Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – February 1st, 2019

South Korea to keep ICO ban in place
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced that it does not plan to lift the ban on initial coin offerings (ICOs), which was imposed in September 2017, CoinDesk reported. Last year, reports suggested that regulatory authorities were considering lifting the ban in a bid to encourage innovation. However, after a survey which revealed that certain projects have been violating the laws, the FSC has put its foot down.

UK Financial Conduct Authority launches consultation on cryptoasset guidance
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced on Wednesday that it is consulting on guidance for cryptoassets. Once finalized, the guidance will set out the cryptoasset activities that fall under FCA regulation.

Bank of Thailand completes Phase I of wholesale CBDC project, says “DLT can fulfil basic payment functionalities”
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has announced the results of the first phase of a project focused on domestic wholesale fund transfer using wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (wholesale CBDC). Called “Project Inthanon”, the project seeks to explore the potential of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in improving Thailand’s financial infrastructure. The Phase I ran from August 2018 to January 2019.

Securities Commission Malaysia introduces regulatory framework for crypto exchanges
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has announced that it has amended its Guidelines on Recognized Markets to include a regulatory framework for digital asset trading. The recent amendment introduces new requirements for electronic platforms that facilitate the trading of digital assets.

SWIFT launches proof-of-concept to link gpi with R3’s Corda blockchain platform
Global banking payments network SWIFT has announced that it has launched a proof-of-concept (PoC) to trial a new gateway to interlink trade and e-commerce platforms with gpi – the new standard in cross-border payments. The PoC will trial “gpi Link” – a new gateway which will enable gpi members to seamlessly connect with multiple trade platforms.

Project Aber: Saudi Arabia and UAE’s joint cryptocurrency project seeks to reduce remittance costs
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) and the United Arab Emirates Central Bank (UAECB) have announced the details of their joint digital currency initiative. The central banks have said that the digital currency project, called “Aber”, will focus on financial settlements between the two countries using blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs).

Funding/Investments/Acquisitions

• IHS Markit makes strategic investment in blockchain startup Cobalt
• Deutsche Börse acquires further shares in blockchain startup HQLAx
• DLT-focused CULedger achieves $10M Series A funding target
• BitTorrent (BTT) tokens sell out in less than 20 minutes
• Multicoin Capital leads blockchain startup The Graph’s $2.5M seed round
• Morgan Creek Digital invests in blockchain-based real estate investment platform RealBlocks

Partnerships/Consortiums

• Nomura seeks to establish blockchain-based financial business alliance with LINE
• Crypto exchange Bittrex International joins Universal Protocol Alliance
• SBI Holdings expands partnership with blockchain startup R3 to establish new joint venture company
• Italian post office, Omnigate and others join Hyperledger blockchain project

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

• ICE, Blockstream partner to launch Cryptocurrency Data Feed
• Belarusbank mulls launching cryptocurrency exchange
• Switzerland’s Dukascopy Bank partners with Bitstamp cryptocurrency exchange
• South Korean crypto exchanges join forces to establish hotline to fight money laundering
• Fujitsu develops blockchain-based electricity trading system
• Team AiL’s blockchain solution bags top prize in Government of Ireland’s Blockathon
• New America and Tata Trusts release blockchain blueprint to benefit society
• 11 Indian banks team up to launch blockchain-linked funding project for SMEs
• New America, Harvard, ConsenSys to trial Ethereum blockchain for Levi Strauss factory worker welfare
• Crypto startup Bitspark launches Hong Kong Dollar-backed stablecoin
• Jamaica Stock Exchange seeks to list security tokens following successful digital currency trading pilot
• Fidelity tests cryptocurrency platform with select set of clients
• Red Cross, Rohingya Project and others to work with Evernym on blockchain-based self-sovereign digital ID
• PIL, IBM complete blockchain pilot for tracking 28-ton shipment of mandarin oranges
• PUBLISH partners with top Korean IT newspaper to expand blockchain consortium for newspapers
• Boerse Stuggart launches cryptocurrency trading app ‘BISON’