-
IMF and World Bank explore crypto merits with blockchain project
The Learning Coin project is a distributed ledger technology teaching tool for IMF and World Bank staff. LCs are quasi-crypto-assets issued on a private blockchain accessible only to IMF and WB staff. LCs are earned by completing learning assignments.
tags: Fintech CryptoAssets Blockchain
-
Central Banks and the Future of Money | C.D. Howe Institute
Central banks around the world are now giving serious consideration to the pros and cons of making central bank digital currencies available to the general public, says a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute.
Month: April 2019
FinTech 04/12/2019
-
Swiss Government Proposes DLT-Uncertificated Rights with Securities Nature
The Swiss Federal Council has initiated a public consultation on the adaptation of specific federal law provisions to developments in DLT and blockchain, after publishing a very comprehensive report on DLT and blockchain in last December. http://www.mll-legal.com/news-events/news/details/crypto-nation-switzerland-moves-forward-fast-swiss-government-proposes-dlt-uncertificated-rights-wi/
tags: Fintech Blockchain Regulation
FinTech 04/11/2019
-
Privacy ‘poisoning’ poses threat to companies using blockchain
A “privacy “poisoning” the cyber attack involves loading private data, such as names, addresses and credit card numbers, or illegal material, such as child pornography, into a blockchain, therefore putting the network in conflict with local laws, making the affected chain and its data useless.
tags: Fintech Blockchain CyberRisk
-
Spend crypto instantly with Coinbase Card
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has launched a Visa debit card allowing customers in the U.K. and EU to spend their cryptocurrencies directly from their Coinbase accounts.
tags: Liquidity CryptoAssets Fintech
FinTech 04/10/2019
-
Philippines Now Has 10 Approved Cryptocurrency Exchanges
The Philippines is catching up to Japan with a growing number of approved cryptocurrency exchanges. The central bank has green-lighted 10 crypto exchanges so far.
-
Mauritius Issues Regulatory Guidance on Security Token Offerings
“The Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC) has clarified the rules applying to projects launching security token offerings (STOs). In guidance published Monday, the FSC said that security tokens are classed as securities as defined in the country’s Securities Act 2005, but in digital form.”
tags: Fintech CryptoAssets STOs Regulation
-
In an increasingly information-driven world, legal frameworks governing the sharing and use of data in payment services — and awareness of their unintended consequences — are of critical importance. This article explores the dynamics between modernized privacy laws in the European Union (namely, GDPR) and open banking initiatives (namely, PSD2).
tags: Regulation Data Fintech
-
Blockchain Firm Digital Asset and ISDA Eye Smart Contract Use in Derivatives Trading
Digital Asset is collaborating with ISDA to develop a new tool that can support the use of smart contracts for derivatives trading. The collaboration focuses on creating interoperable technical solutions that advance standardization to allow for greater automation of derivatives trade management.
tags: SmartContracts Plumbing Derivatives Blockchain Fintech
-
Smart weaponry aids bank fight against money laundering
Two-thirds of banks are thought to be deploying machine learning in their AML efforts, or are close to doing so. US regulators have given tacit approval to the use of technological innovation to combat AML, giving banks more freedom to experiment
tags: AMLCFT Regulation Fintech
FinTech 04/09/2019
-
Review of BIS Survey on Central Bank Digital Currency
This review concludes that the usefulness of the BIS’s recently released survey on CBDC derives from three factors; comprehensive coverage, quantifiable results and segmentation between developed economies and emerging markets.
tags: Fintech CryptoAssets AltCoins CBDC
-
Smart Derivatives Contracts: the ISDA Master Agreement and the automation of payments and deliveries
This paper investigates the extent to which terms of, and workflow around, the provisions of ISDA Master Agreements can be automated via smart contracts.
tags: Fintech Plumbing Derivatives
-
World’s Fifth Largest Bank MUFG to Put Stablecoin to Practical Use in 2019
Japanese bank holding and financial services company Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is set to put its digital currency MUFG Coin into practical use later this year.
-
Canadian Crypto Exchange QuadrigaCX Officially Declared Bankrupt
Quadriga’s bankruptcy was reportedly approved today by Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Michael Wood, and follows the court monitor Ernst & Young’s (EY) recommendation that it should be declared bankrupt earlier this month.
-
Bibox Exchange to Launch Leveraged BCH Perpetual Contracts
Estonia-based Bibox exchange is to launch bitcoin cash (BCH) and litecoin (LTC) perpetual trading contracts on April 12, with leverage of up to 50x. Priced in tether (USDT) the cryptocurrency derivatives are targeted at both institutional and retail investors.
tags: AltCoins CryptoAssets Leverage Fintech
-
China’s Proposed Bitcoin Mining Ban Could Snap Crypto Rally Dead
A Chinese government report has outlined a plan to kill bitcoin mining within its borders. The report, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), lists cryptocurrency mining as an industry that should be eliminated with immediate effect.
tags: Fintech CryptoAssets Bitcoin
-
Institutional Bitcoin Trading Volumes See Fourth Month of Growth, Diar Reports
Trading of institutional Bitcoin investment products have seen growth for the fourth month running, and are rising against US-based crypto exchanges as a percentage of total trading volume.
tags: Bitcoin CryptoAssets Futures Fintech
FinTech 04/08/2019
-
How Many Stablecoins Are There?
With 147 projects announced throughout the year, 2018 was dubbed the year of stablecoins. This year, the rate of stablecoin announcements has stabilized , with 19 diverse projects announced throughout the first quarter of 2019.
-
Meet the Universal Euro – Universal Protocol
UPEUR is a stablecoin pegged at a 1:1 ratio with the Euro. Once a Universal Euro has been minted, a record of this transaction is recorded on the Ethereum blockchain. It will be Euro-pegged, and available directly on Uphold and other participating exchanges.
-
World Economic Forum: Three things you need to know about securing a blockchain
Blockchain technologies are revolutionary in many ways, but the simple fact that blockchain is different need not require a wholly new security paradigm.
tags: FinTech Blockchain CyberRisk
-
Kenya’s financial inclusion rate passes 80%
In Kenya, formal financial inclusion has risen to 83% from 27% in 2006, while complete exclusion has narrowed to 11% from 41%. Also, the disparities in financial access between rich and poor, men and women, and rural and urban areas also declined remarkably.
-
Western Union Integrates With Crypto Wallet to Expand Philippines Remittances
Western Union has teamed up with blockchain startup Coins.ph to enable residents of the Philippines to more easily receive cash remittances. While Western Union has previously teased possible relationships with Ripple and Coinbase, neither came to fruition.
tags: FinTech Blockchain
-
According to InWara’s quarterly crypto space report the number of ICOs declined by nearly 60% dramatically during Q1 2019, but the number of STOs increased by 130%.
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets ICOs STOs
-
Ripple Building: First Fiat–InterLedger Protocol (ILP) Connector Launched
“The Ripple development team has launched the first fiat InterLedger Protocol (ILP) connector, and it is expected to be a big step towards interoperability with traditional financial systems and gain massive adoption.”
-
Real-time-payments monopoly puts financial system at risk
“The Federal Reserve Board is considering a decision about the future of digital banking that goes well beyond the narrow question of whether now is the time to transition to immediate payments. The board will decide whether the Federal Reserve will continue to play an operation role in digital payments.”
-
Cryptocurrency and Other Digital Assets for Asset Managers
Law firm Davis Polk discusses the current US regulatory framework applicable to cryptocurrency and other digital asset investment funds offered to US investors.
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets Regulation
-
BigTech and the changing structure of financial intermediation
Differences in the development of FinTech credit reflect differences in income and financial market structure. The higher a country’s income and the less competitive its banking system, the larger the FinTech credit volume.
-
Tunisian central bank explores digital dinar
Tunisia is looking to be a pioneer in implementing blockchain as the country’s central bank explores the use of the technology for a national digital dinar.
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets CBDC
-
A Fight Over Specialized Chips Threatens an Ethereum Split
“Businesses looking to experiment with blockchain, including Microsoft and JP Morgan, have often looked to build their projects on Ethereum first, she notes. But newer blockchains are releasing designs that are faster and more adaptive; and “permissioned” alternatives from companies like IBM, that offer some of the benefits of blockchain but without the core component of decentralization, are making inroads with corporations.”
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets AltCoins Ethereum
-
New report evaluates stablecoin contenders and the sector’s likely evolution
A new report from Techemy Capital identifies winning and losing business models, explores underwriting options beyond “cash in the bank” and predicts the likely stablecoin market evolution through to 2022.
-
Chinese Bitcoin Investors Are Happily Paying a Markup For Tethers
The Tether (USDT) premium is going up because after the PBoC ICO/exchange ban, the most convenient way to buy cryptos in China, is to buy stable coins like USDT first using OTC, and then trade it into any cryptos on exchanges.
FinTech Daily Digest 04/07/2019
-
Bitcoin Cash Spikes 12%: Is the Anticipated “Altcoin Season” Imminent?
Bitcoin is said to have increased in value by a large margin in the last seven days primarily due to the liquidation of around half a billion dollars worth of short contracts on exchanges like BitMEX.
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets Bitcoin AltCoins
-
Returns on Crypto Assets: The Hidden Message
The past couple of weeks have seen a flurry of headlines proclaiming a relatively new type of crypto asset return: income, not from trading or realizing profits, but from just holding the cryptocurrencies and tokens.
tags: FinTech CryptoAssets Collateral
-
Interest-yielding stablecoins drive crypto competition with fiat currency
By forming partnerships with lenders, fiat-backed stablecoin issuers can earn additional income loaning out the funds in a similar manner to a bank. The return from these loans can then be shared with holders who are willing to store their stablecoins with the trusted partner.
FinTech 04/06/2019
A Balanced Approach to Fintech Regulation and Innovation—at Home and Abroad
IMF’s DMD David Lipton: Countries facing the challenge of Fintech have legitimate concerns about competition, about the market power of technology giants, and the cyber-risks and social disruptions that may accompany rapid technological change. Many countries worry about how data is collected and used; and how IT firms are taxed. We need to ensure that our actions enable us all together to maximize the benefits of Fintech for the benefit of all our citizens.
People Are ‘Waking Up’ – 40% Drop in Dormant Wallets Fueling Bitcoin Rally
The latest surge in Bitcoin price may have been caused by increased activity across the board as the number of active wallets has risen by as much as 40-60 percent, according to the latest data and industry analysts.
The latest surge in Bitcoin price may have been caused by increased activity across the board as the number of active wallets has risen by as much as 40-60 percent, according to the latest data and industry analysts.
Daily Digest 04/05/2019
-
MAS uses machine learning to spot market manipulation – Central Banking
“The Monetary Authority of Singapore has started using an advanced data science tool named Apollo to help enforcement officers detect misconduct in financial markets, the central bank said in its inaugural enforcement report.”
tags: MachineLearning Regulation Blog
-
FSB publishes directory of crypto-assets regulators – Financial Stability Board
“The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published today a Crypto-assets regulators directory. The purpose of the directory is to provide information on the relevant regulators and other authorities in FSB jurisdictions and international bodies who are dealing with crypto-asset issues, and the aspects covered by them.”
tags: CryptoAssets Regulation Blog
-
Sovereign risk weights cannot wait
Despite the prominence of bank-sovereign doom loop risk, especially in the eurozone in 2011–12, the response of regulators to bank holdings of sovereign debt has lagged other aspects of the post-crisis reforms. It is still possible for domestic supervisors to allow banks to hold zero capital against home sovereign exposures under the standardised approach to credit risk.
-
Now There’s a Canadian Dollar-Pegged Stablecoin on the Way
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinsquare is launching a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the Canadian dollar. The exchange plans potential roles for its new “eCAD” token in cross-border payments and remittance, peer-to-peer lending, merchant payment solutions, as well as trade settlements and forex conversions.
tags: Blog Stablecoins AltCoins CryptoAssets
-
Barclays, RBS, R3 Cut Property Transaction Times in Blockchain Trial
Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), enterprise blockchain firm R3 and other participants have completed a blockchain trial that they say resulted in faster property transactions.
tags: Blog Blockchain
Daily Digest 04/04/2019
-
Commercial Bank & Central Bank Digital Currencies: Prudential Treatments
This IIF paper outlines some of the important policy issues around the prudential regulation treatment of commercial and central bank digital instruments that will need to be considered further, illustrated by some potential scenarios.
-
Digital Asset Goes Open Source as Firm Eyes Closer Ties With Hyperledger – CoinDesk
Blockchain startup Digital Asset is open sourcing its Digital Asset Modelling Language, the heart of projects like the partial ASX re-plumbing. This will include its source code, runtime system, and software development kit, all under an Apache 2.0 license.
tags: Blockchain Blog
-
This Libor Successor Is Growing Up, But Still Hasn’t Come of Age – Bloomberg
The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) has made headway with GSEs, but wider adoption elusive as market awaits term structure.
-
Exchange Traded Products for XRP, Litecoin Go Live for EU Investors – CoinDesk
Exchange-traded products (ETPs) tied to the prices of the cryptocurrencies XRP and litecoin have gone live on the Nordic Growth Market, a subsidiary of the Borse Stuttgart exchange.
tags: CryptoAssets ETFs Blog AltCoins Ripple
-
Ethereum losing share as dapp developers choose other networks » Brave New Coin
Ethereum’s competitors have come to the fore, and are challenging the platform’s dominance by shifting the Dapp market share in favour of emerging platforms like EOS and Tron.
tags: Blog CryptoAssets AltCoins Ethereum
-
SEC’s Crypto Token Framework Falls Short of Clear and Actionable Guidance – CoinDesk
Well, it’s a start. That was the general feeling among blockchain lawyers and regulatory experts following the long-awaited release Wednesday of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance for startups looking to issue tokens.
tags: ICOs Blog STOs Regulation CryptoAssets