Quiet Year for Crypto in 2019 Will Lead to Innovation

Cryptocurrency markets in 2019 are “going to be quiet for a little bit” while firms focus on building the crypto space, the CEO of CoinList Andy Bromberg told Yahoo Finance on Jan. 31. Following record highs at the end of 2017, cryptocurrency markets in 2018 were mostly bearish. Major coins took large losses and at the end of the year, Bitcoin (BTC) was down by 74 percent while both Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) fell by 84 percent. The first month of 2019 has also seen major losses among top…

SBI Reports Financial Results, Recognizes Ripple for Cross Border Payments

Japanese finance giant SBI Holdings has released its nine-month financial report today, Jan. 31. In the report for the period ending on Dec. 31, 2018, SBI notes Ripple’s potential for cross-border payments. SBI outlines the implementation of technologies by Ripple (XRP) and blockchain consortium R3 as a major part of its strategy to enable a global standard for financial operations such as international payments and trade finance. In the section titled “Business Area Separation of Ripple and R3,” SBI featured Ripple as an entity “specializing in international remittance,” while R3…

Crypto Exchange QuadrigaCX Files for Creditor Protection

Canadian crypto exchange QuadrigaCX is filing for protection from creditors, a step taken to avoid bankruptcy. In a statement posted to its website nearly a week after the portal became inaccessible, the exchange announced that it had filed “an application for creditor protection in accordance with the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act,” as part of a move to “address” financial issues. As part of its application, QuadrigaCX is asking the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to appoint professional services firm Ernst & Young to act as independent third party to oversee its…

Cboe Resubmits its Joint Proposal with VanEck and SolidX for a Bitcoin ETF

Although many think that the fall in prices has made the crypto market lose its appeal to investors, the truth is that this conception seems to be far from reality, and the fact that many important players in the world of finance have applied to get approved by the SEC for a Bitcoin ETF, shows that the crypto business is a few steps away from becoming a global trend. Although the SEC has denied every previous attempt, such is the appeal of a Bitcoin ETF that no one seems to…

CEO of Telecoms Giant Swisscom’s Blockchain Unit Steps Down

The CEO of the blockchain advisory unit of Swiss state-owned telecommunications company Swisscom has unexpectedly left the firm, according to a press release on Swisscom’s website, Jan. 30. As major local news outlet Swissinfo reported the same day, news of Daniel Haudenschild’s reportedly sudden departure from Swisscom Blockchain came just a day before the executive accepted the position of president of the Crypto Valley Association. Speaking in comments to Swissinfo, Haudenschild said the two moves were unconnected. The CEO declined to comment further on his decision to leave Swisscom, only…

Unto Faith and Flame Toward Serenity

Future’s Now, Ethereum: Unto Faith and Flame Toward Serenity January 31, 2019 by William Peaster Advancing toward its Serenity “ETH 2.0” upgrade, Ethereum and its ecosystem are evolving. And while building and soul searching proliferate in the project’s community, stakeholders are pulling what’s certain and what’s uncertain, and thus the future, into the fore.  Also read: Lightning Network Goes to Congress as Specter of Crypto Policy Grows Subscribe to the Bitsonline YouTube channel for great videos featuring industry insiders & experts v0.1 of Ethereum 2.0 Serenity Specification Released On Jan. 31st, the Ethereum…

CBOE Re-Applies With US SEC to List Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund

The Chicago Board Options Exchange’s (CBOE), along with investment firm VanEck and financial services company SolidX, has re-applied with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a rule change to list a Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded fund (ETF). VanEck digital asset strategy director Gabor Gurbacs announced the public filing on Jan. 31. CBOE had initially withdrawn its request for a rule change to list a Bitcoin ETF on Jan. 23. A CBOE spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the decision to withdraw its request was the result of the U.S. government…

New York Financial Regulators Grant BitLicense to Bitcoin ATM Operator

The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has granted a virtual currency license, or BitLicense, to Cottonwood Vending LLC, according to an official tweet on Jan. 31. Cottonwood Vending is a Bitcoin (BTC) ATM operator with terminals in New York City and the surrounding area. According to the tweet, the granting of such licenses “continues to advance responsible innovation in New York’s fintech industry.” Bitcoin ATMs, or BTMs, are touchscreen kiosks that enable users to deposit cash and either buy Bitcoin, or to scan their mobile wallet, sell…

Seoul City Gov’t Launches ‘Blockchain Governance Team’ for State Services

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched the Seoul Blockchain Governance Team to explore the benefits of blockchain in administrative services, Yonhap News reports Jan. 31. According to the report, the members of the team are researching the potential of blockchain applications in various government services, including online voting system. Specifically, the working group intends to address systems of integrated management, digital document verification and automatic sub-contract payment. The team consists of 100 employees between the ages of 21 and 77, including developers, association executives, project makers, corporate representatives as well…

Florida Appeals Court Reinstates Felony Charges for Unregistered Bitcoin Sale

A United States appellate court in the state of Florida has reinstated charges against a man who sold Bitcoin (BTC) to an undercover police officer, local media Miami Herald reports on Jan. 30. According to the report, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled that a judge who dismissed charges against the defendant, Michell Espinoza, was wrong. Espinoza is a website designer who was charged with allegedly transmitting and laundering $1,500 worth of BTC without a money transmitter license. At the initial trial in a Miami-Dade circuit court, the defense…