SEC rejects SolidX bid to list Bitcoin ETF on NYSE

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has rejected a second bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposal, following the rejection of Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss’ effort to list a bitcoin ETF on the Bats BZX Exchange earlier this month. CoinDesk reported that the SEC has rejected SolidX bid to list a bitcoin ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. It cited reasons similar to those given during the Winklevoss ETF decision – lack of market surveillance and regulation relating to bitcoin in some jurisdictions.

Arizona blockchain bill sent to Governor’s office for final approval

Arizona’s legislature has passed a bill that seeks to recognize blockchain signatures and smart contracts under state law, CoinDesk reported. The bill was sent to Gov. Doug Ducey's office on March 27 after the Senate cleared it by a 28-1 vote on March 23.

European Commission proposes pilot project to improve blockchain expertise of national regulators

The European Commission has proposed a pilot project on blockchain or distributed ledger technology with regard to regulation. In a draft communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, the Commission said that the pilot project would particularly focus on improving the knowledge and creating awareness of the technology among the EU's regulators, CoinDesk reported.

HKMA, Deloitte and other banks develop blockchain PoC for trade finance

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), consulting firm Deloitte, and leading trade finance banks in Hong Kong have developed a distributed ledger technology (DLT) proof of concept for Trade Finance. The project leveraged DLT for the design and development of a PoC for trade finance. It resulted in a platform for banks, buyers and sellers, and logistics companies, and demonstrated the application of DLT in digitizing paper-intensive processes through smart contracts, reducing the risk of fraudulent trade and duplicate financing, and improving the transparency and new product innovation of the industry as a whole, strengthening Hong Kong as a major trade finance hub.

Conferences/ Events:

Kazakhstan to host two-day Blockchain Conference in June

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

Frost & Sullivan maps 130 blockchain startups into key activity areas

Funding Rounds

Filament raises $15M to bring industrial application of IoT and blockchain for production

Bitcoin hardware wallet provider Ledger raises $7M in Series A round

Cryptocurrency exchange ShapeShift secures $10.4M in series A round

Important deals, partnerships, and more:

Chain collaborates with Thales to enhance blockchain security

Emirates NBD partners with Central Bank of UAE on blockchain trial to curb bank fraud

Dash partners with European broker and Russian exchange to enhance global reach

Hijro partners with SAP Ariba for blockchain-powered Asset Distribution Network

IBM, Trafigura, Natixis collaborate to bring blockchain to crude oil industry

Hyperledger blockchain project adds eight new members

Blockchain application platform Lisk teams up with Taikonauten to rebrand ecosystem

Chamber of Digital Commerce welcomes OTC Exchange Network as member

Bitcoin startups Bitbond and BitPesa collaborate to improve financing for African SMEs

Blockchain Academy, Satoshi Centre tie up to drive blockchain education in Botswana

Microsoft Azure announces support for multi-member consortium blockchain networks