Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up

G20 lends official support to FATF's cryptocurrency regulation guidelines
The governments of the Group of Twenty (G20) countries have officially lent support for the guidelines on cryptocurrency regulations detailed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). “We reaffirm our commitment to applying the recently amended FATF Standards to virtual assets and related providers for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism,” the leaders’ declaration stated.

UK FCA seeks to ban crypto derivatives
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently proposed a ban on the sale of crypto-derivatives in a bid to protect investors from sudden losses resulting from extreme volatility in the prices of cryptoassets. In a press release dated July 03, the FCA said that it is seeking to ban derivatives and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) linked to cryptoassets.

South Korea's Busan eyes launch of own blockchain-based cryptocurrency
South Korea’s second major city Busan is planning to launch a regional blockchain-based cryptocurrency in a bid to enhance its financial infrastructure, local media outlet ET reported. As per the report, the local government plans to collaborate with BNK Busan Bank, a subsidiary of local holding firm BNK Financial Group, and other blockchain firms.

Cuba seeks to avert economic crisis with cryptocurrency
Cuba is currently experiencing an economic crisis after sanctions were placed on the island nation by the United States. New reports indicate that it is now considering using cryptocurrency as a means of getting around the restrictions placed upon it due to the ease of its use and the anonymity it provides.

U.S. lawmakers, consumer group call for a moratorium on Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency project
U.S. policymakers are calling on Facebook to pause the development of its Libra cryptocurrency project in a new open letter addressed to the social media giant’s executives. “It appears that these products may lend themselves to an entirely new global financial system that is based out of Switzerland and intended to rival U.S. monetary policy and the dollar,” the letter stated.

Kik hands over Defend Crypto initiative to Blockchain Association
Messaging giant Kik has announced that it is handing over Defend Crypto to the Blockchain Association. In May 2019, Kik launched Defend Crypto – a new campaign to fund a potential legal battle with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It said at the time that it was setting aside $5 million with Coinbase for the initiative.

Insights

Bitfury, QEDIT and other blockchain firms recognized as Technology Pioneers by World Economic Forum
US, UK dominate Twitter posts on bitcoin, Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency: Study
Electricity wasted by idle devices in U.S. could power bitcoin network more than 4 times: Research
H1 2019 saw $822M raised in funds by blockchain startups
$1B worth of bitcoin to be used for narcotics, child porn, and other crimes

Fundraising/Investments/Acquisitions

Telegram cryptocurrency is for sale at three times their ICO price
Crypto exchange Coinsquare acquires controlling stake in Just Cash
Ripple's Xpring invests $500M to build an XRP-focused ecosystem
Blockchain firm ConsenSys secures $10M 'opportunity fund' from South Korea's SK Group
Euronext backs compliant tokenization platform Tokeny Solutions
Blockchains CEO buys Nevada-based bank to get closer to blockchain vision
Crypto wallet and exchange Monarch raises over $2M in token generation event
NEM Ventures invests in startup using blockchain and machine learning to reduce environmental footprint
Blockchain CRM startup Cere Network attracts investment from Binance Labs, Arrington XRP Capital

Company News

Bitfinex repaid $100M it allegedly misused to Tether
Alleged crypto Ponzi Scheme runs with $3B of scammed money: Report
Crypto exchange Gemini seeks FINRA broker-dealer license
Cryptocurrency exchange ErisX receives go signal from CFTC to offer bitcoin futures
Berlin-based Advanced Blockchain AG listed on Deutsche Börse-operated Xetra exchange

Partnerships/Consortiums

Two major carriers join IBM-Maersk blockchain shipping initiative TradeLens
V20 Summit leads to formation of global blockchain association
Sberbank to not initiate new work under Russian central bank's blockchain project
Cardano’s commercial arm EMURGO joins Executive Committee of Chamber of Digital Commerce
Dubai Chamber of Commerce inks MoU with ICC and Perlin on blockchain trade solutions
Ontology Network, Opera browser to partner in DeFi, dApps field

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives

U.S. city of Dublin Ohio plans to use Bitcoin Cash-based SLP tokens
PUBLISH innovates the way tokens are sold, introduces “Benchmark Token Sale” (BTS) mechanism
Korea Internet Newspaper Association taps PUBLISH’s blockchain-based content management system
Binance to soon launch crypto futures trading platform
Intel co-sponsors Hyperledger’s new project that aims to simplify blockchain programming
Oracle, World Bee Project collaborate to track origin of honey using blockchain
Fujitsu develops blockchain-based digital ID technology to improve trustworthiness of online transactions
IBM launches blockchain pilot to transform bank guarantee processes with four Australian companies
Chronicled launches blockchain-based product verification solution for pharma industry
CipherTrace, Shyft partner to develop new blockchain solution to ensure compliance with FATF rules
Longenesis to bring blockchain-based medical consent platform to South Korean hospitals
Nestlé to pilot new blockchain-based food-tracking technology with OpenSC
Huobi Global, Nervos to build 'Finance Chain' for establishing public enterprise blockchains
ABN Amro successfully completes blockchain proof-of-concept for container transport
Interac, Alectra Utilities to incentivize people to use renewable energy using blockchain
Aon launches blockchain platform for agricultural insurance policies in Sri Lanka
Equisafe completes first ever real estate sale tokenized on ethereum

Digital Currency and Blockchain Weekly Round-Up – July 5th, 2019