UN uses Ethereum blockchain to distribute funds across Jordanians

The United Nations (UN) has started to distribute funds across people in Jordan using Ethereum blockchain, as a part of its trial. The blockchain fund project aims to send cryptographically unique coupons representing an undisclosed number of Jordanian dinars to various shops across five refugee camps in the nation, CoinDesk reported.

Norges Bank assesses future form of money, considers digital currency concept

Norway central bank has joined the list of central banks that are researching the concept of digital currencies. Speaking at Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo, on 25 April 2017, Jon Nicolaisen, Deputy Governor of Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway), said that the bank is currently discussing the “electronic central bank money”. He said that electronic central bank money could provide an alternative to deposit money in a bank for consumers, similar to cash.

West Virginia moves forward with bitcoin money laundering bill

West Virginia is moving forward in its efforts to criminalize using bitcoin and other digital currencies for money laundering purposes. First introduced in February this year, West Virginia House Bill 2585 aims “to create criminal offenses relating to money laundering. Public records show that the state's lower chamber initially passed the bill by a 78–21 vote, while the senate unanimously approved it in a 34–0 vote. According to CoinDesk, the bill now seeks approval from the state’s governor, Democrat Jim Justice. If approved, the measure will become state law.

German regulator moves to block all OneCoin related activities

Following Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority’s (BaFin) recent move to freeze the bank accounts of IMS International Marketing Services GmbH, OneCoin payment processor, the regulator has now issued a cease-and-desist order to keep any activity related to OneCoin out of the country.

Conferences/ Events:

GBBC, Greater Omaha Chamber to host ‘New Kids on the Blockchain’ on May 5th

Satoshicenter to host bitcoin education event in Botswana organized by BTC.com

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

ECB recommends reinforcing principle-based blockchain regulation to foster innovation

Blockchain technology could combat banks’ de-risking practice: ECLAC report

Consortium News, partnerships and more:

Altarum Institute joins Hashed Health to leverage blockchain technology for payment innovation

Indian tech giant Wipro joins Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

Hyperledger accepts ‘Composer’ blockchain project into incubation

Sovrin Foundation’s blockchain project for digital identity accepted into Hyperledger

Blockchain startup Symbiont secures investment from Hundsun Technologies

Blockchain startupHumaniq raises over $5M in ICO

BitPay, Bitmain enter multi-million dollarblockchain agreement

OneGram, GoldGuard team up for Sharia-compliant, gold-backed digital currency

Dash partners with Coinapult bringing easy access against 20 national currencies

Blockchain trials and initiatives:

Infosys Finacle, Qatar’s Commercial Bank complete cloud-based blockchain pilot

European electricity company TenneT launches two blockchain pilots

Emirates NBD launches new blockchain initiative to minimize cheque fraud

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin to incorporate blockchain technology into operations

Melbourne University to pilot blockchain based micro-credentialing system