Day: May 8, 2019

Helping people be data aware

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In our data-driven world, it’s more important than ever to know who is using people’s personal data, and why. Today the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is launching the ‘Be Data Aware’ campaign to help people understand how organisations might be using their data to target them online, and how people can control who is targeting them. This includes understanding how organisations use people’s data to reach them with social media adverts to market goods or services and for political marketing. The ICO’s ongoing investigation into the use of data analytics for political…

Ethereum-Powered Social Network Cent Launches Payments via Chat

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Blogging platform Cent has launched a new feature that allows users to send each other the cryptocurrency ether via chat. Announced Wednesday, the feature enables such payments even without downloading a crypto wallet like MetaMask. “You can just log on with an email, password and phone number,” Cent CEO Max Brody told CoinDesk. Cent offers a built-in custodial wallet, comparable to the payments feature in Facebook messenger, and the ability to sync up with MetaMask. The team aims to offer a familiar social media experience while “still utilizing the best…

Over 50 Banks Simulate Letter of Credit Transactions on R3’s Blockchain in 27 Countries

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Over 50 banks participated in the simulation of letter of credit transactions on R3’s blockchain platform in 27 countries on six continents. The company announced the development in a press release published on May 8. Per the release, 96% of the participants said that the system — dubbed Voltron — will accelerate and reduce the cost of their letters of credits procedure. Furthermore, 86% of them reportedly believe the inefficiencies of the traditional system are becoming intolerable. The company claims that Voltron cuts the execution time of the procedure from…

Binance Graciously Decides Not to Nuke the Bitcoin Blockchain

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By CCN: Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao discussed the idea of potentially reorganizing the Bitcoin blockchain. In this vision, the 7,000 BTC recently stolen from the cryptocurrency exchange would be redistributed to miners in the form of fees. A coordinated effort with miners, within a specific time frame, could theoretically make it possible to empty the balances of the Binance hackers. Binance CEO: “It Wasn’t My Idea.” The idea didn’t originate with Binance or Changpeng Zhao, and CZ wants to be clear on that. It started with Bitcoin Core contributor Jeremy…

Orchid Labs Secures $7 Mln Towards Development of Protocol to End Internet Surveillance

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United States-based blockchain and software development firm Orchid Labs has raised another $7 million within its latest private offering, according to a blog post published on May 7. Following the new raise, Orchid now has secured $43 million out of targeted funding of around $125 million, as the firm specified in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in April 2018. In the filing, Orchid revealed that the company raised $36.1 million via a Simple Agreement for Future Tokens by that time. Founded in 2017, Orchid is…

Prince Charles Recalls He Thinks Blockchain Is ‘Very Interesting’

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One of the United Kingdom royal family’s most prominent members believes blockchain is an interesting development, according to candid comments he gave during a meet and greet on May 7. While visiting Berlin, Prince Charles engaged with spectators outside the Brandenburg Gate, at one point responding to a question from a cryptocurrency Twitter community member. “What do you think about bitcoins? Blockchain, bitcoins, cryptocurrency?” the fan asked Charles, who at first appeared confused. Afterwards, he seemed to remember that he was aware of the technology, and then he responded: “Blockchain…very…

Amazon Managed Blockchain is rolling out

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Retail giant Amazon’s cloud platform Amazon Web Services or AWS announced the general availability of Amazon Managed Blockchain, which it had launched in November last year. It had at that time launched two new blockchain services – Amazon Managed Blockchain and Quantum Ledger Database. Amazon Managed Blockchain is available immediately in Eastern U.S. in Northern Virginia. The company plans to cover additional regions in the coming year. Amazon Managed Blockchain is a fully managed blockchain service, which makes it easy to create and manage scalable blockchain networks cost effectively. The…

BlockShow Announces a Festival of Decentralized Technology

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BlockShow, an international blockchain conference, which will take place on Nov. 14-15 at Marina Bay Sands Expo in Singapore, says it changed its concept, moving from being a blockchain conference to becoming a Festival of Decentralized Technology. The event will include nine conferences: Investments & Startups, Development, Business, Gaming & DApps, Money, Trading, Regulations, Privacy & Security, and Marketing & PR. The team notes that by expanding each topic to its conference, BlockShow strives to bring more innovative thought to the surface. With an expertly curated program for each topic,…

Eight People Allegedly Arrested for Money Laundering Scheme Involving Crypto in Spain

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In Spain, eight people have been arrested for allegedly operating a money laundering scheme involving cryptocurrencies, Europol announced in a press release on May 8. Per the release, the group laundered money by exchanging fiat currency to crypto assets. The individuals reportedly used cryptocurrency ATMs and split funds into smaller sums to introduce them into the financial system without having the transactions reported as suspicious. Participants reportedly carried cash, depositing it in several bank accounts and moving it around through different accounts before exchanging it for crypto. Large transfers were…

Belfast Launches Own Cryptocurrency to Boost Rockefeller Social Project Success

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Authorities in the United Kingdom city of Belfast have partnered with Israeli cryptocurrency firm Colu to issue their own blockchain-powered token, a press release confirmed on May 8. Colu, which operates local blockchain-based cryptocurrency ecosystems in four cities, will issue belfast coin later this year in a bid to support local businesses. The cryptocurrency scheme comes as Belfast participates in the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities project, and will significantly benefit its progress, according to Colu. “Being selected to be part of the city currency challenge means an important opportunity…