Month: August 2018

Data indicates that the blockchain job industry has seen a sustained uptrend in Asia, while cryptocurrency-specific applications appear to wax and wane with volatile markets, CNBC reports August 31. Recruitment firm Robert Walters told CNBC that it has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of roles related to blockchain or cryptocurrencies in Asia since 2017, noting that developers skilled in Python language programming are among the most coveted of applicants. Data from job search engine Indeed’s main Asian Read more …

The Daily Cboe is getting closer to launching ether futures and we’ve covered the report in The Daily. Also, Brave has reported 10 million downloads of the Android version of its privacy-oriented browser, the Russian telecom regulator says it would unban Telegram if the messenger follows court orders, and IOTA Foundation has released its Trinity desktop wallet app in beta. Also read: Huobi Nears Backdoor Listing, Musk Still Loves Scambots Report: Cboe to Launch Ether Futures in 2018 The US-based Read more …

After weeks of claiming that its cryptocurrency wallet was unhackable despite being continually disproven, Bitfi has now raised its hands in the air in surrender. In a tweeted statement, the hardware wallet maker said it will no longer use the ‘unhackable claim’ in its promotional materials. “Effective immediately, we will be removing the “unhackable” claim from our brand which has caused a significant amount of controversy,” the tweet read. “While our intention has always been to unite the community and Read more …

NEO’s dismal performance in August has likely strengthened the already strong bear grip on its market. Down 39.6 percent month-on-month in August, it is the biggest loser among the top 25 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, according to CoinMarketCap and analysis by CoinDesk.  Throughout the month, the world’s 14th largest cryptocurrency has moved in tandem with the broader market, which took a beating in August due to SEC’s rejection of multiple bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Notably, the total market capitalization of Read more …

The government of a South Korean province will issue its own blockchain-based digital currency in a move to replace a state loyalty scheme, local media first reported Monday, August 27. Officials in Gyeongsangbuk-do will partner with blockchain startup Orbs to create Gyeongbuk Coin, which it will roll out to consumers in lieu of the existing “Hometown Love Gift Cards.” Gyeongsangbuk-do includes South Korea’s fourth-largest city, Daegu, with Gyeongbuk Coin set to see merchant acceptance across the region. “There are still Read more …

Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) is to fund development of new software to help track individuals behind illicit crypto transactions. According to a news report from NHK on Thursday, the NPA will budget 35 million yen ($315,000) for 2019 to fund creation of the product – outsourcing technological development of the software to the private sector. The NPA said the software will track the flow of blockchain transactions flagged as suspicious and “visualize and locate” the individuals sending or receiving the Read more …

Japanese e-commerce retail giant Rakuten has announced its foray into the cryptocurrency sector with its acquisition of crypto exchange ‘Everybody’s Bitcoin’ in a ¥265 million ($2.4 million) deal. In an announcement on Friday, the company revealed details of its 100% share acquisition of Tokyo-based crypto exchange Everybody’s Bitcoin through its subsidiary Rakuten Card. The share transfer agreement was concluded today, ahead of the stock acquisition that concludes the deal on October 1. Rakuten, Japan’s biggest online retail giant, said it Read more …

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, which has a market capitalization of over $12.5 billion, has revealed a 265 million yen ($2.4 million) deal to acquire domestic crypto exchange Everybody’s Bitcoin, in an announcement published August 31. The deal, which will reportedly be settled by October 1, has been made via Rakuten’s subsidiary, Rakuten Card Co. Ltd. It is based on a stock purchase agreement between the latter and Everybody’s Bitcoin parent company Traders Investment. Today’s announcement indicates that Everybody’s Bitcoin reported Read more …

U.K.-based multinational professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) will bolster its employees’ blockchain knowledge through a dedicated program next year, Digiday reported Thursday, August 30. Part of a coordinated push to enhance digital awareness, the company will put 1000 staff through its Digital Accelerators program, which will run for two years from January. Participants will forego a portion of their regular workload and instead focus heavily on digital innovation including blockchain. Sarah McEneaney, digital talent leader at PwC and head of Read more …

Japanese social messaging giant LINE has launched its own cryptocurrency and in-house blockchain, according to an announcement released today, August 31. LINE has revealed that the genesis block of its new mainnent, LINK chain, was generated August 23. The company describes the mainnet as a “service-oriented” blockchain network that will enable decentralized apps (dApps) to be directly applied to LINE’s messaging platform. The company plans to issue a total of 1 billion LINK tokens to users of its platform, saying Read more …

Regulation Japan’s top financial regulator has revealed exclusively to news.Bitcoin.com the number of crypto exchanges seeking to enter the Japanese market. The agency also confirms the number of existing exchanges that have exited the industry, leaving only three applications currently being reviewed. Also read: Yahoo! Japan Confirms Entrance Into the Crypto Space Three Quasi-Operators Are Left Cryptocurrency exchanges in Japan are licensed by the country’s top financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA). The FSA has licensed 16 crypto exchanges so Read more …