
- Indian government creating national blockchain policy for several sector applications
The Indian government is currently creating a national blockchain strategy that will oversee the development of pilot programs that can be applied to various sectors including trade and finance.
· Regulation
- HSBC to shift $20B worth of paper-based records to blockchain platform 'Digital Vault'
HSBC will be transferring $20B worth of paper records on a blockchain platform as it predicts the rise of private placement in the next three years.
· Technology
- BitStop installs 5 new Bitcoin ATMs bringing overall count to 130; Firm targets 500 machines by end of 2020
Bitstop has successfully installed five new Bitcoin ATMs after partnering with Simon Mall and is aiming to reach 500 installations by the end of 2020.
· Business
- Former UBS veteran launches digital securities issuance platform; Aims to improve outdated legacy system
A former executive of the Swiss bank UBS has now partnered with two crypto experts to launch Tokenyz, a digital securities issuance platform to address the outdated system of financial institutions.
· Business
- Swiss federal government to amend DLT/Blockchain law to strengthen regulation
The Swiss federal government is trying to improve its current financial regulatory framework that will oversee the growth of the crypto industry within its borders.
· Regulation
- Omni Rentals shuts down after raising $35M last year from Ripple executives, several investors
Omni Rentals has now shut down its operation a year after it raised $35 million, with its poor business model apparently the reason behind the closure.
· Business
- Blockchain-based energy trading platform Power Ledger to launch pilot program in New Delhi
One of the leading companies in blockchain-based energy trading is bringing its expertise to New Delhi and will launch a pilot program allowing communities to harvest and sell power via peer-to-peer.
· Technology
- U.S. Judge orders IRS to narrow BitStamp investigation on the William Zietzke case
A U.S. judge has ordered the IRS to narrow down its auditing investigation on William Zietzke but proceeded to throw out the petitioner’s other claims including his right to financial privacy.
· Regulation
- Red Cross to create blockchain-backed ‘local currencies’ to promote economic growth to struggling regions
Red Cross will be rolling out its blockchain-backed ‘local currency’ to struggling areas in Africa in a bid to encourage economic growth and resilience.
· Technology
- BitBay drops Monero out of its listings due to AML compliance; Users advised to withdraw XML by March 2020
BitBay will be delisting Monero out of its listing due to concerns over money laundering activities, with support and trading halted by February next year.
· Business
- New York judge orders 3 Telegram employees to give deposition including CEO Pavel Durov
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has been ordered to give his deposition on January 7 or 8 regarding the case between the messaging app and the SEC.
· Business
- Thailand aims to use blockchain to fight VAT fraud oil exportation industry
Thailand is currently working on a pilot program that will use blockchain tech in the oil industry. The project is slated to launch in mid-2020.
· Technology
- BNY Mellon joins blockchain consortium Marco Polo for trade finance needs of its clients
BNY Mellon has partnered with Marco Polo to provide its clients with an easier and faster way of conducting trade finance, an endeavor that the bank wants to accelerate.
· Technology
- Bitfinex, Tether faces another class-action lawsuit based on Paradise Paper
Tether and Bitfinex are facing a second class-action lawsuit that is similar to the case filed last month that accuses both entities of Bitcoin manipulation.
· Business
- Australia’s Monash University launches blockchain research center for fields of disciplines
Monash University has just launched a research center that will help spread the understanding and application of the technology to other disciplines like law and medicine.
· Technology
- Ripple now owns nearly 10% of MoneyGram stock following completion of $50M investment
Ripple has now completed its $50 million pledge to MoneyGram, with the fund used to accelerate the use of the On-Demand Liquidity product used in various territories.
· Business
- Illegal crypto market considered third biggest ‘black industry’ in China with an estimated valuation of $15B
A Chinese official has revealed that more than 25,000 domestic crypto companies tried to issue their own token, while only 4,000 are focusing their efforts on pure blockchain initiatives.
· Insights & Views
- BCB Blockchain provides $300,000 support for the Philippines to accelerate startups, create smart cities
BCB Blockchain signs memorandum of agreement with the Philippines to accelerate blockchain startups, nurture talents, and create smart cities.
· Technology
- Bavarian government to use blockchain to authenticate documents
The Bavarian government is looking to use blockchain technology to authenticate the validity of a document, an initiative that could penetrate several state agencies if proved successful.
· Technology
- Tezos teams up with Singapore government-backed blockchain platform for training initiative in Q1 2020
Tezos and Tribe – the Singapore government-backed blockchain platform – will be launching a training program in the first quarter of 2020 to mint more professionals in the crypto space.
· Business
- Bakkt bitcoin futures contracts slated to launch in Singapore on Dec. 9
ICE has just announced that its Bakkt bitcoin futures contracts will be launching this Dec. 9 in Singapore, a move that’s expected to attract more investors to the crypto space.
· Business
- China shuts down BISS crypto exchange, arrests more than 10 people; Binance ‘raid’ still unclear
Crypto exchange BISS has reportedly been shut down by Chinese authorities as the country is currently on the path of halting any crypto trading activities to shield its investors from the volatile market.
· Regulation
- Fidelity Digital Assets to add first crypto exchange by end of 2019; Counterparty needs to pass strict evaluation
Fidelity Digital Assets is set to add its first crypto exchange by the end of the year in an attempt to add traditional small players and retail investors into the crypto fold.
· Business
- Binance CEO accuses four unnamed crypto exchanges of launching smear campaign against his company
Binance CEO CEO Changpeng Zhao is defending his crypto exchange after a crypto news outlet published a piece claiming that a Binance office in Beijing has been raided by Chinese authorities.
· Business
- Chainalysis axed 39 of its employees; R&D team took the brunt of the hit
Crypto analyst company Chainalysis has let go 39 employees in a bid to boosts its profit margins and protect itself from an unforeseen “economic downturn.”
· Business
- Cypherpunk Holdings acquires 4.5% stake in Wasabi Wallet creator zkSNACKs
Cypherpunk Holdings invests $337,500 in Wasabi Wallet’s creator zkSNACKs, resulting in a 4.5% equity, with Cypherpunk head joining zkSNACKs’ board of directors.
· Business
- South Korea clamps down on unregistered crypto exchanges with new regulation
Bosses of South Korean-based crypto exchanges will be facing jail time if their platform fails to register with the FSC, while legislators also loosen some regulations on the nascent market.
· Regulation
- Franklin Templeton taps wallet provider Curv for the digitization of its fund’s shares
Franklin Investment Firm has partnered with crypto wallet provider Curv for the tokenization of its fund’s share in a bid to bolster trust between the company and its clients.
· Business
- Dubai Future Council launches blockchain policy in preparation for the next 50 years
In a bid to stay ahead in the blockchain race, the Dubai Future Council has launched the Dubai Blockchain Policy that will oversee the tech’s adoption in the next 50 years.
· Regulation