Today, paying for purchases in cryptocurrencies no longer seems like something out of the ordinary. Many online stores accept Bitcoin (BTC) and other coins along with traditional currencies, while in some cafes, cryptocurrency holders can even pay using point-of-sale terminals. However, there is one thing that distinguishes traditional financial systems from cryptocurrencies: advanced interoperability. Thanks to interoperability, cardholders can make payments anywhere in the world without worrying about device compatibility and currency conversion. Crypto interoperability An owner of a crypto wallet can only dream of this, but a sign hanging…
Day: October 7, 2020
Coincheck exchange to help CryptoKitties go mainstream in Japan
Coincheck, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Japan, is expanding its push into non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, with a new partnership with the developer of CryptoKitties. According to an Oct. 6 announcement, Coincheck has partnered with Dapper Labs, which developed one of the world’s most popular decentralized applications launched on the Ethereum blockchain. Coincheck said that the new partnership will bring NFTs to a mainstream Japanese audience by providing exposure to millions of its users. Coincheck plans to integrate the CryptoKitties app into its upcoming NFT marketplace. The exchange is also…
Hacked crypto exchange KuCoin resumes crypto deposits and withdrawals
The KuCoin cryptocurrency exchange is partly restoring deposits and withdrawals following a major hack. As KuCoin officially announced on Oct. 7, the platform has completed the wallet security upgrade for major cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Tether (USDT). Following the upgrade, KuCoin has resumed the deposit and withdrawal service of BTC, ETH, and ERC-20-based USDT. According to the announcement, USDT running on other blockchains like EOS, Tron, and Omni is not yet available for withdrawals. KuCoin stated: “KuCoin is gradually restoring the deposit and withdrawal services of all…
BMW Korea trials a blockchain-powered rewards program ahead of global launch
Customers of the world-famous car manufacturer will soon be able to claim blockchain tokens as rewards as part of a new membership scheme, called BMW Vantage. The Korea Times reported on Oct. 7 that BMW Korea is the first branch in BMW Group to run a trial of the new scheme and aims to fully launch it in the country by the end of 2020. It successful, the company is planning a global rollout. The points-based rewards program uses blockchain technology to securely allocate and track tokens for participating customers.…
Japanese financial giant SBI acquires TaoTao crypto exchange
Japan’s largest on-line financial conglomerate, SBI Holdings, now owns two licensed cryptocurrency trading platforms with its new acquisition of TaoTao exchange. According to an official announcement on Oct. 7, SBI’s foreign exchange and derivatives arm SBI Liquidity Market has acquired all shares of TaoTao, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Formerly 40% owned by internet giant Yahoo! Japan’s YJFX, TaoTao launched its crypto trading service in May 2019. With the new acquisition, SBI now has two crypto trading platforms as the company is already offering crypto trading services…
Symbol blockchain to host whisky fund and central bank collectibles at launch
Proof-of-stake blockchain NEM (XEM) is preparing for a token migration in December alongside the public launch of the Symbol (XYM) blockchain. Speaking to Cointelegraph, NEM Group CIO and NEM Ventures managing director, Dave Hodgson, revealed that Symbol will host at least two products at launch. Symbol will host the Wave Financial Whiskey Fund, which offers a tokenized representation of ownership in 25,000 barrels of 2020-vintage bourbon worth more than $4 million. The platform will also host LBCOIN, collectible crypto assets that commemorate Lithuania’s 1918 declaration of independence issued by the…
75 crypto exchanges have closed down so far in 2020
As least 75 crypto exchanges have closed down due hacks, exit scams or simply disappeared for unknown reasons so far this year. According to the Crypto Wisser Exchange Graveyard five of the exchanges, including Hotbit, FinexBox, and WCX, were labelled as scams, and four including Altsbit, and Nerae, were flagged as being hacked. In total 31 were shut down voluntarily while 34 were labeled as ‘MIA’ for disappearing with no explanation. Dutch exchange NLexch, and Chilean Chilebit were the only two flagged as being shut down by their respective governments…