Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission joins R3 blockchain consortium

Hong Kong regulator 'Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission' has announced that it has joined R3CEV blockchain consortium. The regulator is working with the consortium member banks and technology providers in order to explore blockchain ledgers to record and settle securities and futures transactions.

 Austria gets first dedicated ‘Bitcoin Bank’

Berlin-based blockchain startup, Bit Trust Services has opened first dedicated ‘Bitcoin Bank’ on Mariahilfer Strasse in downtown Vienna, Austria. This bank helps customers to exchange cash for bitcoin in an easier and safer way than other in-person options. The recently opened bitcoin bank makes the whole bitcoin exchange process quicker, easier and safer.

Deloitte completes blockchain project for transaction data and infrastructure assurance

Deloitte announced that it has successfully completed a blockchain project that was entitled and designed to demonstrate tangible and actionable options for blockchain transaction data and infrastructure assurance. The blockchain project is intended to enhance the utility and trust of permissioned blockchain system with the help of professional audit and assurance standards in order to examine blockchain applications as well as protocols.

Enterprise Ethereum blockchain alliance to include financial and tech giants

Enterprise Ethereum Alliance that was formed by Microsoft Corp. and other major technology companies and banks, will include major financial institutions including JP Morgan, CME Group, BNY Mellon, Banco Santander, Red Hat, Cisco, Wipro and British Petroleum, among others. This Ethereum blockchain alliance will also see involvement from blockchain startups including BlockApps, Brainbot Technologies, ConsenSys, Nuco and Tendermint and Ethereum Foundation.

Japanese blockchain firm bitFlyer allocates shares to local financial institutions

Tokyo-based blockchain company bitFlyer announced that it has allocated new shares to third parties including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group, Mizuho Financial Group, and Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company for the purpose of fundraising. With the newly raised funds from Japan’s top financial institutions, bitFlyer intends to build up its financial base as well as accelerate their efforts in establishing itself in the bitcoin and blockchain space through a strategic partnership with these firms.

Digital Currency/Blockchain research studies:

Hexayurt.Capital presents blockchain paper on at World Government Summit Dubai

Conferences/ Events:

EconoTimes, THEblockchain to Host Digital Currency conference 2017 in Korea on February 20

B3 announces Blockchain Academy London on 13-14 March

Blockchain Ideas Fest Vinnytsia 2017 to take place in Ukraine on March 4

Chamber of Digital Commerce to host DC Blockchain Summit 2017 in March

Important deals, partnerships, and more:

Voatz, Clear Ballot Group tie up to explore blockchain for secure remote voting

KPMG, Microsoft collaborate to launch joint ‘Blockchain Nodes’

DigixGlobal, Monolith collaborate to create blockchain-based gold-backed debit card