Ed Drake
articles by Ed Drake
Business 15 February 2019
South Korean telecom firm to launch local cryptocurrency
South Korea’s largest telecoms company, KT Corporation, has been chosen to operate a new local cryptocurrency platform for Gimpo City, according to reports.
Business 15 February 2019
Huobi Wallet brings Bitcoin SV, other cryptos to Japan and Korea
Huobi Wallet has extended support for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin SV to its customers, now including those based in Japan and Korea.
Tech 14 February 2019
South Korea’s KEB Hana Bank files 46 blockchain-related patents
The largest foreign exchange bank in South Korea has filed 46 patents for blockchain technology, in one of the largest single disclosures of blockchain IP ever disclosed.
Business 14 February 2019
Police: ‘Battle royale’ gamers stole $2.47M from Turkish crypto firm
Twenty-four suspects have been arrested in a simultaneous operation, after Turkish police received reports of a theft of cryptocurrencies.
Business 13 February 2019
Crypto analysis firm Chainalysis secures $30M in Series B funding
Chainalysis, a cryptocurrency analysis firm, has raised $30 million in Series B funding, as the firm looks to expand into new markets in 2019.
Business 13 February 2019
Bithumb to launch new crypto exchange in UAE
South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb is to launch a new exchange in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a partnership with blockchain VC firm Nvelop.
Business 8 February 2019
Voyager Digital set to become first publicly traded crypto broker
The broker will list on the TSX exchange in Toronto, after acquiring the currently listed UC Resources.
Business 8 February 2019
‘Crypto celebrity’ plans to give Mt. Gox clients their money back
Brock Pierce plans to recover the company’s $1.2 billion in assets and to disperse them to those who had their funds locked down in the collapse.
Business 7 February 2019
Opera now lets users buy crypto from mobile browser
Opera is the latest company to take crypto to the mainstream, following the announcement the firm will include the functionality to buy cryptocurrency alongside its wallet service on Android.
Business 7 February 2019
FCA issues scam alert after £197M lost to scams in 2018
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning to investors over investment scams, many of which are connected to unregulated cryptocurrency companies in the United Kingdom alone.
Business 6 February 2019
Mt. Gox trustee bank book exposes crypto dumping
The revelations show significant sell-offs by the trustee, which researchers have linked to specific declines in value in BTC, BCHABC and the wider cryptocurrency sector.
Business 6 February 2019
Isle of Man eyes ‘premium’ businesses with new blockchain initiatives
The self-governing British dependency announced a regulatory sandbox for blockchain development as well establishing a Blockchain Office, in a bid to shore up its position as a jurisdiction of choice for the blockchain sector.
Business 1 February 2019
South Korea’s ICO ban to stay, regulators say
South Korea will maintain its ban on initial coin offerings (ICOs), following analysis of a survey conducted by the country’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), on behalf of Korea’s chief financial regulator
Business 1 February 2019
Crypto exchange Binance adds support for debit, credit card deposits
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has announced it is now supporting debit and credit card payments, in a move expected to help increase mainstream adoption.
Business 31 January 2019
‘Financial business alliance’ between LVC, Line, Nomura focuses on blockchain
LVC Corporation, Line and Nomura Holdings Inc. have executed a memorandum of understanding, which will see the firms forming a “financial business alliance” to focus on developing blockchain technology.
Tech 31 January 2019
Fujitsu applies blockchain for electricity exchange
Japanese tech giant Fujitsu has announced a new blockchain-based system for electricity exchange, with a model capable of improving efficiency by up to 40% on existing systems.
Tech 30 January 2019
Money Button: Large OP_RETURN data sizes on Bitcoin SV are the start of a new era
Crypto payment button app Money Button has announced support for giant OP_RETURN data sizes, allowing users to store files of up to 100KB on a single transaction on the blockchain.
Tech 30 January 2019
Report: 60% of crypto exchange hacks come from 2 groups
Blockchain analysis software company Chainalysis said there were two “prominent, professional” criminal gangs behind attacks totaling over $1 billion in losses—sufficient to account for 60% of all hacking activity over the reporting period.
Business 25 January 2019
IMF: Blockchain in Malta poses ‘significant risks’ to financial system
According to the IMF, the rise of the blockchain sectors in Malta isn’t wholly innocent, and could in fact pose “significant risks” to the country’s financial system.
Tech 25 January 2019
Italian Senate approves amendment to include blockchain terms in law
The Italian senate has approved amendments to legislation which introduces blockchain terms into existing laws, marking the first significant steps from the government towards regulation for the blockchain sector.
Business 24 January 2019
Blockchain.com becomes latest crypto wallet adding support for Bitcoin SV
Leading crypto wallet Blockchain.com has become the latest service to onboard support for Bitcoin SV, as the currency continues to gain traction as the closest reflection of Satoshi’s original vision.
Business 24 January 2019
In Pennsylvania, crypto exchanges do not require money transmission license
The U.S. state of Pennsylvania has confirmed that cryptocurrency exchanges are not money transmitters, and therefore do not require a money transmission license to do business in the state.
Business 23 January 2019
Token platform BlockEx ends 2018 with layoffs
The London-based startup had been tipped for big things, but after a number of setbacks over the past year, BlockEx now finds itself laying off staff, in a bid to remain viable.
Business 23 January 2019
Mastercard fined $640M for obstructing cross-border payments
Mastercard has been handed a fine of over €570 million ($648.4 million) after it was found to be obstructing merchants from accessing lower fees for cross-border payments, contrary to European Union (EU) law.
Business 18 January 2019
Google blocking ‘Ethereum’ ads in latest crypto blacklist
Decenter, a smart contract security audit startup based in Belgrade, said it had noticed a “hard stop” on ads containing references to “Ethereum,” including for terms such as “Ethereum security audits.”
Business 18 January 2019
Huobi launches regulated crypto exchange in Japan
Singapore cryptocurrency exchange group Huobi has announced the launch of Huobi Japan, a regulated and fully licensed cryptocurrency exchange, following a recent merger with BitTrade.
Business 17 January 2019
Giga Watt woes continue: Bankrupt miner forced to shut down operations
Embattled cryptocurrency miner Giga Watt has been dealt another serious blow, with the news that the firm has been forced to shutter its day-to-day operations with immediate effect.
Business 17 January 2019
Security researchers uncover crypto scam spoofing BBC News
A cryptocurrency scam which spoofs the BBC News website has been uncovered by security researchers, in the latest crypto scam to target unsuspecting victims.
Business 16 January 2019
Bitmain cutbacks claim another victim—Wormhole
Is Wormhole, the supposed game-changing project backed by Bitmain CEO Jihan Wu, is no longer “auxiliary” to the Chinese cryptocurrency mining company?
Tech 16 January 2019
Fake movie on Pirate Bay injects malicious code to steal crypto: report
A fake movie file on The Pirate Bay torrent tracker is infecting computers and stealing cryptocurrency, in the latest example of cryptocurrency-based malware to sweep through online communities.
Business 16 January 2019
Hack forces Cryptopia exchange offline with mounting losses
The scale of the attack remains unclear for the time being, though there is the suggestion that as many as 19,931 ETH and 48 million Centrality (CENNZ) tokens could have been moved from the exchange, totaling in the region of US$3.65 million.
Business 11 January 2019
Blockchain Terminal-linked firm sued in New York over unpaid fees
A company affiliated with professional crypto trading service Blockchain Terminal is being sued in New York, over allegations it failed to make licensing payments due under contract.
Business 11 January 2019
Paris tobacconists branch out, start selling cryptocurrency
Tobacconists in Paris are now offering their customers the chance to pick up some cryptocurrency along with their cigarettes, lotto tickets and daily newspaper, as part of an initiative set to sweep across the sector in France in 2019.
Business 10 January 2019
European watchdog calls for ‘EU-wide’ crypto regulation
In a document designed to inform policymakers, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) suggested that current regulatory gaps should be addressed by the EU Commission.
Business 10 January 2019
Thailand welcomes first crypto exchanges as SEC issues new licenses
Overseen by the Ministry of Finance, the first licenses have been issued to four cryptocurrency exchanges, with two rejected and a further license application still in the balance.
Tech 9 January 2019
Ledger announces new ‘Nano X’ hardware wallet
French crypto startup Ledger has unveiled their latest model, described as a “next-generation cryptocurrency wallet,” to enable users to send and receive cryptocurrency through their smartphone.
Business 9 January 2019
Japan’s FSA plans new regulation for unregulated crypto firms
The financial regulator in Japan is planning a new round of regulation for the crypto sector, this time targeting firms currently operating on an unregulated basis.
Business 4 January 2019
Coinbase celebrates Q4 achievements—but still no Bitcoin SV?
Coinbase has rung in the New Year with a roundup of its achievements in the last quarter of 2018, yet there still remains a glaring omission—still no support for Bitcoin SV.
Business 4 January 2019
Token exchange startup to trade Nasdaq companies
DX.Exchange said customers would be able to trade in tokens representing shares in different listed tech companies when the exchange goes live on January 7.
Business 3 January 2019
Phillip Frost coughs up $5.5M to settle pump-and-dump charges with SEC
Diversified healthcare firm OPKO Health has become the latest to propose settlement terms in a case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over alleged breaches of securities laws.
Business 3 January 2019
Japan’s DMM axes crypto mining unit amid plunging profits
E-commerce powerhouse DMM.com has announced it is winding down its cryptocurrency mining operations, the latest firm to roll back after a disastrous year for the mining sector.
Business 2 January 2019
UK regulator launches fraud probe into 18 crypto companies
The Financial Conduct Authority launched the latest round of investigations on Sunday as part of an operation to clean up the crypto sector, with as many as 18 firms under formal investigation.
Business 2 January 2019
A ‘criminal act’? Iran bans Telegram cryptocurrency
Authorities in Iran have outlawed the native token of the message app Telegram over fears it could undermine attempts to resuscitate the country’s economy.
Business 28 December 2018
‘For the better survival of Bitmain’: Embattled Jihan Wu, co-CEO reportedly resigning
The crypto mining company's top man, Jihan Wu, is reportedly about to quit his chief executive position at Bitmain, along with his co-CEO Micree Zhan.
Business 28 December 2018
Just deserts: Morgan Stanley fined for money laundering failings
In an ironic turn of events, banking group Morgan Stanley has been handed a substantial fine for anti-money laundering failures, despite previously criticizing cryptocurrency exchanges for a lax approach to AML checks.
Business 28 December 2018
Disgraced Mt. Gox CEO affirms ‘not guilty’ plea in closing arguments
The former CEO of failed cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox has reiterated that he is entirely innocent in the events leading up to its demise, in closing arguments at his trial in Japan.
Tech 27 December 2018
Bank of America files patent for blockchain-powered cash handling
The patent describes a system for facilitating cash handling via the blockchain, leveraging the advantages of distributed ledger tech for improving efficiency and effectiveness.
Business 27 December 2018
Bithumb ‘not responsible’ for compensating $335K hack victim, says court
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has escaped without liability following legal action brought by a victim of a $335,000 hack on the platform, in a landmark ruling for the cryptocurrency sector.
Business 26 December 2018
Crypto miner maker Ebang reports profit drop in latest IPO attempt
Ebang has reported “significant decreases” in both revenues and gross profit over the third quarter of the year, in a refiling of its draft IPO prospectus with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Business 26 December 2018
US lawmakers take hard line on Iran’s crypto plans
Lawmakers in the United States have presented a bill designed to respond to Iran's efforts to develop a national cryptocurrency, the latest sanctioned state to turn its focus to crypto.
Business 21 December 2018
Is Bithumb faking 94% of trading activity?
An expose by crypto exchange rating service CER has found that as much as 94% of the trading volumes on Bithumb had been faked, with the practice first dating back to the summer of this year.
Business 21 December 2018
Belgium expands list of crypto fraud sites in latest warning to investors
The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) has added an additional 14 sites to its list, which now runs to a total of 113.
Tech 20 December 2018
Next self-proclaimed ‘Bitcoin Killer’? Chia crypto yet to win over critics
The creator of BitTorrent, Bram Cohen, thinks he’s got a solution to the negligible climate impact of mining cryptocurrencies, with his new Chia token.
Business 20 December 2018
UK tax agency rolls out guidelines for crypto tax treatment
The tax authority of the United Kingdom has published guidelines on the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies, in its most comprehensive advice to crypto investors to date.
Business 20 December 2018
US bankers up in arms over Robinhood’s checking, savings products
Representatives of two of America’s leading bodies for the banking industry have hit out at Robinhood Financial over their checking and savings accounts, which claim to offer an alternative to mainstream bank accounts.
Business 17 December 2018
You got served: Bitmain, ‘team of conspirators’ ordered to respond to BCH market manipulation lawsuit
Jihan Wu, his company Bitmain, and their alleged ‘team conspirators” have 21 days to respond to a lawsuit accusing them of intentional fraud and market manipulation during the recent Bitcoin Cash BCH network upgrade.
Editorial 14 December 2018
Is ABC’s end game plan to help China sideline Bitcoin?
Far from creating a state of anarchy, it appears that the ABC faction may have been working for the Chinese government after all.
Business 14 December 2018
Boerse Stuttgart to launch crypto trading venue in 2019
Boerse Stuttgart, the firm behind the Stuttgart Stock Exchange, is to launch a crypto trading market in 2019, in partnership with solarisBank.
Business 14 December 2018
Basis stablecoin folds, will return $133M in investments
Basis, the heavily funded stablecoin, has confirmed rumors that it is to close, returning all of the funds to investors.
Business 13 December 2018
UK crypto exchange CEX.IO makes KYC mandatory
UK-based cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO is now requiring all new customers to undergo a mandatory verification process, as part of enhanced anti-money laundering processes.
Business 13 December 2018
What’s in a name? Blockchain Terminal ICO fraudster allegedly has ‘two identities’
The promoter behind the Blockchain Terminal (BCT) initial coin offering (ICO) has been unveiled as a disgraced Canadian fraudster who had adopted a fake persona, in an elaborate scheme that fooled employees as well as investors.
Tech 12 December 2018
PayPal rolls out blockchain rewards scheme for staff
Payments giant PayPal has become the latest company to deploy blockchain technology, in this case as a means of delivering a new incentive platform for the company’s employees.
Business 12 December 2018
Opposition lawmaker eyes tax policy overhaul for Japan’s crypto market
A Japanese lawmaker has proposed a set of changes to the taxation of virtual currency transactions designed to remove the current barriers to growing trading volumes in the country.
Business 7 December 2018
‘Unauthorized’ crypto service draws ire of Italian, Maltese regulators
The chief financial regulator in Italy, the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB), has issued a cease and desist order to SolutionsCM Ltd. over an alleged breach of Italian securities laws.
Business 7 December 2018
Reserve Bank of South Africa launches crypto law consultation
The National Treasury and The Reserve Bank of South Africa have published a consultation document on overhauling national payment systems, in a move that could pave the way for greater integration of cryptocurrencies in the national economy.
Business 6 December 2018
New York approves blockchain-based ‘real-time’ digital payment service
The New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has authorized a new system from Signature Bank which will allow corporate customers to make bank payments in a form of virtual currency.
Tech 6 December 2018
Vertcoin loses over $100,000 in 51% attack: report
Vertcoin (VTC) has fallen prey to a 51% attack, with some estimates suggesting losses have already surpassed $100,000 as a result of double spend transactions on the chain.
Interviews 5 December 2018
Dr. Craig Wright engages in philosophical discussion about ‘hidden math’ of Bitcoin
The chief scientist at nChain, Dr. Wright expressed his theories on the philosophical and technical underpinnings of Bitcoin in conversation with Michael Hudson, founder and CEO at crypto advisory service Bitstocks, in the first episode of the Bitstocks podcast.
Tech 5 December 2018
Homeland Security wants a look at activities on private blockchains
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has become the latest arm of government to take an interest in blockchain, this time with a view to develop forensic analysis tools for analysing blockchain transactions.
Tech 30 November 2018
Botnets increasingly used for crypto mining malware, Kaspersky says
The findings from cybersecurity company Kaspersky Labs identifies a growing trend towards using botnets in conjunction with crypto mining attacks.
Business 30 November 2018
Steemit restructures with 70% job losses, citing crypto slowdown
Decentralised publishing and content distribution platform Steemit has become the latest blockchain company to feel the heat, as the slowdown in legacy cryptocurrency markets continues to bite.
Business 29 November 2018
Texas securities issues cease and desist as ICO crackdown continues
The Texas Securities Commissioner has issued an emergency cease and desist order against My Crypto Mine and Mark Royer, an individual involved with the company, in the latest wave of enforcement action against illegal initial coin offerings.
Tech 29 November 2018
‘No longer sound money’: Developer Unwriter slams ABC’s ‘self-inflicted scars’
The prolific developer, who was behind a number of the useful infrastructure projects in the Bitcoin Cash ecosystem, recently shared his thoughts on the so-called BCH hash war and the ABC group—and they're not pretty.
Business 28 November 2018
Trustee wants deadline extension for Mt. Gox civil claims
Nobuaki Kobayashi has disclosed efforts to convince the courts to grant an extension to the deadline for filing claims, in a move that would afford Mt. Gox claimants more time in lodging their applications for compensation.
Business 28 November 2018
Nasdaq defies plummeting prices to push ahead with crypto futures in 2019
Stock exchange firm Nasdaq will reportedly continue with plans that will see them launch BTC futures in 2019 despite the ongoing price slide, according to sources close to the company.
Tech 23 November 2018
Wormhole apparently launching on Bitcoin SV ‘soon’
Not much is known about this project supposedly based off Bitcoin SV. On GitHub, the team behind this project said they are “launching soon,” noting that “our fork of Wormhole is in active development.”
Business 23 November 2018
Fresh Bitcoin Cash insider trading suit vs Coinbase goes to court
An amended class action lawsuit alleging insider trading at cryptocurrency wallet and exchange service Coinbase will go to court, after an initial application to the courts was turned down on a legal technicality.
Tech 23 November 2018
Norway scraps power subsidies for crypto miners
Norway has scrapped a subsidy granted to cryptocurrency miners in the country, which could result in spiraling energy costs for operators in the sector.
Business 22 November 2018
Colorado securities comes after new batch of alleged fraud ICOs
Commissioner Gerald Rome of the state Division of Securities gave the go-ahead for action against 18 new ICOs in addition to two that are still outstanding, after the division’s ICO Task Force identified potential regulatory breaches.
Business 22 November 2018
Heavily indebted crypto mining firm Giga Watt declares bankruptcy
U.S.-based crypto mining company Giga Watt has declared bankruptcy, with debts amounting to millions still outstanding to their creditors, according to a filing before a district court in New York.
Business 21 November 2018
North Dakota securities chief clamps down on ‘fraudulent’ Union Bank Coin
The North Dakota Securities Commissioner has issued a cease and desist order against Union Bank Payment Coin, over suggestions it had been promoting fraudulent securities in the form of its recent initial coin offering.
Business 21 November 2018
To prevent tax fraud, Spain will keep an eye on 15,000 crypto investors
The Spanish Ministry of Finance is to inspect some 15,000 individuals who have engaged in cryptocurrency transactions over the last year.
Business 16 November 2018
Ohio lawmaker eyes bill allowing ICOs to ‘sidestep’ securities laws
Rep. Warren Davidson, of the 8th district of the state of Ohio, is reportedly weighing up a prospective bill which would treat ICOs as a type of product, rather than a form of security, thereby reducing the influence and oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Business 16 November 2018
Crypto miner Canaan’s $400M IPO application in Hong Kong expires
The application from cryptocurrency mining equipment manufacturer Canaan for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong has lapsed.
Business 15 November 2018
Avoid unlicensed crypto exchanges, Thai SEC tells public
The chief financial regulator of Thailand has warned investors to avoid the unregulated Q Exchange, following an order issued to the firm to stop advertising on account of a lack of a sufficient license.
Business 15 November 2018
Tokyo police arrest 8 linked to $68M crypto pyramid scheme
Police in Tokyo have arrested eight individuals in connection with a BTC pyramid scheme alleged to have swindled as much as $68.4 million from its victims.
Business 14 November 2018
Crypto fraud scheme lands US trader in jail, plus $1.1M in fines
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has weighed in with its latest penalty, following multi-agency efforts to bring a fraudulent crypto trader to justice.
Business 14 November 2018
Iran’s answer to SWIFT removal? A state-issued cryptocurrency
After the Central Bank of Iran was ejected from the global SWIFT network following the reintroduction of U.S.-led sanctions, sources close to the CBI have confirmed it is stepping up efforts to introduce state-backed digital currency.
Business 9 November 2018
‘Not recommended’: Bank of Israel publishes report on central bank crypto
After devoting a team of researchers to establishing whether the bank should move towards a digital currency of its own, the findings have come back negative.
Business 9 November 2018
EtherDelta founder faces raps over unregistered securities exchange
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the founder of crypto trading platform EtherDelta with running an unregistered securities exchange, in the latest example of the regulator taking direct enforcement action against those who flout securities law.
Tech 8 November 2018
Salesforce new patent kills email spam with blockchain
San Francisco-based B2B software company Salesforce has been awarded a patent for a blockchain application aimed specifically at spam email.
Tech 8 November 2018
Hackers exploit StatCounter analytics, targeting crypto exchange Gate.io
Hackers strike again—this time with popular analytics script StatCounter, in an attack that researchers say was an attempt to target a specific cryptocurrency exchange.
Tech 7 November 2018
Thai revenue department turns to blockchain for tackling tax avoidance
The revenue department in Thailand has become the latest government body to turn to blockchain technology, after it announced plans for tackling tax avoidance and investigating fraud.
Business 7 November 2018
Crypto Bulls launches first UAE-registered crypto exchange
Crypto firm Crypto Bulls has teamed up with Al Zarooni Group and Gulf Coin Gold to launch the Crypto Bulls exchange, an exchange which will focus on the Dubai market.
Business 2 November 2018
Crypto ATM firm Coinsource secures New York’s BitLicense
The world’s largest crypto ATM company Coinsource has become the latest firm to secure a coveted virtual currency license in New York.
Business 2 November 2018
Hong Kong rolls out regulatory standards for crypto exchanges, funds
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) published a statement detailing the new regulatory standards set to come into effect for cryptocurrency investors and businesses.
Tech 1 November 2018
Bank of America secures yet another patent, this time for storing private keys
Bank of America has secured its latest cryptocurrency patent, in the form of a hardware device designed to securely store cryptographic keys offline.
Business 1 November 2018
‘No issue’: South Korean banks cleared to work with crypto companies
Choi Jong-Ku, commissioner of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), said there were no particular issues that should prevent banks from servicing crypto clients.
Business 31 October 2018
Stablecoins are not cryptocurrencies, Japan’s FSA confirms
The Financial Services Agency (FSA) has said that stablecoins are not virtual currencies under the definition provided in the Payment Services Act, in a statement that could have profound effects on how stablecoins are regulated in Japan.
Business 31 October 2018
Coinbase eyes adding ‘hundreds’ of cryptos after closing new $300M round
Crypto exchange and wallet service Coinbase has raised $300 million through its Series E funding round, designed to provide more capital to power its mission to “accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrencies.”
Business 26 October 2018
Spain passes new crypto asset declaration law for citizens
A new law approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers will oblige private citizens to declare their cryptocurrency holdings, in a landmark development for crypto regulation.
Business 26 October 2018
‘Dubious’ crypto platform claims to be holding Malta license
The platform, called Primetradingbot, claimed to offer high-yield BTC investments, and appeared to be targeting unsophisticated investors who still believe the BTC coin has a future, according to the Malta Financial Services Authority.
Business 25 October 2018
Draft bill seeks ‘tax holiday’ for crypto companies in Ukraine
A bill proposed by lawmakers in Ukraine could see the country’s fledgling cryptocurrency sector benefit from a “tax holiday,” as part of a package of measures designed to foster the development of the sector there.
Business 25 October 2018
Crypto exchange group in Japan gains legal powers to self-regulate
The Financial Services Agency (FSA) announced that the Japanese Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA) has been awarded the status of “certified fund settlement business association,” giving the body legal authority to shape regulation for cryptocurrency exchanges in the country.
Business 24 October 2018
Singapore gov’t-owned venture firm makes ‘strategic investment’ in Binance
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volumes, is the latest company to secure the backing of Vertex Ventures, a group of investment companies indirectly owned by the government of Singapore.
Business 24 October 2018
Genesis Global lends $553M in crypto in 6 months
U.S.-based cryptocurrency lender Genesis Global Trading has released its third quarter figures, concluding an impressive first six months since the firm began lending back in March 2018.
Business 19 October 2018
Deadline for Mt. Gox rehabilitation claims filing approaches
With the deadline set at October 22, the race is now on for affected Mt. Gox clients to file their rehabilitation claims, to avoid missing out on the funds they’ve been waiting for.
Business 19 October 2018
BitGo raises $59M in Goldman Sachs-led Series B funding
Investment giant Goldman Sachs has led a successful $59 million Series B funding round in crypto custodian service BitGo, in the latest example of a major Wall Street institutional investor backing the cryptocurrency sector.
Tech 18 October 2018
CFTC official issues warning over smart contracts, predictive code
A CFTC commissioner has warned smart contract developers that they could be held liable for blockchain functions deemed to be "predictive event contracts."
Business 18 October 2018
Forbes-backed ICO fails to reach $8M target, investors to be refunded
Civil raised less than $1.5 million for its blockchain journalism platform—despite partnerships with the Associated Press and Forbes, amongst other high profile names.
Tech 17 October 2018
Aussie state considers blockchain tech for land registry
New South Wales Land Registry Services has launched a new proof-of-concept trial for a blockchain-based system for recording property transactions.
Tech 16 October 2018
Bitcoin SV version 0.1 goes live
Leading blockchain technology research and development outfit nChain has rolled out the beta release of its Bitcoin SV client on October 15—one month ahead of the November Bitcoin Cash (BCH) network upgrade.
Tech 12 October 2018
Adult industry payment platform saves own ass after getting spanked
As a result of a broken smart contract, a hacker was able to break into the SpankChain platform and siphon funds from some of its users, through deploying a reentrancy bug—the same bug that has previously been used to attack the DAO.
Business 12 October 2018
Bitfinex pulls fiat deposits amid latest crypto price freefall
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex has suspended fiat deposits, apparently on a temporary basis, amid the latest significant sell-off in the BTC markets.
Business 11 October 2018
SEC wants subpoena enforced in $100M Cherubim ICO probe
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is taking steps to enforce a subpoena against an investment company and its sole trustee, over allegations of their fraudulent involvement in a $100-million ICO.
Business 11 October 2018
Indian authorities track down prolific ‘Kassh coin’ crypto scammer
In a major coup for law enforcement agencies, Asif Ashraf Malkani was finally arrested after several months on the run, following complaints to Indian police from aggrieved investors in his cryptocurrency scams.
Business 10 October 2018
QuadrigaCX sees over $20M frozen as Canada’s ‘banking cartel’ steps up crypto attacks
In the latest example of banks taking exception to promising crypto businesses, press reports have revealed that Vancouver-based QuadrigaCX has been facing a freeze on assets worth as much as CAD28 million.
Business 10 October 2018
FINMA issues landmark Swiss license for crypto asset management
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority granted licensing approval to Crypto Fund, an investment fund based in Zug.
Business 5 October 2018
Bittrex launches support for Bitcoin BCH trading in USD markets
Bittrex has added Bitcoin Cash (BCH) support to its USD fiat markets, becoming the latest in a series of major exchanges and merchants to on-board the cryptocurrency in recent weeks.
Business 5 October 2018
South Korea’s Bithumb to launch decentralized exchange
Bithumb DEX will target global cryptocurrency markets, and is being developed in partnership with One Root Network, which has already pioneered its own DEX which launched earlier this year.
Editorial 4 October 2018
Bitmain resorts to threats over fragile IPO
Sources tell that Bitmain executives have promised to “disappear” anyone who crosses them inside China.
Tech 4 October 2018
IBM secures blockchain network security patent
The patent describes how blockchain technology can be used to monitor network security breaches within computer systems.
Business 4 October 2018
Events platform Big Tickets expands payment options with Bitcoin BCH
Customers will now be able to use Bitcoin BCH to pay for tickets delivered through the Big Tickets system, opening up a range of festival and conference events for payment through the cryptocurrency.
Events 3 October 2018
CoinGeek Week now accepts credit, debit cards via Eventbrite
There’s still time to secure your seat for the upcoming CoinGeek Week Conference in London, and tickets to the three-day conference can now be purchased with credit and debit cards at Eventbrite.
Business 3 October 2018
ShapeShift hits back at ‘deceptive’ Wall Street Journal report
Erik Voorhees, the founder of ShapeShift.io, has responded robustly to claims made in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that he says are “factually incorrect and deceptive.”
Business 3 October 2018
‘Railroaded’ debuts marking Ross Ulbricht’s 5 years behind bars
FreeRoss.org, a campaign group led by Ross Ulbricht’s family and supporters, have launched a new project to raise awareness of the case.
Business 28 September 2018
Mastercard looking into blockchain to improve payment efficiency
Payments giant Mastercard is reported to be exploring a number of new technologies, including blockchain, as the group looks to improve the general efficiency of its payments networks.
Business 28 September 2018
US court junks My Big Coin Pay’s attempt to dismiss CFTC lawsuit
A court in Massachusetts has backed the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in their interpretation of virtual currencies as commodities (and thus within the regulator’s jurisdiction), in the process dismissing a petition from the My Big Coin’s promoters to have the case set aside.
Business 27 September 2018
Quppy multicurrency crypto wallet supports Bitcoin BCH
Estonia-based cryptocurrency startup Quppy has launched a cross-platform multi-currency wallet, which the firm says provides ‘pragmatic benefits’ for a range of cryptocurrency actors.
Business 27 September 2018
Circle announces new US dollar-pegged crypto, the USD Coin
Circle has created a new cryptocurrency—the USD Coin (USDC)—which is pegged to the US dollar and backed up by physical reserves of fiat held by company.
Business 26 September 2018
Trezor crypto wallet adds buy, trade capabilities in beta release
Hardware crypto wallet Trezor has rolled out new features that enable users to buy and exchange cryptocurrencies within their beta wallet—without the risks of leaving funds on an exchange.
Business 26 September 2018
Google lifts ban on crypto ads for US, Japan regulated firms
Google has unbanned on cryptocurrency ads on its platform, with a view to working more closely with regulated institutions in the United States and Japan.
Business 21 September 2018
Crypto theft cases in Japan ‘tripled’ in 2018 so far
The amount stolen this year was substantially larger than the equivalent figure recorded in 2017, with JPY60 billion stolen so far across 158 separate thefts in Japan alone.
Business 20 September 2018
Alleged AlphaBay leader’s crypto millions forfeited in California court
Millions of dollars in cryptocurrency and assets have been seized by U.S. authorities from the estate of Alexandre Cazes, a dark web entrepreneur believed to have been the brains behind the now-defunct AlphaBay marketplace.
Business 20 September 2018
Monetary Authority of Singapore warns investors of yet another crypto scam
Another day, yet another crypto scam—this time, in the form of a website, which, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), falsely represents comments from MAS chairman and the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Business 19 September 2018
Litecoin is a ‘significantly overvalued relic,’ report finds
Litecoin is struggling from a lack of adoption amongst merchants, the majority of which only support LTC as part of a basket of cryptocurrencies supported by their payment processor, according to a report published by crypto hedge fund Multicoin Capital.
Business 19 September 2018
$1 billion fund founders to launch Japanese yen-pegged stablecoin
The founders of a $1 billion blockchain fund backed by the government of Hangzhou in China have announced plans for a new project that will launch a stablecoin backed by Japanese yen.
Business 14 September 2018
Abra announces native support for Bitcoin BCH
With full native support for Bitcoin Cash through their app, Abra is hoping to appeal to the growing number of BCH users looking for a mobile wallet solution for handling their BCH holdings.
Tech 14 September 2018
Money Button launches instant crypto payment button for websites, apps
Money Button can be used to generate buttons for a variable tip or a fixed price for selling online. The app is essentially a “configurable client-side BCH wallet,” according to the developer, with only a BCH wallet address required to receive funds sent through the payment button.
Tech 14 September 2018
Use Rabin signatures to sign, verify messages in Bitcoin BCH script
The simple algebraic structure of Rabin Digital Structure (RDS) algorithm, which allows anyone to sign "any piece of data placed in a transaction"—even if it's from outside the Bitcoin BCH chain.
Tech 13 September 2018
Japan’s Softbank trials blockchain-based mobile payments service
Developed in partnership with Synchronoss and TBCASoft, the platform allows for payments to be sent peer-to-peer across different mobile carriers, in a process similar to sending a standard text message.
Business 13 September 2018
After Pantronics, Huobi acquires licensed crypto exchange in Japan
Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange Huobi is on the verge of acquiring a regulated Japanese cryptocurrency broker, in a deal that will confirm the group’s expansion into Japan’s cryptocurrency investment sector.
Business 12 September 2018
South Korean banks withdraws services to anonymous crypto accounts
Representatives from the South Korean banking industry have said they will limit services to cryptocurrency traders who haven’t converted to real-name accounts, in a move designed to shake up the 50 to 60% of accounts that still remain unverified.
Business 12 September 2018
HempCoin promoter charged with unlawful distribution of crypto securities
Timothy Tilton Ayre, promoter of a scheme called HempCoin, is charged with promoting the token as an unregulated security, which has been described as “the first minable coin backed by marketable securities.”
Business 11 September 2018
China’s WeChat shuts down Bitmain sales account
The WeChat crackdown on crypto "hype news" channels continues, and this time one of the targets has been identified as Chinese cryptocurrency mining manufacturer Bitmain.
Business 7 September 2018
Startup Coins wants to onboard 20 million users by 2020
Fintech startup Coins has more than tripled its user number to 5 million in under 12 months, after a whirlwind year for the company and its cryptocurrency payments app. And by 2020, CEO Ron Hose said Coins is aiming to reach 20 million users.
Business 7 September 2018
Kraken shoots down rumors it’s closing Canada offices
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has denied rumors that it is shutting down its operations in Halifax, Canada, in response to an alleged security breach.
Business 6 September 2018
Smart Valor wins Swiss approval to act as financial intermediary
Swiss tech startup Smart Valor has become one of the few blockchain companies based in the country to win approval from regulators, after the firm was approved to act as a financial intermediary.
Business 6 September 2018
Crypto firms in Samoa to get same treatment as financial institutions
The Central Bank of Samoa will treat cryptocurrency companies like financial institutions, meaning they will have to be abide by a number of existing regulations that apply to the likes of banks and insurers based on the island.
Editorial 5 September 2018
How ‘Black Mirror’ helps explain Bitcoin as a proof of work system
In a Medium post, Dr. Craig Wright explained the significance of CoinGeek as the first independent corporate miner of Bitcoin, and how this would offset what he describes as ‘proof of social media'—with consequences that can be lifted directly from an episode of the dystopian drama series.
Business 5 September 2018
Greek top court now wants to send Alexander Vinnik to Russia
The highest tribunal in Greece has ruled that Alexander Vinnik, the alleged owner of the disgraced crypto trading platform BTC-e, is to be extradited to Russia.
Business 31 August 2018
China’s crypto promotion ban expands beyond Beijing
Crypto events were banned in Beijing’s Chaoyang district earlier in the month. According to local press, this ban has now been extended to Guangzhou’s Development District, moving beyond Beijing for the first time.
Business 31 August 2018
BitPay now allows merchants to get paid in Bitcoin BCH
With the inclusion of Bitcoin for settlements, merchants will now be able to receive as well as cash out in Bitcoin through their BitPay accounts.
Business 30 August 2018
South Korea’s Bithumb exchange to restart user registrations
Bithumb will reportedly resume offering services to new accounts from as early as this week, following confirmation of a partnership with NH Bank which will lift the restrictions on the firm.
Business 30 August 2018
Square secures patent for crypto payment network
Payments firm Square has been awarded a patent for a new payments system designed to allow merchants to collect payment in any currency, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin BCH.
Events 29 August 2018
CoinGeek-sponsored Bitcoin Miners meeting unanimously supports Satoshi Vision
The CoinGeek sponsored miners meetings at the W Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, have wrapped up and the Bitcoin BCH miners in attendance are unanimously supporting Satoshi Vision and Miners choice.
Business 29 August 2018
Indian call center BTC fraud scheme preys on foreigners
Seven people were arrested in the Mumbai suburb of Mira Road, in connection with a call center scam that had been soliciting payments in BTC.
Tech 29 August 2018
How Bitcoin BCH scaling can be done safely with Bitcoin SV
Steve Shadders, lead developer for blockchain research and development outfit nChain, came out with an explainer summarizing the important points about the Bitcoin SV full node implementation, in an effort to dispel some misunderstandings about the Bitcoin protocol.
Editorial 28 August 2018
Why Wormhole will destroy Bitcoin BCH
Wormhole promises to propel the Bitcoin BCH network forward, but in reality, it's another attempt to deviate from the primary purpose of Bitcoin BCH, and on further inspection, it will destroy the value of the network.
Business 24 August 2018
Ripple CTO claims XRP crypto coin ‘more decentralized’ than BTC
David Schwartz, chief technology officer at Ripple Labs, has published a paper claiming XRP cryptocurrency is actually more decentralized than Ethereum and BTC, in the latest attempt to persuade the skeptics.
Business 24 August 2018
Swedish tech firm partners with Germany’s Valens Bank for crypto fund trading
Blocktrade Technology had signed a software licensing agreement with Valens Bank, which will see Valens handling trading through its new crypto fund with the help of Blocktrade Technology’s Crypto Trading Toolbox.
Tech 23 August 2018
Lazarus Group-linked Ryuk ransomware targets businesses: report
Dubbed Ryuk, there are suggestions the ransomware attacks could be linked to a North Korean hacker group known to rely on BTC ransom payments.
Business 23 August 2018
London banking startup Revolut rolls out crypto cashback card
Alternative banking startup Revolut has launched a new debit card, which enables customers to earn cashback in cryptocurrency on their card transactions.
Tech 22 August 2018
AntPool’s All Coins Carnival offers fee-free mining until September
Cryptocurrency mining platform AntPool is offering zero transaction fees from its full range of supported payment methods and currencies, as part of its All Coins’ Carnival promotion.
Tech 22 August 2018
Cryptonize.it, CashPay launch Bitcoin BCH-fueled colored coins wallet
Thanks to a collaboration between Cryptonize.it and CashPay, there’s a new multi-signature desktop wallet, designed to help anyone create their own cryptocurrency tokens on Bitcoin BCH chain.
Business 17 August 2018
Freelancer marketplace FiveBucks.com is Bitcoin BCH-powered
FiveBucks.com will see services traded through their platform from just $5, with both inbound and outbound payments powered by Bitcoin Cash (BCH), in one of the first projects of its kind to be developed for Bitcoin BCH.
Business 17 August 2018
Crypto dealer SFOX secures $22.7M in Airbnb co-founder-led Series A funding
SFOX, a cryptocurrency broker-dealer providing services to institutional and high volume investors, has secured $22.7 million in funding, drawing the support of some notable backers including the co-founder of Airbnb, Nathan Blecharczyk.
Business 16 August 2018
Saudi Arabia bans crypto over ‘high risks,’ ‘negative consequences’
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made cryptocurrencies illegal by diktat, following a change in the law designed to protect residents from engaging in crypto transactions.
Tech 16 August 2018
1 in 3 UK organizations hit by cryptojacking malware: report
As many as a third of organizations in the UK have been hit by cryptojacking malware, according to a survey released by software analysts at Citrix.
Business 15 August 2018
John McAfee’s ‘unhackable’ Bitfi wallet gets hacked—again
Fresh from receiving the ‘Lamest Vendor Response Award’ at the Pwnies, cryptocurrency wallet Bitfi has been hacked for a second time, fundamentally undermining John McAfee’s claim that the product is ‘unhackable.’
Business 15 August 2018
Tokyo-based crypto Spindle moves to London amid police probe
Tokyo-based cryptocurrency Spindle has announced it is withdrawing from Japan and re-establishing in London, amidst rumours of a police investigation in Tokyo into its alleged unregulated token sales.
Business 10 August 2018
ICOs raised $8.3B in Q2 2018, but over half missed targets: report
Initial coin offerings (ICOs) have raised a landmark $8.3 billion in the second quarter of 2018, despite a majority of campaigns failing to reach their fundraising targets, according to ICORating data.
Business 10 August 2018
Court orders Chinese trader to return crypto obtained by accident
A court in Beijing has ruled in favour of a cryptocurrency exchange in an action over a payment received in error, despite the payment violating the Chinese central bank's ban on crypto transactions.
Business 9 August 2018
Flow onboards 60 new int’l payment methods with BitPay integration
The partnership between the online shopping platform and BitPay will allow Flow merchants to accept payments in a range of new currencies, including support for Chinese and emerging markets, initially running transactions through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
Tech 9 August 2018
Iranian hackers developing ransomware for BTC: report
Hackers in Iran are preparing new ransomware designed to extort BTC coins as the United States prepares to re-introduce sanctions against the country, according to cybersecurity experts.
Business 8 August 2018
In a first for US Congress, lawmaker announces sizeable BCH, crypto holdings
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, detailed his holdings in his latest annual financial disclosure report, including positions in Bitcoin Cash (BCH). The total value of his investments is estimated to be between $17,000 and $80,000.
Business 3 August 2018
Bitcoin BCH most spent cryptocurrency in Australia’s crypto-friendly airport
Bitcoin Cash (BCH), the world’s functional cryptocurrency, is found to be the most spent cryptocurrency at the Brisbane International Airport, the world’s first airport to accept payments in cryptocurrency.
Business 3 August 2018
Russia extradition ruling complicates Alexander Vinnik’s case
A new extradition ruling for alleged BTC-e operator Alexander Vinnik has introduced further complexity to the legal proceedings, casting doubt on where he will ultimately face justice for his actions.
Business 2 August 2018
Swissquote boosts profits by 44%, thanks to crypto market ventures
Swiss banking group Swissquote has announced a 44% increase in profits, following its decision to introduce cryptocurrency investing services.
Events 2 August 2018
One year on: CoinGeek’s Bitcoin Rebirth Party honors ‘timeless wonder’ Bitcoin BCH
August 1 marked a momentous event in the history of cryptocurrency—one-year anniversary of the rebirth of Bitcoin (now named Bitcoin Cash) on the original blockchain. And what better way to celebrate all things Bitcoin BCH than to party, CoinGeek-style.
Tech 1 August 2018
Bitprim’s Keoken smart contract platform launches for Bitcoin Cash
Bitprim has launched a new open source platform for tokenization and smart contracts powered by Bitcoin Cash (BCH), in the latest significant development to be released by Bitcoin BCH.
Business 1 August 2018
Philippine economic zone sees strong demand for crypto licenses
CEZA, which operates the Philippine government-owned Cagayan Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), expects to receive as much as $68 million in licensing revenue, with 17 firms already having paid in full to be licensed to operate cryptocurrency businesses there.
Business 31 July 2018
Vietnam’s securities regulator announces industry ban on crypto
The State Securities Commission of Vietnam has announced a ban on ‘cryptocurrency activity’ for companies operating under its watch.
Business 26 July 2018
Latest BTC blackmail scam targets porn viewers
A new BTC blackmail scam is doing the rounds - this time, targeting porn viewers with demands for as much as $1900 in BTC.
Business 25 July 2018
‘Member’ service allows geo-specific memos written on Bitcoin BCH
The platform, called Member, enables censorship-resistant messages to be written to the BCH blockchain, tethered to any location anywhere in the world.
Tech 20 July 2018
‘Makes very little profit’: Andreas Brekken takes on ‘stressful’ Lightning Network
Andreas Brekken routed 260 payments for an estimated $0.3, in what was billed as an experiment into the efficacy of running a Lightning Network payment hub.
Business 20 July 2018
JPMorgan seeks patent for blockchain-based virtual receipts management
Investment bank JPMorgan Chase has filed a patent for a new asset-backed virtual receipt system, powered by blockchain technology.
Business 19 July 2018
Crypto payment gateway CoinGate accepts Bitcoin Cash
Cryptocurrency payment gateway CoinGate is helping merchants accept Bitcoin Cash (BCH) payments online, with automatic settlement in the merchant’s chosen fiat currency.
Business 19 July 2018
Coinsmart crypto exchange simplifies compliance for Canadian taxpayers
Canadian cryptocurrency startup Coinsmart has launched a crypto exchange, which aims to service the growing body of “Crypto Curious” investors in Canada.
Business 18 July 2018
Coinbase inches closer to security tokens listing with regulatory green light
The wallet and exchange service was given the all clear by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to purchase the companies, which will give Coinbase the scope to list securities under the direct oversight of the regulators.
Tech 13 July 2018
Fujitsu service will tell if your blockchain project will succeed—all in 5 days
Fujitsu has launched a new platform that allows companies to see whether their distributed ledger plans will have commercial benefits in just five days.
Business 13 July 2018
Commission-free Bitcoin Cash trading makes its way to Robinhood Crypto
Robinhood Crypto, the much-hyped crypto trading exchange from Robinhood, has announced support for Bitcoin Cash (BCH), in a move that is being welcomed by the cryptocurrency community.
Business 12 July 2018
Akari’s crowdfunding builder tool is fueled by Bitcoin Cash
Akari-Pages allows users to create their own crowdfunding minisites, which will, in turn, raise funds through Bitcoin Cash. The product is free, has no ongoing fees, and allows users to setup and customise their pages in minutes.
Tech 12 July 2018
Security analyst tries to sell stolen spyware for $50M in crypto: report
An Israeli man has been indicted for threatening national security after an attempted extortion against his employer, a firm working closely with the Israeli government to develop cyber security software.
Business 11 July 2018
Irish court hands over alleged Silk Road conspirator to US feds
Gary Davis, formerly of Bitcoin.com and a notable figure in the cryptocurrency community, agreed to be extradited to the United States from his native Ireland, over charges relating to the illicit dark web marketplace.
Business 11 July 2018
CBOE seeks securities regulator’s approval for BTC ETF
CBOE, considered to be the world’s largest futures exchange by volume, said the ETF would allow investors to speculate on BTC, without engaging directly in the market.
Business 6 July 2018
BitMEX co-founder sees $50,000 BTC this year
Volatility is not necessarily a good thing for a utility token people actually used, like Bitcoin Cash in the case of payments, for example. But ideally, more stable pricing comes with mass adoption, rather than waning interest, as has been the case with the BTC coin over the last few months.
Business 6 July 2018
Buy a Mustang with Bitcoin: US custom car shop opens to crypto payments
Classic Recreations, which has secured a license from the Ford Motor Company and Shelby American to fabricate classic Mustang restorations and continuation cars, is now accepting payments in a range of different cryptocurrencies.
Tech 5 July 2018
File sharing site The Pirate Bay hit with new cryptojacking claims
The Pirate Bay, a peer-to-peer file sharing platform, has reportedly redeployed its cryptojacking script, which harnesses processing power from visitors to mine cryptocurrencies.
Editorial 5 July 2018
Over 800 crypto tokens ‘extinct’ as BTC’s struggle continues
Dead Coins listed over 800 crypto tokens that were either extinct or now worth less than a cent, which, when combined with the failures of BTC, painted a bleak picture for initial coin offerings and token sales.
Tech 4 July 2018
MacOS malware targets crypto-discussing Slack, Discord users
Security researchers have uncovered a new type of malware aimed at those using MacOS devices to discuss cryptocurrencies.
Business 4 July 2018
Bitcoin Cash goes mainstream in Austria
Bitcoin Cash is now widely available in Austria, thanks to an initiative that brings cryptocurrency trading into over 400 post office branches across the country.
Business 29 June 2018
Binance enters Uganda market with plans for crypto-fiat exchange
Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao said the firm is setting up Binance Uganda, in what would be their first move into crypto-fiat exchange.
Business 29 June 2018
Mastercard secures anonymous blockchain transactions patent
Payments giant Mastercard has secured a handful of new blockchain patents, including protection for a system designed to process anonymous transactions on the blockchain.
Business 28 June 2018
Feds net over $20M in crypto in darknet sting
U.S. authorities seized stockpiles of illegal drugs, gold, firearms, vehicles, crypto mining devices and computer equipment, as well as nearly 2,000 BTC and other cryptocurrencies, with an approximate value of more than $20 million.
Business 28 June 2018
It’s official: Bitcoin Cash reaches Purse.io
Purse.io, a service that allows consumers to buy goods from Amazon with cryptocurrency, has officially integrated Bitcoin Cash (BCH) on its platform.
Tech 27 June 2018
bitPico threatens to take down Bitcoin Cash network with spam blitz
A shadowy developer has threatened a series of attacks against the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) blockchain, which he claims will be strong enough to damage the network.
Business 27 June 2018
20% fixed tax bracket in the cards for Japan’s crypto investors
Finance Minister Taro Aso has discussed the idea of reducing the tax rate paid by cryptocurrency investors in Japan.
Business 21 June 2018
Hawaiian man claiming to be Satoshi wants to trademark Bitcoin Cash
Ronald Keala Kua Maria applied to register the phrase “Bitcoin Cash” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Tech 21 June 2018
Breach of ‘constitution’: Caretakers freeze 7 EOS accounts
The EOS network has come under renewed fire following a decision to freeze seven user accounts believed to be carrying stolen funds.
Business 20 June 2018
John McAfee will no longer promote ICOs due to SEC pressure
The cybersecurity entrepreneur announced he will no longer engage in promoting ICOs following what he described as “threats” from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Business 20 June 2018
SBI Virtual Currencies exchange adds support for Bitcoin Cash, BTC
SBI Virtual Currencies has listed Bitcoin Cash (BCH), along with SegWit BTC coin, increasing the currently available trading pairs on its Vctrade platform from one to three.
Tech 15 June 2018
Misconfigured Ethereum apps, mining rigs lose $20M to hacks
A new report detailed how hackers managed to breach Ethereum clients, which have been configured to expose a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interface.
Tech 14 June 2018
Crypto miner Argo poised for landmark London Stock Exchange listing
Cryptocurrency mining firm Argo Blockchain is set to become the first company of its kind to list on the London Stock Exchange.
Business 14 June 2018
Price manipulation campaign inflated BTC price in 2017, research finds
New research has confirmed the BTC market was manipulated in the run up to its all-time highs in 2017, accounting for as much as 50% of the price growth over the period.
Tech 13 June 2018
Blogger platform Matter runs on Bitcoin Cash
The new app, called Matter, provides a platform for users to record long-form content on the Bitcoin Cash blockchain.
Tech 8 June 2018
Crypto mining giant Bitmain gears up for ‘record breaking’ IPO
Bitmain is reportedly considering an initial public offering, in a move that could set new records for the cryptocurrency space.
Business 7 June 2018
Goldman Sachs-backed Circle sets sights on US banking license
Circle has announced it is seeking a U.S. banking license, at the same time as the firm is looking to register with the SEC.
Tech 7 June 2018
Vietnam calls for import ban on crypto mining rigs
The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam has called for an outright ban on the import of the cryptocurrency mining equipment to stop the alleged free flow of the rigs in the country.
Business 6 June 2018
Coinbase announces Japanese expansion
Cryptocurrency exchange and wallet service Coinbase is opening a division in Japan, as part of its ongoing efforts to “accelerate the global adoption of cryptocurrency.”
Business 1 June 2018
Ripple on a mission to distance company from ‘Ripple’ token
The company, which issues the Ripple (XRP) token, has announced plans to rebrand the XRP token in a bid to establish distance between its corporate identity and the name of the cryptocurrency it issues.
Tech 31 May 2018
51% attack on altcoins possible for as little as $500, report finds
Hashing power for rent has made it easier—and cheaper—than ever to attack altcoins, with 51% attacks now possible for as little as $500, according to data from Crypto51.app.
Business 30 May 2018
Lawmakers formally propose lifting South Korea’s ICO ban
Members of South Korea’s National Assembly have made the official recommendation that the laws banning initial coin offerings should be lifted.
Business 25 May 2018
Chinese authorities charge 4 more in $2.3B OneCoin scam
The two-year investigation has spanned over 20 provinces across China, with authorities recognising the $2.3 billion scheme as one of the biggest investigations to date.
Business 24 May 2018
South Korea’s Korbit axes Dash, Monero, 3 more altcoins
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Korbit has withdrawn support for five cryptocurrencies, following a similar decision in recent days from Japan’s Coincheck exchange.
Tech 23 May 2018
Japan’s Monacoin falls victim to malicious mining attack
Japanese-developed Monacoin cryptocurrency has become the latest to fall victim to a so-called selfish mining attack, resulting in an estimate $90,000 of damage across their network.
Business 18 May 2018
Bitcoin Cash is on economic path that led to Bitcoin’s original success, Roger Ver tells CNBC
In an interview with CNBC, Roger Ver described the network update as an essential step in making room for more people to use Bitcoin Cash as a currency.
Tech 17 May 2018
GMO sets out launch plan for 7nm mining chips
There are two versions of the 7nm cryptocurrency mining chip being developed, according to the Japanese conglomerate.
Business 16 May 2018
South Korea police search for 3 crypto exchange employees
Three senior employees at cryptocurrency exchange HTS Coin are suspected of being involved in embezzlement and fraud, according to local media reports.
Business 11 May 2018
Trading app BUX launches CFDs for Bitcoin Cash, ETH, XRP, LTC
The app, which allows users to trade in stocks and other financial instruments for fun or for real money, unveiled its latest offering, with contracts for differences now available for positions in Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), and Ether (ETH).
Business 10 May 2018
New crowdfunding platform Coinfundr accepts Bitcoin Cash
A new crowdfunding platform is scheduled to launch in late May, with Bitcoin Cash (BCH) at the core of its fundraising model.
Tech 9 May 2018
Drupal sites targeted in latest wave of cryptojacking campaign
A new, major wave of cryptojacking attack is underway, specifically targeting websites using the Drupal content management system.
Business 4 May 2018
OpenBazaar co-founder vents at excessive BTC fees
Washington Sanchez lashed out at the high transaction fees, as well as expressing regret at his earlier BTC “maximalism,” to the exclusion of other, often more suitable cryptocurrency alternatives.
Business 3 May 2018
Regulation is coming: SEC commissioner slams ICO industry
SEC Commissioner Robert Jackson said the current situation with ICOs was the reason the SEC exists in the first place.
Business 2 May 2018
8 crypto exchanges leaving Japan, 100 more to come
The Financial Services Agency has confirmed reports that as many as eight cryptocurrency exchanges have expressed their intention to leave the Japanese market.
Tech 27 April 2018
Parity rejects Ethereum split proposal to recover lost $320M in ETH
A glitch in a multi-sig wallet smart contract library last year was responsible for the funds being locked, a factor which had led some to speculate on a potential fork in the Ethereum blockchain to recover the money.
Business 27 April 2018
Crypto exchange operations on the cards for Nasdaq
Nasdaq “would consider” launching or even becoming a cryptocurrency exchange in future, according to CEO Adena Friedman.
Business 25 April 2018
Dow Jones’ MarketWatch begins tracking Bitcoin Cash, 7 new cryptos
MarketWatch joins news services like Reuters and Bloomberg that have started tracking Bitcoin Cash, in recognition of its increasing move towards the financial mainstream.
Business 25 April 2018
Ethereum, Ripple tokens could be securities, says former CFTC head
Citing the Howey Test, former Commodity Futures Trading Commission chief Gary Gensler said Ethereum and Ripple tokens could be “operating outside of U.S. laws.”
Tech 19 April 2018
South Korea toughens import requirements for crypto mining chips
Customs officials in South Korea have tightened the standards applied to cryptocurrency mining chip imports, adding them to a list of products that must meet certain basic specifications before they can be imported.
Business 18 April 2018
New York’s AG opens inquiry into cryptocurrency exchanges
Regulators in the state of New York have announced an inquiry into several leading cryptocurrency exchanges, with as many as 13 separate operations coming in for closer scrutiny.
Business 18 April 2018
Kraken announces withdrawal from Japan
Kraken is shutting down “all of its services” in Japan by June, leaving only a matter of weeks before the company ceases to operate within the Japanese market.
Business 13 April 2018
BitOasis, CoinHako exchanges list Bitcoin Cash
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has been listed on two new exchanges this week, in response to growing demand for buying and transacting in the cryptocurrency.
Business 13 April 2018
Police suspend blockchain conference in China
The Global Fintech and Blockchain China Summit 2018 was interrupted by police in Shanghai, bringing an immediate halt to proceedings and ejecting all delegates from the event.
Business 12 April 2018
Alibaba-owned Taobao outlaws ICOs, cryptocurrency
Online shopping platform Taobao has prohibited stores from promoting ICOs, cryptocurrencies, and other related goods and services.
Business 10 April 2018
Coinbase seeks SEC license for brokerage
The licensing would enable Coinbase to list a number of other tokens, including those previously ruled by the SEC to be securities.
Tech 6 April 2018
Why Bitcoin BCH is the only blockchain capable of handling VISA-level transactions
The VISA network has been processing in the region of 141 billion transactions a year, and for any cryptocurrency to fulfill its potential, the technical infrastructure needs to support these volumes.
Tech 5 April 2018
bitPico claims responsibility for DoS attack on Lightning Network
The DoS attack has been the subject of much speculation over the last two weeks, with developers worldwide taking an interest in the efforts of the previously unidentified attacker.
Business 3 April 2018
Tides turn for BTC-backed cryptocurrency hedge funds
Cryptocurrency hedge funds are now increasingly running into difficulties, with new capital drying up and significant losses reported in the early part of 2018, according to reports.
Business 30 March 2018
For $8, man misleads Canadian Parliament on Bitcoin Cash
Jonathan Hamel, who has been involved in cryptocurrencies since 2013 and a notable supporter of Segwit Core (BTC), made the misleading comments at a hearing in front of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Business 28 March 2018
Yahoo Japan rolls out plans for new cryptocurrency exchange
The company is set to buy a 40% stake in BitARG Exchange Tokyo, in a move that would see Yahoo Japan embark on the initial development stages of a new exchange, to be developed on existing BitARG technology.
Business 28 March 2018
Charlie Lee, Litecoin Foundation apologize for LitePay collapse
The startup, which promised to offer an LTC-powered debit card, as well as payment processing services for merchants, abruptly closed this week, raising suspicions of a so-called ‘exit scam’.
Tech 23 March 2018
Teen exposes security vulnerability in Ledger hardware wallet
Hardware wallet Ledger has been found to contain a major security flaw, which could enable hackers to steal funds from users.
Business 20 March 2018
Strong demand drive cryptocurrency spread betting, CFDs in UK
Initially to be restricted to professional traders, CMC’s cryptocurrency contracts for difference and spread betting products provide an investment similar to derivatives, allowing for greater trading flexibility and leverage.
Tech 16 March 2018
Microsoft highlights growing cryptojacking, ransomware threats
A post drafted by Microsoft’s Windows Defender Research security unit highlighted a number of ways criminals are currently leveraging cryptocurrencies for nefarious ends.
Business 13 March 2018
South Korea’s ICO ban may soon be relaxed
The ban could be lifted in some as-yet undefined circumstances, allowing some token issues to go ahead where they meet new criteria, according to reports.
Business 9 March 2018
More ICO class action suits ‘highly likely,’ says leading law firm
Prepared by law firm Polsinelli, the report raised concerns over the potential for growth in litigation from ICO investors.
Tech 7 March 2018
PayPal files cryptocurrency transactions patent
The patent marks a new direction for how PayPal might integrate cryptocurrency's technology in future.
Business 2 March 2018
Marshall Islands plans ‘Sovereign’ cryptocurrency launch
The country, home to just 70,000 people, is poised to become the second country after Venezuela to launch a state-backed cryptocurrency.
Business 28 February 2018
Israeli crypto broker gets reprieve after high court halts account shutdown
A temporary injunction from the Supreme Court provided some relief for Bits of Gold, although it doesn't guarantee their banking position long-term.
Business 23 February 2018
Criticism mounts as Russia continues slow progress to regulation
After a year which has seen Russia considering as many as 50 ‘digital economy’ bills, local officials are flagging concerns over a number of issues.
Business 20 February 2018
Cryptocurrency is property for tax purposes in Israel
Israel's Tax Authority will consider cryptocurrencies as “a property, not a currency,” which has significant implications for its taxation treatment.
Business 15 February 2018
Hong Kong investors turn to regulated US exchanges for BTC futures
The increase in interest from Hong Kong investors was driven by recent volatility in the underlying cryptocurrency markets, according to experts.
Business 13 February 2018
Japan issues warning to unlicensed foreign ICO agency
Macau-based Blockchain Laboratory runs ICOs for other companies as a means of raising capital for businesses on the blockchain.
Business 9 February 2018
EU regulator puts cryptocurrencies ‘Top of Agenda’ for 2018
The financial regulatory institution shows a desire to look at whether further action is required on regulating cryptocurrency transactions.
Business 7 February 2018
US lawmakers slam Venezuelan cryptocurrency plans
Questions were raised about the actions of Venezuela in preparing to launch a cryptocurrency backed by the country’s oil resources.
Business 2 February 2018
Messaging giant Line announces crypto exchange plans
Line currently sees over 168 million users monthly and is expected to leverage its customer numbers in launching its proposed cryptocurrency exchange.
Business 30 January 2018
Financial regulator shuts down German crypto brokerage
BaFin has decreed that Crypto.exchange GmbH must immediately cease acting as a financial broker.
Business 26 January 2018
US wants closer scrutiny of crypto markets
The SEC chief and his CFTC counterpart have committed to doing more in regulating the cryptocurrency space.
Business 23 January 2018
South Korea puts an end to anonymous crypto trading
Investors in South Korea will be required to use real-name accounts for trading in cryptocurrencies by Jan. 30.
Business 19 January 2018
Treasury, IRS team up to regulate US crypto exchanges
Anti-money laundering regulations will be stepped up as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to clamp down on criminal uses of cryptocurrency.
Business 17 January 2018
French government announces new cryptocurrency regulation working group
According to expert, new guidelines are needed to limit the risks of cryptocurrencies, and to crack down on potential criminal misuses.
Business 12 January 2018
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange laws ‘not finalized’
The office of the President of South Korea announced that plans to ban cryptocurrency exchanges in the country are ‘not finalized.
Business 10 January 2018
Lawyer fights for cryptocurrency regulation in India
A lawyer has petitioned courts in India demanding action on introducing regulation for cryptocurrencies in the country.
Business 3 January 2018
South Korea to ban anonymous crypto accounts from January 20
The South Korean government is all set to put its ban on anonymous cryptocurrency accounts into effect by as early as January 20.
Business 2 January 2018
Australian banks freezing transactions with crypto exchanges, investors say
Cryptocurrency investors in Australia are reporting their accounts with some of the country’s leading banks are being frozen due to cryptocurrency exchanges.
Business 26 December 2017
Belarus officially recognizes cryptocurrencies
Belarus has become one of the first countries in Europe to officially recognize cryptocurrencies into the mainstream.
Business 22 December 2017
Bank of England chief highlights ‘fundamental problems’ with bank-issued cryptocurrencies
Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has highlighted the “fundamental problems” with the idea of centrally-issued cryptocurrencies.
Business 20 December 2017
UK financial regulator steps up scrutiny of ICOs
The chief financial regulator in the UK is stepping up its scrutiny of ICOs, as it consider whether more legislative measures may be required.
Business 12 December 2017
Hong Kong financial regulator issues fresh warning over SegWit1x futures
The financial regulator of Hong Kong issued on Tuesday fresh warnings over SegWit1x futures, citing concerns over unregulated providers.
Business 7 December 2017
Indonesia outlaws cryptocurrency for fintech payment companies
Indonesia’s central bank has become the latest monetary authority to clamp down on cryptocurrencies.
Tech 5 December 2017
R3 Corda goes live on Amazon Web Services
R3 has announced the launch of its flagship Corda platform, which has gone live today on the Amazon Web Services marketplace.
Business 1 December 2017
Russian central bank issues fresh warning over cryptocurrency investments
The Russian central bank has issued new warnings over cryptocurrency investments, urging investors to be mindful of the risks.
Tech 28 November 2017
UK House of Lords recommends further government blockchain research
The UK House of Lords has published a report recommending further research into implementations of the blockchain across government services.
Business 23 November 2017
Banca IMI unveils Ethereum derivatives white paper
Italian bank Banca IMI has explored the possibility of derivatives traded on the distributed server processing system ethereum.
Business 22 November 2017
SAFTs may increase risks associated with token sales
Simple Agreements for Future Tokens, or SAFTs, may actually have the opposite regulatory effect than desired, according to a report.
Business 21 November 2017
State Bank of India announces Blockchain Beta test for smart contracts
The State Bank of India has unveiled fresh plans for a blockchain smart contracts beta test, with more plans for a rollout on the horizon.
Business 15 November 2017
UK Financial Conduct Authority sounds caution over cryptocurrency derivatives
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, has today issued a warning to consumers over cryptocurrency derivative instruments.
Tech 9 November 2017
VR Company YDreams Global becomes latest Hyperledger member
Virtual reality development firm YDreams Global Interactive Technologies has become the latest company to join the Hyperledger blockchain consortium.
Business 7 November 2017
Malaysian securities regulator reviewing fresh cryptocurrency laws
The Malaysian securities regulator has become the latest market regulator to move towards a new legal framework for cryptocurrencies.
Business 2 November 2017
Former Credit Suisse Executive announces luxury goods ownership ICO
Initial coin offerings have been coming thick and fast this year, with well in excess of $2 billion raised through token sales in 2017 to date.
Tech 31 October 2017
EU earmarks €30 billion for Blockchain research projects
The EU has announced it has earmarked funds totalling €30 billion for investment in blockchain research and development.
Tech 26 October 2017
Blockchain journalism marketplace civil lines up first publications
The model was seen as a revolutionary new mechanism for funding journalism in the digital age.
Business 25 October 2017
Malta mulls new rules for cryptocurrency funds
Legislators in Malta are embarking on a consultation phase, ahead of plans that would introduce new rules for cryptocurrency investment funds.
Business 18 October 2017
Enterprise Ethereum Alliance signs up Russian banking giant
The Enterprise Ethereum Alliance has secured its first Russian member, in the form of the country’s biggest bank, Sberbank.
Business 12 October 2017
Ukraine announces new plans to regulate exchanges
Cryptocurrency exchanges in the Ukraine could be brought under the regulation of the central bank.
Business 10 October 2017
Overstock’s regulated token exchange will launch with own ICO
Overstock.com is to launch its new regulated token exchange with its own initial coin offering (ICO), according to a news report.
Business 3 October 2017
Russia’s National Settlement Depository developing Hyperledger trading platform
The NSD, Russia’s centralised securities depository, is trialling a new blockchain platform for commercial bond trading.
Business 28 September 2017
Australian Securities and Investments Commission releases ICO guidelines
Having raised over $2 billion so far in 2017, ICOs have been quick to attract attention from financial regulators worldwide.
Business 27 September 2017
Kik ICO concludes well short of expectations
The much-hyped Kik ICO has today come to a close, falling short of the expectations set out by the company ahead of its launch.
Tech 22 September 2017
Swisscom launches new Blockchain entity
Swisscom, one of Switzerland’s biggest telecommunications firms, has announced the launch of a new entity to focus on blockchain technology.
Business 15 September 2017
Dubai Financial Services Authority Fires Latest Warning Shot Over ICOs
Business 8 September 2017
Israeli Banking Giant Teams With Microsoft To Launch Blockchain Trial
Banking and finance has so far been the main beneficiary of blockchain technology deployments, with institutions across the world increasingly turning their focus to how the distributed ledger can help their business.
Business 31 August 2017
Israeli Regulators Form Committee to Consider Greater ICO Oversight
A new committee is being formed to introduce measures that would target ICOs in Israel if compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Business 29 August 2017
Russian Deputy Finance Minister Suggests Bitcoin Restrictions
Russia’s Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev has suggested that bitcoin transactions should be restricted to qualified investors only.
Tech 30 May 2017
Russian Quantum Center announces quantum-proof blockchain solution
The Russian Quantum Center has announced a new blockchain project, which enables companies to transfer sensitive data without facing the threat of hacking through a blockchain protocol.
