Month: January 2019

Crypto Startup Wants You to Trade on Exchanges Without Trusting Them

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A new protocol aims to allow crypto users to maintain control of their private keys while trading on centralized exchanges. Arwen, a startup formerly known as Commonwealth Crypto, launched a testnet version of its namesake protocol Monday. CEO Sharon Goldberg described it as “a layer-two protocol specifically for trading.” In other words, trades will take place off-chain. As Goldberg explained: “You put a smart contract on a blockchain where it locks up coins and once it’s locked up, you can do all sorts of transactions … without posting those transactions…

NYSE Operator Partners With Blockstream to Launch Crypto Tracking Tool for Investors

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The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has partnered with major global blockchain firm Blockstream to launch its Cryptocurrency Data Feed product, as ICE Data Services tweeted on Jan. 24. Founded in 2000 in the United States, the Intercontinental Exchange is a global company that owns exchanges for financial commodity markets and operates 23 global exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). According to the announcement, ICE’s new crypto data service enables real-time and historical data for more than 60 cryptocurrencies from major trading markets and exchanges worldwide. Blockstream has introduced the…

Taiwanese Authorities Arrest over a Dozen Suspects for Bitcoin Scam Scheme

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Police in Taipei has apprehended 15 suspects involved in a scam initial coin offering (ICO) scheme known as IBCoins, which generated nearly $8.13 million for the bad actors since September 2018, local news source, Focus Taiwan reported on January 26, 2019. “Shitcoin” Scam Per sources close to the matter, Li Chi-hsun, the chief of the 7th Investigation Corps of Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) has revealed to local news sources that the authorities have apprehended at least 15 suspects involved in a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency scam project in two raids carried out…

Bitcoin Skeptic, Ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Considers 2020 Presidential Run

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The former CEO and chairman of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, has announced he is considering an independent run in the forthcoming 2020 United States presidential elections, in a tweet posted on Jan. 27. “I love our country, and I am seriously considering running for president as a centrist independent,” he wrote — prompting a spate of critical responses, with most commentators arguing that an independent candidacy would diminish the likelihood of a successful, unified Democratic alternative to a second Trump presidential term. For commentators in the crypto space, a Schultz run…

Portal Allows You to Buy Altcoins Using Fiat, Without Converting to Bitcoin or Ethereum First

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A new crypto purchasing portal is enabling users to purchase more than 20 cryptocurrencies and altcoins using fiat directly. Netcoins, the Canadian company behind the app, says the recently launched service is operational 24/7 online — helping to deliver real-time transactions without delays. The Netcoins team says its offering stands out from competitors because it simplifies transactions for crypto enthusiasts, and eliminates the need to change fiat currencies into Bitcoin or Ethereum before going on to purchase altcoins. The new Netcoins platform also offers an automated Know Your Customer (KYC)…

NYSE Arca Files a Request to Rule Changes Seeking for Bitwise Bitcoin ETF Approval

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Earlier this month, Bitwise Asset Management applied for Bitcoin ETF which will be listed on NYSE Arca. The Bitwise Bitcoin ETF will be backed by physically held Bitcoin tokens. NYSE Arca has now completed the official paperwork for the 19b-4 rule change and is now available on the official NYSE website. The newly filed Bitcoin ETF application by Bitwise will rely on regulated third-party custodians to hold its physical Bitcoin. Additionally, Bitwise clarified that it would draw a large amount of data from a number of crypto trading platforms, including both…

Main Takeaways From Davos WEF

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This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting has finished, and it’s time to recap the highlights. The forum — held in Davos, Switzerland, as per tradition — lasted from Jan. 22 to 25. Similar to the last year, cryptocurrencies were one of the major talking points in Davos. In general, it seems that the “Blockchain before Bitcoin” attitude prevailed this time, as the overall positive outlook on the technology coincided with a significant portion of crypto-bashing. WEF announced Global Council on Blockchain, co-chaired by BitPesa founder As one of…

Italian Securities Regulator CONSOB Adds Crypto Company Togacoin to Scam Blacklist

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The Italian securities regulator, Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB), has added crypto company Togacoin to its scam blacklist on Jan. 28. The regulator released its warning against Togacoin alongside similar warnings concerning binary options company Smart Choice Zone and forex exchange Fx Breeze. The three firms have been added to the CONSOB’s warning list because of failing to obtain authorization to operate in Italy. Togacoin’s website features a “Revenue Calculator” that promises a return of 239% in one year, a 654% return in three years and…

Belarus’ Largest Bank Considers Setting up Crypto Exchange, Says Chairman of Board

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Belarusbank, the largest bank in Belarus, is considering setting up a crypto exchange, local information agency BelTA reports on Jan. 28. According to the bank’s chairman of the board Viktor Ananich, efforts are now being made to explore the possibility of setting up a cryptocurrency exchange. Ananich claimed that digitization is one of the most important focuses of Belarusbank in 2019, noting that the bank is also working with mobile carriers, aiming to expand its services. Specifically, Belarusbank is planning to issue virtual cards — online, rather than physical, credit…

Chat App Kik Says It Will Fight SEC Over Possible ICO Action

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Canada-based messaging app company Kik is planning to fight a likely U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement action over its 2017 initial coin offering (ICO). According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Kik founder and CEO Ted Livingston said that the firm’s token, kin, works like a currency and is not “an unregistered security” as believed by the SEC. Kik raised almost $100 million via a sale of the token last September. With ICOs having diminished in number, in part due to the threat of regulatory…