Fidelity’s Man: Can Tom Jessop Bridge Crypto and Wall Street for Good?

CoinDesk profiles Fidelity's Tom Jessop, who is leading the firm's effort to link the worlds of digital assets and Wall Street.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Srir0w

Crypto Mom’s Crusade: Inside the SEC, Hester Peirce Is Putting Up a Fight

Having worked over a decade in government before becoming a commissioner to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Hester Peirce is a regulator well-versed in matters of both rulemaking and securities law.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ApkBH8

Stable Times at Circle: A Crypto Startup Counted Out Is Rebuilt and Riding High

CoinDesk profiles Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of the Goldman Sachs-backed crypto startup Circle that had a banner year in 2018.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2StPrVX

McCaleb’s Quiet Comeback: Breakups, Breakdowns and Stellar’s Big Break-Out

CoinDesk profiles Jed McCaleb, the early cryptocurrency evangelist who created Stellar, now the world's sixth-largest coin by market cap.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AoFmCF

A Psychic Visit with Nouriel Roubini: The Mother and Father of All Crypto Skeptics

CoinDesk profiles Nouriel Roubini, the NYU professor who won't buy the crypto hype – no matter what the price or the market says.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SuDgYW

The FUD Stompers: Like It or Not, XRP Army Is Winning Crypto’s Hashtag War

The XRP Army is hands-down the cryptos most vocal community. Who are they?

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AigJrp

Bitcoin’s Warrior Queen: Lightning’s Elizabeth Stark Is Building an Army

CoinDesk profiles Elizabeth Stark, a woman entrepreneur leading a new phase for bitcoin, the world's largest and most valuable cryptocurrency.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Sriidu

In Bed With Brenna Sparks: Porn’s Rising Star Might Be Crypto’s Best Advocate

CoinDesk profiles Brenna Sparks, the SpankChain advisor who is equal parts porn star and cryptocurrency evangelist, during a recent visit to Las Vegas.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AigFb9

Ethereum’s New Radical: Glen Weyl Isn’t Vitalik But He’s Its Next Best Hope

CoinDesk profiles author Glen Weyl, whose radical ideas are reviving development on the world's third-largest blockchian, ethereum.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SoPSRo

Crypto’s King Midas: Backstage With CZ, the CEO Who Can’t Be Stopped

The root of CZ's appeal goes beyond his occasional semi-outlaw status, to the way he exudes its core belief in cryptocurrency so effortlessly.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2An2NfU

CoinDesk’s Most Influential in Blockchain 2018

x

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2F1Ogu3

$182 Million: ICE Exchange’s Bitcoin Startup Bakkt Announces Massive Fundraise

The New York Stock Exchange–affiliated Bakkt completes its first fundraising round, with 12 partners.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SsAP9q

Bitcoin Exchange Paxful Sees 20% 2018 Growth, Driven by Africa

Despite bitcoin's price volatility in 2018, P2P exchanges Paxful and LocalBitcoins each saw significant user growth in Africa.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SvxUN2

Bitcoin’s Next Halving Rally: Coming Soon in 2019

Get ready for talk about bitcoin's halving – the once-in-a-while event that won't happen in 2019, but that just might have an impact on the markets.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2CI9pqv

2018 Was the Reality Check. 2019 Starts the Crypto Comeback

Micah Winkelspecht is CEO and founder of Gem, a crypto portfolio app company based in Los Angeles, The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  If 2017 was the year of irrational exuberance, 2018 became the year of reality checks when the market sputtered and crashed. I predict that this year will […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BPce7v

Blockchain Gaming: Separating Signal from the Noise

Games frequently serve as an experimental playground for new technology, writes David Finzer.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AoUdgn

2019: The Year We Might (Finally) See Better Blockchain UX?

In this op-ed, author XX XX argues why he believes 2019 will be the year blockchain UX sees a new level of priority among developers and companies.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SxHP52

The End of the First Crypto Decade

Massimo Morini is a veteran in investment banks and financial institutions including the World Bank. Some of his research on blockchain was reported here and here. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  The end of 2018 is not the end of a year. It is the end of a decade, a decade that changed the world […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BNieOb

2018: A Record-Breaking Year for Crypto Exchange Hacks

The CEO of one of the largest crypto security companies recaps his takeaways from the year that was.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2CFv036

Where the Future of Crypto Payments Is Being Built

Leah Callon-Butler is the co-founder of Intimate.io, a token project aiming to bring payments, privacy and reputation to the adult industry. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  “The stars have aligned,” he said, the room hanging on his every word. “In the same way that the industrial revolution created the […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AkNrbo

It’s Time to Talk About Crypto Twitter

Fixing crypto Twitter starts with following positive examples – and a recognition of the problem.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Sq4UX3

The True Crypto Alternative to Government Money

Evan Kuo is the co-founder of Ampleforth (formerly Fragments), a startup developing advanced technological solutions for the stablecoin market, and the former founder of on-demand delivery startup Pythagoras Pizza. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  “I don’t believe we shall ever have a good money again before we take the […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BKcbdm

Security Researchers Break Ledger Wallets With Simple Antennae

Calling themselves Wallet.Fail, three security researchers found ways to access crypto hardware wallets in ways that weren't intended by their creators.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Vj5bga

Bitcoin Price Suddenly Spikes $300 to Avoid Retest of 2018 Low

A bullish reversal pattern has emerged on bitcoin's price charts that could extend the latest rally towards $5,000.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ERVPlS

Italy Announces 30 Experts to Lead National Blockchain Strategy

The Italian government has published a list of 30 experts brought together to develop the nation's blockchain strategy.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2GLZm7Y

2019: The Year Digital Securities Offerings Become the New ICOs

The ICO market may be waning, but a new way to tokenize assets is coming to Wall Street.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EPkasF

Craig Wright Denied Attempt to Dismiss Lawsuit Over 1.1 Million Bitcoin

A U.S. court has largely denied crypto entrepreneur Craig Wright’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging he appropriated 1.1 million bitcoin.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AhiEwk

Electrum Wallet Attack May Have Stolen As Much as 245 Bitcoin

A phishing attack on the Electrum wallet network has reportedly managed to steal bitcoin worth over $800,000.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ESvzc0

National Bank of Kuwait Taps Ripple for New Remittance Service

National Bank of Kuwait has joined Ripple’s blockchain-based payments network seeking faster cross-border money transfers.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Q7RKvR

Building With the Enemy: It’s the Crypto Network That Makes Us Strong

Ian Simpson is chairman of communications at the Crypto Valley Association, an organization that supports the Swiss blockchain sector. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  “Grin and bear it,” they say. And in the current crypto market conditions, many people, on all sides, are “bearing” it, most without any grin […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SpzIr9

The Cost of Not Engaging Regulators

Zachary Fallon and James Blakemore are securities law attorneys who lead Ketsal Consulting, a strategic advisory firm focused on blockchain compliance. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  If the top cryptocurrency story of 2018 was the arrival of winter, a close and inextricably intertwined second was regulatory oversight. The regulators are in […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Ri9iKu

12 Markets Crypto Can Actually Improve

Kyle Samani is a Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital, a thesis-driven cryptofund that invests in tokens reshaping entire sectors of the global economy. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  Over the last 20 years, a lot of companies have built large online marketplaces to connect buyers and sellers. Amazon, eBay, […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2RiynVC

US Defense Department Says Blockchain Can Help in Disaster Relief

The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency says blockchain technology has "enormous" potential to improve disaster relief efforts.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2CAZkeZ

Litecoin Takes to the UFC Octagon in New Sponsorship Deal

The litecoin logo is to take prime place in the Octagon at an Ultimate Fighting Championship event this Saturday.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2CAJPDP

Former Mt Gox CEO Mark Karpeles Claims Innocence as Trial Nears End

In his closing arguments in a Tokyo court, Mark Karpeles, former CEO of collapsed bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox, said he did not embezzle funds.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ES3d1l

2019: The Year Blockchain Begins Finance’s Great Unbundling

There will be opportunities for smart blockchain companies that can find their niche in the coming unbundling, says Ripple's Asheesh Birla.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Q5mNs7

Suspected Electricity Thief Arrested After Mining $3 Million in Bitcoin, Ether

A man in Taiwan has been arrested over claims he mined $3.25 million in cryptos using stolen electricity.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AeV9DV

Building for Bulls, Bears, and the Crypto Revolution

The crypto revolution won't happen overnight – and it won't happen without pragmatism.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2VfhQB9

Court Win for Bithumb Exchange in Case of Crypto Investor’s $355K Hack

A South Korean court has ruled in favor of the Bithumb cryptocurrency exchange after a user sued the firm over a $355,000 hack.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2T9vljK

Asset-Backed Securities: Entering the Crypto Conversation in 2019

There is a growing consensus that the decentralized nature of DLT supports the credit sector's broader digital transformation goals.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Ve6QDI

India May Legalize Cryptos But Under ‘Strong’ Rules: Report

The Indian government could possibly legalize cryptocurrencies, but with tough terms and conditions attached, a news report suggests.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2CzdnSr

Bulls Under Pressure After Bitcoin Price Retreats from $4K

Bitcoin's recent forays into price territory above $4,000 have been beaten back, putting the bulls under pressure to regain momentum.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EQnIvI

Bank of America Files for Blockchain ‘ATM as a Service’ Patent

Bank of America may be eyeing “ATM as a Service” solutions powered by blockchain tech, according to a newly revealed patent application.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2Sk9Ahe

3 Conflicts That Will Shape Blockchain Tech in 2019

Three areas of conflict are taking shape in the crypto space and 2019 will see them unleashed in full force, says MintBit's Arwen Smit.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2AjEejE

GMO Quits Selling Mining Machines After Crypto Market Downturn

Japanese IT giant GMO Internet is to stop making and selling crypto mining machines, but will continue mining for now.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2V6Url8

Crypto Is Down, So Why Am I Smiling?

One of the cryptographers most often cited in Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper has reason to think the industry's future is bright.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2PZ6ayx

Layoffs Underway Amid Business Adjustments, Bitcoin Miner Bitmain Confirms

Months after it filed an application to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Beijing-based cryptocurrency mining giant Bitmain is undergoing a series of business changes that extend even to its China offices, the company confirmed Tuesday. “There has been some adjustment to our staff this year as we continue to build a long-term, […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ELyG4C

It’s Time for Local Governments to Break Blockchain’s Regulatory Gridlock

How a South Korean governor is moving fast on blockchain, despite a slow national legislature.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2LwUZfC

Why A Cooling Crypto Market Will Bring the Change We Need

Sheila Warren is head of blockchain and distributed ledger technology at the World Economic Forum. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  After about a year of market upheaval, a few things seem clear: blockchain technology is still best-suited to core use cases involving needs like censorship resistance, and a lot […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2QS4IDm

Bitcoin Core 0.17.1

Bitcoin Core installation binaries can be downloaded from bitcoincore.org and the source-code is available from the Bitcoin Core source repository.

Bitcoin Core version 0.17.1 is now available from:

https://bitcoincore.org/bin/bitcoin-core-0.17.1/

This is a new minor version release, with various bugfixes and performance improvements, as well as updated translations.

Please report bugs using the issue tracker at GitHub:

https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues

To receive security and update notifications, please subscribe to:

https://bitcoincore.org/en/list/announcements/join/

How to Upgrade

If you are running an older version, shut it down. Wait until it has completely shut down (which might take a few minutes for older versions), then run the installer (on Windows) or just copy over /Applications/Bitcoin-Qt (on Mac) or bitcoind/bitcoin-qt (on Linux).

If your node has a txindex, the txindex db will be migrated the first time you run 0.17.0 or newer, which may take up to a few hours. Your node will not be functional until this migration completes.

The first time you run version 0.15.0 or newer, your chainstate database will be converted to a new format, which will take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the speed of your machine.

Note that the block database format also changed in version 0.8.0 and there is no automatic upgrade code from before version 0.8 to version 0.15.0. Upgrading directly from 0.7.x and earlier without redownloading the blockchain is not supported. However, as usual, old wallet versions are still supported.

Downgrading warning

The chainstate database for this release is not compatible with previous releases, so if you run 0.15 and then decide to switch back to any older version, you will need to run the old release with the -reindex-chainstate option to rebuild the chainstate data structures in the old format.

If your node has pruning enabled, this will entail re-downloading and processing the entire blockchain.

Compatibility

Bitcoin Core is extensively tested on multiple operating systems using the Linux kernel, macOS 10.10+, and Windows 7 and newer (Windows XP is not supported).

Bitcoin Core should also work on most other Unix-like systems but is not frequently tested on them.

From 0.17.0 onwards macOS <10.10 is no longer supported. 0.17.0 is built using Qt 5.9.x, which doesn’t support versions of macOS older than 10.10.

Notable changes

listtransactions label support

The listtransactions RPC account parameter which was deprecated in 0.17.0 and renamed to dummy has been un-deprecated and renamed again to label.

When bitcoin is configured with the -deprecatedrpc=accounts setting, specifying a label/account/dummy argument will return both outgoing and incoming transactions. Without the -deprecatedrpc=accounts setting, it will only return incoming transactions (because it used to be possible to create transactions spending from specific accounts, but this is no longer possible with labels).

When -deprecatedrpc=accounts is set, it’s possible to pass the empty string “” to list transactions that don’t have any label. Without -deprecatedrpc=accounts, passing the empty string is an error because returning only non-labeled transactions is not generally useful behavior and can cause confusion.

0.17.1 change log

P2P protocol and network code

• #14685 9406502 Fix a deserialization overflow edge case (kazcw)
• #14728 b901578 Fix uninitialized read when stringifying an addrLocal (kazcw)

Wallet

• #14441 5150acc Restore ability to list incoming transactions by label (jnewbery)
• #13546 91fa15a Fix use of uninitialized value bnb_used in CWallet::CreateTransaction(…) (practicalswift)
• #14310 bb90695 Ensure wallet is unlocked before signing (gustavonalle)
• #14690 5782fdc Throw error if CPubKey is invalid during PSBT keypath serialization (instagibbs)
• #14852 2528443 backport: [tests] Add wallet_balance.py (MarcoFalke)
• #14196 3362a95 psbt: always drop the unnecessary utxo and convert non-witness utxo to witness when necessary (achow101)
• #14588 70ee1f8 Refactor PSBT signing logic to enforce invariant and fix signing bug (gwillen)
• #14424 89a9a9d Stop requiring imported pubkey to sign non-PKH schemes (sipa, MeshCollider)

RPC and other APIs

• #14417 fb9ad04 Fix listreceivedbyaddress not taking address as a string (etscrivner)
• #14596 de5e48a Bugfix: RPC: Add address_type named param for createmultisig (luke-jr)
• #14618 9666dba Make HTTP RPC debug logging more informative (practicalswift)
• #14197 7bee414 [psbt] Convert non-witness UTXOs to witness if witness sig created (achow101)
• #14377 a3fe125 Check that a separator is found for psbt inputs, outputs, and global map (achow101)
• #14356 7a590d8 Fix converttopsbt permitsigdata arg, add basic test (instagibbs)
• #14453 75b5d8c Fix wallet unload during walletpassphrase timeout (promag)

GUI

• #14403 0242b5a Revert “Force TLS1.0+ for SSL connections” (real-or-random)
• #14593 df5131b Explicitly disable “Dark Mode” appearance on macOS (fanquake)

Build system

• #14647 7edebed Remove illegal spacing in darwin.mk (ch4ot1c)
• #14698 ec71f06 Add bitcoin-tx.exe into Windows installer (ken2812221)

Tests and QA

• #13965 29899ec Fix extended functional tests fail (ken2812221)
• #14011 9461f98 Disable wallet and address book Qt tests on macOS minimal platform (ryanofsky)
• #14180 86fadee Run all tests even if wallet is not compiled (MarcoFalke)
• #14122 8bc1bad Test rpc_help.py failed: Check whether ZMQ is enabled or not (Kvaciral)
• #14101 96dc936 Use named args in validation acceptance tests (MarcoFalke)
• #14020 24d796a Add tests for RPC help (promag)
• #14052 7ff32a6 Add some actual witness in rpc_rawtransaction (MarcoFalke)
• #14215 b72fbab Use correct python index slices in example test (sdaftuar)
• #14024 06544fa Add TestNode::assert_debug_log (MarcoFalke)
• #14658 60f7a97 Add test to ensure node can generate all rpc help texts at runtime (MarcoFalke)
• #14632 96f15e8 Fix a comment (fridokus)
• #14700 f9db08e Avoid race in p2p_invalid_block by waiting for the block request (MarcoFalke)
• #14845 67225e2 Add wallet_balance.py (jnewbery)

Documentation

• #14161 5f51fd6 doc/descriptors.md tweaks (ryanofsky)
• #14276 85aacc4 Add autogen.sh in ARM Cross-compilation (walterwhite81)

Credits

Thanks to everyone who directly contributed to this release:

• Andrew Chow
• Chun Kuan Lee
• David A. Harding
• Eric Scrivner
• fanquake
• fridokus
• Glenn Willen
• Gregory Sanders
• gustavonalle
• John Newbery
• Jon Layton
• Jonas Schnelli
• João Barbosa
• Kaz Wesley
• Kvaciral
• Luke Dashjr
• MarcoFalke
• MeshCollider
• Pieter Wuille
• practicalswift
• Russell Yanofsky
• Sjors Provoost
• Suhas Daftuar
• Tim Ruffing
• Walter
• Wladimir J. van der Laan

As well as everyone that helped translating on Transifex.

from Bitcoin Core http://bit.ly/2EO2luG

Bitcoin Core 0.17.1 Released

Bitcoin Core version 0.17.1 is now available for download containing several bug fixes and minor improvements. For a complete list of changes, please see the release notes.

If have any questions, please stop by our IRC chatroom and we’ll do our best to help you.

from Bitcoin Core http://bit.ly/2EQHDuv

Nevermind the Bears: 2018 Was the Rude Awakening Crypto Needed

Sure, it was a tough year for crypto. But emerging from that year companies and projects are stronger and growing faster than ever.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2PXmM9O

Backed By Volume, Bitcoin’s Eyes $4.4K Price Target

The price of bitcoin is back above $4,000, and is eyeing a move upwards. The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization had been trapped within a symmetrical triangle, suppressing its range between $3,788 and $4,153 over a period of four days, that is, until it broke out above $4,200 at 12:40 UTC today. At press […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EJTR89

Beyond CryptoKitties: 10 Trends That Defined the Year in Crypto Gaming

From advances in art trading to setbacks for celebrities on the blockchain, it was a year of serious building for the crypto collectable market.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BCHGWI

Why Traders Say Volume Is Crypto Price Indicator of Choice

When it comes to analyzing markets, developing your own trading style can be the difference between a successful trade or financial pain. Traders utilize a variety of indicators in order to add layers of confirmation to their bias in order to get the most accurate results. But what if you could only choose one indicator to […]

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EGhzkC

What Happened to Dapps? (And 4 Other Big Questions for Ethereum in 2019)

Ethereum may have caught the world's attention but it needs to answer fundamental questions before being able to deliver on its promise.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2T93DUo

Why the CFTC’s Questions About Ethereum Matter

The questions on ethereum the CFTC put to the public show that the regulator has been considering derivatives on cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin - they also point to a new collaborative approach to sector oversight.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2rPIGC3

Saying Goodbye to the Blockchain Romantics

Decentralization may sound like a sexy concept, but realism may be a better real-deal solution, argues Elly Zhang.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2V5R1yV

Launch of Bakkt Bitcoin Futures Market May Get Postponed Again

It's unlikely the CFTC will act in time for ICE to launch Bakkt as planned on Jan. 24, CoinDesk has learned.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2V265xw

US Lawmakers Seek Sanctions Against Iran’s Cryptocurrency Efforts

A bill introduced this week in Congress takes a hard line on Iran's efforts to develop its own sovereign cryptocurrency.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BzIlIp

Grin and Beam: A Tale of Two Coins Being Built on Bitcoin’s Mimblewimble

Mimblewimble is about to go live – not in one, but in two new cryptocurrency implementations.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2T1BDC0

Civil-Backed News Site Archives Article on Ethereum Blockchain

Journalist-owned news site Popula has stored an entire U.S. news article on the ethereum blockchain, permanently archiving the story.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2V9Iqvo

Coinbase CEO Pledges to Donate Much of Wealth to Charitable Causes

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has joined other super-wealthy individuals in pledging to donate much of his net-worth to philanthropic causes.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2BJ0iV5

Crypto Firms Merge to Build Software for Institutional Investors

In a bid to provide services for institutional investors, investor tools provider Picks & Shovels is merging with crypto accounting startup CoinVantage.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2ECeNwH

Executives at Korean Crypto Exchange UPbit Indicted for Fraud

Three executives of UPbit, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, have been formally charged by the country’s prosecutors.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EIrjf5

This Price Chart Indicates Bitcoin’s Bulls Are Back in Business

Bitcoin is looking increasingly bullish on a key technical chart following its strong move above $4,000.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2EGzB79

Miner Maker Ebang Reports ‘Significant’ Profit Drop in New IPO Filing

Crypto miner maker Ebang has refiled its draft IPO prospectus in Hong Kong, indicating a downturn in business in Q3.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2A69RNC

Facebook to Develop its Own Stablecoin for Remittances: Report

Social media giant Facebook is reportedly working on to launch its own stablecoin for money transfers through its popular messaging app WhatsApp.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2PP8YhD

Why Crypto Winter Won’t Be 2019’s Defining Story

Eric Piscini, CEO of Citizens Reserve and Deloitte's former blockchain lead, outlines the key threads of 2018 and how they signal what's coming for 2019.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SepHNd

Wyoming County Moves to Put Land Records on Blockchain

Medici Land Governance, a subsidiary of Overstock, signed a memorandum of understanding with Teton County, Wyoming, to digitize property titles.

from CoinDesk http://bit.ly/2SeAJlw

Bitcoin’s Tick Problem (Getting Screwed on Crypto Exchanges)

Dan Cawrey is the CEO of Pactum Capital, a financial services firm focused on managing risk with cryptocurrency derivatives. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  Published writers say it. Powerful businesspeople say it. Elite athletes say it. Investors with a track record of smart decision-making say it; “Consistency is the […]

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2UYPc74

US Lawmakers File Bill to Exempt Cryptocurrencies from Securities Laws

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking to exempt cryptocurrencies and certain other digital assets from securities laws.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2R8ziYv

TokenSoft to Offer Coinbase Custody as STO Client Option

TokenSoft, a security token offering platform, has partnered with Coinbase to provide an alternative custody solution for clients.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2rPHaQk

More Staff Cuts Are Coming at Ethereum Studio ConsenSys

ConsenSys 'spokes' are being offered the option to seek outside funding or accept severance packages, sources tell CoinDesk.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2UZ2sZu

Token Startup Templum Seeks SEC Clarity on Post-Trade Activities

Regulated token trader Templum has petitioned the SEC seeking clarification on the status of post-trade activities conducted over blockchains.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2ECnEPf

Ethereum Startup Parity Launches DIY Blockchain Tool Substrate

Parity Technologies has launched a beta version of Substrate, a tool that lets users create custom blockchains for decentralized applications.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2rPlN1P

Peter Thiel Backs $2.1 Million Round for Crypto Investment Startup Layer1

PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel has backed a $2.1 million seed round for crypto investment startup Layer1.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2A7Zxoc

Tensions Emerge Between Hyperledger Blockchain’s Biggest Supporters

More than a potential competition between blockchain platforms, tensions between IBM and Intel point to bigger questions around governance.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2SVAtIe

Bitcoin’s Path to $5K Faces a Major Hurdle

Bitcoin's recovery rally faces sturdy resistance at $4,400 – here are three reasons why.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2R2p9wL

McAfee: Crypto-Mining Malware Grew By Over 4,000 Percent in 2018

Instances of crypto-mining malware increased by a whopping 4,467 percent this year, according to research from McAfee.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2EAT3Sa

IBM and Intel’s Brewing Blockchain Tug-of-War

More than a potential competition between blockchain platforms, tensions between IBM and Intel point to bigger questions around governance.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2GyIIsl

Bitcoin Price Rebounds to Two-Week Highs Above $4K

Bitcoin's relief rally gathered pace on Thursday, pushing prices to two-week highs above the psychological hurdle of $4,000.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2SZXYQa

A Middle Way Forward for Blockchain

"Not too little. Not too much. Just right.” Chromaway's CEO gives his take on why the Swedish saying may be key to unlocking blockchain's potential.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2Scj3XE

Coinbase Will Soon Reward You for Studying Crypto

Coinbase is launching a new product to help customers earn the 0x tokens while learning about crypto assets.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2Gyipm5

The Herd and the HODLers: Recovering from Crypto’s Two-Year False Start

Cryptocurrency industry observer David Nage thinks we're in the Friendster/Myspace error of blockchain, but that Facebook isn't too far away.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2PQ5Gug

Take 2: News Startup Civil Announces Rebooted Token Sale for February

After a failed token sale in October, ConsenSys startup Civil is launching an offering in February that incorporates lessons learned.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2PPffd3

OKEx Launches No-Expiry Bitcoin Derivative Product

Crypto exchange OKEx has launched a new bitcoin derivative product called a "perpetual swap," that lets positions to be held indefinitely.

from CoinDesk https://ift.tt/2QG6J5A

Coinbase Just Moved $5 Billion in Crypto to Prepare for Token Expansion

Crypto exchange startup Coinbase just move a huge chunk of all the cryptocurrency in circulation.

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ASX Reaffirms 2021 Blockchain Rollout Date After Blythe Masters Steps Down

The Australian Securities Exchange will continue to work on its DLT-based settlement system despite the departure of of Blythe Masters, the former CEO of its partner Digital Asset.

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TrustToken Says It Passed 3 Security Audits With No Bugs Found

TrustToken says its tech has passed three independent security audits, while its stablecoin is now seeing trading volume over $1 billion a month.

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CoinList Launches Hackathon Series to Spur Crypto Product Launches

Under its new "CoinList Build" brand, CoinList will be co-organizing hackathons with protocols that are looking to court developers.

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Coinbase Has Dropped Its Bid to Trademark ‘BUIDL’

Coinbase has withdrawn its trademark application for "BUIDL," a popular term used by some segments of the cryptocurrency community.

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MultiChain Releases 2.0 Beta, Adds SAP and HCL as Partners

Enterprise blockchain framework MultiChain is beefing up its partner list as it starts to roll out the next version of its software.

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Vitalik Just Gave $300K in Crypto to Three Ethereum Startups

Vitalik Buterin just donated $300,000 in ether to three ethereum 2.0 startups in response to a Twitter thread.

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Bull Reversal: Bitcoin Climbs Key Price Hurdle to Target $4K

Bitcoin's price crossed key resistance yesterday, boosting the prospects of a stronger rally above $4,000.

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UK Tax Agency Publishes Detailed Guidance for Crypto Holders

U.K. tax body HMRC has provided an in-depth explanation of how cryptocurrency users should pay taxes on their holdings.

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Venezuela Isn’t the Crypto Use Case You Want It to Be

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts love to talk about Venezuelan users as an example of bitcoin's subversive potential – but the reality is more complex.

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Institutional Crypto and a New Generation of Wall Street Leaders

The crypto space is shifting rapidly with new innovations – but the industry still faces a number of urgent questions, says angel investor Donna Redel.

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Blythe Masters, CEO of Blockchain Startup Digital Asset, Is Stepping Down

Digital Assets Holdings CEO Blythe Masters has stepped down from her role, but will remain on as a shareholder, strategic advisor and board member.

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Overstock’s Medici Acquires Digital Tokens Representing Startup Equity Shares

Overstock's Medici Ventures has successfully transferred 3.6 million tokenized shares from Chainstone Labs using Ravencoin's blockchain.

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Tim Draper Invests $1.25 Million in Bitcoin Payments Processor OpenNode

U.S.-based venture capitalist Tim Draper has invested $1.25 million in OpenNode, a bitcoin-only payments processing startup.

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Documents Suggest Tether Has Fiat Funds to Back Stablecoin: Report

Tether Ltd. may have the cash reserves to back up its 1.8 billion dollar-pegged tokens, says Bloomberg.

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Watch Lambos Battle for Crypto in This ‘War Riders’ Gameplay Trailer

Cartified's new game lets feuding vehicles duke it out for ERC-20 tokens.

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Coinbase Ventures Backs $3 Million Round for Trading Data Startup Nomics

Nomics has raised $3 million from Coinbase Ventures, DCG and more for its plan to index 95% of all crypto trading data points.

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Amazon Plays Its Own Game With Enterprise Blockchain

Amazon Web Services, the e-commerce giant’s cloud computing arm, is having its proverbial blockchain cake and eating it, too.

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Holiday Rally? Bitcoin Jumps 10% on Price Record Anniversary

Bitcoin could be in for a stronger recovery rally ahead of New Year as the recent major sell-off looks to be fading.

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South Korean Government Trials Blockchain for Shipping Efficiency Boost

Two South Korean government ministries are exploring blockchain's potential to bring new efficiencies to port logistics.

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Crypto Is Far From Dead, as These Scaling Projects Show

Far from seeing the death of crypto, we may be entering its most exciting phase, argues Michael J. Casey.

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Humans on the Blockchain: Why Crypto Is the Best Defense Against AI Overlords

The strategic use of blockchains will be essential in enabling humans to become meaningful long-term stakeholders in the future of governance, argues entrepreneur Santiago Siri.

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Coinbase Adds Crypto-to-Crypto Trading for Retail Customers

Coinbase is rolling out bitcoin-based crypto-to-crypto trading pairs for its retail customers.

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Overstock’s tZERO to Develop a Cobalt-Backed Token for Asian Investor

The engagement could lead to the tokenization of up to $200 million worth of cobalt, which is used to make electric vehicle batteries, in 2019.

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Blockstream Boosts Bitcoin Satellite Service With Lightning Payments

Blockstream has expanded its bitcoin satellite service to the Asia-Pacific region and added support for Lightning Network transactions.

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Iranian Official Says Blockchain Could Deliver Economic Boost

An Iranian official has reportedly said that integrating blockchain could bring a tech-based boost to the country's economy.

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Cypherpunk Legend Timothy May Has Passed Away

Timothy C. May, cypherpunk legend and author of the “Crypto Anarchist Manifesto,” has passed away at the age 67.

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When the Tide Goes Out: Big Questions for Crypto in 2019

After this year’s wild market ride and many failed projects, what might cryptocurrency mean for money and finance in 2019 and beyond?

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A Year Ago Today Bitcoin’s Price Hit a Record $20k

Bitcoin is still struggling to find the bottom of a bear market on the anniversary of its $20,000 all-time record price high.

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This Brazilian Bank Is Using Ethereum to Issue a Stablecoin

The Brazilian National Social Development Bank is to pilot a stablecoin based on ethereum to combat corruption.

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Switzerland to Regulate Blockchain Within Existing Financial Laws

Switzerland's government plans to accommodate the blockchain sector within existing financial laws, but with a few tweaks.

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Hong Kong Exchange ‘Hesitant’ to Approve Bitmain IPO, Says Source

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is reluctant to approve the IPO applications of Chinese bitcoin mining equipment manufacturers, according to a person involved in the talks.

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The Intrinsic Value of Crypto (What the Bubble Hasn’t Changed)

The crypto bubble hasn't altered the intrinsic value of crypto assets – but it should change our outlook on how they will evolve.

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Exchanges, Startups Pick Sides After the Bitcoin Cash ‘Hash War’

The so-called "hash war" over the future of bitcoin cash is over and it's up to market forces to decide the fate of its two rival cryptocurrencies.

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Coinbase and the Awkwardness of Growing Up

Coinbase's reveal of 31 tokens it's considering listing sparked a flurry of controversy. The strategy makes business sense, but the communication raises questions.

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One Month Later, Which Crypto Is Winning the Bitcoin Cash Split?

After a month of wild volatility and 'hash wars,' the public still has yet to pick a clear favorite out of the two new bitcoin cash forks, BCHABC and BSV.

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Crypto is for Activists: Why We Need More Cypherpunks, Not Cypherposers

Bitcoin is activism, not a get rich quick scheme or a startup platform, says Lamassu's Zach Harvey.

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When There’s Blood in the Street (Why It’s Not Quite Time to Be Long Crypto)

Timothy Enneking is the founder and the primary principal of Digital Capital Management, LLC (DCM). ——————- Two members of the Rothschild family are credited, perhaps incorrectly, with the (in)famous quote regarding investing: “When there is blood in the street” (James (mid-19th century) and Nathan (after the battle of Waterloo)). The family has been one of […]

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Coinbase Revamps PayPal Withdrawals for US Crypto Users

Coinbase customers in the U.S. can now make withdrawals into their PayPal accounts.

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This Binance-Backed Crypto Startup Wants to Anonymize Everything

Built atop a near-forgotten anonymity system named mix networks, Nym Technologies is entering the proof-of-concept phase following a 10-week incubation program with Binance Labs.

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Ethereum Chat Startup Status Lays Off 25% of Staff

Citing the crypto bear market, Status.IM has laid off 25 staffers and asked remaining employees to take a pay cut.

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EU Parliament Calls for Action on Blockchain Adoption in Trade

The European Parliament has called for measures that would prepare the region to use blockchain to benefit trade.

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Crypto-Friendly Money App Revolut Wins EU Banking License

Revolut, provider of a mobile finance app that offers crypto trading, has been granted a banking license from the European Central Bank.

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Sephora Shoppers Are Getting Their First Bitcoin Using Crypto Startup Lolli

Sephora has joined the list of retailers at which shoppers can earn bitcoin rewards via the Lolli app.

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Blockchain Developer Role Tops LinkedIn’s 2018 Emerging Jobs List

The role of blockchain developer has leaped straight to the top of LinkedIn's list of emerging jobs for 2018.

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Bitcoin Price Defies Oversold Conditions to Hit 15-Month Low

Bitcoin tumbled to 15-month lows earlier today, defying hints of a rally signalled by current extreme oversold conditions.

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Crypto Exchange SeedCX Is Barring Employees from Crypto Trading

Seed CX has one of the crypto industry’s strictest policies on employee trading. In a word: Don’t.

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US Government Issues Advice Over Bitcoin Bomb Threat Emails

The U.S. government has confirmed the existence of bomb threat emails that demand bitcoin from organizations and suggested steps to take.

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Violent Delights Lead to Violent Ends: Rebuilding After the Crypto Crash

Dovey Wan is a founding partner of Primitive Ventures, a global venture investment firm with a focus on blockchain. You can follow her on Twitter at @doveywan.  The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  While emerging assets are always turbulent, 2018 has been an especially violent year for the crypto markets. Many […]

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SEC’s Crypto Czar Signals Some Flexibility on Token Offerings

No-action letters may be a way forward for crypto startups hoping to avoid securities classifications.

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US Lawmaker Suggests ‘WallCoin’ Crypto to Fund Trump’s Mexico Border Wall

Representative Warren Davidson has suggested using a cryptocurrency to crowdfund a wall on the Mexican border.

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Binance Is Expanding Its Crypto Incubator to 5 New Cities

One goal of the incubator is to foster projects that could get their tokens listed on Binance's exchange.

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Gaming PC Maker Razer Offers Store Credit in Return for Crypto Mining

Gaming hardware manufacturer Razer has launched an app that rewards users for mining, but not with crypto or cash.

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Basis Stablecoin Confirms Shutdown, Blaming ‘Regulatory Constraints’

Basis, the most well-funded stablecoin startup, says it couldn't overcome regulatory hurdles and is returning money to its investors.

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ICO Services Startup TokenSoft Acquires Stake in Regulated Broker-Dealer

ICO facilitator TokenSoft has acquired interest in a regulated broker-dealer to provide services that were previously impossible for the firm.

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South Korea’s Kakao Leads $15 Million Raise for Public Blockchain Startup Orbs

South Korean messaging giant Kakao has led an over-$15 million crypto investment in Israeli-based public blockchain project Orbs.

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Former Apple Exec Joins Civic’s Decentralized Identity Platform

Blockchain startup Civic has hired Apple veteran Phillip Shoemaker as executive director of Identity.com.

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Blockstack Won’t Need to Sell Bitcoin or Ether to Survive Crypto Winter

Blockstack limited its access to funds raised last year, so it couldn't spend faster than it gained traction. Now that's paying off.

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UAE Remittance Firm Launching Ripple-Based Payments in Q1 2019

Abu Dhabi-based UAE Exchange is working with Ripple to launch blockchain remittances to Asia early next year.

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Bitcoin Price Consolidates Sub-$3.5K With Bulls and Bears in Stalemate

Bitcoin is consolidating below $3,500 for the third day straight, but is a bull move building?

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Overstock Venture Chief Expects Market for Blockchain Products in 2019

Overstock's blockchain arm, Medici Ventures, has big plans for 2019, as the e-commerce giant moves towards a February sale.

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Major German Stock Exchange to Launch Crypto Trading Platform

Germany’s second-largest stock exchange, Boerse Stuttgart, is set to launch crypto trading in the first half of 2019, with ICO token trading coming later.

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A Built-In Ethereum Wallet Just Got Added to Opera’s Browser

Opera has announced the public release of its "Web 3-ready" Android web browser featuring an ethereum wallet.

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Crypto 2018 Was a Tale Told By An Idiot – But It Doesn’t Have to Signify Nothing

James Greaves is the co-founder of Glyph, an identity service built for the blockchain era. The following is an exclusive contribution to CoinDesk’s 2018 Year in Review.  I’m completely out of crypto and I’ve been selling my bitcoin and ether all year. Does that disgust you? Disappoint you? If you just met me, I’m guessing […]

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Report: Venezuela Is Forcibly Converting Pension Balances to the Petro

Venezuela has reportedly begun automatically converting residents' pensions into its controversial cryptocurrency.

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Former AriseBank Execs Settle Charges in SEC ICO Fraud Lawsuit

The SEC has settled charges with AriseBank's former CEO and COO, requiring the two to pay $2.7 million in disgorgement and $187,000 in penalties.

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Deutsche Telekom, Alibaba Cloud, Citi Join Hyperledger Blockchain Project

Hyperledger has added 16 new members, including Deutsche Telekom, Europe's biggest telecommunications provider and Alibaba's cloud computing subsidiary.

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Ethereum’s Geth Software Upgrades Ahead of January Hard Fork

Geth has locked ethereum's upcoming Constantinople hard fork into its latest code release.

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Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital Backs $4 million Raise for Crypto-Lender BlockFi

BlockFi, a startup that offers U.S. dollar loans against crypto collateral, has raised $4 million from Mike Novogratz's Galaxy Digital and others.

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Allianz Global Investors Chief Calls for Cryptocurrency Ban

The CEO and global CIO of Allianz's investment arm has said cryptocurrencies should be banned by regulators.

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Romper Room to White Linen: Saying Goodbye to Crypto’s Infant Anarchy

As the crypto markets have matured, they've seen increasing acceptance with traditional finance and regulators, but there's still a way to go.

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Bitcoin Price Charts Indicate Glimmer of Hope for Corrective Rally

Bitcoin's struggle to build a notable bounce could end if prices beat key resistance above $3,600.

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Kraken Is Seeking ‘War Chest’ Investment at a $4 Billion Valuation

Crypto exchange Kraken is seeking investment from select clients with a minimum $100,000 buy-in.

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Cheap Power Is Luring Battered Bitcoin Miners to Iran

Some crypto miners are looking to Iran for its low-cost power – but the path to setting up shop in the country is anything but simple.

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10-Year Jail Term Sought for Former Mt Gox CEO Mark Karpeles

Japanese prosecutors are seeking a 10-year sentence for former Mt. Gox CEO Mark Karpeles over embezzlement of user funds.

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Payments Startup Bitwala Now Offers Crypto Banking in Germany

Germany-based payments startup Bitwala is now offering crypto banking services in the country in partnership with local fintech firm SolarisBank.

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The Future of ICOs: In the Hands of Regulators or Innovators?

What is the future of initial coin offerings? One of the movements early leaders suggests the market might be at a tipping point.

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Gemini Launches New Mobile App for Crypto Traders

Gemini has launched a mobile app with full functionality, allowing customers to buy, sell and transfer funds, among other features.

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The CFTC Wants to Learn More About Ethereum

The CFTC has published a request for input to learn more about ethereum and its underlying blockchain network.

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C-Suite Departure: Coinbase’s Chief Product Officer Has Left the Startup

Coinbase's chief product officer, Jeremy Henrickson, left the crypto exchange in early November after 2+ years of scaling the company's tech team.

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ConsenSys ‘Town Hall’ Shows Staff Shaken at Ethereum’s Largest Startup

Chat logs obtained from a ConsenSys town hall last week reveal a mix of shock and support following the company's announced layoffs.

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Coinone Exchange Launches Cross-Border Payments App With Ripple Tech

South Korean crypto exchange Coinone has launched Cross, an app providing cross-border remittances using Ripple's xCurrent product.

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What a Wall Street Chart Tells Us About the Psychology of the Bitcoin Market

Hope, euphoria or panic: What the “Wall Street Cheat Sheet” can tell us about the current state of the bitcoin market.

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Blockchain-Friendly UK Lawmaker Calls for Crypto Tax Payments

British politician Eddie Hughes has proposed allowing local taxes and bills to be paid with cryptocurrencies.

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Crypto Assets on Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange Can Now Be Insured

The Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange, a subsidiary of the island's stock exchange, is now offering insurance cover for crypto assets.

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Bitcoin Oversold on Weekly Price Chart for First Time in Four Years

A key long-term bitcoin price indicator is reporting oversold conditions for the first time in almost four years.

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Not Everyone Wants a Bitcoin ETF

Despite the hype, some experts believe a bitcoin ETF wouldn't have much long-term impact on the broader market.

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UK Crypto Exchanges Pose Low Money Laundering Risk, Says Global Watchdog

Crypto exchanges in the U.K. pose a “low” risk for money laundering and terrorist financing, says a report from the Financial Action Task Force.

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Fund Seeks $200 Million to Help Startups Survive a Crypto Winter

David Johnston’s new Yeoman’s Growth Capital will invest exclusively in live blockchain projects.

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UNICEF Funds 6 Blockchain Startups to ‘Solve Global Challenges’

UNICEF is investing $100,000 in six blockchain startups to solve issues affecting developing economies.

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State Farm Trials Blockchain Tool for Streamlining Insurance Claims

State Farm is trialing a blockchain solution to streamline a currently-manual aspect of insurance claims.

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Galaxy Digital Leads $30 Million Funding for Social-Crypto Startup Good Money

Good Money, a crypto banking platform, raised $30 million for future development work.

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Bitcoin’s Share of the Crypto Market Is Nearing a 3-Month High

Bitcoin's share in the cryptocurrency market reached an 11-week high late last week.

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ICOs Are ‘Effective Way’ to Raise Capital If Rules Are Followed: SEC Chairman

SEC chairman Jay Clayton has said that ICOs can be an "effective way" to raise capital, but securities laws must be followed.

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Crypto Trading Platform ErisX Hires Serial Exchange Founder Matt Trudeau

Matt Trudeau, who has overseen some 10 global market launches, has joined crypto trading firm ErisX as chief strategy officer.

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Bitmain Closes Israel Development Arm Citing Crypto Bear Market

Cryptocurrency mining giant Bitmain has reportedly closed down its Israel-based R&D division, citing a crypto market "shake-up."

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Facebook Is Hiring 5 New Staff Members for Its Blockchain Team

Facebook is advertising five job openings for blockchain talent across the areas of data science, coding and marketing.

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Bitcoin Faces Drop Towards $3K After Brief Price Bounce

Bitcoin still has the potential to drop towards $3,000, despite a minor bounce from 15-month lows seen on Friday.

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Vertcoin’s Struggle Is Everyone’s Struggle

Despite the devastating 51 percent attack on Vertcoin, ASIC-resistance is a goal worth fighting for.

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Japanese Lawmaker Proposes 4 Changes to Ease Crypto Tax Burden

A Japanese politician has proposed four changes to the taxation system he says will promote adoption of cryptocurrency in the country.

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Stablecoin Issuer Stasis Promises Full Audits of Euro-Backed Crypto Token

The engagement of BDO Malta aims to dispel any doubts that EURS stablecoins are backed one-to-one by euros.

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2019 Will Be a Big Year for Stablecoins

2019 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for innovation in the stablecoin sphere, writes the CEO of crypto trading firm XBTO.

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Next-Gen BUIDLers: The 8 Teams Working on Ethereum 2.0

CoinDesk looks at the eight teams across the globe spearheading the push to create ethereum 2.0 – the next iteration of the blockchain network.

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Why You Shouldn’t Fear the Blockchain Regulators

Calls for regulation do not represent the end of cryptocurrency innovation; they signal blockchain’s ongoing maturation, a legal expert argues.

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The Era of Central Bank Digital Currencies Is Within Reach

A phased roll-out of a central bank digital currency is not only possible, but may be what certain regions need, says R3's research lead.

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SEC Fines Crypto Fund $50K and Issues Cease-and-Desist

The SEC has issued a cease-and-desist order against CoinAlpha after it offered unregistered securities.

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Block 7,080,000: Ethereum Developers Propose Activation Point for Next Hard Fork

Ethereum is moving closer to the activation of the long-in-the-waiting network upgrade known as Constantinople.

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Crypto Exchange Gemini to List Bitcoin Cash With NYDFS Approval

The Winklevoss-owned Gemini crypto exchange is adding support for bitcoin cash trading pairs with approval from New York's finance watchdog.

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Venezuela to Sell Oil for Petro Cryptocurrency in 2019, Says Maduro

Venezuela's President Maduro has said the nation will sidestep the dollar and use its controversial petro token for oil sales next year.

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Coinbase Considers Adding 30 New Crypto Assets to Its Exchange

Coinbase has published a long list of crypto assets it plans to add to its exchange, but says there is regulatory and technical work still to do.

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Russia’s Sberbank Uses Smart Contract to Settle Three-Way Repo Deal

Russia’s Sberbank has settled a three-way repurchase agreement using blockchain tech, calling it a "world's first."

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Mining Firm Sues Bitcoin ABC Proponents for ‘Hijacking’ Bitcoin Cash

Mining firm United Investment has launched a lawsuit against Bitmain, bitcoin.com, and Bitcoin ABC devs for allegedly taking control of bitcoin cash.

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Ether Price Hits 1.5-Year Low As Shorts Hit Record High

The price of ether, the token that powers the ethereum network, fell to 19-month lows just over $80 on Friday.

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Mastercard Patent Filing Outlines Way to Anonymize Crypto Transactions

Payments giant Mastercard claims to have developed a new way of keeping cryptocurrency transactions private.

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US Congressmen Introduce Two Bills to Prevent Crypto Price Manipulation

Two congressmen from Florida and North Carolina have introduced legislation aimed to help prevent cryptocurrency price manipulation.

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When Bitcoin’s Price Breaks Down, It Follows a Pattern

When trying to predict the future price of bitcoin, it's impossible to do so without first looking at its past.

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Bitcoin Drops Below $3.4K to Set a New 2018 Low

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has once again hit a fresh 2018 low below $3,350 amid a greater crypto market sell-off.

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SEC Again Delays Decision on VanEck-SolidX Bitcoin ETF

The SEC has postponed its decision on the VanEck/SolidX bitcoin ETF to February 2019.

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Binance Launches Multi-Account Feature for Institutional Crypto Traders

Binance is launching sub-accounts, allowing institutional investors to create multiple accounts for different employees.

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ConsenSys Confirms Layoffs, Projecting 13% of Staff at Startups to Be Cut

In a statement shared Thursday, ConsenSys announced that it is letting go 13 percent of its staff.

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Morgan Creek Digital Is Betting $1 Million That Crypto Can Beat the S&P 500

Morgan Creek Digital wants to echo Warren Buffett's famous bet by wagering $1 million that crypto will outperform the S&P 500 over 10 years.

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Bets On Bitcoin Price Decline Hit 6-Week High

The pessimistic sentiment around bitcoin prices saw the number of shorts hit a six-week high on Thursday.

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Coinbase Wants to Own ‘BUIDL’ Trademark, Filing Reveals

A filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that crypto exchange Coinbase wants to own the term "BUIDL."

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4 Banks Complete €100K Commercial Paper Transaction on R3’s Corda

Four European banks, including Commerzbank and ING, have settled a live commercial paper transaction worth €100,000 on R3's Corda blockchain.

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BitGo Brings Banker Out of Retirement to Lead Institutional Crypto Custody

Ex-Banker Dick Corcoran will oversee billions of dollars in value as CEO of the recently formed BitGo Trust Company.

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Swiss Post, Swisscom Developing New Blockchain Platform on Hyperledger

Swiss Post and Swisscom have teamed up to build an infrastructure for blockchain applications on Hyperledger Fabric.

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Bitcoin Still on Defensive But Rally Possible Over $3.9K

Bitcoin remains on the defensive despite a 4-percent recovery from nine-day lows today, but bearish pressure may weaken if prices rise above key resistance near $3,900.

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Suspect Crypto Transactions Rise in Japan But Still Just 1.7% of Total

Reported suspicious crypto transactions soared in the first 10 months of 2018, but fiat is still vastly more popular in money laundering.

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US Government Offering Up to $800K for Anti-Counterfeiting Blockchain Solutions

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking to fund anti-counterfeiting solutions from blockchain startups with grants of up to $800,000.

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Coinbase Is Planning a Year-Long Decentralized Identity Experiment

The crypto unicorn is currently exploring decentralized-identity solutions, an effort that's playing out against a broader push to give users more control over their data.

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Indian State to Boost Local Blockchain Ecosystem With Mentorships, Events

The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh plans to support blockchain startups in the state in partnership with Eleven01.

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Coinbase Adds Zcash to Retail Crypto Trading Service

Coinbase is adding support for privacy-focused zcash, a week after its professional trading platform first added the coin.

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Lubin Won’t Rule Out Layoffs Amid ‘Refocusing’ at ConsenSys

A strategic shift is in the works at ConsenSys, the sprawling venture studio dedicated to building ethereum-based businesses and products.

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7 Southern EU Nations Unite to Take Lead on Blockchain Adoption

Seven EU member nations have come together to promote the use of blockchain tech to boost government services and economic well-being.

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R3’s New Corda App Supports Payments in XRP Cryptocurrency

R3 has launched the Corda Settler, an app aimed to facilitate global crypto payments within enterprise blockchains – and it's starting with XRP.

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Aion Token Project Estimates 18-Month Runway After Bitcoin and Ether Sales

The Aion Foundation has sold off half of the bitcoin and ether raised in an October 2017 token sale, says its CEO.

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Blockchain ‘Radically Simplifies’ KYC, Say UAE Trial Participants

An Abu Dhabi financial center and KPMG say they have successfully completed a trial of a blockchain-based know-your-customer application.

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Bitcoin Faces Biggest Yearly Price Loss on Record

Bitcoin's recent drop to 14-month lows has left the cryptocurrency on track for its biggest ever yearly loss.

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A Top-5 US Hospital Is Exploring Blockchain for Patient Data

Massachusetts General, a top-five U.S. hospital, is partnering with a blockchain startup to find better ways to store and share patient data.

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Binance Releases New Video Demo of its Decentralized Crypto Exchange

Binance has released a second video demo of its advancing decentralized crypto exchange, Binance DEX.

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The Race Is On to Replace Ethereum’s Most Centralized Layer

Ethereum developers are working on numerous approaches to replacing or enhancing a popular tool for connecting to the network.

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Numerai to Cut Token Supply by 10 Million to Become ‘Decentralized as F*ck’

The move from the next-gen hedge fund dovetails nicely with recent comments by U.S. regulators and could test the waters regarding airdrops.

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Air Force Grad School Launches Blockchain Demo Site

The Air Force Institute of Technology has published a demonstration website aimed at helping professionals learn about blockchain.

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Crypto Exchange Poloniex Launches Institutional Trading Services

Poloniex announced it was opening institutional trading accounts as of Tuesday.

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Overstock’s Medici Invests $2.5 Million in Grain Tech Firm’s Blockchain Pivot

Medici Ventures has bought a $2.5 million equity stake in GrainChain, a software firm launching its own blockchain and stablecoin.

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Treasury Official: Global Regulators Must Follow US Lead in Crypto Enforcement

U.S. Treasury Department Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker called for global efforts to police malicious actors' use of cryptocurrencies.

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Hyperledger Launches Cryptography Toolbox for Blockchain Developers

Hyperledger has launched a new tool for blockchain developers – a modular cryptographic library aimed to reduce work duplication and bugs.

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Coinbase’s Former Fraud Lead Has Left to Join Tech Firm Twilio

One of Coinbase's longest-servicing employees, risk operations manager Rees Atlas, has left the Silicon Valley cryptocurrency exchange for Twilio, a publicly traded tech firm.

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Signature Bank Wins New York Approval for ‘Real-Time’ Blockchain Payments

Signature Bank is launching a blockchain-based real-time payments system in early 2019 and has just got the green light in New York.

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Swiss Regulator’s ‘Relaxed’ Fintech License Covers Blockchain Firms

Switzerland's Financial Market Supervisory Authority has introduced a new "relaxed" fintech license that can apply to blockchain and crypto firms.

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Fidelity, Bitmain and More Invest $27 Million in Crypto Trading Platform ErisX

ErisX has closed a $27.5 million Series B funding round to build a regulated crypto spot and futures market.

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$35 Million: Sequoia, Baidu Back Turing Award Winner’s Blockchain Project

Conflux, a scalable blockchain project with a Turing Award-winning co-founder, has raised $35 million from backers including Sequoia and Baidu.

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Iranian Bitcoin Trader on US Sanctions Blacklist Says He’s Innocent

One of the Iranian bitcoin wallet holders added to the U.S. sanctions list last week says he was unaware coins he received were tied to ransomware.

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Closing on $4k: Bitcoin Price Returns From One-Week Lows

A quick recovery from one-week lows seen today may have helped bitcoin avert a bigger sell-off, but the bulls are not out of the woods yet.

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Singapore Government Agency Backs New Blockchain Accelerator

Enterprise Singapore, a government agency set up to develop the startup ecosystem, is supporting a new blockchain accelerator program.

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Chinese Crypto Billionaire to Help Lead Hong-Kong-Listed Blockchain Firm

Veteran Chinese crypto investor Li Xiaolai has joined a public firm listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as an executive director and co-CEO.

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US Government Is Interested in Tracking Privacy Coins, New Document Shows

A pre-solicitation published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security asks about conducting forensic analysis on privacy coins like zcash and monero.

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G20 Leaders Pledge Crypto-Asset Regulation After Buenos Aires Meeting

G20 leaders declared that they would regulate crypto to mitigate financial crimes in a statement after this weekend's summit.

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Thailand Government Trials Blockchain in Fight Against Tax Fraud

The tax authority in Thailand is testing a blockchain system that tracks value-added tax (VAT) payments and potentially eliminate fakes.

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Ohio Accelerators to Pump Over $100 Million into Blockchain Startups

Two startup accelerators in the U.S. state of Ohio are reportedly to invest more than $100 million into blockchain firms, and more may follow.

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GM Patent Touts Blockchain As Data Solution for Self-Driving Cars

Blockchain can be used to store and share data collected by autonomous vehicles, according to a patent application by GM.

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Will Bitcoin Price Snap Three-Year December Winning Streak?

Bitcoin may break its three-year December winning streak unless prices convincingly cross key resistance at $4,410 in the next few days.

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Security Token Offerings ‘Illegal,’ Says Beijing Financial Watchdog

The head of Beijing’s Municipal Bureau of Finance has warned that security token offerings (STOs) are "illegal" in the city.

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The Crypto Winter Is Here and We Only Have Ourselves to Blame

Last year's mania perpetuated a narrative that making speculative gains was bitcoin’s core value proposition, writes Michael J. Casey.

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UK Funds Facilitator to Roll Out Blockchain Settlements in 2019

Calastone, the London-based transaction network for investment funds, is moving buying and selling of funds on blockchain by May 2019.

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Ping An’s New Pitch for Blockchain: Shared Ledger, But Banks Keep Clients

Ping An, the Chinese insurance giant that built the eTradeFinance blockchain, is modifying the platform to give its 12 participating banks more control over customer relationships.

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Get Ready for Crypto Sanctions Enforcement

Recent OFAC actions are just the first step in crypto sanctions enforcement, write attorneys Beau Barnes and Jake Chervinsky.

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Crypto Custody? State Street Is Waiting on a Client Shift, Exec Says

State Street bank says there's no sense of urgency yet from clients for it to move into safeguarding crypto assets.

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How Silvergate Became the Leading Bank for Crypto Startups

Silvergate Bank CEO Alan Lane shared his approach to serving the cryptocurrency industry with bankers at the Block FS conference.

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Crypto Anarchists Are Building Tools to Resist the State in Eastern Europe

A new centre for "crypto-anarchy" based in Slovakia is pushing for a return to what they believe are the technology's core political tenets.

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