Bank of England launches fintech community; to work on blockchain and AI proof of concept

The Bank of England has announced that its Fintech Accelerator has a launched a new community which will bring together fintech organizations to collaborate and discuss innovation and developments in this emerging sector. The community currently has 18 members. The central bank also announced the firms with which it will be working for its latest proof of concept. These include MindBridge AI and Ripple.

Nevada lawmaker seeks to authorize use of blockchain technology

Nevada Lawmaker has filed a new bill that seeks to not only recognize and authorize the use of blockchain technology, but also prohibit a local government from taxing or imposing restrictions upon the use of the technology. Filed in the Nevada Senate by Senator Ben Kieckhefer, Nevada Senate Bill 398 aims to create a legal basis for the use of blockchain technology under state law, CoinDesk reported.

PBoC issues discussion paper on AML/KYC rules for bitcoin exchanges: Report

The People’s Bank of China is seeking comments on a discussion paper issued to domestic bitcoin exchanges regarding standardization of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. Local news source Caixin reports that the paper discusses two crucial aspects of digital currency trading platform. First relates to the establishment of anti-money laundering organizational structure and the second is regarding the establishment of a sound customer identification system.

Only 802 people reported bitcoin earnings to IRS in 2015, court filing shows

New documents filed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in San Francisco federal court have revealed additional details into the agency’s investigation into possible tax fraud by digital currency users of Coinbase, CryptoCoinsNews reported. A new affidavit from IRS agent David Utzke states that only a small number of users declare their profits or losses resulting from bitcoin or digital currency transactions in their yearly tax returns.

Chinese industry giants and government bodies to collaborate on blockchain framework for IoT

Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba Group, multinational telecom company ZTE, China Unicom, and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology are going to team up for creating a blockchain framework for Internet of Things (IoT), Bitcoins Channel reported. CircleID reported last month that the group of companies called for a visionary multilateral technical and operational "framework for a Blockchain of Things." The 23-page document, SG20-C.008, was submitted into the ITU-T SG20 Internet of Things (IoT) Study Group meeting at Dubai, 13–23 March.

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

Secure Technology Alliance releases white paper on Blockchain and Smart Card Technology

ASIC releases information sheet on blockchain technology

G20 countries must set up central bank blockchain research consortium: CIGI Report

Conferences/ Events:

3 blockchain startups among 175 selected companies for Plug and Play accelerator programs

Applied Blockchain, Block Ex, Juru selected for Innovate Finance’s Pitch360 fintech competition

Berlin to host Blockchain Expo on 1st June

TASE, The Floor, Intel to host International Blockchain Hackathon on March 29-30 in Israel

Moscow to hold Blockchain and Bitcoin Conference on 19th April

Important deals, partnerships, and more:

Payment21, ACI Worldwide enter strategic collaboration for AML compliant bitcoin payments

Alliance Bank inks agreement with Attic Lab to integrate blockchain-based banking solution

Alibaba, AusPost, Blackmores use blockchain to curb counterfeit food sale in China

MetaX teams up with ConsenSys to develop blockchain solution digital advertising industry

Chronicled, The LinkLab partner to develop blockchain solution for pharmaceutical industry

Enterprise software firm SAP joins Hyperledger blockchain project as Premier member

SAP Ariba looks to blockchain to transform global supply chains; to collaborate with Everledger

Qtum blockchain project’s crowdsale ends in 5 days, raises over $15M

IBM, SecureKey partner to offer digital identity network based on blockchain

Japanese exchange-run blockchain consortium announces 26 participating members