NY Assemblyman introduces four blockchain bills

New York Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-33) has introduced four bills in a major push to bring blockchain technology to state government operations, CoinDesk reported. The bills relate to legally recognize signatures, records and contracts secured through blockchain technology, protecting voter records and election results, and creating blockchain and digital currency task force.

We prohibit use and processing of digital currencies: Bank Indonesia Governor

Bank Indonesia has recently clarified that it prohibits the use of digital currency such as bitcoin in the country. Governor Agus D.W. Martowardojo said: “We prohibit the use and processing of virtual currencies in order to prevent money laundering as well as financing of terrorism and to preserve the rupiah’s status as legal tender in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.”

South Korea bans bitcoin futures – Report

South Korea has prohibited domestic firms from getting involved in foreign bitcoin-related derivatives, according to The Korea Herald. The country’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) has issued an order banning the trade of bitcoin derivatives. The order was sent through the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) this week.

UK FCA selects four blockchain firms for third phase of regulatory sandbox

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced the names of the firms that have been selected to begin testing in the third cohort of its sandbox. Four blockchain-based companies have made it to the list this year, which includes Chynge, Etherisc, ResonanceX, and Solidi. The FCA has selected a total of 18 applications for the third cohort out of 61 submissions.

Japan’s FSA approves four more cryptocurrency exchanges

The Japanese Financial Services Agency has added four more cryptocurrency exchanges to the list of companies authorized to operate digital currency business in the country, Bitcoin.com reported. The latest companies to get the approval include Tokyo Bitcoin Exchange Co. Ltd, Bit Arg Exchange Tokyo Co. Ltd, FTT Corporation, and Xtheta Corporation. This follows the September announcement in which the agency approved 11 exchanges.

Moscow announces blockchain e-voting pilot

Moscow has announced plans to implement blockchain technology in its e-voting system ‘Active Citizen,’ becoming the first city in the world to implement the technology in e-voting on such a large scale. Blockchain technology would enable every Muscovite to become a part of the blockchain in Active Citizen – every citizen becomes a node of the peer-to-peer network and will be able to record and store the database of votes.

Venezuela to launch oil-backed ‘Petro’ cryptocurrency amid deep economic crisis

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has revealed plans to launch an oil-backed cryptocurrency as the country is grappling with a deep economic crisis. In a televised broadcast as reported by Reuters, Maduro announced “Petro” – the country’s first attempt at cryptocurrencies in the wake of the U.S.-led financial sanctions.

Maltese financial regulator to develop regulatory framework for digital currencies

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has published a discussion paper on digital currencies, Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), and related service providers. The paper comes as a part of the regulator’s efforts to develop a policy framework that supports the innovation and new technologies for financial services in the area of cryptocurrencies whilst ensuring effective investor protection, financial market integrity, and financial stability.

Investments/Acquisitions/ Fund-raising:

Leverj raises $13.5M in token sale to build decentralized platform for cryptocurrency derivatives trading

Bitcoin startupBitPay announces $30M Series B funding

Ethereum-powered startupDigix raises $1.25M from Asian VCs

Partnerships/Consortiums:

IOTA, Microsoft, Volkswagen collaborate on blockchain-based data marketplace

SBI Holdings partners with Huobi as it gears up for cryptocurrency exchange launch

Credit union trade group NAFCU joins Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

Nordea joins blockchain trade finance consortium ‘we.trade’

Blockchain-based Petrobloq joins Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives:

VC firm TMT Investments to launch blockchain fund

R3 brings Corda DLT platform to Amazon Web Services users

NTT Data, MUFG announce blockchain PoC to digitize international trade

ASX to switch to DLT-based system for trade settlement

Nokia taps blockchain technology for health data pilot

Bitfury, Hut 8 partner to establish largestbitcoin datacenters in North America

Revera, Nyriad team up to boostblockchain adoption with New Zealand government departments

De Beers announces blockchain-based diamond traceability platform

Russia’s Sberbank conducts blockchain-based payment transaction

CME Group sets date for Bitcoin futures launch

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