Smart contracts: The ultimate automation of trust?
The materialisation of contracts capable of enforcing themselves is now facilitated by blockchain technologies. The ability of smart contracts to alter the way in which many traditional processes are performed is potentially immense. However, standardisation and wider adoption of the blockchain is needed to turn this potential into reality.
De-Banking Is Spreading: Commonwealth Investigates Using Digital Currencies to Solve Problems
The legacy remittance market is in trouble and the problem is spreading, banks are closing remittance providers' accounts, forcing people to either pay more or turn to underground operators.
Payments disrupted: The emerging challenge for European retail banks
Payments are a key revenue stream for European banks. Deloitte estimates that retail payments will account for â¬128 billion in revenues in 2015, or around a quarter of total European retail banking revenues.
New York Bitcoin Industry Recovering After BitLicence Fallout
itBit received it’s Trust Charter in May this year, which made the company the first Bitcoin Exchange to operate as a Trust Company in New York State. On Thursday, the Winklevoss twins launched their exchange, having also received regulatory approval.
Regulation Of Virtual Currencies Act – (Draft discussion only)
This initial working draft envisions that any person or entity that operates as a trusted intermediary in the performance of services or offering of products to third parties, whether consumers or not, should be licensed. The range of such intermediaries is large already and likely to expand. For now, the range includes at least the following types of digital currency businesses: digital currency payments intermediaries, digital currency converters and exchanges, providers of web wallet services and products, digital currency gateways, digital cash platforms and digital currency ATMs, and is intended to cover any form of business that handles, stores, maintains, or transfers or engages in the exchange or delivery of digital currency for money or real currency or of one form of digital currency for another, or â like money transmission traditionally â performs functions necessary to move or transfer digital currencies from one person to another or from one location to another even for the same person or beneficiary.
Mexico Already Banned A Range Of Cash Purchases, Now Bitcoin Is Included
At present, bitcoin companies are emerging and evolving in Mexico, however, new rules will apply to the digital currency.
Op-Ed: An Open Letter To Our Politicians
Paul Puey is Co-Founder and CEO of AirBitz, a blockchain inspired, decentralized, open source, zero knowledge global information security solution.
Poland Ministry of Finance Calls for EU-Level Bitcoin Regulation
Polandâs Ministry of Finance provided a written statement in response to a request for information filed by two Polish Members of Parliament (MPs), Jan Warzecha and Bogdan RzoÅca
Compliance In The Bitcoin Industry Is Difficult To Navigate, And Ever Changing
[HashingSpace Corporation](https://www.hashingspace.com/) is a bitcoin ASIC mining and hosting company, and to avoid potential issues the company has partnered with IdentityMind Global, a leading compliance company.
California Bitcoin Bill Sponsor Responds to EFF Concerns
California assemblymember of the 45th Assembly District, Matt Dababneh, responded to criticisms from the Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) on AB 1326, a bill he sponsored that would propose new regulations for the emerging digital currency industry in California.
California’s BitLicence
The BitLicense sparked outrage and controversy in the state of New York. California is also dabbling in the regulation pool, but outspoken entities have conflicting interpretations regarding the upcoming bill.
Australia Changes Bitcoin Direction
Previously the Australian government classified the digital currency as an intangible asset, driving business overseas. A new recommendation would remove a double tax situation, and brings regulation in-line with the UK.
New York And London Continue Battle For FinTech Dominance
New York and London consistently compete for the title of financial capital of the world. With a focus on FinTech, London is confident they will take the lead, but other contenders are entering the ring.
Bitreserve Adds 7 New Currencies; Replaces Compliance Officer
Bitreserve, a startup trying to build a new financial system based upon bitcoin, now allows users to peg their bitcoins to the value of 16 sixteen fiat currencies, and four precious metals.
Mint Sells Bitcoins Direct From Miners
Amsterdam based BlockTrail recently announced Mint. The service sells freshly mined coins directly from the miner, for a premium.
Bridging The Gap Between Bitcoin Companies And Legacy Institutions
Cybersecurity is an important topic for both traditional banking institutions and the bitcoin industry. The threats, and solutions, have historically been different for both sectors, but are becoming more and more intertwined.
