Microsoft partners with AMIS and ITRI for Asia’s first blockchain consortium

Technology giant Microsoft has partnered with AMIS and the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan (ITRI) to form Asia’s first and the most advanced consortium blockchain network on Azure. The consortium members so far include Ubon Financial, Cathay Financial Holdings, MegaBank, KGI, Taishin, and CTBC Bank. Microsoft is collaborating with these banks to further develop blockchain opportunities in the Taiwan financial market.

Georgia to use blockchain to store real estate documents

Georgia plans on introducing blockchain system in 2017 for storing real estate documents, Caucasus Business Week reported. Minister of Justice of Georgia Tea Tsulukiani told the Business Contract that Georgia has attained full technical compatibility to make the transition to a blockchain-based system.

Indian state introduces blockchain technology to fight cybercrime

In a major leap forward, Andhra Pradesh, an Indian state, has introduced blockchain technology in some departments to fight cyber crime and protect its database from getting hacked, India Today reported. The initiative, possibly the first in Asia, comes amid the recent demonetization drive going on in the country.

Russian presidential candidate Alexei Navalny accepts bitcoin donations

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has announced that he will run for office at the next presidential elections in 2018. The official website of Navalny’s election campaign lists bitcoin as one of the method for supporting the electoral campaign. That is to say that for making donations people can opt for bank transfer, Yandex.Money online transfer, PayPal, as well as digital currency bitcoin.

South Korea to get first blockchain-based digital currency ‘BOScoin’

BlockchainOS, a South Korean blockchain startup, has announced that it will officially launch digital currency BOScoin, which it describes to be an improved version of existing cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether, Pulse News reported. To be launched in February 2017, BOScoin will be South Korea’s first digital currency based on blockchain system.

City of Rotterdam to record lease agreements on blockchain

The city of Rotterdam, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) and Deloitte Netherlands are working on real estate blockchain applications, which will mark the first time lease agreements being recorded on the blockchain. Deloitte Netherlands said that the project aims to digitally record the lease agreements of the CIC on the blockchain, enabling the startups in the CIC network to conclude contracts faster and easier.

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

Annual revenue for enterprise applications of blockchain to hit $19.9B by 2025 – Report

Deloitte survey indicates huge blockchain investments in 2017

Paper explores extra-terrestrial cryptocurrency and blockchain applications

Paper explores benefits of sovereign blockchain with central bank issued crypto currencies

Conferences/ Events:

Estonia to host blockchain and bitcoin conference in March 2017

Important deals, partnerships, and more:

Blockchain startup Wyre raises $5.8m, launches cross-border payments platform

US banking giant Citi invests in blockchain startup Cobalt DL

LeFinance partners with Stellar to use blockchain for seamless customer experience

R3 blockchain consortium adds financial services company ‘Credicorp’

XBRL US and ConsenSys form working group to develop standards for blockchain tokens

Team behind bitcoin-powered marketplace OpenBazaar secures $3m in new funding

Bitcoin and blockchain media giant CoinDesk partners with Brave Software

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken acquires bitcoin wallet service Glidera

Blockchain company Loyyal signs contract with Dubai Holding for pilot deployment

WISeKey to set up Swiss China Blockchain Centre of Excellence

Blockchain assets hedge fund Polychain Capital raises $10M from USV, A16z