Washington Senate Bill on digital currency businesses sent to Governor for approval

A Washington Senate bill that addresses licensing and enforcement provisions applicable to money transmitters and currency exchanges, including the ones dealing in digital currencies, has cleared both chambers of the state's legislature, CoinDesk reported. Introduced in January this year, Senate Bill 5031 is sponsored by Senators Jan Angel and Mark Mullet. The bill has now been sent to Governor for approval.

Reserve Bank of Australia sets up internal working group to explore blockchain technology

The Reserve Bank of Australia and other domestic regulators are increasingly focusing on blockchain technology and conducting intensive research on the technology. This has been revealed by the central bank in a recent report on “Developments in the Financial System Architecture”. The RBA said that one aspect of fintech that is being closely examined is blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT). The RBA further revealed that it has established “an internal working group to consider the implications of the [blockchain] technology”.

The Netherland’s National Blockchain Coalition reveals action agenda

An initiative in the Netherlands, the National Blockchain Coalition, has recently published its action agenda. Established by the ICT Team set up by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the initiative aims to position the Netherlands as the international leader in the application of blockchain technology. It is a joint initiative of over 20 organizations active in the logistics, energy and financial sectors, as well as governments and research institutes.

UK research agency to grant £3.6m to seven new projects exploring blockchain potential

The EPSRC, a UK-based agency funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, has announced seven new projects that will explore the potential of blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT) in fields such as energy, healthcare, banking, and policy-making. The agency is supporting the projects with over £3.6 million of investment, delivered through the Research Councils UK (RCUK) Digital Economy Theme.

Dubai government bodies sign MoUs to use blockchain and other technologies

The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) concluded the second round of the Dubai Future Accelerators (DFA), which connected emerging technology companies and startups with Dubai government bodies. Twelve entities took part in the latest DFA program and 28 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between Dubai government departments and innovative companies from around the world on artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, advanced health solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) and much more.

Conferences/ Events:

DBS, HSBC join MAS and OCBC Bank for Blockchain for Finance Conference 2017

Porsche looks to collaborate with blockchain startups through first innovation contest

Blockgeeks Lab to conduct Blockchain Hackathon in Toronto from 21-23 April

Global Insurance Symposium 2017 to discuss blockchain and other innovative technologies

Warsaw accelerator Huge Thing invites blockchain and fintech startups for 2017 program

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

Blockchain technology not mature enough to be part of Eurozone’s market infrastructure: ECB

Important deals, partnerships, and more:

R3, ACORD partner to launch blockchain centre of excellence for insurance industry

Lunyr partners with blockchain startup Airbitz to boost usability and adoption of platform

CME Group, Royal Mint test blockchain for gold trading

Broadridge collaborates to complete blockchain pilot for proxy voting process

Euroclear, Paxos successfully complete second pilot for blockchain settlement service

IBM, Sichuan Hejia launch blockchain-based supply chain financial services for Chinese pharma

Qatar Commercial Bank completes pilot blockchain network in fund transfers

E&Y engages with BlockchainOS to support BOScoin cryptocurrency

MiGHT, Bloktex come together to build Malaysian blockchain industry

IC3 blockchain group adds Fidelity as member

Three music societies partner to develop blockchain solution for rightsholders