Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – March 22nd, 2019

Australian government to develop national blockchain strategy

The government of Australia has announced its plans to develop a national blockchain roadmap to position the country as a global leader in the blockchain space. In a joint release with the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews also announced AU$100,000 funding from the Morrison Government to support the development of the roadmap.

Canadian regulators seek to introduce regulatory framework for crypto-asset trading platforms

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) have published a joint consultation paper on the regulatory framework for crypto-asset trading platforms. The joint Consultation Paper 21-402 “Proposed Framework for Crypto-Asset Trading Platforms” is seeking inputs on how regulatory requirements could be tailored for crypto-asset trading platforms operating in the country.

Switzerland inches closer to cryptocurrency regulation

Switzerland’s Federal Assembly has passed a motion instructing the Federal Council to start adapting the country’s existing laws for cryptocurrency regulations, Cointelegraph reported. The motion was introduced by Liberal assemblyman Giovanni Merlini. The council approved the motion with 99 to 83 votes in favor and 10 abstentions.

Japan to implement new rules for cryptocurrency margin trading

The Cabinet of Japan has approved draft amendments to the country’s financial instruments and payment services laws, which will introduce new regulations for cryptocurrency margin trading, Nikkei reported. The rules, which are expected to go into force in April 2020, will cap leverage in cryptocurrency margin trading at 2 to 4 times the initial deposit.

Seoul Medical Center, Korean Ministry of Science and ICT collaborate on blockchain project

The Seoul Medical Center, a major hospital in South Korea, has announced its plans to launch a blockchain-based platform to improve its medical services, CoinTelegraph reported referring to a report from local news outlet Daily Medi. The hospital has collaborated with the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT for the “Smart Hospital” project which aims to improve the accuracy of data and reduce processing times.

South Korean government seeks 30 people for Blockchain National Participation Evaluation Team

South Korea’s Ministry of Information and Communication has published a recruitment notice for a Blockchain National Participation Evaluation Team. According to the notice dated March 17, the government is seeking 30 people with basic knowledge and interest in the blockchain technology. Starting today, the ministry is seeking applications from interested citizens for participation in the team until April 15th.

North Korean dissident group CCD to issue blockchain-based post-liberation visas

Cheollima Civil Defence (CCD), a North Korean political dissident group, is going to issue blockchain-based visas for entering the country after its liberation, CoinTelegraph reported. The group’s website states a “Limited issuance of 200,000 anonymous blockchain visas to visit Free Joseon (previously North Korea) upon liberation.”

Events/Conferences

Blockchain Life 2019 comes to Singapore for its third international edition

U.S. SEC to host DLT and digital asset-focused public forum in May

Research Studies

American Bar Association publishes white paper on cryptocurrencies and digitized assets

Company News

Blockchain startup Bison Trails raises $5.25M in seed funding

Blockchain information platform CoinNess closes Series A funding

German crypto startup Donut secures $1.8M in seed round

Numerai secures $11M from Paradigm and Placeholder via token sale

Crypto exchange Bithumb plans to lay off 50 pct of employees

Digital Asset co-founder Yuval Rooz takes the helm as CEO

Partnerships/Consortiums

IoT startup Filament joins Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

DIGITONE KOREA partners with PUBLISH, Inc. to tap into the Korean blockchain market

Cardano Foundation joins European Commission’s blockchain initiative INATBA as founding member

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

Huobi Global to launch token sale platform “Huobi Prime”

seriesOne, Polymath partner to simplify security token issuance

Binance launches cash-to-crypto brokerage service in Australia

Wirex launches crypto-friendly business accounts

Fortune 500 company Avnet starts accepting bitcoin via BitPay partnership

Largest Swiss online retailer Digitec Galaxus starts accepting Bitcoin

CoinMarketCap adds Flipside’s Fundamental Crypto Asset Score to its platform

CoinMarketCap launches of crypto indices on Nasdaq, Bloomberg, Reuters

Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance’s M2030 partners with Dragonchain for blockchain-based services

U.S. National Pork Board partners with ripe.io to pilot blockchain technology

IBM seeks to transform cross-border payments with Blockchain World Wire

Sri Lanka-based Hatton National Bank partners with Infosys Finacle to pilot blockchain-based trade finance network

Samsung SDS unveils ‘Deliver’ – a platform connecting different blockchain platforms

Italian asset management firm AcomeA trials blockchain technology for distribution of funds

Square seeks engineers for new crypto-related initiatives

Alibaba, Aerospace Information partner to foster blockchain development

UPS partners with blockchain startup Inxeption for B2B e-commerce platform

SBI Group partners with U.S.-based semiconductor firm to manufacture crypto mining hardware