Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – July 19th, 2019

U.S. lawmakers seek to prevent big tech companies from offering cryptocurrencies

A draft law has reportedly been circulated by U.S. lawmakers to keep big tech companies from functioning as financial institutions, Reuters reported. According to an online copy of the draft bill, entitled “Keep Big Tech Out Of Finance Act,” the primary objective is to prohibit large platform utilities from being a financial institution or being affiliated with a person that is a financial institution, and for other purposes.

FATF approves Japan’s plan to establish global network for crypto payments: Report

Japan is reportedly spearheading a global effort to establish an international network for cryptocurrency payments. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Japan’s Ministry of Finance and the Financial Services Agency (FSA) submitted a plan on the said initiative to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and got the approval last month.

IRS goes after cryptocurrency users misreporting transactions

The U.S. Internal Revenue Services (IRS) is ramping up efforts to get a hold of those who are not properly reporting their income from cryptocurrencies and evading tax payments on such income. The IRS is sending out letters to specific recipients telling them that they are subject to investigation due to suspicions of underreporting income via cryptocurrency, Bloomberg reports.

UK drafts new 'Economic Crime Plan' to tackle cryptocurrency crimes

The British government has drafted a new Economic Crime Plan to tackle financial crimes, including an “intervention on crypto assets.” The financial crime prevention plan, drafted by the U.K. Home Office and H.M. Treasury, aims to implement guidelines on how authorities should respond to illegal financial activities, including “fraud, money laundering, bribery, and corruption” at home and abroad.

Draft of India’s cryptocurrency ban bill surfaces online

A copy of a draft bill that seeks to ban cryptocurrencies in India has been uploaded on Scribd by blockchain lawyer Varun Sethi. If passed, the bill, entitled “Banning of Crypto Currency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill 2019,” would completely ban cryptocurrencies in the country.

Bank of Thailand's DLT-focused Project Inthanon advances to Phase III

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced that its Project Inthanon is heading to its next step, after releasing the outcomes and findings of its Phase II. Project Inthanon, which is a joint project of the BOT and financial institutions, wants to use blockchain technology to improve the country’s financial infrastructure and create an ecosystem supportive of technological learning and advancement.

Libra Congressional Hearing: US lawmakers ask if Libra is ETF, willingness to launch pilot program and more

Facebook’s blockchain head David Marcus testified before U.S. lawmakers at the Congressional hearing on July 17. The hearing mostly centered on trust issues, particularly as the social media giant has been found violating user privacy in the past. Lawmakers sought responses from Marcus on more specific issues such as if Libra is exchange-traded fund (ETF), whether they would agree to do a pilot program before launching, would Libra be discriminatory in nature, and much more.

Libra would not launch until regulatory concerns are fully addressed: Facebook’s David Marcus to Senate Banking Committee

In his testimony at the Senate Banking Committee hearing on Tuesday, David Marcus, head Facebook’s crypto wallet Calibra, emphasized on the social media giant’s intention to work with global regulators, adding that Libra would not be launched until they fully address the regulatory concerns and receive appropriate approvals.

Research Studies

Blockchain interest dropping, DLT in trouble?

Facebook's Libra, other cryptocurrencies pose risk of global economic destabilization: G7

World Economic Forum releases blockchain benefits guide

70% of Asia-Pacific companies lack blockchain knowledge: EY poll

IMF warns banks must evolve or be 'left behind' amid the rise of digital money

ESMA finds regulatory gaps in licensing regimes of fintech firms

Company News

Apple's Steve Wozniak invests in blockchain-based energy efficiency firm 'Efforce' in Malta

Anchorage receives charter to open crypto custody shop in South Dakota

Bitcoin Suisse applies for Swiss banking and securities dealer licenses

Seed CX subsidiaries secure BitLicense from NY Department of Financial Services

Waves CEO sells all his stake in blockchain project Vostok; GHP Group now the sole owner

Blockchain-based game studio Horizon secures $3.75M investment led by Reddit co-founder

Crypto market maker Altonomy secures $7M investment from Polychain Capital

India crypto massacre claims another victim

Partnerships/Consortiums

Blockchain firm Algorand joins International Swaps and Derivatives Association

Cryptocurrency exchange ErisX joins U.S. Chamber of Digital Commerce

New German alliance seeks to automate 75M logistics processes using blockchain

Nestle, McDonald’s and Virgin Media join JICWEBS' blockchain pilot program

IOTA, MOBI, SAP, Deutsche Telekom and others join Convergence Alliance focused blockchain, AI, IoT

South Korean companies team up to build blockchain-based identification system

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

Waves founder launches Waves Enterprise to develop corporate blockchain solutions

Shinhan Card patents blockchain-based system with credit card functionality

Neo, Ontology partner to develop blockchain interoperability protocol

MOBI launches first vehicle identity standard on blockchain

North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Forest launches blockchain initiative, creates dedicated task force

Many blockchain solutions of IBM, TCS, Wipro go live as clients see potential

Hyundai-backed Hdac Technology to co-develop blockchain-based enterprise solutions with StrongBlock

Cyrela, Growth Tech complete real estate transaction in Brazil using IBM Blockchain

Siemens seeks to bring blockchain technology to carsharing market

Second Canadian town to start accepting bitcoin for property tax payments