Crypto-Friendly Banking App Revolut Obtains EU Banking License

Crypto-friendly fintech startup Revolut has obtained a banking license in Lithuania, technology news outlet TechCrunch reported Dec. 12. As the report states, the startup obtained a license through the Bank of Lithuania and “is leveraging passporting rules to operate in other European countries.” The mentioned “passport rules” are laws permitting the operation of banks that are part of the European free market on the territory of other member states. In the coming months, Revolut’s users in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland are expected to get a “true current…

Crypto Friendly Revolut Granted European Banking License

Revolut, the London-based fintech unicorn that offers users a digital alternative to traditional banking services, has been granted a European banking license by regulatory authorities, allowing them to offer Europe-based users a plethora of digital banking services. Revolut features an in-app exchange that allows users to gain exposure to five cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. The platform, which in many ways is a competitor to the US-based Robinhood, allows users to buy and sell crypto commission free, with the only cost being a 1.5% exchange rate markup…

Bitcoin Beats Google Trends in 2018 as Internet Users Seek to Know ‘What It Is’

Google data shows ‘What is Bitcoin?’ was the most popular search question in the United States and United Kingdom for 2018, showing Bitcoin (BTC) has topped public consciousness online this year. Capping various achievements in search rankings over the past twelve months, Bitcoin’s latest price volatility saw interest in understanding it peak again following a period of price stability. ‘What is Bitcoin’ currently tops this year’s ‘What is…?’ search list, while the annual listings also include one other cryptocurrency-related entry. While Bitcoin has topped the list of ‘What is…,’ the…

Gaming Hardware Firm Razer Launches Token-Based Loyalty System and Desktop Miner

United States-based gaming hardware manufacturer Razer has redesigned its native virtual currencies and loyalty system and launched a desktop mining app, according to a blog post published on Dec. 12. Founded in 2005, Razer has become a leading gaming hardware and software manufacturer in the U.S., Europe, and China. The company’s software platform reportedly has more than 50 million users. In the first six months of 2018, Razer’s revenues were $274.2 million. Razer has redesigned its native reward system and virtual credits Razer zGold and Razer zSilver. Launched in 2017,…

Dutch Blockchain Company Tymlez Group Starts Trading on Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)

Blockchain enterprise platform Tymlez Group Ltd has kicked off trading on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). advertisement Following the successful ASX admission, offer proceeds will be primarily used to increase marketing and sales activities to drive increased sales of the licenses for the Tymlez Platform, to pursue further development of the Tymlez Platform to preserve its position as a market leading product and expand the geographic footprint of the Tymlez Business. Geographic expansion plans are already underway and the next generation Beta version of the Tymlez platform is scheduled to…

US Congressman Offers to Fund Mexican Border Wall Using Blockchain, ‘Wall Coins’

Ohio Republican Congressman Warren Davidson suggested raising money to build a wall on the border with Mexico using blockchain, in an interview on NPR Dec. 12. Davidson, who is known for his pro-crypto initiatives, spoke on NPR’s Morning Edition with host Steve Inskeep about the the United States president’s recent threat to shut down the government if Congress refuses to pay for a border wall. Commenting on the matter, Davidson said he had offered a “modest compromise” in the form of his initiative, dubbed “Buy a Brick, Build a Wall,”…

Bitcoin Price Reverses as [Another] Breakout Attempt Fizzles Out

The bitcoin price failed to extend its bounce once again, weighed down by weak bulls. The BTC/USD rate on Thursday dropped as low as 5.38 percent from its intraday high at 3488-fiat. The pair at press time is forming lower lows towards 3300-fiat on a strong volume jump on Coinbase. It expects to extend its downside momentum even further, with the near-term momentum readings clearly entering inside the oversold area. A weak support wall is lingering at 3295-fiat which, if broken, would confirm a drop towards the 3210-3250-fiat area. BTC/USD…

Fundstat’s Tom Lee Says Fair Value of Bitcoin to Reach $150K Per Coin

Cryptocurrency bull and co-founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors Thomas Lee said that the “fair value of Bitcoin (BTC) is significantly higher than the current price,” Bloomberg reported on Dec. 13. In a note delivered on Thursday, the veteran market analyst reportedly said that Bitcoin’s fair value is between $13,800 and $14,800, considering the number of active wallet addresses, usage per account and factors influencing supply. Lee attributed the divergence to last year’s meteoric rise, a macroeconomic “meltdown” and treasury sales during initial coin offerings (ICOs). Lee stated: “In fact, working…

Basis CEO Says Project Will Shut Down due to Regulatory Concerns

The United States-based stablecoin project Basis has officially confirmed that it will close operations and refund investors in comments to Bloomberg today, Dec. 13. According to Basis’ CEO Nader Al-Naji, the decision to close the project was made due to regulatory concerns over a type of token in Basis’ — as well as other algorithmic stablecoins’ — system known as a “secondary token,” which helps keep the coin’s price stable. Following reports on the project’s closure yesterday, Dec. 12, Al-Naji now confirmed that there would be no way to “escape…

‘Crypto Congressman’ Floats Blockchain to Help Fund Trump’s Border Wall

Yesterday, US Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) stated in an interview with NPR that blockchain technology could potentially be used as a means to fund the border wall that has become little more than a political football in Congress, with President Donald Trump recently threatening a government shutdown if congressional Democrats fail to deliver funding for the national security project on which he based his presidential campaign. Davidson and other Republicans have been investigating alternative means to fund the wall if federal funding fails to materialize. Crowdfunding and voluntary contributions from the…