While the cryptocurrency market this week was relatively flat this week in terms of its price point, the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem has been buzzing with news whether happy or sad. Let’s review the week that was:
Government and Blockchain
Blockchain have had a great week, for starters, global blockchain spending is expected to surge 89% in 2019 as per IDC report. Interestingly, governments across the globe have initiated or are planning to employ blockchain technology for various purposes.
For instance, Russia’s ruling party has launches blockchain-based E-Voting that United Russia for nominating party candidates at all levels for the general elections will be the primary stage. On the other hand, the US state of Connecticut proposed a Bill that if passed will authorize smart contract use in commerce.
In a first of a kind move, Argentinian Government will support blockchain startups, by investing in early-stage blockchain startups that are backed by Binance labs, the venture arm of cryptocurrency exchange Binance. While on one hand, the German Ministry Of Finance issued a paper that suggests regulations on the blockchain, the French financial watchdog’s plans to ban on anonymous cryptocurrencies.
As per a report by the Economic Times, several Indian companies have been invited by Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB) to set up their bases in their country. Most of these companies are related to or working with blockchain technology. So, basically, Bahrain has collaborated with Indian Government and companies in the field of blockchain and crypto-assets.
Other Blockchain Developments
Blockkimo Ltd, a Blockchain property transaction platform has successfully completed ‘First’ $3 Million Real Estate Transaction on Blockchain, n Switzerland, along with two other companies. Blockimmo, Elea Labs Ltd., a proptech company and Swiss Crypto Tokens Ltd., a digital assets service firm conducted a blockchain-based real estate transaction that consists of 18 apartments and a restaurant, at a cost of 3 million Swiss francs ($2.98 million).
News in cryptocurrencies’ favour
Many crypto enthusiasts are waiting to buy there daily dose of Starbucks coffee with crypto tokens since the time, the coffee giant announced its collaboration with Bakkt by integrating Bitcoin Payments in Stores. According to a new report, Starbucks now holds “significant equity” in Bakkt, the said shares were a part of a mutually beneficial agreement.
OKEx, a Malta-based cryptocurrency exchange has listed Tron (TRX) on its Customer-to-Customer (C2C) Trading Platform. OKEx started listing Ripple (XRP) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) on its C2C platform in late February. While doing so, they even delisted three cryptocurrencies: NEO (NEO), QTUM (QTUM) and Exchange Union (XUC).
eToro, the exchange and social network for investors and traders launches its Cryptocurrency Trading Services In 31 US States. As per the release, the exchange will start facilitating the trade of 13 unspecified crypto assets and will release a cryptocurrency multisignature wallet to its customers to all U.S. states and territories.
Following on the decision by Coinbase to list XRP on its platform, major Chinese Cryptocurrency Exchange Huobi’s OTC Platform has also launched Ripple trading on its peer-to-peer crypto trading platform Huobi OTC. The company announced the news on March 6 in a press release shared with KryptoMoney.
A Proof-of-Concept(PoC) for corporate shareholder e-voting using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) will be trialled in Singapore by SWIFT, a global messaging service provider for financial institutions, in collaboration with the Singapore Exchange (SGX), SLIB, a securities software provider, and 4 banks.
News that went against cryptocurrencies
Nouriel Roubini, economist and notorious cryptocurrency critic asserts that crypto “as technology has absolutely no basis for success,” in an interview with the CFA Institute on March 6. Along with his negative stance on crypto, Roubini also targetted blockchain, the underlying technology of cryptocurrencies, adding that the technology has “nothing to do with” the future of financial services.
After receiving a funding injection of roughly $8 million last month, the NEM foundation strives for survival by carefully mapping its forward path and by involving cost-cutting methods. A post published on Friday further elaborates the plan laid down by NEM Foundation leadership on how the first instalment of 25 million XEM, approximately $1.05 million at the current price will be spent.
Cryptopia, a cryptocurrency exchange that was hacked in mid-January, has re-launched its website in a read-only format and had resumed the user balances to its pre-hacked state, as per a tweet by the firm on March 5. Cryptopia earlier announced that their website will go live on March 4, however, the site finally went live after a days’ delay on Tuesday, March 5. The latest series of tweets by the exchange, further confirms that it will use customers’ balances as at Jan. 14 as a basis for further calculating rebates.
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