TokenPost reporter
J Russ Isberto
Reporter
Stories by J Russ Isberto
- Ukraine government signs MOU with Binance for cryptocurrency regulation
Ukraine and crypto exchange Binance are trying to create a crypto regulation that will help foster the growth of the country’s economy by appealing to global investors.
· Regulation
- Square Cash App charging 1.75 percent fee for bitcoin transactions; Breaks previous revenue record in Q3 2019
Square Cash App is now charging a fee for Bitcoin transactions, explaining that the reason behind the decision is to provide users with more transparency.
· Business
- European Union to create encompassing law for Libra, other stablecoins
The European Union will be conducting a meeting tomorrow aimed at regulating Libra and other stablecoins, essentially putting up the foundation of the regulatory framework that would govern this space in the future.
· Regulation
- EU reiterates negative stance towards Libra; Romania’s Fiscal Council said Libra will eliminate central banks’ effectiveness
The EU has once again maintained its stance against Libra saying that the stablecoin is far too vague to be given the go-ahead to operate within its borders.
· Regulation
- Azerbaijan to complete blockchain-based ID system by 2019’s end
Azerbaijan’s blockchain-based ID system will reportedly be completed by the end of 2019 and will be adopted in 2020, which will help credit firms manage personal data of its clients.
· Technology
- Hong Kong-based crypto exchanges offering security token trading now required to acquire SFC license
Hong Kong has recently bolstered its crypto regulation, releasing a position paper that requires crypto exchanges to acquire an SFC license if they’re offering trading services in security tokens.
· Regulation
- Hong Kong partners with China, Thailand to explore AI, DLT, CBDC initiatives
Hong Kong just launched a massive event this week that will explore initiatives like AI and digital ledger technology aimed at helping the fintech ecosystem grow.
· Technology
- Storj Labs to end conversion program on Jan. 1 following dip in conversion activity
Storj Labs just announced that it will discontinue its conversion programs that allow for the one-to-one conversion of SJCX to STORJ tokens, with the deadline set on Jan. 1.
· Business
- US House of Representatives to vote for a bill concerning CFTC’s role in crypto derivatives market
The House of Representatives is slated to vote on a bill that would widen the CFTC’s authority in the crypto space amidst the global evolution of the financial sector.
· Regulation
- Finland gives the thumbs up to 5 crypto services; Regulatory body to monitor successful registrants moving forward
Finland has now approved five crypto services to operate in the country after the law on the sector was put in place months prior.
· Regulation
- European Union plans to discuss creation of digital currency following draft’s proposal
The Finnish EU presidency drafted a proposal for the creation of digital currency by the European Central Bank in the wake of global digital currency efforts by corporate giants.
· Regulation
- Lead plaintiff argues that Ripple still liable due to ongoing XRP sales
Ripple is still battling a lawsuit from lead plaintiff Bradley Sostack after it tried to dismiss the case by bringing up a statute of repose that expired in 2016.
· Business
- Turkey to finish developing digital lira by end of 2020, says President Erdogan
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has mandated the development of the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) to be finished by 2020 to attract global investors.
· Technology
- Authorities seize crypto exchange Einstein assets, properties; company’s sole director uncontactable
The Einstein Exchange offices are being seized by authorities following orders from the Supreme Court of British Columbia due to clients complaining they can’t access their assets.
· Regulation
- Stellar burns half of its Lumen supply; Giveaway Program, Partnership Program decreased to 6 billion, 12 billion respectively
Stellar has just burned half of its Lumen supply, bringing it down from 105 billion to 50 billion, 20 billion of which is currently in circulation.
· Business
- U.S. Federal Reserve looking to hire a new manager to oversee research on digital currencies
The U.S. Federal Reserve is looking to hire a new manager that would carry out research on the application of stablecoins, digital currencies, and distributed ledger technology.
· Regulation
- Microsoft unveils token-minting platform for enterprises
Microsoft is currently developing the Azure Blockchain Platform that will allow business to define, create and manage ledger-based tokens.
· Technology
- TRON hits 4 million user milestone following TRX’s addition to Samsung’s Blockchain Keystore
TRON is currently celebrating yet another milestone after surpassing 4 million users on its platform following TRX’s integration into Samsung’s decentralized app store.
· Business
- Bittrex gets hit by a lawsuit by angel investor following the hacking of 100 bitcoins in April
Angel investor Greg Bennett has filed a lawsuit against crypto exchange Bittrex on the grounds of poor security protocols that resulted in the hacking of 100 bitcoins.
· Business
- U.K. releases extensive crypto tax guidelines; Rules subject to changes depending on market evolution
The British Tax Authority has released a comprehensive guide for crypto taxation covering a host of activities, adding that this rule will be subject to change depending on how the market evolves.
· Regulation
- BitMEX users’ emails leaked following exchange’s blunder
BitMEX is currently under fire after it accidentally released thousands of its users’ emails spurring fears of possible massive phishing attacks.
· Business
- Binance to set up office in South Korea as the crypto trading platform looks to expand its operations
Binance is apparently looking to set up an office in South Korea in an attempt to further bolster its crypto influence as positive market sentiment persists following China’s renewed interest.
· Business
- Craig Wright opts out of non-binding agreement with Kleiman estate; Trial to proceed on March 2020
Craig Wright, the man who’s claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto, has bowed out of a settlement agreement with Kleiman estate resulting in the case moving forward.
· Business
- Telegram’s test wallet released on macOS, Windows, Linux 64; Meeting with SEC on Feb. 18, 19
Telegram has now released a crypto test wallet for its Gram token following the SEC’s filing of a restraining order against the launching of the said token.
· Business
- Bitcoin trades sideways amidst celebration of its 11th anniversary
Bitcoin white paper just celebrated its 11th birthday but bitcoin price remains static despite seeing massive price upsurge last week following CCP leader Xi Jinping’s blockchain endorsement.
· Investing
- Crypto custodian Koine acquires e-money license from UK FCA; Looks to obtain more licenses amidst Brexit threat
Koine, a digital asset custodian, recently announced that it acquired an electronic money institution license from the FCA that is applicable across Europe as long as U.K. remains in the E.U.
· Business
- XBT Corp. settles with SEC over unregistered bitcoin-funded swaps sale
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against First Global Credit after the company sold unregistered swaps to U.S. investors from 2016 to 2017.
· Regulation
- Traders can now use their phone to conduct futures trading via Binance Future’s Android app; iOS support to follow
Binance has now launched an Android app that will allow users to trade futures contracts using their smartphone, with iOS support following soon.
· Business
- Swiss crypto bank successfully acquires a license to operate in Singapore
A crypto bank based on Switzerland has successfully obtained a license in Singapore that will allow it to provide digital asset investment strategies in the country.
· Business
- Indian state Tamil Nadu to create state policy on AI, blockchain tech; Approval expected to arrive in 10 days
Tamil Nadu, India’s 10th largest state, will be creating a state-wide policy that would oversee the application of blockchain and AI in various sectors including the e-service delivery system.
· Regulation
- Ripple’s Xpring initiative funds product focusing on biometrics cybersecurity
Ripple’s Xpring initiative has invested in a cybersecurity product that can increase the protection of users through the combination of biometrics and multi-party computation.
· Business
- U.K.-based real-estate giant to tokenize $643 million worth of properties in collaboration with tZERO, Tezos blockchain
Alliance Investments is partnering with tZERO and Tezos blockchain to tokenize $643 million worth of property, the first of which is currently under construction and is slated for completion in 2022.
· Business
- Upcoming blockchain-based carbon exchange to help offset aviation industry’s carbon footprint
An upcoming blockchain-based carbon exchange will be launching next year that is poised to help the aviation industry deal with its growing carbon emissions that’s contributing to global warming.
· Technology
- Guangzhou government to fund blockchain-based initiatives, educational programs: Report
The Guangzhou government will be allocating around $140 million to fund blockchain-based initiatives and educational programs amidst Xi Jinping’s endorsement of the nascent industry.
· Technology
- Libra facing the same resistance that electricity, internet met before mass adoption, Calibra head argues
Calibra head David Marcus recently defended Libra and said that the resistance on the project is similar to the difficulty that the internet and electricity faced during nascent stages.
· People
- Bitmain co-founder Micree Zhan to launch lawsuit against the company following recent ousting
Bitmain co-founder Micree Zhan is currently preparing a lawsuit against Bitmain after fellow co-founder Jihan Wu ousted him out of the company due to collision of strategies.
· Business
- FTX launches futures index on China-related cryptocurrencies despite restrictions still in place
FTX has launched the Dragon Perpetual Futures Index that will be tracking eight Chinese-related cryptocurrencies despite the country’s aversion towards crypto trading.
· Business
- Web3 Foundation, Polychain Capital team up to launch investment fund to push Polkadot adoption
Polychain Capital is collaborating with Web3 Foundation to fund projects that are going to be built on the back of the Polkadot network, which is slated to launch later this year.
· Business
- China to examine, provide certification to digital payment and blockchain-related services
China will be handing out official certifications on software and hardware products that are being used to develop blockchain-based digital payments amidst Xi Jinping’s endorsement of the technology.
· Regulation
- Samsung integrates TRON into its Blockchain Keystore; TRON founder says partnership is a significant milestone
TRON has now been integrated into Samsung’s Blockchain Keystore, exposing it to the tech giant’s global reach, which amounts to near one billion users.
· Technology