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A bug discovered in the Lightning Network in June, which allowed lightning bitcoins not backed by actual bitcoins to be spent, has officially been addressed in a new dev full disclosure report released on Friday. The problem has reportedly been remedied, but the security oversight casts doubts on an already heavily scrutinized protocol, and whether a proper release of LN anytime soon is actually feasible. Also Read: Traders Bemoan New Localbitcoins Identity Requirements Lightning Bug in June On June 27, developer Rusty Russell discovered the security flaw while running tests on the network. As the bug was not independently discovered by malicious entities, it is unlikely that major damage was done, although conclusive evidence did show that at least one exploitation of the bug did occur “in the wild” on September 7. A quiet fix was made and the issue was revealed in August after most users had upgraded, culminating in the September 27 release of the full disclosure report. The report states: A lightning node accepting a channel must check that the funding transaction output does indeed open the channel proposed. Otherwise an attacker can claim to open a channel but either not pay to the peer, or not pay the full amount … Implementations did not always do this check. Listed implementations which were vulnerable were c-lightning v.0.7.0 and below, lnd v.0.7.0 and below, and eclair v.0.3.0 and below. Some implementations only checked for partial data necessary to confirm the authenticity of the transaction. According to the report “It did NOT, however, require the receiver to actually check that the transaction is the one promised by the funder: both the amount and the actual scriptpubkey.” All systems seem to be back on track now, the bug report detailing that the discovery, for all the trouble it caused, “did provide an opportunity to test communications and methods of upgrade across the entire lightning ecosystem.” Skepticism Remains While this security flaw was dealt with relatively efficiently, and no network is beyond critique, many in the crypto space still take issue with the layer two payment protocol for various reasons. Addressing this most recent report on Twitter, Bitcoin Unlimited’s Peter Rizun wrote: Many people pointed out how LN channel balances were claims on real bitcoins, and not actually real bitcoins themselves, and that problems like this would surface. LN proponents retorted that it was impossible for channel balances to be unbacked. LN proponents were wrong. 2/2 — Peter R. Rizun (@PeterRizun) September 27, 2019 Still others are critical of the trust that is required to use the network, and the necessity of remaining online, as it is ultimately an off-chain solution requiring intermediaries who are also online at the same time, and who have enough funds available to move a user’s desired transaction along. Controversial ideas like watchtowers have not helped folks take a shine to LN, either, owing to the potential they hold for surveillance bodies like police and governments to establish undue influence, and stifle liquidity. For those relatively new to LN and some of the potential obstacles it presents, Rizun has also posted an easy-to-understand illustrated video here. Should Lightning ever emerge from its experimental stage, then the market can have a good, full go at it. Trouble is, some are still wondering if that elusive day will ever come. What are your thoughts on the Lightning Network? Let us know in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock. Did you know you can also buy Bitcoin Cash online with us? Download your free Bitcoin wallet and head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can buy BCH and BTC securely. The post Hidden Lightning Network Bug Allowed Spending of ‘Fake’ Bitcoins appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Black Tier Solutions announced a partnership with Blockchain at Michigan. Black Tier Solutions will be responsible for assisting the University of Michigan Blockchain group to develop a tokenized student rewards program and a tokenized gaming platform using XinFin Hybrid technology. “The University of Michigan produces some of the most talented developers in the country and they have an unparalleled interest in blockchain. This initiative is a first of its kind here in the United States and we are thrilled to be a part of it” said Chris Neill, founder of Black Tier Solutions located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “We are more than excited to partner with Black Tier Solutions and the XinFin protocol,” said Jonathan Calso, VP of Consulting at Blockchain at Michigan. “Students get a chance to work on real applications and gain valuable experience in an emerging and fast-paced industry. We hope to expand the blockchain ecosystem on campus, and the developer ecosystem on XinFin.Network as well” The University of Michigan plans to undergo a soft launch in Q4 of this year. About Blockchain at Michigan Blockchain at Michigan prepares students to excel in the Blockchain space by providing professional development opportunities alongside industry partners, building educational resources with multidisciplinary facets, and aiding students in meaningful research and project development. About XinFin.Network XinFin is an open-source enterprise-ready hybrid blockchain for global trade and finance. It combines the power of public and private blockchains with interoperable smart contracts and is fully EVM compatible. For more information on XinFin, please visit XinFin.org. Contact Email Address suresh@xinfin.org Supporting Link https://medium.com/xinfin/xinfin-and-black-tier-solutions-partners-with-blockchain-at-michigan-52cdce274b49 The post XinFin, Black Tier Solutions and Blockchain at Michigan Announce Joint Partnership appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regularly draws the ire of crypto proponents who are frustrated at its failure to support innovation and entrepreneurship. Despite this, some have warmed to the agency’s opinionated commissioner Hester Peirce, who has adopted the moniker of “Crypto Mom.” At a compliance conference this week, Peirce spoke positively about crypto assets, expressing the belief that they could one day become “the money of the internet.” Also read: Venezuela’s Central Bank Indicates Plans to Stockpile Bitcoin Crypto Mom Draws Applause at Digital Asset Summit The Digital Asset Compliance and Market Integrity Summit isn’t the sort of event where crypto bros go to exchange fist bumps and shill token sales. With so many compliance professionals in the house, plus the SEC Commissioner herself, all talk of market manipulation is firmly geared around combatting, not abetting it. Despite the serious nature of the inaugural event, organized by SaaS transaction monitoring firm Solidus Labs, there were some lighter moments. Hestor Peirce “I got a card for Mother’s Day saying ‘Happy Mother’s Day Crypto Mom,’” confessed Hester Peirce after taking the stage to deliver her keynote on Thursday, “and I couldn’t be happier.” Like SEC chair Jay Clayton, Peirce has earned a reputation for even-handedness: she won’t turn a blind eye to the worst excesses of the crypto space, but nor is she trying to stifle legitimate business. Aside from her comment about digital assets having the potential to become “the money of the internet,” Peirce used the phrase “transaction mechanisms” to describe the way she sees cryptocurrencies operating. She was also frank about the failures of the SEC in the past, conceding “When I came to the SEC, one of my hopes was to help change the way it addresses innovation … I saw it was slow.” As Fiscal Year Closes, Further Enforcement Expected The SEC’s fiscal year draws to an end on September 30, and some analysts believe the agency may finish with a flourish by taking action against fraudulent crypto projects. In his Money Stuff column on September 25, Matt Levine cited the SEC charging the founder of Fantasy Market, “a purported online adult entertainment marketplace, with orchestrating a fraudulent initial coin offering (ICO).” As the SEC’s complaint explains, the founder “claimed that Fantasy Market would allow participants to control live adult entertainment performances by paying for specific requested activities with the Fantasy Market digital token.” There were also repeated claims of profiting from buying tokens in the project’s whitepaper, which is a surefire way to get the SEC’s spidey sense tingling. With Kik closing down its messaging app due to an SEC lawsuit, the agency has issued a warning shot that it is still closely monitoring the crypto space. No to ICOs, Yes to Innovation There’s nothing to suggest that the SEC’s view on token sales – whatever acronym they may assume – will be softened any time soon. U.S investors can trade utility tokens on regulated exchanges, but they can’t purchase them via a token sale in most cases. When quizzed at Thursday’s New York summit on whether the U.S. risks being left behind to countries that are more receptive to crypto, Peirce admitted this presented a threat. Emphasizing the need for the SEC to strike a balance when regulating crypto businesses, she said: If you want a government that’s more forward-thinking on innovation, that means that if something goes wrong, you can’t go running back to the government and say ‘Hey, you didn’t protect me from myself!’ … I think we need to be a little less paternalistic. Hester Peirce earned warm applause at the Digital Asset Compliance and Market Integrity Summit, but she’ll have her work cut out in winning over hardline SEC skeptics. “Maybe this will be the year that the SEC stops going after the “low hanging fruit” and actual nails one of the literally thousands of frauds in this godless industry,” tweeted crypto analyst Nic Carter. Solidus Labs’ market surveillance software for exchanges Solidus Labs and its partners have expressed the desire to build upon Thursday’s summit, with the goal of promoting better industry standards through voluntary cooperation between crypto exchanges and other ecosystem participants. Should that lofty vision be achieved, the SEC’s enforcement division might be able to direct the bulk of its energies elsewhere next year. For now, though, it looks like there’s still some low hanging fruit to be purged. What are your thoughts on the SEC Commissioner’s remarks? Let us know in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool? Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain. Plus, visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what’s happening in the industry. The post SEC Commissioner Speaks Positively About Digital Assets Despite Recent Enforcement Flurry appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Recent data shows that countries with corrupt governments have a strong correlation with Localbitcoins trade volumes. However, even though the over-the-counter (OTC) marketplace Localbitcoins has grown massive over the years, traders are complaining about heightened know-your-customer/anti-money laundering requirements. The exchange recently changed its KYC/AML guidelines on September 1 and users say more verification mandates might be coming this October. Also read: Software Engineer Reveals Oracle Creation Platform for Bitcoin Cash Localbitcoins Trade Volumes Correlate With the Corruption Perception Index But KYC/AML Isn’t Helping The Helsinki-based OTC bitcoin trading platform Localbitcoins.com (LBC) has been providing peer-to-peer exchange since 2012. Since then, the platform has grown very large and the exchange saw roughly $54.8 million in global trade volume for the week of September 21. Six days ago, a researcher explained on Twitter that the regions with the highest LBC volumes stem from corrupt governments. The data explains that the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) tied to governments with an unfavorable rating shows significantly larger LBC trade volumes than countries with less corruption. The Twitter user’s data shows the correlation with countries like Venezuela, Nigeria, Russia, Colombia, and Ukraine. The researcher also noted that Bisq exchange and Paxful saw an influx of trade volume when LBC removed cash trades and introduced new KYC/AML requirements. Privacy advocates have also complained about how people have connected to LBC using the Tor browser and witnessed a banner that says: “Warning to all Tor users: A Tor browser exposes you to the risk of having your bitcoins stolen.” Corelation between corruption and@LocalBitcoins usage for 2018 Share of GDP = share of LBC volume for 2018 of countries GDP CPI = corruption perception index pic.twitter.com/lo8cWGEG0W — trooper (@raw_avocado) September 21, 2019 The removal of cash and in-person trades has caused a lot of migration to other peer-to-peer trading platforms. The added KYC/AML requirements have made it worse for users who trade a lot and even for individuals who only trade small sums. On September 27, a Pakastani explained on the Reddit forum r/btc that Localbitcoins was getting worse for him. “The user experience is getting degraded day by day on Localbitcoins,” the individual claimed. “To place any buy or sell ads, you need to put BTC into the site’s custodial wallet which is very inconvenient given BTC is as slow as a turtle to confirm.” The trader from Pakistan continued: [Localbitcoins] ad price calculation formula is so complicated and the platform is feeling creepier than ever, even though I am KYC verified, they are randomly frisking users again now — I have been warned to submit more KYC data before the 1st of October. Localbitcoins has really lost the plot pic.twitter.com/tNxtbLEr3t — Richard Bensberg (@richardbensberg) September 9, 2019 Concerns About More KYC/AML Requirements and Alternative OTC Avenues The trader said he was stuck using LBC because the liquidity is high for a country like Pakistan. Just recently LBC partnered with the identity verification service Onfido and the company introduced a new tier system for traders. Each LBC tier shows the trader how much they can trade annually and how much verification is needed for each stage. The lowest tier is only $1,000 a year, which mandates the user must submit their phone number, surname, and email address. The mid-range of $20,000 per year requires ID verification, proof of residency, and more. LBC traders who swap vast amounts of BTC have also been arrested for transgressing against money transmission laws. LBC is required to comply with regulatory standards because of Finland’s Act on Virtual Currency Service Providers. When all the new rules were established, many crypto advocates argued that LBC is not decentralized, and some have even questioned the term “local” in its brand name. You may be able to find local traders in your area on LBC, but cash and in-person trades are now prohibited. Localbitcoins blog posts that describe the new KYC/AML requirements and tier verifications. Another avenue besides Paxful and Bisq, for traders who want to swap coins in a peer-to-peer manner, is the BCH marketplace local.Bitcoin.com. Since LBC’s KYC/AML announcement two months ago and the removal of in-person cash trades, many traders have migrated to Bitcoin.com’s OTC platform. This week the marketplace has surpassed 60,000 users worldwide and has shown continuous growth since the launch in June. Local.Bitcoin.com is a private, noncustodial trading platform that allows peers to trade bitcoin cash (BCH) in a safe environment. Moreover, in-person cash trades are allowed and you can trade literally anything with other users on local.Bitcoin.com. Local.Bitcoin.com The Finland-based Localbitcoins’ trade volumes do indicate that citizens from countries with corrupt governments are searching to purchase crypto to escape the wrath of inflation and manipulation. Countries like Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia have touched all-time high volumes but trades have lessened throughout August. The latest round of KYC/AML requirements doesn’t bode well for residents in these regions and privacy concerns may force them to migrate elsewhere. Especially when Tor users are being warned and if even more KYC/AML mandates are revealed in October. What do you think about Localbitcoins making it hard for people to trade due to KYC/AML requirements? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, Localbitcoins.com, Twitter, Local.Bitcoin.com, and Pixabay. Did you know Bitcoin.com offers a peer-to-peer trading platform that allows for private, noncustodial over-the-counter trading? Check out Local.Bitcoin.com today. Alternatively, you can head over to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can easily buy BTC and BCH with a credit card. Or register for our online trading platform Exchange.Bitcoin.com. At Bitcoin.com we want everyone to get access to cryptocurrencies. The post Traders Bemoan New Localbitcoins Identity Requirements appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

IOV Labs, the parent company of Bitcoin smart contract platform RSK, has announced the acquisition of Taringa. As a result, the Hispanic social media network’s 30 million users and 1,000+ active communities will be exposed to dapps, tokenization and P2P trading. Crypto companies acquiring traditional businesses, before introducing tokenized features, is now a growing trend. Also read: Latin American Payment App Mercado Pago Can Be Topped-Up With Crypto RSK to Roll Out Tokenized Services to 30 Million Latin American Users Taringa is a Spanish language social network that feels like a cross between Reddit and Facebook. It’s particularly popular in Argentina, Spain, Colombia, Chile, Peru and the U.S. Spanish-speaking community, and is the second most popular social network in Argentina after Facebook. It is now the property of IOV Labs, best known for creating RSK. Given that senior RSK team members hail from Argentina, and are looking for ways to increase the utility of their RIF token, the move makes a lot of sense. RSK’s smart contracting solution is anchored to the the Bitcoin network, creating a secure environment in which to deploy decentralized applications. The company has recently been striving to establish itself as a leading smart contract solution for defi projects. The acquisition of Taringa will serve as a testbed for the sort of applications RSK envisions being created by third parties. There are plans to integrate a P2P token exchange into Taringa, create a decentralized marketplace for applications, and introduce incentivization for content sharing, in a move reminiscent of Steemit. Taringa Welcomes RSK Into the Fold Announcing the news, Taringa CEO Matías Botbol said: “We are already building our first tool to allow Taringa users to get rewarded by being active participants in their communities. Once this is in place, we envision adding more features … our ultimate goal is to create a new open, decentralized Internet that respects individual’s freedom of speech and privacy.” IOV Labs CEO Diego Gutierrez Zaldivar said: “This acquisition puts us at the forefront of adoption in distributed ledger technologies. Having access to such a large community will also be invaluable for gathering quick feedback from users of all the RIF-powered tools and protocols we are launching in the near future. We see Taringa as the first step towards massive adoption of both RSK and RIF platforms, and a great step forward for our long term vision of empowering individuals through decentralization.” The deal seems like a good one for both parties, giving RSK a platform for showcasing its smart contract and blockchain capabilities, while revitalizing a tired Taringa. The social network is known for welcoming crypto assets: in 2015 it paid $76,000 in BTC to its users, allocating a total of 195 bitcoins to content creators. Crypto M&As of Traditional Companies Ramps Up IOV Labs’ acquisition of Taringa bears obvious parallels with Tron purchasing Bittorrent in a reported $126M deal and tokenizing the file-sharing network. The price IOV Labs paid for Taringa has not been disclosed but will be significantly lower the Bittorrent. Last year, Coinbase paid a similar price as Tron when it purchased Earn.com and integrated cryptocurrency, enabling users to earn modest amounts of crypto for completing tasks. In Japan, meanwhile, messaging app LINE is attempting a similar strategy to Taringa by adding crypto features to its smartphone application. Through a deal with fraud-proof payment processor Simplex (which is also integrated with Bitcoin.com to enable BTC and BCH purchases), LINE users can now buy crypto using credit card in-app. Do you think acquiring traditional companies is a sound business strategy for crypto companies? Let us know in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool? Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain. Plus, visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what’s happening in the industry. The post Bitcoin Smart Contract Platform RSK Acquires Latin America’s Fourth Largest Social Network appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Various reports reveal Venezuela’s central bank is allegedly contemplating hoarding a variety of cryptocurrencies like BTC within its internal reserves. The state-operated gas company Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) has asked to send BTC and ETH payments to Banco Central de Venezuela’s (BCV) vaults to pay for oil and gas operations. Also read: Maduro’s Petro Becomes More Accessible, but Scrutinized by Venezuelans Venezuela’s Central Bank Plans to Hold Cryptocurrencies Within Internal Reserve System Sources reveal that Venezuela’s central bank plans to accumulate a stash of bitcoin and ethereum and the bank is currently contemplating methods on how to secure the cryptocurrencies within its internal reserve system. One report states that “four people with direct knowledge of the matter” have detailed that the oil and gas company, PDVSA, has asked the BCV if the entity can send payments using currencies like BTC and ETH. The sources who queried BCV staffers with questions have asked to remain anonymous. According to the informants, the BCV’s reserves are at a three-decade low at just above $7 billion and the central bank is researching schemes on how to secure the digital assets within the BCV’s reserve system. The central bank of Venezuela maintains the fixed exchange rate for the sovereign bolívar and holds the country’s internal reserves. The informants claim they don’t know how much BTC or ETH the PDVSA actually owns and or how it came to obtain the digital assets. But a slew of reports has elaborated on how the Venezuelan government has been gathering cryptocurrencies in order to hoard them and use them to bypass U.S. and international trade sanctions. Last February Pedro Peroza wrote a number of informative articles concerning the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets and Related Activities (Sunacrip) operations. Peroza believes Maduro’s regime has already been stockpiling digital currencies via the “collection of taxes in cryptocurrency, for that a Law was approved in the ANC (National Assembly Madurista).” Moreover, Maduro’s petro cryptocurrency is all part of the plan. Sunacrip participates in monitoring and licensing exchanges, overseeing state-approved mining operations, and promotes petro adoption across the country. Besides collecting taxes in bitcoin the petro serves two objectives according to Peroza: Devalue the Sovereign Bolivar. Sell petro in exchange for bitcoin and litecoin. Nicolás Maduro and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela introduced the petro, the first nation-state issued cryptocurrency. Many reports detail that the petro is simply used to obtain legitimate digital assets like bitcoin and litecoin while also using the digital currency to bypass U.S. sanctions. Maduro’s Regime Has Various Methods Available to Stockpile Bitcoin Maduro and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela have been accused of circumventing financial blockades imposed by the U.S. government according to local reports in July. Investigators revealed that Maduro’s regime allegedly used the Maiquetía International Airport and Sunacrip to convert airline taxes into BTC. Those reports suggested the Venezuelan government has cryptocurrency accounts in China, Russia, and Bulgaria. Sunacrip also announced that cryptocurrencies and the petro could be used to buy airline tickets and amenities from Conviasa Airlines as well. Sunacrip Superintendent, Joselit Ramírez, further explained that the Administrative Service of Identification Migration and Foreigners will accept digital currencies for passports and the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation will accept cryptos for licenses, fines, plates, and titles. Sunacrip even introduced a payment system called Petro Pago, but citizens say the point-of-sale (POS) infrastructure is meant to collect bitcoin and more valuable digital assets. Sunacrip’s crypto payment system called Petro Pago On September 14, a girl who emigrated from Venezuela told our newsdesk that the petro is really only for show and government officials are the only ones who use it to bypass the international trade row. “Nobody uses the petro and only people close with government use it to skip out on U.S. sanctions — Sunacrip is really only for miners — they have installed crypto point-of-sale (POS) systems around some stores, but the POS only accepts bitcoin, litecoin, and BNB, so if you have petros, you need to exchange that,” news.Bitcoin.com’s source declared. In fact, Sunacrip is in charge of mining operations in the country and any operation that’s not approved by Sunacrip is illegal. “The Digital Mining Administration’s objective is the planning, coordination, promotion, and execution of digital mining activities and associated processes, licensing and certificates,” Suncrip’s website explains. Sunacrip oversees the digital currency mining industry in Venezuela. Those who do not comply with Sunacrip are running illegal mining operations according to the National Gazette 41,575. The sources who have been in touch with PDVSA staffers insist the entity won’t sell the coins on the open market due to international exposure but rather have the BCV hold it. This way the oil and gas company has a way to evade financial blockades after selling energy resources. Nearly all the past the reports stemming from Venezuela’s government, show valid signs of the regime and central bank hoarding digital assets like BTC. Maduro and his regime have created many different avenues to collect cryptocurrencies by using the airports, Sunacrip, and other state-run entities. Moreover, in September the state-owned Bank of Venezuela, the country’s largest financial institution has opened a cryptocurrency desk. Reports detail that Bank of Venezuela account holders now see a crypto wallet interface when they sign into their accounts online. What do you think about Venezuela’s central bank and Maduro’s regime hoarding cryptocurrencies? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, Banco Central de Venezuela, Pixabay, and Sunacrip. Do you need a reliable Bitcoin mobile wallet to send, receive, and store your coins? Download one for free from us and then head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can quickly buy Bitcoin with a credit card. The post Venezuela’s Central Bank Indicates Plans to Stockpile Bitcoin appeared first on Bitcoin News. 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SINGAPORE, 27 September, 2019 – During the World Digital Mining Summit (WDMS) – which will take place in Frankfurt on 8-10 October – Bitmain will launch the first platform to connect mining hardware owners with mining farm owners via the World Digital Mining Map (WDMM). To remain price-efficient, owners of mining hardware are regularly on the lookout for locations with the right conditions and power resources for cryptocurrency mining. The WDMM will be the first global resource to connect them with mining farms who have the available power resources to host them for a fee. “The WDMM will help make cryptocurrency mining more sustainable in the long-run by connecting mining farms and hardware owners in a whole new way. It is part of our commitment to provide miners with on-going support throughout their hardware’s lifetime and to support the sector’s overall growth,” said Matthew Wang, Director of Mining Farm of Bitmain. Mining farm owners can apply to be listed on the WDMM during the WDMS. Applicants will need to provide details on their current mining farm setup and capacity to host other miners. In return, participants will be given personalised services from Bitmain which includes assistance with mining farm design, connections to foreign customers to host, and support with operations, purchasing and construction. “Being listed on the WDMM helped me to find miners who want to host their rigs in my facility. Bitmain was able to connect me with the right customers to fill in the extra capacity I had. This is the support I needed to help me expand my facility at a faster pace,” said Gregory Ohanessian, Chief Mining Officer of VC Mining. “Tapping into Bitmain’s assessment and support services via the WDMM helped me to optimise my facility. Their team suggested new ways to further the overall output from my Antminers while reducing downtime. This has made it cheaper to build my mining farm and made operations more cost-effective, driving overall profits,” added Dmitrii Ushakov, Chief Commercial Officer of Bitriver. During the WDMS, Bitmain will also announce the winners of the Top 10 Mining Farms around the world. The summit will provide a workshop focused on mining farm data analysis, as well as discussions on the future of mining facilities. There will be opportunities for miners and mining farm owners to exchange ideas and explore partnership opportunities. Voting for the Top 10 Mining Farms is still open and individuals can cast a vote here. — END — About Bitmain Founded in 2013, Bitmain transforms computing by building industry-defining technology in cryptocurrency, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI). Bitmain leads the industry in the production of integrated circuits for cryptocurrency mining, as well as mining hardware under the Antminer brand. The company also operates the largest cryptocurrency mining pools worldwide—Antpool.com and BTC.com. Bitmain technology supports a wide range of blockchain platforms and startups. About the WDMS World Digital Mining Summit (WDMS) is the largest digital mining event of the year. It is a two-day cryptocurrency mining summit with a focus on delivering the latest industry insights, high-class networking, and knowledge exchange. The agenda for the three-day WDMS summit features industry investment and innovation for the mining sector. Major thought leaders include Jihan Wu (Bitmain Co-Founder), Micree Zhan (Bitmain Co-Founder & Chairman), John Ge (Matrixport CEO) and Marco Streng (Genesis Mining CEO), and top brands will present at this year’s summit. Started in 2018, WDMS was the first and foremost meet up designed by Bitmain that brought global miners, entrepreneurs, and fellow enthusiasts together all in one place. This global mining summit showcased the leading minds and decision-makers​, which drove and pushed the crypto mining industry into the future. This year, WDMS is back to discuss ideas on the future of digital mining, blockchain, and more. The full event agenda, guest list and ticket details for attendees can be found here. Members of the press can apply for a pass by sending an email to media@miningconf.org Contact: Antminer Marketing Department antminer.marketing@bitmain.com Supporting Link https://miningconf.org The post Bitmain to Launch the World Digital Mining Map This October appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Defi, defi, defi. You can’t go anywhere in crypto these days without having that contraction thrown at you. 2017 was all about the ICO, 2018 was about surviving the bear market, and early 2019 was a toss-up between IEO and STO. Now, as we prepare to enter Q4 of 2019, it’s all about decentralized finance. Peer past the hype and you’ll find some genuinely useful products are being built that promise to accelerate greater financial inclusion in the form of a crypto-powered alternative to the traditional monetary system. Also read: Despite Lower Prices, Bitcoin’s Hashrate Remains Strong Defi Defined Decentralized finance, according to Defiprime.com, “is the movement that leverages decentralized networks to transform old financial products into trustless and transparent protocols that run without intermediaries.” The site filters defi products and services into 16 categories that include DEXs, derivatives, identity, insurance, lending, stablecoins, and staking. Most of these projects are built around Ethereum, but decentralized finance – also known as open finance – is not exclusive to any one blockchain. BTC, BCH and other leading crypto assets are also being deployed for the same purpose, examples of which we’ll consider shortly. First though, here’s a cross-sample of what’s new in Ethereum’s world of defi. Firstly, Ethereum and Consensys co-founder Joseph Lubin has thrown his hat into the ring, announcing support for Codefi. The project will comprise an array of defi products produced by Consensys focused on data, networks, assets, and payments, with a team of around 40 dedicated to expediting defi growth under the Codefi banner. Deversifi, the DEX formerly operating as Ethfinex, is currently attempting an ambitious pivot from operating as a centralized platform to a community controlled one. To achieve this, it’s bringing back The DAO, only its decentralized autonomous organization will hopefully last significantly longer than the original. Governance will be at the heart of the new-look Deversifi’s operations, while a major burn and reallocation of its NEC token will help realign incentives between stakeholders. While Deversifi’s role in the exchange ecosystem is miniscule, observers will be taking a keen interest in the success of its decentralization attempts. What’s New in Decentralized Finance To gain a better understanding of what’s being made, and how it ties into the broad goals of decentralized finance, here are some projects of note that span various verticals. Derivatives One of the most exciting defi fields is derivatives, where the possibilities for creating contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset are virtually unlimited. Synthetix enables all kinds of decentralized synthetic assets to be created, correlated to traditional commodities, and futures contracts to be created for crypto assets. More than 20 synths have been completed on the platform already, which includes peer-to-contract trading that allows traders to execute orders in a decentralized manner, without the need for an orderbook. Lending Lending is the most crowded defi vertical, with more P2P lending protocols than you can shake a stick at. There’s $350M locked up in Compound and Maker alone, which are the leading defi lending protocols by some distance according to Defipulse. To help keep track of which lending protocol offers the most attractive rate, Staked has developed its Robo Advisor for Yield (RAY), a smart contract-based bot that automatically allocates crypto assets to the highest yielding opportunities. RAY could still use some optimization, but provides an insight into the future of decentralized lending. For those willing to tolerate centralized lending in the pursuit of higher interest, keeping your coins with a platform like Cred, a partner of Bitcoin.com, will earn up to 10% on your BTC and BCH holdings. Banking The endgame for many defi proponents is to create a decentralized banking system where anyone can participate and credit checks and account closures are a thing of the past. One of the most interesting projects making headway in this regard is Monolith, which promises to be nearing its goal of creating the first decentralized bank. It provides a noncustodial contract wallet that incorporates features such as a daily send limit. Because it’s impossible to leave the current finance rails behind altogether to transact in the real world, Monolith offers a Visa debit card in the U.K. and 30 EEA countries. It aims to ultimately operate like a decentralized Wirex, explaining: “Unlike every other service provider, your funds won’t disappear if we do. As long as there are Ethereum nodes running, nothing can prevent you from spending your ETH.” The service is available on iOS now, with an Android app coming soon. Monolith What Ethereum Can Do, Bitcoin Can Do Too While Ethereum has grabbed the defi mantle, it’s worth noting that many of the products and services being developed have been available within the Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash ecosystem for years. There isn’t the same smart contract functionality, which limits some of the tools that can be built, but this is countered by Bitcoin’s robust security and greater liquidity. P2P exchanges that make use of multisig include Hodlhodl (BTC) and local.Bitcoin.com (BCH). Merchants who wish to accept BTC in a decentralized manner can do so using BTC Pay Server, while noncustodial solutions for BCH include Bitcoin Cash Register. These tools are now being complemented by an array of new defi products that are starting to ship. Many will fail, a few will thrive, and some will transpire to be not nearly as decentralized as their architects made out. Collectively, however, there is cause for optimism that the advancement towards open monetary systems will bring about greater equality, and provide broad access to a suite of decentralized financial services. What are your thoughts on the defi movement? Let us know in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool? Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain. Plus, visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what’s happening in the industry. The post Decentralized Finance Projects Are Starting to Ship appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Wallets are a necessity for cryptocurrency users and their creation is a strong indication of how fast the popularity of decentralized digital money grows. The number of crypto wallets and their users has been increasing rapidly since the creation of Bitcoin. Spikes usually coincide with rising cryptocurrency prices during bullish periods, but it’s worth noting that the general trend has always been positive, and has become exponential in the past few years. Also read: Swiss Banks Team With Fintechs to Enter the Crypto Space Sharp Increase of New Wallets in Q2, 2019 Market data provider Statista continuously tracks multiple indicators in the crypto space. The platform revealed that the number of blockchain wallet users has reached over 40 million at the end of the first half of 2019. That represents an enormous increase from less than 8 million users in the second quarter of 2016, as per the report. The numbers look even more staggering when you realize the study is based on the growth registered by a single company, Blockchain.com. The well-known provider of crypto products offers one of the popular wallet clients on the market which supports bitcoin cash (BCH) among other cryptocurrencies. The total number of wallet users worldwide is hard to estimate, but in the past three years alone, Blockchain.com has recorded a five-fold increase in its wallet users. Blockchain.com’s own more recent data shows the user count has reached over 42 million, as of September 25. Looking at the graph in the Statista report, two pronounced spikes in the number of new wallets can be seen during the examined period. The first one occurred between the third and fourth quarter of 2017. It coincided with the rise in the price of digital assets at the time. The second jump was registered in Q2 of 2019, when Blockchain wallet users increased by around 6 million. The chart published on the Blockchain.com website shows a steady increase until around the beginning of 2016, after which the growth became exponential. A Choice of Wallets Available to Crypto Users A wide and expanding choice of cryptocurrency wallets is available to users nowadays. From hardware devices that feature improved security, such as Ledger and Trezor, to multiple software applications providing greater everyday usability, like Electrum, Exodus and Jaxx. Popular custodial platforms have also been registering significant growth of their users over the past couple of years. For example, U.S. crypto wallet and trading service provider Coinbase now claims to have over 30 million users. When it stopped publishing detailed user data on its website in November 2017, the exchange had around 13 million customers with 45 million cryptocurrency wallets. After the bearish 2018, which put the whole crypto industry in a difficult spot, this year brought a revived interest in cryptocurrencies. Markets began their upward movement in April and remained mostly positive and stable up until the recent modest decline. Throughout the year, even during periods of setbacks, the number of cryptocurrency wallets has continued to increase steadily. Bitcoin.com’s own offering is no exception. Downloads of the Bitcoin.com Wallet, which was introduced in August 2017, have more than doubled since last year to over 4.7 million at the time of writing. The light mobile client is available for Android and iOS devices. The wallet supports bitcoin cash (BCH) and bitcoin core (BTC) and comes with many useful features allowing you to purchase and exchange cryptocurrency from the app. If you are looking for a desktop version, Bitcoin.com recommends the Badger Wallet. Do you think the number of cryptocurrency wallets and users will continue to grow exponentially? Tell us in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock, Statista, Blockchain.com, Bitcoin.com. Do you need a reliable bitcoin mobile wallet to send, receive, and store your coins? Download one for free from us and then head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can quickly buy bitcoin with a credit card. The post The Number of Cryptocurrency Wallets Is Growing Exponentially appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Owner of popular Japanese crypto exchange Coincheck, Monex Group, has now announced it will reward shareholders in the company with crypto. Shareholders are to receive a BTC dividend provided they have a Coincheck account. With Japan viewed as one of the top crypto adoption hotspots globally, and the country’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) proclaiming a purposeful aim to promote Bitcoin, big businesses are quickly latching on to the country’s solid regulatory framework to make profits. Also Read: Bitcoin Cash Acceptance and Community Growth Ramp Up Shareholders Rewarded With BTC and Monex Points After Coincheck’s infamous NEM hack of January 2018, the group would be audited, acquired by Monex Group, and revived. The $534 million security breach now in the past, Coincheck finds itself somewhat back on track and back in crypto headlines for happier news: a new incentivization for registration involving shareholders of parent company, Monex Group, Inc. In a September 24 press release Monex announced “it has decided to grant a cryptocurrency, Bitcoin (“BTC”), as mid-term shareholder benefit for fiscal year 2019 to its shareholders who hold the Company’s shares as of September 30, 2019 in addition to the existing shareholder benefits.” Citing an increased interest in cryptocurrency, the company will pay a “benefit of 500-yen equivalent cryptocurrency BTC … to all shareholders regardless of the number of shares they are holding.” Also detailed in the press release was a Monex Points system which will reward shareholders for cash trading activity and be issued in proportion to shares held in the company. Stipulations for receiving the BTC dividends include being “recorded in the shareholder list as of September 30, 2019” and having completed Coincheck account registration and pertinent applications by the end of March 2020. Corporate Adoption Rising Dramatically As news.Bitcoin.com has recently reported, crypto adoption activity in Japan is entering unprecedented realms with online retail and communications giants like Rakuten and Line getting in on the action. Rakuten’s new wallet app is easy to use even for crypto neophytes, and serves as a Bitcoin on-ramp run by one of the most trusted and ubiquitous e-commerce companies in the nation. Similarly, Japan’s Line messaging app is used by 187 million global users monthly as of June, and now has its own app-connected Bitmax crypto exchange supporting BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC and XRP trading. As more and more corporations jump into the space, it’s likely that even the presently uninitiated will soon be familiar with the basics of Bitcoin. Rakuten Bank and the Rakuten Wallet app are now facilitating crypto-to-fiat and fiat-to-crypto exchange 24/7, and quick ATM withdrawal capability via the Rakuten cash card, so it’s understandable some are pointing even more to the Land of the Rising Sun as the decided crypto Mecca. Even the FSA is getting behind the idea, but there’s a big caveat, with an official from the group reported in August as saying: We promote bitcoin but only with controls. This proclamation, in conjunction with Japan’s yet unclear tax regulations (though they’re much more clearly defined than U.S. requirements) and a regrettably meager selection of crypto-savvy tax assistance groups, makes for a strange brew in the Japanese crypto space. On one hand, corporate and major bank adoption is beginning to happen in huge fashion. On the other, the space is extremely regulated, pushing out smaller players and leaving some wary of jumping in. None of this is to mention that the vision of the Japanese-aliased Bitcoin creator himself, Satoshi Nakamoto, is hardly talked about in all the hubbub. In a sense, big time, centrally regulated adoption could be said to come at the expense of peer-to-peer, permissionless cash. What are your thoughts on Monex’s incentive and adoption in Japan? Let us know in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Did you know you can buy and sell BCH privately using our noncustodial, peer-to-peer Local Bitcoin Cash trading platform? The Local.Bitcoin.com marketplace has thousands of participants from all around the world trading BCH right now. And if you need a bitcoin wallet to securely store your coins, you can download one from us here. The post Monex Offers Crypto Rewards to Shareholders Furthering Japanese Adoption appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

People watching cryptocurrency markets have been patiently waiting for prices to rise and the overall sentiment to change. However, one thing that’s been extremely bullish these days is how BTC’s hashrate has doubled in the last three months. Even with today’s sluggish crypto prices, the SHA-256 hashrate has remained unscathed and continues to show persistent growth. Also read: Bitcoin Cash-Accepting Mayoral Candidate ‘Nobody’ Hosts Keene’s 420 Rally SHA-256 Hashrate Trucks Forward The SHA-256 hashrate, which helps secure both the BTC and BCH blockchain has seen steady progression this year. At the time of writing, while markets have seen 15-30% losses this week, both BCH and BTC’s hashrates have continued to chug along unfazed. According to current data, BTC’s hashpower is around 95 exahash per second (EH/s) and the BCH chain has roughly 2.25 EH/s. Most miners have continued to process BTC blocks without slowing down, but on September 23 the BTC hashrate quickly dropped to 57 EH/s. BTC hashrate on September 25, 2019. The processing power has recovered almost all of its lost strength, and speculators believe the rising hashrate is a positive sign of things to come. The top-performing mining device as of September 25, is Bitmain’s Antminer S17 Pro which processes the SHA-256 algorithm at 53 terahash per second (TH/s). The S17 Pro is followed by the standard Antminer S17 (50 TH/s), Innosilicon’s Terminator 3 (52 TH/s), Strongu’s STU-U8 Pro (60 TH/s), and Microbt’s Whatsminer M20S (69 TH/s). All of these machines are profiting if they mine at an average of $0.12 kWh and the most densely populated mining zones get much cheaper electricity rates than the global average. Despite the lower bitcoin cash (BCH) prices, BCH miners have steadily held over 2 EH/s consistently over the last few months. According to coin.dance data statistics, it is currently 2.10% more profitable to mine BCH than BTC at 2:30 p.m. EDT on September 25. BCH hashrate on September 25, 2019. Despite the lower bitcoin cash (BCH) prices, BCH miners have steadily held over 2 EH/s consistently over the last few months. 200% Hashrate Growth Increase and a 120 Exahash by 2020 The cofounder of Canaan, Kong Jianping, believes the computing power of the SHA-256 hashrate will climb 200% by 2020 according to local reports. Canaan is a powerful Chinese mining rig manufacturer that distributes the Avalonminer series. Kong discussed his belief at the New Era Mining Summit and claimed that his firm would help bolster the push. The cofounder said that Canaan has plans to unleash a “large-scale production” of 7nm chips dedicated to mining coins like BTC and BCH. Kong also remarked the company aims to be a leader in the industry by enhancing the 7nm chip design, alongside upgrading the mining rig supply chain. Local reports have also detailed that Canaan has no plans to file an IPO any time soon. Canaan has unveiled its Avalonminer 1066 that processes 50 TH/s and November batches are still available. However, in order to make an Avalonminer 1066 purchase, visitors must inquire by email. The new Canaan Avalonminer 1066 which claims to process 50 TH/s. In another discussion at the New Era Mining Summit, Microbt founder and CEO, Yang Zuoxing announced the firm will have delivered 200,000 M20 series miners by the end of September. The Microbt Whatsminer has been a prevalent mining rig within the industry in the last two years with the M20S and the M21 series. In the last four months, the BTC hashrate has jumped by at least 40 EH/s and Zuoxing claims Microbt miners contributed to at least 10 EH/s of that number. The New Era Mining Summit. The Microbt founder thinks the BTC hashrate will rise to 120 EH/s by 2020 and the 200,000 M20 models should add around 10 EH/s to the overall computing power. “Based on the information I have seen and based on our current production capacity, the bitcoin network’s total hashrate is estimated to reach 120 EH/s by the end of this year,” Zuoxing stated at the mining summit hosted by Poolin. Zuoxing also revealed the company was dealing with the chip manufacturer Samsung. Besides Canaan and Microbt, the mining giant Bitmain has also sold a significant amount of next-gen miners and released a slew of new models in 2017. Bitmain, Microbt, and Innosilicon have managed to produce these units while 7nm chips have been hard to come by due to the smartphone market. The New Era Mining Summit saw 1,800 attendees and roughly 400 mining farm operations according to the mining pool Poolin. Do you want to maximize your Bitcoin Mining potential? Plug your own hardware into the world’s most profitable Bitcoin mining pool or get started without having to own hardware through one of our competitive Bitcoin cloud mining contracts. Chinese Miners Unfazed by Migration, Floods, and Ban Rumors Mining the SHA-256 algorithm continues to be a very competitive industry and a great number of miners are located in China. A few reports detail that the local government in China’s Inner Mongolia region has been cracking down on illegal bitcoin mining facilities. An Inner Mongolian regulator stated: “The virtual currency ‘mining’ industry belongs to a pseudo-financial innovation unrelated to the real economy, and should not be supported.” The news hasn’t really amounted to anything just yet except for the threat, which sort of thing has already happened on countless occasions in China over the last few years. However, Chinese miners have been migrating recently and many operations reportedly suffered in mid-August due to the flooding in Sichuan. None of the reported issues and so-called crackdowns in China have affected the overall SHA-256 hashrate so far. Even with crypto markets blood red this week, for miners, its still business as usual. What do you think about the massive SHA-256 hashrate and the mining industry developments? Do you think the BTC hashrate will be 120 EH/s by the year’s end? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, The New Era Mining Summit, Canaan, and Charts.Bitcoin.com. Did you know you can earn BTC and BCH through Bitcoin Mining? If you already own hardware, connect it to our powerful Bitcoin mining pool. If not, you can easily get started through one of our flexible Bitcoin cloud mining contracts. The post Despite Lower Prices, Bitcoin’s Hashrate Remains Strong appeared first on Bitcoin News. 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Could experience with cryptocurrency help you become a better space scientist? NASA seems to think so. The U.S. aeronautics agency is looking for a big data scientist and specifically mentions that experience with cryptocurrency and blockchain could help you get the job. Also Read: Esports, Cannabis and BCH: First AMA With Bitcoin.com CEO Stefan Rust NASA JPL Wants Crypto Talent The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a research and development facility located in California which was founded in 1936 and mainly focuses on developing robotic spacecraft for the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The space agency is now looking for a new Data Scientist to join the JPL team and has a surprising point on the list of qualifications for the role. The wanted ad states: “Experience with cryptocurrency and Blockchain is considered a plus.” There is no explanation given as to why experience with cryptocurrency is beneficial for the work at JPL but you can have fun speculating. Maybe NASA is looking for ways to develop a new economy for an independent Mars colony, launch an ICO to fund a moon base, or even find a way to trade with space aliens. It could also just be a way to signal to potential applicants that it is looking for people that really love to dive into deep technological and mathematical concepts. JPL Mission Control Center According to the wanted ad, the Data Scientist will develop applications for different areas of JPL including robotics, artificial intelligence, multi-mission systems, mission assurance, cloud computing, next generation flight hardware, and intelligent digital assistants. They will also be responsible for designing a program for analyzing complex, large-scale data sets used for modeling, data mining, research, and predictive analysis purposes. Do You Have What It Takes? If you want to leverage your experience with cryptocurrency to get a job at NASA, there are a few other qualifications you will need first. These include knowledge in Big Data, cloud computing, statistics, analytics, machine learning, deep learning, computer programming, databases, data integration, data gathering, data “munging,” visualization, Internet of Things (IoT) and communications. Getting such a role at JPL typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Computer Science, or Information Systems with at least one year of related experience or a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with no experience. If you have the crypto experience but can’t get into NASA, there are plenty of other options out there. A search for wanted ads containing the term ‘Blockchain’ on Linkedin currently shows that there are over 16,000 job vacancies around the world which might fit. There are also more than 3,000 wanted ads on the site containing the term ‘cryptocurrency.’ What do you think about NASA looking for a data scientist with crypto experience? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Verify and track bitcoin cash transactions on our BCH Block Explorer, the best of its kind anywhere in the world. Also, keep up with your holdings, BCH and other coins, on our market charts at Bitcoin.com Markets, another original and free service from Bitcoin.com. The post NASA to Launch Bitcoin to the Moon? Space Agency Seeks Crypto Experience appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

After all the fanfare, fevered anticipation, and breathless media coverage, Bakkt’s launch of bitcoin futures on Monday was a damp squib. Despite the rollout of physically delivered BTC futures going without a hitch, volumes were low, while the less said about bitcoin’s price in the aftermath, the better. Despite this inauspicious start, however, there is cause for confidence in the future of bitcoin futures. Also read: Panic at 137 Bank Branches as RBI Limits Withdrawals to ₹1,000 Never Mind the Bakkt Lapse Whether it was priced in to begin with, or never even factored into the reckoning of traders, few would dispute that Bakkt’s launch of bitcoin futures was anticlimactic. In the event, only 71 BTC was placed into contracts on Bakkt’s opening day, but as sanguine heads pointed out, Bakkt should be judged in a year – not a day. By that time, Intercontinental Exchange’s Bakkt platform will have been complemented by CME’s introduction of bitcoin options, which are scheduled to arrive in early 2020. The derivatives marketplace announced last week that it would be adding “additional tools for precision hedging and trading” of BTC. All going to plan, BCH futures will also be debuting on a CFTC-regulated exchange around the same time. BTC has had a rockyweek so far. John Jansen is the CEO of crypto derivatives exchange Deribit. He told news.Bitcoin.com: “With Bakkt’s physically delivered futures now live, and CME’s bitcoin options on their way, it’s essentially a waiting game for demand to pick up. Some retail investors have been laboring under the misconception that institutional adoption will jumpstart the crypto market, but the reality is far more nuanced. At Deribit, institutional interest has been growing steadily all year, with strong demand for bitcoin options that run all the way through till March 2020. We welcome the competition from traditional exchanges such as CME, which can only benefit bitcoin and the crypto space as a whole.” Liquidity and Liquidations To see how much sway derivatives hold over the entire crypto market, one need only look at last night’s frenzied activity as BTC plummeted, liquidating hundreds of traders who were margin called. More than $700M was liquidated on Bitmex alone in the last 24 hours, while Deribit saw over $1 billion of volume, 85% of which was for BTC and the remainder on ETH. On Binance, futures volumes exceeded those for spot, amounting to $800M and $700M respectively. Despite the day creating more losers than winners, as traders who were long misjudged the mood and paid dearly, the volatility of September 24 showed that derivatives markets now guide the cryptosphere. Where futures lead, spot follows. One matter that can be put to bed is the notion that through products such as Bakkt, institutional investors are just starting to gain exposure to bitcoin derivatives. The smart ones were here already, plying their trade in the trenches and trollboxes along with everyone else on Deribit and Bitmex. Bakkt might bring legitimacy and liquidity to the market, but it won’t bring institutional interest. It was here all along. Do you think derivatives markets now dominate bitcoin’s price movements? Let us know in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Do you want to keep an eye on moving cryptocurrency prices? Visit our Bitcoin Markets tool to get real-time price updates, and head over to our Blockchain Explorer tool to view all previous BCH and BTC transactions. The post Appetite for Bitcoin Futures Is Growing appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

On September 24, digital currency markets saw significant losses as the entire cryptoconomy lost $35 billion in a short period of time. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts and traders are now even more uncertain to where markets are headed in the short term. The sudden sell-off that took place on Wednesday afternoon was unexpected and today traders are preparing their positions for the next big market move. Also read: Bitcoin Cash-Accepting Mayoral Candidate ‘Nobody’ Hosts Keene’s 420 Rally September’s Crypto Market Shake Out Wednesday’s trading sessions saw some deep losses as the majority of the most popular digital assets have lost 10-25% in the last 24 hours and roughly 15-35% over seven days. When we reported on the market action yesterday, the entire market cap of all 2,000+ coins was around $257 billion. But on September 24, the valuation of all coins combined now stands at roughly $222 billion. Bitcoin core (BTC) saw its biggest losses since the month of June as the price was shaved by $1,000 in less than 30 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. BTC tumbled under $8K for a quick spell and has since jumped back to prices between $8,300-8,500. The cryptocurrency is hovering around $8,461 at press time, showing 12% losses in 24 hours and minus 17.2% for the week. Top ten digital assets on September 25, 2019, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Behind BTC is ethereum (ETH) which has dropped in value by 12.9% for the day and by 20% over the course of the week. A single ETH is swapping for $169 per coin and there’s $13.5 billion in global ETH trades today. The third-largest market cap is ripple (XRP) as each coin is trading for $0.24 and markets are down 7% in the last 24 hours. Interestingly, tether (USDT) has captured the fourth-largest market cap during the mass sell-off. The stablecoin pegged to the USD is a dominant force to be reckoned with in the cryptoconomy, capturing the majority of digital asset trades this week. It’s the most traded coin today with $36.9 billion in global trades and 57% of BTC trades. Money flow into cryptocurrencies on September 25, 2019, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Market Action Bitcoin cash (BCH) markets are down 21% in the last day and 31% over the last seven days. BCH is now the fifth-largest market cap after tether (USDT) took fourth position in overall market valuation. BCH is trading for $219 per coin and has a market cap of $3.9 billion and $3.2 billion in global trade volume. USDT captures 64% of BCH trades on Wednesday followed by USD/BHC at 14.2%. Behind the U.S. dollar there’s BTC (14%), KRW (3%), ETH (1.8%), EUR (1.4%), and JPY (0.43%). BCH has lost the most value this week in comparison to other coins within the top 10. Bitcoin cash (BCH) markets on September 25, 2019, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Depending on how markets react this week, BCH looks like it could get a taste of ranges below the sub-$200 range. On Tuesday, BCH shaved $100 off its overall value, but if bulls break the bearish reversal then the price could see a sharp recovery to the $250-260 zone. An extended recovery toward higher regions will be met with psychological resistance at the $285-300 range. Bakkt’s Disappointing Volumes While blood is in the streets, most traders don’t know who to blame for the recent downturn. Some have attributed the losses to the lackluster response on Monday to Bakkt initiating its BTC futures markets. The highly anticipated physically settled futures opening day only saw 72 BTC compared to the whopping 5,000 BTC swapped on CME Group’s BTC futures settled in cash. Bakkt’s physically settled monthly futures volumes. On Tuesday, as spot markets tumbled, Bakkt saw an increase of 113 one-day contracts. The founder of the digital currency hedge fund Ikigai, Travis Kling, explained after the dip that Bakkt’s initial performance pulled the bottom out. “When the actual Bakkt launch showed disappointing volumes on the first day, it opened the hatch and the bottom fell out of the market,” Kling told the press. Bitcoin core (BTC) markets on September 25, 2019, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Schiff Says BTC Will See Rapid Descent Toward $4K Gold bug Peter Schiff is at it again and has tweeted that BTC has finally broken a support zone. He figures the price will drop hard from here on out. Schiff has always been a skeptic of cryptocurrencies and has been very vocal about his dislike for bitcoin. “Bitcoin has finally broken below the support line of the large descending triangle it has been carving out for months — This is a very bearish technical pattern, and it confirms that a major top has been established,” Schiff tweeted. “The risk is high for a rapid descent down to $4,000 or lower,” the gold bug added. Of course, every time BTC or crypto markets dive in value, Schiff always has something to say. Moreover, precious metals and gold markets have done exceptionally well in recent months and Schiff has been riding the wave. Gold markets on September 25, 2019, at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Tuesday’s Market Anomalies Keep Traders on Edge Tuesday’s intense drop saw some interesting events on a few exchanges during the carnage. For instance, the dump saw a significant amount of liquidations on margin calls on the Seychelles-based exchange Bitmex. BTC/USD shorts on Bitfinex have been slowly rising but the number of long traders has been much higher which gives experienced traders the opportunity to create a long squeeze. Additionally, the Binance stablecoin BUSD market that’s paired with BTC saw a significant flash crash on Tuesday. Traders witnessed BTC purchased at $1,800 BUSD during the quick drop in prices around 2:30 p.m. BTC/BUSD market on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. There’s been some slight recovery on Wednesday but nothing spectacular so far. Most digital assets have found new support zones and traders are waiting for the next move. There are those who believe crypto prices will spike very soon and jump well past the recovery zones by the year’s end. However, right now some bearish traders can envision BTC dipping to the $7K zone in the short term and due to the extremely correlated market patterns lately, many other coins will follow suit. For now, all intraday traders can do is hope they’ve played their positions correctly and look out for sharks aiming to take their lunch. Enthusiasts who are in it for the long haul are simply being patient and waiting for better days. Where do you see the cryptocurrency markets heading from here? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Disclaimer: Price articles and markets updates are intended for informational purposes only and should not to be considered as trading advice. Neither Bitcoin.com nor the author is responsible for any losses or gains, as the ultimate decision to conduct a trade is made by the reader. Always remember that only those in possession of the private keys are in control of the “money.” Cryptocurrency and gold prices referenced in this article were recorded at 11:15 a.m. EDT. Images via Shutterstock, Trading View, Bitcoin.com Markets, Getty, Goldprice.org, Wiki Commons, and Pixabay. Want to create your own secure cold storage paper wallet? Check our tools section. You can also enjoy the easiest way to buy Bitcoin online with us. Download your free Bitcoin wallet and head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can buy BCH and BTC securely. The post Market Outlook: Traders Play New Positions After Massive Drop in Crypto Prices appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

In a tweet posted Monday, September 23, Libertarian presidential candidate and crypto rebel John McAfee wrote: “BAKKT goes live today. It is institutionalized and monitored … if you are “initiated” into crypto, then you certainly won’t use it and will spend time luring the new users into the Unlimited Crypto World.” The maverick anti-politician raises an important point. The real revolution of crypto is individuals using it autonomously, privately and freely, not in institutionalization or mainstream adoption alone. Also Read: Market Update: Low Volumes and Uncertainty Shake Crypto Traders The Unlimited Crypto World It’s very easy to talk about “Bitcoin revolutions” or the groundbreaking technology crypto in general represents. It’s also easy to speak in loud, blustery tones about the necessity of mainstream adoption, and the benefits institutional money and regulation can bring to the table. Bakkt’s launch on Monday was not under-hyped by any means, for example, so the ensuing fizzle of an opening came as a bit of a shock to many. Bakkt could do very well in the future, and more institutional cash will likely flow in, but McAfee’s point is that it doesn’t matter as much as other factors. Namely, using crypto as it was meant to be used — as permissionless, peer-to-peer electronic cash. Regulators and Legacy Finance Giants Are Here Already As some in the space have pointed out, institutional money is already here, shorting the hype cycles surrounding events like the Bakkt launch to their benefit. So the “unlimited crypto world” McAfee speaks of is something entirely different. The SEC is already here, regulating companies — scams and non-scams alike — into oblivion. Governments worldwide impose such restrictive licensing requirements on any crypto venture, that Bitcoin runs the risk of being relegated to the boring, lukewarm category of impotent, “fiat lite.” Private OTC trading is under attack worldwide, as are attempts to keep one’s own hard-earned value from the prying hands of tax officials hellbent on paying for more bombs to drop on pine nut farmers in the Middle East. The real revolution of crypto is that it potentiates subversion of governments and banks. Governments and banks who, until now, have been able to keep a fairly tight leash on the tax livestock and control the flow of money to their benefit. The “unlimited crypto world” McAfee speaks of is the free market of independent actors trading value for value, absent the coercion necessary to uphold fiat garbage like the USD. Mass Adoption Could Do the Trick The state is a strange paradox when it comes to technology. On the one hand, there’s likely secreted knowledge that would blow our minds (and could easily blow us to oblivion) should it be revealed or leveraged. On the other hand, some branches of the federal government still employ legacy systems that use 8-inch floppy disks. Anyone that’s been in a DMV knows how inefficient state operations can be. A mass move of the market to money that cannot be so easily regulated could spell an ultimatum for central bankers. Either go with the flow, or leverage greater violence to force people back into the antiquated, debt-based inflationary model. If, for example, a critical mass began to use crypto as cash everyday as they pleased, regardless of centralized regulators or unjust laws, there’d be nothing any state could do to stop it. The tech is already here, and widely available. Convenience usurps power. Short of violently imprisoning these same masses of adopters (and shooting their very source of political power, funding and support in the foot) there would be no course of action for bureaucratic monetary bodies to take. Outright violence against dissenters is always a risk, and is happening now, but with mass adoption the scenario changes drastically. In the same way chattel slavery is an unimaginable barbarism to most normies these days, so will financial slavery be viewed in the future. Crypto potentiates a return to honoring producers, and not the parasites of the world. As philosopher Ayn Rand once wrote: The businessman who wishes to gain a market by throttling a superior competitor, the worker who wants a share of his employer’s wealth, the artist who envies a rival’s higher talent – they’re all wishing facts out of existence and destruction is the only means of their wish. If they pursue it, they will not achieve a market, a fortune, or an immortal fame – they will merely destroy production” Cryptocurrencies present this opportunity to return to respecting the inalienable rights of the individual. Models based on extortion (taxation) and outlawing competing currencies can do no such thing. What we see happening now is indeed evidence of this. A currency divested from actual market value, the USD, is no longer backed by gold, but violence, and as a result there is endless warfare designed to preserve its supposed “value.” In the world McAfee envisions, such scams would be laughed at and derided for the psychopathic delusions they are. Institutionalization of crypto may be a good thing to some degree and in some respects. But if the fundamental value is lost, which is freedom, the whole Bitcoin revolution promises to be just as unremarkable as Bakkt’s dud of an opening day. What are your thoughts on McAfee’s statements? Let us know in the comments section below. Op-ed disclaimer: This is an Op-ed article. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. Bitcoin.com is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy or quality within the Op-ed article. Readers should do their own due diligence before taking any actions related to the content. Bitcoin.com is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any information in this Op-ed article. Images courtesy of Shutterstock, Fair Use. You can now purchase Bitcoin without visiting a cryptocurrency exchange. Buy BTC and BCH directly from our trusted seller and, if you need a Bitcoin wallet to securely store it, you can download one from us here. The post McAfee Hints Institutional Money Won’t Bring Bitcoin Revolution appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Multiple joint projects between banks and crypto companies based in Switzerland now offer customers the opportunity to invest in digital assets and take advantage of banking services related to cryptocurrencies. It’s all happening in a regulated environment, generally friendly towards the growing crypto industry. The latest partnership between a traditional institution and a fintech startup aims to provide wealthy clients with access to major cryptocurrencies. Also read: Buying Bitcoin on the Street Is Getting Easier Switzerland to Become the World’s Crypto Bank Switzerland, which has long ago established itself as the world’s bank, has had its image tarnished a little bit in the past couple of decades. The Alpine federation gave up some ground under international pressure, mostly from the United States and the European Union, to lower the level of banking secrecy and raise taxes to match the rates in neighboring jurisdictions. But cryptocurrencies now offer the Swiss a chance to redeem themselves to a certain extent and also restore some of their positions in the banking field, in an alternative but very promising sector. Swiss banks, one after the other, are taking this new opportunity. The latest entry in what has become a long list is Arab Bank (Switzerland) Ltd., a member of the Jordanian Arab Bank Group. The subsidiary is based in Zug, the very center of the Swiss crypto valley. Over 750 crypto businesses from around the world have established presence in the valley, which has already spread over to other cantons and neighboring Liechtenstein. Arab Bank’s Swiss entity recently joined forces with the blockchain technology firm Taurus to provide its customers with access to cryptocurrencies. The partners intend to launch a range of services related to digital assets, Swissinfo reported. These include custody and brokerage for holdings in the two largest coins by market capitalization, bitcoin core and ethereum. The services will be based on the crypto company’s “Taurus Protect” storage platform designed to provide banks, exchanges and asset managers with institutional-grade vault services for digital assets. Commenting on the announcement, Arab Bank Switzerland CEO Serge Robin shared his belief that blockchain technology will disrupt the financial industry as it is known today. “We intend to be amongst the first banks to offer digital asset services to our clients in a secure and regulated environment,” the executive emphasized. The bank has embarked on the project in response to demand from some of its wealthy clients who wished to add cryptocurrencies to their investment portfolios. So far, many traditional financial institutions have refrained from offering products related to decentralized money, fearing regulations that oblige them to freeze serious amounts of reserve capital. Crypto Startups Enter the Equation That’s where young crypto companies become part of the solution, providing services to a bank’s clients that are safely separated from its main activity. Also, smaller banks around the world have been more willing to engage with the crypto space in a bid to reap the benefits of being the first to establish a foothold in this rapidly developing market. Other Swiss banks have already blazed a trail where Arab Bank is now heading. Bank Vontobel is also in a partnership agreement with Taurus. The two are running a platform called Digital Asset Vault which institutional investors can use to store and trade cryptocurrencies outside their balance sheets. The service is offered to clients who don’t want to deal with the technical side of owning coins. A similar service was announced this year by Gazprombank (Switzerland) Ltd., the local subsidiary of Russian state-owned giant Gazprombank. Its digital asset management product is offered in cooperation with two fintech companies, Avaloq and Metaco. It is based on Metaco’s crypto asset custodial solution called Silo. Also in 2019, the year that saw a revival of investors’ interest towards digital assets, one of the largest financial institutions in Switzerland, 125-year-old private bank Julius Baer, revealed it’s entering the market via a partnership with crypto banking startup Seba Crypto AG. The latter, together with another banking solutions provider in the space, Sygnum AG, was recently granted banking and securities dealer’s licenses by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, as news.Bitcoin.com reported. Alternative Sources of Revenue The need to find alternative revenue sources also pushed another Swiss bank to seek new opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. Last year, it became clear that Maerki Baumann was interested in providing services to participants in the nascent industry. This past summer, CEO Stephan Zwahlen shared the bank’s “ambition to be the go-to private bank in the Swiss crypto arena.” But it already has competition – Hypothekarbank Lenzburg, 150-year-old legacy bank, has been opening accounts for crypto businesses since last year. Several other banks and fintech entities in Switzerland offer services related to crypto investment, trading, and digital asset storage. Falcon private bank and digital trading platform Swissquote have found partners in the crypto industry to provide clients with custodial solutions and facilitate their participation in crowdfunding through the issuance of tokens. Bank Zarattini has teamed up with Inacta, a crypto-financial services provider, to extend similar services. Crypto banking doesn’t necessarily have to involve traditional financial institutions, however. A partnership between two leading crypto companies, Bitcoin.com and Cred, allows customers to earn interest on their holdings. The rates are much higher than those in the fiat world – up to 6% on bitcoin cash (BCH) and 10% on bitcoin core (BTC) invested with the Credearn product. And if you are new to the crypto space, you can safely and securely purchase bitcoin cash (BCH) and other major cryptocurrencies at buy.Bitcoin.com using a credit card. You can also trade your crypto assets on our noncustodial, peer-to-peer marketplace local.Bitcoin.com, which already has thousands of users around the world, and try our recently launched premier trading platform, exchange.Bitcoin.com. Do you expect more Swiss banks to enter the crypto market in the near future? Tell us in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Do you need a reliable bitcoin mobile wallet to send, receive, and store your coins? Download one for free from us and then head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can quickly buy bitcoin with a credit card. The post Swiss Banks Team With Fintechs to Enter the Crypto Space appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

The Reserve Bank of India has imposed regulatory restrictions on a cooperative bank with 137 branches across India, including limiting customer withdrawals to a total of 1,000 rupees (approximately $14) per account for six months. Police personnel had to be deployed to control angry customers at some locations. Also read: Indian Parliament Member Helping Crypto Community Influence Regulation RBI’s Restrictions The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Sept. 24 that it has placed Mumbai-based Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC Bank) Ltd. under regulatory restrictions. The central bank wrote: Depositors will be allowed to withdraw a sum not exceeding ₹ 1,000 (rupees one thousand only) of the total balance in every savings bank account or current account or any other deposit account by whatever name called, subject to conditions stipulated in the RBI directions. Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank is also prohibited from a number of activities without prior approval in writing from the RBI. These include granting or renewing any loans and advances, making investments, and incurring any liabilities including borrowing funds or accepting new deposits. After detailing a long list of prohibited activities, the RBI wrote: The directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business of the bank on September 23, 2019. The central bank noted, however, that the notice does not mean the cancellation of the Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank’s license. “The bank will continue to undertake banking business with restrictions till further notice/instructions,” the RBI detailed, adding that it “may consider modifications of these directions depending upon circumstances.” Joy Thomas, Managing Director of PMC Bank, clarified in a statement that the bank has been put under regulatory restrictions because of irregularities disclosed to the central bank. “All efforts are being made to remove the restrictions by rectifying the irregularities,” The Hindu conveyed. “As the M.D. of the Bank, I take the responsibility and assure all the depositors that these irregularities will be rectified before the expiry of six months,” Thomas was quoted as saying. Panic Erupts PMC Bank currently has 137 branches across multiple states in India, The Hindu detailed, adding that they are located in Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. At the end of March, the bank had deposits and advances aggregating ₹11,617 crore (~1.63 billion) and ₹8,383 crore (~1.18 billion), respectively, the news outlet elaborated. The central bank’s action has led to protest by customers outside the bank’s main branch in Mumbai and various other branches, local media reported. “Angry and dejected customers, both young and old, protested across various branches” of PMC Bank, the publication wrote. A reporter spoke to several customers waiting for answers at their bank, who said they were “anxious about the fate of their savings,” having “parked their lifetime savings in the bank as it offered higher fixed deposit rates than mainstream banks, and its customer service was good.” The news outlet continued: At some locations, police personnel had to be deployed to control angry customers who had either queued up at the bank’s onsite ATMs to withdraw money or demanded to know the fate of their deposits. Cops waved the RBI circular at the customers, but they were in no mood to listen or disperse. Customers turning up to the bank told the publication that they are worried about the fixed deposits they had placed with the bank, as interest on these deposits was a key source of income for some. Angry customers at PMB Bank demanding to know the fate of their money. Image credit: PTI Other customers were worried about the fate of their electronic clearing service (ECS) transactions and post-dated checks they had issued towards monthly installments for home, auto and vehicle loans. Some “feared they may be classified as loan defaulters, with lenders taking recovery action due to the non-execution of the ECS mandates or bouncing of post-dated PMC Bank cheques,” the publication added. One family told the news outlet that they hold about ₹22 lakh (~$30,962) with the bank, stating that “The management and RBI officials should have reached out to assuage customers’ concerns.” RBI’s Powers and Other Banking Restrictions According to the RBI, “The directions are imposed in exercise of powers vested in the Reserve Bank under Sub-section (1) of Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with Section 56 of the said Act.” Section 35(A) of the Banking Regulation Act says that the RBI can issue the restriction on entities “to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the banking company; or to secure the proper management of any banking company generally,” The Hindu Business Line detailed. This is not the first time the central bank has put this kind of restriction on a cooperative bank. In June, the RBI issued a similar order to Shri Anand Co-operative Bank Ltd., also limiting withdrawal amounts to 1,000 rupees for six months. Historically the RBI has been known to raise the limit amount at times. For example, in August, the central bank modified its restrictions on Adoor Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd., originally placed in November last year, which limited withdrawals to 2,000 rupees per account. The RBI stated that it had reviewed the financial position of the bank and considered it necessary in public interest to allow withdrawals of up to 25,000 rupees per account, with other restrictions unchanged. Deepak Shenoy, the founder of Capitalmind, believes the latest RBI order could last “a long time.” He cited another bank, the Rupee Cooperative bank, which received a similar 1,000 rupee withdrawal restriction order in February 2013, and is still not clear of RBI’s restrictions even after the central bank amended its order three years later to allow withdrawals of 20,000 rupees per account. “The PMC Bank mess can last a long time. Even a change in the 1000 rs. withdrawal limit can be far away,” he tweeted, emphasizing: I would suggest that please do not keep your money in cooperative banks. RBI’s total lack of transparency and slow resolution means there is little hope of getting your money back if things go wrong. “As a deposit holder, you have a right to go to court against the bank – and you should,” Shenoy continued. “However, the situation will take years to resolve. Unless RBI acts fast, confidence in coop banks is going to fall. RBI has not acted fast in the past.” The central bank has also placed banking restrictions on all regulated financial institutions, prohibiting them from providing services to crypto businesses such as exchanges. Banks subsequently closed accounts of crypto exchanges forcing some of them to shut down. Following the ban, a number of industry stakeholders filed writ petitions, challenging the RBI restriction at the country’s supreme court which is scheduled to resume hearing the case today. What do you think of the RBI’s restrictions on PMC Bank? Do you think cryptocurrency will help the situation? Let us know in the comments section below. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Images courtesy of Shutterstock and PTI. Did you know you can buy and sell BCH privately using our noncustodial, peer-to-peer Local Bitcoin Cash trading platform? The Local.Bitcoin.com marketplace has thousands of participants from all around the world trading BCH right now. And if you need a bitcoin wallet to securely store your coins, you can download one from us here. The post Panic at 137 Bank Branches as RBI Limits Withdrawals to ₹1,000 appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

There’s an individual called ‘Nobody’ competing to be the next mayor of Keene, the libertarian enclave and crypto mecca located in New Hampshire. On September 21, the bitcoin cash-accepting mayoral candidate announced the 10th anniversary of the annual 420 Rally will be held this weekend on September 28. ‘Nobody’ and the event’s organizers are hoping to see some civil disobedience during the annual pot rally at Central Square. Also read: Market Update: Low Volumes and Uncertainty Shake Crypto Traders Nobody Plans for Civil Disobedience at the Keene Cannabis Rally On Saturday, September 28, the mayoral candidate named Nobody has announced the 10th anniversary 420 Rally will be held at 4:20 p.m. EDT. The candidate is a libertarian activist who formerly went by the surname Rich Paul but legally changed his name to Nobody. The Keene campaigner asserts that if he is elected he will “reduce the size and scope of government” as much as he possibly can. If Nobody gets elected he’s told the public that he will attempt to end the war on drugs and laws against prostitution. In addition to his staunch libertarian stance, Nobody accepts cryptocurrencies for donations. Currently, Nobody accepts cryptocurrencies like bitcoin cash (BCH), BTC, DASH, and XLM. The candidate’s website explains why people should vote for Nobody to be Keene’s next mayor: Nobody will end the foreign wars and Nobody will end the war on drug users. Nobody will end the war on prostitutes and Nobody will end the war on gamblers. Nobody will let you live your life your way and Nobody will fix the economy. Nobody will tell you the truth and Nobody knows the trouble you’ve seen, because Nobody does it better. Nobody, the man formerly known as Rich Paul, is running for Mayor in Keene and accepts bitcoin cash (BCH) and three other cryptocurrencies. For the 10th anniversary 420 Rally in Keene, Nobody, Executive Director, and the 420 Foundation plan to host a peaceful assembly to “demand redress of the grievances of the victims of the drug war.” “We have made a lot of progress in 10 years, but we have a long way left to go,” Nobody’s announcement details. “We have gained medical, we have gained decriminalization, we have, most recently, loosened the cruel and pointless constraints on medical marijuana — Most importantly, we have won the hearts and minds of the people but we are not done.” Nobody insists that his plan to win the war on drugs will emulate the examples in Sweden and Portugal. Moreover, his mayoral candidacy is not the end of his campaign. Nobody revealed he will be speaking about his race for governor and vice-president at the 420 Rally on Saturday. Nobody Is a Longtime Free Stater, Cannabis and Crypto Activist Nobody was arrested for selling cannabis in 2013 and was jailed when he first moved to the libertarian enclave. “They threw me in jail for a while and they let me out,” Nobody explained to the Union Leader in August. Nobody told the public at his trial that there was an FBI conspiracy that was targeting the Free State movement activists residing in the region. The Union Leader notes that court records indicate the informant who Nobody sold the drugs to worked for the FBI. Free Keene blog author Ian Freeman (the co-host of Free Talk Live) also announced the 420 Rally scheduled for Saturday and wrote that Nobody is a veteran Free Stater who promotes marijuana and cryptocurrencies. “Nobody is a longtime Keene resident that loves cannabis, cryptocurrency, and freedom,” Freeman wrote on September 21. “He’s a blogger here at Free Keene and has also launched a campaign website at electnobody.com.” Freeman’s blog post added: Definitely stay tuned to the hottest and likely most entertaining mayoral race in Keene for years. Keene and New Hampshire, in general, is called the Free State because many freedom-loving residents have changed laws for the better and its people consider the state one of the freest in the country. There’s also a very dense population of libertarians who live there and cryptocurrencies are thriving in the state. A few Bitcoin Cash developers reside in the Free State and the payment processor Anypay is also based in New Hampshire. Nobody has made local headlines in New Hampshire. In addition to BCH proponents, the Free State has a decent number of Dash community members residing there. Nobody is also one of the rare politicians to accept cryptocurrency donations, and not just one but four different assets. The 420 Rally in Keene aims to have participants meet up at “Keene’s Central Square at 4:20 p.m. to smoke cannabis in an act of mass civil disobedience protesting New Hampshire’s insane drug prohibition,” according to Freeman. Both Freeman and Nobody hope people can join the rally and the mayoral candidate reminded people to bring some marijuana to share. “Bring your own bud, and some to share,” Nobody concluded. “Even though [New Hampshire] is safer due to decriminalization, be careful if you have more than 21 grams.” What do you think about Nobody’s campaign and the 420 Rally being held on September 28th? What do you think about Nobody’s candidacy for Keene’s mayoral seat? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, Free Keene, Nobody, Sentinalsource.com, Do you need to track down a Bitcoin transaction? With our Bitcoin Explorer tool, you can search by transaction ID, address, or block hash to find specific details, and for a look at the broader crypto space explore our Bitcoin Charts tool. The post Bitcoin Cash-Accepting Mayoral Candidate ‘Nobody’ Hosts Keene’s 420 Rally appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

There’s a lot of hardware wallets out there vying for your hard-earned satoshis. Minimalist USB sticks; credit card-shaped devices with monochrome screens; Bluetooth-enabled gadgets. The Ellipal Titan is a new offering that packs a lot into its $169 price tag. But there’s one thing conspicuously absent – connectivity. The Titan inhabits a vacuum, and for good reason. Also read: Buying Bitcoin on the Street Is Getting Easier Titan: A Blockbuster You Can Hold in Your Hand When it comes to naming security devices, effeminate monikers aren’t in vogue for some reason. The Ellipal Titan maintains that tradition, its robust design complemented by a fittingly alpha name. Its preferred pronoun is “it” and it identifies as an ultra-secure cryptocurrency wallet. Essentially an upgrade on “The Cold Wallet 2.0,” which news.Bitcoin.com reviewed last year, the Titan comes packing a host of formidable security features. Its airgapped configuration is the most obvious manifestation of this, but there’s also the ability to set up to three verification steps including a long PIN. The absence of any connections – not even wired – entirely mitigates network attacks. That’s not to say the Titan is impregnable of course, for no hardware wallet is immune to every conceivable attack, physical ones especially. Keep the Titan in a safe place, however, and your mnemonic phrase in a safer place still and your crypto won’t be going anywhere without your say-so. There’s a lettering kit included for permanently recording your mnemonic phrase and sliding it into the metallic case supplied. I skip this step, but note that the letters look tougher than with the previous Ellipal hardware wallet I reviewed. Hands on With the Titan The handset on which the Titan’s wallet keys are generated – essentially a dumb smartphone – is a lot more robust than its plastic predecessor, The Cold Wallet 2.0. The Titan lives up to its billing, feeling distinctly tougher, despite being finished in black plastic with a slate bezel. The device feels heavy enough to convey confidence that it will last, but not to the point of requiring two hands to support. Because of its airgapped and cableless design, charging the Titan calls for plugging in a small connector which takes a USB type-C cable. The connector is easily dislodged from the handset, which is a minor annoyance, but if you lay the device down flat on a worktop, it will charge just fine. Once you get used to the light touch connection, it feels natural, despite obliging you to charge the Titan in a place where it won’t be inadvertently nudged. Setup and Installation After scanning the QR code on the handset using my smartphone, I’m directed to the Google Play store to install the corresponding Ellipal app. Then the setup process continues on the Titan handset, where I’m given the option of selecting a standard or Segwit BTC address and enabling an optional passphrase. The account creation process takes about 30 seconds before the mnemonic appears on screen. There’s a 12-word seed by default, but this can be upped to 24 words if desired. It feels good to be creating a wallet on a device that is entirely isolated from the web. Until you send or receive cryptocurrency to the BTC address that’s generated, the rest of the world has no way of knowing that your public-private keypair even exists. The Titan supports more than a dozen cryptocurrencies including BCH, ETH, DASH, XRP, EOS, and BNB. I disable them all except for BTC, BCH, and ETH. I now have the Titan handset configured and the Ellipal app installed on my phone. The next step is to get them talking to one another. This is done by scanning two QR codes that are displayed on the handset. You can alternate between the two codes by swiping across the screen, Tinder-style, which is a nice touch. Ellipal have put a lot of work into improving their software since their last airgapped hardware wallet, and it’s been time well spent. The Ellipal mobile app Sending and Receiving Crypto I have some cryptocurrency in Telegram bot Button Wallet, I recall, which on inspection turns out to be $26 of BCH and $5 of ETH. (If you don’t already have cryptocurrency kicking about, you can purchase bitcoin cash and other major cryptocurrencies at buy.Bitcoin.com using a credit card.) I send all of the ETH and a couple of dollars of BCH to the Titan, and within a few minutes my Ellipal wallet’s loaded with cryptocurrency. Now to try sending coins, which is where the airgapped handset comes into play. All outgoing transactions have to be signed using the QR code that’s generated on the Titan and then scanned using the mobile app. When reviewing The Cold Wallet 2.0, I found this stage to be a bit fiddly, with the scanner taking a few attempts to read the code. There are no such problems with the Titan: the whole process can be completed in under 20 seconds once you’ve entered your password. I send the bitcoin cash back to Button Wallet, and within a few minutes receive a Telegram notification that my wallet’s been refilled. The ability to send small amounts of BCH at virtually no cost is extremely useful when testing wallets or when introducing people to cryptocurrency. I’ll happily hodl BTC, but for review purposes, BCH has the edge. Verdict: Airgapped Wallets Are the Way Forward The Titan isn’t the only airgapped wallet on the market, but compared to something like Coldcard it’s one of the most user-friendly. The software and UX still aren’t as slick as, say, Ledger Live, and some of the tabs and translations in the Ellipal mobile app could use work, but these are minor issues. What matters is that in the Titan, there’s a multi-currency hardware wallet that strikes a balance between security and usability. Fairly priced and well made, the Titan is a force to be reckoned with. What are your thoughts on airgapped hardware wallets – are they more secure? Let us know in the comments section below. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Images courtesy of Shutterstock. Did you know you can verify any unconfirmed Bitcoin transaction with our Bitcoin Block Explorer tool? Simply complete a Bitcoin address search to view it on the blockchain. Plus, visit our Bitcoin Charts to see what’s happening in the industry. The post Ellipal’s Titan Hardware Wallet Is Airgapped and Easy to Use appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

The majority of digital currency markets have lost a few percentages over the last few days as cryptocurrency trade volume has been waning. Since our last market outlook, more than $20 billion in global trade volume disappeared and this Tuesday’s market data shows there’s only $60 billion in worldwide crypto trades in the last 24 hours. Also read: Bitcoin History Part 17: That Time Mt. Gox Destroyed 2,609 BTC Crypto Market Losses Across the Board Cryptocurrency proponents and traders are focused on the market action taking place this week but are uncertain where markets are headed. Most digital currency markets are down between 2-10% in the last day and 5-15% for the week. At the time of publication, the overall market valuation of all 2,000+ cryptocurrencies is roughly $257 billion which is $4 billion less than last week. Bitcoin core (BTC) captures 68.3% of the overall capitalization with a market valuation of around $173 billion. At $9,649 per coin, BTC is down 2.8% today and 5.8% for the last seven days. The second-largest market cap belongs to ethereum (ETH) which is trading for $195. ETH markets have lost 6.7% this Tuesday and roughly 3.3% for the week. Ripple (XRP) is swapping for $0.26 per coin and has lost 3.1% in the last 24 hours. Lastly, litecoin (LTC) still holds the fifth largest cap as each LTC is trading for $65. LTC is the biggest percentage loser today, shedding over 9.8% in the last 24 hours and 10.6% for the week. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Market Action The fourth largest market, bitcoin cash (BCH) is down more than 6% today and down 9% for the week. BCH was holding above the $300 zone for quite some time but has since dropped below the $300 range at $286 per coin. The cryptocurrency currently has an overall market valuation of around $5.16 billion and roughly $1.9 billion in global trades. A few months ago BCH was consistently the sixth and seventh-most traded coin but more recently BCH has captured the fifth position. Tether (USDT) currently captures 62% of all BCH trades which is followed by BTC with roughly 14.9%. Pairs traded with BCH the most below BTC include USD (12.5%), ETH (6.4%), and KRW (2.1%). The top exchanges today trading the most BCH include Coinbene, ZBG, P2pb2b, Hitbtc, and Okex. Three days ago BCH fell shy of breaking past resistance at $325 per coin and dropped to intraday lows between $305-308 for roughly 36 hours. That specific support level was broken and BCH has since tumbled to support at the $285 price range. Litecoin’s Freefall Litecoin has been the focus of many traders as the cryptocurrency seemingly went into freefall over the last 48 hours. On September 23, LTC shaved more than 10% of its value in a matter of no time but has since regained a small percentage back. Nobody is sure why LTC has lost so much value but the coin has been dropping since June. Before the summer, traders and enthusiasts anticipated the LTC reward halving which seemed to have pushed the price up. Since June, LTC has shaved more than 50% of its overall value and markets have remained dreary. LTC/USD smashed through the psychological level of $70 per coin and has been desperately searching for fresh support in the last eight hours. Bakkt’s Lackluster Launch, 40% BTC Hashrate Crash, and Sub-$10K BTC/USD dropped below the $10K zone after the lackluster Bakkt launch on Monday. On Sunday, September 22, BTC was holding steady at $10,060 for most of the afternoon but during the later evening, it started to drop below the psychological price range. The following day when Bakkt opened its physically settled BTC futures markets the price continued to plummet, dropping to the $9,600 zone. So far the bears have been able to muster more strength than the buyers, but bulls managed to pull the price up a hair between the $9,600-9,750 range. The Bakkt launch didn’t do anything and some traders believe the price was already figured in. Moreover, on September 23, BTC’s network hashrate dropped severely after riding above the 90 exahash region. The processing power dipped to around 57 exahash on Monday and has since jumped back to above the 80 exahash range. A Looming Economic Storm and Precious Metal Jump The global economy has been shuddering lately as central banks worldwide have announced monetary and quantitative easing tactics across the board. 18 central banks have slashed interest rates and massive amounts of fresh fiat is being printed alongside negative interest rates becoming the norm and the selling of 50-100 year bonds. Cryptocurrencies have benefited slightly from the macroeconomic storms but precious metals have seen a great push as well. Gold and silver dropped a few days ago but on September 24 both markets have risen significantly. Gold is trading for $1,515 while silver is trading for $18.64 per ounce at the time of writing. No one knows how the economy will turn out in the next 12 months but many economists predict a worldwide recession. Currently, scalpers and intraday traders are making a few bucks off the price swings stemming from BTC and LTC markets but traders are uncertain of the future. Crypto enthusiasts are hesitant to forecast where crypto markets will go, even though people are very optimistic about the long-term game. Some people think the end of 2019 will see crypto market fireworks and the start of another giant bull run. Meanwhile, skeptics are not so sure these days and there are those who believe that the sideways action will last a whole lot longer before prices drop lower once again. Crypto trade volume has been dropping significantly and this has caused concern for traders. Whatever the case, traders will be waiting expectantly for the next big move, but which way it goes is anyone’s guess. Where do you see the cryptocurrency markets heading from here? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Disclaimer: Price articles and markets updates are intended for informational purposes only and should not to be considered as trading advice. Neither Bitcoin.com nor the author is responsible for any losses or gains, as the ultimate decision to conduct a trade is made by the reader. Always remember that only those in possession of the private keys are in control of the “money.” Cryptocurrency and gold prices referenced in this article were recorded at 10:25 a.m. EDT. Images via Shutterstock, Trading View, Bitcoin.com Markets, Getty, Goldprice.org, Wiki Commons, and Pixabay. Want to create your own secure cold storage paper wallet? Check our tools section. You can also enjoy the easiest way to buy Bitcoin online with us. Download your free Bitcoin wallet and head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can buy BCH and BTC securely. The post Market Update: Low Volumes and Uncertainty Shake Crypto Traders appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Popular messaging app Kik is shutting down due to a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit regarding ICO activity for the company’s cryptocurrency, kin. Ted Livingston, Founder and CEO of Kik and Kin, denies the allegations and maintains that the SEC’s case is based on mischaracterizations, but that shutdown for Kik is necessary to focus on defending the crypto branch of the company. Whatever the reality, new attention is being directed at ICO scams in general, which have a storied history. Also Read: Devs Remove BIP70 Payment Protocol From Bitcoin Core’s Default Settings Scammers: Ruining a Good Thing for Everyone ICO regulation is a hot topic in the crypto space these days, as the past two years have seen changes in the legal landscape governing such activities globally. In June, an amendment to crypto-friendly Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) dictated that ICOs must be registered and strictly licensed as securities offerings. Across the pond, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has been equally unforgiving when it comes to ICOs, stifling the moon Lambo dreams of many a con, but also potentially killing legitimate projects, as may be the case with Kik’s messaging app. Typically ICO scams involve big promises of easy money to be made via investment, future products to be delivered, or both. While Kik’s fate is now sealed, Kin’s is not, and many past efforts at bona fide scamming, lawsuits, and regulatory abuse bubble back to the surface of crypto’s less-than-glamorous memory of ICOs past. Several high-end rides were given away at a since much-memed October 2017 Bitconnect event in Thailand. Lambos, Sky-High Promises, and Sly Exits Arguably the most infamous ICO and crypto scam to date, Bitconnect showered enthusiasts and get-rich-quick believers with big promises, endless hype, and even super cars. The bogus, supposedly interest-generating lending platform turned out to be a Ponzi scheme, and was issued a cease and desist order from the Texas State Securities Board on January 3, 2018. As the fate of the operation was sealed further, outstanding loans were released to customers, but in the form of the soon to be near-worthless bitconnect coin (BCC), completing the exit scam cycle, and leaving previously wide-eyed believers jaded and initiated into the world of crypto cons. Amazingly, even after costing investors $1.5 billion, the nebulous organization continued to scam the gullible with a supposed new coin and ICO via an initiative known as “Bitconnect X.” The story of another now infamous crypto swindle, onecoin (ONE), reads similar, but almost with a touch of Hollywood screenplay thrown in for good measure. A brother and sister duo plot to create a shitcoin and make a killing, scamming victims out of $4 billion while still somehow evading major punishment from the justice system. Of course, flashy cars and media-sensationalized events were prominent here as well. Though Onecoin fancied itself as “the Bitcoin killer,” it’s now nothing more than a sour taste left in the mouths of those who once shouted its praises. Paycoin (XPY) was another con involving a Ponzi setup, and perhaps most notable for being one of the earliest ICO-type scams. Mastermind Josh Garza guaranteed a $20 floor on his supposed stablecoin, and shifted funds between various company fronts while guaranteeing mining dividends to customers, and a reserve of capital to back his currency. All the pics of flashy cars and lofty promises couldn’t protect him from prison time, though, and from being on the hook for over $9 million in restitution to investors. A press statement from the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office stated: “GARZA’s companies sold the customers the right to more virtual currency than the companies’ computing power could generate.” Good morning #NewYork! All ready for #consensus2018 pic.twitter.com/uIoI4jHAkP — UnitedBitcoin (@United_Bitcoin) May 14, 2018 Even Respected Crypto Vets Get Sucked In Questionable initiatives have even included much respected Bitcoin developers from the early days of the pioneering digital asset. Jeff Garzik, co-founder and CEO of Bloq, and recently subpeonaed party to the Kleiman vs. Wright lawsuit, also experienced a fall from the graces of the bitcoin community at large for backing half-baked projects. United Bitcoin was one of those, a December 2017 fork of the Bitcoin Core blockchain that set out to do some pretty unorthodox things, including KYC-intensive airdrops and the “reclamation” of old BTC whale addresses. Security and user privacy issues aside, the fiasco also featured elements typical to ICO scams of lesser repute: failed predecessors (Segwit2x), sports cars, and big promises. Many bitcoin OGs were understandably surprised at the news, with Electron Cash wallet developer Jonald Fyookball commenting on Reddit “Haven’t seen Jeff disavow this. I assume he’s involved. If he is, kinda sad as the pegged auditable asset is a gimmick and no better than tether.” With a respected name like Garzik’s being leveraged, many called foul, asserting that much financial support had been garnered on the basis of a name alone. At press time the United Bitcoin project is basically dead in the water. A Scammer’s Next of KIN? It’s not hard to believe that the SEC would fabricate stories to keep regulatory dominance securely in hand, and Kik CEO Ted Livingston’s September 24 letter to the public does evoke sympathy from some. For those all too familiar with governments’ draconian tactics when it comes to financial outliers, rebels, and innovators, the story of the state crushing private business is not surprising. Livingston writes: While we are ready to take on the SEC in court, we underestimated the tactics they would employ. How they would take our quotes out of context to manipulate the public to view us as bad actors. How they would pressure exchanges not to list Kin. And how they would draw out a long and expensive process to drain our resources. At the end of the day, things in the crypto space are as they always have been: caveat emptor. Buyer beware. If KIN is truly a good coin or a scam to be avoided like the crypto plague, is for the market to decide. The chain-migrating, Stellar-forked token is not without significant market distaste already. Crypto Twitter is full of takes on the matter, with commentators saying that kin will be useless without the messaging app for which it was built, that it’s an exit scam, and still others defending the group against the historically corrupt and “friendly” blind-eye-turning SEC. All things told, there may be a pretty simple takeaway here. First, if it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is. Second, if there’s a trifecta of hyped promises, flashy cars, and calls for mass investment prior to anything actually being created or delivered, it’s safe to say you should probably jump in your Lambo and get the hell out. What do you think about KIN? Let us know in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, fair use. Did you know you can also buy Bitcoin Cash online with us? Download your free Bitcoin wallet and head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can buy BCH and BTC securely. The post Messaging App Kik’s Legal Battle Shines Light on Past ICO Scams appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Boerse Stuttgart Group, which operates Germany’s second-largest stock exchange, has launched a regulated crypto trading platform, in partnership with Solarisbank. Customers can connect directly to the new exchange and trade bitcoin against the euro without a broker. Also read: Indian Parliament Member Helping Crypto Community Influence Regulation German Regulated Crypto Trading Platform The group which owns Germany’s second-largest stock exchange has launched a digital asset trading platform called Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange (BSDEX). Trading is now live on the platform, Boerse Stuttgart Group announced Monday. The Boerse Stuttgart stock exchange BSDEX “is Germany’s first regulated trading venue for digital assets where investors’ orders are executed directly against each other according to fixed rules,” explained Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, the company responsible for the technical operation of the new exchange. Initially, the new platform is only available to a number of invited users. According to the announcement: As of now, selected users in Germany can connect directly to the trading venue, where they can trade the bitcoin-euro pair initially. BSDEX will be opened up gradually to other retail and also institutional investors, who can register for it now. Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange’s user interface Investors can connect directly to the new crypto exchange and trade without a broker. Currently, only market and limit orders are available, but the company said it will add more trading options in the near future. Transaction fees are levied based on the order type, but the exchange affirmed that there are presently no other costs for users. Peter Grosskopf, CTO at Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, explained that “BSDEX will give retail and institutional investors direct access to digital assets and provide flexible and relatively low-cost trading.” He joined the company in April from Solarisbank, which supports the development of the new platform. Boerse Stuttgart Sees Potential in Crypto Dirk Sturz, the CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, believes that “The market in cryptocurrencies is worth billions, and more digital assets will emerge on the basis of blockchain.” He has worked at Boerse Stuttgart since 2007. “Our goal is to build up the leading European trading venue for those assets,” he remarked. The company claims that its newly launched digital asset platform complies with the regulatory requirements of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz). The platform aims to offers “a transparent environment and an appropriate legal framework for digital asset trading,” the announcement details, adding: BSDEX is the next step of Boerse Stuttgart Group in creating an end-to-end ecosystem for digital assets, thus driving the digital transformation of financial markets. Bison app Prior to launching the digital asset exchange, Boerse Stuttgart launched a cryptocurrency app called Bison early this year. It was developed by Sowa Labs, a fintech subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures. The app’s trading partner is Euwax, a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart. Users can download the app to buy and sell four cryptocurrencies free of charge: BTC, ETH, LTC, and XRP. “You don’t need a crypto wallet, only a German bank account,” Bison’s website clarifies. The app also offers “Cryptoradar,” which analyses real-time data and provides a sentiment overview of the most discussed cryptocurrencies. Operations, Partners and Other Crypto Projects BSDEX is operated as a trading facility by Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse, which also operates the company’s public stock exchange in Stuttgart. Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, which is responsible for the technical operation of BSDEX, is a joint venture of Boerse Stuttgart GmbH, digital publishing house Axel Springer, and finance portal Finanzen.net. Blocknox, a subsidiary Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures, is responsible for the custody of acquired cryptocurrencies on an escrow basis. Meanwhile, Euwax manages the financial services required for trading. Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority A Berlin-based fintech company with a full German banking license, Solarisbank is BSDEX’s technology and banking partner responsible for payment processing and the custody of customers’ cash deposits in euro. The bank is authorized and regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bafin) and the European Central Bank (ECB). Bitwala partnered with Solarisbank last year to offer crypto-friendly bank accounts to its users. Bitbond partnered with the bank in March to process bank transfers during its security token offering. Further, Solarisbank’s Blockchain Factory, which enables users to offer their own crypto service, has partnered with Bison to help bring the app to the mass market. What do you think of Boerse Stuttgart Group launching a crypto trading platform? Let us know in the comments section below. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Images courtesy of Shutterstock, Bison, and Boerse Stuttgart Group. Did you know you can buy and sell BCH privately using our noncustodial, peer-to-peer Local Bitcoin Cash trading platform? The Local.Bitcoin.com marketplace has thousands of participants from all around the world trading BCH right now. And if you need a bitcoin wallet to securely store your coins, you can download one from us here. The post Major German Stock Exchange Group Launches Crypto Trading appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) adoption continues this week as there’s been a slew of announcements associated with BCH acceptance and activism. For instance, a massive electronic billboard in the middle of Tokyo displayed a huge BCH symbol indicating that Japan’s largest luxury watch and jewelry shop, Gem Castle Yukizaki, now accepts bitcoin cash at all 15 locations. Also read: Devs Remove BIP70 Payment Protocol From Bitcoin Core’s Default Settings Livenpay Supports Bitcoin Cash BCH proponents take pride in spreading adoption and during the third and fourth weeks of September, there’s been a bunch of new announcements. The Australian-based rewards platform Livenpay recently announced that bitcoin cash is now supported. The Liven ecosystem allows people to pay for food and beverages via the Liven app which is accepted at 1,000 restaurants, cafes, and bars in Australia. Bitcoin cash (BCH) is now accepted at all of Livenpay’s partners. Liven users can earn 10-30% rewards back from their bill which then can be stored or spent through Liven’s merchant network. The Livenpay app has more than 400,000 users and the platform has a native currency called LVN, an ERC20 token used for reward payouts. “With Livenpay as the ‘on-ramp’, we want to entice users and businesses around the world to enjoy the benefits of using frictionless, global cryptocurrency payments,” Liven CEO William Wong stated during the BCH announcement. The Liven executive continued: With our future pipeline of cryptocurrency integrations, Bitcoin Cash is the next step to expanding cryptocurrency support and being truly blockchain and currency agnostic. World-Renowned Jewelry Shop Gem Castle Yukizaki Displays Giant Bitcoin Cash Electronic Billboard Four days ago, residents of Tokyo noticed a very large electronic billboard displaying the Bitcoin Cash symbol in the middle of Roppongi at the lavish jewelry shop Gem Castle Yukizaki. The owner of Yukizaki has disclosed the company has been accepting BCH for goods and services at the fine jeweler’s 15 locations throughout Japan. The founder Mr. Yukizaki first revealed accepting BCH back in June and told our news team that a few people had already made purchases using the cryptocurrency. Yukizaki has 15 locations that accept bitcoin cash and the electronic billboard with the BCH logo is displayed in downtown Roppongi. On September 17, Bitcoin.com’s executive chairman Roger Ver visited the Yukizaki shop in Roppongi and purchased a luxury watch. Pictures from the day were shared across social media and BCH fans were thrilled to see the large electronic billboard display the BCH logo. The sign really stands out on one of the busiest streets in Roppongi, in the heart of Tokyo. On September 17, Roger Ver purchased a luxury watch at the jewelry shop Gem Castle Yukizaki. Washington Elite AI and Blockchain Summit Gives 33% Discount to Those Paying in Bitcoin Cash and Other Cryptocurrencies On September 23, Washington Elite announced the Washington Elite AI and Blockchain Summit – Smart City Edition conference in Vienna, Austria. The event held on October 11-12 will be accepting digital currencies for admission and people who pay for event tickets with a cryptocurrency like bitcoin cash (BCH) will receive a 33% discount at the Washington Elite conference. People interested in attending the Washington Elite AI and Blockchain Summit can save 33% by paying in crypto. The Washington Elite event will showcase a lineup of well known blockchain executives and crypto influencers like the President of Liberland Vit Jedlicka, Globalboost CEO Bruce Porter Jr., and Bitcoin.com’s CEO Stefan Rust. The conference will cover popular topics like cryptocurrencies and blockchain but also delve into subjects like artificial intelligence (AI), energy and mining, STOs, IEOs, virtual reality (VR), identity solutions and smart cities. Moreover, the summit will also host a variety of blockchain classes that will teach participants how to mine, send digital assets via SMS/text message, and how to operate a node. Eatbch Gets a New Website and the Nonprofit’s South Sudan Representatives Visit the UN’s Climate Action Summit Recently the bitcoin cash-powered food drive @Eatbch published a new website called eatbch.org. The charitable organization is a well-known food drive that purchases food for families in Venezuela and South Sudan with BCH donations. Eatbch is easily the most popular charity among BCH supporters for all of the work the group has accomplished since its inception. The new website design was produced by Coinbase engineer Josh Ellithorpe and the web portal gives a description of all the work the team does in Venezuela and South Sudan. The website also details why the charity decided to use bitcoin cash in contrast to other cryptocurrencies. In addition, eatbch.org shares updates as well like how the “peer-to-peer electronic cash-to-food system” has raised over $10,000 to feed the South Sudanese people. The charitable organization Eatbch has published a new website to show the world the work being done in Venezuela and South Sudan. Additionally, Emmanuel Lobijo, an Eatbch South Sudan leader, was one of 100 recipients to be invited to the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit that took place on Monday, September 23. Lobijo shared pictures of the event in New York and joined the popular climate activist Greta Thunberg at the opening of the Climate Action Summit. “Honored to share our work in South Sudan: using BCH to bridge access to the world — So amazing to hear our elders asking we the youth to hold them accountable, to help us make the world better,” Lobijo stated during the event. Lobijo shined a light on how the charitable organization is using bitcoin cash solutions to fight water wars, drought, and famine that plagues the residents of South Sudan. “[We] need humanitarian innovation, not military intervention,” the Eatbch South Sudan leader concluded. Today @Elobijo joined @GretaThunberg at the opening of the @UN #ClimateAction Summit! Honored to share our work in South Sudan: using #BCH to bridge access to the world! So amazing to hear our elders asking WE the youth to hold them accountable, to help us make the world better. pic.twitter.com/yRE4mBRmO0 — eatBCH South Sudan (@eatBCH_SS) September 21, 2019 Passionate bitcoiners continue to show the benefits of bitcoin cash through merchant adoption and the eye-opening activism Eatbch displays every day. BCH proponents wholeheartedly believe that bitcoin cash can transform the world by offering permissionless, decentralized, and censorship-resistant money. Every week, there are new BCH announcements pertaining to significant development, spreading more adoption and new noncustodial services. These are the continuance of the ultimate goal: a pure, peer-to-peer electronic cash that allows permissionless payments without the need for financial institutions. What do you think about the recent announcements in regard to BCH adoption and progression? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below. Image credits: Shutterstock, Akane Yokoo, Yukizaki, Eatbch Twitter and eatbch.org, Washington Elite, and Livenpay. Do you need a reliable Bitcoin mobile wallet to send, receive, and store your coins? Download one for free from us and then head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can quickly buy Bitcoin with a credit card. The post Bitcoin Cash Acceptance and Community Growth Ramp Up appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

HaasOnline Software, the creators of advanced crypto trading products, has announced the release of a Visual Editor, which leverages their overhauled scripting language, HaasScript. Users can choose between the newly released drag-and-drop visual editor or use the updated text-based editor while developing complex scripts to use with HaasOnline Trade Server. Their powerful visual editor allows for an efficient way to organize and edit command blocks that make up the logic of how a specific script will execute. The visual designer is immensely helpful for users who have minimal programming experience but are looking to maximize their trade automation with a feature-rich scripting language. Users can switch to the text-based editor with IntelliSense to control exactly what’s going on under the hood of their scripts. All of this new functionality is made possible by using the growing library of over five hundred built-in and user-created commands that run on the latest version of HaasScript. “With the introduction of the Visual Editor, which utilizes HaasScript, we have made it easy for users who don’t code to create scripts. We are happy with the feedback we have been receiving from the community.” said Quintus de Haas, HaasOnline’s chief technology officer. “Our development team has been working extremely hard to create and refine the world’s most advanced scripting language and tools for crypto automation.” This latest string of releases is just the start of the next wave of innovations coming from HaasOnline Software. Upcoming releases will include a community marketplace for users to exchange custom technical indicators and automated trading strategies that are created with HaasScript. In addition, users will be able to subscribe to third-party signal providers. About HaasOnline HaasOnline Software® and the signature HaasBot® trade bot empower cryptocurrency traders and investors to increase margins of profitably, reduce human errors, and increase efficiency. HaasOnline Trade Server is the driving force that automates trade strategies for thousands of cryptocurrency hobbyists, professionals, and institutional investors. HaasOnline Software is the creator of the original Bitcoin trade bot as well as the #1 trusted cryptocurrency trade platform available on the market over the last five years. For more information or a product demonstration, please contact: Jeff Vernon HaasOnline Limited jeff@haasonline.com https://www.haasonline.com Full Risk Disclosure Cryptocurrency, forex, futures, and stocks contain substantial risk and are not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing ones financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The post HaasOnline – Create Crypto Algorithms Without Coding appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article

Access to cryptocurrency, still a relatively new invention, requires some technological knowledge and computer literacy. In order to become more mainstream, however, Bitcoin will have to become more “main street” so to speak. Some crypto evangelists are finding ways to simplify the process of digital asset acquisition, making it easier for the average man or woman to get involved. Also read: How Cryptocurrencies Can Mitigate Some of Brexit’s Negative Effects Bitcoin Vouchers Sold in Lithuanian Stores and Kiosks New services offer newcomers to the crypto space an opportunity to buy their first coins on the street. Narvesen, a chain of convenience stores in Lithuania, and Lietuvos Spauda, a local network of press kiosks, are now starting to sell vouchers that can be exchanged for cryptocurrency. The driving force behind the project designed to bring more people into the crypto space is a local startup called Rebiton, Lithuanian news outlet Delfi recently reported. According to the publication, Rebiton decided to partner with the two companies because of their positive attitude towards cryptocurrencies and the numerous stores they run across the country, which means the vouchers will be available to many potential customers. Buyers can use Rebiton’s online platform to redeem them in a few easy steps or buy cryptocurrency directly with a credit card. “First of all, this project is aimed at simplifying the possibility to buy bitcoins, even for those who have never done that,” commented Raimundas Asauskas, a representative of the startup. “Despite the still rather high level of speculation involving this virtual currency, it’s obvious now that it will be an indispensable part of both the global financial system and online trade,” he emphasized. Although Rebiton charges a 6% fee for card purchases and sells bitcoin core at an exchange rate that’s around 500 euros over Kraken’s price (at the time of writing), its service has its strong points. For example, the platform does not require registration and respects user privacy. It provides an easy way to buy small amounts of crypto and won’t ask you to reveal sensitive personal data or provide a copy of your ID. Rebiton’s vouchers, which you can also buy online, come in 50, 100, and 999 euro denominations. A holder has to share only a valid email and a crypto wallet address to redeem their value. According to Vigintas Bartasevicius, head of the firm that owns Narvesen stores, and Lietuvos Spauda kiosks, Reitan Convenience Lithuania, the bitcoin voucher trading system is targeting the young generation as well. Buy Bitcoin Cash at 7-Eleven in the Philippines A similar approach has been employed by another partnership in the Philippines. Abra, a company developing an investment application, has recently joined forces with a local payment services provider, Ecpay, to provide customers with the option to purchase cryptocurrency at 6,000 outlets in the country. Users of the Abra wallet will have access to Ecpay’s retail outlets across the Philippines, including all stores of the 7-Eleven chain, which is also a partner in the initiative. They’ll be able to buy digital coins from 7-Eleven’s Cliqq kiosks in the stores or through the Cliqq mobile app, the wallet provider announced in a blog post. The Abra app allows investors to buy, sell, and hold major cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin cash (BCH), bitcoin core (BTC), ethereum (ETH), and litecoin (LTC). They can purchase 25 coins and tokens in total, exchange between any two of the supported currencies, and also hedge their portfolio in stablecoin trueusd (TUSD). To acquire cryptocurrencies, Abra users need to go to a Cliqq kiosk at any 7-Eleven store in the Philippines or install the Cliqq app. Abra is listed under “Bills Payment” in the menu. You can deposit between 500 and 100,000 Philippine pesos ($9 – $1,900) daily with a 2% transaction fee. After confirming the details, print the receipt and complete the transaction with the cashier. Once the money has been added to your wallet you can convert the fiat to crypto. Libertyx Maintains Crypto Points of Sale Across US Rebiton and Abra are just the latest entries in a growing list of companies working to make it easier for newbies to enter the world of decentralized digital currencies. Similar platforms operate elsewhere around the world as well. Libertyx, for example, is based in the United States and advertises itself as “America’s largest network of bitcoin ATMs, cashiers, and kiosks.” Using its services, you can purchase cryptocurrencies in a variety of ways. To find a traditional teller machine through which you can pay for your bitcoin, use the website’s store locator which will show an ATM near you. The Libertyx website provides step-by-step instruction on how to buy coins from ATMs with a debit card. Libertyx debit kiosks are another option. They are typically located at convenience stores, check cashing stores, and gas stations. The bitcoin purchase transaction is automated and you’ll complete it using your smartphone. But if you prefer to pay with cash or debit card in person, you can visit a Liberty cashier store, where an employee will help you finalize your purchase. Other platforms allow you to buy cryptocurrency with a regular bank deposit or money transfer. You can buy both bitcoin cash (BCH) and bitcoin core (BTC) through Bitquick and pay by a cash deposit to a seller’s bank or credit union account or by sending the funds via Western Union and Money Gram. The platform collects a 2% fee for its intermediary services as well as the mining fee for the crypto transaction. Users who would like to preserve their privacy and don’t want to scan their ID have a limit of $400. Bitquick has offices in several major U.S. cities and the capitals of Columbia and Argentina. Wall of Coins is a cryptocurrency marketplace that provides this type of services on a larger geographical scale. It operates globally connecting buyers and sellers of digital assets across the globe. To buy BCH and other major cryptocurrencies with fiat cash, you need to enter a wallet address, set a fiat amount in local currency and you’ll be provided with a payment option such as Western Union, Money Gram or a retail bank to make the transfer. Wall of Coins uses escrow for the crypto and is a cash-based system for the fiat. It does not accept credit cards in order to protect its sellers. Bitcoin ATMs Are Always an Option If you want to buy cryptocurrency with cash, bitcoin ATMs are always a working option. Their number is constantly growing around the world – over 5,500 machines are already in operation, according to data collected by Coinatmradar. Around 2,300 BATMs and tellers across the globe currently support bitcoin cash (BCH) among other leading cryptocurrencies. Many of these devices not only sell but also buy coins. They can be very useful for travelers who would like to bring their digital cash with them. ATM operators usually charge a fee for their service that can be as high as 10% on the transaction amount. Make sure to always check the cost of your cryptocurrency purchase beforehand. If you are new to the crypto space and are looking for a safe and secure way to acquire your first coins online, you can purchase bitcoin cash (BCH) and other major cryptocurrencies at buy.Bitcoin.com using a credit card. You can also freely trade your crypto assets on our noncustodial, peer-to-peer marketplace local.Bitcoin.com, which already has thousands of users around the world. Also, register and try our recently launched premier trading platform, exchange.Bitcoin.com. Do you expect buying cryptocurrency from stores and kiosks to become even more widespread in the future? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Images courtesy of Shutterstock, Libertyx. Do you need a reliable bitcoin mobile wallet to send, receive, and store your coins? Download one for free from us and then head to our Purchase Bitcoin page where you can quickly buy bitcoin with a credit card. The post Buying Bitcoin on the Street Is Getting Easier appeared first on Bitcoin News. View the full article