EU MEP seeks to explore blockchain technology for refugee identity management

The European Parliament’s blockchain task force is seeking to leverage this emerging technology for the management of refugees. An amendment to the European Union’s 2018 budget details a pilot project of the Horizontal Task Force on Distributed Ledger Technology. The document states: “One specific use case that ought to be explored is the potential of DLT based solutions for the management of the situation of refugees.”

Illinois to digitize birth registration process using blockchain technology

The Illinois Blockchain Initiative, a consortium of Illinois state and county agencies and blockchain and fintech focused firms, has announced a project to digitize the birth registration process using blockchain technology. For this project, the Illinois Blockchain Initiative has partnered with self-sovereign identity solutions leader Evernym. They will leverage distributed ledger technology to provide secure digital identity solutions.

SEC warns investors against fraudulent ICOs

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning to investors against potential scams involving companies engaging in Initial Coin Offerings (or ICOs). The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy said that fraudsters often try to use emerging technologies to lure potential victims to invest their money in scams.

Canadian Securities Administrators issues guidelines on cryptocurrencies

The Canadian securities regulator has joined other global counterparts to issue guidelines on how securities law may apply to cryptocurrency tokens. In its recently published released CSA Staff Notice 46-307 Cryptocurrency Offerings, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has outlined how securities law requirements may apply to Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), tokens, cryptocurrency investment funds, and the cryptocurrency exchanges trading these products.

Vietnam to legally recognize bitcoin and digital currencies – Report

Vietnam is moving ahead to legally recognize digital currencies such as bitcoin in the country. VNA last week reported that Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave a nod to assess and streamline the legal framework for the management of digital currencies in the country. Phuc has asked the Ministry of Justice to supervise and coordinate with other relevant organisations to examine the existing legal framework and propose suitable revisions and solutions.

Events/Conferences:

NEM, Kchain to Host First Blockchain Developer Forum in Korea

Tim Berners-Lee and Fed’s Bernanke to keynote Ripple’s blockchain-focused Swell conference

Research Studies and Reports:

DLT-based securities settlement without regulation could lead to monopolies – BoE paper

Investments/Acquisitions:

Bitcoin startup BitPesa announces Greycroft as lead investor in follow-up to Series A funding

Blockchain supply chain platform Ambrosus raises $30M in ongoing presale

Chat platform Kik raises $50M in pre-sale ahead of token distribution event

Singaporean blockchain startup Bluzelle raises $1.5M in series A round

Consortium News, Partnerships and More:

Vnesheconombank and Ethereum Foundation partner to further blockchain research

Blockchain startup ArabianChain inks MoU with Jibrel Network

Oracle, BTS, Patientory join Hyperledger blockchain project

Blockchain application platform Qtum joins Chamber of Digital Commerce

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines joins NTT Data’s recently announced blockchain consortium

Loylogic partners with Coinify to convert loyalty currency into cryptocurrency

Digital Currency and Blockchain Initiatives:

Six big banks join UBS’ blockchain-based digital currency 'USC' project

Korean fintech company Metaps Plus announces new cryptocurrency exchange ‘CoinRoom’ and token ‘PlusCoin’

Shipping giant Marine Transport International successfully completes blockchain pilot

E&Y launches blockchain-based integrated mobility platform

Nuco to power communication between blockchains with ‘Aion’

Saxo Bank adds bitcoin exchange traded notes to portfolio

Israel gets blockchain hub

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