Deals, Investments & M&As
ICO Meets VC: Blockstack Raises $25 Million for Decentralized Internet Fund
Michael del Castillo - CoinDesk
At least one industry startup thinks there's still a place for traditional venture capital in this new economic movement.
New York-based Blockstack is launching a $25 million venture capital fund aimed at jumpstarting a new, decentralized version of the internet. But more notable than the money, is who's allocating it. Unlike the many ICOs that are raising funds through retail investors, the Blockstack Signature Fund will only distribute money from active venture capitalists.
FAO: What did I say about the expanding “cryptoverse”? I think we must have had at least one new fund announced each week. Right? You can check our Archive.
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin's Biggest Software Wallet Blockchain Adds Ethereum
Stan Higgins - CoinDesk
Bitcoin wallet startup Blockchain is launching an option for users to create ethereum software wallets, a move that marks the first time the startup has integrated a new cryptocurrency since it launched in 2011.
FAO: Now this is BIG. Let’s see how this impacts the markets.
What is Plasma and How Will It Strengthen the Ethereum Blockchain?
Joe Liebkind - Investopedia
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently announced Plasma, a scaling infrastructure that will help the Ethereum blockchain handle much larger data sets than is currently possible. For this and other reasons, future cryptocurrency historians will reflect on the second half of 2017 and understand how important this period was for pushing the technology forward.
FAO: Will this “Plasma gun” catapult ETH into the stratosphere?
Exchanges & Trading Venues
ASX To Make Decision On Blockchain System In December
George Nott - Computerworld
ASX, will complete an assessment of blockchain-style distributed ledger technology (DLT) as a replacement for its CHESS system by the end of the year.
CHESS — Clearing House Electronic Subregister System — has provided clearing, settlement and asset registration services since 1994. Although it continues to function effectively, the ASX has been seeking a replacement that will bring added benefits to users.
FAO: Everybody knows that ASX has been working with Digital Asset Holdings (DAH) for quite some time. It’s about time to assume a decision.
Vendors
Coinbase Awarded Patent for Bitcoin Security Concept
CoinDesk
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published the patent, entitled "Key ceremony of a security system forming part of a host computer for cryptographic transactions." Two former Coinbase engineers – James Hudon, who now works for Uber, and Andrew Alness, currently employed at Keybase – are listed as inventors.
Lightning Bank Ledgers? Bitfury and Ripple Demo New Twist on Bitcoin Tech
Alyssa Hertig - CoinDesk
Bitcoin's much-anticipated Lightning Network is now compatible with seven different payment networks.
Blockchain services firm Bitfury and payments network provider Ripple are releasing new code that makes it possible to conduct Lightning-style transactions across a range of both blockchain and legacy payment networks. While still in its early stages of deployment, it's believed the Lightning Network could one day expand bitcoin's capacity to millions of transactions by moving those transactions off of the main bitcoin blockchain.
FAO: Ripple again...told you it’s the Ripple week.
Latest Developments & Agreements
New Currency in Race to Remake One of World’s Oldest Markets
Luzi-Ann Javier & Susanne Barton - Bloomberg
Companies including exchange owner CME, IEX Group spinoff TradeWind Markets and financial technology firm Paxos are rolling out similar platforms to bring gold into the digital age.
FAO: Euroclear has recently ended its partnership with Paxos. Before that Paxos’ Bankchain managed to clear more than 100,000 transactions. Paxos is currenlty planning to launch a service by the end of the year. CME’s and TradeWind’s initiatives are also very encouraging.
Japan Firm Debuts Bonds Denominated In Bitcoins
Straits Times
Japan's Fisco is experimenting with selling bonds denominated in bitcoins, figuring that the digital currency will eventually become a legally recognised financial asset in Japan and help boost its business.
FAO: This must be a first in the world, not only in Japan...
Regulation
Australia Takes Aim at Cryptocurrencies With New Money Laundering Bill
Stan Higgins - CoinDesk
Australia is moving to introduce a new bill that would extend the country's anti-money laundering (AML) rules to cover domestic cryptocurrency exchanges.
FAO: Florin Adrian Oprea, Editor-in-chief Blockchain Daily News
DNT: Decebal Nicolaie Todarita, Editor Blockchain Daily News
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