Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – April 26th, 2019

US SEC’s FinTech Forum to discuss DLT innovations and use cases for financial markets
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the agenda for the upcoming distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital assets-focused forum. The 2019 FinTech Forum will be hosted by the SEC's Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub) on May 31 at the SEC's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Florida lawmakers introduce bill to establish blockchain task force
Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Florida have introduced a bill that seeks to establish a blockchain task force. The Florida House Bill 735 was filed on February 11, 2019, and aims to establish the Florida Blockchain Task Force in the Department of Financial Services.

China’s FX reserve regulator to pilot blockchain-based cross-border trade finance platform
The State of Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), China’s foreign exchange reserve regulator, has developed a blockchain-based cross-border trade finance platform, local news outlet CNStock reported. Per the report, the platform was built in collaboration with the Hangzhou Blockchain Technology Research Institute.

China opens first blockchain-powered notary office in Beijing
China has opened its first blockchain-based notary offices in Beijing, Cointelegraph reported referring to a report from People. The service was reportedly launched last Friday at the Beijing CITIC Notary Office. It will allow certificate holders to verify the contents of the document by scanning a code.

Indian government starts inter-ministerial consultations on complete ban on cryptocurrencies: Report
The Indian government has started circulating a draft bill that, if passed, would impose a complete ban on cryptocurrencies, The Economic Times reported. Government officials familiar with the latest development told ET that the “Banning of Cryptocurrencies and Regulation of Official Digital Currencies Bill 2019” is being circulated to relevant government departments. The government has also reportedly started inter-ministerial consultations on the bill.

South Korea’s FSC announces first batch of regulatory sandbox, focus on blockchain, e-payments
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced the first cohort of financial service providers accepted into its recently launched financial regulatory sandbox. On April 1, the FSC launched the sandbox as the Special Act on Financial Innovation Support came into effect.

British Virgin Islands partners with LIFElabs.io for crypto payments system
British Virgin Islands has partnered with LIFElabs.io, a blockchain startup focused on philanthropic causes. Under the partnership, the entities will work towards providing “Rapid Cash Response” during emergencies and developing a crypto payment method for facilitating ongoing financial transactions across the network of islands.

NY Attorney General accuses Bitfinex and Tether of $850M cover-up
The New York Attorney General’s office has alleged that cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex unlawfully engaged with stablecoin operator Tether to “cover-up” an $850 million loss. In a press release dated April 25, NYAG Letitia James said that she has obtained a court order against iFinex, the operator of the Bitfinex, and Tether, the issuer of the “tether” (USDT), in connection with activities that may have defrauded New York investors.

Funding/Investments/Acquisitions

• Crypto wallet startup Ledger secures investment from Samsung amid leadership changes
• Tennis superstar Serena Williams backs crypto exchange Coinbase
• SBI Holdings, FPT Corporation back Vietnamese blockchain startup Utop
• Bitfury, Final Frontier launch regulated bitcoin mining fund
• Disney in talks to acquire Bitstamp and Korbit owner Nexon: Report

Partnerships/Consortiums

• Data-driven marketing firm Ascent Networks joins PUBLISHalliance
• Ascent Networks, ProBit ink marketing partnership agreement for blockchain-based platform ‘Listening Mind’
• MIT and other universities team up to explore blockchain potential for management of academic credentials
• Blockchain identity startup Civic expands network with 12 automated retail partners

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

• Brave rolls out new opt-in feature to reward users with BAT tokens for viewing ads
• MUFG-backed Chainalysis adds support for 4 more cryptos to real-time transaction monitoring tool
• Societe Generale issues €100m of covered bonds as security token on Ethereum blockchain
• Binance launches decentralized exchange ‘Binance DEX’ on Binance Chain
• Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to launch services on Marco Polo blockchain
• NTT’s Thai subsidiary to open innovation lab with focus on Blockchain, AI, IoT
• Siam Commercial Bank, PTTEP complete cross-border transactions using Ripple’s technology
• Samsung working on Ethereum-based blockchain, could issue own token: Report
• South Korean hospital to integrate blockchain-based health data management solution
• University of Nevada, Reno teams up with blockchain startup Filament on smart city mobility project
• Hyundai to use blockchain in new smartphone-electric vehicle pairing technology
• WISeKey to open Blockchain Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia
• JPMorgan to add new functions to blockchain-based Interbank Information Network
• Dutch supermarket chain Plus to use blockchain to track bananas along supply chain
• Wirex partners with Stellar network, announces plan to launch 26 stablecoins